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In 2005, Ice Cube (Nick) and Nia Long (Suzanne) starred in the hit comedy movie, “Are We There Yet?” Nick’s attracted to Suzanne and offers to drive her two very annoying children from Portland to Vancouver.  The trip’s a disaster from the outset as the three face numerous mishaps while entertaining the nagging question, “Are we there yet?”  As a parent who’s gone on numerous road trips with children, they have trouble understanding distance and how much time it takes to actually get ‘there.’

In his book, “Maximize The Moment,” Bishop T.D. Jakes references a “place called there.”  It’s not a neighborhood.  You can’t find it on a map.  Money, education, or influence can’t get you there.  There is the place God intended for us to be spiritually, relationally, financially, etc.  It’s God’s destiny for us and once you’ve been touched by destiny, your relentless pursuit begins.

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I have the privilege to serve with an incredible staff…a fired up group of people who love their church and have a “by any means necessary” mentality towards ministry.

However, in my ministry experience, both in the life of Mars Hill, working with other churches and conversations with many pastors and leaders I believe there are five phrases that we should NEVER hear from someone on staff.

#1 - “THAT’S NOT MY JOB.”

When a staff member is asked to do something and they reply, “That’s not my job,” then you can be assured that he/she does not have a heart that is fully devoted to the ministry.

The staff we have here at Mars Hill walk around with fire in their eyes…and when asked to do something they just make it happen.  Now…I have seen this abused & do not think ANYONE should allow themselves to be ran over; however, when asked to do something that might not serve the person BUT WILL SERVE THE CHURCH…the answer should always be yes.

#2 - “THAT CAN’T BE DONE.”

I have noticed something about staff members that say something cannot be done…USUALLY the ones who say that are the ones who are going to be asked to do the particular project they are freaking out about…and it will require tons of work…SO, they just say it can’t be done.  I have a confession to make…I don’t like hearing “it can’t be done.”  

Here’s the kind of attitude I like: 

Someone who’s realistic with me and says, “Now we CAN do that…but it will require such and such and we don’t have that–and if we want it then it is going to cost this…so what do you want to do?” I LOVE THIS ATTITUDE!  

Trust me, when a staff member continually says that something cannot be done they either have a lazy work ethic OR a very small view of who God is…neither are beneficial for your team.

#3 - “ALL I NEED IS MORE STAFF & MONEY TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.”

When people begin to use resources as an excuse for a stagnant or failing ministry then you can be sure they are in trouble and have most likely became spoiled, thus forgetting the art of being innovative.

#4 - “RECOGNIZE ME!”

Beware of the staff member who is always telling you how much work they did, how many hours they put in and how tired they are.

HOLD ON

…as a leader it is our job to make sure that staff members are not sacrificed on the alter of ministry. We should pay them well and make sure they have adequate time off.  BUT…when someone is always demanding attention for the work they’ve done then you can be sure that either pride or insecurity is coming out…and neither are good!

#5 - “MY MINISTRY NEEDS “BLANK” AND IF WE DON’T GET IT THEN…”

When a staff member begins to focus on his/her ministry more than the church as a whole…trust me, you have a HUGE problem.  A good staff member does have passion and vision for their particular area of ministry; however, they have an even greater passion for the church as a whole and will gladly lay aside their plans if it means that it is best for the church.

The church will either operate as a loosely organized group of sub ministries…OR ONE BODY with many parts…and if a staff member cannot be a part of the body then they most likely do not have a kingdom mindset.

Did I miss anything?  What statements would you add to this list?

I am a voracious reader.  In fact, I love to read and I never pass up an opportunity to visit bookstores. I will literally sit for hours, scan book & magazines, and fill my Moleskine notebook with pertinent information.  This week I invite you to join me and take a peek in my notebook and see my thoughts.

As promised, every Friday I’ve decided to share my “Top 5.”  I’ve thought a lot about success and what it takes to be successful.  Since success is hard to conceptualize and is subjective, I’ve discovered there are similar costs most are willing to pay in order to be successful.

Here’s what’s swirling around in my mind this week:

1. You can’t be CHEAP and successful at the same time.  College costs money.  Books cost money.  Conferences & Seminars cost money.  Putting yourself in a position to be stretched and grow cost money.  One of the qualities that I’ve always noticed in successful people is that they were personally willing to pay a financial price.
2. You can’t be LAZY and successful at the same time.  You must be willing to put “some skin in the game.  This means you get your butt out of bed and make it happen!  Also, remember that rest is essential because success is a LONG journey.
3. You must be mentally strong.  Your success journey will be one of the most emotionally draining things you will EVER do.  You will discover that you can go from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows with one email or phone call.  Your heart and motives will be called into question.  Critics will attack.  Haters will hate (that’s what they do).
4. You must devise a plan to combat spiritual warfare.  The enemy IS NOT happy about what you’re trying to accomplish.  His strategy is to kill, steal, and destroy.  He attempts to kill the dream in the beginning…before the seed takes root.  The more successful you become the greater the intensity of spiritual attack on your life.
5. You will bear scars.  Jesus asked His followers to count up the cost before they decided to follow Him.  Why?  Those who God uses greatly, He scars them deeply.  Behind every successful person are scars they’ve accumulated along the journey.  Success will cost you something!

