I love the title of this book. It’s so true isn’t it? Maxwell is one of my heroes and he is a great connector. In this book he shares practical ways to connect with audiences whether it’s connecting with one person over coffee, connecting with people in a small group, or connecting with an audience of thousands.

He said it took him 8 years to find himself as a communicator. This book helped me on the journey I’m on to find myself as a communicator. There are a ton of principles to apply in this book. I’ll be coming back to this one often. I’d recommend it for anyone who is looking to improve their communication skills and looking to become a better connector.

Buy it here!

Highlights:

• President Gerald Ford once remarked, “If I went back to college again, I’d concentrate on two areas: learning to write and to speak before an audience. Nothing in life is more important than the ability to communicate effectively.”

• It took me eight years to “find myself” as a speaker. And here’s great news: when you find yourself, you find your audience.

• “People need your influence, but it will not come through ‘lip syncing’ those you admire.”

• Connection always begins with a commitment to someone else.

• DiMaggio replied, “I always remind myself that there might be someone in the stands who never saw me play before.”

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⁴⁶And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. -Luke 2:46

I’m recognizing that a key to growth and success is the environment you are in. The environment you were raised in,  the environment you work in, and the environments you choose to put yourself in.

The environments you position yourself in will be a determining factor on whether or not you succeed in life.

I’ve been so blessed to be in the leadership environment at Victory Family Church for the past few years. Here are some things I’ve noticed about leadership environments that work:

1.) They make you better than you really are -this can be a downfall. If we’re not careful we’ll think we’re amazing, when really, we’re just in an amazing environment where leadership is valued. We must be humble and learn as much as we can about why the environment works, so we can apply it when we enter a non-leadership environment.

2.)They Empower You to Lead – They don’t have micro-managers, they have leaders that empower you to make decisions, hear from God, develop your team, and leverage your creativity.

3.) They Don’t Let You Settle - There is accountability for results. They demand the best out of you, give you honest feedback consistently, and coach you when you need coached.

4.) They allow you to Grow - Personal growth is highly valued. Growth opportunities are available for you.

5.) They Allow you to Fail – If you’re in the right environment, you’ll feel safe failing. Just remember to learn from your failure and not to repeat it!

5.) They Teach you to Create Leadership Environments – It’d be easy to leave a leadership environment  think it will be just as easy to lead wherever we go. It won’t. We must learn how to create a leadership environment that works and the only way I know of to to do that is by seeing on modeled and being a part of it.

I know that one day, I’ll have to create a leadership environment on my own, and I’ll have to rely on what I learned while I was in one.

So, my question for you is:

Are you in a leadership environment? If you’re not, I’d consider finding one to be a part of. Find mentors who are currently in one, join a local leadership network, or visit organizations where there is a leadership environment.

I’ve been in leadership environments and I’ve been to places without them, there is no comparison. You’ll never be all that you can be unless you’re in an environment that will make you all you can be.

Thoughts?

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I got the privilege to go to NewSpring’s Unleash Conference today. It was an incredible experience. It was amazing to see what God has done here! This will be a 2-part review! One with a summary of key takeaways and another of the practical ministry takeaways. Here were my big takeaways:

It’s All About Making Jesus Famous One Life at a Time - This is NewSpring’s Vision. It is beyond evident that the vision is burning in the hearts of every staff member and volunteer. Everything they do as a church, is done with the intention of changing people’s lives. When I say everything… I mean everything!

Quit Playing Games and Start Preaching the Word - I love how simple Newspring is. I.E. The youth – ALL they do is preach, worship, small groups, and a summer camp. It’s all centered around pointing teenagers to Jesus. Period. I love it!

People Act Like they Don’t Know Christ, Because they Don’t Know Christ - Let me clarify! They had a 5th grader that went to their childrens ministry for the first time. He saw a PS3 and Wii and said, “They have a PS3! A Wii! This s*** is awesome!” Those are the people we’re trying to reach, we need to have people like this coming to church! Instead of correcting them, let’s love them and point them to Jesus. They’ll only change as a result of knowing Him!

People Can Believe in You and Go to Hell - I love Perry. He was saying that we should never try to get people to believe in us or think we’re awesome. We need to constantly be getting their eyes off  of us and onto Jesus. He’s the only one that can save them.

Celebrating Wins is Critical – Every staff meeting they start with sharing victories in their church. Then they celebrate them – this fuels them with passion every week becasuse it helps them recognize they are doing what God called them to do!

