#773 - 5 IDENTITIES EVERY CHURCH-PLANTER SHOULD PRIORITIZE

How you identify, most strongly, influences how you behave.

People who identify strongly as “vegans” eat a certain way. People who identify strongly as “cross-fitters” exercise a certain way. People who identify strongly as “Dubnation” watch basketball a certain way. People who identify strongly as “Democrats” or “Republicans” vote a certain way.

The point is, how you see yourself most strongly most influences what you do or don’t do.

This is true in church-planting and pastoring as well. And after 8 years planting/pastoring a church, I’ve discovered 5 identities that, if I would’ve known I should’ve prioritized them, they could’ve influenced my behavior for the better.

1. SON FIRST. SERVANT SECOND.

Before you are a servant of your Almighty God, you are a son (or daughter) of your Heavenly Father. Before you are a church-planter for God, you are a child of God.

Before you are anointed to do gospel ministry, you are adopted into a Kingdom family!

Now, you, very likely, know these theological truths already. But, the question is, “Is your behavior being impacted more by your identity as child of God or as a servant of God?”

Here are 3 ways this identity can and should be influencing your behavior as a pastor/ministry leader:

1. Sonship should satisfy you more than ministry success. Therefore, sons don’t need to frantically pursue success in ministry to feel satisfied.

2. Sonship should secure you more than others’ approval. Therefore, sons don’t need to insecurely fish for the approved of man to feel affirmed.

3. Sonship should stimulate you to worship more than anything else. Therefore, sons don’t need to idly await the blessings of God to feel ready to worship God.

Speaking of worship…

2. WORSHIPPER FIRST. WORKER SECOND.

Child of God should be your first identity. Worshipper of God should be your next.

When it really sinks in that you are infinitely loved by the Infinite God of the universe, made possible by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and sealed by the Holy Spirit—the only proper response is a life consumed by worship of this Triune God.

The proper response is worship…not work. Now, can your work be an act of worship? Absolutely. But for most ministers, if they’re honest, their work isn’t a conscious act of worship.

Many ministers just worship as a part of their lifestyle of work rather than their work being a part of their lifestyle of worship.

Like I stated above, you, very likely, know the theological truth that you were created for worship already. But, the question is, “Is your behavior being impacted more by your identity as worshipper of God or as a worker for God?”

Here are 3 ways this identity can and should be influencing your behavior as a pastor/ministry leader:

1. Worshippers are more enthralled by the glory of God than engrossed in the sinfulness of man. More often than not, worshippers use their words to extol and adore God’s holiness rather than whine and complain about man’s sinfulness.

2. Worshippers are more expectant of God’s perfect will than entitled to their man-made plans. More often than not, worshippers rest and trust in God’s will being done rather than worry and pray about their timelines being met.

3. Worshippers are more floored by what God has done through through their work than frustrated for what God hasn’t done. More often than not, worshippers live with a sense of awe and wonder for the privilege of being used by God rather than with a disappointment in their unfulfilled dreams and visions.

3. PASTOR FIRST. PREACHER SECOND.

When I first planted our church, I identified myself primarily as a preacher not a pastor. Then one day, the Lord made something very clear to me. He said, (not using these actual words, but it was the impression I got) “Edward, you are a pastor before you are a preacher. Your preaching is merely a tool for shepherding the people of God. Though it may be your primary tool, it is not your primary role.”

Outlined in the scriptures are biblical qualifications for a pastor/elder not a preacher/teacher. The ability to preach/teach is a qualification for being a pastor, the ability to pastor is not a qualification for being a preacher/teacher.

Are there some who are called by God to preach/teach and not pastor? I’m sure there are, but to pursue church-planting and assume you are the exception, I think, would be a big mistake.

Church plants don’t need preachers who pastor, church plants need pastors who preach.

You may or may not agree with the above sentiment, but here are the 3 ways identifying as a pastor primarily and a preacher secondarily impacted how I actually preached:

1. I started to love the people I preached to more than I loved preaching.

2. I became more encouraged by people’s application of my preaching than their affirmation of my preaching.

3. I viewed my preaching as one way disciples are made rather than the main way disciples are made.

4. SUFFERER FIRST. SYMPATHIZER SECOND.

This identity was definitely the most difficult to embrace in comparison to the others. But, it is also this identity that impacted how I pastored people more than any other.

Over the years, I learned that if I was truly going to be able to enter deeply into the pain and suffering of others, I was first going to experience and enter deeply into my own pain and suffering. I learned that trying to avoid pain at all costs was the quickest way to disqualify myself from ministering to people who were experiencing unavoidable pain.

I also learned that if I can’t see my brokenness, struggle, and suffering with sin with sober judgement, instead of being sympathetic towards others’ sin struggles, I would be arrogant, judgmental, and project a sense of moral superiority.

