Mike Henderson

Context

Wow.  I  am certain the most all sports enthusiasts were shocked to learn that Urban Meyer, the football coach at Florida, was stepping down.  He is one of the most successful coaches in the game today.

I must admit, one of my first reactions was, "Well, he is loosing his quarterback.  Sounds like the best time to mail it in."

So my first reaction, while not surprised in the sense that it happens often, was a little cynical.  

Of course, once I learned more about the context of the decision I completely understood.  The decision was based on more than just one thing.  Actually there were several factors.

But without all or at least some information the communication process is short-circuited.  That alone may result in confusion, frustration, and in this case sadness for Florida Gator fans.

Also factor in that few people live and breathe football and coaching the way Urban Meyer does.  But over the next few days there will be press conferences and some additional details that will provide the necessary context.

Because without the 'context' there will be lots of second-guessing, cynics, and a lack of understanding.

Uncertainty

One of the things I like about leadership is the element of uncertainty.  There was a time when being uncertain bothered me.  However, if everything was certain there would be no need for leadership.

Think about it.  If we were certain what to in Iraq we would need no leader, we would just do it.  If a football team knew which plays to run, which drills to practice, etc., it would not need a coach. Everyone would just show up and be certain as to what to do.

Admittedly sometimes the play does not turn out in the way hoped for.  In the area of decision making I learned a great principle from John MacArthur.  He stated that even after praying about something you may say your decision is the will of God, but it may take six months to verify it. Let's face it, all of us have moved forward 'thinking' we were absolutely certain, only to later realize we were wrong.

In other words, in the midst of uncertainty you are moving forward while dealing with intangibles and complex uncertainty.  I mean things like ideas, strategy, values, and branding are so intangible.  

However in the midst of uncertainty we want to maintain clarity.  For us a church at New Hope we know that our mission is to expand the kingdom of God, it is to make disciples, and it is to give people hope and serve our community.  I will expand on these in future blogs.

But how we go about that will not always be clear. The element of uncertainty increases the adrenalin of a leader. So wherever you are, embrace uncertainty while bringing clarity in its midst.  

Firing Yourself

Scott Williams posted an interesting blog on people getting fired and even firing themselves.  You can read his thoughts here.  

It has been well substantiated that many do not like their current jobs or dislike their bosses, etc.  So why don't those people fire themselves?  It almost seems somewhat sadistic to hang on to a job one really does not like.  As a high school student I had a job in retail that I simply did not like.  Lasted two days.  Then I fired myself.  Could not put up with the personal torture.  Work should be fun, at least that's what I think. 

I realize unemployment is already high, but maybe firing oneself would free someone up to find a job that fulfills them and gives them a reason to get up in the morning.

I agree with Scott.  Some need to be fired, but also there are many who should fire themselves.  Can you think of one person who has fired themselves?  Doesn't it seem like this should happen more often?

Process Before People

It must be a natural reflex to make something personal.  Some time ago I mentioned that during the music the keyboard was noticeably silent.  Immediately the individual made it personal by responding, "I guess you don't want Jake (not his name) running the sound board.

Now why the response?  I never said someone, or a person made an error.  I was simply pointing out an observation.  Maybe the keys were supposed to be low or silent on that particular song.  My goal was to 'ask what rather than who.'  

In other words, start with the process rather than a person.  Admittedly, even though I tried that the other person immediately turned it personal.  

I think that may be somewhat of a natural response, but I would not shy away from asking what first. Chances are there will be a procedural flaw or a flaw in the process that is causing the problem.  Just try and return something at a store.  If it takes an hour, it's more than likely a process problem and not a people problem.

So when a problem arises, think 'process before people.'

Decision Making

During the NBA playoffs the Orlando Magic lost by one point to the Boston Celtics.  For you non-sports people, don't worry, I will break it down so it will make sense.

With just seconds left in one game Boston had two primary go-to players to take the last shot.  The ball wound up in Paul Pierce's hands and he was double-teamed.  Why did two guys guard just one?  Because Pierce had demonstrated time after time that he could knock down the shot from his spot on the floor.

And because the coach made the decision to double-team Pierce.  What was the result?  He passed the ball to Glen Davis who hit the shot and caused Orlando to lose.

So did the coach make the wrong call?  Absolutely not.  Other coaches would have made the same decision. 

Yet so often our criteria for a good decision is simply the result.  Sometimes good and right decisions do not turn out 'right.'   The problem is when we who made the decision beat ourselves up when the decision turns out poorly. 

Stop that.  Even Jesus watched one of the disciples betray Him.  That decision did not turn out so well.  So it's time to quit beating yourself up.  If you made a decision based on your gut and the facts you had at your disposal, then move on.  Learn a few things, but lighten up on yourself.

