Comments on: Things I Want to Know About My Staff 4 (of 4)

By: Joe Louthan

Joe Louthan — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 05:35:20 +0000

Catching myself speaking self-righteously and sounding like a jackass. I have tried to apologize for it but I don’t know if that can be done successfully.

By: Jeff Galley

Jeff Galley — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 14:52:37 +0000

Eight years ago I founded an organization called Nexlead dedicated to developing Christian young leaders. We’ve had a blast doing a lot of fun and remarkable things that impacted countless thousands of young leaders.

But in the last year, due to a combination of risks I took in an effort to grow and an unexpected loss of a funding source, our finances took a nosedive. A year ago we were poised to grow substantially. Today Nexlead is completely closed down. What a difference a year makes.

Though it’s heartbreaking to see something fail after pouring my soul into it, I would do it all over again. The lives changed, the lessons learned, and the great experiences far outweigh the failure. And I’m excited that Nexlead’s demise has led us to joining the team here at LifeChurch.tv!

By: When You are Not Failing You are Not Growing « Snode News!

When You are Not Failing You are Not Growing « Snode News! — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 13:01:21 +0000

[...] When You are Not Failing You are Not Growing I read that quote on this blog, and it really helped me. I have failed so many times that I am ashamed. I have struggled alot in my life with failure because I am a perfectionist and want people to think I am perfect. (I know, I know, you already knew that I am not perfect!) The problem is that when I am so afraid of failing I won’t take risks or attempt great things for God. [...]

By: David

David — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 04:38:28 +0000

Excellent Topic

This(place)seem’s like holy ground…

When you love someone, you just want to do your best for him.

Fail? yes, quite regularly

By: Craig

Craig — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 03:33:53 +0000

Neil, It is not easy at all. I think people give us more credit than we deserve in living a balanced lifestyle. I just came off an eight week schedule that was almost dangerous.

Some things we do:

Say “no” A LOT!

Decide ahead of time to work fewer hours. It is amazing what you can do in an hour if that’s all you have. You might even do less if you have two hours.

Delegate… not just tasks, but authority.

Tying into the topic of this post, we try to learn from our failures.

Let me repeat again, IT IS NOT EASY.

By: Avery

Avery — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 01:45:04 +0000

What about you? When is the last time you’ve failed?

Man… are we talking in minutes…? I think this post was for me…

Ministry-wise… I have failed a lot… a very lot…but it has humbled me… tried many new things that didn’t work so well…

I speak too much without thinking first how it is communicated…and have hurt people deeply… I hate that… and am constantly asking the Lord for grace and wisdom…

The hard part of trying new things is being afraid to fail for me… but I am learning and trying new things all the time… and some of them have been successful…mostly I am afraid of failing, and dishonoring Christ… He is so full of grace… that is the main thing I am learning from failure..

By: Neil Johnston

Neil Johnston — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 01:38:31 +0000

Hey Craig ~

I’m 38, been married 16 years and have 6 children myself. We homeschool as well. I’ve got to ask, dude! How do you do this? Pastoring, writing, family… at the level you are? Our church is much smaller and yet the demands are cr-azy! You are the only Senior Pastor I’ve heard of in a thriving church of any size who has more than 3 children. I’d love to buy you a cup of coffee…

I jumped into “Going All The Way” today and have posted my first blog entry on it. It’s perfect for a couple that I’m meeting with currently. Thanks!

Neil

By: Blogging . . . « Lovely Pearls

Blogging . . . « Lovely Pearls — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 01:09:54 +0000

[...] Posted in Thoughts at 7:09 pm by libbymyrin Today’s post of Swerve asked when was the last time we failed. I wanted to share that discussion and what those bloggers showed me through their comments . . . It was a blessing and awesome how that community supports and encourages each other! Cool example of blogging for those who are new to it! Please check it out! [...]

By: Libby

Libby — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 00:52:52 +0000

Woah! I’m overwhelmed! Thank you all for replying and giving your awesome insight to this topic. You continue to bless me! My blog post is about to be devoted to you all today!

By: Kenyon

Kenyon — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 22:26:47 +0000

I fail like metamucel…regularly. My failures come in all shapes and sizes. Moral failures like last week when I looked at stuff on the internet I wasn’t supposed to. Character failures like the things I said to my class during a lecture a couple of weeks ago that were not appropriate. Leadership failures like the song that I was supposed to find to close out last weeks service as a time of reflection and prayer and just didn’t have enough hours in the day. Yeah I hate failure. But the biggest failure I struggle with is admitting them. I hate confessing weakness. I hate admitting to the less than. But here’s the funny part. Once I admit it, once I face up to it an recognize that I am not the reincarnation of Jesus Christ I pick up the pieces and start up again. My verse, the scripture that was written just for me, Kenyon Gerbrandt, sustains me through it all. Phillipians 2:13 “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Just wish I could get more comfortable and familiar with this.

