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We Flipped The Switch - Mars Hill Offers FREE WiFi!

Today, we walk into coffee shops and restaurants & see stickers on the windows offering free wifi.  If the aforementioned places can do this, so can the church.  

So where am I going with this?  

In an effort to promote the church as a great space to work away from the office, Mars Hill cast the vision of offering free WiFi.  The vision has come to past.  On Sunday, May 13, 2012, We flipped the switch & now Mars Hill Baptist Church of Chicago offers FREE WiFi.  Why?  Part of our vision is to leverage technology for the glory of God.  

Some may ask, “What is the theological reasoning behind Mars Hill’s use of technology to forward the Gospel?”  

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9 that he became all things to all men so that by “all means” he might save as many people as possible. It’s that simple. We use whatever we can to tell as many as we can about Jesus.  

Technology is simply a tool or an idol depending upon whether it helps or hinders the forward progress of the gospel.  We believe it’s a tool to further the advancement of the Gospel.  

What do you think - should churches offer FREE WiFi?

The Church of Apple Inc.

Last week, Apple summoned reporters to an event to unveil a new version of its popular tablet computer - The New iPad. “Apple clearly sent a message to all of the manufactures lining up to complete with it: Just go home.” (Andy Ihnatko - Chicago Sun-Times). Apple calls it “Resolutionary.”

Apple is a very successful company. They’re innovative, swimming in cash, and have the friendliest staff I’ve ever met. I began thinking: “What could the church learn from Apple?” Theologically, I understand the church is a body and not a business and incorporating business models is risky (some may even say it’s heretical). Whatever! I’m a believer in principles and if there’s a transferrable principle, I’m applying it.

After visiting Apple’s retail stores and buying their products, the church can learn a lot if they would open their eyes and use a little imagination.

Here’s what we can learn:

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Making The Most Of Where You Are

Quick!  How many have heard this phrase:

Bloom where you’re planted.

I heard this heard statement before and it’s about making the most of what you have and being content with your life.  Although I could not find the actual verse that bears directly on this statement, 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 suggest the idea of contentment.

Paul had been giving instruction in Chapter 7 regarding marital status. Apparently there was some level of discontent among the believers where there was an inordinate desire to change their state from single to married or from married to single.

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Where Do You Get Your Vision?

One of the questions that is often asked of me by pastors, church leaders, and business leaders is, “Where do you get your vision?”

My answer usually seems to frustrate them because…well…it’s simple. Leadership (and vision) is as easy as listening to God.

  • Vision does not come through a committee.  Good ideas may come that way.  Much needed discussion may come out of a meeting like that…but not vision.
  • Vision does not come through a conference.  You may get INSPIRATION…but not REVELATION.  I think of of the sad things in conference world today is pastors will attend a conference, go home & then try to be EVERYTHING except for what God called them to be.
  • Vision does not come out of books.  Once again–excellent ideas do.  Wisdom comes from reading. You can seriously be challenged and stretched by reading…but vision isn’t in the pages of the next best seller.
  • Vision does not come from trying to repeat what has been successful in the past…that’s not vision, that’s the leader being a victim of previous success.

I still say that passionate, white hot, hell charging, world changing & people inspiring vision comes from intentional and uninterrupted time with Jesus…in HIS Word, seeking HIS face through prayers–staying connected with HIS Holy Spirit throughout the day.  

So when people ask me, “Where do you get your vision?” My answer is always the time…I meet with God & I don’t move until He tells me to move…but WHEN He tells me to move I go until He tells me to stop.

Leadership is as easy as listening to God. I always advise pastors and church leaders to get on their face and stay there until God says otherwise. I have NEVER made a bad or wrong decision when I clearly heard from God and followed–EVER!

How to Get to The Next Level

No matter what you’re doing, there comes a time when you are going to want to take things up a notch.  Maybe it’s your career — even if things are going along fine right now, ultimately you’d like to get a promotion, increase your client base, or reach a larger audience.  ”Getting started with anything can be a struggle, but once you reach a certain level of success, it can be hard to figure out how to make whatever it is you do truly remarkable,” according to Lifehack.

Leadership books, blogs, conferences, and websites mainly talk about getting to the next level.  If you buy their book, read their blogs (including mine), attend their conferences, and peruse their websites - you’re well on your way to getting ‘there.’  Everyone desires to get to the next level, but many don’t know how.  Unfortunately, there’s no silver bullet that works for everyone.  Today I’d like to share what kind of leadership is required to get to the next level.

What is the Next Level of Leadership?

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