Ideas have the power to change an organization, change a life and change the world.

• Think about a song that’s moved your heart closer to God.
• Think about a resource that helped you achieve greater results.
• Think about a book that shaped your values and character.
• Think about a church that’s transformed your life.

All of us have encountered things that have significantly changed the course of our life.  But think about it…those things that changed us, added value to, challenged, or shaped us… didn’t always exist.  There was a point in time when someone, somewhere had a thought…an idea.  In that moment God touched their mind with inspiration and they said to themselves, “What if?”  And then a God inspired idea was born.

Often in those moments a battle takes place in our mind.  Right on the heels of inspiration comes the temptation to doubt the ideas legitimacy.  Our minds race with thoughts like, “This is crazy”, “I can’t do this”, “what will other people think” or “this is impossible.” But don’t forget sometimes great ideas require great risk and great sacrifice.

Somewhere in your heart there’s a passion, a gifting, a calling to do something great.  Don’t ignore it because the world needs more great songs, great books, great resources and great churches.

We follow a great God, so attempt great things.

For years I used to set a goal of reading 52 books between January 1 and December 31.  And for several years I accomplished that goal.  I still think that’s a good discipline for a young leader, but as I grew older something inside told me to slow down.  I sensed I was at a stage where I needed to focus less on information and focus more on transformation.  So I started reading fewer books. But that still wasn’t having the growth impact I was longing for.

It took a while but I finally developed a 6 Question System for reading that seemed to take me deeper into the content and impacted my thinking in a more tangible way. Today when I read a book I start by reading the table of contents and dividing it into sections.  Sometimes a section is one chapter, sometimes it’s 2 or 3 chapters.  But I define the specific chunks in the book I will apply these questions too.  I find this more helpful than applying all six questions to every single chapter.  As I read here are the six questions that force me to read that section on a deeper level.  I hope you find this as helpful as I have.

• What stood out to you the most? I don’t actually write the answer to this question.  But I answer this by using a highlighter to mark every sentence that stood out to me.  In a 10-page chapter this may be as many as 40-60 sentences that stood out as important or as key thoughts.
• What challenged your thinking the most? Now that I’ve finished reading the chapter I go back and read my highlights and put a “C” by no more than three highlights.  Next I write down in my journal (Evernote) the answer to what challenged me the most.  Narrowing it down to just three things that challenged me and writing the answer to that question makes me process the content at a whole new depth.
• What did you question or disagree with? It’s always tempting to skip over this question.  Many times we don’t pause long enough to question the content of what we just read.   So I look back over my highlights and put a “?” beside one or two things I questioned or disagreed with. Next I write in my journal what or why I disagreed.  Or if I didn’t disagree with anything I write out what questions were raised in my mind.  This forces me to look at the content from a different angle and process even deeper.
• What 3-5 action steps will you take as a result of your reading? Next I write down what I’m going to do as a result of reading the content of the chapter or section.  If you don’t put into practice the principles you learned those principles will never be translated into new behaviors.  So force yourself to find a few action steps you will take.  Remember there is no transformation without application.
• What area did my reading reveal where I need to grow? Now to really get the subject material into your soul think though an area of Personal Growth the reading revealed for you.  As I look back over my highlights I put a “-“ beside a section that reveals a needed growth area of my life.  Then I write out where and how I need to grow in that area.  So as you review your reading section ask yourself:  Did it highlight a specific area of weakness that I need to work on?  Did it reveal a poor attitude, an undeveloped skill, a bad habit, a relational roadblock that needs to be dealt with?  If we really want to change we’ll take the time to identify those specific areas of growth potential in our own life.
• What area of strength did this reading affirm about my leadership? Finally, I look for strengths that the chapter affirmed in my life or leadership.  As I read back over the highlights I put a “+” beside the section that revealed what I am good at. We become better leaders when we focus on developing our strengths. So make sure you allow the content you’re reading to affirm the positive aspects of your leadership.

So grab a good book that you think will challenge you to grow as a leader.  Buy a journal or open up your Evernote. And don’t forget, this method of reading requires greater patience but results in bigger payoff.  Hey, give it a try and let me know what you think.

Finding a new job in this economy is difficult. So if you’re dissatisfied where you’re at instead of trying to find a new organization why not try a new outlook. Here are four steps you can take that might help you find greater satisfaction right where you’re at.

Clarify your strengths. The Gallup research shows that employees who operate in their areas of strengths are more satisfied and engaged in their work. If you’re struggling knowing what your strengths are read: Now Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham.  On page 79 the author provides a link to the strengthfinder assessment which will help you identify your top 5 strengths.

