Here goes. I know I am going to make some enemies, but I can’t stop myself. I am about to incite a powerful army of zealots. Many will shake their heads in disbelief at my ignorance and naiveté and look at me with pity. Some will choose to shun me from this day forward. A few will become defensive and attack me. I know all this, but I can’t stop myself.
A couple of months ago the President of the organization for which my wife, Gwyn, raises money decided that everyone on staff would switch to Macs. Soon a stylish box containing a sleek, white computer arrived at our home. Just holding it made you feel smart, sophisticated and superior.
This morning on my way to my first appointment I found myself following a car with the following vanity license plate; “UNBIAS 1”.
As I pondered what might motivate someone to pay extra to declare to the world their universal neutrality on all subjects, something occurred to me.
Below is a quote from an article by Bill Easum, Mel Lawrenz, Adele Calhoun, and Rich Nathan | posted 4/19/2010.
“We can organize more and more ministries—worship experiences, Bible classes, small-group fellowships, support groups, outreach opportunities, mission encounters—and yet, for all this, we still struggle with the most basic goal: fostering spiritual growth. In fact, church activities sometimes get in the way of spiritual growth… How can churches help and not hinder the Great Commission—the making of disciples of Jesus?
Do you agree or disagree with this comment and how would you answer their question?
The other day two things converged to reaffirm for me a key leadership lesson. First I found myself re-reading of “Winning on Purpose” by John Kaiser. Second I had the occasion to watch the movie Ike: Countdown to D-Day (2006).
The leadership lesson is: In great causes a primary leader is essential
Kaiser’s book presents both the rationale and practicalities for pastor lead churches.
It takes no real talent to take the simple and make it sound complex. Now taking something complex and making it simple enough for even a child to understand is a fine art practiced by way too few people. General Colin Powell once said, “Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers.”
During England’s darkest days in World War II, Winston Churchill demonstrated that truth. London was under siege from the German Luftwaffe. The relentless barrage of bombs was eroding the spirit and resolve of the English people. While many things needed to be done to in order to survive the attacks and win the war, Churchill wisely narrowed his messages to the people down to the bare essential thing from which all the other things would flow.