I dedicate a good chunk of time each week to professional development. Here's eleven reasons why: Proverbs 2:3 says "cry out for insight and understanding..." Proverbs 4:7 says "Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do! Proverbs 8:10 says "Choose instruction rather than silver, and knowledge over pure gold. For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Proverbs 12:15 says "Fools think they need no advice, but the wise listen to others. Proverbs 13:10 says "...those who take … [Read more...]
Micromanagement vs Undermanagement
As leaders, we can't be so afraid of micromanaging that we become guilty of undermanaging. In short, undermanagement is worse than micromanagement. In It's Ok To Be The Boss Bruce Tulgan points out the dangers of undermanagement. When you undermanage: Fires get started that never would have happened Fires get out of control that could have been put out easily Resources are squandered People go in the wrong direction for days or weeks on end before anybody notices Low performers hide out … [Read more...]
Help People See The Larger Picture
It's hard to have volunteers serve willingly and with a good attitude if you don't help them see the larger picture. When they're arriving at early on Sunday morning to set up for church, they're not just setting up equipment...they're preparing for lives to be changed. When they volunteer in the kids ministry, they're not just babysitting kids...they're introducing kids to Jesus (some for the first time)! It's easy for our volunteers to focus on WHAT THEY'RE DOING instead of WHAT IS RESULTING … [Read more...]
The Big Ask
If you are going to be successful in church planting, you can't be afraid to make what I call "the big ask" of people. That is, you can't be afraid to ask people to make huge sacrifices and join what you're doing. One of my favorite "big ask" examples comes from Acts 16:1-5. "Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy...Timothy was well thought of by the believers...so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey. In deference to the Jews of the … [Read more...]
Handwritten Thank You Notes
When someone writes a check or makes a donation that hits or exceeds $1,000 I always write a handwritten thank you note. I always have custom New Day thank you cards ready in my drawer for just such occasions. Someone recently sent a check in for $4,000. Here's what I wrote in the note I sent them: Thank you so much for your recent gift of $4,000. We are launching a new tween ministry and this money will really help with the associated start up costs. So far in the first half of 2014 (compared … [Read more...]
How to Make Purchases
Back in 2008, in preparation for our very first service, there were lots and lots of purchases to make. I was crippled by how many choices I had. For example, not only were there a hundred different kinds of speakers to choose from, but each brand then had about ten different tiers of speakers. I shared this problem with a pastor named Dave Highlander and he shared with me this purchasing principle: Quality, not extravagance. I found this so helpful! I would go to Guitar Center (or wherever) … [Read more...]
It Takes Courage to Lead
Growing up my mom taught my siblings and I that courage isn't the absence of fear; it's doing the right thing even when you're afraid. And this is the kind of courage it takes to lead; courage that will act despite how you feel. Here's a couple for instances: It takes courage to do the right thing, even when it might cost you something (i.e. like letting a bad volunteer or staff go without knowing who God will raise up to replace them). It takes courage to stand before your congregation and … [Read more...]
Is the Sabbath for Today?
The Sabbath is God's burnout prevention plan. Here's six reasons we know the Sabbath is important to God: God modeled it. In Genesis 1:3-2:3 God rested on the seventh day after creating the world and everything in it. God commanded it. In Exodus 16:23 and 20:8-10 God commanded the Israelites to work for six days and then rest on the seventh day. God gave extra attention to it. In the list of ten commandments found in Exodus 20 God dedicated 99 words to the Sabbath. In comparison, murder only … [Read more...]
The Sermon Run-Through
Every Thursday at 1pm I preach Sunday's sermon to my staff. When I'm done I go through each page of the message and ask for their input (i.e. What parts need more work? What parts were confusing? What parts were boring?). We call this the sermon run-through. Here are two main benefits of doing a sermon run-through. It gives you the chance to get feedback, so you know how to improve your message before Sunday. It ensures you aren't practicing on your congregants. By the time you preach the … [Read more...]
Someone Will Pay the Price
Someone will pay the price for your sermon. Either you pay the price in preparation or the people will pay the price on Sunday. Here’s a couple things I do to ‘pay the price’ so the people of New Day don’t have to: If I’m teaching on divorce for example, I will look up all the verses in the Bible that relate to divorce. Then I’ll usually read a book or two on divorce. Then I’ll usually listen to a sermon or two by other preachers that have taught on divorce. This of course requires you develop … [Read more...]