Guest: Scott Williams

Diversity Drives Innovation

By Scott Williams BigIsTheNewSmall.com

What is Innovation?  Innovation is defined simply as the act of introducing something new.  I appreciate organizations that value innovation.  I’m an adamant believer that if a ministry, organization, group, or leadership team wants to be a driving force in the area of innovation, they must be diverse.  If you have a bunch of guys and gals sitting around the table that all look alike, think alike and have similar life experiences, it’s only a matter of time before their new innovative ideas are merely recycled ideas.  By recycled I mean more of the same.

Diversity as it relates to innovation does not only apply to ethnic diversity; however in my opinion ethnic diversity is always crucial.   I love having an ethnically diverse team, as each team member brings their unique cultural and life experiences to daily discussions.  These discussions and interactions ultimately drive innovation.  If an organization wants to attract the brightest and most innovative minds in the world, they must make sure that all the faces at the leadership table don’t look the same.

It doesn’t matter if the entity is for-profit, not-for-profit or a religious institution.   A diverse leadership team helps to create synergy, productivity, and the ability to serve a diverse world.  Over time, that diverse group of leaders may need to be shuffled around, because long-term familiarity can also result in more of the same.

Diversity is different, change is good, innovation is new and Diversity Drives Innovation.

What do you think?  Share your thoughts!

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Catalyst One Day in Chicago

Craig and Andy Stanley are continuing their Catalyst One Day tour this year with a stop in the Chicago area at Willow Creek Community Church. On Thursday, March 25, 2010, they’ll be sharing some thoughts about church, leadership, momentum, and more.

We’re able to pass along a discount to Swerve readers who register for the event by Thursday, January 28. Just use the word “BLOG” as the rate code on the registration page, and you’ll get a special rate of $99.

It should be a great time of connecting and learning. Hope to see you there!

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Guest: Allyson Evans

It’s All About Relationships

My daughter was explaining to me how she MUST be on the cheer squad because this particular team is going to win the State Championship again next year.  Now, this is the same squad that consistently has girl drama and weekly battles between the team members.  I assured her that ten years from now when she looks back on her life to reference the things that shaped her into a wonderful adult role model, she would not include being on a State Championship squad… or attending a particular school or having a particular experience.  Instead, her list would include the relationships she has with her family, her interactions with friends, teachers, coaches, mentors and most importantly, her relationship with Jesus.  It’s not what we’ve experienced that determines who we are, it’s the relationships we’ve cultivated.

As we lead the next generation, it is crucial that, as the church, we help connect young people in relationships that are meaningful and move them down the path in their spiritual development.  We must show parents the importance of their role as spiritual leaders to their children and encourage them to deepen those relationships.  We should provide tools and resources for families, so they are equipped to lead Christ centered homes. Parents will begin to see for themselves that they can leverage their influence to help their children choose a strong circle of friends, a wise mentor and a bold accountability partner.  The kids who come from these homes will be sure of who God is, certain of who they are in Christ, and convinced they can impact the world.

If the church and family truly operate with that sort of focus on the emerging generation, what will our world look like in ten years?

So what are some of the ways you are leading the next generation?

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Guest: Kendra Golden

Broken and Poured Out

Recently I felt led to reread the accounts of Jesus’ last supper. In both Matthew’s and Mark’s versions, the last supper is in the same chapter as the woman anointing Jesus with perfume. This time when I read them, the parallels between her story and the last supper leaped off the pages.

The woman broke her jar and poured out all of her perfume. She poured out everything that was of value to her—both her past savings and her future earning potential. Breaking her jar effectively eliminated her option of being able to return to keeping any for herself. She gave everything she had—past, present, and future—to Him. Jesus said that people would remember her remarkable love forever.

Then at the last supper, those same words appeared again: Broken and poured out. This time when I read Jesus saying, “Do this in remembrance of me,” I didn’t see him referring just to crackers and grape juice. He was beckoning me to do what He was doing: to be broken and poured out. Go all in. Hold nothing in reserve. Completely relinquish control. That’s what would truly commemorate what Jesus did. Not cherishing a ritual, but being a memorial. To live my life broken and poured out.

