Be You

While I was driving today I heard on the radio that Subway is now serving breakfast.  Really?  No offense to Subway but when I think of breakfast they are the last fast food industry that I think of.  I’m sure they have done marketing and research.  I’m sure they have even talked to consumers about the possibility of this endeavor.  Their build a better breakfast slogan is catchy and the food does look very good, however.  My question is this, why can’t Subway do what they are good at?  It’s the same reason why Chick-Fil-A does not make burgers or KFC does not make Tacos because they know what they are good at and they stick to it. (Yes I am aware that KFC joins together with Taco Bell and Pizza Hut)

Once again it got me thinking about us as individuals trying to be something we are not.  Maybe we are trying to be all things to all people.  Maybe we don’t even know who we are now.  As a pastor I know who I am and who I am not.

• I know I am not going to write a book that will give the world 40 days of purpose like Rick Warren.
• I know I am not going to have the fashion sense or tenacity of a Steven Furtick.
• I know I am not going to wear polo shirts and speak from a stool where every word I speak should be written in a leadership book like Andy Stanley.
• I know I am not going to be able to get away with cussing like Mark Driscoll.
• I know I am not going to sing and act out my messages like Ed Young.
• I know I am not going to smile relentlessly like Joel Olsteen.
• I know I am not going to be as deep and studied as Mark Batterson.
• I know I am not going to be as funny and raw and bold as Perry Noble.
• I know I am not going to have the faith and passion of a Francis Chan.
• I know I am not going to have the incredible voice of T.D. Jakes.
• I know I am not going to have the build or as many campuses as Craig Groeschel.
• I know I am not going to have powerful worship in my church like Brian Houston.
• I know I am not going to stand through trials like Matt Chandler.

What I do know is that I was not created to be them.  I was created to be me.  I was created to serve God to the best of my abilities.  The quicker you and I realize who we were created to be the quicker you and I will experience the life that God created us to enjoy.

So don’t be a Subway where you come across as desperate chasing the competition but do what you do and do it better than anybody else.

Chick-Fil-A Church

I re-posted a tweet a couple weeks ago that I thought was an appropriate blog post.  Here it is: If Chick-Fil-A were a church, they’d dominate… multi-site, guest services, mission focused, quality product, team clarity, systems… That statement is so true.  Chick-Fil-A runs one of the top organizations in the country and it appears to be that way from the top down.  From the day you walk in to work for them you are bombarded with who they are and what they are about.  There is no doubt when you walk into a Chick-Fil-A they have a superior product (if you like chicken) and from the cleanliness of the dining room to the friendliness of the staff everyone buys into the vision.

• If the church was to take those same principles of being able to be multi-site and yet you experience the same thing in each location there would be no doubt of what to expect.  I have never walked into a Chick-Fil-A and hoped they had chicken instead of a burger…you just know.
• Guest Services is a cut above other establishments.  They take pride in keeping it clean.  They smile.  They greet you.  Some will get to know your name if you eat there enough.  They refill your drink and clean off your table.  Wow, imagine the church having everybody doing that type of customer service?  Giving up a seat for a first time guest, opening doors, walking people to where they need to go instead of telling them.
• Mission focused. They know what they are about.  If it does not help them accomplish their stated goals, they don’t do it.  If it doesn’t help them accomplish their vision they don’t do it.  They are not other restaurants.  They know who they are, why they exist and what they are about.  Imagine a church that didn’t change every time the “new thing” came out.  Imagine a church that is focused on the mission and does not get distracted by the cheers or the complaints.
• Quality Product. It’s Chicken and delicious, enough said.  What they put out creates a buzz and energy that gets people talking.  Imagine the church putting out a product that people can be proud of.  Imagine the church representing Jesus in a way that is identifiable and approachable no matter where you are in your journey.
• Team Clarity. There is no doubt from the same uniform to the language.  They have been trained to make your experience enjoyable.  Imagine a church where there is no scheming no hidden agendas.  People all supporting the one main idea.
• Systems. I have been impressed with how they open a new franchise to how each franchise is run, why?  Because they are all the same.  They follow everything to a T.  If the church could be mission focused in their systems it would eliminate silos within the church.  It would eliminate most of the dissension and people would be about the mission and not self agendas.

Coaching Network

I have had the privilege to be a part of Backstage Leadership since  last September and to be honest I didn’t know what to expect. I had never been a part of anything like this but I knew I was passionate about leadership and developing not only myself but taking what I was learning and applying it to my circles of influence.

I have been blown away by the line up of speakers that I have gotten to interview such as: Chuck Colson, Michael Hyatt, Andy Andrews, Carlos Whitaker, Gabe Lyons and Brad Lomenick. Mark Batterson, Dan Cathy, Catherine Rohr, Mike Foster, Ken Blanchard and Francis Chan.  The line up is always incredible and challenges me in such areas as; time management, dream casting, social networking, leadership development and family being a priority.

Backstage was started by Greg Darley and has gone from concept into an idea that is transforming young leaders by giving them opportunities to learn from those who have blazed the path before us.  I can honestly say I am a different leader and approach leadership differently because of this program and hopefully one day have the opportunity to pour into others like Greg has poured into me.

If your interested in joining Backstage Leadership, check out their website at www.backstageleadership.org