Tonight, I have the wonderful privilege to attend the 60th anniversary dinner for the establishment of Israel as a nation. This exclusive, invitation-only event will be held at the United Nations in NYC. My friend, Steve, invited me as his guest. Today, I’m traveling at my own expense to be there and return tomorrow. Harrowing, I know but I’m really excited to do this.

I’m thinking today about how important the nation of Israel and its national establishment in 1948 really was to our understanding of the times and history. When General Ben Guirion lifted the Star of David flag over the nation, 60 years ago this week…many prophecy preachers and theologians believe it ushered in the “last days” in which Jesus predicted “when you see the fig tree bud forth its leaves, you know that summer is nigh. Even so when all these things come to pass, you know the end is near.” (Matthew 24).

What does that mean to you and me?
First of all, it is important to understand that frentic leadership does not serve the church. We should live and lead balanced lives understanding the times we live in and their spiritual connection to God’s timetable. The fully developed disciples of Christ is not overly concerned about the end times because salvation is secured through Christ.
Secondly, good leadership requires we stay abreast of events and periods which shape the landscape where we minister. As we watch the trouble in the world, the frequency of earthquakes and the political upheaval throughout the world, it is a signal to us that God’s predictions and promises are, in fact, coming true. If these are coming true, then other promises God made will also come true.
Finally, our leadership is poised to live our lives as examples of God’s grace to the very end…whenever it comes. Personal worry over just when the end comes is not in keeping with God’s instruction in Matthew 6 that we should seek first the kingdom of God and the rest will take care of itself.

When leaders focus their energies in the places where the gifts of God are best used, then our service to God and others is best utilized.

I’ll have more details later tonight when the event concludes and I get back to my room.

I believe God gave me kids to teach me things He can’t get through to me otherwise.

Over the last few months my son Branson has hit his head on the corner of my desk almost every time he’s in the office. He’ll be walking, turn the corner, and bump his head. He’ll cry. We’ll hold him, and then he’s off doing something else. The next time he comes into my office he does the same thing. Until recently. This past Wednesday Corrie brought the boys up to the office when they got here before service. Branson came around and gave me a hug, turned around to walk out of the office, and ducked down below the corner of the desk, and walked out. It was hilarious watching him walk all the way out in the hall bent over, but I don’t guess he knew where the corner stopped. What I do know is that he finally learned the lesson.

Recently I have been going through some on the job training in the way of Leadership 101. I feel like I’ve turned the corner, only to bump my head. It hurts every time. I would love to say that none of the mistakes have been the same ones, but I’d be lying. I’ve hit my head on the same issue several times. I hope watching my 15 month old will help me avoid the pain next time.

Just this week a man named Jason came into my office for an appointment to talk about his idea for COG leaders and personal finance. Now, granted many ministers struggle with finance and far too many of us are in debt too deeply to be able to respond to God’s invitation to give generously! That’s why I’m recommending to pastors that they teach stewardship and debt reduction to their people as well as tithing and giving. The cold reality of American culture is that our personal finances are in such bad shape that giving God MORE is simply out of the question…or so we would think.

When Jason left, I started thinking about GENEROSITY and some discussions my son–Jason–and I had while he was preaching at his church. Questions like–how rich are we? Regardless of our financial situation, in comparison to most people in the world, all of us are wealthy!!!!

I like reading Paul’s instructions on giving to the Corinthians. The oft used phrase “God loves a cheerful giver” can be translated to say “God loves it when the idea is yours!” That’s generosity to me. When I get excited about giving and purpose to give more, above and beyond what is reasonable and prudent–extravagant giving. I like what Seth Godin says on this topic here.

Pastor Sam Evers (Cornerstone–New Orleans) is beginning a series this week with his church entitled “What if?” It is not orginal but it does stimulate the thoughts…what if everyone in God’s kingdom got crazy generous with our time, our money, our love, our compassion….etc.

Are you generous with your life?

Leaders are public people in ways others may not understand. They are models to so many things that at times you can lose your way. The crash and burn of some leaders is merely the result of too many demands and too little personal management and maintenance.

I was raised by a practical father who taught me no one is as good as they think they are! Not you, not me. It was my grandfather who used the phrase — keep both feet on the ground–when referring to the expressions from others about greatness and affirmation. They are both right–the key seems to be self-perception and relationship to God. When I see myself as God sees me, I realize how insignificant I am and yet I feel affirmed because He has chosen and empowered me. When I realize that what I do is for His glory and not for my own, I can more wisely balance what people may say good or bad about my leadership performance.

