A month later I met Hugh Halter–one of the authors of the AND book. He’s a tough-looking dude and I thought he might tear me apart for stealing his book name to launch a conference. But he bought my story that I didn’t know about his book and was full of grace and offered to help us.
A couple days ago…I pulled out my copy of AND (by Hugh Halter and Matt Smay) and started reading it. And you know what? It’s a great book. Some of my takeaways include…
“Missional isn’t a form of church. It’s a label we give to the qualitative or descriptive aspect of how a church actually lives.” We often think that a mega-church is, by default, not missional. These authors disagree.
The authors contend you can’t have an effective church-planting strategy without about two-years of making friends: “Without a friendship-level understanding of people, we tend to make coarse generalizations, false assummptions, and judgmental analyses, and we initiate arrogant movement toward people.”
“The pain of providing what people want instead of what they need will eventually either kill you or cause you to ask, ‘Why am I doing this anyway? Is it worth all the agony? What was the main thing I’m trying to do again?’”
Want to try to shift people in your church to be more missional? “All you need is a handful of people who want to pilot an incarnational community. You don’t have to hit an iceberg and capsize the whole ship to begin the new voyage. Will one little schooner change the direction of the ship? Not by itself. But eventually the stories of the missional communities will filter up into the general church population and begin perking curiosity and stirring up more buy-in for the next wave of would-be missionaries and missionary communities.”
Regarding consumerism: “People don’t need most of the stuff we give them. In fact, there seems to be a direct correlation between providing too much and the immaturity that develops when people are given the chance to overindulge.” The authors go on to say there is only one way to overcome the problem of consumerism: “You have to remove what they are consuming.” Wow.
If you’ve been reading LeadingSmart.com for long–you know I’ve been in the middle of this conversation about how to reach the growing percentage of Americans for whom the “go to a church building to learn about God” model isn’t working. It’s why we are hosting the AND Conference in November–to continue and broaden the conversation.
No need to wait until then…let’s start now. What are your thoughts?
Just watched the music video for Taylor Swift’s new single “Mine.” Great song. Great message. Oh, and here is a little background secret about the video–Pete Wilson (a friend who is a pastor in Nashville) and his entire family are actors in the video. Fun times!
I’m doing life with these men…and last night we had four hours of amazing conversation in an alley restaurant in San Francisco. Over the past six months, there have been dozens of such conversations with Mark and Rob and other Granger leaders. Sometimes short, sometimes long, sometimes emotional, sometimes very factual. But all of them pivotal.
I can’t describe the level of anticipation I’m feeling (and remember–I’m Mr. calm, cool and collected). All of these recent conversations are building toward some amazing and earth-shaking initiatives that will impact our local community and thousands around the world. We are in new territory. We are asking questions like, “Has that ever been done?” and “How do we know it will work if it has never been done?” The dreams we are dreaming are stretching even the dreamers.
Roll-out will happen in early 2011. Until then–we continue dream dreams and do life in small conversations.
It seems like every week or so I hear about someone who failed–recovered–and then wrote a book about it. Perhaps their marriage failed. Or they went through a phase as an addict. Or they lost their family because of bad choices. And so they write a book because of the insights they gained along the way.
I understand why those books sell. As fallen humans, we identify with other people who talk about their failures in such stark terms. We figure the author has some insight into the human condition–and perhaps we can learn enough to keep ourselves from falling in the same hole. And I agree…we can definitely learn from such people. I recall more than 20 years ago when Gordon MacDonald went through his highly publicized fall–he later said something I’ll never forget: “An unguarded strength is a double weakness.” He was saying, “Pay attention! I screwed up in an area where I was strong. Don’t do the same.”
So, yes, those who have fallen and recovered to some level of health have a place to write books and give talks about the pitfalls that should be avoided.
But what about those who were faithful for a lifetime, who never had a public failure, who loved their spouse for decades, who led their family with integrity? Why don’t they write books? Probably because no one would buy them. The topic isn’t as sexy, is it? You aren’t going to hear much dirt or experience the highs and lows of a huge fall.
But I ask…
Would you rather get advice from the person who messed up and lost his marriage–or the man who has stood by his wife through ups and downs for 30 or 40 years?
Would you rather get parenting advice from the author who tells you all the mistakes they made and how they regret that they traveled so much and didn’t spend time with their kids–or from the parent who was just there, day in and day out, loving on and listening to their kids?
Would you rather get advice from the speaker who talks about all the bad things she did in her “wild youthful days” including illegal substances and lots of sexual partners–or from the boring girl who studied during college, got married as a virgin, and stayed connected to God and her family?
The answer is not either/or. It’s good to learn from both. I just wish there were a way to identify and learn from the people who stayed faithful day after day, year after year. But they don’t tend to write books about their success. Probably their humility is part of the reason for their stability.
