Most of you know that my family is from East India. I’ve written before about how this aspect of my life tends to creep into so many facets of my everyday comings and goings. Today I was thinking of one that I am noticing more and more. As I work with different ministries that are focused on second generation(second gen) Americans (ppl whose parents immigrated from a diff country) it is becoming increasingly evident how we reflect the attitudes and characteristics of our parents’ generation, whether good or bad.
It’s not a secret that many second gen Americans have grown up complaining about the behavior of their elders when it comes to leading the church. We have spent years disagreeing with policies and practices. We have called our elders self-righteous, self-seeking, politicians, hypocrites, and irrelevant. However, I charge that today I see so many second gen Americans falling into the same traps that they have complained about for years.
I see young people fighting for position and using their influence to advance their own agenda. I see young people who are ready to throw their brothers and sisters under the bus if that means it will get them closer to their end goal. I see young people fighting to be on stage instead of longing to serve God’s people. This certainly doesn’t apply to everyone, just like it didn’t apply to everyone in our parents’ generation, but sometimes it may be the very people with the greatest influence and potential.
I was having dinner with my friend, this weekend and he shared this with me. If you have 15 Indian churches in your city, and one day they all merged into one(which has long been our dream), would 14 worship leaders and youth directors quietly step down and take on roles that were unseen and unnoticed by the rest of this massive congregation in the name of God’s kingdom? I can’t even say with confidence that I would be that mature! But I’ve always thought things would be better with me in charge. It doesn’t really seem things would be that different after all.
We are so quick to point fingers when it comes to ministry that we often miss opportunities to grow and learn. How often have we sat in a group and complained about the current system without ever taking responsibility and taking the lead to say that I am going to be the change. I’m going to be different. I’m going to put others first. I’m going to address the common good before I take care of what’s good for me. I’m going to put His kingdom before my kingdom.
I believe this generation can be a catalyst for change, and even though some call me overly optimistic I still hold strong to that belief. Go! Make it happen!
I had the opportunity to visit my old church yesterday pastored by my good friend Scott Williams. It’s always great to see old friends and reconnect with people with whom you have served the local church. I love this church for so many reasons, but one of the things that sets this place apart from others is their diversity. The intentionality and care that is given to this value at this church makes it a place where I am always comfortable bringing friends and family, because I know no matter who they are they will feel warm and welcome there.
People have different ideas about diversity. The majority of people think it just means that you have different races and ethnicities represented in a church or company. However, I don’t think it has anything to do with race, gender, ethnicity, religion, or socioeconomic background. For me, diversity is about a reflection of your community.
If you pastor a church in the heart of a heavily Hispanic community and you have done nothing to embrace that entire group of people in your congregation, diversity obviously doesn’t matter to you. If you know there is a large Hindu population surrounding your church or company and not one person from that background is represented in those you influence, you must be missing something.
If you deny the importance of your institution reflecting your community you set yourself up to miss out on the best and brightest right where you are. Beyond that, these are also going to be your people with the greatest influence and highest buy-in because it’s their community. If you want to attract these stars it begins with your ability to reflect their world in yours.
To embrace diversity, you must first embrace your community. Then work to make your organization a reflection of that community. Remember, most communities in America are not filled with one type of person from one type of background who grow up in the same homes with the same experiences. And if you are from that kind of place chances are you’re not reading this blog.
That’s just my take. What does diversity mean to you?
Last night I had a blast with some of our leaders for the youth team. We got away from the church and just spent some time having fellowship. One thing I noticed was that none of the conversations really revolved around LifeChurch.TV. Usually that’s all people talk about when we get together, but this was different. I got to hear about people’s families. I learned new things about many people, and I really got to experience their personalities.
Robert Orben said, “If you can laugh together, you can work together.” I think this is truly a crucial element of good leadership. Providing opportunities for people to step away from work and have a good time brings out their true colors. Find ways for your team to have fun. I believe a team should look forward to coming together, because they know this is a group of people with whom they have a good time. Ministry should be fun. Work should be fun. Leadership is fun. Life should be fun. As a leader make sure you are finding ways for your team to have a good time together, because if they can laugh together, they can work together.
Our staff recently discussed a book by Henri J.M. Nouwen. Father Nouwen taught at Yale, Notre Dame, and Harvard. So, you could say that he had a few accomplishments in his lifetime. However, he eventually moved to Daybreak, one of the L’Arche communities for mentally handicapped people, where he worked and lived with those who had developmental disabilities. His words struck me, and I think he so simply and eloquently sums up one of the most important leadership principles for anyone in both the spiritual and secular arenas.
