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November 1st, 2009 in Leadership, Uncategorized by Byron Davis
In Andy Stanley’s latest book, Principle Of The Path, he asserts a very good point:
“…your direction, not your intention, determines your destination!”
Basically he’s saying, it’s not good enough to want something to happen, you must demonstrate your “want” through how you do what it is you do. For ministry leaders that means, it’s not enough to want more diversity on your staff, or in your congregation. For diversity to have the greatest chance of happening, you must reflect that intent with intentional habits that are directly responsible for your direction.
Stanley goes on to say that, “commonly, there is a disconnect between the chosen path and our intended destination.” We make the mistake in thinking that our hopes and dreams somehow trump the daily choices we make, and they do not. Here are three common disconnects that keep our desired outcome of diversity different from our good intentions:
1. Vision vs. Values: Our destination is determined, most often, not by the vision that we set, but by the values that we reward. Leadership behavior sets the standards and pace of the organization. Your staff, volunteers, and constituents get their cues from your choice behaviors, and the behaviors you reward. If your choices and decisions do not reflect your stated vision, neither will the choices and decisions of those who follow your leadership. It’s the applied values that create the culture of your organization. Vision establishes your desired outcome. Values establish your daily behavior. And it’s your daily behaviors, and the daily behaviors of your organization that have the greatest impact on your destination.
2. Funding Drives Direction: Luke 12:34 tells us that, “where [our] treasure is, there [our] hearts will be also!” We invest in what we value. You can say you really want a more diverse staff, but if you are not willing to invest in new ways of recruiting and finding qualified leaders of diversity, then you are allowing there to be a disconnect between your good intentions and your destination. Where you put your resources of time, attention, and finances drives your direction. And remember, it’s our direction, not our intention, that determines our destination.
3. Business Model, Vision, & Values: When the organization’s approach and systems of operation do not support the vision, no matter how much you desire change, you will end up moving in a different direction. How we administer our ministries can and does reflect and reinforce unintended values. If the results you are getting do not match the intent you desire, you must change the model. This is hard because the business model you use reflects your investment in efforts, time, and people. changing the model may mean changing how you invest in these 3 crucial areas. Remember, your business model, not your vision, reveals your values and drives your direction.
It is very important to cast a compelling vision that paints a picture of a promising future -for it is without vision do a people suffer. That is why it is crucial for that vision (intention) to be valued through how we direct our organization. Direction, not intention, determines destination.
Unity Through Diversity!
October 26th, 2009 in Diversity, The Church by Byron Davis
The Holy Spirit!
Now before you politely yell “cop out,” under your breath, hear me out. On the day of Pentecost, Diaspora Jews gathered in Jerusalem witnessed the undoing of the curse of the Tower of Babel. The wall of suspicion, prejudice and hostility collapsed as diverse people groups heard the apostles praising God in their own language. As they were amazed, they realized that the new day of God’s redemption had dawned. Not only were individuals brought to the saving grace of God, but ethnic groups were reconciled to each other through the workings of the Holy Spirit.
The good news is, the Holy Spirit has not stopped working. He is still at work all around us today. The question then becomes, are we making room for the Holy Spirit to work within our ministry in ways that foster naturally diversity?
In what ways can we be more intentional about reflecting the changing demographic of our communities more accurately within our church bodies? Pastor Rick Rusaw in his book, Externally Focused Church, encourages ministries to embrace and impact their communities by embodying four basic principles.
Principle #1: The Good News and good deeds go hand in hand. Chuck Olsen says, “common grace and saving grace are two sides to the same coin.” The Good News give purpose to the good deeds we do. The good deeds we do in and for our community creates situations where people actually experience the Good News.
Principle #2: How the people of God live in their communities is “vital” to the health and well being of their communities. The Christian church is the soul of the city. If the city is dead, what is that saying about its soul? It’s imperative that we encourage our church membership to actively engage the community in ways that demonstrate that our God is real, relevant, and changes lives if we let Him. When we do that, God has a way of drawing “all” men unto Him.
Principle #3: Ministry and service should be “normal” expressions of the church. Being an important resource to the rest of the community should be “the church’s” modus operendi. As the foot is built to walk and run, the church is built for ministry and service to its community.
