April 24, 2009
Francis Chan said: I don't like the book of acts. Why? I never read the book of Acts and put it down and say, "WOW! It's just like us!"
What bother's me is that our church are so "UNSTOPPABLE" today!
We have raised a generation of terrified believers.
We have believers who have been believers for 10 years that can't disciple someone else?
Acts 4:29 . . .29Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
BOLDNESS!
We got to learn to love the Gospel not just the delivery.
JUST START WITH SCRIPTURE!
If you started with scripture . . . would your church look like it does now?
If you started with scripture . . .what would your life look like now?
John 6:63 – 63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
There is only 1 factor . . .the Holy Spirit of God.
6 months ago the Holy Spirit came into Rachel (his jr . high daughter)!!!! In your house . . .when you see the Holy Spirit of God . . .this is it!
It's about the Holy Spirit of God . . .we got to believe that again!!
April 24, 2009
I was taught and then I thought
What we believe is what we do.
#1: I was taught and thought that the church should be a safe place (seeker movement). I am learning that the church should become the dangerous place again.
- Create healthy environments -yes!
- We have been inviting people to a very "safe God". God . . .is a dangerous God (not safe).
- We have been inviting people to a safe church.
- Trust in the power of the GOSPEL to change lives!
- Let the word of God drive CREATIVITY . . .not Creativity drive what you teach!
- Preach a dangerous message.
- Be daring enough to follow those "faith moments" where God is leading!
At the church i lead there are so many "CULTURAL CHRISTIANS" . . . Practical Atheists . . .
#2: I was taught and thought that I should build MY church. I am learning that I should be building HIS KINGDOM.
- Would I be "happy" if God blessed another church more than yours?
- It is dangerous when we build "our little kingdom" . .. not God's Kingdom.
- Build your church on "WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT" not "WHAT YOU ARE NOT ABOUT".
- Your church can not affect your entire community by yourself!
- We can do more together!
#3: I was taught and thought that success is only found in the big numbers. I am learning that the score card is changing.
- What's your attendance – giving – small groups – baptized.
- For me . . .is not "how many people are coming" . . .the big win for "me" (craig) might be taking a step backward to GET THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE RIGHT PLACE.
- Don't always blame your self for the declines . . .because you might take credit for the increases.
- to be real successful . . . you must get your identity in Christ.
We have to redefine "SUCCESS".
- How can we call ourselves a "MEGA CHURCH" when there are 4Billion people that needs CHRIST.
- We are a small church with a MEGA Vision!
- GUARDIAN Movie: 22 . . .that is the number of people that i have lost and that is the only number that matter.
We must become LINE 3 believers.
Line #1: I believe in the gospel enough to benefit from it.
Line #2: I believe in the gospel enough to contribute comfortably
Line #3: I believe in the gospel enough to give my life to it.
We die to ourselves .. .. you can't stay the same . . .
*These notes are unfiltered and unedited.
April 24, 2009
Andy Stanley interviewed Rick Warren in this session.
AS: Talk a little about what you have learned about pacing.
RW:
- had my mid life crisis at 25.
- 1st year of Saddleback . . . was working 18-20 hours a day.
- "I am addicted to changed lives."
- You can't win your enemies to Christ . . .just your friends.
- grew up in a town of less than 500 people.
During that year of burn out . . . God taught me a ton.
- Out of Joshua . . .I will drive the giants out little by little . . .pacing.
- Churches the explode over night are not "healthy" churches . . .they are a cancer. They will die. They are churches
AS: address the "numbers" issue
RW:
- Every number represents a person that Jesus died for.
- Jesus counted the sheep.
AS: How do you live How do you do Rythym.
RW:
divert daily – withdraw weekly – abandom yearly
- You can get a crowd fast . . . but
Divert Daily:
- What energizes you?
- Sports? play with kids?
- relax with your hands . .