“But I am also getting in touch with the mystery that leadership, for a large part, means to be led. I discover that I am learning many new things, not just about the pains and struggles of wounded people, but also about their unique gifts and graces. They teach me about joy and peace, love and care and prayer-what I could never have learned in any academy.”
Leadership, for a large part means to be led. What an outstanding viewpoint. Nouwen was open to learn from the community in which he lived. Even though he had taught at Ivy League institutions he viewed each day as an opportunity for learning. The moment you think you know everything is the moment you hit your leadership ceiling. There is no way to move forward when you feel you have reached the end of the road. Always be teachable, always know there is something more to learn, and you will find that your potential will always advance.
I had a pretty interesting encounter yesterday. My wife and I purchased some new furniture about a month ago and half of it was delivered on time, as for the rest of it… well that lead to an interesting encounter. We decided it was best to go to the store to further inquire about our missing furniture. We were informed that those items wouldn’t be available for at least another month.
Those of you who know me know that I am probably one of earths most easy-going people. That is, unless you tick me off (JaysonJohn.com does not in anyway endorse losing your cool in a crowded store, frankly I probably looked like a fool and ruined some teenagers day, see “In the Name of Jesus” )
The thing that struck me was that none of the people who dealt with me directly was responsible for my frustration. We tried to go and find another piece to switch with what we had bought, but they had nothing in stock. We found one that we liked, but they were only willing to pay a certain amount over what we paid in the first place. They had one available but it was ugly. On and on sales reps tried to help us, but nothing worked out. Again, none of it was their fault, but they were the ones dealing with our frustration.
As leaders we have a responsibility to those people who have chosen to work with us to provide everything they could possibly need. I imagine the frustration of these employees with their employers as they tried so hard to do their job, but can’t simply because nothing is in stock.
In any situation, as a leader do everything you can to ensure that your people lack nothing. Provide every recourse that gives additional knowledge in their field. Find conferences and events where they can learn new things and network with others who are doing different things. Provide an environment of constant learning. Most of all, ensure that they have the basic necessities to accomplish their goals.
Your people will be around much longer, and they will do much better. This was certainly a lesson I needed to learn.In case you’re wondering, yes we did get the hookup on some different furniture and it will be delivered today (free of charge). If you want some lessons in the art of bargaining, go shopping with an Indian.
I had the chance to meet with several great people in my community today. There are so many things that go into a church plant, but the most important by far are the people.
I’ve noticed over the past few weeks that people step up to a new level of commitment when it comes to ministry in their own community. Everything takes on a different condition. All of a sudden student ministry and children’s ministry is happening in the schools where your own kids attend, and your church is now a source of hope for your neighbors and the teller at your local bank, the person who cuts your hair, or the guy who works at the post office.
As I said earlier, there is a lot that goes into a church plant. You need money, a place to meet, a killer team, a ton of resources, and you need to call in every ministry favor that’s owed you. But never forget the most important parts of the equation are the people. They are fired up and ready to charge a hill. Just like Jonathan’s armor bearer they are with you heart and soul. So investinvest invest invest in these relationships. Give your people ownership in what you’re building, and help them make it their own.
I’m reading Next Generation Leader by Andy Stanley for a leadership group in which I’m involved. I have been working on some areas of my personal leadership after our last meeting, and it has been huge for me.
Stanley writes, “Your weakness is someone’s opportunity.” Now, I’ve heard a hundred times, “Good leaders delegate. What is it that only you can do?” blah blah blah… However, I never thought of my weakness as someone’s opportunity.
I think we live in an innately selfish bubble, and one of the first assumptions we make about this is that the things we don’t like to do must be the things that no one else enjoys doing either. This is why I feel so guilty asking people for help sometimes. I think this is my job and my responsibility so I should bite the bullet and take care of it. I’m trying to be a servant leader. I’m trying to be the good guy and do what is best for my team.
The truth is your weakness may really be someone’s opportunity. There may be someone who is energized by doing the very thing you hate to do, and for you not to give them that opportunity because you feel guilty, well that’s the real act of selfishness here.
Understand that God has gifted everyone, but not in the exact same way. Don’t let humility turn you into a work-a-holic who is robbing others of great opportunities. Real humility takes the time to understand people’s gifts and passions, and seeks out more opportunities for them to exercise those.
My action step last week was to recognize those who are energized by what I don’t like to do and work to make my weakness their opportunity. Give it a try and see how it frees you up to take your organization and those you lead to the next level.
