That's completes Day Two. Thanks for following this blog today.
If you liked what you saw, you might want to subscribe via RSS or email.
Come back on Monday - I'd love to share with you about a new book I'm writing
(and need your help with).
NOTES - Bill Hybels, vision guru
- Lights are dimming in the auditorium. International signal for, "Get your behind in here!"
- "The world is ready for a fresh conversation about Jesus" - John Ortberg
- Michelle Rhee: "I would much rather deal with ANGER than APATHY."
- Everyone wins when a leader gets better.
Is it just me or does Bill Hybels sound ever-so-slightly like a hoarse Kermit the Frog?
- Matthew 16:18 - Jesus is building the Church and will not allow it to be defeated.
- "The local church is the hope of the world" has 251 million hits on Google. Most internet posts disagree with that quote.
- First 18 years of Bill's life, he had one quote to sum up the Church: "Hopeless."
- "Our church was so hopeless in my view that I wanted to protect people from coming to it. I didn't want to do any further damage to people's view of the Church."
- Next phase of Bill's life: "Hopeful." Heard there was once a community of people totally devoted to God, they were brothers and sisters, took the masks off, prayed bold prayers. The church rocked with the power of God. People outside the church heard and wanted to join in.
- It’s one thing to see a vision and another to be seized by one.
- Vision is a picture of the future that produces passion. Vision causes people to sacrifice joyfully. Vision puts a bounce in your step when you might be dragging. Proverbs 29:18.
- Next phase of Bill's life: "The local church is the hope of the world." Because the Message of Jesus Christ is the only one that can change the earth, and God has made the Church the steward of that Message, the local church is the hope of the world.
- If every church reaches their redemptive potential, the light of Christ shines.
- New Question: Will the local church, the hope of the world, be able to sustain itself until the end of time? This brings us back to Matthew 16:18...
- Don't you realize this is the ONLY thing Jesus is directing until He returns? He's full-time focused on the building of His Church worldwide.
- When Jesus taps you on the shoulder and invites you on the journey of building the hope of the world, how do you say No? "Don't be that guy; you'll regret it forever."
That's completes Day Two. Thanks for following this blog today.
If you liked what you saw, you might want to subscribe via RSS or email.
Come back on Monday - I'd love to share with you about a new book I'm writing
(and need your help with).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4:43pm
Whew! This event has absolutely flown by - - are we at the final talk already?
Quick break, then a final slam-dunk message from Bill Hybels.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Where despair rules, young people have no concept of God; only violence, sex, and drugs.
- "Contaminate" with positive values to show what normalcy can look like.
- Change the neighborhood block by block with a sense of purpose and hope. Harlem is a big place: can we do one block? People doubted at first, "One block, so what?" By the third block, people believed it could be possible to transform Harlem.
- Too often we ask, what is shortest period of time for least amount of money to change a child? This question doesn't make any sense! If you raise a child, there is no time in that child's life that you can't be a great parent!
- "Donate to help fix a child's cavity, helps them study?" No - What decent human being that could provide dental help wouldn't help a child?! Providing these services is NOT exceptional in our country; we should be doing this!!
- Tipping Point = reach 65-75% of a population with positive message over a negative message; changes a community!
- "I'm gonna save a few kids." NO! Let's save ALL the kids!!
Failure makes you want to hide and scale down the vision.
Going out and saying, "I failed. I'm going to go back and try TWICE as hard" is harder to do!
- "I believe in redemption; I believe that people can get better!"
- The donor feels like the customer who is always right, tries telling you what to do. There's a line where the gift actually detracts from your work.
- Compassion and urgency have increased for him over the years.
- "We can't do it." But I see us put another rover on Mars? As Americans, we have not really put our focus on this and made it a core mission.
- Succession Planning: CEO of American Express had a succession plan on Day One. Plan in place on how the company will survive; not a personality cult. Amex has 2-3 people who know they're in line for succession. Concept is to think intentionally about your replacement in a timely manner. "I need to leave this organization when it's on it's way UP."
- People have fought for what is right, never saw progress during their lifetimes ...But still fought for the right cause. We are but a moment in a path towards victory.
- It's easy to have faith when everything's going great. The real test of faith is when you're faced with something that only your faith will keep your belief in God.
"I'm not afraid of death, because I know the One who conquered it." - Bill Hybels
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Random Trivia: I was at John Ortberg's final Sunday at Willow Creek in July 2003.
- Why is there a San Jose? Because a man named Joseph was impacted by a Man named Jesus.
- Why is there a Sacramento? Because a Man named Jesus had a meal, a sacrament.
