The One Undeniable Mark of a Great Leader

by: Rick Warren

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Procrastination has a high cost. When we cram for tests, we get lower grades. When we wait until the deadline to file taxes, we miss things and make costly mistakes. When we put off difficult conversations, we hurt people and relationships.

And the cost of procrastination in ministry can be significantly higher. For us, procrastination isn’t measured in dollars; it is measured in ministries never started, people with needs going unmet, and those who are spiritually lost never hearing the Gospel.

The Bible says in James 4:17, “Remember, it is a sin to know what you ought to do and then not to do it”(NLT). When God calls you to do something, but you don’t do it, it’s not just a bad strategy or a missed blessing. It is sin.

If God has called you to do something in your ministry and you are not doing it, do it now! Not next month, next week, or even tomorrow—do it right now.

Proverbs 27:1 says, “Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring” (NLT). None of us is guaranteed a tomorrow. You may not have the opportunity tomorrow to do what God has called you to do. You could be saying you’ll do it someday. That someday is today! One of these days is none of these days. Do it today. Start right now!

I talk to people who say they’re planning to do something in ministry. And I always want to ask, “When are you going to pull the trigger?” They’ve been taking aim for years, yet they never seem to get around to pulling the trigger.

Don’t be like that. You need to pull the trigger. These three words could change your ministry forever: Do it now!

Spend a few minutes right now and write down one thing you know God wants you to do in your ministry. Whatever it is, write it down and then put that note in a place where you can’t miss it — like on your bathroom mirror or on the refrigerator.

But don’t just write it down. Don’t just read it on your refrigerator. Do it — now! Every time you catch yourself saying you’ll do it later, it should be a warning light that says you’re procrastinating. There’s no better time than now. This is the moment of truth. There’s got to be a time in your life when you stop intending and start acting. Stop making excuses.

NASA says that getting the rocket off the launch pad requires the most amount of energy. Once the rocket is in orbit, it takes a lot less energy to keep moving forward. That’s why you need to get started now. The initial thrust will start you moving forward.

> Read more from Rick.

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Tags: Action, Leadership, Rick Warren

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Creating a Distinctive Guest Experience Requires Action

by: Scott McKain

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Editors Note: During our August focus on Guest Experiences, we are honored to have some of the best voices in the world of Customer Experience provide guest posts for the Vision Room. As you read the content below, simply think “Guest” in terms of the target the author is talking about – and you will benefit from the knowledge and expertise of some great minds.

Several times over the past several weeks, I’ve observed an interesting phenomenon.

At every presentation, I’ll be outlining the steps required to stand out in the marketplace of the group I’m speaking to — even with a slide at the end of each point saying, “What to do when you get home” with a list of actions every participant should take.

However, at the end of the presentation, I will now say to the group: “Before my last story, I want you to write down the first thing that you are going to DO when you get home to stand out from your competition.”

Invariably, some will instantly scribble a point, circle it, draw arrows pointing to it, and smile.  However, many in the group stare at the ceiling, rub their foreheads and write in fits and starts. (Even though I’ve already given them at least a dozen potential first steps during the presentation.)

Why?

Obviously, it’s possible that some just weren’t listening.  However, as I’ve observed them taking notes, that isn’t the correct answer for most of the ones involved.

Here’s my take — it’s a two-step problem.

• First, it’s one thing to see a list of potential steps you can take.  It’s quite another to decide which one you are going to commit to taking.

Many years ago, I was asked to be a judge in our local beauty pageant to be the queen of our county fair.  (The winner would go on to compete for the title of Miss Indiana State Fair.)  There were several talented and attractive participants.  So much so, in fact, that I had a very difficult time selecting one to be my vote as the winner.

In other words, when presented with the choice of many terrific options, it becomes very difficult to decide which is best.  A natural response is to either delay making a choice — or, to become paralyzed by the process.

• Second, there is something about writing out your decision that makes it more serious and binding.

Perhaps it is a throwback to our understanding about the importance of a contractual agreement — even if that agreement is only with yourself.  We seem to take it more seriously once we write it down.

Some were having trouble making the commitment to take action.  They were making all of the excuses in their minds — “I’m already too busy,” “What if I try it and it doesn’t work?” “I wonder if my boss is going to ask me about it?” and more.

Yet, without a commitment — what is ever accomplished?  You must first make a commitment to action before you can make significant progress!

This process has been a real learning experience for me — and, it can be for you, as well!

1. Discipline yourself to make a decision.  What will you DO…starting NOW…to create distinction in your marketplace?
2. Next — write it down and commit yourself to that action.
3. Finally — GET STARTED!

You are on your way…….

> Read more from Scott McKain

Tags: Action, Church Guest Experience, Distinction, Guest Experiences, Scott McKain

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4 Systems Every Church Needs

by: Artie Davis

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You may or may not be a systems person. You may lead a large or very small church. Regardless the context, systems need to be in place or success will always elude you.

Every church needs to ask and answer these questions in the context of a measurable system they have put in place.

#1 Attraction

When are we attracting people to the Kingdom?

If we never attract people to us, they will never experience the Jesus in us. So we need a system that allows those on the outside to see what we have on the inside. When do we do that….intentionally?

• Sunday morning? How?
• Missional communities? How?
• Personally? How?
• Outreach? How?

#2 Assimilation

How are we keeping those God sends us?

We are very poor stewards of the Kingdom, if God brings us people and we don’t do everything possible to keep them. If a new person is introduced to our church, then what?

• Once someone gets to know us or the church what is the next place? Where?
• Do we know how many we have seeking? How do we record it, Where?
• What is our definition of the person who is “committed?”

#3 Action

What are we challenging people to do?

We must have a system that takes people from their first steps to equipping them to be productive missionaries in a lost world. If the church doesn’t train them, then Who?

• What do we consider our “roads to outreach?”
• Is a lifestyle of living out our mission expected?
• How do we record new additions? Who contributed to that action?

#4 Activation

Where are we sending people?

Once a follower is fully trained, they should be like their teacher, i.e., Jesus. Jesus went from town to town, from person to place demonstrating and communicating the Kingdom. When our people are trained, what opportunities do we provide or encourage them to engage in. Where?

• How are our groups working toward our mission?
• Where do we encourage individuals to make contact with those outside the Kingdom?
• How do we measure how effective our strategy is in accomplishing our mission

These are some questions we have had to answer recently. Can you add any to the list?

Tags: Action, Activation, Artie Davis, Assimilation, Attraction, Vision Frame

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