Here are 5 specific ways identifying a sufferer impacted my behavior as both a Christian and a pastor:

1. Instead of seeing personal pain and suffering as an evil attack from the enemy to be prayed away, I began to see it as a precious gift from my Heavenly Father to be stewarded.

2. Instead of seeing personal pain and suffering as something I was ashamed of and dealt with privately, I began to see it as something that I should be thankful for and wrestle with publicly for the glory of God and for the good of those witnessing the wrestling.

3. Instead of seeing personal pain and suffering as the pathway to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, I began to see it also as the primary means by which I am able to know Christ and the reality of His crucifixion.

4. Instead of seeing personal pain and suffering as an obstacle to ministry, I began to see it as the opportunity to grow the type of faith and trust in Jesus Christ that being an effective minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ requires.

5. Instead of seeing personal pain and suffering as something that took away from my power for ministry, I began to see it as the only means by which the perfect power of God could be added to my ministry.

Do you want the tone and tenor of your ministry to resemble the tone and tenor of the ministry of Jesus Christ? Well, this is what you need to know. Your ministry can’t feel like the ministry of Jesus Christ, unless, you feel some of what Christ felt. Your ministry for Christ won’t feel like the ministry of Christ, until you faithfully walk the primary road that Jesus Christ walked — pain and suffering.

5. INVESTOR FIRST. INFLUENCER SECOND.

I don’t know a single pastor, ministry leader, or church-planter who would say that they don’t want to be influential for Jesus. Here’s the problem. I think most ministers under-estimate the investment that must be made for deep, long-lasting Kingdom influence to take place.

Ministers aren’t immune to falling prey to a “get-rich quick” mentality.

Unfortunately, many of us want our churches, disciples, ministries, and “platforms” all to grow faster than the actual investment of prayer, planting, and persevering that we are actually investing.

Here are 5 specific ways identifying as an investor impacted my approach to ministry and church-planting:

1. When you see yourself and an investor, you don’t feel bad about asking yourself, “Is this person a good investment of my time, effort, and energy?” You choose your investments.

2. When you see yourself as an investor, you don’t complain about long nights, tough conversations, and feelings of being emotional drained. Why? Because investments cost you something. You pay a price to invest.

3. When you see yourself as an investor, you are crystal clear that the greatest return on your investment will not take place in months, but in years. You wait for your return.

4. When you see yourself as an investor, you don’t bail on the person or the ministry you’re investing in at the first sign of difficulty or disappointment. You persevere through days when your “stock” drops.

5. When you see yourself as an investor, when one of the people you are investing in is multiplying your investment, you give that person more time, effort, and energy. You re-invest in well-performing investments!

After 8 years of church-planting, one of the greatest joys of my church-planting journey was seeing several men and women who I invested in deeply over the course of several years be deeply influenced to love, worship, and obey Jesus Christ with more of their heart, soul, mind, and strength. I can say without hesitation, the investment was worth it!

How you most strongly identify, strongly influences how you behave. What are the identities driving your behavior as a church-planter and ministry leader?

#729 - A COMPELLING REASON TO CONTINUE

I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. - Philippians 1:24

Drained. Taxed. Emotionally empty. These are just the few of the feelings I’m feeling today.

I feel like I’m hanging on by a thread to the calling of being a pastor in a local church. The cumulative impact of the last 10 months has me running on fumes.

But, as I prepare to start a 4-week teaching series through the book of Philippians, I am arrested by Paul’s motivation to continue on in his calling despite his longing to be with Christ.

To help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith.

Like Paul, “I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.” I really do. I would have no qualms about Jesus taking me home ASAP.

Though Paul felt this way, he said that it was better that he continues to live so that he can help his followers grow. So he can help his followers experience the joy of their faith.

The spiritual growth of those under my care is connected to my staying. The joy of the faith of those under my care is connected to my continuing.

Their progress is connected to my perseverance.

Just. Keep. Swimming.

#723 - 5 QUICK TIPS FOR GETTING THE MOST OUT OF A CHURCH CONFERENCE

Over the next few days, myself and several of the leaders from my church are in Reno for the Acts 29 US West Conference. Having been to many church conferences over the years, here are a few things I have to remind myself of in order to posture my heart for what God might have for me at this conference.

1. EXPECT DON'T ASSUME

Come expecting. Expecting God to move in your heart. Expecting God to speak to your soul. Expecting God to renew your mind. Expecting God to give you rest. Expecting God to give you exactly what you need to remain committed to your calling for another season. Expect motivation. Expect inspiration. Expect adoration.

Don't assume. Don't assume you know how it's all going to go. Don't assume how you will feel during the times of worship. Don't assume what you will learn during the times of teaching. Don't assume what's going to be taught at the breakouts. Don't assume that what you've experienced at conferences before, will be what you experience this time around. Don't go through the motions of attending a church conference, expect a unique, powerful encounter with God!