Principle #4: Evangelism becomes a natural product of the “ever presence” of the church in the community. If you think evangelism is just telling people how to get eternal “fire insurance” and that’s it, you are missing the power and freedom that Jesus offers to those who desire to follow after Him. When we say it’s all about Jesus, it really is! That statement is so profound. Jesus gives life and purpose to everything we do, so if we are truly doing things as an act of worship, people will be drawn to the one who brings what we do to life. At that point, our only job is to not get in the way and allow the Holy Spirit to use our words and our deeds to draw all people unto Him.
Here’s my point: because the landscape of our communities are already becoming diverse, if we just become intentional about being externally focused and truly connecting, in meaningful ways, with the community around us -as Christ uses the lives of His body to draw all “man” unto Him, diversity will just happen!
What do you think?
October 21st, 2009 in Leadership by Byron Davis
Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York has opened up a new free sermon resource, starting with 150 of Pastor Tim Keller’s sermons, all categorized, labeled, and downloadable, at this site:
* Download Tim Keller’s Sermons
Here’s more info from the site:
Redeemer’s Sermon Ministry has been faithfully recording, cataloging and reproducing all of our sermons for the past 20 years. To celebrate all 20 years of our history, and to meet the growing demand for our church’s teaching in New York City and around the world, we have created this resource of 150 sermons and lectures covering a broad array of topics, completely free to download and share.
The recordings chosen for the Free Sermon Resource were culled from classic sermon series as well as lectures and seminar addresses delivered to various Redeemer ministry gatherings, and are intended to present to the listener the full scope of teachings they would receive over several years of active involvement at Redeemer.
This is an amazing new resource, and there will be more content getting added regularly, so tell all your friends: Redeemer Free Sermon Resource.
October 19th, 2009 in Leadership, The Church by Byron Davis
Embedded video from CNN Video
A justice of the peace in Louisiana who has drawn widespread criticism for refusing to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple says he has no regrets about his decision.
“It’s kind of hard to apologize for something that you really and truly feel down in your heart you haven’t done wrong,” Keith Bardwell told CNN affiliate WAFB on Saturday.
Bardwell, a justice of the peace for Tangipahoa Parish’s 8th Ward, refused to issue a marriage license to Beth Humphrey, 30, and her boyfriend, Terence McKay, 32, both of Hammond.
(CNN.com repost)
Let’s talk about this. What are your thoughts?
October 13th, 2009 in Diversity, Teamwork by Byron Davis
At some time or another we’ve all heard the old adage, “It’s not always what you know, but who you know!” While this statement is true, in the twenty-first century it’s not just who you know but, more importantly, who knows you! This is a question of your contribution-“ability!”
Are you valuable? A better question is, are you resourceful? What problem(s) are you known for solving? What resources have you become the “go-to” guy/ gal for? Do people know what you have to offer?
In ministry, today, this question has become more important than ever? With the challenges Americans face politically, and financially pastoral and ministry care has seen a significant increase in the practical impact they can have on the community. And because immediate resources may be scarce, extended resource’s have become all the more critical. This is where the power of ones network is paramount. To better solve the problems of today, it is to all of our advantage to leverage the power of new, and diverse networks! We must expand and diversify our networks!
There is no reason now, with the availability of new technology, that we, in the “soul care” business, can not effectively increase our creative resourcefulness through expanding our “valued” networks. We are in the midst of a “perfect storm” where people, of all walks of life, are asking for “just in time” help. And I can think of no better time to be more intentional about expanding the diversity of our networks, to meet the diverse needs of our ever changing American landscape. Now more than ever before, there is power and unity in our diversity!
And here lies a profound opportunity to foster diversity naturally. What’s one of the most effective ways to foster “sustainable” diversity? When people of diverse heritage regularly, and intentionally come together to solve important problems that have little or nothing to do with diversity!
Dream Of Destiny is committed to helping you to naturally leverage the resourcefulness of a diverse social network. And what’s an easy first step in leveraging the power and resources of a new, and diverse network?
JOIN the Dream of Destiny network Today!
October 8th, 2009 in Events by Byron Davis
If you have not attended the NACC summer convention in a while, you will NOT want to miss the one coming up in summer 2010. The theme for the convention is, BEYOND, following Jesus to a place you’ve never been! Ben Cachiaras, the 2010 NACC President, shared the vision for this summer’s conference, and I am already excited about attending.
I just got back from the NACC executive meeting, held in Indian, where executive and continuation committee members plan the schedule for the 2010, and 11 conventions.
Hold onto your church hats, and bible covers! Big change is coming down the pipeline. I have been told, by several committee members, that the energy at this past meeting was higher than any in years past. God is definitely doing a new thing. For one thing, it was definitely more diverse. We had more diversity in ethnicity, gender, and age at this meeting influencing who will speak at convention and in workshops.
