We’re kicking off the It Blog Tour right here on Swerve today with a few questions for Craig…
In your new book, It, you talk about churches who have “it”—a sense of momentum fueled by clear vision and God’s direction. What made you realize that “it” was something you wanted to explore as a book topic?
With multiple campuses under the same leadership, we started to notice that although many elements were the same from campus to campus, the spiritual results were dramatically different. We found ourselves saying repeatedly things like, “These leaders get it.” “This team has it.” “This team doesn’t.” Before long we started asking ourselves what “it” is and what contributes to it.
I gave a talk on it to the staff and the idea resonated with us. Before long, I was putting thoughts down on paper which led to the book.
When you visit a church, can you sense “it” immediately, or does a take a while to know if they have “it”?
I can often feel it in the parking lot. You can almost see a sense of spiritual anticipation in the people. When people gather, there’s a spiritual buzz in the air. You know it when a church has it and you know it when one doesn’t.
What is the single most important step for a church that is struggling to find or reclaim “it”?
The leaders need to get it.
We know LifeChurch.tv is not immune to losing “it.” What are some of the first warning signs you notice when we begin to veer off course?
I’d say several of our campuses don’t have it right now. When a team or campus doesn’t have it, we are having to “manufacture energy” (quoting Andy Stanley’s phrase). Instead of things flowing, things are forced. When a team loses it, you’ll see a lower evangelistic temperature and a more self centered mindset as opposed to a Kingdom mindset.
On a personal level, you’ve shared that you began to lose “it” when you started caring too much about what people thought of your performance as a pastor. Is that season where this weekend’s message came from?
I float in and out of seasons of spiritual confidence and insecurities. This has been an ongoing issue for me. This weekend’s message reflects a lot of the spiritual journey I’ve been travelling (and will continue to travel).
Are there practical steps you take personally to guard against an unhealthy concern for the opinions of others?
The leader must care more about what God thinks than what people think. That sounds basic—and it is, but it is not always easy to do. For me, I have to be obedient to all that I feel God is showing me—even in the very small things. When my other people’s opinions become too important to me, I find myself delaying obedience to God or even disobeying.
Are there people in your life who have been “it” mentors?
My pastor, Nick Harris, always seemed to have it. He has been a big mentor to me. I have learned through the years from Bill Hybels, Rick Warren, Andy Stanley, Ed Young, Lyle Shaller, Sam Chand and many others. Each of these leaders could certainly describe seasons when they had it and seasons when they didn’t.
Thanks, Craig! We’re looking forward to checking out the rest of the It Blog Tour, and can’t wait to see what you and Scott Hodge talk about tomorrow.
Tags: Add new tag, It Blog Tour
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