Anthony
Friday, March 1, 2013
"Success has made failures of many men." Cindy Adams
"Success has made failures of many men." Cindy Adams
During the latter quarter of 2012—as I do the latter quarter of every year, I started reflecting on my wins and loses for that year. The things I did really well, not so well and the things I just totally flunked in.
Now, since I spend much of my time either preaching, or in sermon preparation, and for the last two years, sermon series planning, and promoting, I naturally started grading myself in these areas. I gave myself an "A" in Sermon Preparation and Delivery, an "C+" in Series Planning and Promoting(that was up from a "D" the previous year). Felling good about my grades, I sat back with a smile on my face, and Just when I was feeling really good about my success, the The Holy Spirit began to deal with me concerning my over all grade in discipleship.
It didn't take but a couple of minutes for me to sit up in my chair and hang my head low, because I realized that I had flunked discipleship! I had allowed myself to define my success by the Sunday morning delivery (and everything that I did in preparation for it), rather than my daily efforts to make disciples.
I repented and ask God to show me some men that I could start pouring my life into more directly. He did and I did. The attention to the details of discipleship have revived me. It has helped me to clarify the success of my pastorate and the success and future of the church I lead, by the glow on the faces and the growth of the men I am discipling.
Jesus looked into the faces of his disciples and said, "greater works shall you do." This was a major part of how He defined His success. Getting those twelve men ready for his departure was a three year strategic plan. These men turned the world upside down because they had all of Him in all of them. This strategy was so important that Christ didn't return to heaven until his disciples totally understood that they were to do for others what He had done for them; "Make disciples."
When I look back on the grades that I gave myself in preaching, sermon series preparation and promoting, the words of Cindy Adams rush in like a flood: "Success has made failures of many men."
My role as a leader is not defined or determined by the sermons I preach, but by the servants I develop. Delivering powerful messages without deliberately developing powerful messengers is a waste of time. The bravado of a sermon in and of itself, is not enough to build disciples.
So, are you passing or flunking discipleship. If you are Flunking, let me be the first to say to you, "There is a 'Rising From The Dust' to a better grade."
Anthony
During the latter quarter of 2012—as I do the latter quarter of every year, I started reflecting on my wins and loses for that year. The things I did really well, not so well and the things I just totally flunked in.
Now, since I spend much of my time either preaching, or in sermon preparation, and for the last two years, sermon series planning, and promoting, I naturally started grading myself in these areas. I gave myself an "A" in Sermon Preparation and Delivery, an "C+" in Series Planning and Promoting(that was up from a "D" the previous year). Felling good about my grades, I sat back with a smile on my face, and Just when I was feeling really good about my success, the The Holy Spirit began to deal with me concerning my over all grade in discipleship.
It didn't take but a couple of minutes for me to sit up in my chair and hang my head low, because I realized that I had flunked discipleship! I had allowed myself to define my success by the Sunday morning delivery (and everything that I did in preparation for it), rather than my daily efforts to make disciples.
I repented and ask God to show me some men that I could start pouring my life into more directly. He did and I did. The attention to the details of discipleship have revived me. It has helped me to clarify the success of my pastorate and the success and future of the church I lead, by the glow on the faces and the growth of the men I am discipling.
Jesus looked into the faces of his disciples and said, "greater works shall you do." This was a major part of how He defined His success. Getting those twelve men ready for his departure was a three year strategic plan. These men turned the world upside down because they had all of Him in all of them. This strategy was so important that Christ didn't return to heaven until his disciples totally understood that they were to do for others what He had done for them; "Make disciples."
When I look back on the grades that I gave myself in preaching, sermon series preparation and promoting, the words of Cindy Adams rush in like a flood: "Success has made failures of many men."
My role as a leader is not defined or determined by the sermons I preach, but by the servants I develop. Delivering powerful messages without deliberately developing powerful messengers is a waste of time. The bravado of a sermon in and of itself, is not enough to build disciples.
So, are you passing or flunking discipleship. If you are Flunking, let me be the first to say to you, "There is a 'Rising From The Dust' to a better grade."
Anthony
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Rumba Young Man Rumba
Albert Pike is quoted as saying, "He who endeavors to serve, to benefit, and improve the world, is like a swimmer, who struggles against a rapid current, in a river lashed into angry waves by the winds. Often they roar over his head, often they beat him back and baffle him." The Apostle Paul puts its this way, "We are cracked and chipped from our afflictions on all sides, but we are not crushed by them. We are bewildered at times, but we do not give in to despair. We are persecuted, but we have not been abandoned. We have been knocked down, but we are not destroyed." (2 Corinthians 4:8-12 The Voice)
Leadership is a fight. Those of us that find ourselves thrust into leadership are often struggling against a rapid current. We are cracked and chipped by a myriad of afflictions. Leadership is no walk in the park. It is often more like a cat on a hot tin roof. Nevertheless, we are called to make a difference in this world. In the words of that old African American song, we "have a charge to keep and a God to glorify."
