It's time again for Willowcreek's annual Leadership Summit. I had almost forgotten how this conference made my head spin last year, but I remember now. Trust me, I remember now.
Hybels began by describing our current economic/cultural situation as a "rogue wave" -- unexpected, unpredicted, inexplicable. Five minutes into the day, my head was swimming with the idea that "leaders are energized by uncharted waters, recognizing opportunity for creativity, hearing the affirming whisper of the Holy Spirit that they were called and gifted for just such a time." He says, "rogue waves draw things out of us that calm seas never will."
Hybels offers four lessons from his own experiences leading through the last year:
1. Be the church to one another no matter what. Follow the Acts 2 model. The church is still God's plan to offer hope to the world. Offer people serious church. Nobody's coming to church looking for a mild dose of God.
2. In Kingdom Economics, the math makes no sense. Revenues are down, and needs are up, but people will still give generously and sacrificially to a white hot kingdom vision.
3. God does great things through people who are fully surrendered to Him. (2 Chronicles 16:9) Are we attracting and hiring fully yielded followers? Are we mentoring people toward this? Are we talking with people who seem to be losing this passion?
4. Live a sustainable life. Have an adequate replenishment strategy. Hybels admits to writing in his own journal 20 years ago, "The pace at which I'm doing the work of God is destroying God's work in me." The best thing you bring to the table everyday is a full bucket. He offers two strategies for this. First, have a planned negligence strategy -- say "no" more often. Second, reorder relationships. Who replenishes your bucket? Who depletes it?
This was just session one, and I was already thinking I could chew on the information for a week!
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