3 Lessons Learned From Sailing

Today marked the maiden voyage of my son, Steve's new (to him) sailboat, Ubiquitous. What a great day. Up to now, for the last 5 weeks we've made weekly trips down to make sure it was still floating, run the engine to charge the batteries, so that it continued to run the bilge, to keep the boat afloat. I even spent the night aboard on one trip. But, owning a boat, and sleeping on it are not why you buy one. (Even though Steve bought it as his dorm room : ), that's another story.

Here's what we experienced today!

1. The power of combining or opposing forces!

While motoring with the inboard diesel, we discovered that when you run with the current, it adds 4 or 5 knots/hr to you speed! We gain so much momentum when we join forces with others. Look for ways to join with others where you can. While under sail today, we discovered that while we seemed to be doing 5 knots, our gps showed our speed was zero! The current was enough against us that it made our progress null! Ever have those days (months or years) when you worked hard, thought things were going great, only to discover that your progress was unraveling?! Check your gps! Another perspective is often needed to get an accurate read on your progress.

2. Communication is key!

Friends of ours helped us sail today, Rogor and Debbie are veteran sailors and when they spoke, we listened. Years of hands-on experience communicated practically made today SO enjoyable. Communcation done right can make even a menial task fun! On a boat, there are rules and things that need to be done a certain way, to keep that enjoyment from turning into disaster. How we communicate makes all the difference! Clear, concise instructions, follow up to check for understanding are elements of good comminication.

3. Someone has to be in charge!

Rogor was our skipper today. Debbie was the first mate. Steve and I were crew. We didn't draw straws, we didn't vote. We did what Rogor felt comfortable doing today and traveling as far as he thought we should. Rogor called the shots, taught us navigation, right of way, channel marker identification. Debbie taught us ropes, lines, knots, sheets, mainsails, gibs, reefing, and more! We and our organizations do well when there is strong leadership. Rogor and Debbie, like good leaders, realize that if they keep all that knowledge to themselves, we wouldn't progress as well and they would have a bored crew, which often leads to mutiny : - ) Taking the time to teach and lead brought vast enjoyment to the day! Good leadership is good for everyone!

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Conqueror or Maintainer?

Often when I read through the account of the kings of Judah and Israel from the Old Testament, I find myself frustrated at the state of man. Such a reflection on my heart so many times in giving God only part of me when he desires and craves it all! I know God does not need me, but He wants me and not just part, but the whole kit and kabodle! The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly! (plenty of the latter two!) This Video that Michael Harrison reminded me of this morning says it all!

When you read the story of David, you get the insight from the writers of scripture that He, for all his faults, really had a deep connection with God; hence, known as being "after God's heart". You don't see that with many kings that followed. Yes, there were bright spots in Judah's history and kings, but what set David apart?

I wonder sometimes if it wasn't the adventure that David took with God. David was forging new territory in Israel's history. This whole "king" thing was fairly new (after the first disaster of Saul) and David comes along annointed by God's prophet both with oil and Spirit; however, David's adventure with God did not start at that physical annointing,for God had already captured his heart as a boy while learning to care for his father's sheep. David's life was a series of "next steps" with God and he was in love with God; for God was in love with him!

David did not choose ease, nor did he try to maintain what Saul had established. He and God worked this kingdom out from scratch. Many battles, many long hours of administrating and establishing this new peace and prosperity for Israel. Many more hours seeking God and meditating and praising him in prayer and song.

The kings that followed mostly seemed to go into "Maintain" mode instead of expanding the kingdom at God's direction. They allowed foolish pride to enter in, mostly did not seek God's guidance. Perhaps it was also that David forgot to pass his legacy on to his children!

What do we take away from all this? Seek God wholeheartedly! (God, please forgive me for not giving you my best!) Meditate on His words, His praises, His guidance. God is working all around us to build His Church/Kingdom. Enter into that fresh work. Some churches have sought to just maintain the "good, ol' days" and maybe it's time for you to step out and be part of something fresh and new; forge ahead into new uncharted territory! And don't forget to include your family in this adventure and pray that they will come to experience God in amazing ways too!

Leading Through Change

Got to spend a little time this afternoon at our new New Spring Greenville Offices on the way home from my office. One thing that strikes me about the New Spring staff is that they are themselves whether they are at the gathering spot (Carolina First Center) or at the office. I really appreciate their friendliness and it's cool to watch the obvious love and comraderie they share! Thanks to Kevin for the tour; it really is a great facility for the offices and FUSE student ministry!



