I guess for the past six months I’ve been blogstipated.  Yeah.. I made that word up. I’ve been reading a lot of blogs, books and an occasional magazine, but there’s been nothing coming out of me.  I don’t feel like my head is going to explode or anything like that, but there is part of me that thinks all that reading is pointless without any output.

The best way to get rid of blogstipation is to do what your math teacher taught you: “Work it out with your pencil.” In this case I’ll use my computer. Instead of one big pot full, I’m going to work this out in little chunks. Here’s the first few chunks..

LEADERSHIP >>

1) I’ve heard in the past “It’s lonely at the top.” My thought… If you get to the top and there is no one with you — YOU FAILED!!

2) “Teamwork makes the Dream work!” Teams do it all together. Sure, there are different levels of responsibility and someone needs to be in the lead. But to make teams work you start TOGETHER, push forward TOGETHER and in the end you all are celebrating the victories TOGETHER.

3) “It’s not my job.” This is a team killer. There is a need for clear boundaries, define them and stick to ‘em. When it comes to obvious needs, everyone needs to be empowered and motivated to “get err done!” // Easy example: Trash on the floor, if you see it and walk over it thinking “that’s not my job” you a team killer >> PICK IT UP >> Treat every obvious need as your personal responsibility.

4) Don’t just Dream It >> DO IT! — Just like my blogstipation, I sometimes get dreamstipation.  The only cure for dreamstipation is ACTION. Get off you butt and live it out.

There’s some chunks to chew on. What are some things on your mind about leadership?.. Libraries are full of this stuff, you have to have some thoughts on the subject.

My new boss robshep.com has been consistently calling me “Mr. Anderson” … like in the Matrix.

At first I was like … REALLY?!? He had referred to me as “Mr. Anderson” so much that most of the staff didn’t know my first name when I started. Then I found out that Rob has changed many peoples names. In fact, in the same way that God changed peoples names in the Bible, Rob changes peoples names today. Alright, that was a stretch. But I could say that if he hasn’t changed your name, he probably doesn’t like you. (that probably wouldn’t be true either)

I have to admit that it is kinda growing on me. I was at a restaurant the other night and the waitress says, “Thank you Mr. Anderson” and for a second I thought, she must know Rob…

Don’t let anything hold you back from the things that God has created you to do.

I recently watched a film about Joan of Arc… yes go ahead and laugh. I think it was made in 2000 or something like that with Dustin Hoffman. It was actually really gory and Mila Jovavich (?) playing a great crazy person in a relentless pursuit to see the visions that God has given her to come to fruition. Talk about charging hell with a water pistol, in this movie portrayal Joan of Arc was that person. At one part in the movie she is standing staring at all the death that has taken place around her and is heavily broken over the cost of what God has told her to do. I can’t say that I would recommend the movie (it is on netflix instant) but I would say that it made me think about the passion that Christ put inside of me when I gave my life to him.

I was ready to do anything that would get Jesus to the people who needed Him the most…at that time it meant everyone at my middle school needed to hear about Jesus.

OBSTACLES TO DANGEROUS FAITH

THE CHURCH >> Most of us live in a practical realm, so do most churches. The biggest risks that I have seen in our churches have been expensive building campaigns with no thought about the communities needs and no missional focus on how to better reach the lost. Where the church has failed (and I’ve been a part of this) is our over zealousness to enhance our own experience and a lack of zeal to go and bring the Gospel to those that “God misses the most!”

OUR OWN METHODOLOGY >> We have lived in a society that preaches MONEY=OPPORTUNITY and God screams at us through His word that HE is the only opportunity and HE will take care of all our needs. Strategy and focus in the context of ministry are a waste of time unless they are accompanied by the pursuit of “Audacious Faith!”

I’m tired of helping the saved be more comfortable! God break my heart for what breaks yours!

I’m tired of God moving in spite of my faith! God help me to follow you no matter the cost!

This is my list… this is where God is breaking me. What would you add in your own list?

I missed *MERGE last night, but I wasn’t the only one. I have this gross fungus growing in my mouth and the medicine that they put me on is making my mouth better while taking its toll on my stomach. Thankfully, I’ll save you from the more disgusting details of that to tell the story of a close friend of mine that also missed *MERGE (our Wednesday night gathering) to do something way more productive than sit at home and moan and puke. (the story really needs a better intro than that)

Dwayne Zeigler is a leader that has been with us since the inception of a middle school ministry at McGregor. Over the past four years I’ve seen God work in his life and use him to do some incredible things. Dwayne has a passion for students and he wants them to all know Christ. His passion and obedience opened a unique opportunity for him to make a huge impact. Over the summer Dwayne was asked to be the chaplain for the sports program at a local HS. He has pretty much already been the catalyst for the FCA that has hundreds of students involved. Dwayne jumped right in and has built some great relationships with the coaches and students.

Tonight Dwayne skipped our regular Wednesday night service (*MERGE) to go to the JV game. Who picks football over church?? ANYWAY.. He was right where God wanted him to be, standing in the endzone talking with some of the coaches. Then he notices another Coach filming the game alone from on top of the press box. Dwayne decided to climb the press box and finds not only the coach filming, but also one of the star football players. Dwayne has had the opportunity to give several challenges to the varsity team and this player has asked lots of questions. Dwayne didn’t waste time getting the conversation over to talking about God and the Gospel with this young man. Tonight we have  a new brother in Christ. On top of a press box on a Wednesday night a varsity football player ask Jesus to be his Savior!! HOW AWESOME IS THAT!?!

Dwayne said “YES” a long time ago and God started doing some awesome things.

WHAT IS GOD ASKING YOU TO SAY YES TO??