"Regardless of what anyone may personally think or believe about him, Jesus of Nazareth has been the dominant figure in the history of Western culture for almost twenty centuries.
If it were possible, with some sort of super magnet, to pull up out of that history every scrap of metal bearing at least a trace of his name, how much would be left?" - Jerislav Pelikan, Jesus Across the Centuries
- Too often we argue about Christianity, instead of marvel at Him.
- Jesus gave the world its biggest movement.
- Colossians 3:11 - Christ is all and in all. He brings together opposites.
- Historical reality = poverty-stricken, crucified carpenter.
- Jesus changed how we think about history. Ancients thought of existence as cycles; events were dated by rulers (Year One of the Rule of Augustus).
- By the 6th Century, a monk proposed a new calendar, based NOT on the founding of Rome, but on the birth of a carpenter. Based on idea that life is not a random cycle, but has meaning based on this Jewish carpenter.
- Jesus lived and died. And Caesar never knew of His existence. 2,000 years later, we name our kids Peter, Paul, and Mary and we give our dogs names like Caesar and Nero!
- A.D. = Every ruler who ever reigned must be dated in reference to the life of Jesus.
- Jesus shaped how we express compassion. Beautiful/noble/strong were admired. Weak/marginal were not valued in ancient world. 1.4 million boys for every 1 million girls; babies were killed by gender (source: Rodney Stark). Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me." Christians were the first to take in orphan children.
- Widows were fined by Rome for surviving past their husbands; considered a drag on the economy. They were taken in by the Church. Jesus began a revolution in the view of the status of women.
- 1st three centuries of the Church, there were two epidemics that wiped out a THIRD of city populations. Created such a panic in Roman Empire that on first onset of the disease, they were thrown out as dirt to avert the spread of contagions. People in the strange community called the Church went out and brought them in, even at risk of their own health, because Jesus loved lepers, touched crippled, served the lowest.
- Fourth Century - 1st hospital arises from Jesus-follower Benedict. At Geneva Convention, the Red Cross was recognized. Hospitals are named Good Shepherd or St. Anthony. All touched by Jesus.
- The Jesus Movement shaped education. Schools not for girls or slaves. Odd community called the Church knew that Jesus taught EVERYONE. Last command of Jesus: "Teach EVERYONE."
- By fourth century, monastic communities were only institutions in Europe for preservation of texts, both religious and pagan. Then churches began building schools. Then universities: Cambridge, Oxford, Harvard, Yale. 92% of all colleges/universities started in America before Civil War originated to glorify God.
- American public funding for mass education in 18th Century was called the Ole Deluder Satan Act. Because God wants ALL people to learn, not learning was an act of the devil.
- Science as an organized, sustained industry that arose only once in human history, in Christian Europe. Clocks invented so monks knew when to pray. Glasses arose from monks; champagne too.
- Alphabet of the Slavs is called syrillic. No written alphabet. So a follower of Jesus created a written language for them.
- No other book translated even a fifth as much as the Bible. No other subject of art more venerated than Jesus.
- The Jesus Movement changed political theory (Mark 12:17). Ancient world assumed the state had the franchise on religion. No "state church," just perogative of the ruler. Jesus says, "No, there's another Realm." Historically, the Church follows Jesus the worst when it has a lot of political power than when it doesn't.
- Jesus changed how we think about human rights and dignity. Declaration of Independence: "self-evidence" of a Creator. Where did that come from?
- Nobody in ancient world said, "I love Zeus." Jesus brought a new way of thinking about God: love.
- Jesus said that God is like a Father filled with unquenchable love for every human on earth. Galatians 3:28 - "you are all one in Christ Jesus."
- Abolition movements and rise of status of women are led by Jesus followers.
- Jesus taught to love your enemies. Not a human idea. Ancient world: love your friends, HARM your enemies. Ghengis Khan: "What is best in life is to CRUSH your enemies..." Jesus: "What is best in life is to turn your other cheek, love your enemy..."
- Nero would slaughter followers of Jesus as human torches to light gladiator games. Went on for three centuries. Response? No dreams of revenge or revolt. They simply LOVED.
- Jesus inspired Tolstoy who inspired Ghandi.
- Martin Luther King went off-script: "I have a dream!" It was not a secular dream; it was inspired by Jesus' life.
- "The power of Jesus has a subversive way of refusing to stay submerged."
- Jesus is the hinge of history, greatest teacher, greatest mind, King of kings, greatest ever. Not who WAS this man; who IS this Man?