2. LEARN DON'T EVALUATE

As a church planter, when we get in church environments, other than our own, we are more quick to evaluate what we see than we are to experience what we've been invited into. And it's the same way with conferences.

My encouragement to you is to go first, as a child of God and a son of a King who has much to learn rather than a church leader who has insight in regards to how the conference could be better. Take notes. Lean in. Refuse to check your emails. Determine to have your eyes and ears open to what God wants to say to you. Come as a humble servant not an arrogant professional.

3. WORSHIP DON'T WATCH

Similar to the point above, but specific to the times of singing and worship, engage personally don't evaluate critically. This is a rare opportunity where you aren't responsible for how the event is happening. You don't have to worry about the lyrics. You don't have to worry about the sound. You don't have to worry about the music or the service flow. You don't have to get up after the music is over and preach a message!

Worship Jesus. Praise His name. Sing. Loud! Leave the worries of your church behind and praise the King of Kings and Lord of Lord for whom you planted a church in the first place! You need to be filled.  You need to be renewed. You need to have your awe of Jesus rescued. Engage!

4. CELEBRATE DON'T COMPARE

When you hear of what God is doing in the lives of other church planters, don't be so quick to compare your results to theirs. Celebrate what God is doing in their ministry. Praise God for how God is moving in theircontext. Be encouraged that God is at work in places other than your own! Be happy for another church planter's fruit as you would want them to be happy for yours!

As you've heard before, "Comparison is the thief of joy." Don't allow the beauty of what God is doing in other church plants to rob you from the good that God is doing in your church plant.

Also, one more thing, don't feel the need to "one up" anybody with your stories of what God is doing in your ministry. It's tacky.

5. MOVE DON'T MOLESKIN!

Knowledge is useless unless its applied! The last thing you or your church plant needs is for you to have another notebook filled with notes from workshops and messages you've yet to apply to your actual ministry!  Take notes? Absolutely. But more importantly, be on the lookout for the one or two things that the Holy Spirit is leading and convicting you to apply immediately following the conference! 

Before leaving the conference, write down the one or two things you commit to do as a result of attending the conference in the next 30 days. 

#718 - HOW THE WISDOM OF DALLAS WILLARD IS WRECKING ME

City to City Bay Area Faculty

Over the last 24 hours, I had the privilege of meeting with the City to City Bay Area Faculty to discuss/evaluate the current church-planter incubator we are facilitating and to dream about and plan for the next group of participants. I am humbled to be a part of a group of such wise, Kingdom-minded leaders.

As we were discussing values/strategies, Nancy Ortberg shared the following exchange that her husband John and Dallas Willard had at a conference in February of 2013.

John Ortberg: I don’t know how we can leave this without getting to a much more painful reality. Most of us here are a part of churches. I work at a church. I love the church, yet there are times when I think about the church and the smallness and pettiness and mean-spiritedness and competitiveness and superficiality. Really, it starts with me, but it is so mind-numbingly painful. And there’s such a gap between it and the picture Jesus talked about. Why is it that way? Why is it so hard? What do we do with that?

Dallas Willard: Well. I’ve thought and prayed and worried a lot about this myself. Once you back up and look at it, it’s obvious that the separation between the churches in our communities is one of the hardest things to get past to begin to appreciate what Christ is doing in the world. I have tried to approach this by saying to ministers that…

…the most important part of your ministry is that to other ministers. Come to know them and begin to get over the idea of separation and competition.

When Nancy shared this thought in our meeting today, I was absolutely arrested by the thought.

Over the last year in particular, because of the opportunities I have had to serve the “Big C” Church through my affiliations with the SEND Network, Acts 29, and City to City Bay Area, ministering to ministers (especially to those in the city that my church is in—Oakland) has increasingly become a greater passion and priority. I absolutely love encouraging church planters and pastors in whatever way I can.

But, this increasing passion has concerned me at times because I feel like because there is so much work to be done in my local church, I really shouldn’t be investing in other ministers as often as I do.

In many ways, this blog also is an extension of my desire to minister to other ministers. And most times, when I sit down to write, I am conflicted over whether or not this is a proper investment of my time.

I praise God for the wisdom of Dallas Willard shared above. In many ways not only does it give me a freedom to continue doing what I’m doing, but it gives me an affirmation that my instinct to serve other pastors with my time, effort, and energy is a godly one. And…it challenges me very strongly to lean into the instinct (even though it feels like I may not have the time) even more!

In closing, I want to list just a few of the “benefits” I’ve experienced as a result of prioritizing ministering to other ministers:

1. It eliminates the deception that God only works mightily through my “style,” philosophy of ministry, theological affiliation, or “tribe.”