- Learn how to "let it go" before you walk into the door
Withdraw Weekly
- If you are not taking a day off every week . . .you are breaking the 10 Commandments! So important that God
- Don't call it a "DAY OFF" . . .call it the "SABBATH". You will cheat on your "day off" . . .if you cheat the sabbath . . .you sin!
- Your Sabbath is not the day where you do your "honey do List".
- RW: Family night is every Monday night (his Sabbath)
Abandon Annually
- Go away . . .don't take your laptop or cell phone with you.
- Forget time management . . .do energy management.
AS: Talk about how people compare themselves with other "pastors".
RW:
- Neither I nor anybody else is the model. Your model should be Jesus.
- Bill Hybels . . .andy stanley . . . are not the models.
Never stop learning – never compare yourself – never give up!
Don't Compare Yourself to anyone.
- you will always find someone better than you and you will be discouraged.
- you will always find someone better than you and you will be full of pride.
- either way . . .you are doomed!
Learn from Everyone
- The person that can't learn from others is stupid.
- You can learn from anybody . . .if you are humble. The humble are teachable.
- READ – READ – READ (especially books before 1990
)
- I don't try to be profound . . .be simple!
- LISTEN
The purposes never change . . .the language does . . .the packaging does . . . it's the great commandment and great commission.
AS: What's your final thought . . .give it to us.
RW:
I have learned to move peopel from unbeliever (bring in the front door) to missionary (send them out the back) . . .you must have some intentional plan. This is not a RW plan . . .it is Jesus'
To many people develop a "come and see church" . . .and never move people to the next step.
Jesus not only wants "faithful people" but people who produce "FRUIT"! (he cursed the fig tree.
You have to have an intentional process from COME AND SEE to COME AND DIE!
- Most churches are the one or the other.
- Jesus wants BOTH . . .and have a process for BOTH!
- What is your discipleship process
- It's not about your "SITTING" capacity . . .but "SENDING" capacity.
*This post is unfiltered and unedited.
April 24, 2009
The world needs us to live our most heroic life. (Book: Wide Awake)
What happened to this movement of "dreamers" and "visionaries"?
- we have become managers and leaders . . .not dreamers.
Jesus died so that we can live our most heroic life?
Moses: Was not an "ordinary" child.
There is not one ORDINARY child born . . .but most of us end up living an ORDINARY life.
We usually spend time putting people in boxes . . .but in places where we give them freedom.
- Places where I have liberty – freedom – hope.
- Discovering the power of who I am.
- Looking for a place to be free.
- Needing someone who will take the time to get them out.
What does it mean that we were sent by God to be liberators to humanity?
- Our destiny is to liberate them.
- awaken the peoples visions – dreams – around us!
Living out this "GOD SIZED DREAM" as we live in this life.
What would happen if "we" became the place where your biggest dreams were unlocked?
Find the life you were created to live!
Is there a dream inside of you that has been waiting to come to life?
- You don't have to teach a child to dream.
- When you were a child . . .you could do anything!!
Before we are pounded into the ORDINARY . . . we dreamed BIG dreams!
We all of dreams that will never come to fruition unless we come into community – living life together.
There are people everywhere that has their dreams trapped under the rubble of "fear" in their lives.
Living a Heroic life doesn't mean you have to be Mandela or Gandhi!
- Maybe "you" can't change the world . . .but you can help "TILT" it in the right direction?
How many of us have dreams trapped inside of us?
We must jump into that moment of fear . . .and know that God will detonate the pain of Glass.
- He then flipped that statement around and said . . . WE – as LEADERS must be the ones to detonate the pain of glass for those we lead!
In small packages . . .there are great dreams!
*These notes are unfiltered and unedited.
April 24, 2009
A panel of people were on stage discussing the world wide epidemic of Sex Trafficking.
27 Million people in slavery today.
(bought – sold – traded)
Random Thoughts:
- The problem with you people is "YOU TELL ME TO LEAVE" but you "NEVER LET ME FORGET WHERE I CAME FROM". (Naomi shared this from a prostitute she talked to in Amsterdam.)
