Reflections

KLR Best Practices--Helpful Quotes

"Building a world-class company calls for a world-class commitment to your own personal growth." From the E-Myth Mastery, by Gerber. So true. In fact this is also true...

"Building a world-class [         ] calls for a world-class commitment to your own personal growth." You fill in the blank! [Life, church, business, marriage, family...other ideas?]

Looking Back to Sunday

Bibliology 101. Isaac shared that if we are going to base our lives on the teachings of a Book, it would make sense that we really know what the Book has to say. And with that idea he dove into the fascinating world of Bibliology--the study of God's inspired Word.

Isaac mentioned a classic book on the subject, How to Read the Bible for All It's Worth, by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart. So I went to the section of my library that has my old seminary books, pulled this one off the shelf, and took a fresh look. This book is well worth the read (or re-read). 

Fee and Stuart mention in their introduction that often times the problem we encounter with the Bible is NOT in understanding it. The problem is in obeying it and putting it into practice. The Bible itself teaches that there is a direct correlation between how well we understand the Bible to our willingness to do what it says. For example in Psalm 111:10 David tells us, "A good understanding have all those who DO Thy commandments." And in Hebrews 5:14 it says, "But solid food is for the mature, who because of PRACTICE have trained their senses to discern good from evil." Some call this the hermeneutic of obedience--recognizing our understanding is tied to our doing.

Fee and Stuart break down the study of God's inspired Word into two major steps. The first is exegesis. In this step, we set out with careful and systematic study of the Scripture to discover the original and intended meaning. Since the Bible is really a collection of 66 different writings, written by 40+ different authors, writing over a 1,500 year period of time; it is important to discover what was the occasion and purpose for this the book of the Bible you may be studying. In this step we look to discover the historical context for the text. Additionally, for proper exegesis it is important to grasp the literary context. What is the genre of the writing? What are the normative ways a reader in that historical time would have understood the text? What language is it in? By asking the right questions of the text, we can move towards a proper understanding of the original intent.

The next step per Fee and Stuart is hermeneutics. While this word in its broadest meaning can cover the whole field of interpretation, including exegesis, its narrow use means to understand the contemporary relevance and application of the text. Proper hermeneutics (application) begins with proper exegesis (interpretation). The authors go on to give very helpful training in how to approach the various genre of the Bible. How should we interpret the letters to the churches, the Gospels, the Law, the Prophets, Psalm, Wisdom literature, and Revelation? 

It was a very helpful message. Bottom line: I walked out of the church service with a renewed appreciation for God's word. And a renewed desire to spend time with it.

'Canes Move to 3-0

In our toughest game yet, the 'Canes put up 13 unanswered points in the second half to move to 3-0 outscoring the Seminoles 20-7.

Congratulations team! The defense was awesome. The last defensive stand was very impressive as the 'Canes kept the Seminoles out of the end zone to end the game. Also, Dylan played the outside linebacker position beautifully. He handled EVERYTHING they tried to throw his way. Ryan and Jacob did a super job pulling flags in the Seminoles backfield! Everyone on defense was aggressive and kept pursuing. Way to go!

The offense again put up 20 points, with everyone doing his part. Good fakes. Excellent blocking. Snapping the ball on time. And aggressive running. Nice job boys. The final TD was a thing of beauty. Dylan made an incredible block on the incoming rusher, and that's all Parker needed as he turned on his speed and wove his way through the entire defense for his long TD run. Alex put the seal on the deal with a nice run to the corner for the extra point (nice block Michael)! Also, Michael ran hard picking up key first downs and showing his nose for getting the ball in end zone on two excellent runs.

We've played every team once. Now we get to do it again. I fully expect the other teams to be ready for us. I have no doubt, we'll be ready too! Gators here we come!!! Here's a link to some more photos.

Multi-Site Exposed

Monday and Tuesday my wife, Jill, and I attended the Multi-Site Exposed conference held at Seacoast Community Church in Charleston, SC. I really enjoyed learning from some of the pioneers of this strategy. I particularly was encouraged to hear that Seacoast has started 13 multi-site locations and has started 65 new churches in the last 6 years. Whoa.