2. It broadens my understanding of the myriad of ways God is expanding His kingdom beyond what I can see him doing through my local congregation. (Because He’s doing SO MUCH MORE!)

3. It encourages my heart to know that my struggles, hardships, and obstacles in ministry aren’t unique to me.

4. It raises my awareness of less/more effective ways of doing ministry.

5. It helps my congregation develop the much-needed humility to recognize that what God is doing through our church is only a tiny sliver of what He is doing in the world at large.

6. It expands my fruit-bearing beyond my own “orchard.” (Undeservedly and miraculously so.)

In short, ministering to other ministers makes me less self-absorbed and more God-aware.

I praise God for this gift because a prideful guy life myself sure needs it!

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN.

If you are a minister who has ministered to other ministers, what benefits have you seen from doing so? I’d love to learn from you. Please drop a comment below!

#716 - ARE YOU A GOOD COACH?

Send Bay Area Coaches!

Over the last 24 hours, I had the privilege of attending the Send Network Coaching Map— a training for developing effective coaches for church planters.

Here are some of the most valuable ideas I came across for effective coaching. Prayerfully they serve you well.

• Coaching is not Counseling. Coaching is not Advising. Coaching is not Teaching. Coaching is not Mentoring. Coaching is something entirely different.

• Two skills of an effective coach: Asking Questions & Listening.

• “Becoming a great coach requires developing an extraordinary ability to listen.”

• “Listen longer than you think is necessary.”

• “Listening is a spiritual discipline.”

• “A good coach asks questions that no one else has permission to ask.”

• Coaches use the “asking voice” not the “pouring in” voice.

• Coaches “still” the other voices.

• As you coach, you’re helping someone incline their ear to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

• Coach the person not the goal. Coach the Church Planter not the Church Plant.

• “Coaches much reach beyond their human wisdom to the secret places of God’s heart through intercessory prayer.”

• “Rich is the person who has a praying friend.”

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN

I’d love to learn from you. In your experience, what characteristics or skills do great coaches possess? Drop a comment below!

#715 - HOW I CAST VISION

Ministry Leaders at THEMOVEMENT.CHURCH

Over the past 3 days, I’ve had one-on-one meetings with 6 of the key leaders of our church. In addition to catching up relationally and checking in on them spiritually, I also found myself casting vision and inviting them into a deeper level of commitment to the ministries in which they lead.

Much has been written about how to cast vision publicly and in large group settings, but, in my experience, casting vision effectively one-on-one is equally (if not more) important.

Here are a few questions I keep in mind when going into meetings with key leaders. When I check my motives and approach by asking myself these questions, it sets me up to cast vision most effectively.

CHECK MOTIVATIONS & INTENTIONS FIRST.

1. What will I prioritize in this meeting—trying to serve them or trying to get them to serve me?

2. What is my greater concern—the condition of their soul or the quality of their service?

3. What am I more in tune with—the story God is writing through their lives or the story I want to be written that best serves the story God is writing through our church?

4. What will I convey most obviously—my love for them or my need for them?

After I’ve checked my motives with these questions and invested time in the meeting building relational equity, here are a few critical components in casting vision effectively:

STEP #1 - REMIND THEM OF THE PAST

• Here is what God has done through this church.

• Here is what God has done in you.

• Here is what God has done through you and your leadership to this point.

STEP #2 - SHOW THEM THE PRESENT

• Here is what God is currently doing in this church.

• Here is what God is currently doing in you.

• Here is what God is currently doing through you and your leadership.

STEP #3 - PAINT A PICTURE OF A POTENTIAL FUTURE

• Here is what God could do in this church.

• Here is what God could do in you.

• Here is what God could do through you and your leadership.

• Here is a pathway to get there.

Vision has been cast effectively when a person can see, for themselves, that in light of what God has been doing in their lives, what they are being invited into next…just makes sense.

Though it will be hard.
Though it will require sacrifice.
Though it will require growth.

Time and time again, I have seen people step up to do the difficult things God is requiring of them when they see how it “fits in” with his previous activity in their lives.

Remind them of what God has done. Show them what God can do. Invite them to step into opportunity. Wait on God to convict them to move forward. Definitely not the only way, probably not the best way, but it’s what’s worked for me!

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN.

How have you casted vision effectively (or ineffectively)? I’d love to learn from you in the comments below!

#712 - 6 YEARS PLANTED. 6 TOUGH LESSONS LEARNED--THE HARD WAY.

3 years I ago, on the day before we celebrated our 3-year anniversary as a church, I wrote this.

3 years later, two days after we celebrated our 6-year anniversary of our church, I thought it would be wise to write about what I’ve learned since.

LESSON #1: There will be people who leave and hate you deeply, BUT there will also be people who stay and love you dearly.

