A Gathering Force

Francis Chan wrote an article back in 2008 titled, A Gathering Force for Catalyst.  I found what he wrote to be very exciting, alarming and unattainable, but is it?  Read part of this article and share with me your thoughts below.

“Is there any logic in believing that God started His church as a spirit-filled, loving body with the intention that it would evolve into entertaining, hour-long services?  Was He hoping that one day people would be attracted to the church not because they care for one another, not because they are devoted to Him, not because the supernatural occurs in their midst, but because of good music and entertainment?

Try to imagine what conclusions you would come to if you had no prior church experience.  The things in church services might make sense to the American church-attendee, but they don’t make sense biblically.

Picture yourself on an island with only a Bible.  You’ve never been to a church-you’ve never even heard of one.  The only ideas you have about church are what you’ve read in your Bible. Then you enter a building labeled “church” for the first time.  What would you expect to experience as you entered that building?  Now compare that to what you actually experience when you attend church.

What if the church looked like this?  ’They devoted themselves tot he apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  All the believers were together and had everything in common.  Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.  Every day they continued to meet together int he temple courts.  They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.  And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.’ (Acts 2:42-47)

It describes what the world is looking for.  I used to look at this passage as something that was wonderful but could never happen int he twenty-first century.  There are just too many cultural obstacles for the Holy Spirit to overcome.  He is powerful enough to form a sharing and loving body in our individualistic society.  I doubted God’s ability to stir a body of believers to love tirelessly and give without restraint.  I reasoned that this type of fellowship was probably not intended for our time.  Besides, we don’t have time to love like this.

Looking back, I wonder if I came to those conclusions because there was a part of me that wasn’t sure I wanted it.  It’s interesting how much our theology is driven by desire.

Something real was happening in the early church.  It was something of the Spirit, too powerful to be replicated by human effort.  Imagine taking a friend to one of their church gatherings.  Your friend might not experience a smoothly run, professional service. But one thing he would experience: God.  Do we even need to ask which is better?  So much of church growth today has nothing to do with the Holy Spirit.  The right team of talented people can make any church grow.  When people sit through creative services, is it really God they’re experiencing?

Don’t get me wrong: I’m not saying that we shouldn’t give our best to God.  If you’re a musician, work diligently are your music.  If your a teacher, labor intensely over your messages.  I’m just asking you to be willing to rethink what you’re doing and ask: How can we create a more biblical environment where people see and experience God?

May people see our churches and know that mere human beings could not have created what they experienced.  May we seek the priorities of the early church and trust God to once again produce the fruit of the early church.  ’And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.’ (Acts2:47″

Great reminder for me to not be performance based but Spirit based.

Innovate Conference 09

I am a conference junkie and I am pretty sure I say that every time I blog about one.  If you get a chance tomorrow to watch live the innovate conference it is well worth it.  Innovate is put on by Granger Church in Indiana and they are on the cutting edge of the church world and technology.

Innovate is all about leadership in the church and using your leverage to build God’s Kingdom.  ::Your Mission: “Why we are here”  Your Vision: “What is pulling you into the future? What does the desired future look like?” Your Values: “How we play together along the journey”::

You can watch the conference tomorrow here.

National Leadership Forum Conference

A free two-day leadership event is coming your way, and you don’t even have to leave your computer to take part. Check out who you’ll hear from during the National Leadership Forum webcast:

• Jack Welch
• TD Jakes
• Mark Rutland
• Patrick Lencioni
• Dave Ramsey
• Craig Groeschel
• Megyn Kelly
• Erwin McManus
• Bill George
• Tim Sanders
• Matthew Barnett
• Henry Cloud

This is a fantastic opportunity to invest in leadership training and development for your team—whether staff or volunteers—without investing in conference fees or travel. Ken Blanchard will be moderating the webcast, which takes place on September 10-11. The event will be offered twice each day to accommodate different time zones: first at 7:00am-2:00pm GMT and then at 10:00am-5:00pm EDT. Capacity for the National Leadership Forum is limited, so you’ll want to register soon.

The Nines Conference

I am a bit of a conference junkie.  I love leadership books and principles and I love to be able to see them live. There are 2 conferences that are coming up that are web based and they are FREE.  Anytime you can put the words conference and free together I don’t care who is doing it I want in.

If you haven’t heard about THE NINES yet…then listen up. This is an event unlike anything anybody has done.

