This week I heard a replay of a session that Bill Hybels did for a CCN broadcast a couple of weeks ago. I, of course, am amazed at what God has done through Bill Hybels. He and the ministry of Willow Creek Community Church have truly revolutionized the way we “do church.” With that in mind, I listen closely whenever Bill has some leadership principles to share. Here are the four key principles he outlined in his talk:

  1. Leaders always feel restless in harbors. They have to head to the open waters. It involves danger and risk, but sometimes we need to inspire others to leave the harbors as well. God does not do his best work at a dock. He challenged us to consider: “Will this be an open water church?”
  2. Leaders learn that responding to promptings is more important than learning new leadership skills. You have to build your skills, but you also have to cooperate with the whispers of God. What is God whispering to you about today?
  3. Leaders turn “no’s” into opportunities to get on the solution side of barriers. If you have a God-honoring vision, no human force should be able to stop you. Where is God looking for you to discover that “there must be a way” spirit?
  4. Leaders have a positive view of the value of people. We need to love people who need love the most including those outside our normal bandwidth of relationships. Bill challenged us to consider: “Do all people matter to you?”