artwork by: Wojciech Pijecki

“So, my very dear friends, don’t get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures.” James 1:16-18

If gifts are rivers of light streaming from God, as the “Father of Light”, then why do I find it so hard to use them? Do you use your gifts all the time? Are you totally all up in that junk?
What is light?
It is used to expose darkness, lead the way, and give life.
What then should our gifts be used for?
I would say that we should use our gifts in the same way that we use light.

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Reading “The Spirit of the Disciplines” by Dallas Willard I was struck with quote in which he says, “…we so devoutly believe in the power of effort-at-the-moment-of-action alone to accomplish what we want and completely ignore the need for character change in our lives as a whole. We intend what is right, but we avoid the life that would make it reality.”

He likened this attitude to an athlete who is at home plate with the bases loaded, bottom of the 9th inning and the score is tied up. At that moment all his practicing, weight training and devotion to his craft was made for this moment. He hits a home run and the game is won.
We as Christians though like to “fly” by the seat of our pants hoping that when someone comes to us to let us know their wife has just died, someone has molested their 4 year old daughter, they have lost everything, this being our “proverbial moment” that we will knock it out of the park.
Without the necessary discipline we can not hope to make a difference in the situation because we like the grasshopper have gone onto greener pastures and come back to a drought with nothing to hold us over through the winter.

Let me leave you with the thought from Dallas, “True Christ-likeness, true companionship with Christ, comes at the point where it is hard not to respond as he would.”

Shalom

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On Memorial Day I had the day off, which means I did not have to go to rehearsal on Saturday night or lead worship or lead my team on Sunday. Ordinarily I am fine with this and only went through a little bit of anxiety about not being there.

If you lead any team on a Sunday morning, then you know what I mean when I say that sometimes you feel like things won’t get pulled off without you.

Fortunately I work with some really wonderful people who have “It” covered, and just to celebrate them so as not to get jealous of their coolness; I want to thank Brandon(video), Carver(audio), Brent(Co-Lead Pastor), Peter(Student Community Pastor), Justin(lighting) and Jennifer(producer). They really pulled off a great service.

Back to the point.
In order for me to have a weekend off, I need someone to cover my responsibilities. This past weekend it happened to be a band called Mikes Chair. They were great, a little too great… It seemed that everything I am self conscious about on stage, the leader of that band did amazingly. He had awesome transitions, was witty, sang great, the band sounded great, connected with the crowd almost instantly (give me a break!). At one point I felt myself getting mad at them for being so good.
How dumb is that? I am getting mad at them for doing what I want them to do.

The whole rest of the day I was a jerk to my family, short with my friends and even kicked the dog.

Can you relate to this? Striving so hard to do certain things and then seeing someone else do them so effortlessly?

We as a people work so hard to be meaningful, to be “irreplaceable” in our work/life. Yet, for the benefit of the organization, we should be working to “replace” ourselves- empowering people to lead well, love all and most importantly…confess.

My name is Josh and I am insecure, but at least I am honest about it right?

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I was listening to NPR on memorial day and here was the story that hit me in my core.

Donovan Campbell talking about his time in Iraq, the book is called “Joker One” and in it are his memoirs of the battles he fought and men he had lost and how he maintained his marriage and sanity. As a Lt. he was in charge of 40 men (a battalion). His battalion, known as Joker One, was assigned to one of Iraq’s worst hot spots: the city of Ramadi and even with all his self questioning he came through it all with only one KIA.
He was asked on NPR how he dealt with the strain of leading a team like that, in one of the worst places to be in Iraq to which he said,

“In order to lead a team like I had too, You can’t think about your wife, family, kids.You have to already believe you are dead. Which allows you to focus on the main objective as well as the safety of your men.”

Donovan Campbell was awarded a Bronze Star with Valor for his time in Iraq.
He now works at a company where he is in charge of 150 people and his biggest take away is to “model” servant-leadership, business will take care of itself he says, if he can daily serve his people and develop that value in their lives as well.

I got to thinking? This is an marine, who has seen the worst of the worst. His biggest leadership motto, “Think of yourself as already dead, then you can lead well.”
We are called to die to ourselves, take up our cross and follow Christ. Disciple people, love them, accept them. To live as Christ and to die is gain.
Often times though we are so concerned with ourselves and what we get or where we will be that servant-leadership is an after thought. But just like Donovan said, “If we take care of our ‘people’, the business and in our case the business of life (our welfare) will take care of itself.

Here’s to being a Doulos of Christ

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For worship leaders looking to find a better key to play a song in we have created this chart that will help you know what to play on what fret.
Obviously capos are frowned upon by any and all “musicians” but alas, we care not. Here’s to the quick and easy fix.

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The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the ‘Peanuts’ comic strip.
Even though you might not know all the answers, just read it through and it will make sense. :)

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.
These are no second-rate achievers.
They are the best in their fields, but the applause dies…Awards tarnish…Achievements are forgotten.
Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here’s another quiz.

See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special!
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson:
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards.

They simply are the ones who care the most.

