Stirred Up Leadership

We've Moved

noreply@blogger.com (Willow Creek Association) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:48:00 +0000

Thanks for reading the Willow Creek Association blog. We've recently updated our blog and moved.

Visit the new blog.

Announcing Global Leadership Summit Speakers

noreply@blogger.com (Willow Creek Association) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 18:25:00 +0000

The speakers for this year’s Global Leadership Summit are officially announced!

If you missed the webcast with Bill Hybels and Jim Mellado announcing the line up, you can watch it here. Or, you can check out the full line up on the Summit website.

2011 Summit speakers are:

See you at the Global Leadership Summit!

PS- You can stay connected on twitter (#wcagls) and facebook.

Upcoming Summit Announcement

noreply@blogger.com (Willow Creek Association) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 14:08:00 +0000

Bill Hybels and Jim Mellado will be introducing The Global Leadership Summit 2011 faculty line-up on Thursday, March 31.

Gather your team to join them live via webcast from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm CST, as they talk about each speaker, show video clips, and explain the unique features of this year’s event.

This webcast will also feature a teaching session with Dr. Henry Cloud—one of this year's Summit speakers—on The Leader's Family: Source of Stress or Source of Strength. This is a great opportunity to envision others about the purpose of the event, the caliber of the speakers, and to begin recruiting a team to attend the Summit at the satellite location nearest you on August 11-12, 2011.

Sign up for the upcoming webcast, National Leader's Gathering. We’ll send you a reminder email with a direct link to the webcast.

7 Pastors & 8 Reads

noreply@blogger.com (Willow Creek Association) — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 15:00:00 +0000

You've heard it before- great leaders are also great learners.

In a meeting with 7 pastors, we made a list of what they are reading right now:

Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh
The Janitor by Todd Hopkins
Exponential by Dave Ferguson and Jon Ferguson
Winning by Jack Welch
Intimacy with the Almighty by Charles Swindoll
Rethinking Genesis by Garrett Duane
The Starfish and the Spider by Ori Brafman
Fathered by God by John Eldredge

Enjoy!

By: WCA Team (@wcagls)

An Update from Japan

noreply@blogger.com (Willow Creek Association) — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 20:00:00 +0000

The below note is written by a pastor in Japan, Yasuki Myamoto. Last year, Yamato Calvary Church in Yamato City hosted the Global Leadership Summit and 450 people attended. Less than 1% of total population is reported as Christian and the country is known among the missionaries as “one of the most difficult to share the Gospel” country in the world.

We are still in the stage of rescue operation being carried by professional people and volunteers who would like go there and help as soon as possible but told not to go until organized logistics are set up. Emergency vehicles are only permitted to drive on the roads leading to disaster areas at this stage.

It is frustrating but we need to be patient at this stage.

One of my church members took 30 hours before she was able to talk to her parents briefly on the phone. They are safe but the house was collapsed. (We are not sure yet how all the churches are in that area because of communication problem).

My wife cannot come back home from her work because public transport is reducing their service due to planned blackout (from area to area we will rotate black out so that we can save the electric power for disaster areas)that will last we are told until the end of April. Even in Tokyo our daily life is being affected by this disaster.

I'd appreciate just keep praying for our country specially right now is our nuclear power plant one of them is facing serious trouble. Our worst fear is nuclear leaks. They have been controlling them but are on thin ice.

Blessings

Yasuki

Desert Path

noreply@blogger.com (Willow Creek Association) — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 14:03:00 +0000

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Years ago I had an opportunity to go to the desert to seek guidance from God.

It wasn't the exactly the Egyptian wilderness of the Desert Fathers of ancient days. It was…well… a California state park, complete with groomed trails, guides, and tourists in Hawaiian shirts and sandals. But ever since my wife Corinne and I had arrived in the Golden State for a much-needed vacation, I had the uncanny sense that I was supposed to take a side trip into the desert. I wondered if God might speak to me in some way—a sort of “burning bush” that might guide my choices at a very confusing crossroads.

I arrived in the park and walked the path, taking in rock formations, the sky, the desert vibe, letting my thoughts percolate. After a while the trail led up a hill and toward the top I could make out a shape like a cross. This is it, I thought. I hiked up the rest of the way full of expectation, senses heightened. Something significant was here.

I clambered up the hill, anticipation growing with every step. I reached the crest, and the vista of the desert land opened up gloriously before me. I approached what turned out to be a cross-shaped sign, and the message came into view:

I laughed at myself and my overblown expectations. It had been posted by the Park Service for the safety of the tourists!

But then I thought further… maybe there’s a message for me here anyway.

I had followed one career path, one chosen ministry, for decades. Recently the terrain had changed significantly, leaving me uncertain how to proceed. For months I had been mulling over the unsettling idea of diverting from the path I had followed for so long. Compounding the angst of the moment, Corinne was now wrestling with some serious health issues. So here at the top of the hill, my encounter with this wooden sign seemed like more than a coincidence. I decided to follow the metaphor with my feet. I stayed on the trail. I hiked back down, and continued further on. The path narrowed, becoming rockier, increasingly dry and desolate, like the surface of the moon. Nothing could grow here. Off in the distance, the trail wound up another hill, far steeper, positively treacherous. I stopped and looked carefully at the scene.