Questions:

Are you ready for the journey?

Have you considered the costs?

Ed Stetzer recently compiled a list of 48 questions to ask yourself for honing your personal accountability.  Unfortunately, each year we hear of preachers, politicians, and athletes who compromise their integrity and make life-ruining mistakes. Sadly, many of those mistakes could have been avoided with the right accountability systems in place.

For all 48 questions, you will need to check out Ed Stetzer’s original post. Here are my top 15 personal favorites:

1. Have I spent adequate time in Bible study and prayer?
2. Did the Bible live in me today?
3. Am I enjoying prayer?
4. Have I given priority time to my family?
5. How do I spend my spare time?
6. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, or habits?
7. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
8. Have I been with a woman anywhere this past week that might be seen as compromising?
9. Have I been exposed to sexually alluring material or allowed my mind to entertain inappropriate thoughts about someone who is not my spouse this week?
10. Have any of my financial dealings lacked integrity?
11. Have I secretly wished for another’s misfortune so that I might excel?
12. Have I damaged another person by my words, either behind their back or face-to-face?
13. Is there anything that has dampened my zeal for Christ?
14. Is Christ real to me?
15. Have I been completely honest with myself?

What are some of your accountability questions?

The iPhone 4S (my preferred device) and a host of other smartphones all promise to help us accomplish more.  Unfortunately, we live in an age where we’re encouraged to purchase gadgets that allow us to do many things at the same time. 

It’s called multitasking and, in my opinion, it’s overrated and may be the greatest leadership lie ever told!  That’s right, I said it!

Multitasking is the ability of a person to perform more than one task at the same time. 

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Golf is an EXPENSIVE sport!  Honestly, I’m not the greatest fan of golf.  I only like a few aspects of the game and lugging a heavy bag of clubs around a lawn looking for a tiny ball and hole to put it in all day isn’t one of them.  Honestly, the best parts of the game are driving the ball, putting and driving around in the golf cart.

All three of these skills can better be implemented in any reputable driving range/putt-putt/go-cart facility without having to walk around aimlessly all afternoon (Here’s a million-dollar idea – anyone want to partner with me on this).  If you want to master golf, there’s a steep price you must pay mentally, physically, and financially.  The same could be said for those who aspire to be great leaders.

Can you drink of the cup that I drink of… (Mark 10:38)

No one should aspire to lead God’s work if they are not prepared to pay a price greater than his contemporaries and colleagues are willing to pay.  True leadership always exacts a heavy toll on the leader and the more effective their leadership is, the higher the price to be paid.  The cost of every great achievement is not paid in a lump.  It is bought on a payment plan, with installments paid daily.

Greatest Installment: Loneliness

From its very nature, the lot of the leader must be a lonely one.  They must always be ahead of their followers.  Human nature craves company, and it is only natural to wish to share with others the heavy burdens of responsibility and care.  It’s often heartbreaking to have to make important decisions, which affect the lives of others alone.  This is one of the heaviest prices to pay, but it must be paid.

Moses paid this price for his leadership – alone on the mountain…alone in the plain…alone when criticized.  The socially conscious Apostle Paul (He would’ve loved Facebook & Twitter) was a lonely man who experienced the bitterness of being misunderstood by his contemporaries, misrepresentation by his enemies, and desertion by his friends.

“Most of the world’s great souls have been lonely,” wrote A.W. Tozer.  Leaders must be people who, while welcoming the friendship and support of all who can offer it, has sufficient inner resources to stand alone, even in the face of fierce opposition.

As a leader, how do you deal with loneliness?

The mark of a great leader is how many great people will join his or her team. King David’s team was comprised of “mighty men.”  Because David attempted mighty things, only the mighty could keep up with him.  Those who could not keep pace could not join the team.

Don Bennett was the first amputee to climb Mt. Rainier.  His testimony is simple – if you try such a feat with only one leg, “you can’t do it alone.”  However, Bennett understood that not just anyone could help.  Bennett did not recruit his helpers in a nursing home.  He built a team of people who WANTED to climb a 14,410-foot peak and who COULD climb a 14,410-foot peak.  One who attempts mighty feats had better be capable of recruiting a mighty team.

David did just that. 

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