- The church is the answer to this issue!
- 1) Guns; 2) Drugs; 3) People – Top 3 black market things being sold in the world!
Other than cash is their other opportunities for the church to help with this issue?
- Pray (Must be
- Talk about it – get the conversation going
- God will multiply your efforts.
- Most cities have "anti trafficking" organizations.
Is sex trafficking legal in these countries?
- India – not legal – but it is everywhere. The corruption goes to the highest government officials.
What do we do with "rescue girls"?
- There has to be somewhere where these girls can go after they are rescued.
Resource:
Naomi Zacharias: http://wellspringinternational.org/
International Justice Mission: www.ijm.org
April 23, 2009
SIN Math:
- 3 sins a day .. . 365 days a hear .. . 80,000 sins in a life time
- I have far more than 80,000 sins.
- When I embrace my sinful nature . . .i can embrace others.
Try to ReDefine their Identity
Build their Character
Reunite them with their family.
Glimpse of Success:
- 450 graduates
- 58 guys have started their own companies
- 98% employment rate within 4 weeks
- Return to prison rate- 10%
2 Graduates from PEP on stage to share their stories:
1. Dora the Explora (Juan vansquezz)
- prison at age 17
- PEP found me!
- They changed my life and my destiny . . .and gave me a new life. (prison was my life)
- General contractor in Houston – 3 employees – owns his own townhouse.
2. ButterCup (scott wesley)
- 2004 – meth cook in Texas – hadn't seen family for 6 years – on the run.
- Prison and PEP redirected my focus.
- He had to learn how to "ADD" (seriously)
- He is a development associate for a faith based company. (helps people get jobs)
Prison is my most favorite place in the world. "Catherine Rohr"
Check her ministry out at: http://www.prisonentrepreneurship.org/
April 23, 2009
ART OF INNOVATION
STEP #1: MAKE MEANING
- You change the world.df
- If your primary goal is to make money, you will fail. If you truly want to create change – make meaning!
Step #2: Make a Mantra
- Most mission statements suck.
- to long
- not memorable
- not clear
- Wendy's Mission statement
- The mission of wendy's
- This
- Should be: Healthy Fast Food
- Nike's Mantra
- "Authentic athletic performance"
- Fed Ex
- Peace of Mind
- Ebay
- The Democartize Commerce
- Is there 2 or three words to describe my organization?
Step #3: Jump to the Next Curve
- The Perspective of Innovation
- Creating the next curve
- Ice
- Ice 1.0: Ice Harvester
- Ice 2.0: Ice Factory
- Ice 3.0: Fridge
Step #4: Roll the Dice
- Great innovation is DEEP
- anticipate what your customers need!
- Intelligent
- someone was anticipating what I need!
- Complete
- It is the totality of the "experience".
- It is not missing anything.
- Elegance
- Emotive
- you love it or you hate it
- Is it a "DICEE" church?
Step #5: Don't worry be CRAPPY
- Don't wait for it to be perfect . . .
- If you wait for everything . . .you won't ever
- "SHIP" then we "TEST"
- Don't wait for the perfect world . . .GET IT OUT THERE!!
- The consumer will tell you more than you could ever anticipate.
Step #6: Polarize People
- If you try to hit everyone . . .you won't reach anyone.
- Scion xB: It is for a very specific target audience.
- If you create something great . .. you will create controversy!!
- You don't want people to be indiferent to your stuff.
Step #7: Let 100 Flowers Blossom
- An unintended audience might just start using your "product"!
- "Take the members" (people that come) . . .no matter why they come.
- Take your best shot . . .see who's using it . .. make it better
- If people don't get it in the first 15 minutes . . .they will never get it!
