Last night I spent 20 minutes on the phone and was struck by the volume of information / revelation that I downloaded.
Ps Dave Gilpin of Hope City Church was patient enough to give me time out of his busy schedule to fire several questions at him in order to help me at this stage of my leadership journey.
I love Dave. I think he is awesome.
Here are 5 tips to help you learn in a more successful manner:
1. Ask questions of people of a proven track record…
There are so many theorists on this avenue called ‘leadership’. The thing I love about Dave the most is not his creative flair (which is most admirable), or his prophetic edge (he is sure saying something to this nation); even his apostolic networking; but his proven track record.
When downloading from Dave, I’m not receiving from a manual or an academic (which are good) but I’m receiving proven revelation from an active practitioner.
Please don’t allow the rhetoric to fool you. Look at the fruit & build accordingly. Get a ‘Dave’. Someone who actually knows what they are talking about.
2. Don’t be an island.
I love the UK. It is the BEST place to live on the planet! Serious!! If you are reading this from anywhere else on the planet, you need to emigrate to the UK – you’re missing out!!
The one problem we have though is that we are an island. Not that being an island is a bad thing but it produces something in our worldview.
As an islander we always fall back to our default position of ’backs to the wall’.
One of the worst / most difficult ways that you can learn is from a ‘defence mode’ posture.
Please don’t learn to validate your present activity. Learn to advance your present activity.
3. Accept you don’t know everything.
It is kinda impossible to learn anymore when one considers themselves full. I choose to live naive; innocent; young & just setting out. I’ve lived in an environment where people assessed everything against what they already knew – it’s not a good place, even Pharisaic.
Live free not having to prove yourself. Live vulnerable. You’ll learn easier!!
4. Savour the gems.
Last night, when I got off the phone I was bouncing. Simply because I value the gems that come from great men of God. I am privileged to have the private numbers / emails of some great people – I savour & protect that privilege, I don’t brag or name drop (not often anyway!!).
When you get a gem of a revelation, don’t abuse it, savour it. It is my personal belief that all revelation comes at a cost. That revelation that you receive from another came at a cost that you got for free!!
Savour it.
5. ??
Don’t know a fifth.
Except save room. Always.
You’ll always discover more later on in the journey so never seal your knowledge. Never deem yourself complete in a certain area. If you do, you’ll have no more room for fresh revelation & learning will cease.
That’s it.
Leaders are learners.
p.s. Thanks Dave!!!
i last blogged about thursdays.
thursdays are pretty cool.
SUNDAYS.
well, SUNDAYS are a WNL!!
serious.
SUNDAYS rock my world.
i’ve done SUNDAYS for nearly my whole life. SUNDAYS as in going to the House of GOD, not just getting up.
since i was 7 years old, i’ve done SUNDAYS. Most of them SUNDAYS were duty, or because as a christian i have to.
since the emergence of BCC…
i dont do SUNDAYS because i have to.
i do them because i want to!!!
big difference.
BCCers will testify to this – we’re having a blast!!!!!
no lie – i absolutely love SUNDAYS.
heres my 10 tips to help you enjoy SUNDAYS:
1. choose to!
2. get into a church where the pastor (actually) enjoys the church they pastor rather than endures the church they pastor.
3. get to church to give, not to get.
4. when you give, give it large. in praise, in conversation, in offerings, in encouragement to the preacher.
5. change your face. so many people look so miserable, which makes the person sat next to you feel miserable & so they are miserable company.
6. be apart not simply attend.
7. get into a church that you enjoy being apart of. if you’re fighting to bring the change required to be like the church you want to be apart of, its time to leave because thats not your job & you may well be getting on the pastors nerves.
8. if you’re not 100% championing your pastor, you’ll never enjoy the church he pastors.
9. engage don’t watch.
10. speak life, not criticism; hope, not despondency; life, not death.
11. heres one for free – its HIS house, realise that you’re privileged to be apart of it.
this is part of the journey we have been on at BCC & now we are loving the fruit of a church that is ABSOLUTLEY together & loving doing life with each other.
this last SUNDAY was probably the best SUNDAY i have ever experienced.