• It is specifically FOR church leaders (although anyone can attend).
• You will hear from dozens of leaders. But get this…each one will only talk for 9 minutes. That’s it. Forget the lame ice breakers or stories about their childhood–they will get right to it.
• You don’t have to travel anywhere to participate. Gather as a staff in a conference room or sit at home in your underwear. Your choice.
• You can watch it all day (recommended!), or you can come and go, tune in and out as your schedule allows.
• It is totally FREE. You do have to register, but there is no cost and there are no strings attached.

Here’s a quick list of who is speaking:

Mark Driscoll (Mars Hill Church)
Reggie McNeal (Leadership Network)
Perry Noble (NewSpring Church)
John Ortberg (Menlo Park Presbyterian)
Steven Furtick (Elevation Church)
Nancy Beach (Willow Creek Church)
Leonard Sweet (Author/Speaker)
Stacy Spencer (New Direction Christian Church)
Ed Stetzer (Lifeway Research)
Mark Batterson (National Community Church)
Larry Osborne (North Coast Church)
Dave Ferguson (Community Christian Church)
Alan Hirsch (Forge Mission Training Network)
Dino Rizzo (Healing Place Church)
Dan Kimball (Vintage Faith Church)
Greg Surratt (Seacoast Church)
Sam Chand (Sam Chand Ministries)
Bil Cornelius (Bay Area Fellowship)
Brad Bell (The Well)
Brian McLaren (Author/Speaker)
Skye Jenthani (Author/Speaker)
Brian Bloye (Westridge Church)
Jon Tyson (Trinity Grace Church, NYC)
Eric Bryant (Mosaic)
Bob Roberts (Northwood Church)
Reggie Joiner (CCO, reThink)
Brad Powell (NorthRidge Church)
Mark DeYmaz (Mosaic Church)
Margaret Feinberg (Author/Speaker)
Matt Carter (The Austin Stone Church)
Darrin Patrick (The Journey)
Matt Fry (C3 Church)
Nancy Ortberg (TeamWorx2)
Mike Breaux (Heartland Church)
J. D. Greear (Summit Church)
Scott Hodge (Orchard Valley Church)
Greg Holder (Windsor Crossing Church)
Pete Wilson (Cross Point Church)
Neil Cole (Church Multiplication Associates)
Matt Williams (Grace Church Greenville)
Jenni Catron (Cross Point Church)
Noel Heikkinen (Riverview Church)
Bill Easum (Easum & Associates)
Chip Henderson (Pine Lake Church)
David Foster (The Gathering)
Mark Bankord (Heartland Community Church)
Ken Fong (Evergreen Baptist Church)
John Bishop (Living Hope Church)
Rick Rusaw (LifeBridge Church)
Bryan Carter (Concord Chuch)
Geoff Surratt (Seacoast Church)
Jeffrey Johnson (Eastern Star Church)
Jim Tomberlin (Third Quarter Consulting)
Anne Jackson (FlowerDust.net)
Naeem Fazal (Mosaic Church)
Jim Burgen (Flatirons Community Church)
John Coulombe (First Ev Free Fullerton)
Teresa McBean (NorthStar Community Church)
Jim Sheppard (Generis)
Shawn Wood (Seacoast Church)
Lawrence Aker (Cornerstone Baptist Church)
Steve Robinson (Church of the King)
Jason Cusick (Journey of Faith Church)
Bambi Encarnacion (First Ev Free Fullerton)
Ken Fong (Evergreen Baptist Church)
Judy West (Windsor Crossing Church)
Scott Wilson (The Oaks Fellowship)
Amy Hanson(Author/Speaker)
Toby Slough (Cross Timbers Church)
Troy Gramling (Flamingo Road Church)
Scott Nickell (Flatirons Community Church)
Michael Trent (Third Place Consulting)
Jorge Acevedo (Grace Church)
Scott Williams (LifeChurch.tv)
Steve Robinson (Church of the King)
Keld Dahlman (Europe Church Planter)

Leadership Summit 11 of 11

On this blog I will be re-posting quotes from the Leadership Summit at Willow Creek that happened last week.  Bill Hybels heads up this conference and brings in some of the most influential leaders in the country each year to be a part of the process.  I am simply re-posting what Tony Morgan has on his blog www.tonymorganlive.com, these are not my quotes or comments.  These quotes may or may not apply to you or the position you may hold but if you can benefit from any of the truths that are written than run with it.

Top 11 Leadership Challenges

I had a great couple of days at the Leadership Summit at Willow Creek earlier this week. The notes for all the sessions are available in previous posts. Here are my top 11 leadership challenges from all the sessions. These are my favorite challenges from each speaker.