Before leaving for my sabbatical and upon my return, I experienced the deep love, respect, and appreciation that many people in the congregation have for my wife and I. It felt so good!

As hard is it is to deal with people who leave and don’t have very many positive feelings for you as they go, focus on the people who love you. Appreciate the people who love you. Continue to invest in the people who love you. Investing in haters is a waste of energy.

Key note: Some people who stay will actually hate you (why they stay I’ll never understand), but some people who leave will actually love you. I guess the bottom line is…you’ll always have to deal with BOTH!

LESSON #2: Your spouse will pay a price, BUT your spouse won’t regret the price they pay. 

They will get less of your attention. They will get less of your emotional energy. They will get less of your time. They will constantly feel like they are “sharing” you with the church.

But, if you do your best to never sacrifice your spouse on the altar of ministry, set boundaries, and are sensitive to your spouse’s needs, there will be days when your spouse says to you, “I know that this has been hard, but I’m glad we did it.” The church plant will reveal to your spouse who God is in ways that nothing else ever could. And there will be days when they recognize that truth. Those days are the best.

LESSON #3: Most of what you want to happen won’t, BUT everything God wants to happen will. 

The amount of people. The amount of money. The amount of salvations. The amount of baptisms. The amount of impact—you’re very likely always going to want more than what is. More than what God has given you.

But what I’ve come to find out after six years of leading a church plant is this: the amount of people, money, salvations, baptisms, and impact that God does give you, is exactly the amount you’re supposed to have!

LESSON #4: Money will always be an issue, BUT you can impact how big of an issue it will be. 

Specifically in regards to money, you’ll always feel like you need more. But, the level of anxiety, worry, frustration and fear that your church/team has around the issue of money will be a direct reflection of your attitude towards your financial situation. 

The more faith, hope, and confidence you have that God will financially provide for the church’s needs, the more faith, hope, and confidence your church will have that God will provide. 

The choice is yours. You can either be a “thermostat” that constantly sets the “temperature” to faith and expectancy or you will be a “thermometer” that merely reads the “temperature” of fear and worry that enters the room every time finances get tight. Be a thermostat.

LESSON #5: Volunteers will constantly be quitting, BUT volunteers are who God will consistently keep sending.

They’re “burnt out.” Their “season” of serving is over. They’re too busy. They move away. You will very rarely have a month where a volunteer doesn’t quit.

But, as you pray to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers, He will send laborers. He will send exactly who you need, at exactly the right time, every single time! If you don’t have the volunteer you want now, you very likely don’t need them now. Wait on the Lord.  

LESSON #6: Leading people to pray corporately is hard, BUT neglecting to pray corporately will always make ministry harder.

Getting a church community to remain committed to praying together is one of the hardest things you will ever attempt to do. Week after week, month after month, getting people to see the importance of gathering to pray together will feel like pushing a 200-pound boulder up a steep incline. Leading a community of faith in consistent corporate prayer is hard work. 

But, here’s why I don’t give up. Doing ministry void of an emphasis on corporate prayer is like standing on the bottom of a steep incline trying to stop a 200-pound boulder, that is coming right at you, before it runs you over—it is IMPOSSIBLE. 

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN.

If you are a church planter, part of a church planting team, or an attender of a church-planting church, what lessons have you learned about church-planting? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below! I’d like to learn from you. For real.

#711 - 4 COMPELLING REASONS LEAD PASTORS ABSOLUTELY NEED TO TAKE EXTENDED SABBATICALS

I definitely will have more reasons to write about when I talk to the leaders and members of our church community about the impact my sabbatical had on our organization, but in the meantime, here are the most compelling reasons, I have come to understand through going on my sabbatical, why I believe every lead pastor should take an extended sabbatical (at least 3 months) away from ministry every 5-7 years.

1. A SABBATICAL WILL FORCE YOU TO BECOME AN EMPOWERING LEADER.

One of the reasons you may be hesitant (or refuse) to take an extended sabbatical is that because you know the organization couldn’t function without your efforts present. If this is the case, as a leader, this is not something to be proud of. The goal of leadership in general and church leadership in particular is to get things done through other people.

With that in mind, one of the beauties of committing to a future extended sabbatical is that it will force you to start getting more things done through other people. An extended sabbatical will force you to prepare the organization to exist without you. An extended sabbatical will make you a better trainer, teacher, mentor, and developer of people. A sabbatical will loosen your grip on something that was never meant to be held so tightly—who does things and the way they are done.

The funny thing is, you should be doing this anyway because there will be a day when the organization will exist without you! (Unless you want it to die when you do.) So why not start preparing now?

2. A SABBATICAL WILL SUFFOCATE YOUR PRIDE.

The truth is, for many pastors, we think we are more important to the Kingdom of God than we actually are. We think our preaching matters that much. We think our leadership matters that much. We think our ideas and our strategies matter that much. We think our way of doing things is the best. We think if we’re gone, the church will lack something. I know this about you because this is what I thought about me!

