Here’s an interesting question that popped up yesterday during the Catalyst One Day event. Andy Stanley said at one point he asked the guys around him to answer this question: “Would you help me understand the way I do things?” For him, that question was primarily about how he communicates with his church. He was looking to help others communicate better by sharing how he does what he does.
I think it would be helpful, though, for you to answer that question for me. Give me some feedback. Don’t hold anything back. I’m trying to figure out how to teach, challenge and encourage the next generation of leaders in the church, but sometimes it’s hard for me to do that because I’m not sure what I’m doing. Does that make sense?
So, feel free to leave comments here or email me directly if you’d prefer for your responses to be more confidential. I’m looking for feedback from my team, my peers and my friends in our online community.
Would you help me understand the way I do things?
Not 100% sure what sort of feedback you’re looking for, but this is what I have to say in general.
I read this blog because you’re a key person in guiding the strategy of NewSpring. As a youngster (24), I aspire to be doing exactly what you’re doing one day (something along the lines of Chief Strategic Officer) in a church that’s similar to NewSpring in aggression with the Gospel.
When I heard about you almost a year ago, my first thought was, “This guy is doing what I dream of doing!” Obviously, I subscribed immediately before reading a single post. Since then, you’re one of the only blogs that have survived several Google Reader Unsubscribing Slaughters when I purge my subscriptions to a minimum.
So, to me, what you’re doing is mentoring me (virtually) to be able to lead the strategy of a church many times larger than the one I’m currently at as a worship leader.
Keep it up because I don’t know of too many others that are doing what you’re doing and what I dream of doing one day.
love the question and the vulerability.
i’d ask you,
What is the one question that if you had the answer would set you free?
I first subscribed as a fan of your books, plus the fact that having someone as the ‘Strategy Guy’ in a church is amazing. For me the benefit of what you do comes from:
- Posts like The New Traditional Church that aren’t afraid to ask huge questions, even when you don’t know the answer yourself. I love that you frequently question the way things are done without just criticizing them.
- There’s a great mix of theory (biblical principles), practice (tips and ideas) and tools and paradigms that impact your systems in a big way (eg Google Apps)
- The heart to share what you learn at NewSpring (and previously at GCC) with other churches is so appreciated! The videocasts and other behind-the-scenes looks at a super value-add for your blog and ministry
- Your fostering online community gives us tier-B (D?) bloggers and ministry leaders a chance to engage in conversations with folks on the cutting edge of innovation in the church
- The sense of humility, passion in what you do, and heart to do whatever God may desire of you, give credibility and encouragement
- As Scott said above, you’re definitely a (virtual) mentor to me, and others :)
You enable me to make decisions instead of making them for me.
You have little patience for neediness.
You help me focus.
You teach — and show — me that our families are extremely important.
You are unashamed about who God is.
You ask and appreciate questions that no one has asked before.