Worship - More Experiential

Ray Johnston's young leaders weigh in on ministry at Bayside Church in Granite Bay, CA. This is number 5 of 7.

Worship needs to be far more experiential... expect God to show up!

It's not all about the smoke, sound and lights. It's not all about picking the best songs. Worship needs to be approached with an expectation that God is going to show up and do something big... every week. Churches should set up the service with His movement in mind. Plan for it. Expect it. Watch for it.

Young leaders seem to have an almost 'child-like' faith that puts the responsibility back on God to do the 'experiential' part of the worship. I've been guilty in the past in trying to 'help' God where He might be lacking.

Do you 'experience' God in your weekly church services? Does God show up? Quite honestly, many of us might not recognize Him if He DID show up.

Ministry-More Compassionate

Ministry is not about meeting the surface needs of all the followers. Young leaders let Ray Johnston know of their desire to be led well by elder leadership.

As I picture it, it's great to give the passing, "Praying for you," when rubbing shoulders with someone you know has a need. But is that really compassion?

Some show compassion by reaching out to the less fortunate. Others champion the rights of those who can't defend themselves. Maybe, compassion can be extended to those in your own family. How cool would it be for a teenager to really understand and empathize with a parent going through a tough time... instead of consistently being focused on their own world... their own emotions... and their own needs?

Are you short on compassion anywhere in your life? I think I'll go hug my kids.

Leadership Is Only Part Of The Equation

Continuing thoughts from the book, "KidLEAD: Growing Great Leaders" - the author states there are three types of people.

* "L" = Big "L" leaders

* "l" = Little 'l' leaders

* "F" = Followers

The idea is that a big "L" person is a natural leader, someone who will consistently and habitually gravitate toward roles and situations where they can express their gifts. Maybe 10-20% of people have some degree of this wiring.

The little "l" person can learn various leading skills but doesn't do it naturally. They lead situationally. Maybe 60% of people are in this range.

Then the "F" people are followers. They are incredibly important but shy away from leadership like the plague. They loathe being put 'in charge.' Around 20-30% of people are strong in the "F"s.

However, a majority of people are followers most of the time. That's not a bad thing.

Have you seen big "L" leaders be successful in leading? What did that look like?

Leadership Is A Task

From his book, "KidLEAD: Growing Great Leaders," Dr. Alan E. Nelson says, "Leaders are those who get leadership going."

We could say, "Well DUH." But it's true. How many leaders do you know who just aren't leading? Think of the marketplace. Ever had that boss who liked to boss people around? Had the guy who couldn't lead his way out of a paper bag? Ever had a really hard working boss but nothing ever seemed to really move forward?

Leaders get leadership going. But not every child has the capacity to lead. They all deserve good self-esteem, confidence, people skills and a sense of purpose. But they don't necessarily have a capacity to lead.

Who cares? What's the big deal? Well, too much of a leader's life and decisions affect so many. And we've all suffered from poor leadership. Between the sex and organizational scandals of banks and churches alone - our society continues to be negatively impacted by poor leadership.

What kind of poor leadership have you observed and how did that affect you?

Leadership Is A Process

I just picked up the book, "KidLEAD: Growing Great Leaders" by Dr. Alan E. Nelson. It's actually a multifaceted program for 10-18yr olds. The premise is that leadership tendencies can be seen and developedat a VERY young age. The problem is... America typically doesn't effectively develop those leaders until the ages of 25-35. By then, a myriad of opportunities have been lost.

I am only a chapter into this - but absolutely love it. And just so you know this isn't some yahoo author with some lame-brained program - the Advisory Board consists of national leadership and family experts: Dr. John Maxwell, Dr. Les Parrott III, Dr. John Trent, Dr. Teresa Roche and Steve Arterburn.

Here is a quote I grabbed out of chapter one: "Leadership is the process of helping people accomplish together, what they could not as individuals."

Not everyone can, should, or even desires to become a leader. And that's ok. We actually do a disservice to those lacking a sufficient aptitude for leadership.

Can't wait to read the rest. What do you think? How has that quote been lived out in your life or the lives of those around you?

Hey Now, Hey Now - Don't Dream It's Over... The X Factor Devotional - Day Twenty Eight - February 17, 2010

“Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and opened her womb.”
Genesis 30:22

Rachel was Jacob’s dream wife.  They were very much in love.  Like many married couples, they desired to have a child.  God listened to Rachel’s dream for a child, and He answered her prayer by giving them a son.  Their dream became a reality named Joseph.

