Surprise

In a recent flight home from Indianapolis after meeting with a potential client in my work with Auxano (www.auxano.com) my first flight was delayed because of maintenance issues with the plane.  That delay forced me to miss my connecting flight in Detroit which meant I had to get on a new flight from Detroit to Madison.  Ah, the frustration!

Minutes before boarding I was called up to the counter to check-in.  This always makes me a little nervous.  Here’s what I heard from the Delta assistant:  “Mr. Meyer, we’ve upgraded you.”  I looked at my new boarding pass and it said “Seat 1b First Confirmed”  This happened on both legs of my flight home.  I’ve never been in First Class before.  Surprise.  I enjoyed all 38 minutes of the flight from Indy to Detroit, and all 45 minutes of the flight from Detroit to Madison!  Thank you, Delta!

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately.  It’s amazing how God surprises us with grace too, isn’t it?  And sometimes, in the midst of the most frustrating experiences, if we won’t give in to the anxiety, the pressure, the disappointment, the disillusionment, maybe, just maybe, with eyes open and hearts ready we can actually receive the surprise and enjoy the gift of God’s gracious presence and love.  Thank you, Lord!

Mind The Ownership Gap

As a ministry leader sometimes it's a real challenge to get people involved.  Stimulating ownership is an an ongoing topic of conversation with my team leaders.  A formula I shared yesterday at our mission support team meeting helped us see the challenge with new eyes.  As you think about the opportunity to create a culture of ownership in your ministry, maybe this formula can help you think about the challenge from a new perspective:

Clarity (compelling vision) + Capacity (trusted leadership) = Ownership (passionate partnership)

Here are a few thoughts and questions to consider:

Clarity
Can you answer this question with resounding clarity:  Where is God leading us?
Does your answer reflect the heartbeat of our missionary God?  Is it a unique articulation of God's dream for your city?  Does it go beyond a dream for a bigger church and reflect a Kingdom calling?
Does it articulate the "why" with simplicity and power?  Does the "why" tangibly describe the benefits that make people care?

Capacity
What processes do you have in place that multiply?   Do you give away authority together with responsibility to those you are trying to involve?  Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and earth have been given to me.  Therefore, go...."  (Mt. 28)  Can the people you invest in answer these 3 questions:  1) Who has invested in you?  2) Who are you investing in? and 3) Who are they investing in?  (2 Timothy 2:2)  ...from "Movements That Change the World" Steve Addison pg. 164  Do you truly believe that every Jesus-follower is called and positioned to make disciples that make disciples?  Do you understand and believe that the challenge of leadership development is a discipling challenge?  You can reproduce leaders in your ministry and not automatically reproduce disciples.  But, you can never reproduce disciples and not reproduce leaders.

When people grasp the vision that God has given your ministry and know that they have can fully participate, you will have a much better shot at "minding" the ownership gap.

Call me if you would like to talk more about bridging the ownership gap in your ministry.  As a minsitry leader and lead navigator for Auxano, I'd love to have the conversation.

The First Phone Book

On this day in 1878, the first phone book was issued in New Harbor, Connecticut.  There were 50 subscribers.  And here's an interesting fact.  The first phone book printed names only.  There were no numbers.  In 1878 you "patched" in to a switchboard operator and told them the person from the phone book that you wanted to talk to.

A lot has changed through the years in the world of communication.  Just the other day I received a new phone book at home.  I thought to myself, "When was the last time I actually used a phone book to look up a number?" "When was the last time I actually used a phone book for anything?" 

What are some of the other things you have seen change in your lifetime?

What the World Needs Now Is...

From the late Bill Bright of Campus Crusade for Christ: "In my opinion, the only way to change the world is to change individuals. Changed people, in sufficient numbers, will produce changed campuses, changed communities, changed cities, changed states and nations---yes, in every real sense, a changed world. Jesus Christ is the only One who can change people from within. We can help the world by introducing people to Jesus."

Do not be deceived by imitations!  Don't allow yourself to get tripped up by the promise of change that you hear these days; the promise of change that does not include Jesus.  "Apart from me you can do nothing."   -Jesus (John 15:5)

Now, Jesus-follower, if you believe that this is really real, why then do you seek change, seek growth, seek consolation, seek guidance, seek wisdom, seek peace in anyone or anything other than in Jesus and the community that He builds?

I was talking with a friend this morning about how easy it is for us to take our eyes off of Jesus and fix them on ourselves for answers.  This is when things get fuzzy and heavy.  Things get clearer and more manageable when we look to Jesus.  He is our sufficiency.  He is our champion.  There is no other.

Here's a quick example:  as a witness to my Savior I can quickly become discouraged when I focus on what I need to do in my neighborhood; with those on my impact list.  I miss opportunities to speak; I miss opportunities to listen.  But, when I stop looking at myself and take some time to watch Jesus and consider His love for me and for my friends, I realize that He is at work and that He does all the "heavy lifting."  I am quickly reminded that I can trust Him, and simply and joyfuilly follow Him step by step into the lives and experiences where He is already present.

Can you think of any examples of where taking your focus off of Jesus leads to fuzzy and heavy living?

The Truth

Perhaps you've seen this picture on Facebook. 

Bought and paid for by the Lord of life; this is the reality for those who trust in Jesus' unfailing love.  And while the daily grind of life can present many distractions from this reality, the TRUTH still stands! 

The reality of Jesus shapes our attitude and our perspective.  His love is enduring and it is eternal.  Nothing in all of creation can separate us from Him. 

So, the next time the enemy of your soul confronts you and attempts to deceive you, don't give in.  Refuse to believe the lie.  Instead, articulate the truth.  Say it out loud if you want.  Speak it with certainty.

BACK OFF DEVIL.  I BELONG TO JESUS!