IT FACTORS:
- if you want your ministry to have it, more important than anything else, we've discussed, you must have it
- As we increase, it decreases
- God is what you need and is the answer to your problems
- If you think you can buy it, you've already lost it
- You might need to start with the confession, "I've lost it. I've taken my eyes off the prize. I've been distracted from a wholehearted pursuit of Christ."
- Ask God to give it back
- To get it back, do the things that brought it before
- God will help you find what you didn't mean to lose
-When you become comfortable and complacent in your relationship with God, you'll lose it. Comfort is the enemy of faith. Without faith, it's impossible to please God
- Your greatest limitation is often your mind. Your body can do more than your mind can understand
- Let God stretch you. Attempt what others say can't be done. You have more in you than you realize. God has put more in you than anyone else sees. Ask God to stretch you. As he does, you might start to find it again.
- If you want to keep it, ask God to ruin you. Expose yourself to something you know will move you. Feed the hurt. Let it grow. Let it bother you. Invite it to overtake you. God loves to give it to ruined people.
- To be healed, we have to first admit the ways we're sick or in need, you might have to face something you've stuffed, ignored, or rationalized for years. Are you ready to confess your need?
IT FACTORS:
Chapter 11: Mindset over Model
-Churches without it often think the solution is changing their church's style. It's not. The issue is not the model; it's the mindset
- The church must be people focused and Jesus centered. Most Christians would say they are. We need to live it out in our actions and in our teachings
- The church must allow for in-process conversions. We know that transformation is a process, and so we give people room to doubt and ask their questions
-Instead of being angry when someone is slow in making spiritual progress or takes a step backward, we choose to believe this might be part of the process
- We need to have the same patience with people that God has with us
- We need to help people know they are needed and known
Chapter 12: Creating Systems That Empower It
- Goals do not determine success. Systems do
- We don't have people problems. We have system problems
- Strong systems make good people look great. Weak systems make great people look bad
- Systems create behaviors. Behaviors become habits. Habits drive outcomes
- Healthy systems never happen by accident
- Never underestimate how God can start something big through one small habit
- The ultimate it is faithfulness
IT FACTORS:
- The more possessive and competitive we are, the more divided we become
- A kingdom-minded ministry is more about what God is doing everywhere than what God is doing right here
- If you are kingdom minded, you will speak well of and promote other churches and ministries
- A kingdom-minded ministry is generous and hungry to partner with others to get more done for the glory of God
- When you have it, you know that it doesn't belong to you. It belongs to God. He gives it. Since it is his and not yours, you're willing to share it
- The more you try to keep it, the less of it you tend to have. The more you are willing to give it away, the more of it God seems to give
- Kingdom-minded churches ask, "What do we have that we can give away?" and, "How can we partner with other ministries to grow God's kingdom?"
IT FACTOR:
- When we love deeply, love makes us do things we wouldn't otherwise do
- To have it, we have to care about those who are far from God. Many people don't
- We need to recognize that our friends desperately need Jesus
- When our churches look inward instead of outward, we're basically saying to nonbelievers, "You can just go to hell."
- Outreach is a team event, and we each have a part to play
- Be careful not to blame yourself if someone rejects Christ. If you do, you might be tempted to take credit when someone accepts him
- Love overcomes any obstacle. we need to be willing to do whatever it takes to reach people who are far from God
- We need to have the faith to clearly share the gospel story and expect people to respond
IT FACTORS
- Failure is not an option. It is a necessity
- If you're not failing, you've stopped dreaming. You'll eventually stop learning and you will stop growing. those who have it fail often
- It is impossible to please God without faith, which means we have to risk
- Sometimes the fruit of your steps of faith is measured not so much by what God does through you as by what God does in you
- Failure is often the tuition for success (adapted from Walter Brunell)
- Debrief after you fail so it becomes a learning experience
- If you're breathing, God's not finished with you
- If you've failed, you have learned something others haven't and are in the perfect position to try again and succeed
- Great leaders learn the art of failing forward
- The pain of regret is often greater than the pain of failure. So get out of the boat
IT FACTORS
- Leaders with it do more than just think of new ideas; they actually do the new ideas
- Innovation is more about mindset than money
- God often guides by what he doesn't provide
- Problems are opportunities in disguise
- Problem to Solve + Limited Resources + Increasing Passion = Exponential Innovation
- You have everything you need to do what God wants you to do
- Innovative leaders do anything short of sin to reach the lost
- "All it takes is one idea to solve an impossible problem" (Robert Schuller)
- Innovation is awesome, but don't put your faith in it. Keep your faith in Christ
IT FACTORS
- People on teams that have it enjoy it together.
- As long as you're afraid of intimacy and spiritual partnership, you likely won't experience it.
- God is calling us to more than just a personal relationship with Jesus. He wants us to experience a shared relationship with him.
- Those who don't have it compete with one another. Those with it complete one another.
- We need to take time to celebrate our wins together.
- To have it, you have to share it with each other. It dies when it is alone.
- Leaders with it understand the big picture, have fun, get naked, celebrate the wins, and fight behind closed doors.
IT FACTORS
- Those who do it all tend to lose it .
- The clearer your vision becomes, the easier it is to guard.
- Instead of saying, "and," maybe you need to say "or."
- If you chase two rabbits, both will escape.
- To be great at a few things and experience it, you have to say no to many things.
- Innovation requires saying no to a thousand things.
- When focus increases, options decrease.
- Those who have it stick with what brings it.
- You grow with your nos.
IT FACTORS
- Without vision, the people will never get it and keep it.
- Without a compelling vision, staff and volunteers get frustrated, disagree, and burn out.
- It doesn't show up on its own. it follows big vision.
- The vision must be memorable, portable, and motivational.
- You can't over communicate vision.
- People give sacrificial toward, tolerate inconveniences for, and love to share a compelling vision.
IT FACTORS
- It is not a model, system or result of programs.
- You cannot purchase it. It can't be copied.
- Not everyone will get it.
- It cannot be learned. Even though it can't be taught, it can be taught.
- It happens when we allow God to grow certain vital characteristics in us and the ministries we lead.
QUALITIES THAT HELP WITH IT:
- Vision
- Divine Focus
- Unmistakable camaraderie
- Innovative minds
- Willingness to fall short
- Hearts focused outward
- Kingdom-mindedness
IT FACTORS
- The good news: if you don't have it, you can get it.
- The bad news: if you have it, you can lose it.
IT FACTORS
- Beautiful buildings, cool environments, and the right technology aren't necessary to have it.
- A person surrendered fully to Christ gets it.
- Once a person has it, he can't keep it to himself.
Acts 2:42-47
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 4:31-35
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
Season two is coming! Listen now and find out what to expect!
On this episode we are talking about Presence. You will only handle the inevitable weakness, failure, and sin of your leaders when you view them through the lease of the presence, power, promises, and grace of Jesus.
On this episode we are talking about Longevity. For church leaders, ministry longevity is always the result of gospel community.
On this episode we are talking about Restoration. If a leadership community is formed by the gospel, it will always be committed to a lifestyle of fresh starts and new beginnings.
On this episode we are talking about Identity. Where your leaders look for identity always determines how they lead.
On this episode Dr. Michael Delbonis joins as we talk about Candor. A spiritually healthy leadership community is characterized by the humility of approachability and the courage of loving honesty.
On this episode we are talking about Servants. A call to leadership in the church is a call to a life of willing sacrifice and service.
On this episode Matthew Dennis join as we talk about War. It is essential to understand that leadership in any gospel ministry is spiritual warfare.