Identify your weaknesses. When we’re working primarily in your weaknesses it’s difficult to find momentum or satisfaction. Sometimes simply writing down the things you’re not good at can lead to a productive plan for change. If this seems to be your challenge I recommend you read another book by Marcus Buckingham, Go Put Your Strengths To Work,.  This book also offers an online assessment that helps you measure how engaged you are at your current job.

Clarify your outcomes. Progress and productivity feel good. If you’re working day in and day out and not feeling like you’re making a significant contribution then it’s time to rethink your outcomes. What do you want to see happen as a result of the 40-50 hours a week you invest at work? Write down some specific goals that you can aim toward over the next 90 days. If you don’t like goal setting I recommend you read Stop Setting Goals by Bob Beihl.

Connect relationally. It’s difficult to find energy when you feel isolated and alone. Again, Gallup’s research shows that people are more engaged and productive when they feel like they have a friend at work. Sometimes people are unable to connect at work because they’ve never developed the people skills they need to make friendships.  If you’re struggling with feeling isolated I recommend you read Relational Intelligence by Steve Saccone.

So if you’re struggling with your job, before looking in the classifieds give a few of these suggestions a try.  A change in your situation is not always an option, but a change in your attitude always is.

This morning I counted over 25 verses in the New Testament that refer to leaders being a “servant of God.” Paul, Peter, James, Jude and John, each great leaders and each called a “servant of God. “  I don’t know that I always like that title.  I want to be “Leader for God” or “Go to Guy for God” or sometimes I even want to be “Consultant to God”.

Come on admit it…aren’t’ there times you find yourself questioning God on His decisions, resourcing, timing or outcomes?  If left up to me I would do things differently, faster, bigger, simpler or flashier. It’s not easy to take on the disposition of a servant. To often, I think I know best and I find myself acting like a consultant to God rather than a servant of God.  As a consultant to God I urge Him to move according to my timeline, advise Him on the next “best” move, warn Him about potential obstacles and recommend preferred outcomes.  A consultant to God “tells”.  A servant of God listens.  A consultant to God says “God, do this or that”.  A servant of God simply says, “Here I am Lord, send me.”

Are you living as a consultant to God or a servant of God?

There is nothing worse than not being motivated. The Gallup organization indicates that as many as 74% of US employees are not “fully engaged” in their work. In other words they are going through the motions but not finding meaning or fulfillment in their work. So what can you do to kick start your motivation and get a little fire back in your belly? Here are a few simple ideas.

Be a Ferocious learner. When you are learning it expands your mind and gives you new ideas. And fresh ideas are like gasoline in your motivational tank.

Exercise Daily. Sometimes our lack of motivation is not emotional but physical. Get outside, get moving and you’ll find that when the endorphins start firing you will get a spring in your step both physically and mentally.

Put Your Strengths to Work. There’s nothing more motivating and fulfilling than doing the things you’re good at. Take a look at your week and plan out your projects and time based around those things that you do best. When you do this you’ll begin to see results and get that feeling that you’re making a difference.

Study Best Practices. Sometimes we aren’t motivated because we’re stuck in routine, doing the same things the same ways. Take some time, look around you at some of the industry leaders in your field and study their best practices. This will give you fresh ideas which will lead to fresh motivation.

Get away. Sometimes a simple change of scenery can give you a whole new perspective. Schedule some time to get away to your favorite think spot or vacation spot. Build in some think time and see what happens, it’s likely this time of mediation will lead to some inspiration.

Put Your Goals in Writing. Schedule an hour where you can think through what God might want you to accomplish over the next six months. Pray it through, think it through, talk it through, then write it down. I find that every time I put my goals in writing in sparks a new fire in my heart.

Okay, there are 6 ideas to get you going. What else would you add to this list?

One of the most important questions a workaholic pastor can ask himself is: What am I sacrificing for the Gospel?  As I’ve pointed out this past week God never asks us to sacrifice our health or our marriage.  But when we confuse busyness for sacrifice we excuse our illegitimate behaviors as the pursuit of Kingdom impact.  In reality these behaviors are evidence of pride and a deficient view of God. I’ll never forget driving down the road when my kids where younger and one of my sons said, “Dad I hate you being a pastor”.  When I asked why he spoke of my ever constant distraction with serving “my church”.  While I never would have said it out load, my behavior screamed that “God needs me in order to accomplish His work in my community.”  That’s pride. That’s a low view of God. And that’s an attitude that leads pastors down a dangerous path. An over pre-occupation with ministry communicates to our children that our relationship with “our church” is a greater priority than our relationship with them.

