SHIP Happens

There is a big difference in a Leader and a Manager. 

There. I said it.


Neither are more important than another-each have a very important role!

A Leader charts the course-they are at their best when  they are looking ahead and can see what is there.

A Manager steers the ship-they are into the details, they are at their best when they are getting things done.


In leadership, it is so important to realize what you are good at and what you are not so good at.

John Maxwell says:


 "A leader is someone who surrounds themselves with people who are smarter than they are and gets out of their way!"

Just because a leader knows the direction the ship needs to go doesn't mean they know anything about steering a ship!

Leaders need to know when they are unequipped to do something and then find someone to help who is!

The truth is, EVEN if a leader could chart the coarse AND steer the ship, they couldn't do both at the same time.  Someone has to work ON the
route and someone needs to work IN it.

A good leader understands how to ride the waves of knowing when to get out of the way and when to throw someone a life preserver.

No micromanaging!

(Side note from my soap box:  if you are a leader and you HAVE to micromanage someone on your team, then you have either: A.  made the wrong hire.  Sorry- but it's true.  Hire HIGHLY CAPABLE people. Do not settle.  OR....B. you are a control freak and nobody likes to work with you. Truth hurts.)


Here are some questions that I believe a leader should ask their managers every single year.   (Thanks for asking...) #wink

(6 months out)  Brainstorm
-What is our  mission and how are pointing people to it?
-What is working well?
-What is working BUT could work better?
-What is not working and needs to "die" so that we can do the good stuff BETTER?
-How can I help?

BIG IDEA:  What is the ONE thing that we want people to take away from us this year?



(4 months out) Dream
-What do you wish we could do?
-What is keeping us from doing it?
-What do you wish you could ask  me about our organization?
-What do you wish I would ask you about the organization?
-What are you learning about yourself?  How are you liking your job?
-Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
-How can I help?

BIG IDEA:  How do you want your team to grow together and feel about being part of the team at the end of the year?



(2 months out) Goals-What systems/programs are returning next year and how will they work better?
-Who is on your team?
-How will you achieve your goal?
-How will YOU grow yourself?
-How will you connect with your team? How do you say "THANK YOU?"
-What is your budget and how do you plan to use it?
-Have you set dates for any events or programming for next year?
-How can I help?


BIG IDEA:  What is your strategy? How are you gonna pull off your goal?

  
VISION DAY!
Cast vision to the rest of the staff  and/or  board with what your ONE main goal and strategy is for the new year.  Negotiate dates and spaces for events that overlap on the calendar. Discuss as a staff how we can support each other as a united team.



Question:    I think leaders have to be good followers-kind of like the show "The Undercover Boss" where the boss sees what it is like to work for Him.  What kind of follower are you?  What is it like to work for you?

UNofficial Book Club: INTERRUPTED

PHASE 2:  The Horror of Actually Changing

How do you want to be known?

As I have grown up, I have wanted to be known for so many different things, these are just a few that have evolved in my heart over the last 20 years:

A cheerleader..
Pretty...
Thin..
Popular...
Graduate...
College Student...
Dating..
Bride..
Married...
Pregnant...
Mom....
Pastor..
Leader...
Helper..
Writer...
Creative..
Smart...
Successful..
Jesus Follower..

We all want to be best known for something we have done or can do!  In this chapter, Jen writes about how putting the action into what God is calling you to do, often means losing our ego in service to someone or a whole host of people.

On page 204 she writes:

I don't want to be known for a great brand.

I don't want to be admired for a great campus.

I don't want to be recognized for a great marketing campaign.

I don't want to be praised for great programming.

I don't want to be applauded for great theology and scholarship.

I want the church to be great because we fed hungry mommas and their babies. I'd like to be great becayse we battled poverty with not just our money but our hands and hearts. I desire the greatness that cones from seeking only mercy but justice for those caught in a system with trapdoors. I hope to be part of a freat movement of the Holy Spirit, who injects supernatural wind and fire into His mission.

My version of great will come with others scratching their heads and saying:  "Wow, you live a really different life."

For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.
Luke 9:48

I think that we all talk a pretty fantastic game, we all want to lose ourselves in service to others!  I truly believe that it is in all of us, to want to help one another.

It's not always easy to serve others, when it might mean that we, oursleves have to sacrifice something to do so.

 Maybe it's money?  Maybe it's our title?  Maybe it is recognition?

Those are my three.

I don't like the idea that I would work my tail off on something and not get anything in return.

I am not proud of that-and I almost deleted that entire sentence.

....but its true.

I am claiming it.

God calls us to serve-  not to serve and be praised!

My ego needs to take a big fat hike.


How About YOU?
What is it for you?  What keeps you from a life of serving and not being served?