And somewhere inside I sensed God’s voice saying, No matter how narrow and desolate your path toward the future may seem now, no matter how rocky and fraught with dangers,

please…. Stay On The Trail.

And I listened. My spirit resonated.

Several years later, by God’s grace I’m still on the path, staying the course that He has carved out for me, as He continues, step by step, to provide in surprising, unforeseen ways. And my flimsy faith is slowly growing into something that might just survive even when the trail is narrowest and the terrain most rocky.

And, so far as I can see and imagine, as Robert Frost might say…

“…that has made all the difference.”

Good Shepherd, Perfect Guide,

As we travel on, help us see Your navigating hand, Your guidance and provision…the perfection of Your vision. We submit our every hope to You. Align us with Your Spirit, and hear our longing as we ask, O Lord, for wisdom.

By: Greg Ferguson
Co-Producer/ Experience Designer, The Global Leadership Summit
Desert Path is also posted on Greg's blog, 10,000 Pages

Does God Whisper?

noreply@blogger.com (Willow Creek Association) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Recently, our team has been considering what might happen if God’s people and churches started listening for God’s quiet whispers--and then acting on what they hear. Hoping to spark conversation and encourage people to listen for God’s promptings, we’ve just released a two-minute video.

We humbly ask if you might:
1. Watch the video.

2. If you like it, share it! We encourage you to post the video to your blog, your facebook page, or your twitter feed-- between March 15 and March 25.

Together, we’re hoping to elevate the truth that listening, hearing, and responding to God’s whispers is not only one of life’s greatest joys, but will change the world.

By: WCA (@wcagls)
DoesGodWhisper.com

Whoosh

noreply@blogger.com (Willow Creek Association) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Imagine actually being there in real time

when Jesus was walking on the earth,

among crowds, healing them one by one...

Whoosh
i imagined You yesterday--

You with a crowd

hand on shoulders

forehead

top of head

grasping both hands with a strong firm grip.

looking squarely into eyes

waiting

listening

sensing

alert

do you believe I can do this?

holy eyes searching the inner landscape

sensing where shreds of faith could be found

within the sick soul

live silence

search mode

looking deep into eye windows

the crowd on their toes

unbreathing

unspoken lightning fast dialog

Jesus to cells

inquiry

response

faith/fear

balance/imbalance

analyzed spirit computations

cell to cell system to soul

deep calling to deep

assessment

cutting through

mining true trust

activating healing

deep well resources

is there enough there?

the faith within

answers the inquiring gaze

connect

whoosh

rapid rush of healing

immediate

complete

and

exhale

testing

confirming

healing accomplished

loving gaze

smile

child, go in peace

remember this

By: Greg Ferguson
Co-Producer/ Experience Designer, The Global Leadership Summit
Whoosh is also posted on Greg's blog, 10,000 Pages

Symptoms of the Soul

noreply@blogger.com (Willow Creek Association) — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Church leaders often unintentionally neglect the health of their own souls in their busyness caring for the souls of others. If this is true for you, you're jeopardizing not only your own spiritual health, but your effectiveness as a leader—because the soul health of the leader has a significant impact on the spiritual transformation of those you're leading. Here are some common symptoms of the soul.

When your own soul has been neglected, what tends to emerge? We often hear:

Self-absorption
Shame
Apathy
Toxic Anger
Physical Fatigue
Isolation
Stronger Temptation to Sin
Drivenness
Feelings of Desperation
Panic
Insecurity
Callousness
A Judgmental Attitude
Cynicism
Lack of Desire for God.

On other days, when our souls are thriving from a deepening life with God, we find:

Love
Joy
Compassion
Giving and Receiving Grace
Generosity of Spirit
Peace
Ability to Trust
Discernment
Humility
Creativity
Vision
Balance
Focus
Energy for Work

So, how's your soul these days?

By: Mindy Caliguire (@MindyCaliguire)
Transformation Ministry Team, WCA
Founder, SoulCare (a Spiritual Formation Ministry)

*Reposted with permission from Mindy's Soul Care blog

Looking for a next step....

Sign up for The LIFT Project. The class begins with a self-assessment on the current state of your own soul and a general understanding of soul health. Assigned work includes interaction with written materials and video teaching from Dallas Willard, Bill Hybels, Lance Witt, Mindy Caliguire, Juanita Rasmus, and Wayne Cordiero.

Learn about the Pillars of Soul Care

The Hoarder Mentality

noreply@blogger.com (Willow Creek Association) — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:31:00 +0000

Last week our team spent time with Henry Cloud planning for the upcoming Transformation Intensive and discussing ways that we can help churches improve their culture.

In his book Necessary Endings, Henry defines pruning as the process of proactive endings. He says, “The hoarder mentality thrives in garages, but in business and people’s lives, as well” (p. 180).