By: Amanda Kerns

Amanda Kerns — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 21:56:37 +0000

The last time I’ve failed? About two hours ago…
In fact I fail far too often- in my reactions. Even though I may not actually speak or act outwardly, it’s my inward reactions that I cannot hide from God.

Working in a ministry where I am encouraged to take risks [free to fail] has gone against the grain of my perfectionist attitude.
A neat blog that gave me a good outlook on failure- http://www.philvischer.com/ (click on The Fall of Big Idea Productions) It is the story of how a focus on success ruined a business in kid’s video ministry, Veggie Tales. It showed me that if I am not listening to His spirit and following His path…that the slightest risk will fail. Even if I’m doing it in the name of ministry…

By: Marty

Marty — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 21:24:22 +0000

Thanks for this series of blogs. Its been great learning from you.

By: Carrie

Carrie — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 21:04:02 +0000

Ummm. How about the time when I lost it with my team members two weeks ago? I had my fill and pretty much griped them out. After walking out the of the room leaving them sitting there with their mouths wide open, I came back and apologized and all was well. And the very next day I lost it again. And apologized again. It was great. Yes, I do work for a church However, I did learn some things. One, I learned not to be so defensive. Sometimes we can see things that are not there because of our own insecurities or worry that others may not like us. Two, give people grace. Three, the next time you are about lose it..run outside and scream REALLY loud and then come back. I’ve heard it helps.

By: Sheri

Sheri — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 20:44:09 +0000

Anne, I try not to think…Just trust in God and His word.
When we think too much or compare to world standards, we can seem like we are performing at 100%, but when we compare to the standard of scripture, we know we cannot perform at all without Christ -it is because of Him - He is what makes us 100%. It’s not our own effort.

If I am not resting in this, I am failing!

My last failure 11/14…but I am grateful that Jesus makes it 100%! What a good GOD!

By: Heather Brower

Heather Brower — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 20:41:11 +0000

My weak-stomached-big-hearted husband Josh has been changing the cat box for me since I’m 9mos. pregnant…

Long story short, I kept smelling cat-funk coming from the basement, and went to investigate…

It will have to suffice to say that it took 3 garbage bags to get the litter from AROUND the cat box all cleaned up. (Josh said that’s not in the definition of changing the cat’s BOX).

Poor Joshy failed at his cat litter cleaning gig. I just thought I’d tattle to all of you Swervies on this one!!

I still love my Joshy… And Craig, easy on the feline commentary…I’m hormonal and I know how to type!!

By: Stacey

Stacey — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 20:25:00 +0000

I fail DAILY! But lately I have been missing out on God’s Word and failed Him in meeting with Him daily. I have failed in honoring my calling as a student, missing class and letting the whispers of satan get to me. I have failed in my role and calling as a mother, not honoring what God as called me to teach my children the Way in which they should go. I am a failure who need the Savior, without which I can not even attempt to live.

By: Clif McKinley

Clif McKinley — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 20:19:59 +0000

Awesome Craig, thanks you rock!

By: Craig Groeschel

Craig Groeschel — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 20:18:55 +0000

Clif, In answer to your question about devoting a week to this topic… I just finished writing quite a bit on the subject for a future project. I could send you the work when it is ready if you want it. You can email Sarah@lifechurch.tv in a few weeks and ask her for my work on “failure.”

By: Larry

Larry — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 19:30:17 +0000

I was talking with my accountability partner this morning about two failures that I have had regarding investments and it is now time to pay the piper. I will just tell you this—[1] The housing market won’t always boom. [2] Pizza is not recession proof. Those two points may save you some scratch

By: Anne Jackson

Anne Jackson — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 17:59:27 +0000

Thank you everyone for sharing such great thoughts. Clif, I agree with you that this would make a great topic for swerve at some point. Personally, I am looking forward to the “it’s okay to fail and learn from it” environment at LC. I’m in a pretty good environment now in Texas, but my position is pretty fail-safe (which has a lot to do with the reason I took it).

I am not sure if many other pastors can relate, but I have seen my father, my friends, and at one time myself in a position where expectations were not clearly communicated, therefore not met, resulting in pretty traumatic results for the person, family, and friends. Even knowing your worth is held in God’s hand, given through grace - it’s hard to think about that when you’re wondering how you’re going to keep the lights on or where your next meal is coming from because you’re out of a job.

Sadly, so much of our culture is driven by a “success=not failing” mindset that we’re constantly walking on eggshells, afraid to take risks because if we fail, our environments say we are punished (instead of asking, “what have we learned?” or “how can we do this better next time?” or just simply being shown grace for being human).

I feel extremely blessed to be headed to LC. I know it’s going to be a slow process of letting go and learning and being okay with not being perfect.