Jonathan Herron

Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New

 

‘Wisdom comes to the heart that is hungry for God.’ (A.W. Tozer)

 

Whenever I feel discouraged and want to quit something, I remember the words of my then 3-year-old after she puked carrots all over the living room floor: “I’m gonna need more carrots.”

 

‘As a leader, you will have to make decisions that those whom you lead and even spectators won’t understand for years.’

(Dr. Eric Mason)

 

Leaders are targets for the Enemy. If you’re leading out front, then of course you’re going to be on the receiving end of fiery darts. Expect it.

 

Misunderstandings and miscommunications will happen.

 

You cannot control other people’s perceptions. You can only control your own actions and reactions.

 

Be careful with what you hear about someone. You might be hearing it from the problem.

 

As soon as we step into condemnation instead of conversation, we can no longer see that person clearly.

 

/ / /

 

‘A perverse man sows strife and a whisperer separates the best of friends.’ (Proverbs 16:28)

 

People don’t own you when they hurt you. They own you when your entire life is defined by that hurt.

 

If you’ve been burned, heal. If someone has an issue with you and they’re telling everyone except you, they don’t have a real issue with you. They just enjoy the attention they get from talking about you.

 

/ / /

 

‘Love God and He will enable you to love others even when they disappoint you.’ (Francine Rivers)

 

The only way to handle ‘prodigals’ is to let them go, give them to God, and pray for their return with tears. And when you see them on the horizon with their head hung low, wrap your arms around them and welcome them home.

 

We are all rough drafts of the person we are becoming.

 

Don’t be afraid to start over. It’s a chance to build something better this time!

 

Sure, the winds feel strong and your team is small.

Stand firm.

If you set your anchor, you won’t drift.

 

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You Can Do This, I Can Help

God's heart is to see you lead your church to growth.

You can do this.   I can help you GROW!

Let me personally coach you toward quickly reaching more people far from God.

 

🚀 LEARN MORE

Dream Big

I think we too often place limitations on our dreams because: A) We don't have a big enough God in our heads or B) We secretly fear failing.

In 2025, I want to challenge you to dream BIG.

God can do ANYTHING, you know—FAR MORE than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us."  (Ephesians 3:20-21, MSG)

Take a look around you and imagine what could be and what should be in this new year.

Seriously, take a deep breath and put pen to paper to write out your dreams for 2025.

And then God answered: “Write this.
Write what you see.
Write it out in big block letters
so that it can be read on the run.
This vision-message is a witness
pointing to what’s coming.
It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait!
And it doesn’t lie.
If it seems slow in coming, wait.
It’s on its way. It will come right on time."

(Habakkuk 2:2-3, MSG)

Write down your dreams for the future!  Did you know that it's been proven to increase the likelihood of achieving them? In a study conducted by Dr. Gail Matthews at Dominican University, participants who wrote down their goals were 42% more likely to achieve them than those who didn't write them down.

Buy a Moleskin, pray some big prayers, and then write out some big dreams.  

Now is not the time to shrink back in fear.

Playing it safe is too risky!

Dream big in 2025 and let's see what God can do through you...

Are You an Energy Vampire?

In life and leadership, we are on a bus and we’re going somewhere. I think back to my elementary and junior high days… where riding the bus was more than just how you got to school. You had to get your spot, with your friends, and you definitely had a plan to cause chaos for the bus driver! 

Maybe you’re a business owner, an athlete, a parent, or you just started a new job…  ask yourself today: what metaphorical bus are you on? Who’s on the bus with you? Where are you going? And what energy are you bringing to it? I want to leave you with this..

5 THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT BEING ON THE ENERGY BUS

#1: BRING GREAT ENERGY TO THE BUS
Are you an energy vampire? You know, the people who kind of just suck the energy right out of you?When you walk into your job or a meeting, what are you bringing? Leaders know WHAT the room needs — and it's your ENERGY!

#2: DON’T CARRY OTHER PEOPLE’S NEGATIVE ENERGY
We are the sum total of our influences and if you’re not careful you’ll get swallowed up in the narrative of negativity. Now, of course you can JOURNEY with someone, but be careful that you do not CARRY their negativity or offense.

#3: IT DOESN’T MATTER WHERE THE BUS IS GOING IT MATTERS WHO’S ON THE BUS
In other words…relationship over productivity!

#4: YOUR ATTITUDE IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY 
Generally bad attitudes are a result of mishandled/ignored conflict and a lack of accountability. Make it right, own it, have a clear conscience, and lead with your best attitude!

#5: SABBATH REST OR YOUR ENERGY IS DRAINED
Fatigue will make a fool out of you! Take the rest you need so that you’re leading FROM rest, not FOR REST.

Wherever you find yourself today, try to add more energy than you take! You got this... LET'S GO!

