ChurchPlanters.com "Giving You Permission"

Searching for God Knows What!

I love to start my day with God.  I often sit in my chair and just reflect on life.  I love to take a good book, my Bible, and my journal and reflect.  Today was one of those days that God uses in your life to recenter you.  Here are my reflections:

1.  I am so grateful to get to do what I do.  Some might would ask what do you do anyway?  I work with church planters from all over the United States who have a vision and passion for reaching the disconnected.  I lead our World Care Initiative at Mountain Lake Church.  I mean I get to take people to the ends of the earth and show them the Jesus way.  I write books calling people back to the centrality and simplicity of the Jesus way.  I serve along side of our Leading Elders (Shawn, Chad, and Casey) making strategic decision for our church. 

2. It is easy to get distracted.  The grass always looks greener on the other side.  I have discovered that there is something about how I am wired that if I don't stay on my guard I can grow really discontent.  This usually happens for me after I complete a big project.  For example I just finished Breaking the Discipleship Code.  It was an incredible writing project that took a lot out of me.  Reconnecting and replenishing is now an important part of that process. 

3.  I recognize the decisions I make today will greatly affect my impact tomorrow.  I am so proud of my parents.  They are in their late 60's (67 and 69) I think?  My dad leads a church and my mom teaches school.  They won't retire!  They love what they do and they have made a lifetime of decisions that are really letting them finish well.  More and more everyday I realize that the little decisions I make like ride my bike or not, buy this or pay off that, let it go or hang on to it, etc. all has an incredible affect on what my life will be like over the next 25 years.  I want to make good decisions in order that I might be able to stay in the game as long as possible and finish as well as possible.

4.  I'm not alone.  There are so many people out there searching.  Some have lost their way.  They are desperate to find it.  They too, want a life filled with purpose and I can do something about it.  The dinner I had last night with a new follower of Jesus was potentially life changing.  The lunch I will have today with a follower of Jesus who I have been able to multiply myself through is going to be life shaping.  There maybe even a chance encounter out there that will make all the difference in the world.  People are searching and its my job to show them the way.

So what does all this mean?  It means I'm not smart enough, clever enough, or strategic enough to figure this thing out.  What I must do is depend on God today to show me His way.  To help me get over myself...and follow the Jesus way...I think I hear him calling, "Come, follower me." 

Don't Lose Your Vision

IMPORTANT

Here it is guys...one of the number one things I see happening with church planters is they give away their vision.  This often happens before they even have a chance to launch the very first service.  Other times it happens over time as a result of multiple vision assaults from well intended people.  If we are real honest it also happens when we as leaders experience vision drift and over time we find ourselves running it right into the ditch. 

Regardless of the reason when we begin to lose the vision it is our fault.  That's right as leaders we have to "man up".  Our primary role is to clarify and cast vision.  If you don't know where you are going you are in trouble.  You may be leading, but you are leading NO WHERE!

Here are some thoughts that might keep you out of the vision graveyard...

1.  Get your vision from God! That's right!  "Where there is no vision the people perish".  Bad translation!  "'Where there is no revelation the people go unrestrained".  Better translation!  Do the hard work of vision up front and ask God to reveal Himself to you.  Once you get your vision from God...lock and load.  Unfortunately many people seek cool over clear.  Other go to the latest and greatest websites or conferences and rip off their vision.  A few months later they go back and find something cooler...the people they are leading are whispering and some times shouting, "Just tell us where we are going and we will follow." 

2.  Communicate your vision clearly!  I just said it but let me say it again...choose clear over cool.  Make sure people understand your vision.  Reduce it down to a few words, but only after you understand the big picture.  Chances are you are not communicating your vision enough.  An annual vision message is for the birds.  Try a weekly vision message.  People are motivated by vision and passion.  The only people who are content with just sitting there and listening to verse by verse teaching are already going to heaven.  Get out there and cast vision for changed lives and a better world.

3.  Deal with Vision Busters Quickly!  Visions are a name a dozen.  We all have our own set of religious preferences.  If your vision is from God you have a responsibility to be mean about it.  Now guys I didn't say be mean as a person.  I know church planters and you are already mean enough.  Be mean about your vision.  Let your "yes" be "yes"' and your "no" be "no".  Maybe the reason people challenge your vision is you are unclear or you don't have one. 

4.  Don't be fickle about your vision.  Vision is not like ice cream, don't offer a different flavor every month.  As we often say at MLC, "No plans perfect, work the plan."  I really believe this.  If there is any thing I did early was bounce around when it came to vision.  Don't be fickle.  Do the hard work and go. 

Guys, I don't know anything any more important then this vision stuff.  If you struggle here you are going to struggle in your plant.  Make plans now to attend our "Best Practices" Practicum where we are going to work with you on this practices and more.  For more information or to register visit www.churchplanters.com.  I can't wait to see you.