Big Is The New Small

All of the LifeChurch.tv Campus Pastors and Central Team Leaders are in town this week for a couple days of fun, fellowship, strategic planning and iron sharpen iron time.  We played dodge-ball and had dinner together last night; today we will be meeting all-day at my campus.

I get the opportunity to share with everyone “How To Create A Healthy Team Culture.”  In preparing for my talk and discussion, I got my team involved.  One thing I asked them to do was answer or comment on this question:   “What is the one piece of advice that you would give to a campus pastor for creating a Healthy Team culture?”  I have compiled their thoughts as written by them into this “13 Ways” list.  You can substitute your organizations name in place of LifeChurch.tv or Campus. 13 Ways To Create A Healthy Staff Culture

1.       I love that we have a flexible environment so I know if I need to get something done I don’t have to come in & explain myself…I just do it!  I think that allows us the margin to do what we need to do and makes us willing to do whatever it takes to get what we need to get done for work done.

2.       To be truly intentional about your relationships with the team.  To reach out and care and know who your team is and what is going on in their lives outside of work. Not that fake I’m your boss routine crap of how are you doing.

3.       Lead by example!!!  In every situation be like that of Christ; so that you won’t cause someone else stumble by your actions!!! 

4.       Fostering an open and non-judgmental work environment, where people feel free to express their thoughts and feelings, empowers your staff to not only enjoy work but to look forward to coming back each day.

5.       Know your team members strengths. Lifechurch went to extreme lengths to hire the right person for that position on your team. The tools have been provided for you to rapidly learn their strengths and personality. Be a student of these strengths and attributes to understand how they contribute to the greater good and purpose of the Campus.

6.       Productivity happens where there is flexibility.

7.       Care about your team members as people, not just as employees. We can tell the difference. Care about what’s going on in their lives, encourage their interests outside of Lifechurch, etc. WHY? I care even more about what I do for LifeChurch if I feel like I am cared about for more than what I bring to LifeChurch.

8.       “Stop controlling, and start releasing your staff.  Realize that God has placed kingdom dreams within your people, and your leadership responsibility is to release what God has placed in your people.”

9.       Your position doesn’t ensure that I will trust.  My trust must be earned.

10.   Just because you’re the boss doesn’t mean you can’t learn from those you lead.

11.   Have open communication with everyone. If there is an issue with a team member, we ALL talk about it. WHY? When we’re all talking about it candidly, it prevents us from talking behind each other’s backs. It also allows the person with the “issue” to talk about it. When we know where they’re coming from and we know they are working on it, it prevents further frustration. Whether it’s an attitude problem or an issue of meeting deadlines, we all talk about it and encourage each other to grow.

12.   Take the time to be genuinely interested in the lives of your staff. They will want to work for you, if they know they aren’t just another number.

13.   Create a fun environment. WHY? It’s hard to get stressed out about anything because I laugh so much every day. You can work really hard and have a really good time. It doesn’t have to be one or the other.

Bonus: Minimize Meetings!!!

Share your thoughts on, or experience with any of these 13?  Do you have any additional to add?

Reason #3 Ignorance

There are some ignorant people in this world and many of those ignorant people are leading churches around the country.  Before you get all bent out of shape and begin to say things in your head like “Who you callin’ ignorant Willis or My pastor is not ignorant” let’s look at the definition of ignorance.  I have actually copied the entire chunk of definitions, in order to provide more context.

Ignorance:

1. The condition of being ignorant; the want of knowledge in general, or in relation to a particular subject; the state of being uneducated or uninformed.
2. Ignorance is the curse of God, Knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to heaven. –Shak.
3. (Theol.) A willful neglect or refusal to acquire knowledge which one may acquire and it is his duty to have. –Book of Common Prayer.

By looking at these definitions of ignorance, each and every one of us are ignorant about some things; although just because I am ignorant doesn’t mean I have to stay ignorant.  There are so many pastors, church leaders and congregations that lack the knowledge of this particular subject called Church Diversity.  They don’t know what to say in fear of offending someone, they don’t know where to start because they are uneducated in this area, they assume things that aren’t true because they are uninformed and the list goes on and on.