Step #8: Church Baby Church
- Keep it "evolving"
- Once it ships . . .listen to the people (before then . . don't listen to people)
Step #9: Niche thy Selves
- (chart) Unique (x – axis) – Value (y axis)
- Fandango.com
- Clear card (airline security card)
- UNIQUE and VALUABLE to me (that's your niche . . . discover it)
- In which way's is our church UNIQUE/SPECIAL and in which was is that UNIQUENESS VALUABLE. (stay in the upper right hand
Step #10: Follow Rule
- You need to learn how to PITCH (sell your "product")
- LIFE is a PITCH
- 10 20 30 rule of Power Point
- Optimal number of slides in PP – 10 slides
- You should give those slides in 20 minutes.
- 30 point font (optimal font size)
Step #11: Don't let the bozos grind you down
- People will try to discourage you . . ."it can't be done".
- The dangerous BOZO is rich – powerful – slick . . .have an appearance of having it all together . . .successful . . .smart. Don't listen to him!!
- BOZOSITY is just like the FLU. Build up your resistance.
- Don't let the bozo's get you down!
FOR the PDF of the presentation: gina@garage.com
church.alltop.com
religion.alltop.com
*These notes are unedited and unfiltered.
April 23, 2009
Leading in times of Uncertainty
I may be in charge, but don’t always know what to do.
I may be in charge, but I don’t have all the answers.
If I knew what was going to happen, I would know what to do.
The higher you move up in an organization the greater the complexity and uncertainty there is.
That is why we need leaders.
- When uncertainty goes away . . . you don’t need leaders.
- Uncertainty is job security.
- When uncertainty stops . . .you just needs people to manage what is going on.
Life is uncertain . . .but God is not uncertain
**Uncertainty is not an indication of poor leadership.
**Uncertainty is the arena where Good leadership is identified.
I will always be uncertain . . . I am certain of it.
A story without uncertainty is a boring story. There must be conflict.
God gets maximum mileage in times of uncertainty!
• You don’t learn much when times are calm.
• We are part of the STORY! This story is going somewhere.
• This is the time for Christian leaders to stand up and lead!
Practically speaking, what do you do?
1. CLARITY
a. It is O.K. to say “I don’t know”. It is not O.K. to be UNCLEAR!
b. Uncertainty causes us to become unclear in our communication.
c. Pull back to “THAT THING” that GOD called you to DO! That original thing that God called ME to do. What originally moved me!
d. This is the leverage you need in times of uncertainty.
e. Joshua – promised land – TRUST GOD to take what we Don’t know about.
f. RETREAT TO YOUR VISION!!!
i. Say it over and over again.
2. FLEXIBILITY
a. Plans change – vision remains the same.
i. Don’t confuse plans and vision.
b. In times of uncertainty plans change a lot!
i. We (as the church) falls in love with our plans!
ii. Plans SHOULD change!
c. Churches are failing because lost the vision and fell in love with PLAN.
d. There is no better time to change plans than in times of UNCERTAINTY!
e. Sacrifice the plan for the vision!
i. Built to Last: Sam Walton (notorious for abandoning plans and strategy)
ii. (SAM WALTON) No decision was sacred . . .but the vision never changed!
How to lead out:
1. BE HONEST WITH YOUR LEADERS AND FOLLOWERS!
a. Learn how to confidently express your uncertainty.
b. I don’t know right now, but we are going to figure it out.
c. I don’t know right now, but when the time comes that we are going to do something about it we are going to do something about it.
d. I don’t know right now, but God has always been faithful to guide us in the past. I am confident that God is going to lead us.
e. I could be wrong, but I believe that this is the best course of action!
2. SEEK COUNSEL
a. Leadership is not about making decisions on your own, its about OWNING decisions once they are made!
3. PRAY LIKE CRAZY FOR WISDOM AND DIRECTION
a. Get on your knees!
b. Lead from quiet!
c. Stay dependent on God’s leadership in your life.
AS A LEADER . . . I NEED GRACE! AS A LEADER I NEED TO GIVE GRACE!
*These notes are unfiltered and unedited.