march madness
It's that time of year again... where the craziness begins. Deserving teams are snubbed, an unlikely team wins a conference title to squeak in, and the fight for the number 1's ends.
ESPN becomes the fan's best friend for the next month for bracketology and up-to-date scores. If the madness has hit you, you just can't get enough.
The best teams get tested down the wire, miraculous shots are hit, cinderella stories are made, and then the clock strikes midnight on all 64 other teams in the tournament as only one is crowned champion.
It's not always the glamorous crowd favorite or the best overall team. It's just the team that can survive the madness of March.
Labels: personal, sports
continued faithfulness
I don't know why God chooses to operate the way He does sometimes. At times it can be really hard because I feel like I have no more trust or faith to give, and God comes through with His faithfulness at what seems like the least expected or last possible minute. Time and time again it has happened over the past few months.
From financial stuff, to new possible opportunities, to conversations with friends, to job situations, to encouragement... God just keeps coming through for me and Lacey. It's been incredible to see God's hand involved in our lives.
I know God never promises things to be easy. And really that is ok.
Easy gets boring. But He does promise to be continually faithful in every situation that we face. Even if it does comes at the last minute.
Labels: christianity, personal
this beautiful mess
Thanks to this book for the post title, but ministry really can be this sorta beautiful mess.
People are not always fun to deal with. Sometimes they seem to cause more frustration and problems than anything else.
We have this internal pressure and perceived (yet sometimes true) peer pressure to make progress and look really good with numbers, stats, marketing schemes, and sweet new events.
And just to pile more on top of all of that, we really just don’t always have the time, money, or overall resources to make so much of our ideas happen. [Sidebar-lack of resources is no excuse for not fulfilling God’s vision.]
I think most of us have been in this place before. I wanted to share a few things from my experience in no particular order that I have learned about how to get big results with little resources.
1. Operate where you want to be, not where you currently are.
If you don’t first go there in how you operate, nothing and no one will ever follow. I love how Steven Furtick puts it, “Dress for the wedding.” It may look funny now, but it won’t when you get there. Don’t get embarrassed or impatient-go for it.
2. Don’t compare.
It only creates pride or jealousy. Plus, we should celebrate others success and assist others along. We are all on the same team.
3. Develop leaders and delegate authority.
They not only increase your ability to handle more people, but also allow you to perform ministry at a much higher level and focus on things that as the leader you alone can do.
4. Raise funds to increase ministry capability.
Ministry isn’t cheap. It takes money. Sometimes you just got to work to raise it. But money follows vision first, then it follows life changing stories of individuals. Share the vision and what God is doing through you to make their investment worthwhile.
5. Invest money into missional opportunities.
God is extremely honored by our sacrificial giving. We have a responsibility to invest in others around the world, even if it is a sacrificial gift. When you invest, you are partnering together to build the Kingdom and fulfill the mission of the church. And why would God bless us if we are greedy and selfish?
6. Dream big, and strategically cast the vision.
God gives the point leader the dreams and visions. You've got to dream it, discover it, and provide tangible direction at optimal times, so others can follow. Sir Francis Drake says it best, so why try anymore. "Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves. When our dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little. When we arrive safely because we have sailed too close to the shore. Disturb us, Lord."
7. Build a relational culture.
All people (unchurched, dechurched, believers, poor, rich, middle class, African-American, Hispanic, Caucasian, Asian, Arab, etc) want relationships. As a church leader, we get to give them two of the greatest relationships in the world-a relationship with God and a relationship with God’s family.
8. Celebrate moments of success.
The principle is true: what gets celebrated is often repeated. Commit to make consistent progress every week. Celebrate that progress publicly and privately. After one year that means you are at least 52% better.
9. Pray God-sized prayers.
If you don’t pray them, they will rarely happen. Plus, God loves the supernatural.
10. Stay focused on the vision and never quit.
It’s easy to be distracted, frustrated, or discouraged. God will always be faithful to finish what He has spoken though. Fight for the vision, work it, and trust God to be faithful. Don’t give up on God’s promises.
What are some thoughts you've learned about getting results with little resources?
Labels: development, leadership, management, ministry
