The Signature Trait

There I was, sitting in our Worship Center, in the right center section, about four rows from the front, on the right aisle. I was participating in Willow Creek's Leadership Summit, which we hosted, as a satellite site.

Jim Collins was speaking. He is a keen observer/analyst of organizations and leaders. He has carefully studied companies, differentiating the good from the bad and analyzing the leadership differences.

What he had to say was very good; and in the middle of his talk, he made a statement that grabbed my innards such that I had to work hard to fight off a convulsion. In other words, I was deeply moved. Here's what he said: The greatest leaders in our studies, their signature was their humility.

Amazing! Incredible! If I could have called "time out" and taken a few moments to contemplate, I would have.

To say that great leaders are humble is one thing. To say that humility is their "signature " trait is something else. Think about it! It is saying that the one trait that, above all other traits, distinguishes the great leaders is a trait that, throughout the centuries, has been despised by people.

But then again, it really should not be that surprising. It, along with another despised trait, was the signature trait of the greatest leader in world history. He said of himself, I am gentle and humble in heart (Matthew 11:29).

Please know that, as your pastor/leader, I aspire to this model of leadership. It has been my aim for a long time. My heart resonates with the Apostle Paul when he said to the elders of Ephesus: You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, serving the Lord with all humility...(Acts 20:18-19). That is my heart, my desire, my intent.

Please pray for me along these lines.

Head's Up

In my opinion, we as a church are at a crossroads. I am not totally sure why I say that. Perhaps it is a "whisper" from God (those who attended the Summit will understand that reference). It's just something that I sense deep within me.

Actually, it's not that I am totally unsure. There are some "contributing factors," so let me share them with you.

According to conventional wisdom, it takes five years to assimilate and be assimilated into a new situation. Last September, I hit the five-year mark. It's time to leverage the goodwill and trust that has been established.
We paid off Goliath a couple years ago, and the church has been relatively healthy. Our District Superintendent used the phrase "blessed stability" to describe our current reality.
We are running out of space in some parts of our ministry, which has prompted us to adopt "The Napkin Plan." There has been lots going on "behind the scenes." We have been doing the groundwork, and it's time to begin "turning the shovels."
Through much of the last year, we had difficulty in our Student Ministries, and that is now behind us. We have just secured a new Executive Pastor for Student Ministries. His name is Aaron Gutridge, his wife is Megan, and they have four children. We are so excited to have them join our team.
We are concluding the first decade of a new century and will be heading into the second decade, so the obvious question would be: What does the Lord have in store for us in the next decade?
We are a great church "in" the Valley. It's time to focus on becoming a great church "for" the Valley.
We have done a good job of representing and presenting the gospel to our world. While we continue to do that, it's time to become more active in compassion and justice arenas.
We have some "missionaries" on our team (people that we support financially), and we have made some forays into other parts of the globe. It's time to become very intentional about making a difference around the world.

In view of this, the month of September is very important. On the weekends of that month, I will be casting a vision that will carry us into the foreseeable future.

For this reason, I am urging you, if at all possible, to be here every weekend. You don't want to miss a one. And please be praying about this.

Livin' On A Prayer

That's the title of this weekend's message. Some of you (depending on age and preference) will recognize this as the title of a Bon Jovi song. It's a good title for Ephesians 6:18-20.

With all prayer and petition, pray at all times. Yes, at all times!

Pray for all the saints. That is, believers, here and there.

Pray for me. Two things. One, that I will have the words to explain the mystery of the gospel. Two, that I will do it boldly.

Certainly, be praying about the September series.

Blessings and love,

Pastor Bob
August 26, 2010