- The Call of the Carpenter remains today. Will you devote yourself to that Man and the expanded vision of His Kingdom? The crucified carpenter of Nazareth is the Hope of the nations and Savior of the world!
Dude, John Ortberg just PREACHED it. Wow. You should order a DVD of that talk. Amazing. Great message for non-believers; rooted in history and science. Humble delivery. Amazing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3:02pm
...and we're back! Had a great lunch with my family. Love my kids.
Ate at Culver's; HAD to have dessert! Peanut Butter Cup shake. Mmmm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Samuel 15:34-16:1 takes place 1,000 BC. Age of Iron was coming to an end. People groups of the Middle East were transitioning to powerful monarchies.
Israel still governed by tribal chiefs ruling over small territories. This fragmentation made Israel weak in face of enemies. There had been no clear leader to rally the kingdom into one people. Israel had relied exclusively on God for protection. But they decided to become a monarchy with a mighty army. This paved the way for Saul to become the 1st king of Israel.
Samuel was proud of Saul in his role as king, but on one occasion Saul deliberately ignored the instructions of the Lord, stealing cattle and then lying about it. God: "To walk in integrity is better than many riches." This failure disqualified Saul in God's eyes.
Was God too harsh? There are defining moments in the life of a man that reveal his internal character. There are certain actions that people of integrity REFUSE to engage in.
Saul's response = he grew violent and profane. Led to mass murder of temple priests. Uncontrollable ambition leads him to try murdering his own son and pursuing David obsessively. Those that open the door to moral failure allow for more failures to come.
Saul had now shown the world his lack of character. Very painful for Samuel to witness. Brought Samuel to an ethical crossroads: had to choose between love for God and love for his friend, Saul. Loyalty to values vs. loyalty to Saul. The moral failure of a leader will challenge the integrity of the followers as well. As leaders, we are not only responsible for our own actions, but also for that of those that we influence.
Samuel determined to remain firm in doing what was right. This is the reason why Samuel never again saw Saul's face.
- The heart finds comfort with every new step of integrity.
- Every right decision a leader makes will increase his influence.
- As the years pass by, they will reveal justice and integrity in your leadership.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES - Pranitha Timothy, Director of Aftercare for International Justice Mission in India
- Pranitha has personally freed over 4,000 slaves over the past 10 years.
- "Leaders lead out of who they are on the inside. This is why God is so eager to remake us on the inside."
- God spoke Isaiah 42:1-7 into her heart.
- Soon after surgery for brain tumor. Was benign, but lost ability to swallow, hearing in right ear, and was now mute. Two years later, she regained a feeble voice. Amazing. Her constant pain (15 years later) constantly reminds her that she needs God and that His grace is sufficient.
- "Growing up, I hated Christ." Angry youth; expelled from college. In her coldness and brokenness, she discovered that Jesus Christ was the answer to the darkness engulfing her life. "Come to Me, broken as you are..." This helps her understand the lives of slaves.
- We are called to serve. "I am no hero, I am simply called to serve a God who is already at work." God goes before us, into the places of darkness, and makes the paths straight. "I can do nothing without God."
- This life belongs to God."The proper source of strength is not willful strength, but willful remembrance that my life belongs to God."
- "My husband and daughters are safer in God's hands than they are in mine."
- God is good. Even when what we see in the world is hard, broken, and painful. "We believe in a God who is absolutely good to the core."
- God hears the cries of the oppressed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11:51am
Today is cruising right along at the Global Leadership Summit.
This morning's news via ESPN on the Dwight Howard trade is insane. Kobe is zealous for Ring #6 to match Jordan (even though Kobe is in no way like Michael Jordan), so he robs another Magic player (remember when they grabbed Shaq back in the day?) to assemble his Avengers.
Like the three-peat Bulls, there is an out-there Rodman in Metta World Peace, but the championship heart is missing. These guys haven't played together and are not fans of each other (can anyone say "Steve Nash?!"). Yet here we are with the new Lakers. * sigh *
We'll be live blogging in a few moments.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11:00am
Dr. William Ury of Harvard on Getting to Yes: Negotiating Conflict
- Negotiation is simply back-and-forth communication.
- Daily we negotiate with family, kids, parents, colleagues, board, congregation, vendors, governments, etc.
- Shared Decision Making = Negotiation.
- Conflict isn't necessarily bad. Competition creates business. Democracy allows different views. Can we deal with conflict in an honest way or through destruction?
- Greatest obstacle to successful negotiation: Ourselves. We are the biggest barrier. It's a natural human tendency to react (act without thinking).