So how do we accomplish this? Never loose sight of the significance of your role in divine change. There is value in the role you play in God's divine plan. He knows the plans He has for you. You are here to impact time for eternity. Please remember, there is always a "Rising From The Dust" for all of us. Therefore, "Rumba Young Man (woman) Rumba."
Anthony
Leadership is a fight. Those of us that find ourselves thrust into leadership are often struggling against a rapid current. We are cracked and chipped by a myriad of afflictions. Leadership is no walk in the park. It is often more like a cat on a hot tin roof. Nevertheless, we are called to make a difference in this world. In the words of that old African American song, we "have a charge to keep and a God to glorify."
So how do we accomplish this? Never loose sight of the significance of your role in divine change. There is value in the role you play in God's divine plan. He knows the plans He has for you. You are here to impact time for eternity. Please remember, there is always a "Rising From The Dust" for all of us. Therefore, "Rumba Young Man (woman) Rumba."
Anthony
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
7 Habits Of Highly Successful Entrepreneurs
In Casey Graham, I have the privilege of working for one of the great entrepreneurs in the Christian community. His desire to serve pastors and church leaders by simplifying their lives is why he founded The Rocket Company.
This organization helps churches increase weekly giving and pastors preach better sermons. To read why I now work for this organization, please click here. It is a privilege to join Casey and his team in their efforts.
Leaders can learn much from great entrepreneurs like Casey. In the March edition of Inc magazine, seven of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs share their most important lessons learned when just starting out.
As I read the article, I gleaned seven habits of these highly successful entrepreneurs:
Flexibility – Cosmetics mogul Bobbi Brown says, “When you come from another country by yourself, you’re naturally entrepreneurial. You’re used to figuring it out as you go.”
Willing Partnerships – Smart leaders work with those who want to work with them. Daymond John, CEO of FUBU says, “It’s always better to do business with people who respect you. When you go around begging for favors, it doesn’t get you far.”
Admit Mistakes – Getting started can be messy. Robin Chase, Founder of Zipcar, faced a crisis with pricing early in the company’s history. She says, “As an entrepreneur, you are constantly in sales mode – you are selling to customers, investors, the people who work for you. But you have to be honest when things aren’t going right, and you have to fix them as quickly as you can. These were key issues for us that we had to solve or die.”
Determination - The legendary Richard Branson says, “If you have a good idea, 99% of people will tell you why it’s no good or how it’s been done before or why else you’re going to fall flat on your face…If you fail, pick yourself up and try another one. If you have enough determination, you will succeed more likely than not because of all you learned those times you didn’t.”
Self-Evaluation – Music executive Clive Davis says, “I realized there comes a time when you have to evaluate what you, personally, simply cannot do. It’s not delegating. It’s realizing you really need someone else to strengthen your organization and help you foresee trends you might overlook.”
Exercise Wisdom – Sandy Lerner, co-founder of Cisco Systems, has had some negative experiences with investors. She wisely warns, “I don’t believe all VC’s are adversarial, but the first thing I tell everyone is: Get your own lawyer. Don’t buy lines like, ‘You guys are busy: we’ll just have someone draw up some papers, and it will be very pro forma.’ Yeah, right.”
Focus – Tony Hawk, skateboarding legend and CEO of Tony Hawk Inc, says, “It’s easy to lose focus. Don’t…I could finally do what was best for skaters again…These days it’s easier for me to turn down opportunities that don’t fit the brand. I have the confidence to say no.”
Flexibility, Willing Partnerships, Admit Mistakes, Determination, Self-Evaluate, Exercise Wisdom, and Focus. If you practice these seven habits, you too may be a successful entrepreneur.
What is one thing on this list that you can do today to improve your leadership?
http://briandoddonleadership.com/2013/02/27/7-habits-of-highly-successful-entrepreneurs/
This organization helps churches increase weekly giving and pastors preach better sermons. To read why I now work for this organization, please click here. It is a privilege to join Casey and his team in their efforts.
Leaders can learn much from great entrepreneurs like Casey. In the March edition of Inc magazine, seven of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs share their most important lessons learned when just starting out.
As I read the article, I gleaned seven habits of these highly successful entrepreneurs:
Flexibility – Cosmetics mogul Bobbi Brown says, “When you come from another country by yourself, you’re naturally entrepreneurial. You’re used to figuring it out as you go.”
Willing Partnerships – Smart leaders work with those who want to work with them. Daymond John, CEO of FUBU says, “It’s always better to do business with people who respect you. When you go around begging for favors, it doesn’t get you far.”
Admit Mistakes – Getting started can be messy. Robin Chase, Founder of Zipcar, faced a crisis with pricing early in the company’s history. She says, “As an entrepreneur, you are constantly in sales mode – you are selling to customers, investors, the people who work for you. But you have to be honest when things aren’t going right, and you have to fix them as quickly as you can. These were key issues for us that we had to solve or die.”