Henry challenges us with this principle from John 15:2. Growing doesn’t always mean taking on more. You may have to ask “Which one am I willing to give up to have the other one?” Is it time for you to look at your ministry and identify ways for pruning to take place so that the ministry can grow?

Are there good things that need to stop so your can focus your energy and resources on something that is more strategic to your mission?
Is there a staff member that has a toxic attitude and although you’ve talked to them about it many times and given them time to improve, they are not?
Do you have programs that you believed would really serve your congregation and for whatever reason they just aren’t effective?

In the words from Henry’s book, “How well are you maximizing where you are right now and how ready are you to do what is necessary to get to the next place. Sometimes that depends on ending some of what is happening today” (p. 250).

Praying for your endings.

By: Lori Hermann (@Lorihermann)

Executive Producer, Transformation Ministry, Willow Creek Association

Looking for next steps…

Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud
You may also be interested in The LIFT Project, which offers an e-learning course on "A Leader's Soul." The course will cover stories and theories on how to keep a soul healthy while pouring into the hearts and lives of others

The Most Effective Churches in America

noreply@blogger.com (Willow Creek Association) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:28:00 +0000

Are you really making a difference? Every ministry leader wants to make an impact. But how do we know if the things we are doing actually make a difference? Through REVEAL research, we've identified some key findings about church effectiveness.

On Tuesday, March 8, 2011--at 12 noon CST, Willow Creek Association (WCA) president Jim Mellado will engage with church leaders across the country, for a conversation about what makes a truly effective church.

Jim will be joined by host Mindy Caliguire to talk about the characteristics of churches that are truly helping people move toward full, Christ-centered living. You’ll also learn how the WCA is working to help you maximize the transformative power of your church.

This webcast is designed for church leaders, and is the first in a monthly series of live online training events planned around the topics of leadership and spiritual formation. Future guests will include Henry Cloud, Dallas Willard, and Bill Hybels.

Sign up for the free webcast on March 8th, The Most Effective Churches in America, click here and we’ll send you a reminder email with a direct link to the webcast.

By: WCA (@wcagls)

Inspiring People to Give their Life Away

noreply@blogger.com (Willow Creek Association) — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 20:00:00 +0000

I have spent the past week pouring over our church’s 2011 REVEAL survey results. I believe that within them is information that will be helpful as we continue to live out our mission.

For my past twenty five years of ministry I have pursued two passions: first, helping those who are far from Christ understand there is a community of people who can help them find their way to Him, and second, helping the already-convinced grow in depth and intimacy with God.

The first pursuit has seemed easier to measure than the second. We have strategically surveyed our weekend attenders to determine how often they attended church prior to attending CedarCreek. For the past 15 years, 45% of responders have consistently answered “less than once a month,” which has helped us quantify our mission of reaching spiritually restless and unchurched people. In addition, our baptism wall is filled with pictures and personal stories of conversion from young and old, many of who had little or no church experience, and who encountered Jesus via CedarCreek Church. This is my favorite place in our building. What an exciting and humbling experience to be a part of.

The second pursuit is equally important. Jesus was clear that we are to create disciples that understand and live in obedience to our King and his mission. But this passion is much more difficult to measure. How can one really know the spiritual temperature of another?

It can be so easy to mask, fake, cover and hide the broken realities of our internal world. And if you are like me, you have spent hours debating, wrestling with, and burdened by the mandate to help the already convinced move forward spiritually.

One encouraging discovery REVEAL identified was how willing the people at CedarCreek are to “give their life away.” This reminds me of the catalytic importance of inspiring and challenging people to give their time and resources away for the good of transforming their city for the sake of God.

That is the reason why this weekend; we are hosting Gary Haugen, President of International Justice Mission (...you may remember Gary from his incredible message at the Global Leadership Summit). He is not a pastor. He spends most of his time in the professional world freeing people from the injustice of sex trafficking. And even though most of our people may never get close to the work that the International Justice Mission does, Gary’s story is an inspiring example of how God can use us when we give our life to Him.

I believe our people deeply want to be connected with God’s mission. I believe they intellectually buy into the mission Jesus invites us into within the Great Commission. However, sometimes they need new voices to inspire and challenge them to take one more step forward. Gary has an amazing story of God’s redemptive work. He is an inspiring example of what it means to give your life away, even under the threat of death. Our prayer is that he challenges our people to take one more step towards putting Christ at the center of their life in all they do.

Who is it you need to invite to challenge and inspire your people to give their life away?

By: Lee Powell
Senior Pastor | Perrysburg Lead Pastor, CedarCreek.tv (@cedarcreektv)

Looking for a next step...

Tune into CedarCreek's iCampus to watch Gary Haugen live during any of the weekend services (Saturday 5:15; 7:00 and Sunday 9, 10:45; 12:30 Eastern) at CedarCreek.tv.
More info on REVEAL

Focus Obsession

noreply@blogger.com (Willow Creek Association) — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 15:51:00 +0000

I don’t know what it was as a little kid, but I was always fascinated with the high jump. There was something about elevating myself as high as I could over a bar. By the time I was in sixth grade, I was jumping heights over my head. Eventually I would jump almost 13” over my height, nearly 7'. I loved to jump. It gave me some of my most exhilarating moments in my athletic career—but it did more than that.