Francis Chan has confirmed to speak. Dick Alexander from LifeSpring Church will speak. If you have not heard about Ephran Smith, you most definitely will within the next year. He’s confirmed to speak. And more! The conference is in Indianapolis, July 6-9th 2010.
All I will say for now is: Register Now!
Go Beyond! Connect With the NACC on FaceBook.
Video to come… Stay Tuned…
October 8th, 2009 in Leadership by Byron Davis
As I continue my study through the New Testament, I am noticing a common theme in Paul’s writings to the church. Whether he’s writing to the church in Thessalonica, or to the church at Colosse, or to the church at Galatia, the one issue Paul always seems to address is the propensity for followers of Jesus to take their eyes off the main thing. The Thessalonians needed to be encouraged in their faith, and in Christ’s return. The Colossians were being misguided by false teachings. The Galatians had to be reminded that they did not have to obey the Jewish law to be saved, but rather, their freedom was in Christ alone.
I am finding that most of Paul’s letters centered around reminding Christ followers who the center of their life is; And how the point of their life is, ultimately, to point to others that center –Jesus Christ!
I noticed something else: not much has changed in our time. The concerns Paul had back then are still spot on today. The force and relevance of his letters can still be felt and applied today. I must admit, it is so easy, even in doing “God’s work,” to put that work in front of “the work” God desires to do in me and through me. Isn’t it funny how that easily happens? I don’t know about you; I must regularly return the focus of my heart back to the main thing. How about you?
Today, let’s be encouraged to reflect Christ in all that we do. Let us gage all that we do by whether or not it points toward or points way from Christ. Let us everyday, from this day forward, always keep the main thing the main thing.
Are you with me?
Live Simple, Live Generously, Live Well,
October 1st, 2009 in The Church by Byron Davis
This is a re-post from Eric Bryant.
Like Thabiti, I believe that connecting to a local church remains an important part of the life of a follower of Jesus. According to Paul, whether we like it or not, when we choose to follow Christ we become part of the “body of Christ.” I agree with Thabiti that Paul could not imagine a follower of Jesus who was not connecting with other followers of Jesus in homes or gatherings in the city in which they lived. Rather than thinking we should get rid of church membership, then, I do not believe that church membership is enough.
Too many churches have more members than attenders. In other churches, members may attend, but they are not engaged whatsoever. Unfortunately, membership in a local church sometimes feels like joining a gym. You start going for a few weeks and then stop when you get too busy.
In other cases, churches have allowed the mantra from American Express—”membership has its privileges”—to infiltrate their culture. Church members become more consumeristic or concerned with power than the apostle Paul ever intended.
Finally, the word “member” ends up emphasizing who belongs and who doesn’t. As a result, too many of our churches have become a fortress from the world rather than “salt and light” in the world.
We have a different approach at Mosaic. Anyone can be a part of our community no matter where they are in their spiritual journey. People are allowed to belong before they believe. It has been a beautiful experience to see people from diverse ethnic, socioeconomic, and spiritual backgrounds come together to discover that God loves us and that His name is Jesus.
While we have a wide open front door, the path to join our volunteer staff—the team that oversees the lives of others—is very narrow. The women and men serving as part of our volunteer staff have been mentored through “Life in Christ,” participated in a seminar about our particular calling as a community, and commissioned to be missionaries, pastors, and mentors in our city. We anoint them with oil and commission them in the same gatherings where we commission our overseas workers.
Since our volunteer staff share our convictions and values, they are encouraged to start new efforts in reaching others and raising up leaders. They commit to live in a God-honoring way, serve faithfully, reach out to the disconnected, and give 10 percent of their income towards our efforts as a community. Not every person who follows Jesus in our community chooses to join our volunteer staff. We will love, serve, and care for anyone in our community. The only reason to join our staff is if you want to be one of those loving, serving, and caring for our community.
Allowing people to belong before they believe and mobilizing volunteers to serve with such a high level of authority and responsibility comes with great risks and great rewards. We joke that we have the same characteristics as the early church—immorality, heresy, and conflict. At the same time, we have discovered the beauty of seeing people choose to follow Jesus and come alive serving in the areas where they are gifted and passionate.
September 30th, 2009 in Events by Byron Davis
Phil Allen, lead pastor of The Vine (Porter Ranch, Ca), shares a poem he wrote on the celebration of diversity.
