Authentic. Who I really am. The REAL me. This might be the hardest thing for us to do as leaders. We want to be someone else, act like someone else, talk like our favorite speaker, be funny like the guy who is always making everyone laugh. You get the point.
It's a constant tension. But reality is, ultimately at some point the real you will appear. So spend time working on the real you vs. someone else you want to be.
Was made aware recently of a brand new film that will be releasing in select theaters across the US this month. That Evening Sun is an award winning film that has taken the film festival circuit by storm and is gaining major momentum and respect in Hollywood.
A short message below from Scott Teems, the writer/director of the film, a native Georgian, and a leader who is passionately bringing the good, the true, and the beautiful to the screen.
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/8813770[/vimeo]
Most of us think of this principle as an agricultural cycle for managing the land. All farmers and those who manage crops and "work" the land understand this principle. But the idea of Plant, Grow, Harvest is incredibly relevant to economics, and especially relevant today to our management of companies, organizations and teams.
It's really correct Biblical Economics. Kevin Myers pointed this out today at 12Stone. Based on the truth of Leviticus 18 and 19.
If we as leaders don't invest constantly in the PLANT and GROW stage, but instead just focus on the HARVEST, then we'll become consumers. Consumers only. Held by greed and consumerism and the perils of thinking only of OUR take, our profit, our margin, our harvest, our bounty.
We have to keep this Economic Cycle in balance. PLANT. Then GROW. Then HARVEST. Then Plant. Then Grow. Then Harvest. Then SABBATH.
Not HARVEST. Then HARVEST. Then HARVEST. Then a little Planting and Growing. Then more HARVEST. This kind of focus will lead us to destruction.
Companies that don't focus on balancing the cycle will eventually die because of only being focused on the reward, and not the tilling and correct work cycle and proper rhythm of economics.
SABBATH. The fourth part of the Economic Cycle- meaning REST. The idea of SABBATH in agriculture is you have to rest the land as part of the normal cycle, or otherwise you'll overwork the soil and lose your crop. Same in Economics. We have to rest and declare the SABBATH as part of our normal routines in business and for our companies and teams. Allow for recovery. Allow for rest. Reflection. Renewal.
Think through your current economic realities. Are you properly instituting the idea of PLANT: GROW: HARVEST: REST as part of your personal life as well as your corporate/organizational reality?
This is part one of my interview with Pete Greig, founder of the 24-7 Prayer Movement, as well as the Director of Prayer for Holy Trinity Brompton in London, a thriving church of 4,000 in the UK. Pete also is involved with the launch of the Campus America Initiative, and the author of several books, including his most recent Red Moon Rising. In this conversation, we talk about the keys to being an entrepreneur/church planter, what is really important to the next generation, and why "working local" is so important. Pete is brilliant. Truly a young leader who is making a difference and acutely aware of what is happening globally.
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/8774191[/vimeo]
Our great friends at Invisible Children are finalists in a major contest being put on by Chase Bank. Chase Bank launched a MAJOR donation campaign recently via Facebook. Based on the number of votes received, certain organizations are awarded substantial donations from Chase. Invisible Children has already won and received $25,000 from the 1st Round of voting last month.
There are now 100 charities left in the 2nd Round, in which the winner will receive $1 MILLION dollars. THIS IS HUGE. And it is such a simple thing for people to do.
So Do this Right Now! VOTE FOR INVISIBLE CHILDREN. YOU COULD HELP THEM WIN A MILLION DOLLARS TO USE IN ENDING THE LONGEST RUNNING WAR IN AFRICA AND PROVIDING EDUCATION TO KIDS IN UGANDA.
It's this simple:
1 - GO TO FACEBOOK.
2 - VOTE FOR INVISIBLE CHILDREN
3 - WIN THEM $1 MILLION DOLLARS
....30 SECONDS LATER, YOU'RE DONE.
...stop reading. go.... VOTE now.
Start the year off strong by participating in a global initiative that is engaging churches and leaders in fasting, praying and seeking God.
Awakening is a 21-day season of prayer and fasting happening this January. It is a major collaboration of 1,000 churches across the US and around the world who are fasting and praying together as we start 2010 and a brand new decade.
Had the chance to catch a few minutes with my good friend Stovall Weems, the senior pastor of Celebration Church, and the visionary leader behind the Awakening Initiative.
1. Talk about the Awakening initiative and why you feel it was important to launch? As a church and within our staff and key leadership, we've experienced such tremendous momentum from doing this each year. We just know the results first hand from praying, fasting and seeking God like this at the onset of the year. From this has come our passion to inspire other pastors, churches and ministries to experience this for themselves and establish a culture of prayer and fasting in their own churches and ministries.
2. This is the 2nd year of Awakening. What are some stories you've heard of impact over the last year? Probably the most consistent feedback we've received from several churches has been that they've experienced a tremendous increase in salvations and baptisms as well as increased level of participation in small groups, serving and giving. The spiritual level of the church just goes to the next level. Some have shared that their plans and goals for the upcoming year became so clear and sharp. Many new churches attributed prayer and fasting to a successful launch of their church and because they were so in tune with God, things took off quickly and their ministries thrived. Others have talked about the alignment that resulted in their staff and leadership teams. Shifts were needing to take place, and they got clear direction to make this happen. I could go on and on. Once you experience this as a staff, leadership and within your church- there's just no going back.
3. There are over 1000 churches participating alongside you and Celebration Church. There seems to be a continual sense of collaboration with a number of initiatives over the past couple of years, including One Prayer, Hillsong United's i-heart campaign, Healing Place Church's Servolution Project, etc. Why is that? There's a great sense of unity coming to the body of Christ as a whole, and instead of looking at each other's differences, we're seeing a great passion to build up the local church. Many churches are pioneering new initiatives, and with today's technology, it's just smart to share those resources with each other. It's an efficient and effective way to advance the Kingdom.