They Don’t Know How They Grew! - Twice in their church their attendance has doubled in a one week span… from 400 to 900 and 4,000 to 8,000. What did they do? Nothing… They have no idea how it happened! Perry always relays it like this: Leadership is as easy as listening to God. Then do what He  says! Perry said, “If you can explain what God is doing in your church, He’s probably not that involved in it!

I loved being at Newspring! I know it definitely fired me  up to come home and do more for Jesus. I’m so glad they are doing what God called them to do and inspiring the body of Christ while they do it!

Tomorrow I’ll talk about the practical things I learned that we can implement in our ministries!

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“Discipline is Remembering What You Want”

There are so many lessons in life that are timeless and that we need to be reminded of on a continual basis. These are some of the lessons I try to think on daily to keep my life in order, focused, and going somewhere:

• My Life isn’t My Own, it’s God’s, I surrender what I want my day to look like for what He wants it to look like.

• God is My Source

• Spending Time with God is the Most Important Thing I do

• I can’t Make Up Tomorrow what I fail to Pay For Today

• Success is a Journey, Not a Destination

• Because of God – I’m always in the right place at the right time, meeting the right people!

• God thinks I can Do Anything so I’m going to Dream as Big as I can!

• Pay Now, Play Later, or Play Now, and Pay Later

• Interruptions can be Divine Appointments
• 
• I can Change the World One Person at a Time

• If I don’t take control of my schedule, someone else will.

• Everybody I meet is Going Through Something and Needs Encouragement

• Financially – if I live like no one else lives now, later, I’ll live like no one else lives.

• Success is when those closest to me, respect me the most -> Connect with Family

• If I don’t Workout and Eat right – I’m going to get Fat

• Look for ways to create memories that you’ll never forget!

• Connect with 5 people you haven’t talked to in a week -> Send a text, facebook, etc.

• Life is Short ->ENJOY THE JOURNEY – HAVE FUN

What are some things you remind yourself  of daily to make sure your life is going in the right direction?

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Serve Your Way to the Top – 7 Lessons I Learned While Serving My Way onto a Church Staff

Lesson 1 – Develop a Plan for Personal Growth

Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress.

-I Tim. 4:15

“The motivation behind personal growth: The conviction that you value yourself and that there is value in your dream.”

One of the best decisions I ever made was the decision to do something each day to intentionally grow in three areas:

1.) Grow in my Relationship with God- Nothing is more important than this. Without God, you can not do anything worth doing. Everyday I spend time with God, I get in the Word, and I listen to sermons.

2.) Grow in Leadership – If Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less, then we are all leaders in some aspect. I believe everyone should continually be doing something to grow in their leadership. There are tons of book and cd’s you can get your hands on. Perhaps the greatest thing you can do to grow as a leader is what Bill Hybels said, “Always be leading something.” – Nothing helps you grow like actually doing it!

3.) Grow in the Area of my Gifting and Passion - Want to know what you’re supposed to do in life? What are you passionate about and what are you good at? When you find those two – I promise it’s linked to your call. Once you find these two – give yourself to them. Do everything you can to grow in those areas.

Everyday I read, everyday I file, everyday I write, and I try somehow, to get mentored everyday.

If you don’t grow – you’ll go.

Do you have a plan for personal growth? What are you doing intentionally to grow?

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I recently heard about this book from a John Maxwell Lesson. He said it’s one of the books that have influenced him the most in his life on leadership. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to read it.

This was probably the best leadership book I’ve read. The title makes it obvious, but it’s because it concentrates on being a spiritual leader, not just a leader in general. I’ll be going back through this book often. It is definitely a book that will mark my life. I’d make this required reading for anyone who wants to go into ministry.

Big Takeaway: If God’s called you to lead, go after it with all of your heart, but recognize that leadership is a responsibility, not a game or for your glory.

Final Grade: 10/10      Buy it Here

Some Highlights:

• God assigns places of spiritual ministry and leadership in His sovereign will.

• If the disciples figured to learn about leadership on the fast track and with appropriate perks and bonuses, Jesus soon disillusioned them.

• “It occurs to me that perhaps the best test of whether one is qualified to lead, is to find out whether anyone is following.”

• One should inquire of a potential leader whether he or she 1) does little things well; 2) has learned to focus on priorities; 3) uses leisure well; 4) has intensity; 5) knows how to exploit momentum; 6) is growing; 7) overcomes discouragement and “impossible” situations; and understands his or her weaknesses.