Let’s take another look at the 3rd. definition of ignorance (above) from the book of common prayer.   ”A willful neglect or refusal to acquire knowledge which one may acquire and it is his duty to have.”   I personally feel that pastors and church leaders have a duty and responsibility to at least be knowledgeable about Church Diversity; this knowledge is the beginning of understanding.  If our mission is to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ, we have to understand that sometimes that “People” will not always be the box of people that look like us or those currently attending our church.

I will close with definition #2 from above: Ignorance is the curse of God, Knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to heaven.  If pastors and church leaders at least make an effort to be knowledgeable and educated on what it means to embrace diversity it will change their minds, heart and perspective.  Does this mean they will have a diverse church tomorrow?  Absolutely not!  Again, if church leaders and pastors at least open their minds and hearts to learn… God will do the rest in context of their church and their community.  Be Open and Don’t Be Ignorant!  

Are You Ignorant?  Is Your Church Ignorant? Is Your Pastor Ignorant? Do We Have To Stay Ignorant? Thoughts!

I remember having a conversation with a pastor friend of mine who happens to be a female.  She was sharing the various unique things that women in the church have confided in her about; one of the things that she shared made me have one of those hmm moments.  She stated that women have shared that They Think Their Pastor’s Sexy!  Not to be confused with the popular country music song “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy.”   Not only do they think their Pastor’s Sexy, but they struggle with their mind wandering; in addition to having lustful thoughts as they are watching and listening to their pastor speak.

Pastor Craig Groeschel teaches the art of  “Bouncing Your Eyes” in other words don’t keep your eyes focused on someone of the opposite sex for too long… keeping your eyes moving can keep you out of trouble.  This is something that is stereotypically geared towards guys… but what about the ladies?

After my conversation with my friend; it’s probably fair for me to make the assumption that there are women sitting in pews and seats of churches all around the country that may be struggling with the inability to “Bounce Their Eyes.”  As their eyes are having to fixated on their “Sexy Pastor,” who happens to be in front of them for lengthy periods of time each and every week.  The fact that their pastor is a man of God, tells great stories and seems to be rather put together only increases the the sexiness factor.

The thoughts running through their head might be something like this: He’s Hot, I like that suit, Are those True Religion Jeans, I wish my husband treated me like that, He’s so Handsome, Nice Hair, He dresses so fly, I can tell he’s been working out, I know he’s married but, I would, I bet he… After thinking these thoughts, their mind wanders for a moment or two or three or four and unfortunately, this cycle can repeat itself on a weekly basis.  The Bible says this… “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:28  Ladies this passage applies to you as well, so please Stop Lusting After Your Pastor! 

• Do you think this a common/legitimate problem or simply isolated cases?  Thoughts in general!
• Does this struggle for women contribute to the vulnerability and moral failures of pastors?
• Any suggestions for the ladies, Do the ladies just get a pass?

Many of you who are new to BigIsTheNewSmall may not know my story.  I spent about thirteen years in the prison system; that’s right horrible food, 8×10 cells, built up anger, razor wire….  I was an Officer, then a Counselor and finally a Warden.  This week, I am going to share some lessons that I learned while being in the prison system all of those years; some may be more graphic than others. 

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN BEING A WARDEN AND BEING A PASTOR

• I’ve found the most effective strategy for leading people, is to “Be about the people!” (Genuinely care; take care of inmates or church members).
• The method in which you lead people, can cause them to become a great asset or pain in the asset (many times the inmates were my greatest asset as a leader, the same philosphy applies to church members).
• In corrections and ministry, individuals are led by specific rules, identified culture and organized structure. (Do’s & don’ts).
• Inmates and church members act differently around the Warden and the Pastor (People in general talk different and act different around Pastors).
• Just as we Got Rid of the word Church Member and changed it to Partners; there was a time in private corrections at lower-level security facilities when we changed from using the word Inmate, to using the word Client. (Both make a difference in the overall mindset).
• Ultimately a Warden and a Pastor lead a venue where people can be confronted, held accountable, developed, challenged…. and leave personal chaos behind; in order for their lives to be truly CHANGED!

