......Purpose
Mission and Vision > Goals > Objectives > Implementation Steps
Mission............... What Does God Want Us To Do?
Vision................. What Is The Mental Picture of Future Imparted by God?
Goals.................. What Needs To Happen For The Vision To Be Realized?
Objectives........... What Do We Need To Do To Achieve Each Goal?
Strategic Plan... Who Is Accountable And What Resources To Accomplish Objectives?
January 29, 2010
July 3, 2009
What is Extradimensional Leadership? ©
Particle physics theories argue for the existence of extra dimensions to explain the invisible forces and matter of our universe.
In theology, scholars wrestle with man’s limitations in visualizing a God that moves outside the dimensions of his own confinement. For God to design and create our universe, perform miracles, and attend to countless prayers, He must exist and govern in a realm that is extradimensional.
Extradimensional leadership involves moving above the vista of things routine, urgent, and conventional. Extra-d leaders reach into a realm where wisdom, purpose, and vision exist in mystical orbit. It is within that extradimensional realm where the genius of leadership is created and gifted upon a community.
Extradimension leadership describes the role of men and women who courageously tap into the intangible dimensions of our existence; the realm where the ageless wisdom of God collides with the call and undertaking of man.
In theology, scholars wrestle with man’s limitations in visualizing a God that moves outside the dimensions of his own confinement. For God to design and create our universe, perform miracles, and attend to countless prayers, He must exist and govern in a realm that is extradimensional.
Extradimensional leadership involves moving above the vista of things routine, urgent, and conventional. Extra-d leaders reach into a realm where wisdom, purpose, and vision exist in mystical orbit. It is within that extradimensional realm where the genius of leadership is created and gifted upon a community.
Extradimension leadership describes the role of men and women who courageously tap into the intangible dimensions of our existence; the realm where the ageless wisdom of God collides with the call and undertaking of man.
May 25, 2009
Elvis has left the Building
Back in the day when Elvis was King of Rock and Roll, fans would lose all composure at the thought of personally meeting the King. After concerts, during news conferences, or following rare public appearances, eager fans madly flocked to where rumor last had him sited.
Frenzied crowds would clog building corridors; rumors of his whereabouts would incite riots as people scrambled in response to the latest rumor (living without cell phones). Public safety concerns required promoters to make public announcements to disperse unruly crowds. After Elvis concerts it was customary to hear a public address system confirm: “ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building.” So prevalent and popular were the Elvis departure announcements that similar proclamations are still jokingly used to poke fun at those who carry an air of self-importance (e.g. Used in The Frazier Crane Show).
Groupthink and collective behavior phenomena can dictate how we worship at our many churches. Believers can become so preoccupied with the hottest worship style, spiritual manifestation, or established church liturgy that God’s presence is no longer essential or even relevant to them. It is the group (crowd) experience or sacred liturgy they yearn for and it stands paramount; the fact that God was once-upon-a-time present somehow validates their actions. They recall an event or scenario when He showed Himself powerful and they venerate those methods and traditions. Specific religious crowd behavior becomes the central point, not the truth “of and about” God. With recreated (and sometimes bizarre) episodes, frantic (or stoic) worshipers act out routines and liturgies based only upon a past God-siting.
As noted in scripture, God’s desire is for believers to worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Methods and modes that intellectually or emotionally rally believers outside biblical truth or Spiritual unction may inspire people, but history has shown it is not beneficial to the work of the Kingdom of God.
For the sake of God’s Kingdom and the spiritual welfare of believers, it may be necessary to make the familiar Elvis announcement at some of our Sunday services. With a slight spiritual twist we could announce: “ladies and gentlemen, it is possible that God has left the building.” It might be prudent to inform people that their presumptuous religious activities may very well lack the presence and affirmation of the one they name in worship.
Frenzied crowds would clog building corridors; rumors of his whereabouts would incite riots as people scrambled in response to the latest rumor (living without cell phones). Public safety concerns required promoters to make public announcements to disperse unruly crowds. After Elvis concerts it was customary to hear a public address system confirm: “ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building.” So prevalent and popular were the Elvis departure announcements that similar proclamations are still jokingly used to poke fun at those who carry an air of self-importance (e.g. Used in The Frazier Crane Show).
Groupthink and collective behavior phenomena can dictate how we worship at our many churches. Believers can become so preoccupied with the hottest worship style, spiritual manifestation, or established church liturgy that God’s presence is no longer essential or even relevant to them. It is the group (crowd) experience or sacred liturgy they yearn for and it stands paramount; the fact that God was once-upon-a-time present somehow validates their actions. They recall an event or scenario when He showed Himself powerful and they venerate those methods and traditions. Specific religious crowd behavior becomes the central point, not the truth “of and about” God. With recreated (and sometimes bizarre) episodes, frantic (or stoic) worshipers act out routines and liturgies based only upon a past God-siting.
As noted in scripture, God’s desire is for believers to worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Methods and modes that intellectually or emotionally rally believers outside biblical truth or Spiritual unction may inspire people, but history has shown it is not beneficial to the work of the Kingdom of God.
For the sake of God’s Kingdom and the spiritual welfare of believers, it may be necessary to make the familiar Elvis announcement at some of our Sunday services. With a slight spiritual twist we could announce: “ladies and gentlemen, it is possible that God has left the building.” It might be prudent to inform people that their presumptuous religious activities may very well lack the presence and affirmation of the one they name in worship.
May 6, 2009
Give Me A Break!
Hey man, give me a break!
It’s a pretty common request; most of us have probably used it numerous times. Sometimes we say it under our breath with embarrassment; sometimes we loudly appeal to those impacted by our failure.