• The secular mind and heart, however gifted and personally charming, has no place in the leadership of the church.

• To reach this goal, a spouse must fully share the leader’s spiritual aspirations and be willing to join in the necessary sacrifices. Many a gifted leader has been lost to high office and spiritual effectiveness because of an uncooperative spouse.

• Jesus’ classrooms were the highways of life; His principles and values came across in the midst of daily experience. Jesus placed disciples into internships (Luke 10:17–24) that enabled them to learn through failure and success (Mark 9:14–29).

• Before we can conquer the world, we must first conquer the self.

• We cannot learn about prayer except by praying.

• The character and career of a young person depends on how he or she spends spare time.

• Minutes and hours wisely used translate into an abundant life.

• Our problem is not too little time but making better use of the time we have. Each of us has as much time as anyone else. The president of the United States has the same twenty-four hours as we. Others may surpass our abilities, influence, or money, but no one has more time.

• ‘Well, I just had two hours to kill here in between trains, and I thought I would come and see you.’ That used to bother me. Then the Lord convinced me that He sends people our way.

• Unless our reading includes serious thinking, it is wasted time.

• Those who lead the church are marked by a willingness to give up personal preferences

• Only one Leader holds office forever; no successor is needed for Him

These highlights surely do not give justice to the book – there were so many that I probably have 5-6 pages! Buy this book!

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“If you learn a lesson, you better find a way to live it, or else you’ll have to relearn it.” -Gerald Brooks

Here they are – the best lessons I learned in 2009 – They aren’t in any particular order. I hope they add value to your life!

1.    Do Your Best, Forget the Rest

2.    Surround Yourself With People who Scare You

3.    Quit Reporting the News, Start Making It

4.    Spiritually Mature People Restore those who Fall (Gal. 6:1)

5.    The Best Blessings from God come out of Nowhere

6.    Until you settle the identity issue – you’ll never be or have enough

7.    If you refuse to define yourself, you’ll get defined by others

8.    It’d be dishonoring to God to live my life and not believe that I could change the world

9.    We’re a small church with a mega vision

10.    Don’t blame yourself for the declines, you might take credit for the increases

11.    We need to Divert daily, withdraw weekly, and abandon annually – the world can get along without you

12.    Never Compare – Foolish comparison: 1.) Find people better – discouraged 2.) Find people your better than – Pride

13.    Leadership is as easy as listening to God!

14.    What would you do for God if you knew you couldn’t fail? -> Your a coward if you don’t do that

15.    Don’t you dare give up on a God who’s never given up on you

16.    It’s Ok to Not be Ok

17.    If it’s to be, it’s up to me.

18.    “There’s not lack of people that need ministered to, but there is a lack of people who have something to say when they’re ministering.”

19.    Love God, Love People

20.    Resources will help people a lot more than speaking to them ever will.

21.    This is the only time in history when I get to fight for God. This is the only part of my eternal story when I’m actually in the battle.

22.    God won’t let a ministry keep “it” for long if they won’t give “it” away.

23.     Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best you are capable of becoming.

24.     Make each day your masterpiece!

25.    A church that lives within its four walls is no church at all.

26.    God Freed me from all my fears – Psalm 34:427.

27.  It marks a big step in your development when you come to realize that other people can help you do a better job than you could do alone.”

28.    Are you seeing people as people or as objects?

29.    The point of your life is to point  to Him, whatever you’re doing, God wants to be glorified, because this whole thing is his.

30.    In about fifty years, no one will remember you

31.     Let God be as original with you as He is with other people.

32.    The secret conversations you hold in the privacy of your mind are shaping your destiny little by little

33.    Do not affirm what you do not want in your life

34.    “It’s not the magic that makes it work; it’s the way we work that makes it magic.”

35.    Time is a great revealer of who people really are

36.    Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself, when you become a leader, success is all about growing others.