Don’t Judge, instead use Good Judgment: Bring-in, Build-up, Train & Send-out.

Any analogies come to mind with your job and The Church?  Share any other thoughts or perspectives! 

Today, as we are wrapping up this week’s series of somewhat controversial questions, I want to say thanks for joining the discussions… many times your perspectives are enlightening and eye-opening to others.  In 2007 I had posted a blog entitled “Success vs. Excess” that examined the then controversial U.S. Senate investigation of Mega-Church Pastors, their salaries, homes, riches…  There were a lot of great responses on that post; if you want a blast from the past you can check it out here.  Today’s question was inspired by similar questions that were e-mailed to me by several people… so here we go:

Should Pastors Drive Expensive Cars or Live In Expensive Homes?

This week I will pose a series of questions that might be difficult to answer, seem controversial, make you go hmm…  Although today’s question is a simple one, the answers may not be quite so simple.  Remember, the one thing about opinions is that everyone has one.   Go ahead share thoughts, opinions, scripture… just sound off.  RSS readers join the discussion as well:

Should pastors drink alcohol in public?  Why or Why not?

I was talking with a buddy of mine not long ago who was considering going through the process of obtaining his concealed carry license.  I had informed him that I’ve had my concealed carry license for quite some time… that was the beginning of a pontificatory (I think I just made up a word) conversation about pastors packin’ and owning guns. 

There are a wide range of opinions about whether or not pastors should own guns and definitely on whether or not pastors should carry handguns.  When the concealed carry law came into existence there were several states in which pastors of rural and urban churches lobbied lawmakers to change the law to add clergy to the list of those who could carry guns.  Some pastors were fearful of armed robbers stealing the offering… that’s a whole other blog-post.  I know the State of Kentucky was successful in making Pistol Packin’ Pastors a reality. 

I personally had my concealed carry license prior to being a pastor (back in my Warden days); however I am totally okay with pastors owning and packin’ pistols.  I don’t make a big deal of it, I pray that I will never have to use it and it just sits in a safe place.  The right to bear arms under the Second Amendment of the Constitution does not exclude pastors.  Again, it’s perfectly fine for a pastor to be a Pistol Packin’ Pastor and to own a gun, not only for the purposes of hunting; but for personal and family protection as well.  I know many pastor’s that agree with me; it’s simply a matter of personal choice.

I know some people are probably reading this and saying what about Love & Faith and More Love & More Faith.  I love my family and that’s why I own a gun; in case I need to use it to protect my house, my family and my stuff.   “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe.” Luke 11:21

Should pastors own or pack guns?  Overall thoughts on Pistol Packin’ Pastors?

I thought I would share a few pictures of some pastor/friends of mine and their Look-A-Likes.  I want to get your thoughts, comments and feedback on which one is the closest match:

#1.

Left: Brian Kruckenberg (LifeChurch.tv Mesa Campus Pastor) Right: Rob Bell (Author, Nooma, Mars Hill…)

#2.

Left: Herbert Cooper (Senior Pastor of People’s Church) Right: Denzel Washington (Oscar Award Winning Actor, Come on it’s Denzel enough said)

#3.

Left: Ketric Newell (LifeChurch.tv Associate Youth Pastor Edmond Campus) Right: Pete Wilson (Senior Pastor of Cross Point Church)

#4.

Left: Jimi Hendrix (Jimi Hendrix… black rock star)  Right: Stephen Cole (LifeChurch.tv Worship Pastor and black rock star)

#5

Left: (Left In Picture): Michael Bensch (stud n-dub volunteer/friend) Right:  Michael Guglielmucci (Austrailian Pastor who wrote amazing song “Healer” on Hillsong album and faked terminal illness)

• What are your thoughts; who’s the closest match? 
• Are there any other Pastor Look-A-Likes out there that you would like to share?