During the last week of each year I like to review my personal journal and reflect on what I've experienced and learned in the past year. Here are some of the lessons I've learned (or re-learned) this past year:
1. Making the “tough call” is one of the most important roles of leadership!
I've known this to be true, but I have been reminded of the importance of this truth and re-learned this lesson this past year in making some of the difficult decisions in leadership that must be made by a leader. Even when it is not always understood or appreciated, leaders earn the right to lead when they have the courage to make the "tough calls" of leadership! It is often uncomfortable and unpopular to make the tough call - which is what makes it tough. If the leader is wise, these difficult decisions actually help the organization and the people they lead! Leaders must lead, especially when there is the need to make a "tough call."
2. Taking “calculated risks” is also important in leadership!
It is easier not to take risks, but it is not always better. We must take "calculated risks" in order to advance our cause. Leaders shouldn't take careless risks, but after careful calculation we must have the courage to take the risks which will move our mission forward. I was reminded of this lesson this year when we "launched" our new campus in the small town of Roanoke. This is a risky endeavor, but it is making an eternal difference. I was also reminded of this lesson when I took the risk throughout the year to invite people to step across the line of faith - at camp, in baptism, and in response to God's promptings in their lives! AND GOD SHOWED UP!
3. Simple is often better!
Several books that I read this year brought this lesson home to me, including the book I had our staff read, "Simple Church." The more simple we become, the clearer we become. A simple vision is clearer. A simple plan is clearer. And simple is often much more effective. Complexity is the enemy of effectiveness. This is true in the marketplace and in ministry! So this year I have attempted to simplify, corporately and personally. When we remove the clutter, we create margin and this leaves room for growth! Simple is in. I'm just a simple guy - so this is good!
4. Extreme Generosity honors God ... and God honors extreme generosity!
This lesson became more clear to me when I was able to attend a "Generous Church Summit" with Andy Stanley and about 200 other leaders in Atlanta this year. When we approach things with a scarcity mindset, we don't really tap into the heart of God. So we must "live it" and "teach it" to really "experience it." Our church gave away more money this year than any time in our history! When the Hunt Club Apartments experienced a devastating fire we cleaned out our Compassion/Benevolence Fund and gave every family who was displaced a gift card in partnership with one of our members who is the manager of the local Wal-Mart. We also gave away the first 10% of our Building Offerings to some of our partners in ministry to help them with their needs first! In my opinion, it was the best thing we did financially this year!
5. People will rise to the challenge – so challenge them!
As a pastor and a preacher it sometimes feels like you will "scare people away" if you push people too far - but more often than not, I probably don't push enough. I would say the messages that I preached which were best received this past year were the ones in which I made the most bold challenges. Whether the challenge was to "grow up" or "give up" - the greater the challenge, the greater the response. In February we issed a "Tithing Challenge" and had the largest offering month in our history! People love to rise to the challenge! Lord, help me to rise to become even more challenging!
6. I am not important–but Jesus is very important!
This lesson came to me in my own personal reflection on the death of one of our founding members and a saint of God, Lee Robbins. Lee and his wife Dee who preceded him in death were quiet but dependable. They were some of the most humble servants of God that I have ever known. Sometimes as a pastor/leader I mistakenly think that I need to be important - but then I'm reminded of people like Lee & Dee. They are my heroes in the faith. When I led the casket carrying Lee's body out of our church for the last time, I was weeping tears of sorrow and of joy. And I was reminded of this truth. Like John the Baptist said of Jesus, my resolve is that "He must increase ... I must decrease." I am not important.
7. The more I “get away," the closer I get to hearing God!
This one never ceases to amaze me. Sometimes it seems like my job is to be "in the office," but I continue to discover that when I only spend time in the office, I can easily lose perspective. When I "get away" is when I begin to hear from God! It is ironic that I have to get away from the church to hear from the Lord - this probably says more about me than the church. I just get so absorbed in the administrivia of ministry at the office. Whether it is for a personal retreat, a conference, or just a visit someplace else - I grow more in my role and in my soul when I get away!
8. Real Treasure is found in relationships, not real estate!
I've always know this was true, but it really came home to me this year when I spent time on the island of Hispanolia! In January I was in Haiti, and reminded again of the precious value of people. I'm humbled by the example of Tom Osbeck, my friend and partner in ministry. He has given his life to live among the people of this impoverished nation to be "Jesus in Haiti." Tom may not own much real estate, but he is storing up serious treasure in heaven! When my own daughter Ashley made the decision to move to the other part of that island and teach in the Dominican Republic I was reminded again of how much more I treasure my family than I do anything else in the world! I was a mess when she left, and while she was gone - there is nothing more precious in the universe to me than my relationship with my wife and my kids! Nothing!
9. Hard times are filled with needs & opportunities!
Whether it is in Haiti, the DR, or right here in the USA - when hard times hit people, there are great needs and there are great opportunities. One of the reasons I'm thrilled to have partnerships in Haiti, Kenya, and Burma is because we can make a big difference there - one life at a time. The needs are great - and we can't solve them all - but the opportunities are tremendous for the Gospel of Jesus Christ! The same is true as our country enters a difficult time of economic recession. In the mids of the hardships will be many opportunities to trust God and witness to the power of His presence in the lives of people! I don't enjoy experiencing any of the pain, but in the midst of these times there is room for great Kingdom gain!
10. In God’s Timing … All things are possible!
The election of Senator Barak Obama as the next President of the United States has been historic. I must admit that I did not expect to see this in my lifetime. The obstacles and the challenges have simply been so great for people of color in our nation. I am still troubled by some of the positions Mr. Obama has advocated and I am not confident that he will lead our nation in the direction that I think is best, but I am commited to pray for him and ask God's blessing upon his leadership. God is still soverign, and with God ... all things are possible!
I intend to keep learning in the new year - and I'm thankful for these lessons that have come my way in this past year. Lord, teach me your ways, I pray!
SRB
... Sunsets are nice in the Florida Keys.
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