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An admirable trend in recent generations is openness. Slowly we have started to reveal more and more of our struggles and our warts, but almost to the point where it’s not healthy. Our focus has moved from the desire of our heart being authentic, to desiring pity for our weaknesses.

It’s believed that open communication is a cornerstone of health. I’d like to take that a step further and say wise communication is a cornerstone of health.

Open communication says, “I’ll tell you everything that’s on my heart.” There’s no filter. We can forsake necessary empathy and tact when we are sharing everything.

Wise communication looks at the situation and evaluates all of the elements.

What kind of environment am I in? Who are the people I’m talking to? How well do I know them?

Andy Stanley once had a great formula for asking if an action was wise or not.

In light of my past experiences…
And looking at my life in the present…
While asking myself what I want my future to be like…
IS THIS WISE?

Everyone we come in contact with is going to have a past, a present, and a future, just as we do. Wisely communicating with each other will save unnecessary tension and misunderstandings in the end.

As believers, we have to be committed to honest interaction. Not just speaking honestly, but listening and processing in a spirit of truth as well.

I struggle with honest listening because I’ve yet to master the art flipping the switch to “off” in my brain. At any given time, I can be thinking about a project at work, wondering if I forgot to feed our cats, remember I need to call a friend, pick up dry cleaning, and wondering what color shoes go best with the dress for my friend’s wedding. Did I mention? All of this goes through my head while I’m on a date with my husband, trying to decide if I want the fried green beans or the fruit salad. (I opted for the fried green beans, in case you were wondering).

The two most important relationships in my life – my relationship with God and my relationship with my husband – deserve my complete focus. In addition to that, when God puts people in my life who need me to minster to, or people who he’s placed in my path that I need to learn from, I am doing them a huge disservice by not devoting my attention to them.

Maybe you’re a senior pastor and you notice a greeter doing an outstanding job on the weekends. Telling that person’s team leader so he or she can affirm the greeter is a good idea. But can you imagine the impact your words will have on him or her? You may not think it’s such a big deal. You know you’re “just a regular guy” like anyone else. But hearing the words come from your mouth will inspire and give so much confidence to that greeter!

If you see someone doing a great job, tell them. Just like bad news, it may come around to them second-hand. And praise is praise, even when it’s second-hand. But hearing it directly is so much more meaningful and significant to the person you’re complimenting.

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All living systems (that means us!) are dynamic; flexing and flowing as the environment allows. Most social environments (like work, church, and families) function as Complex Adaptive Systems.

With the very simplest (and least scientific) definition of the concept, Complex Adaptive Systems have two unique characteristics.

One:
These systems are complex in that they are diverse and made up of multiple interconnected elements. If you think of your church staff, ministry team, or even family, our individuality makes us diverse. From our age, to our experience, to our giftings, all of these things make us who we are (they’re interconnected) yet they are typically unique.

Secondly:
Complex Adaptive Systems are adaptive in that they have the capacity to change and learn from experience. If you’ve been in ministry for any amount of time, you realize the importance of flexibility. If your ability to go with the flow is limited, you will burn out fast! Also, in order to be healthy, one must be open to learning from mistakes (including your own and the mistakes of others)!

The theorists behind Complex Adaptive Systems have concluded that there are three stages these systems fall in. Environments are always changing, so if at one point, an environment is in one stage, it will eventually move into another stage.

The Adaptive Stage
The Adaptive Stage is the sweet spot for Complex Adaptive Systems (hence the name). In healthy environments, a majority of time will be spent in this stage. In the Adaptive Stage, freedom is king. Boundaries exist, but they are completely permeable. Diversity is highlighted, causing differences to challenge in positive ways. Communication is meaningful and trusted.

In the church world, this environment is ideal for the Spirit to move. We have our limitations, but we are completely open to God’s leading. Creativity is maximized and encouraged. The Body works together as individual parts. Much like what the Bible suggests in 1 Corinthians.

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7; 18)

Organisms in the Adaptive Stage are moving towards a common goal. A cohesive outcome. If they successfully achieve it, they move into what’s known as the Stable Stage, which allows them time for effective productivity (more on that later). If the organisms don’t successfully achieve the goal because their unity falls to pieces, they then move into a third stage, the Chaos Stage.

The Stable Stage
Stability…it sounds nice, doesn’t it? People are operating in the zone. Everything is balanced. People and processes are functioning properly. The Stable Stage isn’t a bad place to be.

However, it’s a bad place to stay. When left in the Stable Stage for too long, environments can become stale. Communication is made only from the top down without interaction from all members. People get in ruts!

How do you move from the Stable Stage back into the Adaptive Stage?
Remember, it’s not a bad place to be for a season, as this is the stage from where most tangible productivity stems. But, if you’ve been in an environment for a while and you feel your passion is completely dried up or you’re just spinning your wheels and going nowhere, it’s quite possible your environment has been stuck in the Stable Stage for too long.

If you’re a leader who can make immediate changes, start by getting some feedback from your team to confirm your inclination. If your team agrees, discover together what areas are most stale. Take your team outside of its normal environment – go to a café, a mall, an airport, a park – and begin brainstorming some new approaches to daily problems you need to solve. Remember, there are no dumb ideas!

