You must start a new non-profit.

And here’s four reasons why:

Photo Credit: GS+

1. Even though there is another non-profit that is practically identical to your idea, you don’t like their logo/their location/their board/the 7th point of their statement of beliefs

The “market” can handle an infinite number of non-profits. So feel free to start one on a whim. Because it’s cheap to file, and hey, everyone loves getting tax deductions. And that whole “synergy” is overrated.

2. Because you like starting from scratch with zero.

Zero resources.

Zero momentum.

Zero employees/volunteers.

Zero connections.

3. Because you are smarter than just about everyone else out there.

The thing about working for someone else, or serving their non-profit, is that they are going to try and tell you what to do. And who needs that? You’re smart, right? And none of us need to learn from others that have already done the hard work and have the experience. And anyway, you already have a lot of knowledge on non-profits….

4. Because you bought Non-Profits for Dummies at Barnes & Noble.

Everything you need to know about running a non-profit, from tax rules to creating a board, to marketing and fundraising, are already covered in excellent books. And you’ve read them cover to cover, and that’s enough.

What have I missed?

I love this.

I love traveling. I love new places, new smells, new tastes, new languages, new cultures, new experiences.

But I also love teaching and connecting people who have a dream for something bigger in life.

Here in East Africa, we are looking for some leaders to step forward who are ready for something bigger. Like many of us, they have had a stirring in their heart for an old problem, or a new solution, or to spread the Christian message.

But why Africa?

Photo Credit: Arno & Louise Wildlife

A Treasure Chest

Over a billion people live on the continent of Africa. Africa itself holds 57% of the world’s cobalt, 53% of its diamonds, 21% of its gold, and 18% of the world’s uranium. It is a (literal) goldmine of natural resources. Almost 2 billion square kilometers of arable land, most of which hasn’t even come close to its potential (we’re talking possible increases of 150% – 700% in farm production).

However, even with all of these natural resources, the people of Africa have not had the best time of it. Years of colonialism and exploitation, followed by years of Western guilt-fed recouperations and development efforts have put Africa at a tipping point.

We don’t have the solutions for Africa. Africans hold the solutions for Africa.

I think there are big things in store for Africa. It is just bursting at the seams with resources, with ideas, with manpower, and with potential. During my time here in Africa, I want to inspire some to believe that they can make a change in their lives, and the lives of others.

We want to begin a replicating movement of people committed to loving, serving, and leading–and then training others to do the same.

Help me out here… any words of wisdom for me as I teach (I have a week left) or for my students?

It’s interesting to see the light come on when someone finally gets it. What about you? Has your light come on? Funnily enough, it’s not easy convincing people:

You have what the world needs.

Photo credit:Jesse Gardner

There are tremendous needs out there.

I’ve talked in previous posts about the various challenges and needs facing the world today. Take your pick, there are problems everywhere, from homelessness in your own town to the AIDS epidemic to foul drinking water to wage inequality. It’s enough to send you into depression… if you let it. Or it could challenge you, to make you think of better ways of doing things or inspire you to create something that will solve those challenges. I hope it challenges you, because the solutions to those problems are out there…

You have virtually infinite potential.

You were given certain gifts, talents, and passions that are unique to you and you alone. Your ideas, your hands, your voice… they are gifts that are looking for an outlet, looking for a platform.

The sooner you realize this better.

Don’t wait for someone else who you think is smarter, better looking, a better communicator… you’ve got it. Don’t wait for someone from out-of-town to come in and bring money or a fantastic idea… they’re not coming. Don’t think that the solution to something that wrecks your heart will come from anyone else but you.

Someone is waiting for you to step up.

So do it. Step up. Push your chair back from your desk, or get up off the couch, or take the next stop off the train. Get started.

That idea you have? Invest some time and money into it.

That message that’s on your heart that needs shouting from the rooftops? Blog about it or write a manifesto. (Or shout from a rooftop)

The challenge that is on your doorstep or town square? Volunteer, join a club, or just do something about it.

That’s what I think.

So, what are YOU going to do about it? Tell me below what is on your heart that you just need to get started.

I was recently talking to some church leaders about church planting. They had an ambitious vision to begin planting churches in their region and we were brainstorming about how church plants should look and feel. At one point, the discussion turned to doctrine and whether the new churches would necessarily be a part of the mother church’s denomination.