The high jump taught me about focus.

The challenge in the high jump is not just jumping high, it’s jumping high and peaking at just the right time and place in mid-air. If you peak too soon you come down on the bar and miss. If you peak too late, you hit the bar on the way up . . .miss again. The higher the bar gets, the less room for error. Everything must be aligned. The angle and speed of your approach, the take-off, the distance from the bar, your body position over the bar – it all has to work together seamlessly in one fluid motion to create the maximum lift at just the right time. In order to succeed in the high jump, you need focus obsession.

From beginning to end I would never take my eyes off of the bar. Everything around me disappeared. My entire focus turned to elevating my center of gravity to propel myself over the top of bar. For me, the bar was like an irresistible magnet causing everything work together to clear it.

Focus obsession simply doesn’t happen unless there is a crystal clear definition of success.

It’s true in the high jump and it’s true for your organization: all the alignment and adjustments that happen naturally do not happen unless people have a clear definition of what to focus on. What do people focus on in your organization? How is success defined?

Leaders love words like empowerment and autonomy. It’s what the experts say increases ownership and brings out the best in people. But I must admit as a leader, those words scare me sometimes. How do you ensure alignment and collaboration? How do you know that every effort is moving the organization closer to its mission? I’ve found the only way to do that is to build a team of people who have focus obsession because they know what it takes to succeed—and they love it. That’s when things like empowerment and autonomy truly come alive in a work culture and lead people toward a common goal without policies, rules, and hierarchy.

By: Jim Mellado (@JimMellado)
President, Willow Creek Association (WCA)

Looking for a next step...

On Tuesday, March 8 at 12 noon CST, Jim Mellado will engage with church leaders across the country for a conversation via webcast about what makes a truly effective church. (Click here and we’ll send you a reminder email with a direct link to the webcast.)

10 Distinctives of Emotionally Healthy Preaching

noreply@blogger.com (Willow Creek Association) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 16:07:00 +0000

I remain firmly committed to doing our study/exegesis of texts that we preach, basing our sermons firmly on having dug deep into Scripture. Eugene Peterson says it well: “Exegesis doesn’t take charge of the text and impose superior knowledge to it; it enters the heart of the text and lets the text “read” us. Exegesis is an act of sustained humility. There is so much about this text I will never know.” (Eugene Peterson, Eat This Book). However, the following are ten questions to which I return over and over again – both for myself and our Teaching Team at New Life:

1. Is my “heart at rest?” This is a phrase out of the famous Lao Tsu poem “The Woodcarver“. It parallels Jesus’ time with the Father before His own preaching. This is about slowing down enough to ensure my life and teaching is flowing from the love of God.

2. Have I spent adequate time with the Father so that I am not preaching from a reflected sense of self? I want to get to the point each week where I am free from what the congregation will think or say about my sermon, that I am not looking for validation from others.

3. Have I allowed the text to go deep beneath my own iceberg? It is one thing, for example, to preach generally about not fearing, and another to take 1-2 hours wrestling with my present fears around security, the future, my children, etc. This involves giving room for the complexities and nuances of absorbing a text into our being.

4. Am I eager for a “live encounter” with people? It is a temptation to be so absorbed in the process of preparing the sermon that I run out of time to eagerly anticipate the “liveness” of the moment of bringing a Word from God to His people. This requires space to ponder implementation for the specific people before me, i.e. what skills, tools, and practical helps I can offer to put flesh on the message.

5. Am I living with integrity? It is easy to skimp on my own inner work under the pressure to deliver a message. I am referring to integrity with myself (Do I really want people to imitate me as I imitate Christ), others (especially your spouse and children, if applicable), and in your leadership (no skimming, lying, exaggerating).

6. Have I finished editing and simplifying the message? One of the most important, if not the most important decision in every sermon, is what are you not going to say. Less is almost always better.

7. Am I fighting or surrendering to God’s process in the birth of a sermon (“I got the kernel of revelation/truth!”), the death of the sermon (“This is going nowhere”), burial (“God I am waiting!”), and the resurrection of God’s Word for this particular weekend (“I never anticipated this is where I would end up”)?

8. Am I being prudent, thoughtful and honest in my preaching? Have I done a final review of every aspect of the message, especially my examples and illustrations? It is easy to be sloppy and communicate wrong things by what we fail to say.

9. Have I honored the principle of walking “two by two,” i.e., the power of community exegesis? I almost always try to have at least one other person in my life (often Geri) who can add perspective, insight and raise issues I have not seen. This almost always adds depth and clarity to my messages.

10. Is my life different as a result of this Word before I stand up? The message must pass through my own life first. Sadly, I am sometimes rocky, thorny soil distracted by the urgent demands of leadership in the church. Without exterior silence (in silence and solitude) and interior silence (time for my inner voices to be quieted), the sermon rarely passes through my heart.

What might you add to this list?

By: Pete Scazzero (@petescazzero)
Senior Pastor of New Life Fellowship Church in New York and author of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality

This post was printed with permission from Pete's Blog, PeteScazzero.com (Thanks Pete!)