I'll be posting some of the take-aways. Today, it's about leadership. This is a consistent message in everything I hear and read about multi-site: The single greatest correlating factor in a successful site comes back to the Campus Pastor. Here is what Seacoast staff have leaned about the characteristics of a successful Campus Pastor...

5 Behaviors of Successful Campus Pastor

• Enthusiastic visionary leadership, inspires others to own the ministry, and someone who can carry the church DNA
• Great team builder who spends time with people 
• Self-starter, resourceful, and has a managerial work ethic 
• Genuine care for people 
• Good communicator (shares about 5 times per year live). Must be able to sell the vision. 

5 Behaviors That Will Sink the Ship

• Unavailable to people or other staff
• Non-delegator 
• Inflexibility 
• Laziness 
• Lack of passion

Obviously, to have started 13 multi-site locations and 65 new churches in 6 years, Seacoast is doing something very intentional about developing these kinds of leaders. They shared what they do in the session they called "The Leadership Pipeline". That will be the next entry... 

And for those interested, the presenters suggested that the main difference between a Campus Pastor and a Church Planter came down to their gifting and desires in the area of teaching. While Campus Pastors need to be very good communicators, the church planter's need to be gifted (to lead an attractional style church.) 

I would suggest it also comes down to two other things. First, are they passionate about teaching weekly? (Which often comes hand in hand with gift.) A campus pastor may simply prefer to take the 20 hours of sermon prep time and pour that into people and ministry development. Another reason seems to me to be the leader's level of desire to either stick with the ministry style/ brand of the sending church or to branch out with a different ministry strategy, approaches, theological emphasis', etc. A new ministry model will likely mean a new church. Either way, more churches get started, and more people are being reached. 

 

'Canes Defense Stifles Knights

Congratulations 'Canes! The big story from Wednesday night's game was DEFENSE!!! I'm pretty sure the other team did not even get a first down. Wow. Big time congratulations to every member of the defense in our 20-0 win over the Knights.

On offense, we played a much stiffer defense than last game, and did a great job of really moving the football, making 1st downs, and getting the ball in the end zone. As usual--blocking and good fakes were essential.

We're off to a great start. Boys we are very proud of you and how you have come together as a football team. And, many thanks to all the moms and dads for your support, encouragement, and involvement.

Next up? The Seminoles Monday October 6th!

Follow this link to some of the game photos.

Looking Back to Sunday

It's that time of week, when I look back to Sunday's church service and think about what God wants me to do with what I've heard. Follow this link to hear the message.

Soteriology-Part 2. So great a salvation. Isaac addressed a common confusion in the church (especially the church in the West): he reminded us that conversion was never meant to be the end goal. Jesus came to and commanded us to make disciples, followers, learners...not just converts. While our salvation is secure and unchanging, we are also instructed to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (which Isaac described with humility and reverence). 

How? How can we do this? Isaac suggested it was through obedience. God has invited us into His work--into His plan for the redemption of the world. Early in the message, Isaac referred to Victor Frankl and his reflections on life in a concentration camp. While the torture and brutality of the guards was horrific, what he found unbearable was the forced mundane work of digging holes and moving rocks back and forth across camp. The idea: we were created for a purpose. Our lives are empty until we engage with the purpose of our lives. We work out our salvation by pursuing God's purpose for our lives.

Application time. At this point, I fear many Christians in the marketplace hear this and think, "But, I don't want to quit my job and be a missionary." Or, "I guess one day maybe I'll go into full-time ministry so I can join God's work." First, IF that is what God is saying to do. Do it. However, I believe most will continue right where they are at.

As the former President of a missions organization, I've seen many make the "missionary commitment." I know I made mine in 1982 listening to Dr. Bill Bright. That day, I told God I wanted to join Him in His redemptive work around the world as the single focus of my life. Little did I know that many years later he would send me as a missionary back to the marketplace right here in good 'ole USA. Truth is God wants most of us to work out our salvation in our neighborhoods, in our places of work, in our communities. That is our mission field today. If I could wave a wand and change one thing about the church...this is what I would change: that every Christian would make the priority of their life joining God in His redemptive work around the world--starting right where they are.

