Greg Gibbs Joins Auxano as Lead Navigator
The Auxano team is pleased to announce the addition of new Lead Navigator, Greg Gibbs, Director of Strategic Planning for Kensington Church. In his role at Kensington, Greg oversees one of the nation’s largest churches, with eight campuses and more than fifty church plants around the country. Greg has also spent more than fifteen years consulting with church leaders in fund raising and strategic planning. He holds an undergraduate degree in Organizational Communication and a master’s degree in Theology.
Greg recently shared some of his excitement and expectations in this new role with Auxano:
What “breakthrough clarity” moment in your leadership role at Kensington will influence you most as an Auxano Navigator?
It all starts with a needed “time out” that I called at Kensington. Every typical church-health indicator we could find was pointing up and to the right toward success. We were growing, celebrating God at work and feeling a good spirit within the body. But just as we were beginning a $30M capital campaign, The Lord impressed upon me that we were not ready, and we needed to slow down and seek His leadership for the season ahead.
Looking back now, I see that there was a vision gap that we were simply minding, or stepping over, rather than closing. This gap fueled a leadership addiction to “more” people, campuses and buildings, rather than clear pathways of spiritual development. We had a great culture at Kensington, but no consistent way to grow people in, and align ministries around, this work that God was doing. Breakthrough came for our team as Auxano walked alongside us to help name the “why” behind the “what” of Kensington Church.
In one particular Vision Framing session, we were unpacking the word “everyone” in context of our mission. At some point somebody (exactly who, is a point of friendly contention) put brackets around three of the letters, visually changing the word to read some[one]. It was one of those room-lifting, break-thru moments every visionary leader dreams about.
Suddenly, the word Every[one] gave us a completely unique way to say that we are committed to all people, but have a particular bias toward “the one” as represented in the parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke 15. It gave us the ability to hint toward our evangelism bias without making it an exclusive strategy. In two strokes of the pen we can now communicate a 25-year commitment to people that are disconnected from God.
Navigating through Auxano’s Vision Framing process as a staff pastor gives me valuable insight to serve other church leaders needing that moment of clarity. Especially those experiencing the same feeling, that a “time out” is needed, even if they are not exactly sure why.
Why do you feel called to step into this Lead Navigator role and, as a result, what do you see as your unique contribution to the Kingdom?
To spend time with the men and women leading the churches in America is first, an adventure and a privilege. I love the church and I love church leaders. These leaders are my tribe, and I love being an advocate for them. Having experienced many ups and downs, and not really leading well, in my early years of ministry, it is a joy-giving honor to pour what I have learned into other leaders and foster effective church leadership. Also, the cultural landscape of the church across our country is as diverse and unique as the physical landscape itself. I am excited to help churches thrive through each distinct missional calling.
What book, other than the Bible, has had a significant influence on you?
In recent years, reading Verne Harnish’s Rockefeller Habits has shaped my self-management and personal leadership development. I was introduced to the book by a CEO who came to Christ at Kensington. It has shaped my life in every arena, personally, in my home, at the church and in the community, with one simple, but profound, question:
What do I need to do today to be where I want to be tomorrow?
What would be your “walk-out song” if Lead Navigators were like baseball players?
I am a mutt when it comes to my taste in music. Living in Detroit, the Motown sound resonates deep within me. But I have family all over and in the South, so I also enjoy Country music and some of today’s top-40 hits. Additionally, one of my four children is an actor currently touring with a Broadway show, so musicals are near and dear to my heart. I guess if I had to choose ONE song to play today as I stepped up to a flip-chart with marker in hand, it would be Uptown Funk, by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars.
Greg has been married to Andrea for 26 years; they have four grown children.
Join us in welcoming Greg to the Auxano team!
Greg is found on twitter @auxanogreg and his email is greg@auxano.com.
