The Back Nine

Nine years ago this week, Denise and I began a dangerous journey- ok, so it wasn't really dangerous- but it was radical. We moved our family out of the comfort and security of small town life into the unknown of a new city to start Fellowship Church. Start a Church? Yeah, that's what I said when my District Superintendent approached me with the idea. I had no idea how to start a church- or even where to begin. I was actually quite comfortable leading a traditional church to growth- building trust, loving the people, being a friend, working in the community- all the stuff that comes naturally to me and stuff that I had enjoyed doing for the first nine years of ministry. I mean, I cut my teeth on small-town church life… but how in the world do you start a church with seven people meeting in a bank?

The answer is with prayer- and lots of it… and reading a ton of whatever I could get my hands on about starting a new faith community. Over the last nine years God has taught me lots about people, faith, and ministry... and I've learned something about me. So I thought I would share some of the things I've learned- in no specific order...

• Be careful what you start because it will become a tradition… and soon.
  
• Change is necessary and inevitable.
  
• Broken people do broken things.
  
• All people are broken.
  
• Never run in dress shoes.
  
• You will have a different group of people with you at 350 than you did at 50.
  
• Sometimes you will make decisions that no one will "get."
  
• Never take it personal when people leave your church or organization even if they say it's because of you; just thank God for the season you had together and move on.
  
• You will not please all people- so don't try.
  
• Continually cast the vision God has given you.
  
• Get used to saying, "I'm sorry" and "Will you forgive me?"
  
• Invest your time and energy with the people who have bought into your vision not the ones who are test driving it.
  
• Laugh at yourself often.
  
• You don't have to have people around you at all times.
  
• Take risks to move the organization forward- but don't be stupid- I have done both.
  
• Failure should occur frequently. It builds character, experience and wisdom.
  
• Feed yourself spiritually. You can't feed others what you don't have.
  
• Make sure to wear the spouse's hat and parent's hat before any other hats.
  
• Set boundaries that benefit your health and stick to them.
  
• Your best days are always ahead of you.
  
• Forgive yourself.
  
• Always be grateful for soldiers and their families.
  
• Smile.
  
• The grass is always greener over a septic tank. (Ok, I didn't learn this- but it's true!)
  
• It's ok to read stuff other than the bible.
  
• You don't have to apologize for being yourself.
  
• As much as it depends on you- have fun.
  
• Ministry is hard work.
  
• Ministry in a transient community is harder work.
  
• Nothing is more exhilarating than leading someone to Jesus.
  

The coolest thing I have learned is… I love what I do!

Happy Nine years and counting, Fellowship!

Anyone Following You?

I love Twitter. I love to scan down the list of tweets from folks that I follow and see what's going on in their world or getting the latest scoop on the news. Its fun, fast and an easy method of communication. I also like adding my own bit of "what's happening?" to the twitter world for my followers. I don't have many followers but I do get a charge from connecting with the ones I have in 140 characters or less.

In the leadership world communication to your followers is a must and vital to leadership development. And what you communicate is just as important as how. Look at how Jesus led his disciples. His leadership involved more than sermons or lectures- he invested in each disciple as an individual. He connected with each one- knowing their strengths and weaknesses- and led accordingly. How do you invest in your followers? I use the following:

(I) Inspire- Taking time to share a personal victory or defeat makes a leader both aunthentic and transparent. It also connects the follower to the leader on a deeper level which builds the trust needed to sustain loyalty to the vision.

(N) Nurture- Showing genuine care and compassion to the folks you lead is not an option. Taking the time to ask, "How are things with ya?" and then actually listening goes a long way in leadership development.

(V) Value- As you invest in your leaders you'll want to tell them over and over how important they are to the mission, vision and goals that you are trying to accomplish together. When your followers feel valued they are more open to honest feedback and constructive criticism which is often necessary in leadership development. Also taking the time to get to know your followers- their family, hobbies, likes and dislikes, passions and so on- will increase you effectiveness in leading them.

(E) Engage- Don't be afraid to stretch your followers as you dream together. Many people are motivated when challenged by their leader. If the challenge results in failure take time to learn from the failure- if there is a victory, take the time to celebrate together.

(S) Smile- Or in my case, grin really big! You have to have fun. Working with people is often exhausting- leading people can literally suck the life right out of you! Take time to have some fun and laugh together.

(T) Thank You- There are no substitutes to saying, "Thank you!" and the more creative you are in saying it the louder it will be heard by your followers.

The number of people following you may not be important but the way you communicate and invest in those that do is crucial to your leadership and your organizations success.