Navigating Leadership Transitions

THE LAST FEW MONTHS  HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLY TRYING MOMENTS OF MY SOUL. In the midst of one of the most difficult seasons for me personally, many of the people whom I have dearly loved in our ministry have “thrown in the towel” and left our ministry leadership team.

I take it personally. Maybe I shouldn’t. Maybe I need to keep people at arms length. But I can’t. I’m just not wired that way.

My leadership team is my ministry FAMILY. When someone leaves (out of character issues, or “its just time to move on”) I cannot help but feel deeply wounded at their departure; like something has torn loose in my HEART.

I RECENTLY CAME ACROSS THE FOLLOWING THOUGHT-PROVOKING STATEMENT FROM TD JAKES ON THIS TOPIC:
“If we are to avoid disappointment as pastors, we must adjust our expectations to the reality rather than the IDEAL of ministry. Idealistically, we think we have found a place of fulfillment in the pastorate. Idealistically, we believe if we lay down our lives for the sheep, we will be applauded. The truth is, the shepherd is only a steward of the sheep. The sheep are being reared for a purpose – and that purpose is neither camaraderie nor friendship. The flock will not give you a sense of family. If you expect that, then you will end up feeling betrayed. They will not give you intimacy or affection. They will take from your scarred and bleeding hands direction without affection, guidance without commitment…”

Somewhat discouraging? Yes. But it is this last line of Jakes’ statement that gives me hope:

“…Only those who make the transition from SHEEP to DISCIPLES begin to feel any level of loyalty – and that is the direct result of discipline.”

Not EVERYONE is called to be a long-term member of your flock. Some God has called only for a temporary season. When it is time, they WILL leave.

Most of the time YOU can’t change them… They are who they are – Sheep or Disciples. Our job as leaders is not to mourn over the ones who go, but to SEEK OUT the ones who desire to be disciples and offer them opportunities to take up spiritual ownership in the ministry.

If you are going to be an effective shepherd, pastor, or spiritual leader, you must be able to differentiate between the two. If you confuse the makeup of you flock, it will only lead to DISCOURAGEMENT and feelings of inadequacy as a pastor and leader.

“Go Deeper” ::Thursday Night of Coram Deo 09

Thursday Night service opened up our Coram Deo 09. We kicked it off walking through our summer camp theme: Go Deeper.

It is a spiritual challenge to all of us, no matter where we are at with our Christianity, to go deeper in our relationship with God.

You see, God wants us in the CENTER of His river of living water, where the water is over your head… there you must rely completely on Him. Unable to do it on your own, you’re immersed in Him. That is where joy is found…in the MIDDLE of the river.

Not on the EDGES, where you can choose COMPROMISE, but in the CENTER of His will – Kept at a distance from the temptations on the banks. But it is your choice to go deeper. To walk into the water where eventually you’re completely immersed. Saturated. Soaked. Drenched. Completely covered in His presence.

But instead, tragically many of us do linger in the SHALLOWS, with less than what God intends for us to have. You play it safe on the banks, trying to convince yourself that you are experiencing everything God has for you… but the truth is you only have your TOE in the water. Maybe you are content with that, just getting a tiny touch from God…

Ezek. 47:1 tells us, “Now [the Spirit of God] brought me back to the entrance to the Temple. I saw water [trickling] out from under the Temple porch to the east…” (MSG & NASB)

This word in Ezekiel “trickling,” comes from a word indicating a jar, or something with a narrow mouth. It’s the idea of just getting a little dribble…

But watch the progression here as Ezekiel’s prophecy unfolds…

Ez 47:2-6 [the Spirit of God] then took me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the gate complex on the east. The water was gushing from under the south front of the Temple. He walked to the east with a measuring tape and measured off fifteen hundred feet, leading me through water that was ankle-deep. He measured off another fifteen hundred feet, leading me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another fifteen hundred feet, leading me through water waist-deep. He measured off another fifteen hundred feet. By now it was a [rushing] river over my head, water to swim in, water no one could possibly walk through.

Perhaps you are just standing on the bank or have a shallow “Ankle-Deep” relationship with God right now. Maybe you have gone with God into a “Knee-Deep” or “Waist-Deep” walk with Him. Whatever the case, we see from this passage that God is calling all of us, at whatever place we are at with Him, to Go Deeper.