We realized that constraining new churches to carrying a denominational title could restrict their interaction or impact. It was simply a fact that with a name, people would have a expectation of a similar style of worship and service. It could act as a barrier, albeit artificial, to reaching more with the gospel.

We acknowledged that while sticking to our core Christian beliefs, we wanted freedom in expression, style, and *gasp* interpretation of non-core beliefs.

Know what is at your core.

I think these days we are getting back to the basics; we are searching out the words of Christ and the example of the early church to create new churches that are closer to the original version. Centuries of tradition, autocratic legalism, and cultural influence have added layers onto the original that just weren’t intended.

Know your non-negotiables.

So instead of making a carbon copy of any one church, let’s start with the basics and put it in whatever style is needed to reach a community or culture. We’re talking style here, not doctrine. Your non-negotiables, those values and beliefs that you will not budge on, will stay the same. Once you have those set, your outer shell can look like a house, a chapel, an auditorium, a cafe, a bar, or a business.

Where will you make your stand?

Please don’t fall on your sword for something petty. Don’t ruin an opportunity or a relationship over an interpretation question or an opinion. Stand on a firm foundation and seek to find ways to reconcile differences, not amplify them.

Be free to serve others

Remember, freedom doesn’t mean we build on any and everything. Freedom isn’t anarchy. It’s built on a relationship with Christ and a willingness to serve.

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, to serve one another humbly in love.

What do you think? Do you agree with this tactic in planting churches?

At the end of Luke chapter 9, it’s a bit shocking when he tells his followers not to say goodbye to their parents or to ‘let the dead bury the dead.’

When Jesus talked about hating your parents and picking up your cross, he wasn’t trying to tell his followers that they shouldn’t honor their family or that they should live a beaten-down life–he was trying to make a point. He meant that to truly be a disciple, to truly be “sent”, you have to “not love your life to the death.” — be truly willing to give your life to the Message and the Call.

In 1519, when Spanish explorer & conquistador Hernando Cortez arrived on the shores of Mexico, once his troops had disembarked from their ships, he ordered the ships to be burnt.

In effect, there were two options: victory or death.

As leaders, we need to learn to burn the boats behind us.

There’s No Plan B.

The Aztecs had a horde of gold and wealth, an advanced culture, and strong borders. For hundreds of years no one had been able to match them in battle. Cortes’ men knew this, and in the back of their minds they were probably already planning their way home or onto the next (and hopefully easier) conquest.

So Cortes manufactured some commitment for his men.

Commitment. Commitment. Commitment.

What if there is no escape hatch, no backup plan?

There is one way, one message, one solution for the challenges that the world offers: We must give our life 100% for our calling, whether that’s the foreign mission field or your office building. We must be sold-out, no matter what we choose to do.

Want people to follow you? Why would they commit to you if you aren’t committed to yourself? If you’ve got an escape plan just in case times get tough, people aren’t going to follow you. That would be asking for failure.

We live in a world of options. And that’s created people that can barely choose what cereal to eat in the morning, let along choose a path in life that could cost them time, money, or hard work.

So commitment is the only way to truly make a difference in this world.

What Are Our “Boats”?

What are the things in our lives that we are holding onto that we need to let go of? Is it a past romantic relationship we haven’t gotten past? Or is it our family dysfunction that we use as a crutch?

For me, it was the military. For years, I kept “my options open” to return to the military, whether in the reserves or as a contractor. I’ve had to let that go to truly devote my full efforts to my calling. No looking back. Burn the boats.

What is it that you are holding on to that needs to be let go? Or are you sold out and committed to see your dream happen?

But as I sat down to write, I couldn’t write it. My mind kept calling “BS.” It wouldn’t let me get away with it. So I am going to allow a peek behind the curtain, kick myself for being so arrogant in 2011, and introduce you to my theme for 2012:

So, let’s start out by explaining my “Real Man” activity. Yes, I was chopping some wood for our fireplace, a chore that needed to get done–but what I was really doing was escaping.

Escaping a Sunday morning in a house full of frustration and shouting.

I replaced A Man’s Duty with a false Manly chore. I thought I would get dirty, do some physical activity, and feel like a Real Man by chopping some wood. But in essence I left my home, my responsibility, my family, when they needed me.

