Strong Leaders Multiply!

I love leadership. Everything about it… the influence, the responsibility, the pressure, the leverage, the drawbacks… you name it, I love it. Not all of it is pretty, mind you… and it’s not always fun… but I love it just the same. And one of the things I love the most is seeing leaders multiply themselves: taking the initiative and the time to invest
in budding and growing leaders… imparting and infusing them with their own DNA, and watching them grow and develop into reproducing leaders themselves.
This isn’t easy, and it takes alot of time. But one of the things I’ve become more and more convinced of is that strong leaders multiply themselves
… over and over… and over again.

Strong leaders go beyond influence:
they’re not just influencers
… they’re multipliers!
They don’t just look for opportunities to teach
… they want to train
. They’re not satisfied with just being promoted
… they long to position themselves
in others’ lives, so as to help them develop
, and then deploy
them into service.

Strong leaders multiply themselves.

This is never the exception to the rule… it IS the rule!  No matter WHAT a person’s influence may seem to be, if they’re not reproducing themselves and multiplying Kingdom growth
their ability to lead at a high level will never reach maximum level…

… because strong leaders multiply themselves
.

And because they love multiplication so much… because of their heart’s desire to see mega Kingdom growth… they not only influence, but they INVITE
! They recognize that, even if they aren’t positioned to invest in all the people around them, they can at least invite them
to the party… and maybe other Kingdom-builders will have opportunities to invest in those persons where they couldn’t!

Strong leaders multiply themselves… and they create opportunities for Kingdom growth.

This is what strong leaders do. No exceptions.

Monday Night Mind Dump

* Had a GREAT weekend with my boys!  It is a totally awesome thin to be a dad… never gets old!   Can’t believe my oldest will be a junior in high school next year!  And no, I’M not getting old… YOU are, since you think it was just yesterday when he was a little boy!

* Preached at Centerpoint for both Services yesterday morning… great time in the Word!  Still in the Bring It! series, and looked at the first half of Philippians 3.  Next week, I finish the chapter… and then Donnie will wrap up the series the following week.

* Did you know that Centerpoint Church is moving into a new home??  That’s right…starting the first Sunday in June,we’ll be in our new home!  HOW EXCITING IS THAT??  Some of the guys are working, seemingly, around the clock trying to get the place ready for opening day on June 3.  Notice I said “some of the guys”, lol… man, I can’t even paint a tic-tac-toe game and make it look good!   Thank God for guys who work with their hands, lol…

* One of the verses I’ve been really meditating on over the last several days is Phil. 3:11: “… so that one way or another I will experiene the resurrection from the dead.”  I won’t lie… this verse used to really confuse me.  What the skippy are you talking about, Paul??  How can you experience the resurrection from the dead as an alive person?  But here is what I think Paul is saying: in the mind of the average Greek person of that day, an alive person was thought of as ‘standing’ and a dead person was thought of as ‘lying down.’  The word ‘resurrection’ literally means “to place” or “to stand”.  So, it seems that Paul is saying, “I want to experience life as walking around as one who’s been resurrected… with Christ’s resurrection power flowing through me, I want to be seen as one who is alive – standing among a people who are spiritually lying down.  I want to live as one who STANDS OUT in a spiritually dead society!”  Now, that is some off-the-chain living right there…

* Man, THAT’S HOW I WANT TO LIVE, TOO!!!!!!!

* This week at Centerpoint, we’re going to see how we can live that out… living as SPIRITUALLY-RESURRECTED PEOPLE!

* I think Sunday is gonna be bananas… what about you?

No Team… No Dream

A good friend of mine gave a great assessment of The Avengers movie… he said he loved the movie, but they took too long to pull the team together.  Wow… AWESOME observation.  In fact, that was my one fault of the movie… once they assembled the team, the movie took off.

Many of us do the same thing in ministry… we take WAY too long to assemble a strong team.  We know we can’t pull off by ourselves what God has called us to do, so why do we wait?  For us, it really could be any of a number of things: we don’t know how to do it, we don’t want to do it, we’re afraid to do it, or we simply don’t think it’s important to do it.   But the bottom line is that we move FURTHER and FASTER in a team environment.  I’ve had more and more guys ask me in recent weeks/months about some of the things we did well at Mosaic, and some of the things that we could’ve done better. Building teams was definitely an area I could have done a whole lot better…

We were made for teams.  This is why the apostle Paul talks about the importance of BODY LIFE in 1 Corinthians 12… none of us can fulfill every role needed in the body, so God has created us to be interdependent – needing one another individually in order to make the whole work together properly.  When we see a person with one arm, we know there’s a problem.  When we come across a person who has no sight, we automatically know she cannot function at peak performance.  When one or more parts of your body are inoperable, you are severely limited.  Yes, you can make up for the difference, but how much better it would be to just have the use of that part!