Currently listening to:  LOST GET FOUND

3 Things I wish I knew as a Rookie Pastor

Several years ago, I had the chance to do an internship for a dying church.  The church had lost all of their founding pastors and had gone almost 2 years without a leader. After finally hiring a Lead Pastor, a friend of mine, who attended this church knew that I was looking for an internship for college,  and asked if I would be interested in helping them out with their Kids Ministry .  I was young, inexperienced and had no idea what I was getting myself into.  I had passion and energy for Kids Ministry and lots of "great" ideas!  I went in, looked around and identified what needed to be done and immediately started making changes. While my perception of what needed to change was accurate, I learned that when those you lead do not know you, they will not trust you, no matter how great your ideas are.  The things  I learned during this season has shaped my leadership and I want to pass along with you, what I wish I had known before I started!


Leverage the "White Horse."  Something that has proven true in every church I have ever been part of is when you first join the team people treat you like their knight in shining armor, riding in on a white horse.  Everyone wants to take you out for coffee, and invite you over for dinner.  Your social calendar is packed for months!    While their intentions are meant well, what I have found is that these are the people who have the biggest expectations for you and how you will lead this ministry.  Now, if you have been in Kids Ministry longer than 10 minutes, you know that it is like pulling teeth to get your team to attend trainings or appreciation events, so this is a vital time in your ministry, while you have their attention, to share your heart and your journey with as many people who will listen-and as often as they will listen!  It has been my experience that when people know you and what you are about, trust begins to build. Focus less on what you are going to do as their leader and more on letting them get to know who you are!

Listen and Watch. The first year you are in ministry, your main goal should be to assess the situation.  Sure! You might already have an idea of the direction you are going to lead this team, but it is more important to understand how everything is structured and why.  The first year is like drinking from a fire hydrant and it is your job to soak in as much as possible.  Avoid the urge to prove yourself and implement new programming or new events.  It is not your job to prove yourself, it is your job to lead a group of people into a growing relationship with God.  You can not do that if you do not know who you are leading. Identify people who are the key influencers on your team. Find the people that everyone listens to, and get them on your side!  Build relationships with those who have most influence on your team, and cast vision to them first!  Ask for their advice, their worries, and their concerns.  Listen to them. Consider their advice.  Remember! A this point, these are people who have more influence than you do and there is a reason for it!  When it comes time to make changes, these influences will go o bat for you with the others, and it will make all the difference!

Cast Vision-Create a Culture. Once you have identified your key leaders and have worked out a strategy together, it will be time to implement.  The key to casting vision is to help your team understand WHY staying "here" is no longer an option and why moving forward is the only solution!  Paint a clear picture! Tell stories!  Give your team a clear and exciting mission and repeat it as often as possible!  Creating a new culture will take time, and while you have been working on this strategy for a year with your key influencers, your team is hearing it for the first time!  The most important part leadership strategy is your energy-if you aren't excited, nobody will be.  It will take time, don't be discouraged!  While you feel like a broken record, repeat your strategy-your team should be able to repeat it back to you!  Celebrate wins!  When you see someone on your team connect with they strategy, then AMP IT UP!  Tell everyone!  What is rewarded gets repeated!




What are some lessons, in your first years in leadership, that you had to learn the hard way?

Time keeps on slippin...

Connecting, Devoting, Engaging OH MY! With all this talk of this  the go.love.life, I  think I am beginning to break a sweat! Don't get me wrong here, I believe in this mission...I am just baffled at when I am going to fit it all in my schedule!

My husband and I have been married for 10 years and have 3 small-ish children.  We moved into our new home  just 2 days before our oldest 2 kids started school in their new school!  Our life feels like it is running us instead of us running it!

There is nothing more discouraging after hearing the white hot vision for where God is leading us at Church at the Crossing to CONNECT with God and others, DEVOTE to The Word and to prayer and ENGAGE in our community and world, and think to yourself ..
"Ain't nobody got time for that!"

I. DON'T. HAVE. TIME.

I don't have time to meet new friends, I don't have time for the friends I do have!  I can't connect with God, I can't even connect with my husband! When will I have a second to devote to prayer and Bible Study?  The only thing I have time to read are the magazine covers in the checkout line at Kroger!  Engage?  WHEN?  When will I be able to serve in a ministry or go on a trip out of the country,  I haven't left my house in days!

Then it hit me.

While yes, it is true, I don't HAVE time to do much of anything, the real issue is that I have failed to MAKE time.

MY TIME IS MY TREASURE!
 In Matthew, chapter 6:21 (The Message) it says:
"The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being."

I hoard my time..I hold it tight with clenched hands, instead, I need to open my hands, palms up and let God HAVE it!

I guess my NEXT STEP is to STOP making excuses and stop the glorification of BUSY and DEVOTE. I need to devote my time and my life to God and His Word!  I need to repriortize my TIME..and instead make it God's time!

I have not been a good steward of my time.

If I want my kids to know what it IS to BE the Church, then I must turn the mirror to look at myself.

In ministry and as Christians, we are in the people busines. 

Sometimes, people can't HEAR what we are saying because what we are DOING is too loud!

More is caught than taught. 

go.love.