On Pain and Loss

This past week marked one year since my Mother suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. 

It is a weird anniversary to mark as it brings up memories and emotions that usually remain bottled up, untouched by daily life.  I think my sister put it best:

"One of the strangest things about loss, especially sudden loss, is that while your world is crashing down around you, the rest of the world keeps on moving. Today somehow marks 1 year without Mom. It doesn’t seem possible that it’s been an entire year without one of the most important people in my life. I try to not dwell on regrets, but not hugging her when I had the opportunity, not knowing that just one hour later she’d be cruelly and tragically taken from us, is the hardest for me to reconcile. I still struggle with the unfairness and trauma of it all, but I try to remember that I’m still here and there are people that need me. Mom is at peace, and one day I will get to give her that hug I so desperately wish for."

When she passed, I put together a little video that played at the opening of her Celebration of Life.  For what it's worth, here's the video:

 

 

The Joy and Pain of Adoption

This month is National Adoption Awareness Month.

To be honest, this subject feels a little heavy for us.  We have had the privilege of being a family built and shaped through adoption for 18 years now and it's been a journey marked with so much joy and gratitude for the gifts that our children are to our family.  I love our big, bustling crew and how our home is filled with laughter and how we get to celebrate the unique diversity and beauty of each of our children as well as their beautiful birth cultures.  It is such an honor to embrace all of it and something that we deeply cherish together.

That being said, while adoption is abundantly beautiful, it always starts with loss.  In the perfect world there would be no need for adoption and children would never be separated from their birth families.  Every adoptee will have their own journey and unique feelings and way of processing through their story.  Most adoptees will tell you that there's a considerable amount of grieving that happens at various stages of their life.  To not acknowledge the trauma that many of our children have walked through and the impact that it has on them would not honor them.  And so while we celebrate the gift that a month like this is, we also recognize the loss that our children had to endure before coming into our home.  Everyone deals with pain in their own way and our goal is to always be as supportive as possible while honoring each of our kids' stories which is private to them and sacred to us.

And so we hold the tension of two truths at the same time - that adoption is both beautiful and redemptive and full of goodness and joy and also that adoption is costly and painful at times.  Sending our love and support to all who walk this path, both adoptees and their adoptive families.  May you sense the overwhelming love and peace of God towards you and sense His nearness in every season of your life.  We are so grateful for this community here and the way we are able to encourage and support each other on our unique journeys.

24 Tips from 24 Years of Ministry

Green-eared and fresh out of college, I stepped into the frenetic world of full-time ministry on November 15, 2000 while also pursuing my Master's Degree.

Today marks exactly 24 years as a pastor.

I wish I could say that I have it all figured out.

I don't.

In fact, the longer I'm in ministry, the more I realize how much I don't know.

But there's nothing else like it: serving people, sharing Christ's love, and turning the world upside-down.

For what it's worth, here's 24 Tips from Serving 24 Years as a Pastor:

1. Always Choose Grace > Guilt
   When your default is to believe the best about someone instead of jumping to conclusions and assuming the worst, God is honored and people are respected.
   
   
2. Complexity is the norm.
   Leadership decisions are not always black and white.  When you are working with people, there is so much more complexity in leading and solving problems.  Some days, the only thing a leader can pray is this: "We don't know what to do, but our eyes are on You” (2 Chronicles 20:21).
   
   
   
3. You'll never feel 100% certain before making a decision.  Never.
   Leadership is not about making the big decisions; it's about owning the decisions after they've been made!
   
   
4. Remember, it's always about People > Programs.
   If you're holed up in your office surfing the web, you are doing ministry wrong.
   
   
5.  Get a Mentor.
   Paul had a Timothy and Timothy had a Titus.  Learn from leaders who have gone before you.  Don't wait for them to give you advice; have a list of written questions ahead of time to ask them!  Always maintain a posture of humility. 
   I am so thankful for my mentors over these past 20 years: Jeff Miller, Perry Noble, and Bob Goff.
   
   
   
6. Focus on Quality, not Quantity.
   It doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be amazing!  Ruthlessly evaluate your weekend experiences and make it better.
   
   
   
7. However long you lead,
   keep dripping with Gratitude and Grace.
   
   
   
8. Get Used To Unfair Criticism.
   When you sign up to be a leader of an organization, it means sometimes you will give up the right to be treated right.
   
   (see: Moses in Numbers, King David in 1 Samuel, Jesus in the Gospels, Paul in Acts 16, etc).
   
   
   
9. Size Doesn't Matter.
   Do not despise the days of small beginnings (I remember when our church start-up could fit inside my living room!).  Appreciate the privilege of leading and the journey of growth.  Whether you're serving three people or three thousand people, always bring your A-Game and leave them wanting more!
   
