Recently I was asked to share my story or manifesto telling a little bit about who I am. Have you ever tried to boil down your experience into a few short slides? It’s challenging. Some of these are self-explanatory and others may require more detail but you get the idea. More on a personal note in Legacy or Leftovers.
Photo taken in downtown Willis, Texas. Download High-Resolution Photo
One of the largest attended and most watched televised events is happening this weekend — the NFL Super Bowl! It’s game time and everyone is excited. It’s about a competition to find out who is the best of the best each year. Personally, I wish we were watching the Houston Texans against the Packers or Steeler’s but there’s always next year!!!
So here’s my question ‘What can the church learn from the superbowl?’ Besides the emphasis of excellence, atmosphere, energy and so on… the NFL has built up an incredible following and fan base around this one huge weekend — it’s goal and purpose to determine the best team of the season and put on an incredible show for all the fans.
So let me state the obvious – we ‘the Church’ are not here to compete with one another and certainly not here to put on a great show. We are the body of Christ and are called to work together to accomplish one goal to share the good news of Jesus Christ, reach people for him and equip them to reach others who do not yet know what He did for all of us. This was God’s original vision for us ‘The Church’.
Pro football players understand they are a part of something bigger than themselves. Let’s employ every method and means to give people a glimpse of the vision of the Church that Jesus talked about when He was with us on this earth — an incredible team of people who love God, love each other and love life.
Just to warn you. This is a response to a challenge to define what my BIG DREAM was and if I still had it in me to go for it. If you don’t know my story this may seem a bit odd but here you go. This is the bullet point version with many gaps but it’s a start.
Part I – Us
I am working daily to clarify my BIG DREAM but as of right now it’s making sure our kiddos know they are loved and that they have a solid foundation for life. To find out how to consistently love my wife Myra in the way she needs. We are both so broken it’s tough sometimes. By broken, I mean we have survived excruciating loss. I’ll have to write a book on all that but trust me when I say broken for us is sometimes best described as a black hole. So the first part of my ‘dream’ is to get ‘us’ right. That’s a huge deal.
Part II – Connected
I would love to start a “connected” community hub that integrates tech/design/new media & a mentor/relationship with real accountability for people who want to step off a path that leads to nowhere onto a path with possibility. Accountability for personal goals but also measurement for real world – real impact goals.
To underline that while we have this awesome time on Earth we also are a part of a larger plan. We were created to love Him and love others. To share His story of sacrifice for us. He could have come to this earth to destroy us… to punish us… which is what we have seemed to do very well on our own. But He chose to send His son to let us know there is a different choice, even in pain, hurt and wounds — we could still choose to love.
Part III – Discovery
I think my dream is to be what I have always wanted. A real encouraging, loving, friend. The issue, for me at least to is being able to look past my own void and actually be just that. Most of the time I am the exact opposite. Especially to those I love the most. Not cool but true.
That’s a start for me. What’s your BIG DREAM?
When a client wants a major refresh or even a small project I have always done my best work when told “Pretend like it’s your company and do whatever you want with it. If you like it. We’ll love it.” Can’t tell you how those words energize. It’s gives credibility, empowerment, trust, creative license and much more. I love the idea of being the CEO or CIO breaking new ground and setting the bar high.
Back in the good ol’ days when I started a small new media agency I used to love to tell clients ‘You pick the best brand and website in your industry and I’ll make yours better.’ I love a big challenge, I love the risk and the pressure. Give me a big vision and empower me to solve and execute that bad boy — you won’t be disappointed.
If you are the client. Pick a designer with a portfolio that you like! That’s the key. Then let them run with your project. If they are insightful and visionary and have some skills, you won’t be disappointed.
Design it like you own it. It’s like living someone else’s success even if for a short while.
Had a great couple of days in Corpus Christi, Texas hanging out with the Bay Area Fellowship Multisite Campus team and wanted to post some of the photos. We toured five out of their eight campuses and all were uniquely setup while offering a consistent BAF experience. Thanks again to John Atkinson, Brandon Cunningham and Joey Davila for being excellent hosts. These guys took a day and a half out of their schedules to give us an excellent multisite experience! Amazing. Check it out via Flickr below.
- We are all creative, every one of us.
- Take time to listen, then listen some more.
- Quit thinking about what God has put on your heart — do it.
- Be available, take risks, prepare to “Go Big”. Stop letting yourself stall out.
- Communicate clearly, know who you are communicating with.
- Take time for others. Know their name. That is a start to a new conversation and relationship.
- Fatherlessness is killing the U.S. What can you do about it? TheMentoringProject.org
- Tell a better story, people are rarely moved by stats and goals but by a STORY. — Donald Miller
- Go Big or Go Home – Help others execute their big vision. Your big vision will come and then you will be ready.
- Have a strategy, a plan, execute it, measure it and revise it. (repeat)
- We are not the hero. Jesus is.
Had a great time at the Echo Conference this year. Met some great people with common vision and goals. Loved sharing thoughts and ideas with peers and hearing from those who are in our world everyday. Love seeing the movement of the church and how it is again becoming less and less about the medium and more and more about the Message.
More about Echo Conference 2010 via Twitter #Echo10, Flickr Echo Conference and Echo site.
Our staff recently had the pleasure of meeting with Roger Berry, Chief Information Officer of Disney Parks and Resorts and to say the least “we have been inspired”. What an amazing experience. Just to make good use of time I am copying or “stealing” notes from my good friend Aaron Unnasch who seems to be a bit more disciplined at recording his thoughts electronically.
Comments from Roger below: (Thanks Aaron)
Who have you encountered that fits the bill of a Chief Innovation Officer and are you on the journey to take that next step into leadership? Are you truly earning that title “Innovator”? I am refreshing my vision of where I can make the largest impact and seeking God for guidance in this process. Always fun. Always challenging. Who would have it any other way.
Thanks for the feedback: Comments Welcome
Still compiling notes from some outstanding talks with amazing leaders this week. To quickly summarize the things that stood out the most are vision, energy, strategy and execution. They all have it, they all live it and they all expect it. If we are going to be effective in the marketplace, ministry or anywhere for that matter – we need to lead. Check out the line-up below, blog posts to come this week.
Part I
Glenn Gienko
Motorola
Executive Human Resources – Retired
Topic: “Leading with Strategy & Integrity” – (Talk plus Q&A – Half Day)
Part II
Bobby Gruenwald, Terry Storch, Craig Groeshel, John Otjen
LifeChurch.tv
Pastors, Digerati & Innovation Team
Topic: “Innovation, Technology, Church Online & More” – (Round table and Tour 2-Days)
Part III
Kerry Shook
WoodlandsChurch.tv
Senior Pastor and Best Selling Author One Month to Live
Topic: “Capturing the wonder of an untamed God.” (Staff Refresh 1-Day)
Stay tuned. Can’t wait. Peace.