If you're looking for next step resources...

Emotionally Healthy Leadership: 8 Challenges
Emotionally Healthy Leadership Conference, March 31- April 1
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality (Softcover)

Details

noreply@blogger.com (Willow Creek Association) — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:03:00 +0000

This poem is a reminder about God’s careful concern for the details of each one of our lives, day to day...today...now.

...even the very hairs on your head are all numbered.
Matt. 10: 29-30

details

that bird matters

that tree matters that holds the weight of the bird

the nest matters because it protects and insulates

the bird feeder matters because it supplies a measure of daily seed

every leaf on that tree counts
because of the balance of CO2 and O2
taken in and breathed out
by every earthly soul i love

that shelter by the road matters
because it surrounds and keeps warm those souls
those souls i love
in the dead of winter

every car every bus every truck matters
propelling the souls from here to there
this street to that street
that road
that railway
creating a smooth path for the cars, trucks and trains
as my beloved
come and go about their lives

the space
the distance
the margin between every car truck and train
on every road and every railway counts
because it keeps them from colliding at high speed
thereby keeping intact and safe
for one more day souls i deeply love

not one bird

not one tree
one leaf
not one nest
one seed
not one home
one shelter
one road
car or bus
not one train
not one soul
ever
ever
escapes my notice
and my concern
between every line
behind every scene

child

learn to be still
learn to see me in the quiet
with your soul eyes
you will begin to feel it

you will begin to understand

By: Greg Ferguson
Co-Producer/ Experience Designer, The Global Leadership Summit
Details is also posted on Greg's blog, 10,000 Pages

Relational Invasion

noreply@blogger.com (Willow Creek Association) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Relational Invasion: Influencing People Without a Forceful Agenda

When it comes to the impact we long to have as leaders, we must be intelligent in how we approach our relationships.

To build and develop true relational influence, we have to be invited into someone’s relational space versus what we sometimes do, which is invade someone’s relational space.

By "relational space," I mean that invisible dynamic inside of people where they either open themselves to someone else’s advice…or resist it. For instance, if someone refuses to allow us into his "relational space," that means he is resisting our advice. In leadership, we often don’t know exactly how to handle this interpersonal dynamic. In the process, if we are the invader of someone’s space, we break trust, lose credibility, and diminish our capacity to influence. That’s why we must learn how to navigate the space between you and another.

Think about this dynamic in a different way. Imagine hiring a personal trainer at a local gym to help you get in shape. By hiring him, you give him permission to coach you, offer his advice, and even push you to exercise with greater effort and focus. You are inviting him into your “space.”

On the contrary, imagine seeing a friend at the mall. After saying hello, he verbally assesses your physical health, explains to you how much exercise you need, and then commands you to “do 50 pushups.” I’d be looking for the hidden camera.

This metaphor may sound bizarre, but enter the world of relationships, and people often ignore this same principle. We try to advise people who haven’t yet invited us into their relational space. To them, our approach seems bizarre because we're trying to impose on them something they've never invited us to give.

Maybe this has happened with a person you’re trying to mentor, but you haven’t established a mentoring relationship. Or maybe it’s happened with someone you supervise at work, but you’ve wrongly assumed they want your input. Just because you live in close relational proximity, and just because you have a position of authority, doesn’t mean you’ve established credibility, nor a voice of influence in their life.

Even if our motives are sincere in wanting to make a positive impact, when we force our way into a person’s relational space, they sense relational invasion…and will usually resist. They resist because they feel we’re barging in without knocking. They haven’t opened the door and welcomed us in.

As leaders, we will become more relationally intelligent if we refuse to consistently invade people’s space. Instead, when we wait to be invited our credibility builds and our influence capacity expands.

One of the primary ways to identify when someone is inviting us in comes down to our ability to read and discern non-verbal, invisible cues that people emit. Everyone sends them out, thus communicating whether they’re open or closed off to us. This is revealed primarily through body language and the emotional energy a person emits. In simple terms, someone could maintain a welcoming and open spirit, or they could emit an aloof and distant one. People tell us without words whether they want our advice or input. To be a relationally intelligent leader, we must pay close attention to these cues. Over time, we’ll build relational capital and expand our influence.

To be clear, I’m not advocating for relational passivity. And, this doesn’t mean there aren’t moments when we push through resistance and challenge people to grow and change. It’s just that in many circles, we rarely acknowledge this dynamic, and we continually overlook non-verbal cues, often forcing our agenda upon someone and eroding trust and influence in the process.

Since Jesus doesn’t force Himself on people neither should we. His posture is always bent toward serving others, and He’s a model we can emulate in our relationships.

By: Steve Saccone (@stevesaccone)

Steve Saccone is author of Relational Intelligence: How Leaders Can Expand Their Influence Through a New Way of Being Smart. To get free sample chapter, go to http://stevesaccone.com and sign up for his newsletter.

A Sick Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (Willow Creek Association) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:00:00 +0000

This article first appeared in the WCANews magazine in Australia, and was reprinted with permission.

