One Prayer Interview - Tom Dillingham
Tom is a good friend of mine. He served on staff at LifeChurch for many years as our Tulsa Campus Pastor. Then God called him to start his own church. It was our honor to help Tom start Common Ground Church.
1. The biggest leadership lesson that I have learned in the past year:
I have learned that I can’t lead people the way that I want to be led. This has been a really difficult lesson for me. I just expect everyone to think the way that I think and to act the way that I act and they just don’t do it. I love it when people leave me alone and let me build and create things. I will turn people loose and expect them to do that and many times it goes no where. I have learned that I have to walk and LEAD many people to the place that they need to be. Most are not wired like I am and that is a good thing.
2. What is God showing me personally?
How big He is and how little I am. I think that if I work really hard that I can make it happen. I can make the church grow. I can make people do the right thing. The truth is I do need to work hard, but that alone will never make it happen. I need God!!! I need His help. Many times when I think that I just knocked it out of the park with a sermon no one responds. When I think that I really stunk it up, God moves and changes lives.
Even if I work and make it happen, what has really happened anyway. Probably nothing with lasting results. When I trust Him and recognize that He is God. Then I see lasting results.
3. Top ministry Challenge.
Our top ministry challenge right now is a building. We have been portable for 3 years and are really looking and taking steps toward getting a 7 day a week facility. My challenge comes from raising money for the building. Asking do we really need a building. And dealing with everyone’s opinion of every building that we look at.
4. What do I do for fun?
I love my family so I hang out with them a ton. I also love coaching their little league baseball teams. I love coaching them more when they win than when they lose.
5. What books am I currently reading?
- Fresh Wind Fresh Fire
- It for the 4th time
- Perspectives on the Doctrine of God
Visit 
Your last book is a doozy… a fantastic read!
fresh wind fresh fire this book really encouraged me when we first came to serve at our church in wales uk. God can do it anywhere!
That leadership concept is the main one I am learning and relearning as a pastor of a growing church plant. It is odd how I have to relearn it with every new set of leaders. I am wired like you and want people to be like me but not like me. I want them to have different make up and personality in what they get done but I want them to do it the way I would…and that does not work at all. God has really taught me a lot on that. Thanks for sharing it.