#3 God doesn’t ask us to sacrifice our family. Many pastors, especially church planters, have children who are in the formative years of life. Right after Cindy and I announced that we were going to plant a church back in 1997 I heard a well-known pastor exclaim, “If you have young children DO NOT plant a church!” That terrified us, but it was too late, the journey had begun and the calling was too obvious.  So right then and there we decided that our kids would be better because of ministry.  To be honest it was difficult.  The demands of planting were high.  But we worked hard to have special time with our kids, show them the benefits of being in ministry and include them in the God-moments along our ministry journey. Ministry can be a great classroom where our children have a front row seat to witness the provision and power of God. But ministry can also be a pre-occupation that causes us to put parenting on autopilot.

Self-Evaluation: Am I sacrificing my family because of my pre-occupation with ministry?

I was talking with a friend the other day about pastors who have moral failures in their marriage when he said something incredibly insightful, “A man who has an affair with ministry makes himself more vulnerable to an affair with another woman.” The demands of ministry can be draining, but they can also be addicting. When we succumb to any addictive behavior we become enslaved by that behavior and begin to make illegitimate sacrifices to meet our perceived need.  As I pointed out in yesterday’s post there are some things that God never asks us to sacrifice.  Our health is one, but our marriage is another.

#2 God doesn’t ask us to sacrifice our marriage. Cindy shared a static with me the other day that claims 80% of pastors wives wish their husband had chosen a different occupation.  God designed the husband wife relationship to complete one another (Genesis 2:18).  Yet many couples find that the demands of ministry actually drive them further apart.  God never asked us to sacrifice our marriage for the sake of the Gospel.  in fact, in Ephesians 5 Paul tells us the demonstration of our love for our wives should reflect Christ love for the Church.  We can easy begin to view our marriage partner solely as a ministry partner, and when we do we begin to use them instead of love and serve them. Our role as husband and leader of the home is to make sure our wives are walking in the fulfillment of God’s plan and purpose for their lives.  But there is a lurking temptation to continually plug them into roles outside their gifting for the sake of “our church”, strap them to certain expectations for the image of “our church” or neglect them for the calling of “our church”

Self-Evaluation: Am I sacrificing my marriage because of the demands of ministry?

Do you ever question the sacrifices you make for the Gospel? Jesus calls us to a life of sacrifice. In Luke 9:23 He said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Over the years I’ve watched dedicated Christ followers do this very thing by giving up prestige, power, lucrative careers, comfort, and even personal dreams to follow Christ. Choosing a life of sacrifice they dedicate 100% of their lives for Kingdom causes.

But sometimes leaders mistakenly confuse busyness, harried activity or workaholism as sacrifice. Like Christ, Paul urges a life of sacrifice. In Romans 12 he challenges us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice. But look at the result, “then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” I don’t think God’s will is for sacrifice to deteriorate our physical, emotional, or relational health. There are some things that God never asked us to sacrifice.

#1- God doesn’t ask us to sacrifice our physical health. While technology has done wonders to make us more productive, it’s also made us more accessible and busier than ever. Too many pastors run on crazy schedules not taking care of themselves physically, totally ignoring the disciplines of exercise and eating healthy. Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 6:19-20 our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Yet often times we consider the mismanagement of our health to be a lesser sin. Anyone who says, “I’m too busy to exercise” is in danger of reducing the efficiency and effectiveness of future ministry.

Self-Evaluation: Am I sacrificing my health because of the busyness of ministry?

A little over a week ago our oldest son Brandon married Brittany Schneider in one of the most beautiful and fun weddings I’ve ever attended.   It was one of the highlights of my life to stand by his side as best man and watch my son make one of the biggest commitments of his life.  A commitment to serve, cherish, adore, protect and love the woman that God hand picked for him to spend his life with.  The words to this song he wrote and sang for Brittany express the commitment they made to one another on that day. On this Valentines Day listen to the words and make a fresh commitment to your spouse. Remember Solomon said in Proverbs 18:22, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and receives favor from the Lord.”

Here’s one of the shots my Brother-In-Law Kip from Karson Photography shot that day. CLICK HERE to see more pics from that day

Leaders tend to have strong personalities, strong opinions and strong convictions.  As a result we’re easily susceptible to a spirit of pride.  Solomon warns us in Proverbs 18:12 “Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.” I don’t know that there is anything more dangerous to our leadership influence than deeply rooted pride.

• Pride encumbers learning
• Pride blocks reconciliation
• Pride blinds wisdom
• Pride destroys authentic relationships
• Pride inhibits vulnerability
• Pride limits team innovation
• Pride injures the confidence of others around you
• Pride breeds an atmosphere of condemnation
• Pride diminishes the contribution of others
• Pride ignores the power of God
• Pride fails to ask for help
• Pride results in an ego driven organization
• Pride comes before the fall

So think about it, is there any sense of pride in your life and leadership that’s limiting God’s work through you?