Here’s what my sabbatical showed me in the clearest of ways: I truly, truly, truly am not necessary for the church of Jesus Christ to advance. Jesus promised he would build his church long before I was alive, and Jesus will continue to fulfill that promise long after I’m gone. Though I am thankful and overwhelmed that God would actually partner with me to build his Church, I am convinced like never before that HE is the one doing ALL of the heavy lifting.

In my absence, giving increased. In my absence, leaders thrived. In my absence, the gospel was proclaimed. In my absence volunteers were recruited. In my absence, disciples were made. One of the greatest cures for an unhealthy view of how integral you think you are to the advancement of the Kingdom of God, is an extended time away. A sabbatical is the sweetest tasting humble pie you will ever indulge in!

3. A SABBATICAL WILL BLESS YOUR SPOUSE AND CHILDREN LIKE NOTHING ELSE CAN.

If you have been in full-time ministry., as a lead pastor, for over five years, you may be able to keep working at the pace you currently are, but your spouse and children, very likely, want you to take a break. (If you don’t believe me, I dare you to ask them!)

During a sabbatical you can give your spouse and children a gift (that they absolutely crave) that is very difficult to give during the day in day out grind of pastoral leadership—your emotional energy. Emotional energy to be present. Emotional energy to listen. Emotional energy to thoughtfully respond. Emotional energy to serve. Emotional energy to hear from the Lord how you can love your family better. Emotional energy be bothered!

Though you don’t need a sabbatical to give this type of emotional energy to your family in smaller doses, if you desire to love your family with your presence in a way that is extraordinary, an extended sabbatical is necessary. My wife articulated it this way:

One of the best parts of your sabbatical was being able to have “the whole you.”

In the end, when you decide to take an extended sabbatical, you declare and more importantly show to your spouse and children, with crystal-clear clarity—you matter more. And unfortunately, the opposite is also true. If you don’t commit to extended seasons of rest you communicate maybe more subtly—you matter less.

4. A SABBATICAL WILL SHOW YOU THAT JESUS IS MORE GLORIOUS THAN A SABBATICAL.

Only when you get to thoroughly experience what you believe is best, will you discover that Jesus is better!

Getting 3 months away from work, paid. Going on a 25-day vacation to Italy. Eating the finest foods in the world. Playing video games for as long as I want. Purchasing our first home. These are the blessings I experienced during my sabbatical. Many would consider these things, if they were to experience them, “the best.” And don't get me wrong, they were wonderful.

BUT, and I’m not just saying this because I’m a pastor, during my sabbatical, my moments praising God and contemplating and resting in his love for me were infinitely more satisfying than the “stuff.” His love. His grace. His patience. His character. His worthiness. His power. His presence. These were all things I came to realize were way more precious to me than “the best” that a sabbatical could offer.

“Better is one day in your courts, than a thousand elsewhere.” My sabbatical showed me in this clearest of ways how deeply true King David’s words actually are. Jesus. Is. BETTER.

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN.

If you are a lead pastor, or anyone else who has ever taken an extended sabbatical away from work, why would you say a sabbatical is absolutely necessary? Please share in the comments below!

#684 - YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS ABOUT HONOR

Since returning from my summer sabbatical, God has been requiring of me that I give honor to others in ways that I, if I'm being honest, am not the most comfortable with. Here are a few things I'm learning:  

1. Honor communicates gratitude.

2. Honor attributes value. 

3. Honor should be extended when it is earned.

4. Honor doesn't have to be earned to be extended. (Respect is earned, honor is extended.) 

5. Honor should be given both privately and publicly.

6. Honor, when not given privately first, is disingenuous. 

7. Honor requires humility because it's not about you. 

8. Honor is a form of dying to self.  

9. Honor is a way you become less so someone else can become more. 

10. Honor shows preference for someone other than yourself.

11. Honor, when reciprocated, feels great.

12. Honor, when not reciprocated, feels lousy. 

13. Honor can't be given expecting anything in return. 

14. Honor strengthens the body of Christ.  

15. Honor honors God. 

Who might God be requiring of you to honor?

#681 - THINK AT LEAST 10 YEARS OUT

So much has been said about seizing the moment. Living in the present. Taking it one day at a time. And I'm all about it! (Who needs to carry the burden of what's going to happen in the future when the present can already be so overwhelming.)

ON THE OTHER HAND...

When it comes to influence and impact, we've heard this said before as well,

We overestimate what God can do in 1 year and we underestimate what God can do in 10.

As I look at the type of influence I want to have in people's lives, the type of influence of I want our church to have in the city, the type of disciple-making movement I'd like to see multiply...

I NEED TO THINK FARTHER OUT.