Recently, my life has been changed completely and forever. No, I’m not talking about the moment I committed my life to Jesus, or the day I did the same to my wife. Don’t get me wrong, these are the two most pivotal and significant moments of my life.

But the change that has happened to me recently is no less radical.
That’s right, I became a father.

At this point you are probably wandering what all this has to do with the somewhat curious title of this article. It’s amazing what parenthood does to you. Amidst the sleepless nights (which I have to say have been minimal), and the great highs and occasional lows, I have found myself contemplating all manner of wondrous and peculiar thoughts.

During one particular crying session (the baby’s, not mine) I was struck by the thought… did Jesus cry as a baby? According to the writer of one certain Christmas Carol, ‘but little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.’

Surely the answer would be yes. Baby Jesus was still a baby, and like all babies, he would have been hungry. As I have discovered, there is only one way for a baby to get mum’s attention, and it’s not by asking quietly and politely.

Of course, this led me down the path of the age old question, did Jesus ever get sick?

I found myself pondering whether the boy Jesus ever caught a cold? Did He ever fall and break a leg while playing with His friends? Did he ever eat too much at Passover and get a stomach ache? Did He ever get a bit too excited with his hammer and chisel and end up with a bruised and swollen thumb?

We know that Jesus was fully God, and therefore never sinned. So we can also deduce that any physical sickness Jesus may have experienced was not a result of sin. At this point, I must stress that I by no means believe all human sickness to be a result of sin.

But He was also fully man, as John says, the Word became flesh. So therefore He would have experienced everything we experienced, and would have been subjected to the conditions of a fallen and sinful world.

We know that Jesus got hungry in the desert after fasting for forty days and nights. Surely He would have been verging on malnutrition? And of course on the cross, above and beyond the obvious excruciating pain and suffering, one of the last statements Jesus made was a cry for water. 6 hours under the hot Jerusalem midday sun would surely dehydrate anyone.

I don’t seek to answer this hotly debated question. But I do wish to add a very somber challenge.

I believe that, to this day, there is something that makes Jesus sick. And I’m not talking about the everyday cold here. At the risk of sounding graphic, there is one thing that makes Jesus so physically ill, that he is forced to throw it up. In the book of Revelation Jesus Himself says these incredibly confronting words, So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth (Revelation 3:16).

Jesus cannot stomach lukewarm, half-hearted followers.

My prayer is that we, you and I, will be so passionately hot for Jesus that we will be an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to the Lord (Leviticus 1:13).

By: Ian Anderson
Creative Director
Bill Newman Ministries, television@billnewman.org.au

10 Points on Biblical Stewardship

noreply@blogger.com (Willow Creek Association) — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 15:47:00 +0000

Someone recently asked me what I would say if I was asked to summarize the key things I hoped folks would understand in relation to biblical stewardship. I found that to be a challenging and thought-provoking question.

Here’s my answer – in no particular order, with the exception of the last two being the most important:

The ultimate goal of frugality is generosity. It’s wise to save and I believe we’re called to live a lifestyle of moderation and contentment. But it’s not just so we can amass more money. It’s so we have more to give to those in need and to give to causes that advance the work of God in the world.
Good financial stewardship is not rocket science. There are just a few basic principles: Have a plan, spend less than you earn, avoid consumer debt, save for the unexpected (but avoid hoarding), and be generous and learn contentment.
Have a support network. Financial stewardship may not be rocket science but because of the temptations of our culture, it’s hard! So have one or more support folks who believe as you do and with whom you can give and receive encouragement as you pursue a counter-cultural way of handling your financial resources.
Our culture lies – very persuasively! You know the big 3 lies from the G$ courses: Things bring happiness, debt is expected and unavoidable, and little more money will solve all my problems. We shouldn’t be surprised by the lies and temptations – they are part of the epic struggle between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of the world. Be conscious of the need to refute them – the means to do it is all around us if we look for iit.
We live in a materialistically berserk environment. Lots could be said on this but to prove the point: Houses are twice as big as in 1950 and families are 25% smaller, but our attics, basements, closets and garages are so full of stuff that a whole new growth industry, self storage facilities, has emerged. We are madly about building bigger barns (pretty foolish according to God).
It may be hard (especially at first) but "You can do it!? Irrespective of our means, we can practice good financial stewardship. While there are particular challenges for the poor, there are also unique challenges to the wealthy upon whom money can exert a very strong hold. The reason we all can do it is God is for us and really wants us to "get it right" in this area of our lives.
God is faithful – if not through providing materially to the degree we had desired, then in teaching what we need to learn through difficult times.
Contentment is key, creates peace in place of anxiety, and can be learned.Pray hard and reflect on this. Replace envy with the joy of giving. Allow your supportive friends to challenge you in this area. Paul learned to be content in all circumstances – it may not be easy but it can be done!
Financial stewardship is a huge spiritual issue. That’s what should drive our passion to grow in this area! Money can be, and is for many, the chief rival god. It’s all about where my heart is, who I am serving, whether or not the deceitfulness of riches will choke out God’s Word in my life and whether or not the love of money will lead me to all kinds of evil. (See Matt. 6:21; 6:24. 13:22 and 1 Tim. 6:10.)
We really are not owners of anything, just caretakers… and all we have is a gift from God. In earthly terms, yes, we own things. We have deeds and titles. But in eternal terms the earth and the fullness thereof belong to the Lord. And the means by which we acquire possessions (our minds, healthy bodies, talents) have come from God. Further, one way or the other, we will lose all those earthly treasures, either while we’re here or when we die. Ownership is incompatible with stewardship.