I love Thursdays.
They are kinda like the final prep days for the weekends ahead.
I love getting the preaches nailed; finalising with the Communications Team and knocking off early (unless there is a meeting on in the evening) and enjoying a curry and a night infront of the TV.
Thursdays are the ‘feeling fulfilled & ready’ days.
Thursdays are good days.
Today is different.
Yes it’s Thursday.
Yes I’m pumped for the weekend.
yes everything is ready.
Today is day 12 of 14 in our prayer & fasting.
Today is special.
This Thursday I’m more aware, than ever actually, of the awesome privilege that we have as Bethel City Church.
Today is an awakening day to the greater things of GOD.
Today is a day that I have to write a blog to convey my passion for my KING.
JESUS.
I’m pumped alright about coming to church at the weekend. But I’m pumped because I’m coming to HIS house, with HIS people, to praise HIM!
Serious.
In leadership the mechanics can take over.
I’m SO pleased that that doesn’t happen here.
Last night with our primary leaders, I shared from Amos 3:3 which speaks of people walking together simply because they agree to do so.
JESUS is SO central to all things BCC that the choice we make to walk together is real easy.
It’s easy because we are madly in love with JESUS.
Serious.
HE freaks our world!
Today isn’t like any other Thursday because this one won’t happen again and if I let it pass without telling the world how much JESUS means to me and the hundreds of BCCers across our city, then I wouldn’t be doing this day justice.
I love Thursdays because they show me the health and beauty of what JESUS is doing here at BCC.
I love Thursdays because it reminds me of the awesome privilege that I have leading such a phenomenal church.
Today…
JESUS.
That’s it.
I LOVE JESUS!
I needed the excuse of a blog and ‘Thursdays’ to convey this simple message…
I LOVE JESUS!
here we are.
the start of a new week; month; year; even decade.
the start of the rest of our lives.
i don’t want to get too ‘am dram darling’ but it really is that important!
many start out with good intentions; lethargic actions; & wrong foundations.
here are my top ten tips for getting a good start:
1. wake up & shower.
isn’t it the worst thing ever when you realise its march already. wake up & take a shower. get sharp & clean up quick otherwise you’ll miss a few months.
2. don’t wait for the year to pass. invade it.
falling into the trap of ‘things will be better this year’ will rob you of things being better. invade the year with absolute intention.
3. decide on new habits.
its so infuriating when old habits die hard. so don’t bother! start good habits & the old habits wont have room to exist anymore.
4. start as you mean to go on.
i always start a new year with prayer (& fasting), first fruits & definite choices. make a great start by prioritize who you are living for in this new year.
5. plan well.
having hope is not enough. plan for the dream move, holiday or car. dont just hope the church grows, build accordingly. heres a freak one – discover His plan for your year…
6. count the cost.
budgeting is huge. financially, spiritually, emotionally, physically. have you got enough in the tank to fuel your desired journey? if not adjust something somewhere. get the right investment into your world.
7. enjoy.
i see so many people with huge plans. i have too. you just got to enjoy the journey. what happens if all the plans work & you’ve not enjoyed the journey? lighten up!
8. see the privileges.
much of what we get to do is such a privilege. don’t take anything for granted. ‘life is but a breath…’
9. choose travel companions well.
some folk dont change. except it. if they were making your life a nightmare last year, they’ll probably do the same this year. be big enough to make the changes that will propel you into your year rather than hinder you.
10. remember the big words.
thank you. sorry. please. it really helps your world to thrive when you deal with people in a right fashion. that doesn’t mean you will deal with all people the way they want you to deal with them. deal with people right any way. don’t be a mug but don’t be a brat.
there you go.
hope this helps someone…
Reviewing the year is a MUST if you are to step into the following year with real momentum & intention. I read this in every leadership blog, journal & website. Every Tweet I’ve seen in the last month hints that this is good practice.
We’ve been having a real blast at BCC & we’ve kinda already got ourselves wired into 2010 & beyond but because all the gurus & Pastors that I admire & listen to say this is a must then, I must do it.
Becky & I at the end of every holiday play a simple communication game on our drive home.
