Tony Morgan, one of my favorite bloggers to follow, posted the following exerpts from Craig Groeschel's session from Buzz '07 Conference (which I would love to attend next year - hint, hint).
He talked about the 4 Characteristics of Innovative Leaders. As I read them, I realized that he wrote these about Pastor Mike Goolsbay!!! How cool is it that Craig and Tony know PMike?! ;)
Seriously though, I find myself thanking God more each day for the honor and privelege of serving with and being taught by an innovator and great leader like Pastor Mike. See if you don't think of Mike and how he has led destinychurch over the past 18 months...
4 Characteristics of Innovative Leaders:
They heal the sick. Not just physical healing. “In order to reach those that no one else is reaching, we will have to do things that no one else is doing.” We have to be driven to bring people to Jesus. We have to be passionate about that. “When is the last time you had a non-believer in your home?” We need to lead our people to love those that don’t know Christ. They need to be real people with names that people know. That type of ministry looks very different than the typical church ministry looks today. “Who is God calling you to reach that no around you is reaching?”
They break rules. We don’t break away from the Truth of Jesus Christ. We need to do less “preaching” and more “listening.” Jesus healed people on the Sabbath. Martin Luther put the Bible in the hands of the common man. John Wesley preached outside the church walls. Bill Hybels combined the passion of parachurch with the power of the local church. “We have to care more about reaching people than following man’s rules.” Sometimes you have to stop watching what others are doing to hear from God. It’s your turn. Break some rules. “What is God calling you to try that hasn’t been done before?”
They offend Pharisees. “When you do something new, the Pharisees will attack you like you never dreamed possible.” The things that are accepted today in the Church world, were hated ten years ago. When they do criticize, you must handle their criticism with grace. A lot of you are angry, and you have to get over your anger. Don’t shoot back. “What new thing is God calling you to create that will be hated today and embraced tomorrow?”
They redefine success. John 3:30. Less of me and more of God. We have to do that…in everything we do. For example, a 2,000-person church in a metro area like
Washington, D.C. is a “microchurch.” We can’t be impressed with ourselves. Craig explained for him: Success is going to be if my children know Jesus. Success is going to be when my wife gets the best of me and not the leftovers. Success is going to be spending time with God…just me and God. Success is getting people out of our building and out impacting the world. Instead of counting the number of people that are showing up, what if we started counting the number of people who we lost?
See? They DO know him! Pretty amazing, huh? Clearly Pastor Mike, Pastor Craig, and Pastor Tony have all been talking to the same God - and I think that's REALLY cool! The best years for destinychurch are clearly ahead and I could not be more excited!
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