It is not easy to lead. God is very selective in choosing leaders but at the same time, He requires much for those who have called to lead. In the end, we cannot allow ourselves to disconnect from our original passions and intentions. The purity of our former submission will serve us well as long as we can remain true to it!

God is annoyed with the prideful and arrogant.
God blesses the humble.

At times, I have been both.

Have you?

Yesterday, I mentioned that the line between humility and arrogance is thin. So how do leaders manage the transition and avoid the pitfalls?

First, let’s start with thinking about how leadership points us to arrogance. In most leadership positions, good leaders are in high demand, people pulling and needing and wanting your time, your input, etc. It is amazing how many decisions leaders make in their organizations, churches, ministries, etc. every day! Even when you try to remain grounded and humble, people gravitate to you because that quality is so attractive. The more you try to climb down from the pedestal, the more followers want to lift you up.

With those I lead, I try to remind ourselves of the journey we have taken to get here and how unlikely it is that we arrived. Do you do that? Look around you and consider how amazing it is that you are standing or leading (as it were) where you are. Who did that? NOT YOU! It was God who ordered your steps, established your life and plan and enabled your moments. Don’t forget that.

Accountability is another path to arrogance…the lack of it or the improper application of it. When you are a follower, your levels of accountability are clear and many. As you move forward into larger levels of leadership, you become answerable to fewer people who truly hold you accountable for attitudes and actions. Yes, people are watching how you spend money, etc. but few people are challenging your attitudes and perceptions about yourself because you are not likely telling them about the struggles.

You need a friend–who values you too much–to let you go crazy. Eli needed someone to slap some sense into his head and force him to bring his arrogant sons in line. Saul needed someone to get his attention and help him remember the day he was wandering around looking for his father’s donkeys. I need someone who can remind me that once all I cared about was preaching the Gospel–that’s who I am, no matter what the title on my business card says.

Who are you?

I’m reading through the Bible again this year and this week I’m in I Samuel. I was struck by two irrepressible thoughts…there is a thin line between humility and arrogance in God’s choice leaders!

For example, Eli was the priest in the house of God. His sons were wicked and evil manipulators of the people. God was not pleased and came to Eli, warning of certain judgement if things were not fixed. His indifference brought swift action by God resulting in the death of Eli and his sons and the loss of the Ark of the Covenant.

Later, God permits Israel its first king and when first informed of God’s choice, Saul wonders- who am I to have such an assignment? Last tribe in line, last family in the tribe, least likely to succeed! You get the picture? Later when instructed to wait at Gilgal on Samuel for the offering of sacrifice, Saul in arrogance takes it upon himself to offer the sacrifice and it signaled the end of his reign as king. Again, his humility was overtaken by his arrogance in leadership! He is told by Samuel- when you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? (15:17)

How do we keep a humble heart and avoid arrogance in leadership mindset? Check back with me tomorrow for my continuing thoughts…

I have been reading the story of David during my devotions this week. It’s one of those stories I’ve heard a million times but it really comes to life when I re read it and catch all the stuff that had to be left out for the 25 minutes sunday school lesson. This hit me in the gut this morning:

7 As they danced, they sang:
“Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his tens of thousands.”

8 Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.

I am a self proclaimed control freak, I didn’t realize it until about a year ago. It’s not in every area but in a few areas I keep a strangle hold. Worship, graphics and media, meetings, etc. I think all great leaders deal with the struggle of releasing control and power, but there is this sick side in all of us that we don’t want to talk about that loves to be wanted and needed. If we truly worked ourselves out of jobs we would be miserable because we wouldn’t be needed anymore. What does it say about Jesus self esteem and security that the most effective ministry was done after he was gone?

Now in full context of the story we know that God had already decided to remove Saul from power, but imagine he hadn’t. What if Saul could have harnessed David skills and success and built a team around him to set up the greatest kingdom ever. What if Saul could have gone to bed every night knowing he was leader, but every one else in town thought David was the man.

About 5 years ago in a service I was in I was praying in the altars about ministry and God asked me a questions as clear as any voice I have heard. he asked, “If this ministry grows to be huge and you never get to step onto the stage, would you still do it?” I wish I could have given a clear yes that night, but I couldn’t. It is a daily struggle for me to empower others to do better than myself. But every day (or so) I am seeing growth.

What about you? Can you handle other people getting the praise from the people? Can you handle having people better than you speak in your pulpit, and sing your songs?