Its called ‘Hi/Lo’!
We name the Highs & the Lows to help us reflect.
Here’s my Hi/Lo list of leading this awesome church through 2009:
1. Hi – A good start with a huge First Fruits offering of £35k.
2. Hi – A bold start with Vision Sunday making some huge statements about the coming year.
3. Lo – A harsh learning curve regarding our management of huge financial growth in a global economy. Banks don’t do ‘Faith’!
4. Lo – A painful experience of seeing that people have agenda that is contrary to the House vision.
5. Hi – A great confidence booster when we acquire encouragement from new friends around the nation who see our potential.
6. Hi – Dave Gilpin; Stovall Weems; Alan Hewitt; Andy Elmes; & David Shearman all speak powerfully into (even prophesy over) BCC.
7. Lo – A real shame that personalities who don’t change their spots & reoccurring demonic behaviour try to hijack leadership.
8. Hi – A real joy to see BCC leaders & pastors stand tall against vile gossip & slander.
9. Hi – People by the bus loads get saved.
10. Hi – Campus:Meir finally gets off the ground.
11. Hi – Campus:Trentham – ‘Burbs family congregation is launched!!
12. Hi – ’Something More!’ – our debut album is recorded, launched & selling fast.
13. Hi – BCC breaks 300!!
14. Hi – BCC breaks 400!!
15. Hi – BCC breaks 500!!
16. Lo – Our conference we aimed to do didn’t come off due to cancellation by guest speaker.
17. Hi – We got a bonus with J.John coming to BCC.
18. Hi – Bec & I got a hamper off J.John thanking us for such a great evening.
19. Hi – Our Directors & Pastors had their best year ever – And we celebrated in style.
20. Hi – My kids love God & love church!!
21. Hi – We’re wired for next year.
22. Hi – I ran a half marathon!!
23. Hi – We are only just starting out but we are really loving the journey!!
24. Lo – I don’t like getting shot for making Godly decisions.
25. Hi – I love making Godly decisions.
26. Hi – We bumped into Cheadle & now we have Campus: Cheadle.
27. Lo – At times I didn’t sleep so concerned we couldn’t pay our ever growing staff team.
28. Lo – In real times of pressure people from outside criticise about the smallest most insignificant things.
29. Hi – We have the best staff team & every month we made the salary bill!
30. Hi – People getting saved every week.
31. Hi – The presence of God is all over BCC activity – seriously! This is off the hook!
32. Hi – BCC isn’t even 2 years old yet!!
33. Hi – My wife still loves me!
34. Lo – You get misunderstood by people that don’t even know you.
35. Hi – We have some great, great people around us.
36. Hi – I am more in love with Jesus today than I ever have been!!
There you go!
2009 Hi/ Lo
2010 – bring it!!
Again through the night I have been musing on the Boundaries that we live within that are based on other peoples expectations of us.
As a leader of a hugely fast growing church; a dad of 2 wonderful boys; husband & a ‘pastorprenneur’, there is a ‘he is doing good’ expectation upon me that could lead me to be smug & even choose to settle for the comfortable. When you seem to have things going for you nobody EXPECTS you to continue being radical, on the edge, risk everything.
Thinking & typing out loud…
I’m getting stuff thrown at me on Twitter & a whole host of other means of communications re: Boundaries. It’s really caught the imagination of BCCers everywhere.
Through the night (being an insomniac) I was wrestling with the possibilities of other peoples ‘boundaries’ affecting my ‘boundaries’.
You know, like if a church believes they have heard from God and they move in next door. Am I Kingdom minded enough to celebrate their arrival as an answer to prayer because I have a burning desire to see my whole community won for Jesus & I know, as a church, we dont have the resources to accommodate them all. This arrival must be a God send! Right?
Or do I consider them invaders of my vision/ parish?
Or say the church down the road grows through powerful revival. Am I Kingdom minded enough to celebrate with them or do I criticise because ’something mustn’t be right’ or ‘when will our time come’?