Who do you know that consistently made good choices? Seek them out and ask them questions. You might actually learn something.
Last week I was asked, “If our church is going to double in the next two years (from 500 to 1000), what will it take?” Here is what I shared…
Some of you won’t have as much access to the senior leader. This has to be okay with you.
Ask: Are you more committed to maintaining the tight-knit staff size and your proximity to the pastor? Or are you more committed to the church growing?
Some of you are doing okay as a leader in a church of 500, but that’s not going to cut it at 1,000. You need to be willing to step aside into another role.
Ask: Are you more committed to keeping your position and title? Or are you more committed to reaching more people?
You will need to anticipate the strain and pressure before you actually feel it. You are the leader–looking ahead, around the corner.
Ask: Are you comfortable? If so, you probably aren’t anticipating growth adequately.
You will have to be as willing to stop stuff as you are to start stuff.
Ask: What are you doing that takes time and energy and diverts your focus? What has God uniquely gifted your team to do where you should put more focus?
You will have to drive up the level of excellence. When people walk up to a fair booth to buy food, they have one expectation of service and quality. At McDonalds, it’s another level. And when they walk into a Houlihan’s, it’s yet another level. As you grow, so will the expectations of your guests.
Ask: What areas of the ministry would not be considered excellent if you were a church of 1000?
I don’t care if you work for a church, a business, or a factory. I guarantee you, your boss needs you to be…
A Momentum-Increaser — don’t make your boss be the only one pulling up the attitude and bringing energy to the workplace.
A Values-Champion — No one should live out the values of the organization more than you do.
A Silo-Destroyer — sniff out and destroy the silos that exist in departments throughout the organization. Make sure everyone is more committed to the macro vision than their micro project.
A Straight-Talker — don’t engage in triangle conversations or put-downs of your team or leaders.
A Generous-Giver — okay, this one is specific to working at a church, but I would never work for a church where I didn’t believe in it enough to give as much as I possibly could.
An Innovative-Thinker — be solution-oriented. Don’t just come to your boss with problems, but also solutions. Your attitude should be, “Economy tough? Less staff? Lower budget? No problem, we’ll figure out a way to get through this!”
A Loyal-Friend — you don’t have to hang out together, but he needs to know you are “for” him. If put in a corner, your boss knows you would defend her.
A Back-Protector — always believe the best. Always.
An Integrity-Keeper — you are who you are when no one is looking. Your boss needs you to have great character.
An Unbelievable-Spouse and Effective Parent — the strength of your leadership and effectiveness comes from your leadership at home.
A Lifelong Learner — read books, study other best practices, learn, learn, learn–then come back and apply it to your organization.
An Equipping-Leader…not a Satisfied-Doer — You should be building teams and reproducing teams. Take delight in the success of your team more than your own success!
What else would you add to this list? Which one is most difficult for you?
I enjoy reading reviews of my books–pro and con. If people are wrestling with the issues I present…that is a win. Two recent reviews of Pop Goes the Church:
The book is filled with true-life stories from our church and other similarly-minded churches who have leveraged pop-culture to the benefit of the Gospel. This doesn’t mean we have shiny, sparkly things to lure you in and then you can say that you go to church and belong to our little club. It means that we “meet you where you are”, to use a phrase repeated throughout “Pop Goes The Church”. It means that we care about your comfort. It means that we don’t think you need to be cleaned up for God to love you. It means that you don’t have to jump through hoops just to show up. We make things as easy and as comfortable as possible for you to learn about the love God has for you and we are there to assist you on your journey in any way possible. I cannot stress enough that you should, whoever you are or wherever you are in any sort of spiritual journey or lack thereof, read this book! (from blogger Stephanie Jean Salisbury).
And another:
The question the church must reckon with is this: is Christianity a “product” we must sell? Looking at the language many pastors and Christian leaders use today, it certainly sounds like it. In Pop Goes the Church, Tim Stevens argues that effective churches are those that identify the needs of their audience, speak their language and “scratch where they itch.” In Branding Faith, Phil Cooke says that the church needs to “start thinking in reverse,” by focusing on the audience rather than the message and realizing that “it’s not the message you send, it’s the message that’s received that counts.” … To “scratch were they itch,” then, seems like a futile pursuit for a church trying to win converts to the Gospel. People are itching for a lot of things, and some of them might actually add up to what the gospel of Christ offers, but at the end of the day the gospel is defined outside of and with little regard to whatever it is people think Christianity is or should be. (from blogger Brett McCracken, author of new book Hipster Christianity).
Two very different reviews on the same book. Which blogger got it right?
Teens get a lot of grief about how much time they spend on their phones. I hear adults say, “They never put their phones down!” or “He is texting non-stop!” or “I bet she couldn’t live a day without her phone.” But in truth, teens do what teens see. And I see adults every day who belittle others because of bad phone habits.
