I wrote this for the monthly email we send out to all of our Family Ministries team members. No matter who you are, what profession you are in, Fatigue – Frustration and Failure are prevalent.  The question is: How are you going to lead yourself?

This is what I want you to do. First, watch this video.  Just sit. Watch. Absorb it.  After you watch it the first time, watch it again and think through these questions.

1. What surprised you? (How fast Facebook has grown? The quick demise of email?)
2. How are you personally/professionally maximizing Social Media?
3. What strategies have you put behind social media?
4. What dangers do you need to safeguard against (personally/professionally)?

I have been having several strategic conversations with people on my staff about INNOVATION. I can sense a real desire to try new ideas – think outside the box – and go where no one has gone before. (Yes, I had to throw in a Star Trek reference.) But I have been running into some road blocks as we try to innovate.  Here are some reasons why . . . i think.

Killer #1: You are scared of Change
I have noticed over the years that everyone says that they like change until the change impacts them.  Think about that.  If you are leading out the "change" (whatever that might be), you think its the best thing since 8 tracks.  If the "change" is crashing into your world, you resist it with all your might.  Innovation has built in change. The foundation of innovation is change.  It is something new – different  – not proven.

Key Thought: Don't let your fear kill a new idea that has the potential to revolutionize your sphere of leadership.

Killer #2: It's not your idea
Call this what it is. PRIDE (aka . .. ego – arrogance – selfishness). Have you ever been in a meeting where two ideas are on the table and 5 people sit in silence where two people argue why their idea is better than the other?  I have been there. I have even been the one of the "TWO".  Usually, it's not that bold and blunt.  This usually happens in more subtle of ways. Watch for it, you will start seeing it.

Key Thought: As a leader you have to fight to look at the idea objectively and make sure you are not positioning your idea.

Killer #3: You are stuck in the past
Let me preface this thought.  We should learn from the past.  The past has a lot of wisdom built into it!  So, don't ignore it.  On the flip side, the PAST will keep you in locked up in chains refusing to let go of you. Keep yourself – your team – looking forward on "what could be".  When you hear comments like, "Last year we did _________."  or "When I was at my last church I ___________."  Kindly stop the conversation and say, "It sounds like we all have had some great past experiences. My question is where should we head into the future?"

Key Thought: Learn from the past, but keep focused on "what could be".

Killer #4: It's messy
Embrace the mess.  Innovative ideas are almost always messy!! Why? They haven't been tried – proven and perfected.  The first day Disney Land opened it was a disaster.  Someone counterfitted tickets so the park was over sold.  It was an extremely hot day in Southern California and the park quickly ran out of water.  People were fainting left and right. It was a disaster of gigantic proporitions.  Skip ahead decades, Disney is one of the most innovative ideas ever to be discovered in the world.

Key Thought: Embrace the mess . . .lead strong . . .anticipate problems . . .fix the issues and you will be amazed at what you discover.

Jud Wilhite kicked off a new series this weekend at Central Christian Church titled, TORN.  This series is focused on the book of Job.  Several weeks ago Kim and I had the opportunity to share our story.  Our hope and prayer is that our story, will help others in their life journey.

Trethewey Life Story. from David Tate on Vimeo.

God gives and takes away. One couple shares about the blessings and the struggles in their journey.

I believe in the SIMPLE CHURCH mindset with all my heart . . .but sometimes simplicity can go to far.

Apple Introduces Revolutionary New Laptop With No Keyboard

• Megachurch Myths Website
• Megachurch Myths BLOG
• Megachurch PDF (Download Changes in American Megachurches)

I stumbled upon a great blog the other day titled: "twentytwowords".  The title pulled me in, but the tag line captured my attention.

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!

• Paul asked for 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!!

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.

We die to ourselves .. .. you can't stay the same . . .

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.

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.

• 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.