Deep impact doesn't happen over night. Systemic change doesn't take place in an instant. Trust isn't built over the course of days. Life transformation can't be rushed. 

THE MOVEMENT CHURCH has been going for almost 5 years, and I feel like we're just starting to see what is possible if we keep at this thing!

So as much as what you do today is of extreme importance, the timeline you are giving yourself to experience the results you desire is equally important.

Pick an arena where you desire to have deep, real, long-lasting impact. Then, commit yourself to that work for 10 years.

Don't be perplexed by the amount of time it is going to require to build something deeply influential. Just accept it. Great things don't grow overnight.

#680 - FALLEN HEROES

I am grieved by how their sin stains.
I am frustrated by how their flesh won.
I am sickened by how their victims suffer.
I am devastated by how their family aches. 
I am saddened by how their church struggles.
I am overwhelmed by how their actions impact.

I AM SOBERED BY HOW THEIR STORY COULD BE MINE.

BUT...

I am thankful because God's love heals.
I am hopeful because God's grace restores.
I am joyful because God's purpose remains.
I am grateful because God's justice exposes.
I am prayerful because God's power overcomes.
I am cheerful because God's Church perseveres.

I AM MINDFUL BECAUSE GOD'S WARNING IS THIS:

"Take heed lest you fall." 

#679 - THE DISTANCE NECESSARY

LEADER...

Bless to the extent that you want to be blessed.
Honor to the degree that you want to be honored.
Support to the level that you want to be supported.
Affirm to the magnitude that you want to be affirmed.
Encourage to the depth that you want to be encouraged.

DON'T HALF-ASS IT. 

The farther the "distance" you travel in loving people well, the more you resemble Jesus Christ who went as far as one could possibly go to give of Himself for the sake of others...

HEAVEN TO EARTH.

#674 - 5 QUICK LEADERSHIP THOUGHTS

Tomorrow, I'm leading a meeting with several of the leaders from our church. As I prepare to share, here are a few leadership thoughts I am considering passing along:

1. LEAD YOURSELF > LEADING OTHERS - Would you follow you?

2. MODELING BEHAVIOR > REQUIRING BEHAVIOR - Do you do what you expect your team to do?

3. BECOMING SOMEBODY > DOING SOMETHING - Are your team members growing or just "doing?"

4. ACHIEVING A VISION > COMPLETING A TASK - Are your team members inspired by a dream or are they driven by a to-do list?

5. DELEGATING AUTHORITY > ASSIGNING RESPONSIBILITY - What decisions can your team members make without you?

#673 - WHY PEOPLE DON'T LIKE YOU

I heard Andy Stanley say this in a sermon. The thought is simple, but it is quite thought-provoking. 

IF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE REALLY LIKE, THEY DON'T REALLY LIKE YOU.

We all want to be liked. So, in an effort to be liked, we, often times, hide things about ourselves that we believe aren't likable. The problem is, because we aren't being fully honest, the version of us that people ending up knowing and liking is a false, "cleaned-up" version of ourselves. In other words...

When you lie about who you are, people don't end up liking you, they end liking who they think you are. 

What a tragedy. If you are liked yet unknown, who are people really liking? 

For many years I have labored (I use this word because it hasn't been easy. It's always uncomfortable and many times embarrassing.) to live a life that is quick to reveal the most shameful, regretful, and unattractive things about who I am. I've done this for many reasons, but here are a few that quickly come to mind:

1. I want to be free - pretending is a heavy burden to carry.

2. I want to be healed - you can't receive healing for what you won't confess.

3. I want to be trusted - people are typically only as honest with you as you are with them.

But after hearing Andy Stanley say what he said, there is another benefit to living an honest life before others...

I CAN BE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE ME, LOVE ME.

If you find yourself dissatisfied with people liking a version of yourself that isn't real, I encourage you to open yourself up, in a real way, to someone you can trust. If they still like you afterwards, you can be rewarded with the joy of knowing they actually like you! If they don't like you afterwards, they will be exposed for never liking you in the first place! Better to find out sooner than later!

#666 - THE JOY OF DEVELOPMENT

Today I had the privilege of, once again, sitting under the teaching and preaching of someone who I've had the opportunity to disciple and develop over the last 5+ years. 

I laughed. I cried. I learned. I fell more in love with Jesus.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again...

THERE IS MORE JOY IN DEVELOPING THAN THERE IS IN DOING.

To pass down your love, skills, and motivations to someone and then to be able to watch that person take what they've learned to impact others for the glory of God, in ways you never could, is an incredible feeling. 

So satisfying. So fulfilling. So meaningful. 

There are very few things that gives me a sense of purpose and meaning like developing leaders does. With this in mind, to play a small role in the "shine" of another leader is a thing I pray I never grow weary of doing. 