One day last year I got up before daylight, and spent hours traveling by plane to go across the country for the sole purpose of a one-hour meeting with some leaders for whom I have huge respect. During the meeting, there were several occasions when each of those leaders picked up their phone to read or type. At the same time, they glanced up at me on occasion as I was talking, said “uh huh,” then continued to “thumble” with their phone. I’m not a touchy-feely type of guy, but on that day I felt devalued. I walked away from that meeting purposed in my heart to never do that to anyone.
Here are a few habits I appreciate in others and try to put to practice…
When you start a meeting, turn your ringer off and move it away from you. If the screen comes to life when you get a text–then put the phone upside down so you won’t see it. If it is likely to vibrate, then put it somewhere it can’t be felt or heard.
If your phone does vibrate during the meeting and your guest says, “Go ahead and take that if you need to” — reach down and silence it without even looking. This communicates to your guest that they are very valuable to you.
Don’t buy into the “what if there is an emergency?” line. Rarely does that happen. It’s not a good excuse for having to look at your phone multiple times through every meeting.
If you know you will need to be reached during the meeting, let your guest know, “My wife is at the doctors office and may need to reach me, so I apologize in advance that I’ll be taking her call when it comes.” That tells your guest this is an exception–you wouldn’t normally do this.
If you are in a meeting with multiple people–follow the same rules. Don’t convince yourself that your participation isn’t needed right now so you can disengage and respond to texts or play your next turn in Words With Friends.We fool ourselves into thinking we can multitask, or that our disengagement won’t be noticed for a few minutes. Not true.
I’m not saying phones are evil or every time you use your phone you are devaluing others. I’m a heavy smart-phone user. Your phone doesn’t need to be out of sight every time you interact with another human. There are times when I’m sitting around with 5 or 6 friends or family members and every one of us has a phone out. That’s part of the 21st century. I think it can actually enhance the conversation and social interaction. But there are times when you have limited interaction with others when you should be ALL there.
It’s about valuing people. And sometimes that means we are looking in their eyes and being fully engaged so we can really listen to their story and hear their heart.
A few weeks ago I announced that I was receiving applications for an Executive Pastors’ Coaching Network this fall. The 12 slots filled up pretty quickly–so I’ve decided to open registration for a second group this fall. Both groups start early this fall and conclude in March. They include four (4) trips to Granger and six (6) days of your life. But as others have mentioned–it will be a transformational experience for you and your church.
Here are a few of the leaders already signed up…
An Executive Pastor from a church of 2500 in Florida.
A leader of a brand-new church plant in North Carolina–first service last month!
A woman who is Director of Ministry Services at a church of 900 in Georgia.
An Executive Pastor from a fast-growing church in San Diego.
The lead pastor of a church with 3 full-time staff in Michigan.
Several others from Indiana, Michigan, Florida, Illinois and Missouri.
One of the greatest advantages of the Coaching Network is the friendships you will develop with the others in the group. It is an experience of learning, talking with peers about difficult issues, and getting fresh ideas about your biggest challenges.
As of today, I have 9 slots available. I’m praying that God will bring the right group of leaders together. If that’s you–don’t delay in applying.
Earlier in the week I quoted from a recent Fast Company article about Steve Jobs and Apple. Here is another quote that caught my attention and got me thinking:
No other company reimagines the fundamental parts of its business as frequently, and with as much gusto, as Apple does. Over its history, Apple has adopted new operating systems and underlying chip architectures several times–decisions that rendered its installed base instantly obsolete. Jobs killed the floppy disk in the iMac, and he claimed that optical drives were on their way out with the MacBook Air. Now, with the company’s embrace of touch screens, Apple seems to be gunning for the mouse, a technology that it helped bring into wide use in the 1980s. Apple’s willingness to abandon the past makes for better products.
Here is what I’m wondering: When is the last time church leaders re-imagined the fundamental part of their “business”? Pretty much since about 300 AD, the church has been constructing buildings, holding weekly services, teaching the Bible from an elevated platform, singing congregational songs, collecting money–and sending everyone home. Oh sure, our songs are a little peppier and some of us even use technology pretty well. But, the success of spreading the gospel is still largely gauged by number of church buildings built and the attendance at those buildings.
What would it look like to reimagine how we do church? Like I wrote a couple weeks ago–the percentage of people in our communities who will be reached by a “come to the box” type of church is small and shrinking. Alan Hirsch says that it is going to require out-of-the-box type of imagination if we are going to figure out to reach everyone else.
That is the type of imagination we are engaged in at Granger. We’ve asked the entire church to imagine. We’ve asked our entire community to imagine. And the dreams that are emerging are at a make-your-heart-beat-out-of-your-chest level of exciting.
More about that in the days to come. For now–what are your thoughts?
Last January we decided to put the Innovate Conference on the shelf for a year–and instead launch a conference called AND this fall.
