Leadership from the fringes

Most of us understand leaders and leadership from the point of the person out front or the person with the vision. If you are a leader you also understand the principle of accepting blame and passing along created to others

We knew these things when vri started and we wanted to create an organization that was faceless. Yes we would pass along credit and accept blame while we casted vision but also we wanted to stay annonymous and let the church be the church not its pastors.

Here at the Leadnow conf I've been challenged to take our leadership to the fringes. By that I mean: what if as a leader all I did was invest in people and find ways for them to own the vision that god gave me. What if I spent long enough with them to figure out exaactly where they fit and then released it to them to run the vision. In other words why should I as a leader hold so tightly when I can't accomplish God's vision on my own.
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The walmart cart syndrome

Nikki and I were sitting in the parking lot of a walmart in Dallas last night discussing this Sunday's message on learning how to invest in the lives of people around you. We were in the middle of working through some simple examples when I saw somethin totally apauling that most of us do. A woman was taking her cart back to the cart collection area in the parking lot and on her way she noticed others had just dumped their cart in a certain parking spot. We've all done that. Been on our way to do the right thing then we see someone elses shortcut and we think, why can't I do that too.

Here is my issue and I hope you can share this too. That woman left her cart 4 parking spaces away from the cart collection area. Here is the deal...imagine for a moment that the cart she leaves there runs into someone elses car who you never know, that person could be at the end of their rope. What if the cart hits the car of a guy who is mad at his wife and the world and now he really abuses his wife. You might be thinking its not that serious. Let me ask you: what language do you use, what emotions do you have when a cart hits your car? Exactly none of take it with joy. So if u a well adjusted, normal person can't stand when a cart hits ur car. Imagine how someone a little less well adjusted than u will feel.

Here is the point. Investinting in others starts with doing the right moral and spiritual thing. We have to thinl past our own conveniences and consider the larger picture of a life that includes your neighbor.
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Dallas morning 1

So we have made it to dallas. We got in after midnight and ended up at whattaburger to eat. If you don't know whattaburger its their local famous burger joint. I had to do it at least once while we were here. Neway...it usually tied to a gass station so we get into the gas station and the walls are decked out in cowboys photos. It was like bein at a diner in a gas station. My wife is lovin this.
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The scariest moment for a parent

Saturday we took the kids fishing. It was their first experience so I was super pumped about sharing fishing with them (I'll write a post with pics later). During our trip I was on one end of the 'pier' and Mila was at the other end and I looked up to see her flailing in the water. Without thought or hesitation I dropped my rod and dashed the 30 years to other other side. Dani, one of our good friends who was fishing with us, had the presence of mind to reach in and pull Mila out before I could even get there.

I can't even begin to tell you the rush of emotions I had as I saw my child in the water and then on the pier recovering. For Mila's sake who was still in shock I held back my tears until we had ensured she was OK.

As a parent I can't imagine there being something scarier than loosing a child.

When it was all over Mila was definately one cool customer who did not seem very fased...but I was a wreck on the inside.

Today...thank God for your kids and let them know how much you love them.

Podcasting

Hey Everyone....

We just launched our Podcast within I-tunes. We strive to record every Sunday at VRI and post it by Monday in I-tunes. Would love the feedback. Click Here to Subscribe and launch Itunes.

Mathew Party

Its labor day....this is the day most of us fire up the grill for one of the last times (unless you are die hard like me and grill and fry all year). If you have young kids either they just went back to school or are about to and Summer is over after today. The weather is changing people are already starting to catch their fall colds (I have one) or allergies are driving people crazy. No matter what...you are probably going to spend today with someone....

here is a question WHO are you spending today with...most of spend holiday's with family and friends and for those of us who are Christians this may be very comfortable because most of our friends and family are Christian or at least act better when we are around. Is that what Jesus would do...

So many of us call ourselves 'Christians'...personally I dont like what that word connotates in our society. To most people, even Christians, Christians are self centered, better than thow, bible thumping, goody to shoes, who think they are perfect and everyone else is a sinner. I coudl go one but I hope you get the point....

Here's my point...as Christ followers and disciples we are to follow and 'immitate' our master. Jesus ate with leppers, healed the lame, and befriended prostitutes. Sure He had the 12 who were always with Him and the 'mob' that followed close behind. But He spent significant time with people society called insignificant. People society said He should not associate with. Let me ask you...This holiday weekend are you going to spend time with other Christians or are you going to be a Christ follower and reach out and love someone who God loves but does not know who HE is yet.

We invited a Jewish family from our neighborhood over. This has turned into an event for 30 people and moved from my house to another neighbors home. We all have kids and will all hang out for a few hours and break bread as people not as jews and christians.

BTW...the Mathew Party concept comes from mark 2:13-17

Free Movie Sunday

Wow..its been a few minutes since I've blogged....not that things have not been happening...more like...too much has been happening. I'll fill you in later....

For now let me introduce something VRI is doing in a couple of weeks www.FreeMovieSunday.com

We are inviting you to come out and bring your kids and watch a movie with us. Let me be totally honest...the point is to get people who would not usually go to church out to church for a free movie.

Check out the site, feel free to come out, and please tell others about it.


p.s. if you are moved and would like to help us pull off this event...let us know. thx.