All of us have let our family, co-workers, or teammates down at one time or another. With our request for a break we are in essence saying, “I messed up; please extend favor to me even though I don’t deserve it.” People who love and care about us cheerfully extend that sought after break.
Have you ever thought about saying that to God? Please! Give me a break. In many ways God’s break is being extended to us every day. Even though we don’t merit anything from God he gives us a break; He shows us favor we don’t deserve. The Bible calls that grace. Salvation is by grace. His many answers to prayer and His everyday presence in our lives are only experienced by His grace. Because He loves us and took the penalty for our sins and failures, He is able to say, “You have my blessing.”
Spiritual Truth: Because God shows us favor, we have the freedom to show favor to others; we can give them a break.
It’s a pretty common request; most of us have probably used it numerous times. Sometimes we say it under our breath with embarrassment; sometimes we loudly appeal to those impacted by our failure.
All of us have let our family, co-workers, or teammates down at one time or another. With our request for a break we are in essence saying, “I messed up; please extend favor to me even though I don’t deserve it.” People who love and care about us cheerfully extend that sought after break.
Have you ever thought about saying that to God? Please! Give me a break. In many ways God’s break is being extended to us every day. Even though we don’t merit anything from God he gives us a break; He shows us favor we don’t deserve. The Bible calls that grace. Salvation is by grace. His many answers to prayer and His everyday presence in our lives are only experienced by His grace. Because He loves us and took the penalty for our sins and failures, He is able to say, “You have my blessing.”
Spiritual Truth: Because God shows us favor, we have the freedom to show favor to others; we can give them a break.
April 18, 2009
Organization Is Spiritual
“And he said to his disciples, ‘Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each.’ And they did so, and made them all sit down” (Luke 9:14, 15). Luke provides a very administrative view of Jesus and the disciples feeding thousands without the necessary supplies. It was a miracle to be sure; however, there is a very non-miraculous element to what happened. In the midst of Luke’s story he reveals that Jesus not only multiplied the food, but planned the logistics as well. It appears that He organized the work to be done, assigned specific tasks, and guided the overall project. Organization was important enough to garner Jesus’ leadership. If Jesus took time to organize His ministry, we should diligently organize that which God is asking us to accomplish.
April 3, 2009
Building Codes
At a recent conference the well-respected theologian and pastor, R.C. Sproul, shared what he considered to be the scariest passage in the Bible. As he read the words of Jesus, the Holy Spirit settled them uneasily in my mind; the implication was painful and left its mark on my soul. The message recorded in Matthew 7: 21-23 is an unambiguous judgment; not upon evil emperors, adulterers, and thieves, but on preachers.
It appears the final judgment will include many ministers standing as strangers before Jesus; some will tout outstanding resumes with name recognition. Others will have long lists of accomplishments, decades of ministry, signs and wonders, great songs, teachings, deliverances, and prophetic words. Evidently, a significant number will be shocked and dismayed as they are ordered to depart from the presence of Jesus Christ.
Immediately following this somber unveiling, Jesus continues to unpack the passage by guiding His listeners through some basic building codes everyone understood. A summary might read something like: If you don’t build on a solid foundation your building will fall down and cause no small catastrophe.
Jesus is linking two fundamental truths: the collapse of an unstable building may cause physical injury and death; how much greater the spiritual implications when ministers disregard Kingdom building codes? To quote Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:27, “…great will be the fall.”
The human and spiritual carnage resulting from substandard ministry foundations has been evident and often over the last few decades. Can we understand what is happening? With careful inspection, using scriptural forensics, the damaging evidence emerges and cries out for our verdict. The foundations were flawed.
It appears the final judgment will include many ministers standing as strangers before Jesus; some will tout outstanding resumes with name recognition. Others will have long lists of accomplishments, decades of ministry, signs and wonders, great songs, teachings, deliverances, and prophetic words. Evidently, a significant number will be shocked and dismayed as they are ordered to depart from the presence of Jesus Christ.
Immediately following this somber unveiling, Jesus continues to unpack the passage by guiding His listeners through some basic building codes everyone understood. A summary might read something like: If you don’t build on a solid foundation your building will fall down and cause no small catastrophe.
Jesus is linking two fundamental truths: the collapse of an unstable building may cause physical injury and death; how much greater the spiritual implications when ministers disregard Kingdom building codes? To quote Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:27, “…great will be the fall.”
The human and spiritual carnage resulting from substandard ministry foundations has been evident and often over the last few decades. Can we understand what is happening? With careful inspection, using scriptural forensics, the damaging evidence emerges and cries out for our verdict. The foundations were flawed.
April 1, 2009
Go For the Best
Solomon’s wisdom in Proverbs is a kind of personal journal chronicling his intriguing romance with this mystical woman of charm, influence and power. So enamored was Solomon with wisdom that His only request from God was for a greater measure. What a choice! I wonder how many Christian leaders would have the insight and understanding to make that qualilty seletion?
The English word wisdom is from the Hebrew word “hokmah.” It has to do with skill in living. Wisdom was not merely an intellectual philosophical exercise, it was practical. In the western world we usually think of wisdom as primarily cerebral--the Hebrew understanding had a handy dimension; it was very blue collar.
Why did Solomon view wisdom as such a treasure?
* Someone with hokmah had a leg up on others.
* A man or woman with hokmah honored God with their lives.
* A man with hokmah had good relationships within his community.
* Hokmah shaped all of life’s experiences.
* Hokmah had moral and ethical implications.
"Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom."
(Proverbs 4:7)
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