1. “Sometimes the comfortable thing to do isn’t the right thing to do.” -Tony Blair
2. “What I really find hard to take is lifeless ceremony.” -Bono
3. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” -David Gergen quoting unknown person
4. “In God’s economy, vision should move from the fringes to the middle.” -Dave Gibbons
5. “When an organization misses the future, it’s not because it was unknown–it was because it’s inpalatable.” -Gary Hamel
6. “When you find the bright spot, study it and clone it.” -Dan Heath
7. “When I listen to God slowly, he speaks more frequently.” -Bill Hybels
8. “People consider it compassionate not to be honest with people. It’s not. That’s disrespectful.” -Carly Fiorina on dealing with poor performance
9. “People who believe the Gospel are utterly different.” -Tim Keller
10. “There is no country in the world that has developed through handouts.” -Andrew Rugasira
11. “What’s your cause? Does it move you to tears? What is it that moves you passionately?” -Wess Stafford

Leadership Summit 10 of 11

Over the next blog I will be re-posting quotes from the Leadership Summit at Willow Creek that happened last week.  Bill Hybels heads up this conference and brings in some of the most influential leaders in the country each year to be a part of the process.  I am simply re-posting what Tony Morgan has on his blog www.tonymorganlive.com, these are not my quotes or comments.  These quotes may or may not apply to you or the position you may hold but if you can benefit from any of the truths that are written than run with it.

Leadership Summit: Tony Blair

• “Sometimes the comfortable thing to do isn’t the right thing to do.”
• “Be prepared to walk away.”
• “If the facts change, I change my mind.”
• “There are those running a commentary and then there are those who are actually trying to shape the world around them.”
• “If you are of religious faith, it’s the most important thing in your life.”
• “Of course it sustained me enormously.”
• “Faith is a potent force for good or bad.”
• “Are we going to react or make a statement?”
• [It's interesting how many times the various speakers over the last couple of days have referred to "emotional appeals" in communications.]
• “I feel like I have a purpose in life.”
• “Leadership is a blessing. It’s a gift–a gift you can use to help others.”
• “The joy of getting something done makes all the pain worthwhile.”
• “It’s a gift from God and we should use it.”
• Hybels: “What is my irreducible core?” (referencing Blair comments)
• Hybels: “Will I pay whatever price I have to pay to stay true to that?”

Leadership Summit 9 of 11

Over the next two blogs I will be re-posting quotes from the Leadership Summit at Willow Creek that happened last week.  Bill Hybels heads up this conference and brings in some of the most influential leaders in the country each year to be a part of the process.  I am simply re-posting what Tony Morgan has on his blog www.tonymorganlive.com, these are not my quotes or comments.  These quotes may or may not apply to you or the position you may hold but if you can benefit from any of the truths that are written than run with it.

Leadership Summit: Bono

• This is a video interview between Bill Hybels and Bono. It’s a follow up from a similar video interview three years ago.
• “I didn’t know the giant could run that fast.”
• “The church is in the lead–not in the rear.”
• “Malaria deaths are down 50%. We’re actually winning on this stuff.”
• “We believe that ‘love thy neighbor’ is not advice. It’s a command.”
• We’re watching a video sharing the story of Eagle Brook Church’s involvement in addressing AIDS in Africa. www.eaglebrookchurch.com
• Bono wrote the words to “Where the Streets Have No Name” in Ethiopia twenty-some years ago.
• “Intuition is greater than intellect.”
• Watching a video about Whittier Area Community Church’s efforts to help kids in Africa: www.wacc.net
• “I go where the life is.” (referring to church.)
• “What I really find hard to take is lifeless ceremony.”
• “When you’re making a sermon, people want you to be honest. They want a spirit of humility.”
• Now we’re watching a video about Lives Changed By Christ church: www.lcbcchurch.com
• “The church tends to separate itself from people.”
• “That’s not grace.”
• “Whenever I see grace, I’m moved.”
• “There is always resistance to the journey of equality.”
• “These statistics have faces.”

Leadership Summit 8 of 11

Over the next three blogs I will be re-posting quotes from the Leadership Summit at Willow Creek that happened last week.  Bill Hybels heads up this conference and brings in some of the most influential leaders in the country each year to be a part of the process.  I am simply re-posting what Tony Morgan has on his blog www.tonymorganlive.com, these are not my quotes or comments.  These quotes may or may not apply to you or the position you may hold but if you can benefit from any of the truths that are written than run with it.