37.    God didn’t call you so you could be popular or well known – he Called you to help people.

38.    Some are sent, and some just went.

39.    Be someone God can count on – II. Chronicles 16:9

40.    Empower people to do what they dream of

41.    Your striving is in vain if you’re only aim is to build your own great name

42.    Always ask: What am I believing God for?

43.    I’ll give an account for every idle word I speak

44.    Your 20’s isn’t about fruit!

45.    You attract high quality leaders through vision and humilty

46.    Ask God what to do with every dollar that He brings into your life.

47.    Believe in Yourself and Celebrate Your Life

48.    Learn to Encourage Yourself

49.    Why do we wait until funerals to speak good over someone?

50.     Stop Learning things the Hard Way – Ask people about things you don’t know

51.    Don’t be led by fear

52.    Teamwork really does make the Dream Work – forget about yourself

53.     If I had everything I wanted in Heaven, Would I be content in Heaven with no Christ?

54.    What is God speaking to my heart that my head is saying no to?

55.    What I’m willing to walk away from will determine what God will allow me to walk into?

56.    There should be a noticeable difference between unbelievers and believers: Hab. 4:18

57.    If you learn a lesson, you better find a way to live it, or else you’ll have to relearn it.

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This book was recommended to me by Pastor Nathan. I enjoyed this book, although at times I thought it was a bit dry. Jack Welch has some great insights on how to create a winning organization. I really enjoyed his thoughts on differentiation, hiring, getting promoted, work/life balance, and finding the right career. For where I am in my career right now some of the chapters were over my head such as acquisitions and mergers chapter, but I’m sure I’ll be able to come back to them in years to come and have them add value to my life.

I’d recommend reading this book – especially the chapters with the concepts I’ve mentioned above. I’ll definitely be implementing a lot of those practices into my own leadership.

Final Grade: 8.5 out of 10   Buy it here

Here were some of my big takeaways:

• I didn’t invent differentiation! I learned it on the playground when I was a kid.
• I believe you are never “too nice” to implement the 20-70-10, only too cowardly.
• Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself, when you become a leader, success is all about growing others.
• As a leader, building self-confidence is probably the most important things you can do.
• You’re not a leader to win a popularity contest – you’re a leader to lead.
• Learn from everyone. Best case scenario – all your people will be smarter than you. It doesn’t mean you can’t lead them.
• A winning company does not let good people walk out the door for lack of recognition, financial, or otherwise.
• Ideally, the star will be replaced within eight hours. This sends a message that no single individual is bigger than the company.
• When it comes to strategy, ponder less and do more.
• It can feel very noble to say that you don’t care about being rich; it’s another thing to live with that decision over the years. Especially as mortgages and tuition start to pile up.
• Working for some companies is like winning an Olympic medal. For the rest of your career, you are associated with great performance.
• Every job you take is a gamble that could increase your options or shut them down.
• The first and best way to get noticed in a company is with results
• You can have all the work-life balance you want to if you deliver.

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This is going to be a new consistent blog post – Usually every week I try to grab quotes I’d like to memorize and record them on my iphone and listen to them often so I can get them in my head and heart. I’ll now also be sharing them through blog posts so I have to write them out, and as always, I hope they add value to your life!

• “There’s not lack of people that need ministered to, but there is a lack of people who have something to say when they’re ministering.” -Keith Moore

• “Character is the complete sum of all of your thoughts” -James Allen

• “If we lack faith our leadership will never have power, if we lack love, our leadership will never have purpose.” -Gerald Brooks

• “Long before people follow you, they hear about you.” -Gerald Brooks

• “When you learn a lesson, find ways to live it, or else you’ll have to relearn it.” -Gerald Brooks

• “People want to change their circumstances, but they’re unwilling to change themselves.” -John Maxwell

• “If life gives you a chance to watch, then get on the front row.” -Gerald Brooks

• “Learn when you don’t have to lead.” -Gerald Brooks

• “It’s the changed life, not the crowd that makes the difference.” -Gerald Brooks

• “Any time your stage time exceeds your prayer time, you’re in trouble as a leader.” -Gerald Brooks

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I read this story by Mark Twain recently and it blessed me:

A man died and met Saint Peter at the gates of Heaven.

Recognizing the saint’s knowledge and wisdom, he wanted to ask him a question.

“Saint Peter,” he said, “I’ve been interested in military history for many years. Tell me, who was the greatest general of all time?”

Peter quickly responded, “O, that is a simple question. It’s that man right over there.”

The man looked where Peter was pointing and answered, “You must be mistaken. I knew that man on earth and he was just a common laborer.”

“That’s right,” Peter remarked, “But he would have been the greatest general of all time-if he had been a general.”

-Mark Twain

You don’t get to do life over again. You get one shot. Make sure you’re doing what you love, what you’re passionate about, and what you’re gifted at. Once you find what that is, be the best you can possibly be and watch what God will do in your life!

Who could you become if you follow your passion?

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