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| Orange Conference 2013, Gwinnet Center |
1. We are all posers.
Extreme, intense energy and passion for Jesus Christ. That
is Bob Goff. He is infectiously animated. His enthusiasm is more contagious
than the most fatal epidemic of bubonic plague. Bob
Goff clearly loves God and loves people. My defenses instantly perked when Bob said, “We are all
posers.”
But he is right.
I do not live up to the potential God has
put in us because I waste time worrying about what people think of me. We are afraid of becoming who God has created us to be and, as a
result, we don’t see people because we are so distracted by our attempt
to cover up our true selves. We lack love. We lack acceptance.
Jesus not only healed, he held. His ministry is
characterized by his exquisite ability to love people well; touching the leper,
grasping him, healing him, and showing the world that he has value.
Are you allowing your fear of 'who you really are' to
suffocate the potential God has purposely and intricately woven into you?
Be
who you are. Stop posing, start loving.
2. Leadership starts and ends with glorifying God.
Have you ever heard of Catalyst? After the 60 minute
breakout session by Brad Lomenick, President of Catalyst, I had to
investigate this leadership training and figure out how to get there! (Catalyst West coming to Irvine, CA April 2014 http://www.catalystwestcoast.com/post_event)
Building leaders in their 20s and 30s is different than the
generation before us (I am 26, so that would be 40 year olds). We approach life as a portfolio of projects, a series of
career tracks. We desire meaningful work, offering the potential for personal
and professional growth.
“Act like you don't belong, but always work your guts out like
you do,” Brad said as he explained the meaning of Hungry, Humble, Hustle.
Get up early. Stay up late.
Be the hungry 2nd, not the arrogant 1st.
Volunteer for the tough assignments no one else wants.
And in all things, be the best. God’s glory is at stake!
3. Children and youth are not our future. We must invest and
build leaders now.
Our kids go to children’s church from pre-k through
elementary, graduate to middle school youth group, and eventually make it to
high school youth group. They may hear cool messages, loud worship, and get
their flirt on. But what happens when our children graduate high school and
leave for college or vocational training?
Nothing.
A lot kids have not built a solid foundation as a Christ
follower and leave the church. They have little buy in. They don’t know they
can make a difference. What gives?
Why not give young people an opportunity to serve and grow
as a leader? When a person is given a significant role, they will make a
significant difference. When youth are entrusted with a position of leadership,
not only do they step up to the challenge, but they also find value and
importance in serving. They come to believe their contribution matters.
Perry Noble drove this point home: If we really want to
reach the next generation, we have got to understand that they are not
interested in our ability, but in our availability.
I cannot remember one message from my high school youth
group years, but I do remember Hester, our youth pastor’s wife, going on a walk
with me around our church campus and talking about life and, of course, boys. I
remember being baptized with my mom and sister in the Newaukum River a few
miles out of town. The youth in your church do not care how ‘churchy’ you sound
or where you earned your theology degree. They want to be loved on, cared about
and invested in. If we are following the most important command, love the Lord
your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and
love your neighbor as yourself (Matt 22:36-40), loving these kids will be…easy!
***If you have considered attending the Orange Conference in
Atlanta, I highly recommend prayerfully seeking God’s direction for your
ministry and checking out the Orange Tour at http://orangetour.org/orangeconference/2013,
coming to Seattle on September 17. ***
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