I’m not sure if all that is helpful but it felt good to put it in writing! I’m sure if I gave it more thought I’d come up with things to add. What are the key things you would want to say about financial stewardship?

By: Dick Towner
Executive Director, Good $ense Stewardship Ministry

This is posted with permission from the Good $ense column

If you're looking for next step resources...

Free Good $ense ministry resources (like debt calculator, spending plan, spending record...)
Stewardship Resources (from books to small group curriculum)

Swimming in Peanut Butter

noreply@blogger.com (Willow Creek Association) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 22:05:00 +0000

It’s true what they say; “Good news travels fast” and will always reach you quickly, from anywhere in your church, ministry, or organization.

But bad news, no matter how important, moves like it’s swimming in peanut butter. And that can cost you precious time.

This is exactly what happened in Jesus’ parable of the talents (Matt 25:14-30). When the master returned from his trip and asked his servants to account for how they had invested his money, the first two servants, with good news to report, answered immediately.

But notice how long it took to get a report from the third servant.

“Master,” he said, “I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.” (Matt 25:24-25)

I’d bet that even if the master had not called this “staff meeting”, the first two servants would have burst into his office anyways to report on their 100% investment return. The third servant? I wonder if that report would have ever found its way to the master’s desk.

As a leader, you need to get all the information in a timely manner. So, how can you speed up the flow of even the worst news?

Effective leaders I’ve known have done this by:

Creating a safe culture: Create a culture that minimizes fear and maximizes safe conversations.

Being clear on timelines: “I need this information by Thursday” is much better than “I need this information as soon as possible.”

Creating multiple information channels: Maintain various information streams to accelerate communication.

Bill Hybels has an axiom that reads, “Facts are your friends”. Getting all of your facts in a timely manner is critical to effective leadership.

Do you get the information you need in the time you need it?

By: Scott Cochrane (@WScottCochrane)
Former ‘marketplace guy’ and executive pastor, and now executive director at The Leadership Centre Willow Creek Canada.

Post used with permission from Scott's Blog: A Leader's Journey

First Love

noreply@blogger.com (Willow Creek Association) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 22:48:00 +0000

“But you have lost your first love” Revelation 2:4

People lose their passion and then their interest in many aspects of life, a particular sport, a hobby, a car. More significantly they lose their passion for a great cause - a friendship, a marriage, a relationship with Christ, a calling to Ministry.

The statistics on Pastors, who responded to a “Call to Ministry” with a passion to serve, who have in later years left ministry, and in some cases left the Faith, is dramatic and almost frightening. The life of the pastor and their family, along with the life and effective witness of the Church is significant.

Experts say pastors leave their pastorate for a variety of reasons, including family pressure, needing more income, burnout, disillusionment, being forced out, discouragement and feelings of unfulfillment.

There are many occasions which can contribute to Pastoral depression. In 2 Cor 7:6, Paul wrote, “But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us.” The Corinthian church drove Paul down to the “pits of despair.”

Many pastors, like C.H. Spurgeon, have wrestled with dark days of depression throughout their ministries. Did you know that ministers can also get discouraged? Pastor R Kent Hughes notes, “Almost everything a pastor does, can be scrutinized by the church: selection of house, and cars, tastes in clothing, education of their children, choices of entertainment - to name just a few possibilities.” The “fishbowl syndrome” has given rise to some inside humor among ministers about The ‘Ideal Pastor’.

The Ideal Pastor
Is always casual, but never under-dressed
Is warm and friendly, but not too familiar
Is humorous, but not funny
Calls on his members, but is never out of the office
Is an expository preacher, but always preaches on the family>
Is profound, but comprehensible
Condemns sin, but is always positive
Has a family of ordinary people, who never sin
Has two eyes - one brown and the other blue

It is tough out there for the Pastor as effective ministry is far more complex than in years past.

Whilst there are support systems available the simple steps of Rev 2:5 are worth heeding, “Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first."

It behoves us as colleagues in Ministry, Church Councils, and friends of Pastors to keep asking “How are you doing?”

And sometimes ask “but how are you doing really?"

Pastors and people in Ministry need to read and respond to Revelation 2:4-5 on a regular basis... just as we respond to questions on our growing maturity in other areas… remember your first love!

By: Rev. Ken Anderson
Ministry Advantage Coaching for Australian Pastors

For further reading: An article worth pursuing on this topic is ‘Twenty-Five Ways To Lose Your Passion For Ministry’ from John Mark Ministries

Saint Theresa’s Prayer

noreply@blogger.com (Willow Creek Association) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 17:13:00 +0000

Praying for all of the church leaders out there who need to experience some peace this weekend.