I enjoyed getting to hear from Howard how God has moved through this whole amazing relocation deal. (He needs to write a book!) I get the sense as I recently saw someone on Twitter say to the effect of, "Better than having amazing stuff; Having amazing stories!" Listening to Howard's stories of working through the maze of negotiations and relo details is definitely a testimony to the fact that Howard believes that God is BIG and wants to do way BIGGER things than we could ever imagine. BIGGER things like the work that God is doing in people's lives through encouragement and introducing them to Jesus! I'm glad my campus pastor has this kind of faith even when things are uncertain. Im praying that God will continue to give wisdom as they strive to provide the right environments for people to experience worship and community - challenging when we are a Mobile Church! But hey, the Church should always be Mobile in a sense, right?

God is using our local body in so many interwoven stories going on in the Greenville area that it's impossible to deny His leading in all this! He has assembled a great staff who desire to walk in step with his leading and aren't afraid to mix it up and stay on the edge of their seat!

Rock on guys!

Follow up Review to Killing Cockroaches

From Feb 18, 2009

I'm finishing up reading Tony's book. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805447857/tonymorgan-20
Tony hits the nail on the head when it comes to the distractions that many (read "all") of us face everyday. The cockroaches are the little tasks/distractions that are often fun to deal with but keep us from focusing on what we shoud really be about. In anything we do, we have certain giftings, but we often want to dabble in things better left for others who are suited/gifted in these areas. I was recently reminded of this by Jon Bowen when I wanted to mess around with production on my latest recording. Jon graciously slapped my hands and reminded me to focus on Song writing and leave production to those who actually know what to do!
In one of my favorite excerpts, Tony talks about how one of those distractions can be people who don't follow your vision. We can spend a lot of time trying to "convince" people of the validity of that vision, but in reality, if people aren't ready, they aren't going to budge. Let God be our judge, after all, we will stand before Him, not people, family or friends. Sounds arrogant, but you know what I mean. The other part I really am trying to benefit from is Encouraging other leaders. Just because you are a leader, it doesn't mean that you have to try and do everything! Empower the leaders who work for you, they need it! Provide the vision, but give them the liberty to flourish and develop their leadership skills-you'll be amazed at what gets accomplished.
The books reads in clips. It is laid out in manageable chunks so you don't need to (nor should you) try and get it all in one sitting!
If you are in leadership, this is a must-read. You will appreciate Tony's perspective on leadership and life. Tony comes from both a corporate and ministry background and is currently one of our pastors at New Spring Church and Chief Strategic Officer (read "Intentional Ministry Minister").

Initial Review of Tony Morgan's "Killing Cockroaches"

From January 5th, 2009

I'm about 70 pages into this reading of Tony's "musings on leadership". First of all, you might be surprised to know that although there are a lot of references to "church" leadership, Tony's experiences from the corporate and public sector, and now church world very much translate to any walk of life.
I've enjoyed how he has broken up his experiences and stories into smaller snippets making it easy to sit down and read just enough to digest instead of expecting this short attention spanned reader to try and consume/digest it all.
Tony's stories point out for us how distracted we can become whether intentional or unintentional. These distractions are the "cockroaches" and are the things that keep us from focusing on our real purpose. We love the immediate gratification of killing cockroaches, or "putting out fires" to some. When it comes to being a leader, we can either lead and delegate (both tasks and authority) or we can hog all those tasks (and authority) and only deliver mediocrity.
Cudos for using multiple examples from different types of leaders and not just his own. I guess he is trying to put his own observations into practice!
Tony (www.tonymorganlive.com) is one of our pastors and the Chief Strategic Officer at New Spring Church (www.newspring.cc) and his job is to shake things up and keep communications from ever getting static in how New Spring does church. Not always popular, usually controversial, he says he's living his dream life! Keep it coming, Tony, we need it.

Roach Overkill

Twittering today I noticed Tony Morgan (www.tonymorganlive.com) and a comment about his book, "Killing Cockroaches" and it brought to mind a humorous story perfomed by a couple of single dudes (Names withheld to protect the innocent roaches!) I worked with in my construction days in Greenville. Seems they had a little problem on their hands with roaches, they had the roach motels and all - in efforts to try and get rid of them. One fine Sunday afternoon, they were sitting and watching TV in the living room when one of them critters went waltzing across their fine hardwoods. Fed up and too lazy to get up to go stomp on the sucker, one said dude grabbed his 44 Magnum pistol (given the neighborhood they lived in) and fired one well placed shot that carved a nice groove in that fine white oak, picking up the roach in its path and burying him under the baseboard. Wish I had pictures, but imagine tiny little legs sticking out from under the base shoe.
Oh, and for those wondering, it was a Smith and Wesson Model 629 Classic, chambered in 44 Magnum and with a 4 inch barrel. (I think!)