Leadership Summit: Chip & Dan Heath

Leadership Summit 7 of 11

Over the next four blogs I will be re-posting quotes from the Leadership Summit at Willow Creek that happened last week.  Bill Hybels heads up this conference and brings in some of the most influential leaders in the country each year to be a part of the process.  I am simply re-posting what Tony Morgan has on his blog www.tonymorganlive.com, these are not my quotes or comments.  These quotes may or may not apply to you or the position you may hold but if you can benefit from any of the truths that are written than run with it.

Leadership Summit: David Gergen

• Here’s a link to Gergen’s book: www.amazon.com
• “Ford was the most decent President I worked for.”
• “We have come to prize people who are decent…because they seem to be so rare.”
• “The quality I most admired in Clinton was his resilience.”
• “Reagan was the best leader in the White House since Franklin Roosevelt.”
• “He had a contagious optimism about life.” (about Reagan)
• Reagan used to say, “Sometimes the right hand doesn’t know what the far-right hand is doing.”
• “Nixon had demons in him that he could not control. Eventually they brought him down.”
• “Ford could sometimes be a little naive.”
• “Reagan would sometimes let others put their hands on the wheel.”
• “Clinton clearly had cracks in his character. He made mistakes. He made grievous mistakes.”
• “Not all great leaders are deeply flawed.”
• “I think all of us is flawed. Maturity is about coming to grips with our flaws.”
• “With regard to our leaders, we should be more forgiving about their private lives but more demanding about their public lives.”
• Warren Bennis: “The days of the ‘lone ranger’ as a leader is over.”
• “Your role as a leader should be to build a team of other leaders.”
• “We build things together.”
• Gergen quoting someone else: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
• “Trying to order people doesn’t work. We need to persuade people.”
• [The "go fast" line may be the best takeaway of the entire conference.]
• Hybels: “Your brand, I think, is your hair.” (about Gergen)
• “We are so bombarded with words.”
• “You’re not going to listen to someone who is sounding off. You’ll listen to someone who is rooted.”
• “A speech shouldn’t last more than 15 or 20 minutes.”
• “In the early part of your speech, establish who you are.” (assuming they don’t know you.)
• “Then introduce the emotion.”
• “Then the message should be the reasoned part of your speech.”
• “At the end, it’s really important to come back to the emotional appeal. You have to have a call to action.”
• “I think the best preachers bring the argument, but they also bring the emotional appeal.”
• [Hybels has always been a very good interviewer.]
• “Leadership is a very physically demanding part of life.”
• “You have to be physically fit.”
• “You have to build time into your day to reflect.”
• “You have to build time into your day to spend time with the people you cherish.”
• “Having a moral compass is extremely important to leadership.”
• “It’s important to have good anchors in life.”
• “Faith and family and friends are great anchors in life.”

Leadership Summit 6 of 11

Over the next five blogs I will be re-posting quotes from the Leadership Summit at Willow Creek that happened last week.  Bill Hybels heads up this conference and brings in some of the most influential leaders in the country each year to be a part of the process.  I am simply re-posting what Tony Morgan has on his blog www.tonymorganlive.com, these are not my quotes or comments.  These quotes may or may not apply to you or the position you may hold but if you can benefit from any of the truths that are written than run with it.

Leadership Summit: Wess Stafford

• Wess is the CEO of Compassion International.
• The organization is 57 years old, but they’ve doubled in size in only 4 years.
• “If you are a leader here without your team, you are missing a golden opportunity.”
• “Terrible things can happen when children are considered the lowest priority.”
• “I was beaten in that place 17 times a week.” (boarding school)
• “God must hate me.”
• “There was no one to protect us.”
• He said, “There will be Africans in hell because of this little boy.”
• “How is Daddy doing his work without me?”
• “I had gone from a victim to a victor. I received my calling.”
• “Last year, 187,000 children accepted Christ. And 50,000 of them were little Africans.”
• “I may never have the courage like I had when I was only 10 years old.”
• “It was a story that God intended for evil, but God redeemed.”
• “By God’s grace, I’m still useful.”
• “What’s your cause? Does it move you to tears? What is it that moves you passionately?”
• “If it’s nothing, don’t live like that.”
• “We have worth because of Who gives us worth, not because of what we do.”
• “You took yesterday. You cannot have tomorrow.”
• Revelation 21:4

Next Page »