* Learning from Leaders in Transition #1: Ben Arment

Kicking off this week's interview series with uber-blogger Ben Arment.  He's a white-boarding, catalytic story-teller with his own posse of cowboys. 

JON:  Ben, you've just transitioned toward forming Story in Chicago this fall.  Can you share with us how you processed this decision with God, your wife, and family?

BEN:  The idea of God's story has been a huge part of my life since 7th grade when my teacher wrote the word "history" on the chalkboard and I accidentally read "his story." I've always dreamed of expanding people's spiritual imaginations so that the Gospel wouldn't be taken for granted.

Every job I've ever had has prepared me for starting this organization, from church planting to working at Catalyst Conference. God gave me the vision for it long before I could act on it. When I was ready to go for it, when I had acquired enough experience and expertise, my wife was completely on-board. We're both entrepreneurial by nature, so this wasn't a big decision for us. Don't get me wrong, we're white-knuckling this thing - we could fail gloriously. But we've never had more faith for anything in our lives.

JON:  Who from the Bible did you most identify with during this transition in ministry?

BEN:  Without a doubt, David. My years of working at an organization felt like a "cave experience" to me. My good Christian friends kept sending me notes with passages about David and how God was preparing him. All of the isolation, all of the waiting, and all of the training has stirred up great passion for my God-given vision. I'm ready to go slay some giants. =)

JON:  Love it.  So how has God stretched you as a leader during this transition?

BEN:  I've come to realize that my hope is not in my dream, but in Christ alone. To remind me of this, God frequently withholds his provision for a season to keep my eyes fixed on him. This is truly agonizing. But I've come to see it as a gift. I have to make lists of thanksgiving every single day of my life to keep from getting discouraged and going postal. But God prescribed this - "Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything, with prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God."

JON:  What books/blogs are shaping you right now?

BEN:  Seth Godin's books, Jerry Falwell's book Building Dynamic Faith, and several bloggers: Michael Hyatt, Already Been Chewed and Anne Jackson.

JON:  What are your top 2 prayer requests?

BEN:  My top two prayer requests are:

1. For God to move mightily through Story - for leaders to become better communicators of the Gospel.
2. For my family's provision during this daring time of transition. We are living on daily bread these days.