Here’s the story from Troy and Lindsey Page that was shared in this morning’s services at West Ridge Church.

And, here’s the story from Zac Smith, my friend from NewSpring Church.

I hope you’re both encouraged and challenged by these stories. God is good all the time.

This is a special picture of Emily on our wedding day. It’s probably the last picture of her as a single woman. (She’s smokin’ hot.) This one is particularly special because Mack Harris, her dad who passed away in recent months, has Emily on his arm.

I love my wife. She’s my best friend. Can’t imagine sharing life with anyone else.

Till death do us part.

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StreamingChurch.tv – provides everything you need to broadcast your services live

Church Community Builder – web-based church software that actively serves over 1,600 churches in 15 different countries from church plants to multi-site, mega-churches

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Leaders Book Summaries – summaries of the best books on leadership, management and church life to help you become a better leader

Vanderbloemen Search Group – provides executive searches, staff consulting, succession planning and compensation analysis for churches

RSI Stewardship – designs and implements successful financial campaigns for churches, Christian schools and faith based organizations

Launch Network – inspiring and equipping next generation planters to lead strong

I have a couple of open advertising spots available. If you are interested, email me for more details. I’d love to have you join our team!

TONY:  You wrote that giving apprentices real responsibility allows them to experience the reality of leadership. What can organizations do to create a path to help young, gifted leaders grow and gain responsibility and authority?

DAN:  I think there are at least three components involved in that process.  First is leadership development. We call it the 2X factor – investing twice as much in as we expect back. In some ways, that’s a metaphor of sorts, because it is difficult to measure. But it creates a clear picture of the culture we strive to have. It’s a leadership culture that drives us to commit to investing in our people, especially the next generation. We have a large number of twenty-somethings on staff and we love their talent, energy, ideas and potential! Second, is an environment of experimentation and learning. I often say, “Make mistakes, make lots of mistakes, even make big mistakes, just don’t make the same mistake twice!”  If they make mistakes and learn, they are growing. That’s a good thing. If they repeatedly make the same mistake, they are not learning! Not good. The third component is empowerment. Without true empowerment (trust, responsibility etc.) there is no true growth path.

TONY:  Many organizations are stuck because they resist change. How do you inspire people to change and teach them how to adapt to it?

DAN:  We teach people that change is not an option. We make change fun. We communicate the positive results of change and we also tell the truth about the price tag of change. But the real truth is that lack of change always carries a greater price tag! At 12Stone we want everyone to “take the journey” with us, but we won’t stop the train if they don’t want to go.

TONY:  What can a young leader do today to prepare to step into a new leadership role tomorrow?

DAN:  Learn the concept of “always content, never satisfied.” So many young, gifted leaders today want to “advance” quickly in their leadership and ministry careers. That’s good, but it can hurt them in the long run. They need to take the time required to actually mature in leadership. Most of us are always driving to the next level, the next mountain, the next improvement. That’s the “never satisfied” part of healthy leadership. Young leaders must also learn how to be “always content” in the moment(s) through that process. Enjoy the experience and savor the relationships! Take the time to learn deep.  Without that, the “never satisfied” part will eat your lunch! It will cause frustration that actually will slow leaders down in the long run.

TONY:  12Stone Church was listed in Outreach Magazine as the #1 fastest-growing church in America in 2010. How have you been able to select the best potential leaders for key positions in your organization?

DAN:  We’re pretty intuitive about that, mostly organic rather than formulaic. That’s the advantage of a leadership culture. Leaders can spot leaders. We have a healthy mix of leaders raised up from the inside and leaders hired from outside. We look for competence, capacity, intelligence, energy and relational savvy.

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Dan Reiland serves as the Executive Pastor at 12Stone® Church, near Atlanta, Georgia. Dan loves the local church and has coached church leaders for more than 15 years. See Dan’s leadership writings at www.danreiland.com. Amplified Leadership was released in January 2012.

1. Is It Starbucks or Is It Church (04/09/2012)
2. 10 Easy Ways to Know You’re Not a Leader (09/27/2005)
3. 12 Questions on Job Satisfaction (10/14/2008)
4. “My Pleasure” An Interview with Mark Miller (04/23/2012)
5. 10 Statements That Shape My Personal Mission (04/16/2012)
6. Stop Leading Like You Parent First Graders (03/27/2012)
7. The “Culture of Honor” is Hurting Churches (03/31/2011)
8. 5 Keys to Building Healthy Volunteer Teams (04/30/2012)
9. Invest 20% of Your Time Mentoring: The Google Way for Churches (04/03/2012)
10. 5 Attributes of a Church in Decline (07/15/2010)

We have many more exciting posts right around the corner.

This picture tells a lot of stories. The cross. The water. The chance to hug my little girl. My pastor smiling with me. Friends cheering with us. Lots of intentional steps over the last decades led to this moment.

We Should Age But Never Grow Old by Maurilio Amorim

Seven Common Traits of Breakout Churches by Thom Rainer

More Congregations Turn to Facebook, Web, High Tech Outreach by Cathy Grossman

12 Ways to Know If You Are A Leader by Michael Hyatt

Staff Values at Cross Point by Jenni Catron

Increase Effectiveness With This Simple Morning Ritual by Todd Henry

10 Communication Secrets of Great Leaders by Mike Myatt

Being Tenacious by Lindsey Nobles

Workshop Session 2
Title: How to Get Unstuck (It takes more than vision.)
A football coach doesn’t just want to win, he also develops an offensive and defensive system built around coaches, players, strategies and plays to make it happen. The coach develops the system and then practices it daily with the hopes that it’ll lead to victory. Whether it’s discipleship, volunteer connections, leadership development or any other aspect of ministry, the systems and strategies we develop will ultimately determine the church we become and the life change it produces.
Time: Wednesday 1:00-2:00pm
Location: Faith Hall FH 301F

> Download the Notes

For further reading: Hanging Up the Leisure Suit: How to Get Unstuck

Workshop Session 3
Title: Keys to Building Healthy Leadership Teams
Are you ready for a healthier approach to building your team and empowering leaders? This session will touch on your obedience, calling and influence. Based on practical ministry experiences and biblical principles, Tony will stretch how you look at your leadership. Rather than being trapped and running on empty, it’s time for you to be making a big impact with your leadership and life.
Time: Wednesday 2:30-3:30pm
Location: Educational Building E-2 319

> Download the Notes

For further reading: Developing a Theology of Leadership