Sessions 1 – The Privilege of Leadership
Everyone wins when the leader gets better.
Sow More Seeds
Passage: Luke 8
This is a story about a guy with a bucket of seed that he throws out on different soils. Most is bad, but there is some good soil. Jesus is saying despite how bountiful the seed is sown, sometimes it will not be well received. Don’t give up.
75% of the seed is rejected. 25% is received. I’d like to see more trees next year than the previous year. I would love to see more transformed lives.
If I want to see more trees next year, then I probably should plant more seed. Quit complaining about how few plants there are, sow more seeds.
Story: Church mailer. There was a guy close to the church but didn’t know what it was.
This flipped a switch in me: we have to sow some more seed.
Ways we are sowing seeds:
- Then we started the Alpha course – 10 week course about the meaning of life.
- In the first class, 1/3 of the class came to faith.
- New member process.
- DVD Course: Just Walk Across the Room
Whether you like it or not, your whole organization takes their seed sowing cues from you.
One of the fundamental responsibilities of leaders is to stay curious. We must keep experimenting.
Incisive tinkers – Coming up with ways to sow more seeds.
Everyone wins when the leader gets better. Trees are worth it!
The Work Habits of a Leader
You are the most difficult person you will leader.
The leader’s greatest asset is not managing time, but by providing energy.
Question: Between now and the end of the year, what are the half-dozen contributions I could make to the church.
I realized I was going to have to energize some people and energize some events.
By year end, we accomplished 5 of the 6 things. It energized me. It gave me an energy burst. Into the new year I asked the same question.
You can sprint for 6 weeks. You can surge for a season.
6X6
– They are above and beyond your regular job descriptions.
– These are new ventures.
– This causes us to be bold prayers.
God didn’t make you a leader to respond to stuff. He made you a leader to move stuff ahead.
Leadership matters. Your leadership matters more than your realize.
Succession Planning
1. The Planning Phase
Every important discussion must come out during this phase:
– Who chooses the successor.
– How will the church honor the pastor?
– Will they have any role after the transition?
2. Find Internal Person that Can Be the Successor.
3. Find External Candidate.
4. The Transition Takes Place.
– Gradually increase their responsibility. This takes place over 18 months.
These are delicate conversations. Pastors, don’t hold on too long. Keep the long-term health of your church in mind.
Move People Up
God makes you a leader to help people improve.
Make a case for why we cannot stay where we are. Give 5 reasons.
When is the vision most vulnerable.
Visions are extremely vulnerable in the middle.
At the beginning you have a lot of energy. In the end you have a burst. In the middle, you are very vulnerable.
There is nothing like a church when the church is working right.
Have you thanked God recently for allowing you to lead something?
About Bill
Founder and Senior Pastor,
Willow Creek Community Church – South Barrington, IL
Founded The Global Leadership Summit, now in 200+ U.S. sites, 260+ cities worldwide, and 85 countries
Committed to developing and mentoring leaders worldwide, including those in some of the most difficult, overlooked and under-resourced countries
Best-selling author of more than 20 books including his most recent release, The Power of a Whisper
Photo and Bio Credit: www.willowcreek.com