Let’s stay on the same train of thought from yesterday. Steven Furtick told a story at our staff meeting once that was really interesting. Every week he would walk in to one of their portable campuses (meeting in a high school) and walk to the front row and wait for his time to preach. Every week he would sit on the front row and think to himself how horrible the sound was. After a few weeks he had enough, and thought someone was about to lose their job. So he brings up the matter at a meeting, “The sound is always so horrible, what the heck are you guys thinking?” Furtick gets the reply, “The problem is you’re sitting in the very front, it’s too close and it’s what we call a dead zone for the sound. You have to back away to get a true feel for how great the sound is in that room.” Sure enough it was true…
Yesterday we thought of taking things for granted in our everyday life. Today, think of how that impacts those of you in ministry specifically.
God is doing something amazing, and you are part of a special and unique move of His Spirit. Don’t take that for granted. It’s so easy to be envious of what we see in another ministry or at a different church. We get jealous over the resources they have or the money they spend on this and that. We complain that so many people show up to their services or experiences or coffee houses or small groups or youth groups or children’s church or Bible studies or whatever you call it where you are. We are always so concerned with THEM.
You may just be too close to what’s going on right under your nose. You’re in the dead zone. Take a moment today to look at the incredible things God is doing right where you are. Reflect on those lives that have been and are being impacted for the kingdom of God. Take a moment to be grateful, because, if we’re honest, none of us deserve any of this.
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” 1 Cor. 2:9 (NIV)
I think we are always searching for greener grass. When you’re standing in your own lawn and looking up and down the street you may feel that everyone has grass greener than yours.
Once in a while, you have to take a journey outside your own lawn.
You may realize that many people desire the very thing you have taken for granted for so long. It’s easy to be so focused on what you’re working for and fighting for that you forget what you have. We were made for pursuit, we were made with the innate need to conquer. Don’t become passive, and don’t become lazy. But take a moment today to examine the amazing things God has done in and through your life. You may find that you are more blessed than you realize, and your grass is greener than you think.
“Praise the Lord, O my soul, all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” Psalm 103:1-2 (NIV)
Most of you know that my family is from East India. I’ve written before about how this aspect of my life tends to creep into so many facets of my everyday comings and goings. Today I was thinking of one that I am noticing more and more. As I work with different ministries that are focused on second generation(second gen) Americans (ppl whose parents immigrated from a diff country) it is becoming increasingly evident how we reflect the attitudes and characteristics of our parents’ generation, whether good or bad.
I had the opportunity to visit my old church yesterday pastored by my good friend 
Last night I had a blast with some of our leaders for the youth team. We got away from the church and just spent some time having fellowship. One thing I noticed was that none of the conversations really revolved around LifeChurch.TV. Usually that’s all people talk about when we get together, but this was different. I got to hear about people’s families. I learned new things about many people, and I really got to experience their personalities.
Our staff recently discussed a book by Henri J.M. Nouwen. Father Nouwen taught at Yale, Notre Dame, and Harvard. So, you could say that he had a few accomplishments in his lifetime. However, he eventually moved to Daybreak, one of the L’Arche communities for mentally handicapped people, where he worked and lived with those who had developmental disabilities. His words struck me, and I think he so simply and eloquently sums up one of the most important leadership principles for anyone in both the spiritual and secular arenas.
I had a pretty interesting encounter yesterday. My wife and I purchased some new furniture about a month ago and half of it was delivered on time, as for the rest of it… well that lead to an interesting encounter. We decided it was best to go to the store to further inquire about our missing furniture. We were informed that those items wouldn’t be available for at least another month.
I had the chance to meet with several great people in my community today. There are so many things that go into a church plant, but the most important by far are the people.
I’m reading Next Generation Leader by Andy Stanley for a leadership group in which I’m involved. I have been working on some areas of my personal leadership after our last meeting, and it has been huge for me.
Let’s stay on the same train of thought from yesterday. Steven Furtick told a story at our staff meeting once that was really interesting. Every week he would walk in to one of their portable campuses (meeting in a high school) and walk to the front row and wait for his time to preach. Every week he would sit on the front row and think to himself how horrible the sound was. After a few weeks he had enough, and thought someone was about to lose their job. So he brings up the matter at a meeting, “The sound is always so horrible, what the heck are you guys thinking?” Furtick gets the reply, “The problem is you’re sitting in the very front, it’s too close and it’s what we call a dead zone for the sound. You have to back away to get a true feel for how great the sound is in that room.” Sure enough it was true…
I think we are always searching for greener grass. When you’re standing in your own lawn and looking up and down the street you may feel that everyone has grass greener than yours.