See Ephesians 3:10 says that it is ‘His intent… through the church, His manifold wisdom should be made known’
So the boundaries of my insecurities may stop another church being released and blessed to work alongside me & the heavenly realms not have revealed His manifold wisdom because of my opinion of the ‘boundaries’ of my paradigm.
Jesus said ‘I will build my church’ (Matt 16:18) With ‘Boundary’ thinking do we make it difficult for Him to build? Almost like ‘town planners’ we know how it should be built?
However, 1 Corinthians 8:13 advises us to not offend the weaker brother. The new arrival doesn’t want to offend the brother but knows that Matthew 7:21 says that only those who do the will of the Father will enter/ inherit that Kingdom of Heaven.
Our Boundaries have huge implications.
Our Boundaries shouldn’t be ours.
They should be His!
We should be big enough to die to self & allow Him to build His church.
We should simply live free in the alloted portion He has given us & have the capacity for others to do the same.
Otherwise, Church will always be treading on each others toes & operated on the lowest common denominator.
Jesus is building His Church.
He isn’t interested in our politics.
Maybe we should simply learn to do as we’re told – Boundaries.
Rather than always trying to tell people what we think…
These are my musings…
Jan 17th…
This preach is seriously messing with my head & heart.
I have spent 3 days studying for it & it has me gripped.
Psalm 16:6 tells me (NLT) ‘the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance’
Psalm 139:16 (NLT) says ‘… every moment was laid out’
I have been looking and Boundaries in the OT which proportionally highlight the parameters of inheritance, land & a persons lot in life.
NT throws all sorts of stuff out that brings me to a conclusions that Boundaries bring restriction & freedom by the following things:
Your calling.
Your words.
Your faith.
Luke 8:46 says (NLT) ‘… Someone deliberately touched me’.
Get this.
The woman touched the hem of His garment.
Greek – Horkizo meaning ‘Border’ or ‘Boundary’.
Rabbi, on the hem of their garments carried tassels signifying the law/ promises of God.
Her freedom came at the extremity of her Boundaries & the beginning of faith as she touched her King.
I’m still musing.
17th Jan is gonna be HUGE!
Last night we have a phenomenal leadership evening with Ps. Andy Elmes from Portsmouth Family Church.
That which he brought to the guys present was so confirmatory & prophetic.
He talked about (in part) Boundaries…
I (& the comms team, & all that were aware of my previous blog) sat up..
He talked about the boundaries of our love. he talked about what occurs when a paedophile comes into church. He talked about loving people past the boundaries of human love & stepping in to the limitless Agape love.
He talked about living being ourselves in our pursuit of more people coming to know Jesus. He talked about us, as a church, stepping into adventures on the ABC without the XYZ.
Jan 17th at City will be phenomenal. God is saying something to me regarding pushing the Boundaries of our existence.
This year we have seen people make decisions to follow Jesus as Lord & Saviour every single week.
We must not settle in the comfort of what we are seeing.
God always has more.
I met with BCC ’Comms’ team [communications] briefly today to outlay a preach that is burning in me. You know Christmas is coming up right? In most homes the smell of slowly cooking the turkey will be smelt bringing us all to our knees in anticipation of a great meal.
This preach I got lined up is just like the eagerly anticipated turkey. I don’t get to preach it until Jan 17th 2010 at our City congregation. however the fragrance of this preach is going to be everywhere. It’s in me. It will be in everything is speak & communicate until we dine on it on 17th Jan 2010.
Ok.
Heres the concept outline.
Boundaries…
You know. The ones that don’t exist.
A guy came up to me the other day & I was talking to him about our 4th congregation starting in Meir. He said ‘You can’t do that!’
When I asked him ‘Why not?’ We discussed.
The conclusion?
‘You can do that!’
See.
Many people never achieve the greatness that God is calling out of them because they live within the boundaries of the invisible. They choose to not step over lines that actually don’t exist.
There are boundaries that God places around each one of us. These are to protect us & focus us. There are boundaries we choose to live under that aren’t from God but from others, the past & even ourselves.
Over the next few weeks I’ll begin unpacking this.
Sunday 17th Jan 2010 is going to be one extravagant experience of a preach…
Boundaries…