If you’re leading from a supporting role, now is a great opportunity to lead up. Write down some creative ideas that will help pull your team out of the rut. Talk to your supervisor or ministry leader and humbly make your suggestions.

I realize many of you in a supporting role might not be comfortable approaching your leader because you’re nervous (and possibly, rightfully so) that he or she might take it the wrong way. If that’s the case, try sharing your ideas with others on your team. If you’re truly an island, share your thoughts with a close friend or your spouse and find a way to implement them in your own responsibilities. I promise changing your own outlook will positively impact the rest of your team.

The Chaotic Stage
As I mentioned previously, if in the Adaptive Stage, everything beings to fall apart, the environment will move into the Chaotic Stage.

The Chaotic Stage is as bad as it sounds. Let’s look at some of its synonyms. Disintegration > Confusion > Anarchy > Pandemonium > Commotion > Disarray > Turmoil > Madness
It’s random. There’s no consistency.

Chaos is only productive because it helps us grow through pain. Through situations we would naturally avoid. When a body of believers enters this stage, those most willing to adapt emerge as leaders.

When my friend Allen’s affair was slowly made public, it was the epitome of the definition of chaos. Beforehand, when the church was in an Adaptive Stage, the body was moving to one common goal, reaching people for Christ and discipling them. When the pieces of the body stopped functioning properly (which happens in moments of unconfessed sin, and unrepentant hearts), the fabric that bound the body together slowly started becoming unraveled. Over time, it unraveled into a state of spiritual inconsistency. At its climax, chaos occurred. Those who were spiritually in tune to the Spirit recognized the need for order.

How can we move out of the Chaotic Stage?
If you’re in the midst of a chaotic environment, you’ll know. Your team will lack the essential unity and organization. The right hand won’t know what the left hand is doing, but in this case, that’s not a good thing.

As a leader in a chaotic environment, now is the time to act! You’ve probably already been praying about the issues your team is facing. Please don’t wait any longer. Sit down with the people you need to sit down with and make an organized plan of action now, including both short term and long term solutions for protecting your church from entering in to the Chaotic Stage again.

Sometimes this may mean having to admit failure. And failure is okay. At LifeChurch.tv, we say that failure is not an option…it’s a requirement! But when you do fail, fail forward! And share your failures openly and humbly. Others can learn from your mistakes.

Maybe you realize you are the agent that is causing chaos on your team. You could be living in unconfessed sin. Nobody’s perfect, but we all must strive to keep our hearts clean and our spirits renewed. It’s a process that must be repeated.

If you are that chaotic agent, you are grieving the Holy Spirit. Your sin is causing a breach in your personal relationship with God and quite possibly is affecting the other parts of the Body.
1 John 1:9 says this,

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Realize that this forgiveness and purification is conditional. You must confess. It’s on your head. But keep the promise in mind when it gets scary and the courage is hard to find. He will be faithful and just.

Napoleon Bonaparte once said, “The battlefield is a scene of constant chaos. The winner will be the one who controls that chaos, both his own and the enemies.”

Some people live off the adrenaline a chaotic situation brings. It’s exciting, and new, and challenging. But I think what we really crave is bringing order to the chaos.
Managing it. Turning it into something beautiful.

Something healthy.

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Recently I was told about the book “The Spider and The Starfish“. The basic premise being that a spider has many legs but it has a snare, teeth and venom. Whereas a starfish theoretically has appendages that when cut off or hurt, grow back.
The idea is basically to replace yourself, be fluid in your leadership.

It struck me that I had been under the assumption that I needed to be a spider. And if you have been in ministry for any length of time you can understand the polarity of wanting to protect your vision, mission and calling so strongly that you begin to coalesce into a venomous leader who looks out for them and their own.

As the lead worshiper I have realized that in order to move the ball down the court in terms of our churches goal, I need to decentralize the system of being a worship leader. Ordinarily the people who structure church policy and programming are the lead pastor(s), worship pastor and maybe children’s director. This system from the top down displays the message to be one of “silos”.

The assumption that there needs to be a central worship leader, I’ve found, is a direction that enables leaders to have an agenda. It does not allow for a comprehensive and balanced service.

This is my defining moment and one that I am running full force towards.
How about you?

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So you want quality and consistency?

One way of creating an atmosphere that fosters excellence is to have an open policy of allowing those that are not Christians to take part in your service. Whether playing music, production help or (insert task) people love to help out and what better way to show the example that Christ asks of us in living in community.

The obvious push back is that people’s theology does not allow for fluidity and their view of Christ’s message is defined by a person having a relationship before they can help out because, “What message is that sending to people who see these volunteers out in the community”.

I would caution against having non-Christians lead people but we in leadership need to be “for” people instead of against them. One speaker said it this way, “Would you rather have a referee or a cheerleader in your corner.”

Think about it. If they take a chance on helping you out, then you have an excellent opportunity to lead them, disciple them, pour into their lives, to “Ride the Elephant” so to speak.

I would say that not taking the chance in allowing them to help out is definitely worse than taking a chance and not being open to God doing something completely awesome in your team.

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