I should have stuck around. Improved the situation. Helped. Loved.

So I have that off my chest. Starting 2012 with some honesty. My life isn’t perfect. I am doing my best.

I’ve written before about my quest for real, raw honesty… but now I’m devoting a whole year to it. Let’s see if I have any friends left by 2013.

But really, I’ve got to be honest with those around me. I’ve got a voice and I’m going to use it. And I’m going to be more honest on this blog… because sometimes I write from the point of view of someone who’s got it all together. And the truth is, I don’t. Usually, if I’m writing something, it’s because I just learned it or it’s an ideal that I’m striving for.

Not because I’m some expert on it. Because I’m not. I’m just a guy who wants to use his passions to serve others.

Now it’s your turn. Do you have some honest feedback for me? Do you read this blog and think, boy I wish I could tell this guy that ….

They had no idea what they were going into, just rumors and legends. The only thing they knew for certain was that their travels would be dangerous, their new homes sparse, and the work needed would be back-breaking. Many who went lost their lives, their family members, their wealth… but most of them saw with their own eyes that the work they were pioneering was foundational: A foundation for their children and their children’s children that would stand for generations.

We must grab that pioneer spirit.

What are we building for the generations to follow? What mysterious adventure are we setting off on, that one day, will be recounted around the dining table to our grandchildren?

Maybe it’s a marriage or a child. Maybe it’s traveling to an unknown place. Or maybe it’s planting a church, business, or venture into a new location.

Are you willing to step off into a mysterious adventure, not knowing the details other that there will be danger and death along the road?

Please take that step into the mystery. The world is counting on people like you, who knew the risks but took the voyage anyway.

What are you pioneering today? Tell me about it in the comments–I’d love to see if we could help each other.

The Family

The kids are growing smarter and more beautiful everyday. Ben started preschool (in all-Spanish public school) this September, and is comfortable and making friends and learning muchas español! Emma just turned double-digits and is getting taller and smarter by the day. Her entrepreneurial streak is still going strong and she is still doing well as the proprietor of the leadership academy’s snack bar. Gabriella is still our precocious, outgoing one–she has made best friends with our new neighbors and walks their dog every day after school. She is doing excellent in school and was recently asked to help tutor another Spanish student in her grade.

G42 Leadership Academy

Our primary job (outside of raising a family) for me and Bec is running the G42 Leadership Academy. It is a 6-month discipleship/leadership training program located in Mijas, Spain. Our role includes everything from fixing water heaters and shopping for bunk beds to teaching and coaching.

2011 has seen G42 grow from a leadership academy to a multi-faceted worldwide family. We’re also proud to be stretching and growing our capabilities and vision. The leadership, staff, interns, and alumni of the 42nd Generation have had an excellent year as we serve the needs of Mijas, Spain, and the world.

In 2011, the G42 Leadership Academy trained & commissioned 29 leaders into various fields around the world, taking the total number of alumni to 71 people. Alumni are running non-profits, anti-trafficking organizations, serving at children’s homes, managing retreat centers, and leading missions trips (Just this year, they’ve led 9 short and long-term missions teams, including over 200 participants, to places such as Uganda, Puerto Rico, Swaziland, Thailand, Guatemala, and India)

English Classes

The greatest surprise for us since we moved to Spain has been Rebecca’s Clases de Inglés. What started as a favor for a friend has now turned into a daily after school program for over 40 students! In 2011, Rebecca became an official autonomo (self-employed) so she is official and we are enrolled in the Spanish national health system. This saves us buying insurance from the states, but it means she has to pay into the tax/social security system.

These classes are our best connection with our neighbors, and helped us to integrate a little more into the normal life of the village.

G42 Africa

We are proud to announce that G42 Africa will be launched in February 2012. G42 is partnering with LightForce International on their self-sustaining village in Lira, Uganda to provide leadership teaching and training to African leaders & church planters. This is the realization of our dream for “kingdom planters” around the world to provide a place of life, learning, and love to a community, and to disciple a new generation to start the cycle over again. Armand & Rebeca VanDijk, Leadership Academy graduates from September 2010, are the full-time leaders in Uganda for this project.

Anyway, enough for now… let’s get on with Twenty-Twelve!

