Leading In A New Reality
In terms of the economy, the normal we all knew and loved is out the door. Rogue waves & storms often provide perfect conditions for new opportunities. In times like this, leaders often hear whispers from the Holy Spirit – this is why you’re a leader – this is why you’re in this position. It can create the strongest bonds when we occasionally face the occasional rogue wave.
Storms require constant action at the helm.
Four Lessons:
Philosophical. October 08 – Stock market lost 25% of value. Hundreds of Willowcreek members lost jobs. A large giver called Bill & said he couldn’t give his $2-300,000 Christmas gift. This was a rogue wave. The leadership team decided that no matter what happened, they would challenge the church to be the church – no matter what. This was not a business or naive decision. Do we still believe the local church is the hope of the world? Yes – to our core.
New series at Willow – “What we can learn in a downturn.” God will prove himself to be faithful. I hope you learn the beauty power & potential of your church. To those who are in a bind – let the church help you. Humble yourselves during your time of need. To those not affected by the downturn – step up and be the church in prayer & generosity. In a matter of weeks a business man stepped up and gave a check that made Bill pee his pants.
People aren’t coming to church for a mild dose of God. “All killer, no filler.”
Kingdom Economics lesson. The math makes no sense from a human perspective. Walk more by faith than by sight. Revenue goes down but the needs go up. Planning becomes more like guesswork. If you lose track of the financial part of ministry, you’ll bring embarrassment. Hybels asked Jack Welsh – How do you lead through a crisis? In a crisis, cash is king! (Jack Welsh)
Healthy cash reserves gives leaders what they need in a time of crisis – time. Cash gives you time! We tell individuals this every day – have 6 months of savings in case you lose your job. It gives you time. So why does the church or businesses not follow this rule too?
The bucket exercise – if revenue drops 50% which activities would we stop doing? Put those activities in bucket C. If we dropped 75%, put those activities in bucket B. If we absolutely would not stop doing a particular activity no matter what put those activities in bucket A. This is incredibly clarifying.
If you have to cut staff, cut staff. But give people time, be honest, and be generous.
Look at your resource pie – Willow is moving to a budget of 50% staff, 10% Wins of the Spirit, 15% ministry budgets, 15% facility/utility/etc.
Relational Lesson. Habakkuk 3:2. “I want to see God transform tons of people in OUR day.” God usually does his great work through people. People who are totally yielded to Him. God wants those who are “full on” for Him. Hybels is asking his staff tough questions. Are we hiring “full on” people and giving the tools & opportunities to reach their fullest potential. Jim Collins new book – How the Mighty Have Fallen. Staff read it & then asked the tough questions. How many absolute key seats are there in your organization? If there are X number of “key seats” in your organization, how many of those seats are filled w/ the right people. They found 85% were. What is the plan to get the right people. Are we developing backup people for those key people? These tough questions take tough leadership will but must be done.
Personal Lesson. Hybels was at a board meeting and he asked someone “how was your day?” The guy unloaded – 50 hr/week job plus because of economy he’s doing another full time job. Hybels said “I’m a little worried for you.” Later that night the Holy Spirit told Hybels “I”m a little worried for you.”
Hybels realized his life is unsustainable. “The pace at which I’m doing the work of God is destroying God’s work in me.” He was slowly falling back into a depleted position.
The Replenishment Bucket – Romans 8:6 – when you’re in sync w/ the holy spirit it leads to life and peace. It brings peace instead of anxiety. Many people, because of the rogue waves, are at the bottom of the bucket. This requires self leadership. “Reinvent adequate replenishment strategies for the new reality.” There are involvements, commitments & opportunities that you need to get out of. Know what fills your bucket. Hybels has doubled the miles he’s running, watching diet & days off. He’s also changed how he’s starting his day. He used to be in the office everyday by 6 – before all the other staff. Lately the temptation to ignore his early morning devotions in favor of his job responsibilities was huge. The temptation for leaders is to work 24/7. Realize if you’re virtually powerless, like an alcoholic, to avoid temptation. Now he starts his day more gently in a room at his house w/ no leadership temptations. When you listen to god slowly he speaks more often. After devotions he works on his sermon. THEN he goes to the office.
The best thing you bring to the table every day is a filled up bucket. Everyone around you benefits from this in profound ways. Your colleagues will feed on this. Shake up your routines. Fill up your bucket.
What do you followers see when they look at you these days. Do they see a full bucket? Or someone who’s exhausted or fearful?
God is still capable of doing great things in our day, but are you living like you think he doesn’t?
God wants to do great things in our day and with your leadership.
Open the printer and make sure the labels are feeding through the black alignment guides. These guides should be lightly touching the edges of the labels. The majority of alignment problems are caused by these guides being too loose. This can be fixed by adjusting the “teal wheel” to bring the black guides closer to the labels. The labels should not be able to move side to side in the alignment guides.
The Two Greatest Commandments – Love God & love you neighbor.
the way i see IT 