All posts in Leadership Summit 2009

Lead Where You Are

by Tim Schraeder on 08/08/2009 in Leadership Summit 2009, Notes with 3 Comments

I’ve been to the mountain… well, The Summit.

This year’s Leadership Summit was fantastic. Thanks to all of you (well over 3,000!) who found your way to my blog. I guess I take good notes? [By the way, I'm still taking 'Notes for a Cause' donations to go to Kiva.org!]

So I was at The Modern Wing at The Art Institute of Chicago today with a friend and overhead someone saying near the end of their trek through the galleries, “wow, I’m saturated…”

I think that sums up how I feel right now. Absolutely saturated.

There was so much information, inspiration and ideas that leapt out at me over the past couple of days and I’m still processing everything… but while it’s fresh, I thought I’d share a key thought or take-away I had from each session.

  • Bill Hybels’ first session, Leading in a New Reality, reminded me that I need to slow down and gently listen to God, even in the midst of the chaos of the world around me.
  • The panel discussion on Hiring, Firing, and Board Meltdowns challenged me to think of the kind of work culture we are creating at Park and how I, as a part of the team, am contributing.
  • Gary Hamel blew me away. There was so much he said, I don’t think I caught it all. But the one thing he did say that’s going to stick with me is that the Church is God’s plan for humanity and He has no “plan B.”
  • Tim Keller’s session, Leading People to the Prodigal God, was a sobering reminder to remember the true heart of the Gospel.
  • Jessica Jackley’s insight on the whole idea of co-creation totally excited me when thinking about new ideas and possibilities that are out there. It just starts be taking one, small step.
  • Harvey Carey didn’t have to do much to convince me that I just need to do something!
  • I could have listened to Dave Gibbons a lot longer, but I did get a copy of his book. I’m stoked to read more about his thoughts and insights on creating a Third Culture, a culture of adaptation.
  • Andrew Rugsira really challenged me to think differently about the continent of Africa and to not just look through the lens of compassion, but to also see the opportunity that is in the people there.
  • Wess Stafford… wow. What an amazing story. And how humbling to think that nothing is wasted, everything is redeemable.
  • David Gergen had tons of great insights but the one that stuck with me was the idea that who we are says a lot more about us than what we actually say.
  • The Heath Brothers were stellar, as usual. I’m going to really cherish their statement that “failure is oftentimes an early warning sign of success.”
  • Bono was great, too. I think the biggest challenge from him this year wasn’t so much about the HIV/AIDS as it was what he said about the Church. He said some things I think we really need to take to heart.
  • Tony Blair’s interview was way too short, but I think more than anything his reminder of what a privilege it is to be in leadership was something I needed to hear.
  • And although not a formal session, Bill Hybels’ closing remarks were a great way to end, reminding us that the little things are often the most important.

So, after all that… what’s my final thought?

I think the theme of this year’s conference says it all: lead where you are. No matter who you are, where you are, what you do, what you have or what you don’t have, God is calling you to do something. To lead where you are.

In thinking through each of this year’s speakers, they were all the first to admit their flaws and shortcomings but also the first to admit that in order to make a difference, you have to be willing to take a risk and do something. Even in the midst of your own failures or at the risk of failure.

I cannot think of a more exciting time and opportunity to be a part of the Church and to be a part of what God is doing in our generation. I’m so thankful for the experience of the Leadership Summit to remind me of the importance of the call to leadership, but more importantly, to remember first and foremost, before I do anything, I’m called to be a child of God.

So how about you?

What’s are your take-away’s from the Leadership Summit? What challenge are you going to face? Or what simple thing are you going to do differently? Would love to hear!

The Simple Things

by Tim Schraeder on 08/07/2009 in Leadership Summit 2009, Notes with 4 Comments

Hybels is the founding and senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, IL, and the chairman of the board for the Willow Creek Association. He convened The Leadership Summit in 1995, following a God-given prompting to help raise and develop the spiritual gift of leadership for the local church. Both visionary and passionate about seeing every local church reach its full God-given potential, he speaks around the world on strategic issues to Christian leaders and is a best-selling author of more than 20 books, including Courageous Leadership and Axiom: The Language of Leadership.

