For the last 2 years, I’ve been connecting with a group of “Next Generation” (that’s what they called us) Pastors from around the country. The groups was sponsored by Leadership Network, and if you’re a Pastor, you need to figure out how to get connected to these guys in some way! Our group has met twice a year to learn together, from each other, and sharpen each other. Every time I get away like this with other pastors, God used it to make my church better for it! Needless to say, it’s been one of the coolest things I’ve ever done! Below, I’ve just decided to post some quips and quotes that God used in my life from this past meeting:
- “Leaders are the purveyors of hope.” –Warren Bennis
- “God spoke to and used Solomon in spite of the fact that He still had some idols in his life.” (see 1 Kings 3). That’s encouraging!
- Every Pastor MUST have a strong wingman.
- How can we engage retirees with meaningful volunteer opportunities? They can be FREE staff people, if we give them challenging opportunities to serve!
- Level 5 Leaders combine personal humility & professional will.
- “Real leaders ask hard questions and knock people out of their comfort zones.” (Harvard Business Review)
- Followers want comfort, stability, and solutions from their leaders.
- Most people don’t care about the theological arguments pastors have.
- Technology can completely rob us of solitude.
- Is my sermon a flat coke or does it have fizz? If so, WHERE IS THE FIZZ?
- In Acts 6, the leaders of the church didn’t enable others until they faced overload. Lord, don’t let that be me!
- “Stuff” is what overloads me. “Stuff” is not bad. “Stuff” is actually the debris of success.
- Jesus’ movement was launched in a high demand/low resource world.
- As the church grows, I must manage less, and lead more.
- Managers focus on doing things right. Leaders focus on doing the right things.
- My time must be allotted to focus on three different things: Rest time, Response time, and Results time. I don’t need to be trying to do TWO of them at the same time.
- The question I need to be able to answer is: “How can I chase my dreams during the day and still sleep well at night?”
- Thanks to the guys at Leadership Network for making my time with you all AWESOME! I appreciate you! God is using you! You’re making a difference! Hang in there!
Hey Shawn, thanks for sharing that with us there is alot of great stuff to work with there.
Posted by: Will Henderson | November 16, 2009 at 06:59 AM