- "When angry, you will make the best speech you will ever regret!"
- The REPLY key is a horrible invention! REPLY ALL is even worse!
- There is great power in NOT reacting.
- Focus on the people - they are human beings, not enemies (listen twice as much as you talk).
How can you change someone's mind if you don't know where there mind is at? You're trying to change the game from adversaries to being fellow humans at a table talking. In a negotiation, to listen costs you nothing but means everything to the other person.
- Focus on their interests/needs. Address the underlying aspirations. In negotiation we need to go to the balcony to get a broader view of the stage. Always ask, "Why? Why do you need that?"
- Develop multiple options; be creative with options. Are there many ways of doing this?
Example: Israel and Egypt (Dr. Ury helped negotiate at Camp David). Looked behind the issues. Egypt: This is about sovereignty. Israel: Our underlying need is security. Creative solution: Demilitiarize Sinai. Israel gets land buffer for security; Egypt gets land back.
- Ensure objective criteria and a fair process. This is a question of will and ego.
Example: 2 companies wanted to merge. Made sense on paper, but which CEO becomes CEO of combined company? Fair solution: older CEO became CEO and agreed to mandatory retirement age. No one has to "give-in," just differ to a fair alternative.
- BATNA - Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement. This is a positive alternative you have before walking into a negotiation.
- End of Civil War, Lincoln was feeling heavy about how to bind the wounds. Yankee patriot: "Mr. President, how dare you speak highly of our enemies when we should detroy them?" Lincoln's response" "Do I not destroy my enemy when I make him my friend?" WOW - I just tweeted that exact quote earlier this morning! I must be a prophet or something.
Ok, break time. Back at Noon.
"Vision is a picture of the future that produces passion in people" - Bill Hybels
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES - Patrick Lencioni, author of The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team
Patrick is an ENFP. I have a similar personality profile!
- "People need to be reminded more than they need to be instructed."
- What Makes Southwest Airlines Great: Building a Healthy Organization
- Organizational Health is the single greatest competitive advantage in business. It is virtually FREE and accessible, yet remains virtually UNTAPPED. Too many leaders think its BENEATH them.
- 2 Requirements for Success:
SMART - strategy, marketing, finance, tech. Only half the equation, but gets 98% of the focus
HEALTHY - minimal politics and confusion, high morale, high productivity, low turn-over.
- Churches focus on theology, sermons, etc. but neglect HEALTH!
4 Disciplines You Need to Master:
- Build a cohesive leadership team at the top (behaviorially aligned)
- Create clarity (intellectually aligned).
Great example: Dunder Mifflin's HORRIBLE company vision statement!
Dunder Mifflin Incorporated provides its customers quality office and information technology products, furniture, printing values and the expertise required for making informed buying decisions. We provide out products and services with a dedication to the highest degree of integrity and quality of customer satisfaction, developing long-term professional relationships with employees that develop pride, creating a stable working environment and company spirit.
Sadly, too many church's have vision statements like Dunder Mifflin's. We've intentionally kept our vision at Life Church simple and clear: Reach the Lost at Any Cost! Our Life Code shares our behavior.
"All things to all people" = "nothing to no one"
6 critical questions to create clarity (this affects your org's behavior)
- Why do we exist?
- How do we behave?
A client wrote to Southwest complaining. Southwest's 3 word response to her: We'll Miss You.If someone asks you to violate a core value, you must be willing to lose their business. Don't sell you soul to compromise a core value! You know you have a core value if you're willing to be punished for it!
- What do we do?
- How will we succeed? Strategy should be accessible to EVERYONE in your org. Strategic anchors make decision-making easy. Southwest's 3 anchors: Make fanatical fans, turn-around planes, keep fares low. These 3 simple strategies EMPOWER workers to make fast decisions, making customers happy!
- What is most important, right now?
- Who must do what?
"Leaders must OVERCOMMUNICATE things. Your people must hear something SEVEN TIMES before it begins to sink in."
This guy is an ENTERTAINING speaker: "I just forgot where I was. No, I mean, I know I'm at Willow Creek, just where I'm at in my talk. I mean, I did take an Ambien last night..."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9:56am
Welcome back, everyone! Since we last talked, the Lakers acquired Dwight Howard, its raining hard like Noah outside, and the complimentary coffee at our site has, wait for it, Coldstone Creamery coffee creamer!!! Oh Willow Creek, is there nothing you do not think of?
I'll be live blogging all day - - hit REFRESH each time you come back for the very latest leadership notes. And if you have any questions, hit me up in the Comments section below. Thanks!