As a pastor/leader there are three groups of people whom I believe we need to constantly be hanging out with in order for God to stretch us in regards to our leadership.
#1 - Those Who Are Where We Have Been.
One of the mistakes that I have seen some pastors make is having the idea that once their church grows larger than so and so’s church that there is nothing more that they could learn from them.
Nothing could be more untruthful!
One of the things I love to do is hang out with guys who are currently where I have been at some point in my past. Why? Because I LEARN from them! God uses them to stretch me. They don’t have the resources to do all that they really want to do…so they are FORCED to rely on passion and TRUE innovation.
Some of the best sermon and leadership ideas I ever gotten have been brought on because I have the privilege of hanging out with guys who may have 100 people or less in their church, or 500 or whatever number you want to put here.
#2 - Those Who Are Currently Where I Am Currently.
One of the things I have LOVED about blog world is that it has opened up a network of connections for me…and through this I have been able to meet up with pastors from all over the US who have churches that look MUCH DIFFERENTLY from NewSpring…but they have hearts for Jesus Christ and a desire to see people come to Him.
One of the mistakes that I don’t want to begin making is falling into the competitive pastors camp. I want to hang out with guys who have churches around the same size as NewSpring, and when they grow past us—CELEBRATE with them.
People who are where you are most likely are experiencing some of the same issues and problems you are wrestling with. Pastors…you NEED to place yourself in these environments as often as possible. God will use them to radically encourage you.
#3 - Those Who Are Where I Want To Go.
Again, one of the sad patterns I am noticing is insecure pastors and church planters who have no problem with the first two I covered because of how significant it makes them feel…it’s sad really, these guys get together and rip apart/tear down those who are experiencing some level of success instead of being a student of something that might be working.
I learned several years ago that I can hate and despise those who are more successful than me and spend my time trying to convince others why I am better than them…OR I can do everything that is within my ability to place myself in an environment where I can meet with incredible church leaders that God has His hand all over that can speak truth into my life.
For this to happen I’ve paid $$$ to sit at round tables. I traveled halfway across the country just to have lunch with one pastor. I rearranged my schedule. I am freakishly obsessed with this…and I will do whatever it takes to meet with these great men of God in order to better myself. (Instead of sitting around with guys who think just like me and accomplish nothing!)
I’ve been accused of name dropping on this blog. Am I guilty? HECK YES!!! I name drop like CRAZY! Why? Because I want the people at NewSpring Church to know that God is allowing me to meet with and learn from some incredible leaders. I want them to know I am not satisfied with where I am as a pastor…and I want to become better and better.
Over the past several years I’ve had the privilege to sit down one on one with John Maxwell, Andy Stanley, Craig Groeshel, Ed Young, Jud Wilhite, Greg Surratt, Mark Driscoll and Troy Gramling. Each time I sit with these guys God stretches the heck out of me. (I will be sharing some leadership thoughts I’ve learned from these guys over the next few weeks.)
Oh yeah…in case you are wondering, I still have a goal to sit down and share a meal, one on one, with Bill Hybels, TD Jakes, Joel Osteen, Rick Warren, Matt Chandler and Erwin McManus. God has used these men to speak into my life and influence the heck out of me!!! For those of you who pray for me on a regular basis…pray that this will happen!
So, what are you doing to place yourself in these three environments?