What’s true of our bodies and the body of Christ… is also especially true of ministry teams.  When a leader or leaders fail to build a strong team, you can count on several things happening:

- People don’t know what’s going on.  When a leader(s) doesn’t pull his team together, he inevitably goes it alone… he becomes a solo leader – he is basically the only one who knows what’s going on from day to day.
- Morale wanes.  When people don’t know what’s going on, they eventually become demotivated… and not only does morale wane, but ministry tends to drop off, as well.
- Distrust sets in. This might be the most severe.  Leaders who don’t build into their team come across as distrusting.  After all, why would they not keep people in the loop?  This only builds a cycle of distrust: “Top man doesn’t trust me… I’m not gonna trust him.”  This is DAMAGING… and it displeases the Lord.

No team… no dream.  Keep your people in the loop… build community with your leaders… dream with them, so that they feel ownership for the ministry.

If we don’t model teamwork… we will never make our dream work.

Amazed and Perplexed…

One of the things I love about God is that He knows exactly what we need… and He gives it to us exactly when we need it.  I mean, at JUST the right moment… His timing is impeccable!

I was feeling a little lot down today… tough afternoon… and spent some time with my boys, which helped alot.  But when I left them, I started to feel down again.  I knew that the thing that was plaguing my mind was something that would take a while to process… so, I just began trying to pray… and worship… as I drove home.  Through tears, I drove and sang at the top of my lungs… all the while, God kept reminding me, “I’m here… I won’t let you fall.”  I tried to get a grip, but the pain inside was so overwhelming… I just couldn’t.  I don’t know if you’ve ever experienced it, but I was hurting so bad that I couldn’t pray!

I pulled into the parking lot of the grocery store down the street from my house, and – as I was walking in – a young lady pulled me aside and said, “Would you like me to pray for you?  Some members of our church come out here on Tuesday nights, and we pray for anyone who needs prayer.”   I couldn’t even speak… I just nodded my head.  So, she and this other guy with her began to pray for me… for God’s will to reign in my life, for me to be able to hear Him clearly, for me to let go of that thing that’s keeping me from pressing in close to Him… WOW!!!!!!!!  All I could do was just be amazed at God’s love for me… because, at that moment, Romans 8.26 became a powerful reality to me: “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.“

A very good friend used to pray for me these words, “I pray that today God will leave you both amazed and perplexed“…

Amazed… perplexed… is what I am.

Thank You, Father,  for loving me enough to send me what I needed at just the right moment.  Your grace… still amazes me.

Lessons from The Avengers

Growing up, I was a comic book fanatic.  When we took family vacations to visit my mother’s family in Buffalo, NY, Mom would take me down to the comic book stand near the Broadway Market, and she’d rack up (comics were pretty inexpensive back then).  Of course, she’d buy her Archie comics, but she also read Daredevil, Fantastic Four, and Jonah Hex.  I read all Marvel stuff: Captain America, Thor (Mom liked him, too), The Avengers, The Defenders, Iron Man, Power Man, Iron Fist, X-Men, and more.  It wasn’t unusual for Mom to splurge and spend $50-$75 on comics (only on vacation!)

So, going to see The Avengers was a no-brainer to me.  The Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, and Captain America flicks went over well… and I knew from watching the trailer that this movie would be a hit… but I underestimated the impact, at least on me.  There were several things about the movie that stood out: the all-star cast of characters (including Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury), the fight scenes, all the fascinating, technological weaponry… but there were a couple of lessons I learned… which could easily be overlooked amidst all the bright lights and action… and one was the theme of TEAMWORK.

Yup. That’s right… teamwork.

This amazing group of superheroes, before they pulled together and fought smart, was getting the stuffing kicked out of them! The enemy’s (Loki… Thor’s adopted brother) strategy was simple: divide and conquer… but when the group decided to fight like a group, they became a formidable band of brothers (and a sister).  Individually, the task was beyond even their superhuman abilities… but together, they were able to conquer the odds and defeat the enemy.

Another important aspect of the movie was perseverance.  Without perseverance… even with such a great team assembled… the odds could’ve seemed insurmountable.  They were outmanned and outgunned… yet they never gave up.  They kept fighting until they could taste victory.  They kept pressing until the threat of the enemy was no more.  They kept moving forward until the foe was defeated… retreating was not an option!

How we face seemingly insurmountable odds says a lot about us.  How we persist in the face of possible defeat tells a lot about who we are deep down inside.  God says that we’re more than conquerors through Him (Romans 8:37)… but it’s easier sometimes to believe the lie of the enemy that we don’t stand a chance.  Man… how many times have I given up because I believed all hope was lost, instead of fighting, persisting, and pressing through until victory was realized!!  Sometimes, it was easier to throw my hands up in the air, because I felt alone.  That’s why a TEAM is needed… a group of people with the same values, the same desire for victory, and much of the same cause at stake.  Many of us don’t make it simply because we stay isolated, and don’t invite others to fight alongside of us!