The Top Ten Posts for 2011

1. Boys Need an Initiation The beginning of my series on Initiation, a good start if you’d like to hear my passion for discipling men.
2. Seven Rules for Dating My Daughters Funny enough, this one is about raising daughters. It’s a stressful job, even when they are eight and nine years old.
3. You Are Not That Important Part 2 of my series on initiation.
4. I Hate My Blog. I Love My Blog. This summer, I began to get a feel for the balance between blogging and everything else in my life.
5. 5 Tips for Singles Looking for “The One” I talk to a lot of young adults and try to give them advice on finding Mr & Mrs Right.
6. 6 Steps to Building a Team (Like Jesus Did) Jesus didn’t read Maxwell, Godin, or Covey.
7. Book Review: Poke the Box by Seth Godin But I do. And I really enjoyed this book by Seth Godin.
8. An Idiot or a Hero.I tried to figure out why a UCLA student would book a one-way ticket to join the Libyan rebels…
9. How the Kindle Ruined My Life I received a Kindle last Christmas, and I still love to use it. This post is a mini-review.
10. 7 Ways to Make Your Vacation Work I took a break this summer… and blogged about it.

Five Posts I Wish You Would’ve Read

Here are five great posts that didn’t get the hits, but I think they’re great.
1. Followership
2. A Battle To Fight
3. Don’t Pray About This.
4. Brotherhood: The Bond of Blood
5. Five Ways of Equipping the Church

My Foray into eBooks! INITIATE

If you are a frequent reader here, you know that I’ve been talking about the topic of Initiation and this ebook ad nauseaum for a while now. I am really proud of it and the reactions I’ve received. It’s still available for free, at this link if you’d like a copy.

Thank You

Thanks for reading, I hope this blog has become a useful resource for many of you. If it is, please share, tweet, like, or stumble! If you’d like to subscribe to my blog via email, click here. If you prefer using an RSS reader, click here.

Have a Great 2012!

Perhaps the biggest problem facing Christian leaders and ministers today is insecurity. Each of us has our ‘chinks in the armor,’ where we feel the most vulnerable and weak. As this is played out in our personality, we overcompensate. These insecurities force us to operate out of fear, ego, and false bravado. Over the course of Christian history, insecurity has probably destroyed more relationships, churches, and ministries than any other factor.

We must become secure in who we are.

It’s not a zero-sum game

During the cold war, Russia and the United States faced off in what historians and politicians dubbed a “zero-sum” game. Each side thought that any gain by the other had a negative affect on their nation. For example, when Russia or China decided to add Vietnam or Korea into their sphere of influence, the United States felt compelled to act to re-balance the scales.

To put it into a ministry context, success for your ministry or church doesn’t negatively impact my ministry or church. It doesn’t work like that in the Kingdom of God. A gain for your church (financially, size-wise, influence-wise) is a gain for THE church.

Our goal should be the increase of the gospel message, no matter by whom.

If we are secure in our calling and in our gifts, and linked together to help each other (as we should be), then a positive for you is a positive for the kingdom. And that’s what we want.

You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. …For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 3:2-11

There is no power struggle

So why are there so many ministries, evangelists, programs, churches that feel that they have to compete with each other? Insecurity. Why do some leaders react with insulation rather than transparency? Insecurity The fear that something or someone will beat us at our own game…

This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 1 John 4:17-20.

So denominations must learn how to find common ground. Local churches must work together to serve and reach people in their communities. Businesses and ministries must find ways to network & synergize, cooperate with like-minded organizations, and not develop a spirit of competition.

There’s enough to go around

We don’t need a bunker mentality as Christians. We need to be allies, not enemies–to cooperate wherever possible.

It’s not as if we will run out of people who need God’s love.

Your town has enough people in it fill dozens if not hundreds of churches.

There are dying, enslaved, starving people all over the world; all of them need your help.

If someone has “beat you to the punch” and started a ministry that is similar to your dream, don’t start a competing ministry, work for or partner with theirs.

So what should our response be?

We have to break this tradition. Our mantra must be

“What can I do for you to help you succeed?”

no matter what it means for our personal ego, our ministry bottom line, or church membership.

What tangible efforts are you or your organization doing to cooperate, not compete?