Story of Naaman

  • The OT book of 2 Kings tells the story of a military leader from Syria.
  • They went from one military conquest to the next.
  • He was the rock star military leader of the day.
  • He got a certain death sentence: leprosy.
  • He goes to a prophet to seek help and got instructions to dip into the water of the Jordan River seven times.
  • He was offended.
  • His soldiers reminded him that if the prophet had asked him to do something great that would have required great effort and achievement, he would have done it.
  • He was a great man who had done great things in great ways.
  • The prophet had asked him to do something very simple.
  • He was told to do something simple and to see what God would do.
  • When he did it, he was healed… perfectly healthy, perfectly whole.
  • He said: “There’s no other God but the God of Israel.”
  • The great temptation for some of us is to think that we have to set our minds to go out and do some great thing.
  • Launch some new idea.
  • Double or triple our size.
  • Go global with our local thing.
  • But we should do simple things, every day.

Simple Things We Should Consider Doing…

1 – Consider establishing a time and place where you will meet personally with God every day.

  • So often what gets compromised in our doing great things for God is our meeting with God.
  • In Ephesians 6, Paul asked for prayer to fearlessly proclaim what he needed to proclaim while he was doing what he was supposed to be doing.
  • Leaders need something fresh from God every day.
  • When you establish a meeting time and place, there’s some days the fireworks won’t happen, and day when the words will seem just like word on a page.
  • But if you are in the routine of it, God will speak to you.
  • It’s a simple thing, really.

2 – Commit to reading good books at least 30 minutes a day.

  • Steve Sample said, “I challenge you leaders to read something substantial 30 minutes a day for the rest of your life.”
  • It’s a very simple thing.
  • Bill has read hundreds of books since that have helped him along the way.

3 – Review your replenishment strategy

  • Romans 8:6 – if you are filled with the Spirit you will be filled with peace.
  • Is your “bucket” too depleted?
  • Instead of doing something big, maybe you should do something simple
  • Are you on a net gain or in depletion mode?
  • God will show you what to do.

4 – Decide to say “yes” to God every time His Spirit prompts you to do something.

  • This is advance decision making.
  • It means you saying “yes,” then asking God what the question is.
  • You don’t have to understand it, just test it against the Gospel… and just say yes.
  • “Some of the most fruit-bearing events I’ve ever been a part of came out of saying yes to God even I had no idea where they are going.”

Other Decisions…

  • Maybe it’s deciding what your key seats are.
  • Maybe it’s forgiving someone.
  • Maybe it’s reconciliation.
  • Maybe it’s time to stop complaining about the lack of resources and equipping people with what you have.
  • Maybe it’s time be innovative.
  • Maybe it’s time to consider a simple way to serve the poor.

The Simple Things

  • It’s often in the doing of the certain number of simple things that leaders build into their lives that often, over the years, compounds and increases their effectiveness, influence, and impact as a leader.
  • These simple things are the building blocks of God doing the “great thing” through us some day.
  • When we do the simple things, God takes responsbiilty for the big things.

Your Life Matters

  • Your life matters.
  • This isn’t the pre-game, this is THE game.
  • You have one life to live full-on for God.
  • You have one life to develop your leadership to the fullest potential.
  • You have this life to do something that will last for eternity.
  • “I only have today to fight for God and for His plan and purposes.”
  • I will fight hard.
  • It’s a personal decision we all have to arrive at.
  • What are you going ot live for?
  • What will you lay it down for?
  • What race are you running?
  • The curious thing God does when we all gather together and submit ourselves to the One, true Leader, Jesus Christ, and the combustible energy that happens when we are together is unlike anything else.
  • There’s a challenge we, as leaders, offer to each other.
  • We are building His church, for His glory through His power.

Do some simple things that will compound over the weeks and months ahead… who knows what God will do.

Interview with Tony Blair

by Tim Schraeder on 08/07/2009 in Leadership Summit 2009, Notes with No comments

One of Great Britain’s most internationally recognized statesmen, Tony Blair served as Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 1997 to 2007. During his tenure he helped transform Britain’s public services in education and health care and is widely credited for his contribution towards assisting the Northern Ireland Peace Process. He continues to be active in public life today, working as a key leader in the international community’s efforts to secure peace in the Middle East. He also advocates on issues of personal interest, including Africa and climate change. In 2008, he launched the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, which promotes understanding between the major faiths and increases understanding of the role of faith in the modern world.