Teamwork… Perseverance.

Any strategy devoid of these is a strategy doomed to fail.

Seeing The Avengers helped me this weekend.  I realize that there are some things I cannot do on my own… I need the support, encouragement, and strength of others to fight beside me… and to help me persist in the battle… for my kids, for my calling…

…for my LIFE.

Monday Mind Dump…

* Had a good day at Centerpoint yesterday… 1st service crowd was a little better, but 2nd service seemed a little lighter than last week.

* Finished Week 3 of the Bring It! series… spoke on Philippians 1:12-18, The Gospel-Centered Life.

* The apostle Paul’s life was centered around and saturated by the Gospel… there’s absolutely no way of reading his letters and coming up with a different conclusion!   “I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 1:2)… “I have been crucified with Christ…” (Gal. 2:20).  

* What was forward about Paul is that he was sold out for Jesus Christ… what is forward about us?

* Paul’s imprisonment didn’t hinder him from being forward with his faith… in fact, he saw his imprisonment as helping him to advance the Gospel!

* When we live a gospel-centered life, our problems take on a different perspective!

* God could’ve delivered Paul from prison… He’d done it before (Acts 16:25-34)… but this time He didn’t, because He had a better purpose for Paul in prison.  There is always a purpose to our pain!

* What do you do when your problem is fueled by God’s purpose??

* Like Paul, we can rejoice… even in our prison (whatever that may be)… because we know that God’s purpose is bigger than our problem!

* Can’t wait for Donnie toBring It!with Parts 4 & 5 over the next couple of weeks!

* I’ll be back on the 20th & 27th with Parts 6 & 7 (Phil. 3)!

*So thankful that I get to do this… and so thankful for Centerpoint Church!!

Gotta Love It…

Up and ready to begin finishing up my message prep for tomorrow morning… co-teaching our Bring It! series with our Lead Pastor.   I still remember preparing for my very first sermon almost 16 years ago.  Well, my first official sermon… I had spoken publicly a few times, giving 5-10 minute “devotional thoughts” at halftime of a basketball game or for my musicians and vocalists before choir rehearsal.  But my very first official, legitimate message before a congregation… that was something a little different.

I remember – while all the preliminaries were going on during that service… and I was awaiting my turn to speak – thinking to myself, “I was born to do this…” and at that moment – not leading a choir, or playing the piano, or leading a small group, stirred up the passion inside of me like the anticipation of preaching…

… and I still feel that anticipation every single time I am getting ready to speak.  GOTTA LOVE IT!

I have nothing to say, but God uses me anyway.  Now, of course, I have something to say… but what I mean is that preachers don’t speak from any inherent authority whatsoever… it’s simply and all because of the power of God: what He has done, is doing, and will do for those who believe Him and surrender their lives to Him.  “Since God in His wisdom saw to it that the world would never know Him through human wisdom, He has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:21)

I’m never anxious because I have to preach… I’m always excited because I get to preach… and that God would use this foolish preacher to impact the lives of many…

… GOTTA LOVE IT.

Great Quote!

“If the world is to hear the church’s voice today, leaders are needed who are authoritative, spiritual, and sacrificial.  Authoritative, because people desire reliable leaders who know where they are going and are confident of getting there.  Spiritual, because without a strong relationship to God, even the most atttactive and confident person cannot lead people to God.  Sacrificial, because this trait follows the model of Jesus, who gave Himself for the whole world and who calls us to follow in His steps.”
     –  Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership

Embracing Diversity

Sorry I’m just getting this up…Embracing Diversity, at Centerpoint Church.

http://vimeo.com/m/36739054

Enjoy!

D Plum

I’ve Drunk the Koolaid!!

Having a blast at Centerpoint Church!  Loved the 1st installment of the Drive message series yesterday… Donnie preached on Erasing Darkness – how God has called believers to make a difference, allowing the light of Christ to shine thru their lives.  Amazing, when we think of it, as to how many people all around us are headed for a Christ-less eternity.  All the world around us is DARK, and darkness is basically the absence of the presence of God.  LOVED this message!

Mark and the worship team CRUSHED IT yesterday, too!  Great group of guys/girls… they minister from their hearts, which is always very exciting.

Then, we had a Ministry Leaders meeting yesterday afternoon before the Super Bowl… awesome hearing new and old leaders alike who are passionate about what they do!

I’ve drunk the Centerpoint Koolaid… and it is good!

Looking forward to preaching both services this coming Sunday… Embracing Diversity.  YOU DON’T WANNA MISS THIS!!  See you there!

 

D Plum out!