Saint Theresa’s Prayer

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.

Blessings,
WCA (@wcagls)

What Makes You Happy?

noreply@blogger.com (Willow Creek Association) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:40:00 +0000

It seems like there's been a lot of interest lately in what makes people happy - and especially about the link between money and happiness. A lengthy article from the NY Times can be found at here. Besides the story of a couple who did some incredible downsizing, the article links to some of the leading current research in this area. Here’s a few of the results:

Spending on experiences rather than things produces greater happiness
The happiness that comes from buying things is much shorter lived than we tend to think
Spending on others produces greater happiness than spending on self
Keeping up with the Jones does not bring happiness – usually the opposite
Buying numerous little things results in more happiness than buying one big expensive thing

By: Dick Towner
Executive Director, Good $ense Stewardship Ministry

If you're looking for a next step...

Video with author and psychologist, Henry Cloud. Henry talks about ingredients for a happy life.
Stewardship Tools and Resources from Good $ense ministry

What is Your Picture of God Like?

noreply@blogger.com (Willow Creek Association) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 15:30:00 +0000

I love this post by author, Trevor Hudson (…who is a great voice on spiritual formation!!) In this video Trevor says, we become like the God we worship. If we believe God is compassionate, loving, and caring, then we too start to show signs of compassion, love, and care. Unfortunately the opposite is true too. This video makes me pause and ask, "what is my picture of God like?"

What is your picture of God like? Caring and compassionate or something else?

By: Mindy Caliguire (@MindyCaliguire)
Transformation Ministry Team, WCA
Founder, SoulCare (a Spiritual Formation Ministry)

If you're looking for next steps….

Trevor's new book, Discovering Our Spiritual Identity: Practices for God's Beloved is a great tool to continue to unpack your own spiritual identity.
You may also be interested in The LIFT Project, which offers a course on "A Leader's Soul." The course will cover stories and theories on how to keep a soul healthy while pouring into the hearts and lives of others.

The Pull of the Culture

noreply@blogger.com (Willow Creek Association) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 15:48:00 +0000

On a whim I recently reread my copy of Epic by John Eldredge. It’s a quick read and John’s point is that 'story' is really important – we live in and respond to story. The "epic story" is that of the battle between good and evil. As I read I wondered: Is that battle analogous to the point in the Good $ense core curriculum that we all exist in the tension between the mind and heart of God on one hand and the pull of the culture on the other?

Some may argue that it’s O.K. to equate the mind and heart of God with good, but it goes a bit far to equate the pull of our materialistic culture with evil. But I still wonder... Isn’t something that distracts us from God – or even attempts to gain our allegiance and, in fact, replace God – evil?

I would submit that if you're involved in stewardship ministry, you are in the very forefront of the epic struggle between good and evil. The stakes are much too high to not give it your very best effort.

By: Dick Towner

Executive Director, Good $ense Stewardship Ministry

If you're looking for some resources or next steps....

Free Good $ense ministry resources (like debt calculator, spending plan, spending record...)
Info on Good $ense website and resources for your church

Cut the Chit Chat

noreply@blogger.com (Willow Creek Association) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 15:48:00 +0000

A while ago Mac Lake shared this re-post from his blog with WCA arts leaders. This post serves as a good reminder for us…. And for all ministry leaders. Hope you enjoy it!

Spiritual leadership isn’t just about accomplishing God given results, it’s also about caring for the souls of those we lead along the way. As leaders we are accustomed to meeting with our direct reports and talking to them about action plans, priorities and results, but we often neglect talking to them about the condition of their soul.

While we don’t have to be their spiritual accountability partner or best friend it’s wise to stay in touch with the condition of the soul of those we lead. Aubrey Malphurs, one of my professors at Dallas Seminary, used to have a plaque on his desk that read, “Let’s cut through the chit chat, what’s God doing in your life?”

Okay that may be a little to direct if you’re not that close to someone but you get the idea. For some leaders inquiring into the condition of their followers soul can be awkward or uncomfortable.

Having a few good questions can help make this more natural and more effective. Here are a few…

What’s the freshest thing God has been doing in your life lately?
How full is your emotional, physical and spiritual tanks? Empty, quarter filled, half, three quarters or full.
What theme does God seem to be emphasizing in this season of your life?
What are you looking for God to do in your life in the next couple of months?
What’s God been saying to you through His Word recently?
What passion is God stirring in your soul recently?
What season best describes your spiritual life right now: Winter, spring summer or fall? Why?
What’s exciting you the most in your spiritual journey these days?

Today’s Leadership Challenge: Have a soul care conversation with someone on your team this week.

What questions would you add to this list?

by: Mac Lake (@maclake)

Chief Launch Officer of The Launch Network, a new church planting network based out of West Ridge Church in Atlanta, Georgia

If you're looking for next steps….

Check out Mac's blog (This piece has been reposted with permission from Mac's blog)
Authentic Transformation in a Small Group Kit: STIR Mac gives an amazing message on inspiring others to lead.