#665 - A SIMPLE BUT PROFOUND LEADERSHIP SHIFT

Developing Leaders > Recruiting Volunteers

Recruiting Volunteers is an event.
Developing Leaders is a process.

Recruiting Volunteers requires management.
Developing Leaders requires leadership.

Recruiting Volunteers takes care of the present.
Developing Leaders prepares you for the future.

Recruiting Volunteers is more about the organization's need.
Developing Leaders is more about a person's potential.

Recruiting Volunteers is much needed.
Developing Leaders is more necessary.

#664 - THE PASTORAL LEGACY I LONG FOR

"He walked with me."

When I was skeptical...He walked with me. When I was ready to make Jesus the Lord of my life...He walked with me. When I was hesitant about being baptized...He walked with me. When I had trouble understand the Bible...He walked with me. When I grew weary of believing...He walked with me. When I committed one of the most shameful sins of my life...He walked with me. When I was ready to repent...He walked with me. When I sinned again...He walked with me. When I didn't want to repent...He walked with me. When I repented again...He walked with me. When I began to enjoy some of best days as a follower of Christ...He walked with me. When I began serving in ministry...He walked with me. When I contemplated marriage...He walked with me. When I started a family...He walked with me. When I struggled in my marriage...He walked with me. When I got a life-threatening illness....He walked with me. As I found myself on my deathbed...He walked with me.

May my pastoral legacy be, walking with others, in the same way, Jesus Christ - the Good Shepherd, walks with me.    

#656 - GRACE AND GRIT

Ministry requires so much grace.

Grace to forgive. Grace to love. Grace to lead. Grace to discern. Grace to preach. Grace to confront. Grace to ignore. Grace to promote. Grace to decrease.  

But it also requires a helluva lot of grit. 

Grit to persevere. Grit to push-through. Grit to overcome. Grit to endure. Grit to last. Grit to show up even when you don't feel like showing up. Grit to engage even when you don't have the emotional energy to engage. Grit to lead even when you don't know where you should be leading!

For me to do a 30 year run (which is my goal) as the Lead Pastor of theMOVEMENT Church in Oakland, I am convinced...

GOD'S GRACE MUST BE PRESENT, AND MY GRIT CAN'T BE ABSENT.

But as daunting and exhausting as that may seem, I am also thankful of this:

Even my grit is a gift bestowed upon me because of His grace!

So in the end, it's ALL grace.

#646 - SHOW UP

Leader, show up.

You never know who is going to benefit. You never know who is going to be impacted. You never know who is going to be blessed by what you bring to the table.

SHOW UP.

Even when you don't want to. Even when attendance has been down. Even when you don't know who is going to respond.

SHOW UP.

One is worth it. Because to the one, you being there, is everything to them. Your ego may believe you are worthy of more than one, but the moment one becomes too small of a number, you have forgotten why you started doing what you do in the first place. 

SHOW UP. 

Because even if no one else does, showing up builds something inside of you that would not have been built if you had chosen to stay home.

#623 - THE WARRIORS TAUGHT ME THIS

Today, the 2018 NBA Playoffs began. Though the Golden State Warriorsare the defending champions, unfortunately, in the month leading up to the playoffs, they have been playing "uninspired" to say the least. So much so that many people, me included, have been concerned with whether or not they have what it takes to repeat as champs.

But how I feel about their chances of winning the championship drastically changed after watching them beat the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 today.

They played hard. They played inspired. They played together. They played enthusiastically. They played intensely. They played aggressively. And they won...convincingly.

And I couldn't help but think as I watched them play,

HAVING SOMETHING TO PLAY FOR, CHANGES THE WAY YOU PLAY.

Because the Warriors are now playing playoff games. Because if they lose this series their season will be over. Because a chance to win 3 championships in 4 years doesn't come around often. Because they know that making it to the playoffs the next year is never guaranteed. Because they realize that every team and every player's "window" to be great is very small, It is changing everything about their approach to the game. For the first time in a long time, it looks like they are actually trying to play to their potential. 

And this got me thinking about what I think is a very important leadership lesson:

CLARITY OF PURPOSE IMPACTS INTENSITY OF PERFORMANCE.

The more clear a leader can be on what is "at stake" in their leadership, the more likely they are to lead with passion and commitment. The more clear a leader is on what can be "lost" if they don't perform well, the more likely they will perform well. The more clear a leader can be on what they can possibly "win" if they lead with everything they have, the more likely they will lead accordingly. 

The Scriptures teach us that, "For the joy set before Him, Christ endured the cross."

Christ was "playing" for our salvation. Christ was "playing" for obedience to His Father. Christ was "playing" for completing the very last detail what He was sent here to do. And that type of crystal clear clarity led Him to commit the most selfless act in the history of mankind. 

Motivations matter. 

WHAT ARE YOU "PLAYING" FOR?