the glorious exchange

How many times, when we discussing a new proposal or idea and want someone’s opinion of it, do we ask a biased question? We slant the question to make our opinion of the matter seem more logical or obvious. Besides being dishonest, it’s also not how Jesus led. Jesus would ask point blank questions, presenting both sides equally. In the story of the alabaster jar of perfume (Luke 7), Jesus tells a story of two men, who both are in debt, and both debts are paid off. Jesus plainly presents the facts, and then asks a blatant question, with no bias to the answer Jesus is looking for: Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?

The next time you’re discussing an idea or proposal and you truly want the opinion of someone of the idea, and not just ’supporters’, ask neutral, honest questions.

I’ve been reading in 1 Samuel lately, and today was a devotion in chapter 3. This verse came out in my reading:

And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.

This is spectacular. How often do our words and ideas hit brick walls, and fizzle out? No one hears them, and if they do, they don’t listen [definitely a difference].  To me as a preacher, this is more of a miracle than the parting of the Red Sea or a talking donkey. For someone’s words to always be heard, understood, and applied is nothing short of miraculous. 

Lord, let my words never hit the ground.

“If your life’s work can be completed in your lifetime, you’re thinking too small.”

-Wes Jackson, found on a Chipotle Mexican Grill cup

A tidbit on leadership culture.

I’m currently reading an utterly fascinating book about the startup of the largest search engine on the ‘net: Google. It’s written by David Vise and Mark Malseed, aptly titled The Google Story, and has some great tidbits for church planters. One I’ve gleaned?

But Google had something else special about it that Bharat (inventor of Google News) relished: a rule that software engineers spend at least 20 percent of their time, or one day a week, working on whatever projects interested them. The 20 percent rule was a way of encouraging innovation, and both Brin and Page (founders of Google) saw this as essential to establishing and maintaining the right culture and creating a place where bright technologists would want to work and be motivated to come up with breakthrough ideas….at Google, the 20 percent approach sent the opposite message- spend one day a week on something you, not your boss, are passionate about, and don’t worry about such pedestrian matters as whether the idea could be a moneymaker or something that could be turned into a successful product.

What if we, as leaders of our staffs, took this approach? We came to our staff and said: one day a week is yours. Use it for whatever you want to do related to the church. Don’t go run errands or anything; but be ministerially productive creatively and redemptively. I guarantee a few things would happen: our worship leaders would write more original songs. Our discipleship pastors would write great books on small groups. Ministry ideas would overflow come staff meeting time. “I’ve been working on this, what do you think?” Innovation is key, even in the church, and Google’s 20% rule is a great way to foster it.

Jeff Kapusta had a great, yet short, post on leadership tips drawn from David. Most of these I’d drawn out, but being reminded of them was wonderful and on time. Here’s the link: Leadership Thoughts From David