This is not just good advice for business leaders. This is good advice for pastors, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers….well, pretty much all of us. In fact, some might argue that those three words are necessary for one to become a believer in Christ. I must be willing to admit I’ve messed up before I can recognize and believe the gift of Christ’s sacrifice on my behalf.
Recently as I have thought about our sustainability as a church, I’ve been reminded of the hundreds of people who are in our church today that never experienced our first year as a church plant. We have new people coming all the time. They need the benefit of fully understanding the vision we have set from the beginning of who we really are as a church. To instill this vision into them we must continually find new ways to repeat our vision.
One resource helpful for assigning and evaluating responsibilities for a specific task or ministry is the RACI Matrix. It forces the organization to assign specific responsibility and understanding to a project. This eliminates confusion, helps insure projects have the people resources to be completed and provides for accountability.
I’m excited about an upcoming concert in Nashville called Rock Your Community. The event will be held Friday, May 15, 2009 at Brentwood Baptist Church beginning at 7 PM. More details are available at the website: http://www.rockyourcommunity.com/ This event is sponsored by Community Outreach Ministries, which “strives to model the love of God and to meet the needs of the broken and wounded of Williamson County by providing a spiritual and pastoral presence in the community.â€
I work with lots of church plants and young ventures. I love the enthusiasm and momentum an organization has early in its life. I hope to always be a part of starting something. As I’ve gotten older, however, I’m equally as concerned about sustainability. The right energy and vision will create growth fast, but building an organization that lasts requires having a plan for maintaining viability.
Do you need reminding that change is coming and there is a purpose to life?
It is interesting to watch Republicans organize attempts to reclaim their party. As one who has usually voted and supported conservative candidates, I generally agree with the philosophies of government held by the leading Republicans. In recent years, however, I have been less enthusiastic about parties in general, not completely feeling that either major party completely represents my values.
Please know this, God will allow times of struggle greater than YOUR ability to handle it. He allows these times so that you might learn to fully and completely rely on Him. Apart from Him you and I can do nothing. When you and I learn that principle and live accordingly we will be free to experience His power, which is perfected in our weakness.
My friend Tony Hill sent me this email this week asking me about our experience with church planting: (Tony is the mastermind behind my blog design.)
My advice to parents is to surround your children with kids they can be encouraged by later in life. Pick your children’s friends, while you can, based on their parents. Look for people who share your values, share your discipline philosophy, and are heading their children in the same direction you want your children to go. Then get your children around those children as much as you can. Hopefully you will instill in your children the skills of picking the right kinds of friends wisely that will carry over into other periods of their life.
I love politics and government. I know not everyone does, but I love a good debate, I love discussion, and I love the political process. We’ve lived through a lot of political and government discussions in our house. The boys and I enjoy it. Cheryl, although being a voter and very patriotic (I wouldn’t have married her otherwise….j/k…sorta), she doesn’t like the argument and debate process. She also doesn’t like boxing. Whatever!
Yesterday I shared a post about the consequences of making mistakes after a person ignores repeated advice from others. It was based on a Biblical principle found in Proverbs 29:1. You can read that post HERE.
We also learn, however, by the wisdom of others and humbling ourselves enough to accept the correction or criticism others offer can often help us avoid costly mistakes. The verse ends with a warning of such, “will suddenly be broken beyond healingâ€. That part of the principle doesn’t ignore grace or the ability to recover, but it does point out that some mistakes can leave lasting consequences.
I just saw this video. It’s been out for a year, so maybe you have. “Someone” thought I needed to view it. I guess if your spouse is a pastor you get this video. Frankly I don’t. Have you ever heard your pastor talk about his wife in the message?