On His Early Days as a Leader

  • Sometimes people look at people in a position of leadership and think they have confidence, etc.
  • “I’ve never been like that.”
  • “I felt very normal in an abnormal situation.”
  • “I felt compelled at a certain point to step out.”
  • Conventional wisdom can be the comfortable thing to do.
  • The comfortable thing to do can be the wrong thing to do.
  • You have step-backs and failures when you step out against the norm.
  • Most people liked to be liked.

Decision-Making

  • The thing about leadership is that you have make a decision inside of yourself that there will be things you will stand on and be faced with the fact that other people might not like it.
  • Part of leadership is having an inner core, an irreducable core, the thing that cannot be chipped away at.
  • You cannot yield on what is at your core.
  • You have to do what you know is right, even if it’s not popular.
  • Your job is to stand by what you think.
  • Be prepared to walk away.
  • The times I found most difficult to lead were when I thought I was compromising on what I thought was right.
  • Most people in leadership know when they are taking a position because they actually believe it.
  • You’ve got to listen to and absorb criticism.
  • If the facts change, I change my mind.
  • You have to have a clear view.

Doubt

  • Doubt is expressed as a deep reflection of what you are doing and if it’s right.
  • You need to think through your decisions.
  • Doubt can be right, it causes you to think.
  • You’ve got to put aside fear that comes in the moment of decision.
  • You have to be able and willing to take the responsibility of decision making.
  • It’s never easy… but in the end, your ultimate duty is to decide… somebody has to.
  • If you’re not stepping up and deciding, someone is.
  • Even if people strongly criticize you, they respect your role of decision making.

Faith

  • If you are of religious faith, it’s the most important thing in your life.
  • It’s not that you make decisions in a “religious way.”
  • But it does give strength and support.
  • Faith and its role in the world is an enormously potent force for good or bad.
  • Faith plays progressive and constructive role in the 21st century.
  • There’s a lot people of faith can accomplish together.

Negotiating

  • I’m a great believer between the differene between tactics and strategy.
  • There’s strategy in the goal you are trying to reach.
  • To get there, it requires a lot of compromise and tactical issues along the way.
  • You’ve got be be prepared to have  a lot of give and take.
  • Things are difficult and tough to get through, but things should always be measured against your goal.

Leading Through Crisis

  • Do we react by pointing a finger or make a statement of our unity?
  • Made the judgement that a statement of unity was most important.
  • In the moment of crisis… get the facts, get the managerial details, get a message that meets the emotions of your people.

Pain + Disappointment

  • By counting your blessings you can endure pain and disappointment.
  • Remember it’s a privilege to do your job.
  • We’re blessed and lucky to be doing what we are doing.
  • Every day you should wake up and feel motivated.
  • Whatever pain and disappointment you accumulate, it cannot compare to the blessings you have.
  • What are you REALLY complaining about?

To Church Leaders

  • Leadership is a blessing.
  • It’s a gift that you’ve been given and a gift you can use to help others.
  • No matter how difficult, challenging or painful, it’s your duty to do it.
  • The way the world around you works, whatever it is, without a leader, things don’t get done.
  • The joy of getting something done makes all the pain worthwhile.
  • It’s a blessing and a gift from God you should use.

Hybels’ Comments

  • There are things you have to be unyielding on and you have to be ready to walk away if that’s compromised.
  • What is that irreducible core in you?
  • We are torn in leadership… people pulling us in different directions.
  • Are you willing to stay true to what you believe?
  • 1 Corinthians 15:58: be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing your work is never in vain, if it’s in the Lord.
  • Leadership is a blessing.
  • It feels heavy at times.
  • We get to paint pictures for people to aspire to.
  • We get to lift up causes and people that matter for eternity.
  • Keep in balance.
  • There’s pain, blessing and opportunity in all of it.

Bono, the Church… Three Years Later

by Tim Schraeder on 08/07/2009 in Leadership Summit 2009, Notes with 1 Comment

Bono is the lead singer of Irish rock band U2, which has sold more than 140 million albums and won numerous awards, including 22 Grammys. A well-known activist in the fight against AIDS and extreme poverty in Africa, he co-founded DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa) in 2002, The One Campaign in 2004, and Product (RED) in 2006, and was named TIME’s Person of the Year for 2005. Interviewed for the Summit in 2006, he challenged church leaders to mobilize against the ravages of global AIDS and poverty. Be a part of the continuing story, as Bono talks in an exclusive video about the church’s inspiring response and about his continuing life journey as a “single issue protagonist.”