Darlene Zschech, at a Hillsong worship conference in 2004 said it this way:

“You’ve got to get back out into the deep water and grab onto God, because you know if He doesn’t come through, you are going to drown. That’s where you need to be.”

Farewell and Goodbye. Catalyst… we will miss you.

It has been awhile since I have blogged. Life has been… INVOLVED.

God has been moving and I have been the somewhat confused partner in it.

Last night Holly and I experienced the definitive close to a substantial season and chapter in our lives. It was a challenging night of emotions; a celebrated night of historic victories; and a sad night of “good byes.”

Catalyst has become our home and FAMILY for the last 4 years as it has been our privilege to lead the youth and young adult ministry at Orch Rd Christ. Center. These years have seen stunning defeats, overwhelming obstacles, extraordinary victories, and sovereign moves of God: a breathtaking room remodel, 11 amazing retreats, a couple dozen life-changing outreach nights, and over 160 Wednesday night services….

Tonight marked the END of this journey.

As I reflect on this profound season in my life, I am aware of so many lessons God has taught me along the way. Allow me to share a few…

01. Family is a rare commodity. Treasure it. Develop it. Model it. Create it.

What has set Catalyst apart has not been the teaching, the worship, the events, or the video game stations. Catalyst is different because we have put such high value on “being family.” What have I learned? Don’t build a ministry. CULTIVATE A FAMILY.

02. Projects and events are not fulfilling. People are. When you are out of the “people business” you are out of ministry.

I don’t have any regrets of taking time from “office work” to spend time with people… like taking lunch breaks with Travis, Mark, and Josh; playing guitar hero with Zach, late nights with Chrissie, interrupting conversations with Carrie , or going rock climbing with Bryan.

The old Chinese adage is so true: “If you want a year of harvest, sow in corn. If you want a decade of harvest, sow in oak trees. If you want a lifetime of harvest, sow in people.”

Indeed.

03. We lead through our strengths. But we connect with our weaknesses.

This was such a profound truth for me to learn… Some of my greatest nights of Catalyst were not textbook teachings, contextual exegesis, or profound biblical principles, but simple and practical lessons birthed out of the mistakes, trials, and insecurities of my own life. Don’t be afraid to let people see your strengths AND weaknesses.

04. People don’t care how much you know. They want to know how much you care. You can connect with someone far better by listening than by talking.

Someone once said, “You can accomplish more in 2 months by listening to someone else than you can in 2 years by talking about yourself.” God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason. I think He wants us to act accordingly.

05. Though they may never tell you until you leave, NEVER UNDERESTIMATE the impact of your life and legacy in other’s lives.

One of the greatest mind games of my world is that my life doesn’t matter - that all of my efforts, my encouragements, my words, and my LIFE simply DON’T MATTER. To hear students and leaders tell us tonight that we had a fundamental role in their lives being transformed by God was dauntly. I needed to hear it. There are more times than I’d rather admit that I question whether God finds me usable for his purposes.

06. Words truly do hold the power of life and death. Wield your words very carefully. Use that power to encourage others.

I love the word “encourage.” It literally means, “to put courage into.” That is what we are doing as we encourage others. We are PUTTING COURAGE into the them to accomplish what God has designed and orchestrated for them to do.

What an opportunity.

07. People are inspired by bigger-than-life, planet-shaking vision. Don’t be hesitant about sharing your seemingly-impossible vision with others.

08. 7 words can change a person’s life: “I love you. I’m proud of you.“

I used to feel funny about those words coming out of my mouth. Now, I see the power they have in someone else’s life. Don’t be afraid to say them loud and often.

09. This generation is hungry to know and follow people who, though not perfect, try to live out life in a transparent, authentic, God-honoring way.

10. People won’t remember WHAT you said, but they will remember the spirit and heart of your life. Don’t be afraid to let them in.

As the future unveils itself, I look to it with anticipation. This season has closed. But I am confident that God is faithful. Not only will He continue what he began in Catalyst even after we are gone, but I look forward to what God has in store for our future as well.

Well… I guess its time to put this one in the books. Rest assured, wherever I am, you’ll find me pursuing God, loving people, and shaking the gates of hell.

I leave you with this closing thought: “The future belongs to those who have the courage to invent it.”

I guess its time to go do some inventing…