I realized He’s been whispering this to me for some time. For years, my husband’s favorite verse has been from John 6. Jesus had just finished teaching, “Eat my flesh. Drink my blood. Live like I’m showing you.” Everyone left—except the Twelve. Verses 68-69 hold Peter’s profound response: “Where else would we go? You’re the Christ.”

So that’s it then. Although I’m still discovering what that looks like, now I have no other options. I must live broken and poured out. And I may be wrong, but I suspect that’s a calling that may apply to all of us.

What would “broken and poured out” look like in your life?

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Guest: Scott Rodgers

Attitude Isn’t Everything, But…

I read a book titled ‘Attitude Is Everything’.  I didn’t believe it. Now, many years later, I still don’t believe it. I believe attitude is the critical starting point. Our attitude, positive or negative, dramatically affects our experience and our outcome.

A positive attitude is like wearing TAG body spray; everyone wants to get close to you.  A negative attitude is like going three days without a shower; no one wants to get close to you.

Some observations I’ve made about those with a positive attitude:

1. They have a Positive Presence. They non-verbally communicate positivity.  They have energy, look excited, and their posture says, “I’m glad to be here.”
2. They take a Positive Approach. They think first of how we can before why we can’t. Their world view is can do.  Even when facing the impossible, those with a positive attitude believe in the possibilities.
3. They give a Positive Response. They’re teachable.  They own the results without making excuses.  Their first response is, “thanks for the feedback.”

Attitude isn’t everything, but it is something that can’t be ignored. I’ve struggled with a bad attitude more often than I’d like to admit.  Am I alone?  What do you do to keep a positive attitude?

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What I’m Learning through our Fast

We’re nearing the end of a 21-day fast at LifeChurch.tv, and this morning I’ll be talking with our staff about some of the ways God is speaking to me during this time. I thought I’d take a few minutes and share with you as well.

I’m reading through the Bible in 90 days, and something in the Old Testament has stood out to me. God kept doing these crazy huge miracles, and after each one the Israelites would soon start complaining “What’s God done for us lately?” Parting the water, manna from the sky, water out of a rock, and next thing you know they’re whining, “Now what are we going to do?!”

It didn’t take long for them to forget. The same goes for us.

In the 14-year history of LifeChurch.tv (which is a very short span of time from an Old Testament perspective), God has done some remarkable things. Yet, even for those of us who experienced it firsthand, it’s been easy to lose sight of just how much He’s done. We focus so intently on moving forward that we can feel it isn’t worthwhile to look back.

We need to do something to remember all God has done and all God is doing.

Not because the past demands our attention, but because the future demands that our focus is on Him. We have to keep God’s work present in our minds, or we’ll be tempted to rely on our own abilities and forget the role He’s played.

To move forward, we have to look to the past.

How do you remember God’s work in your church and in your life?

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Keeping Things In Perspective

While uneducated or cruel critics can be distracting, try to keep things in perspective. Where I live, ministers’ (or Christians’) lives are rarely in danger for being a Christian. Countless numbers of believers have suffered gravely for their faith in Christ. If all we have to do is endure a few people complaining, blogging, or writing emails, we haven’t suffered much.

Besides, when someone takes a shot at us or our churches, if their criticism isn’t true or valid, what does it really matter? If we can stand before God with integrity, it doesn’t matter what someone else says. It only matters what God thinks.

Rather than honing in on the negative, I try to remember that our battle is not against flesh and blood. Instead of being sidelined by criticism, I choose to stay in the game and fight the more important fight.

The best way to avoid criticism is to not do anything significant. That’s one reason I don’t worry a lot when we receive occasional criticism. I worry more when we don’t.

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You’re Invited: Haiti Conference Call

This Wednesday, church leaders are invited to join a conference call to discuss how we can best work together to help the people of Haiti. I’ll be joining Andy Stanley and Wess Stafford in leading the call as we cover the following topics:

• The latest information about the current situation in Haiti
• Why the church in Haiti is the hope of Haiti
• Learning how to help the church in Haiti
• What your church can do to help
• Leading your congregation through this crisis

If you’re a church leader, and you’re interested in joining our 35-minute discussion, you can call 800-698-9012 at 2:00pm Mountain Time, this Wednesday, January 20.

I look forward to seeing what God will accomplish through His Church for the people of Haiti.

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