I’ve been traveling a lot recently and so I’m trying to recharge my batteries this week with some relaxation, reading and reflection.

I was invited to be a guest speaker a few days back at the NYLA annual meeting in Panama City, Florida and it was a very high honor for me to do so. As I prayed, I felt strongly challenged by the Lord with the message of FUTURE and our connection to the enemy’s attempts to silence the future. I used 2 Samuel 21 as a backdrop to point to our responsibility to “fight” for the future. My son Jeremy and his family came down to join us and Cooper David, my eldest grandson sat with me on the front row as I waited to speak. At one point, he picked up my Bible and asked “Can I preach with your Bible, Papa?” It was one of those “made for Hallmark” moments as I consider what the future may possibly hold for this young man.

If you have followed my journey as a grandfather, you know I have been talking much about the future of this new generation of Isaacs children and how God is calling them to greater things than Kathy and I have done or that their parents have done. I believe each succeeding generation builds on the foundation of the former. I think you can prove that Biblically…each generation is destined to do more, see further, experience greater things than the one before them.

Just what the future holds for Cooper David is not know at present but it has always been my prayer that he will be enable by those who care for him to chase after God will all his heart…that we will position him for the opportunities God may have for him, whatever they may be!

I was talking with a man recently and we were discussing this…and I must say strongly that there is a reason children are born to certain families and environments!!! To this new generation, I say begin to look around you at the position God has placed you…seek to understand in greater measure the faith environments you are in and understand you are not there by accident but by God’s purpose!

Oh, BTW, my response to Cooper David that night?

“I hope you do son, I really do!”

1 of the most important keys to creating a successful brand is QUALITY! You can spend a lot of time trying to convince people to give your ministry a chance but if when they give it a try it is poor quality you will not get another chance with them. Think about some of the brands that the church in generally has had when it comes to quality:

- old fashioned
- boring
- not relevant

You could probably give more but we have probably all heard these statements from people who have tried church before.

Creating quality in you brand is one of the toughest parts of brand making, because it usually takes the most patience. Quality has to be thought thru and built before the word hit’s the streets. For new organizations or churches this is the initial brainstorming part of the process. For existing churches or companies this is the time when you have to shut the doors or minimize the process enough to fix the holes in your system.

I love to play golf and there is a golf course just a few minutes from my house that has lost the grass in there fairways, we use to play the course all the time but there assurances over 2 years ago that the fairways would be back have failed and we don’t ever want to go there anymore. If someone brings up that course we say “The course with no grass?” There brand in the mind of there customers is very low quality. The only way that they are truly going to fix the problem is to shut down the course or institute cart path only golf for an extended period of time and allow the grass to grow back in. Immediately we all think of all the reasons why they can’t do that. They can’t afford or it will really cost there bottom line, but my argument is they are losing money any way and in another year or 2 they will be a course known around the city and “a dump” so they are going to have to drastically lower prices anyway.

I am not a big fan of the church running like a business but in this way they are the same. If your music is terrible you need to stop having music until you can offer quality music (whatever the content is for where you serve) If you’re childcare is bad you NEED TO FIX IT! Hire people if you have to and take money from somewhere else.

It is easy in ministry to get trapped into over promising and underachieving. As ministers we try to paint a picture to people about what our church is. I doubt that we tell people that we are an aging church with sub par music and childcare that would be illegal in daycares. We describe it a lot prettier than that. The problem is if we don’t fix it first we will give people a different experience than what we sold them.

Why are APPLE Computers so great? Because of there commercials? Because they cost more? Nope! They are great because when you buy one it is the best computer experience you’ve ever had. Quality is why Apple is growing daily. When you have quality it makes brand building a lot easier. Most churches I visit don’t have a promotional problem they have a quality problem. You’re trying to sell gold watches for $1.

Next we will be looking a t a key componet of quality….FOCUS!

Drippings from my keyboard…

Meetings are part of every leader’s life. During this lengthy break in one I’m attending, I offer these personal thoughts…

Start at the time announced. A 10 am meeting should begin at 10 am or slightly before. Starting later is offensive and disrespectful to those invited.

Keep meetings on track. This is tough depending on the group dynamics. Leadership requires a clear understanding of objectives for the meeting and protection of the group by keeping the focus on the assignment.

Enable freedom of expression and thought within the context of the meeting’s rules.

Finish on time.

Follow-through as quick as you can with regard to assignments, decision announcements, etc.

Build credibility in the team by doing what you say.

What thoughts do you have about meetings you attend or lead?