   
   
   
10. Choose to Cheat 
    
    

    11. You're Going to Make Mistakes.
                 Take it from me.  You will blow it. 
                 When you do, own it.  The most powerful two words a leader can offer
                 to begin rebuilding trust are, "I'm Sorry."
    
    

    
    
    

            12.  Gossip is a Weak Man's Strength.
                      Tell your team and model these words always:
                      "I will never say anything about you that I would not first say to you." 
                     
                      Always choose to have a conversation over condemnation!
    
                     "Whoever overlooks an offense promotes love,
                        but whoever gossips about it separates friends."  (Proverbs 17:9)
    
    

        13. Always Take the High Road.
                    You will honor God plus there's less traffic!
    
    

            14. Never listen to criticism
                   from someone you would not turn to for wisdom.
    
    
    
    

            15.  Leaders are Readers.
                         The moment you stop reading is the moment you stop leading.
    

             16.  Integrity Matters.
                        King David wrote:"I will keep a protective eye on the godly,
                        so they may dwell with me in safety.
     Only those who are ABOVE REPROACH will be allowed to serve me." (Psalm 101:6-7)
    
                

    17.  The Friends You Have History With
                       Aren't Necessarily Who You Will Make History With.
    
    

            18.  Create Margin in Your Daily Schedule for Interruptions.

                            Read Matthew chapters 6 - 8 and count how many times Jesus gets interrupted by people.  He always made time for everyone.  Every person matters.  Your ministry will flow from the interruptions. 

                19.  Greatness Is Never On Sale.
                            Complacency is not an option. 

                            If your church does not evangelize, it will eventually fossilize! 
                            NEVER APOLOGIZE for attempting to fulfill the Great Commission. 

                            Stop making EXCUSES and start making a DIFFERENCE.

                            Hustle and make it happen!
    
    20.  Never Give Up.  Jesus is God, the Bible is true, Hell is hot and forever is a long time.  Your part in eternity matters, so don't throw in the towel!
    
    21.  Keep the Welcome Mat Out and the Front Door Open.  When people leave you, don't become bitter.  Don't burn bridges.  Keep the welcome mat out and the front door wide open to reconciliation!
    
    22.  Don't Be in Ministry for the Money.  If getting rich is your goal, find a new job.  You won't get rich and in fact you'll probably end up sacrificing a lot for your ministry.  That's normal and it is a privilege when it happens.
    
    23.  Limping is Normal.  The best leaders walk with a limp and the best football players play hurt.  No pity parties when this happens; pick yourself up and press forward in faith.

     

            24.  The Best Is ALWAYS Yet To Come!
                            Your best days are not behind you... they are AHEAD of you.  Don't build a museum to the past.  Instead forge a movement for the future. 

                            In the end, you get Jesus.  That means that no matter what trials you face, the best is always yet to come!
    
    
    
    

Answers on the Fly

One of my favorite Sundays of the year is when we do Answers on the Fly: Live Q&A via texting. 

Instead of a regular sermon with notes, we invite the audience to instead text-in questions anonymously that I then answer live on stage. 

It creates a safe place for people to wrestle with their faith while keeping me sharp and on my toes!  Everyone loves the accessibility and trust this creates (i.e. "This guy really does know what he's talking about!").

For what it's worth, here's our latest Answers on the Fly featuring questions about Yeshua, abortion, LGBTQ issues, and more!

 

 

Leaders are Frequently Misunderstood (You're Not Alone)

At some point, every leader will be misunderstood.

 

People will say things about you behind your back (or to your face) that aren’t true. People will judge your motives and get it wrong.

 

Sometimes you’ll only be allowed to say certain things in public, not because you’re being secretive, but because revealing all the information would make others look bad or would be breaking confidence. So instead, you look bad.

 

That’s just the territory of leadership.

 

Leadership is a bit like parenting. You have to do the right thing even if it’s not the popular thing.

 

I’ve been there many times as a leader (and as a parent).

 

Don't stop.  Stand up and keep moving forward.  Don't be tempted to throw stones (they tend to ricochet back).

 

The best is always yet to come.

Feeling Hopeless in Ministry?

 

3 things that Satan wants you to believe about your situation:

 

1. You can't.

2. God won't.

3. It will never get better.

 

When we hear these lies from the enemy, it's time to saturate our thoughts with God's Word and read it like the love letter it is.

 

Moses & Jacob

Moses blesses the tribes of Israel (Deut 33) as Jacob blesses his sons (Gen 49), a sign that the two men live parallel lives.

 

Jacob flees home threatened by his brother, takes wives in exile, has sons, returns to the land, ends his life in Egypt.

 

Moses escapes from Egypt because of threats from Pharaoh and fellow Israelites, takes a wife in Midian, has a son, returns to Egypt to lead the people out in fulfillment of Jacob’s hope of return.

 

Both die outside the land: Jacob doesn’t experience exodus; Moses doesn’t experience entry.