Big Is The New Small

The great thing about being on staff at LifeChurch.tv is that we get the regular opportunity to listen to, be poured into by, and experience the presence of some amazing leaders from both inside and outside of the organization.  I want to go on the record and say that I have yet to hear anyone speak to our entire staff in such a compelling and clearly discerning way as Steven Furtick did yesterday.  I had the personal opportunity to spend some time with Furtick and he is definitely the “Real Deal” with a great spirit.  He epitomizes that next generation of young, bold, anointed leaders that God is using to significantly impact the world.  He has also surrounded himself with a team of young, hungry and humble individuals…  and with God’s continued favor on Pastor Furtick’s leadership, they have an indescribable future.

During his talk to our team he used the analogy of a time that he was at an Elevation Church service and was standing on the front row during worship.  As he was experiencing worship he noticed the the music mix sounded really bad and after the service he complained to his team about how bad the mix was.  They explained to him that there is a dead spot on the front row where he was standing.  They went on to inform him that he was so close to the musical vibrations that he couldn’t hear what the rest of the room was hearing.   

Furtick challenged the LifeChurch.tv staff to embrace and understand the impact that LifeChurch.tv has made on his generation, him personally, Elevation Churchand churches around the globe.  As LifeChurch.tv staff members, we are in the middle of the ministry, on the front lines…  basically we are on the front row and potentially in The Dead Spotand as a result we might not hear the vibrations and feel the impact LifeChurch.tv has on the entire world.

He also said “You got paid to listen to Bill Freakin’ Hybels, Are You Kidding Me!”

Many times in life we are so close and so involved that we don’t see The Dead Spot in our conversations, relationships, leadership, family, life, calling, spirituality, sin, lifestyle…  We need to get up an move around so that we can hear the sound of the music, the way God intended us to hear it.

First of all I want to say that Bill Hybels is the man, he’s anointed and straight up has the E.F. Hutton Principle working: “When He Talks, People Listen.”  He had some of the best quotes, one liners, aha moments, contemplative points… and the entire time he talked people were quiet as a church mouse.  There were several things that he shared that really have me stirring; some of my thoughts I am not even prepared to share at this moment.  What I would like to share is a quote from Hybels’ Q&A time with Craig.  Hybels said:

Cool Is Not Cool Anymore!

This quote was in reference to the fact that we “The Church” can out-cool and over-cool ourselves.  Hybels went on to say that people want more than just a mild dose of God.  In other words, and in my humble opinion this new movement of the “Relevant Church” can fixate itself so much on trying to be cool and relevant that they miss the main thing.  Don’t get me wrong I do think it’s necessary to confront people with the Gospel and provide an engaging, relevant and comfortable environment.  I also think that we can go over the top with  some of this stuff; all of the isms referring to a church that is “not cool” and focus too much on trying to be cool, as opposed to creating an environment where people experience God.

We need to Transcend the Isms and one of the first Ism that we need to transcend is the word ”Churchy.”  The bottum line after all is said and done, cool or not, “churchy” or not, it’s still a church and the local church is God’s chosen vessel to reach the world with the Good News.

• Are we “The Church” becoming too cool for God?  Any other thoughts on “Generation Cool?”
• Is the word “Churchy” getting on your nerves or do you even hear ot being used?

Follow me on twitter, I will be frequently updating my thoughts, experiences and sharing quotes: www.twitter.com/scottwilliams

This is one of those blog post titles that the search engines will really like.  Today we are kicking off our annual LifeChurch.tv all-staff event; we call it The October Event.  I know you are probably thinking, that’s quite a name for the most innovative church in America… well innovation comes in many variations and I like the name.  This event allows for every single staff member from every single campus, central office, network church and their spouses once a year to come together for a great time to be inspired, worship, have fun and fellowship.  During the course of the next three days we will be hearing from Bill Hybels, Steven Furtick and our Senior Pastor Craig Groeschel.

This morning we will kick off our Level 5 Leaders meeting which is comprised of the Directional Leadership Team, Central Team Leaders, Regional Campus Pastors and Campus Pastors along with their spouses.  The Level 5 Meeting is always a great time to hang, share and have some iron sharpen iron time with your peers.  The Level 5 Leaders meeting will last the majority of the day and we will reconvene this evening with the entire all-staff from all the campuses, central teams, network churches and their spouses for dinner.  We have a special treat for dinner this evening, as Bill Hybels will be tonight’s speaker. 

This event is a busy time, but a great time of learning, worshiping, dreaming and connecting.  We will hear from Steven Furtick tomorrow and Craig on Friday.  I will keep you posted as to the things God stirs up over these next few days.

Follow me on twitter, I will be frequently updating my thoughts, experiences and sharing quotes: www.twitter.com/scottwilliams

• Any questions, thoughts or comments? 
• How important is team development and connection within an organization?
• Share any beneficial staff connection times that you have experienced within an organization?