  • JFK lead and the world followed.
  • Putting the man on the moon proved what American innovation and technology was capable of.
  • The problems we can fix, we should.
  • What is possible when the church unites to solve a global crisis?
  • Only love can leave such a mark.

How is the church doing?

  • Since the last time Bill and Bono met, “the church has done incredible things.”
  • “I thought the church was ‘the sleeping giant’ but I didn’t know it could run that fast!”
  • It’s an offense to Christ or any concept of truth and justice that we aren’t reaching out to help people in need.
  • The church is in the lead, not in the rear.
  • 41 million bed nets were distributed… malaria deaths are down.
  • In some places Rwanda is sending back drugs!
  • Had the church not woken up on the issue of AIDS we would not have 2 million Africans on anti-viral drugs.

Loving our (global) Neighbor

  • The concept of “our neighbor” has changed.
  • It’s not advice, it’s a command.
  • In the global community, Africa is just down the street.
  • Can we enjoy the benefit of globalization without taking some of the responsibility?
  • They are our neighbor.
  • Eaglebook Community Church in Minnesota has woken up to the call to do something globally.
  • A mark of maturity is when people give out of what they have.
  • We’re going to be asked what we did for “the least of these.”

Where the Streets Have No Name

  • Bono wrote the lyrics for the song “Where the Streets Have No Name” in Ethiopia about people in Africa.
  • He says when he sings it, it changes him and he “feels God walk through the room.”
  • Sometimes you don’t know what you’re singing.
  • As smart as somebody can be, intuition is greater than intellect.
  • Our best work is done when we have no idea what we are doing.
  • Whittier Area Community Church got it too, gave $518,000!
  • Jesus has created the church to exist for the world.
  • Why did it take a rock star to tell us that?

On The Economic Situation

  • It’s funny that we can’t find money to save hundreds of thousands of lives in Africa but we can find $700 million to save our economy.
  • That says that in a crisis, we can find the money when we need it…
  • Doing so shows we believe somebody begging for their lives is not in crisis.

On Church

  • On church attendance: I go where the life is.
  • “What I find hard to take is lifeless ceremony… and I see that a lot in churches.”
  • He wants to go where he finds honesty and humanity.
  • A place where everyone is welcome.
  • When you make a sermon, people don’t want things to be too complicated, they want you to be honest. They want a spirit of humility.
  • We need to stand for poverty.
  • It’s not charity… it’s justice and equality.

Grace

  • The church tends to separate itself from people and pick the divisive issues.
  • That’s not grace.
  • We would be much better served if we stood for things instead of against things.
  • Grace is defying the thing that is uncommon.
  • Whenever I see grace, I am moved.
  • When you see the grace of how people behave in dire circumstances you will be moved.

On Giving Up

  • He considered giving up.
  • We should never think things are dependent on us.
  • It’s hard, there will always be resistance.
  • There’s resistance on the journey to equality.
  • Where have you drawn the line?
  • Where does your sphere of empathy end?
  • Everyone is created EQUAL in the eyes of God.
  • Indifference is an enemy to the greatest of possibilities.

Bill Hybels’ Challenge to Leaders

Jesus spoke with blinding clarity about the issue of our relationship with under-resourced people (Matthew 25).

  • He said, “I was hungry… naked… sick… in prison…”
  • Some of the people responded by saying, “we never saw you in those situations.”
  • He replied, “when you did it to the least of these, you did it to me…”
  • Others said, “if we would have seen YOU…”
  • He replied, “you wouldn’t have done it for me.”
  • There’s a lot of things we’ve got to get better at in leadership.
  • If we neglect using our leadership positions to serve the poor in some way, we will stand accountable before Christ some day.
  • “I get no joy out of saying this because I feel the weight of it every day…”

What Bono has done is asked everybody of every faith who leads anything to do something.

  • I have a deep-seated trust in the sovereign wisdom of the Holy Spirit.
  • If people get this on their radar screen, God will show them how to do it and finding out what their part is.

No one is exempt from taking responsibility in this great challenge.

  • What is the right thing to do?
  • If you’re not engaged, get engaged.
  • You will want to stand before the One with nail pierced hands and say, “I made the grace you made available to me available to the poor…”
  • Some of us will be called to life-saving acts of compassion.
  • Others will create jobs and opportunity for long-term solutions.
  • God will guide you.
  • This is something that in our lifetime could be ended.
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