4. How can churches and leaders still get involved in Awakening this year? Awakening is a season of prayer and fasting and it's intentionally designed to be flexible. While we establish some specific dates, the goal is that we come together at the beginning of the year and set aside some time to pray, fast and seek God. Many churches are still joining in and will be fasting with us once a week, or twice a week and then ending with us in a 3 day fast. Some will be fasting the entire last week. The website has several tools, tips and resources for pastors and leaders available for free, so it's really easy to put this into place or simply add it to what you're already doing. There's still time to be a part of this incredible experience and if you're reading this right now, we invite you to register online. We'd love for you to join us and the thousand other pastors, churches and ministries as we start this year off praying and fasting together.
Thanks Stovall!
As leaders, we are always looking for ways to create a "great corporate culture." Whether in a business, ministry, not for profit, or small start up, creating culture is key to a healthy and successful organization. Tons of books have been written on this issue, and lots of speakers and consultants would consider their theories to be the answer. The reality is, most companies don't have great corporate culture, based on their employees responses and feedback. Creating the correct culture is a difficult task for any leader.
Here at Catalyst, we've worked hard over the years to establish a culture that fits us and creates a great place to work and collaborate with our team.
In my opinion, there are a couple of key ingredients to creating a great culture that we've learned.
1. Be distinct. Your look/feel/ethos should be yours and yours alone. Make sure your brand, design, and team all are cohesive.
2. Be authentic. Create and live out your values because they are who you ARE, not because they are what or who you want to be, or who or what someone else wants you to be.
3. Believe in your product or offering. 100% belief that what you do is incredibly relevant and helpful and needed. It will drive your atmosphere and the way you make decisions, and create a strong bond with "one purpose" in mind.
4. Be attractive. Is your culture so vibrant and positive that your customers or audience is attracted by it? Do people outside of your walls talk about your culture? Do people want to join your team just to be part of what is happening?
5. Be your own customer. If you won't buy your product or service or offering, then why would you expect anyone else to? Does a focus group of your core customer require bringing in outsiders, or simply gathering the troops?
6. Establish your style and embrace it. Similar to #1, but more specifically toward how you get things done. At Catalyst, we "work hard and play hard." That is our style. We embrace it constantly. Figuring out HOW you accomplish things as a team will help give your team a style to embrace and build.
Thanks to Pete Wilson for making me aware of this. Some of you may have already seen this, but I hadn't until now. And wanted to share. Josh Wilson was stuck in the airport at Newark last weekend on January 3rd along with thousands of other passengers while a security breach was being investigated. A bunch of angry and impatient passengers. He decided to make the most of it. Very cool.
From what I can gather, he and his wife were on their way to India for a missions trip. Even cooler. Nice job Josh!!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQeG1kaddsw[/youtube]
What is Unleash? It is a one-day church leadership conference hosted by our great friends at Newspring Church and Senior Pastor Perry Noble. Happening Thursday, March 4 in Anderson, SC on the Newspring campus. You can register right now for $59, which is a GREAT deal. That price expires on January 31. Registration is filling up fast, so go ahead and register now.
This one-day event is designed for church staff and volunteers. And a great opportunity to learn, see and hear from the Newspring staff. You won't want to miss it. And you'll get to enjoy Southern Hospitality at its finest!!
You've seen lots of top ten prediction lists over the past week, so I thought I would add a list to the mix. Here you go, my ten random predictions for 2010, in no particular order:
1. The stock market will reach 11,500.
2. US Post Office will go bankrupt.
3. I'll get customized messages on my iphone from businesses/restaurants/retail stores as I pass by them on the street.
4. Atlanta Hawks will make it to the NBA Finals, but lose to the Lakers.
5. The Housing Market will rebound, and banks will return to full strength.
6. A major steroid controversy will emerge in the NFL.
7. HULU will dominate: More people will watch The Office on their computer than on a TV.
8. Facebook will continue to explode, and be available in cars, televisions, refrigerators, and airplane seat TV's.
9. A major merger will happen between two large successful megachurches, and usher in a new trend of collaboration and partnership.
10. AT&T will purchase Verizon, based on pressure from Apple because of the iPhone carrier contract.
What would you add to the list????
Starting the year off with a great new episode of the Catalyst Podcast! Had the chance to recently interview Malcolm Gladwell, best-selling author of The Tipping Point, Blink, Outliers, and most recently What the Dog Saw.
We talk about innovation, creativity, and the future of publishing, among other things.
You can stream live here or download from itunes.
If you live in or around Orlando, or plan to be there this weekend, make sure to attend the To Write Love on Her Arms' annual event. The event is entitled Heavy and Light, and will be held at the House of Blues in Orlando this Saturday night at 8 pm.
Mat Kearney is headlining, along with several other artists and musicians, including good friend Zach Williams.
Jamie and the entire team at TWLOHA are great friends doing great work. Important work. Redemptive work.
Please spread the word and make sure to attend if you can.
You can buy tickets here.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwqPm3e99XE[/youtube]
What are they? How do you know? Who will tell you that you have them? Identify them. Be aware of them. Just like blind spots when you are driving, you should constantly be managing those areas to make sure you don't change lanes and there is a car right next to you.
You have to be doubly aware of the areas you are weakest in order to effectively manage those areas. But, being aware doesn't mean constantly "working" on your blind spots. Spend time working and focused in your areas of strength. Just make sure to check in the mirrors on the left, right and rearview on a regular basis to know what is happening around you.
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