KLR Best Practices--Who Moved My Cheese?

I was with a client Monday. We were discussing his business development strategy in this difficult market. He told me about the book: Who Moved My Cheese? It is a book about leadership, recognizing trends, and managing change. My client related to the simple but profound idea of this best selling book: leaders recognize if the cheese is running out and lead their organizations to go to where the cheese is! Good stuff.

In his case, he adjusted his plan to move his company's business development efforts to where the cheese is. At the core of finding the cheese is understanding who is our customer? And what does our customer value? And what need can we meet for them?

Another client had the leadership insight 7 years ago to begin the involved process of expanding his business internationally. He recognized something many of his peers failed to see--he saw where the cheese was moving in his particular industry. To his credit, he is among the first in the rooms full of glorious cheese!

Finally, an associate is looking at a prospective business to acquire. Realizing the economic uncertainty that will most certainly continue for the foreseeable future, he has selected a business that is more likely to weather a sluggish and sliding economy.

In each case...they are following the cheese. No question that today many rooms that used to be filled with cheese have run dry. But, there is still cheese out there. The leaders are finding the cheese and taking the needed steps to get their businesses into those rooms.

Looking Back to Sunday

Soteriology. Big word. One that is worth applying yourself to unpacking the depth of its meaning. It is a word for the biggest gift that could possibly ever be fathomed. There is no need to rehash the whole message here. This is yet another message you'll just want to hear (follow link). For me, I came away from Summit Church with a sense of humility. 

To truly understand just how far I am from God in my own humanness...to contemplate the mountain of moral debt that I have accumulated...to realize that I, like Adam, have ingested death...brings me to the point helplessness and from there to seeing the unimaginable value of what Christ has done for me. Soteriology. So great a salvation.

Before God remakes us, He first brings us to the end of ourselves. And from that position our soul reaches out to Him and says, "All I know of me, to all I know of Christ." 

This humble plea of the soul is meant to be carried with me each and every day. From this position I find the joy of my restored relationship with God. From this position I find grace to release others from ways I think they may have wronged me. And from this position, I find compassion for those who have not yet come to know the unimaginable value of the biggest gift. 

The Lighter Side of Life

I coach Michael's flag football team. Last year, on the way to games I would hum the tune "Drunken Sailor" made popular (to guys like me) by NFL Films Classics. As I hummed along, I would see in my mind's eye slow motion pictures of some of the NFL's greatest plays--thinking I was getting Michael pumped up for the big game.

After weeks of this, Michael broke his silence with this question: "Dad. Why do you always sing the SpongeBob song when we go to football games?!"

KLR Best Practices

This is the first of a new series "KLR Best Practices". KLR stands for Kern Leadership Resources--my consulting practice. From time to time I come across best practices that I will post under this category (see side banner KLR Best Practices)

I found this video today and thought it would be helpful to entrepreneurs. This is the "bootstrap" model for a new business launch. Some observations: The first stage in the model is the Awaken stage--the time when the "Bootstrapper Team" comes together. Notice the team comes together before the product is designed. This is consistent with the principle in Jim Collins' book Good to Great, "First Who, Then What." I have also found that "First Who, Then What" is not only a business decision to team up with strong talent, but it also is a quality of life decision. With so much time and energy invested in a business, do you have a good relationship and shared values with your fellow "bootstrapper(s)"? 

In my experience the product-customer stages are not sequential but occur in tandem and inform one another. In fact, I think it best to begin with answering some key questions about your potential customer before you go to demo. Ask yourself "Who is our customer?" "What do they consider value?" "What product or services will best meet their needs and wants?" With this in view, the product-demo can be developed to deliver what your potential customer wants. Then, as mentioned in the video, you go through various refinements of your product as you assess the customer's reaction to your product offering. All in all this looks like a helpful model.