Determination - The legendary Richard Branson says, “If you have a good idea, 99% of people will tell you why it’s no good or how it’s been done before or why else you’re going to fall flat on your face…If you fail, pick yourself up and try another one. If you have enough determination, you will succeed more likely than not because of all you learned those times you didn’t.”
Self-Evaluation – Music executive Clive Davis says, “I realized there comes a time when you have to evaluate what you, personally, simply cannot do. It’s not delegating. It’s realizing you really need someone else to strengthen your organization and help you foresee trends you might overlook.”
Exercise Wisdom – Sandy Lerner, co-founder of Cisco Systems, has had some negative experiences with investors. She wisely warns, “I don’t believe all VC’s are adversarial, but the first thing I tell everyone is: Get your own lawyer. Don’t buy lines like, ‘You guys are busy: we’ll just have someone draw up some papers, and it will be very pro forma.’ Yeah, right.”
Focus – Tony Hawk, skateboarding legend and CEO of Tony Hawk Inc, says, “It’s easy to lose focus. Don’t…I could finally do what was best for skaters again…These days it’s easier for me to turn down opportunities that don’t fit the brand. I have the confidence to say no.”
Flexibility, Willing Partnerships, Admit Mistakes, Determination, Self-Evaluate, Exercise Wisdom, and Focus. If you practice these seven habits, you too may be a successful entrepreneur.
What is one thing on this list that you can do today to improve your leadership?
http://briandoddonleadership.com/2013/02/27/7-habits-of-highly-successful-entrepreneurs/
Location:http://briandoddonleadership.com/2013/02/27/7-habits-of-highly-successful-entrepreneurs/
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Who Needs Strategy
Roger Martin, dean of Rotman School of Management, says, “The heart of strategy is defining where you’re going to play and how you’re going to win...”
This is a principle too often missed by those of use in leadership, particular those of use in Christian leadership. We take Paul's words "...become all things to all men," to mean do all things, and his comforting words "all things work together for the good," to mean throw caution into the wind.
Now, you may quickly reject my assessment, and may even be offended by it. However, how do you select what you will take part in? Is it because every body else is doing it? Popularity? And once you have chosen--even if it is divinely instructed or peer inspired, what's your plan to win! God told me to do it, is great theology, but when God calls a man, he has plan for the man and that is call strategy.
Strategy has almost become a four-letter word in church leadership. Those that apply it, are told they are trying to bring business principles into the church..."Just let the Holy Spirit lead," we are told. However, to read the bible and not see God as a Master Strategist, is to read Shakespeare without noticing the "thee", "thou" and "tis" of the text.
Time is not recyclable, and for a believer to live and lead Without a strategy, is to live and lead by a strategy, however it's called chance.
Let's make good use of our time, have a strategy and play to win.
Anthony
This is a principle too often missed by those of use in leadership, particular those of use in Christian leadership. We take Paul's words "...become all things to all men," to mean do all things, and his comforting words "all things work together for the good," to mean throw caution into the wind.
Now, you may quickly reject my assessment, and may even be offended by it. However, how do you select what you will take part in? Is it because every body else is doing it? Popularity? And once you have chosen--even if it is divinely instructed or peer inspired, what's your plan to win! God told me to do it, is great theology, but when God calls a man, he has plan for the man and that is call strategy.
Strategy has almost become a four-letter word in church leadership. Those that apply it, are told they are trying to bring business principles into the church..."Just let the Holy Spirit lead," we are told. However, to read the bible and not see God as a Master Strategist, is to read Shakespeare without noticing the "thee", "thou" and "tis" of the text.
Time is not recyclable, and for a believer to live and lead Without a strategy, is to live and lead by a strategy, however it's called chance.
Let's make good use of our time, have a strategy and play to win.
Anthony
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Shelf-Life
I just listen to Daniel Day Lewis being interviewed on 60 minutes. He talked about how difficult it was for him to come out of the character Abraham Lincoln and how he missed that character.
It is both convicting and challenging to think; as leaders we can lead, and inspired people in such a way, that if God would allow anyone to portray us in the future, long after He has taken us home, they too would miss us.
It is a sad reality, that not much of that which passes for leadership today has a shelf-life. It's more about the moment then the next millennium. As believers and leaders we are to impact time for eternity. Visionary leadership helps us to embrace today with the prospective of tomorrow.
God forgive me for the days passed and the days to come, when I have and shall take my leadership so casually. For, I want to be missed.
Anthony
It is both convicting and challenging to think; as leaders we can lead, and inspired people in such a way, that if God would allow anyone to portray us in the future, long after He has taken us home, they too would miss us.
It is a sad reality, that not much of that which passes for leadership today has a shelf-life. It's more about the moment then the next millennium. As believers and leaders we are to impact time for eternity. Visionary leadership helps us to embrace today with the prospective of tomorrow.
God forgive me for the days passed and the days to come, when I have and shall take my leadership so casually. For, I want to be missed.
Anthony
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