Andy Stanley on Trust vs. Suspicion
Today I discovered Andy Stanley's leadership podcast and was very challenged by his talk on "Trust vs. Suspicion". (Listen here) It was satisfying to hear someone eloquently explain how so many organizations go wrong in this area and how they can do better. As you read this or listen to his podcast, keep in mind that he is talking about trusting others in spite of innocent mistakes they make, not in spite of malicious behavior.
Here is some of what he said...
Three commitments we need to make:
- I commit to do what I say I'll do, and when I don't, I'll tell you. (In other words, you won't hear it from anybody else before you hear it from me.)
- I commit not to over-promise and under-deliver, but it if looks like that's where things are headed, I'll tell you.
- If you confront me about the [trust] gaps I've created, I'll tell you the truth.
Some other great quotes:
- "Being trustworthy is not the equivalent of being flawless."
- "A trustworthy person addresses the gaps they have created."
- "Where's there no trust, it's hard to leverage the gifts, talents, and abilities of the other people on the team."
- "Trust creates in own momentum in an organization." (In other words, build an atmosphere of trust by being trusting.)
- "When we don't trust, people tend to live up to that low expectation."
- "Our response to people who mess up...is determined not so much by the nature of what they've done but by the personal maturity and security of the leader."
This was a great podcast from Andy; I can't wait to hear more!
Fail Often
A failure should be a lesson-learned that leads you to something better. An environment that doesn't allow you to fail can become the catalyst that leads you to a better place. The following article from Todd Hampson at Timbuktoons perfectly addresses this.
The week before we went to the KidScreen Summit in NYC, I saw a blog post by brand and marketing guru Seth Godin about Tim Burton's many "failed" attempts before AND in between his green lit projects.
While in NYC, we stayed one block away from MoMA (the Museum of Modern Art) where a temporary Tim Burton Exhibit was on display featuring art from his high-school days thru the present. It was amazing to see how many different mediums Tim Burton worked in. There were illustrations, mobiles, sculptures, live action films, animated films, experimental art (including some very strange pieces), and more.
One notable part of the exhibit was a huge wall that had all of his movie concepts listed. Next to each was it's year of release OR a phrase like "never produced." MOST of his projects had that term next to them. "Never Produced."
We should not feel like we have failed when we have that stamp on one of our projects or ideas. "Never Produced" now means to me "Never Giving Up" and "Learning and Preparing for the Next Step."
I recently noticed this verse: "until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph's character" (Psalm 105:19).
Joseph's dreams were God-given, not self-driven. He faced delay after delay, trial after trial, but continued to trust God and the dream God had given him so many years earlier. God was forging Joe's character in preparation for the fulfillment of the dream.
I could point to many "failures" at Timbuktoons that prepared us for something bigger. Our goal should be "to attempt great things" (for God's glory), not "to have 100% success." A real adventure is not complete with out some scratches and bruises along the way. No story is compelling without the scene where hope is almost lost.
So today, in these tough times when many dreams seem to have died, trust that God is working in you while He prepares circumstances around you. God does not lie. He is a covenant keeping God. Never give up, even if you "fail often!"
Is Your Church This Focused?
From a recent blog post by Seth Godin:
Tim Cook at Apple: “This is the most focused company I know of, am aware of, or have any knowledge of... We say no to good ideas every day.” Cook then pointed out to analysts that every single product the company makes would fit on the single conference table in front of him. “And we had revenue last year of $40 billion."
What an amazing principle for churches! We get so caught up in providing every single program that members expect us to provide, that we wind up being great at very little, or even nothing. Apple has chosen to focus on just a few simple products that they have become the best at, and their bottom line proves the effectiveness of their focus. Churches should learn the lesson and cut some of the fat that keeps them from doing their best at their primary mission.
What programs and activities can your church cut that would enable you to be more focused on what matters most?
Great Insight for Children’s Pastors
Roger Fields has a great list at KidBlitz.com of the ten things he will never do as a children's pastor. Here are my favorites.
- Never beg for workers.
- Never pacify a chronically malcontented worker.
- Never do anything just because it's the way it's always been done.
- Never teach without involving kids.
I've spent a lot of time trying to do each of these, and I can promise you that they don't accomplish what you hope they will.
What I learned at Yosemite (part 1)
This is a little late in coming, but I suppose it's time to start sharing what I experienced at the Yosemite Summit last month. The point of the Summit was for us children's pastors (8 of us, plus our leader, Karl Bastian) to resign from our jobs for a week and reconnect with God. I knew I needed this, but I didn't realize how much so until I got there. The beauty of Yosemite National Park is amazing. Words and pictures just don't do it justice. To be so close to God through nature was an amazing opportunity.
It was refreshing to be with eight other guys who cared about the same things I did, but also had the same struggles as well. I received tremendous insight from hearing Karl talk about his experiences and struggles in ministry and family. He gave us a challenge on the first full day of hiking to think about who we are, apart from being a children's pastor. I had never tried to define myself like that, but I'm glad I did that day. Here's what I realized:
I am a child of God who brings joy to him, regardless of my performance or behavior.
That was such a liberating realization! I cried when I first voiced that sentence to myself. As I thought about my relationship with my own children, I realized that there was nothing they could do to make me stop loving them. I can only assume God feels the same about me. I also thought about how my children's ability to relate to me increases with their maturity. I know the same is true between me and God. I felt like a literal child before God--something I'd never really experienced before--eager to know and enjoy him better. It felt great to not be a children's pastor that day. The guy with all the answers for the kids. The guy who felt the pressure to perform for God, church leaders, parents, and kids. They guy who had let God and others down. For a few days in Yosemite I wasn't any of that. I was just a child of God enjoying his creation, trying to enjoy him as much as I hoped he enjoyed me.
Let’s try a little Boost experiment…
Week 1: LAUGH
Continue watching the adventures of Marshall, Vinny and the other skit characters you've come to enjoy.
Week 2: CREATE
Work together with your family to create a useful reminder of the Big Idea.
Week 3: PLAY
Families will kick, scream, and have a ball together in the gym and on the field.
Week 4: RECALL
Wrap up the month with some fun home-grown video footage and a game show review.
Learn more about our children's ministry at FreedomChurchKids.com!
Reasons Why Santa Clause Was Probably Once a Children’s Pastor
I can relate to a few points on this list!
- His office is hard to find.
- He is fashion challenged.
- He assumes any and all snacks he finds are his to eat.
- He has no adult workers.
- He is only seen on rare occasions.
- No one seems to know who he reports to.
- He laughs way too much.
- He is nobody's definition of a physical specimen.
- He is always trying crazy stunts like climbing down a chimney.
- No one seems to know what he does during the week.
- He does an impossible job with no visible means of support.
- Kids love him.
by Roger Fields