It is impossible to overestimate the power and role of dreams in human existence.  Dreams have brought us lifesaving medical breakthroughs and soul-stirring revival movements.  Some of our greatest athletic achievements are the result of a personal dream.  The United States of America is the result of a dream of real democratic government by a group of patriots.  Martin Luther King changed the course of a nation because he had a dream.  Your world and “the” world can be changed because of the dream inside you.

I’m specifically talking about your daytime dreams – your vision, your hopes, your aspirations, and your desires.  A God-given dream won’t go away.  Search your heart and mind to get in touch with the dream God has put inside you.  Then pray about it and take action! 

Impact’s dream is to inexpensively expand right now; pay down the mortgage; plan for our future; and bless our community… In this, countless more lives are going to change, to God’s glory.

Prayer Focus: Pray our church’s vision will become a reality in God’s perfect timing.  Pray our dreams of saving friends and family through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will come about because of our spiritual journey.  Ask God to reveal or clarify your personal dream that is His will for your life and direct you in acting on it.  Seriously – what is God tugging on your heart to do?

100 Hours Of Prayer

This is my third year of doing 100 hours of prayer. But this time, I'm not doing it 2 weeks in a row. I'm splitting it up over a couple weeks. That gives me a little time to process and be more strategic.

My main focus is truly whatever God brings up in my head. Scary place, I know. I focus a lot of time on the church, the vision, our spiritual depth, etc. But, then again, God might prompt me to focus some time on my family or on my to-do list.

It's a trip just following His lead. If I just wasn't so darned easily distracted. I guess that's why I shouldn't be writing this blog. Better go - see ya later.

Creative Brakelight

I was driving to work this past week and saw this PT Cruiser directly in front of me. I couldn't help but think, that is AWESOME!

I wish i could have pulled them over to see how it was done. Did they buy it that way? Did they put black tape on there to form the word "Cruizin?"

I guess it doesn't matter HOW they did it... it's that they did it and it made me smile.

Here's the thing... I bet they had NO IDEA that it made me smile. They have probably had that 'cruizin' brake-light for as long as they've had the car. And at this point, they're probably oblivious. And yet, the blessing of a smile just keeps being given.

I think Impact Community Church is a lot like that. We have an awesome staff, great facility, wonderful people who consistently, serve, greet, teach, encourage and generally bless most every person who comes through the doors of the church.

And my guess - most of the people of our church are just oblivious to the great things that are continuing to go on each and every week (day) within our body. Just remember, when we continue to walk in Christ - the people we come in contact with (behind us) are repeatedly receiving smiles because of our lives and ministry - over and over again!

Batting 1000

My son Max is playing baseball for the first time ever. I've never been much of a baseball player... or fan for that matter. Of course, growing up, I learned to root for the Chicago White Sox... GO SOX!

So during the first regulation game of the year last week, Max walked his first two at-bats. In actuality, he got 2 RBI's for that as well. :)

Ok - it's his third at bat and I tell him, "Max, if it's even close, you gotta swing. You didn't get into baseball to walk." He took a couple of pitches, STRIKES! A couple more, balls. MAX - SWING! And swing he did. He cracked a line drive into the outfield, getting a double and driving in 2-3 more runs. That's right, A DOUBLE! It was probably the best or 2nd best hit of the day (for both teams).

Here is the video... (if you don't see the video, click here)

 
Batting 1000 from Barry Smith on Vimeo.

So I tell Max that he needs to continue to swing. You gotta swing. I'll still love you if you never hit the ball again. It's ok. Everyone strikes out. But you gotta swing. Baseball is not about walking. And then it dawned on me... that is almost exactly like our spiritual walk. If Max were to keep swinging and strike out every time, I would still love him. But I would encourage him to take up another sport, like Basketball.

You have a gift. God gave it to you. And it is to be used. Some of you WANT your gift to be something like, say, singing. But it's not! You can't sing... and you keep striking out. God still loves you... you just need to pick another sport... another area of ministry. Don't force it.

I suppose the point is to keep swinging until you find your sweet spot. And then get a laser focus on building the kingdom in that area. Listen, the team is counting on you. The kingdom must be built and be built quickly. Time is running out. Have that sense of urgency and keep swinging!