70

That was God's idea.  He gave Moses 70 guys to help carry the load, to help with all the burdens of ministry.  70 guys to make decisions at the lowest possible level.  70 guys to know stuff Moses did not need to know or be loaded down with.  You can read about it in Exodus 18:17-26

First of all, for one person to try and do or know it all is stupid.  It will wear one person out.  They will never go the distance.

Sure Moses would make the BIG decisions (v.22), but if Sally wanted to buy whole wheat pizza versus regular pizza, well, Moses did not need to deal with that.  Surely Sally and her team could figure that one out based on the vision Moses had laid out (v.20).

Of course, not everyone was invited to be a part of the 70.  Oh no.  These people had to fear God, be honest, and be able to lead others, and be personally chosen by Moses himself (v. 21).

When we get to the NT we see Jesus doing the same thing.  He personally chose 12 to walk with Him and help carry the load.  One wound up turning on Him, but all in all it is a great strategy.

12 or 70.  The point is help and support is always needed.  

One Thing

*  Yesterday just about everyone showed up at New Hope with their shoe boxes for kids in third world countries.  Think of your biggest gift you have ever received and how excited you were, and you will have just an idea of what some kid will experience this Christmas when he opens his shoe box.  Just one thing, a shoe box full of things, will change a life this Christmas.

*  Carol and I went to Lynchburg after church for Savannah's last soccer game.  Because I am coaching Gabe's U12 Challenge team it gave me a chance to view some things that are more difficult to notice when I am standing on the sideline.  Here is one thing I know.  Soccer is really about one thing, speed.  You have to be able to beat your opponent to the ball, and you have to be able to outrun your opponent when you get a chance for a fast break towards the goal.  Every goal scored in the game was the result of one thing, speed.

*  Speaking of Savannah, she flat out impressed me at church yesterday.  Actually what she did should be absolutely normal in the church, and as her dad I'd love to say what she did was due to my parental influence, but I can't.  Here's the quick version.  I was standing in the lobby area when a teenager and her mom came through the doors.  The teenager was vocal about wanting to leave and not wanting to be there.  Well, they stay and as soon as Savannah sees her she takes up with her like they are best friends.  But they do not even know each other and go to different high schools.  In the end the girl wound up having a great time.  And I would be totally shocked if she did not come back.  Why?   Because of one thing!  A person who took the time to care.

*  Also on Sunday one of the girls in New Hope Kids brought her grandmother.  And she was beaming as they came through the doors.  Of course she had to show her grandmother their meeting place.  Here is a child who loves to come to church, could have missed (after all she was at her grandmother's, and every church-goer knows that family and friends are a great reason not to go to church), but was excited to be their.  Why?  Because of one thing.  The faithfulness of our volunteers.  They are the ones who make it happen every week.  They are the ones who strive to help kids grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

*  ONE THING

*  The message this week is about  ONE THING.  Your ONE THING.  What is it?  You'll need to be there!

Innovation

  As is usually the case most of us do not consider ourselves 'creative.'  But the creative people are out there some where.  Some times a great idea comes out of necessity, at other times out of rebellion.  When I tell the story of New Hope it occurs to me that we do some things out of rebellion.  For instance, we began putting the lyrics up on a screen years ago, in fact long before others did it.  The reason was I grew up hating to hold up hymn books, especially for some girl standing next to me.  I was like, just memorize the song and you would not need me to stand here and hold the book for you.  So we went to a local business and had the lyrics put on slides and used an old Kodak projector that missionaries used to use to show slides of their work. 
  Another thing I grew up not liking either was coats and ties.  I will wear one when the occasion arises, but there is a reason blue jeans are such a huge seller.  And so one day I was fussing about having to wear a coat and a tie.  I still remember the day.  I was talking to Rick in our church and he gave me 'permission' to change my wardrobe.  He said, "You don't have to wear that.  Why not put on a Polo shirt?  I have never looked back.
  How much innovation comes out of dissatisfaction?  In the excellent book, Mavericks at Work , the authors talk about why the most original minds win in business.  And a lot of that originality comes out of rebellion.  In that book are lots of examples from ING Direct USA to Southwest Airlines of creativity that came out of rebellion.  In other words, why do it the way it has always been.  Arkadi Kuhlmann of ING said, "If you want to renew and re-energize an industry don't hire people from that industry."
  Why?  Because we all get in ruts.  So think about what you don't like or get another perspective from someone outside.  That's where the unconventional ideas and groundbreaking strategies for business success come from.

Continually Learning

Had the opportunity to go to a recent NEXT Conference south of Atlanta.  A little surprised that more pastors were not in attendance, especially since it was free.  While much of the teaching was directed toward those planning to launch a new church or those who have recently launched, there was much to learn with many takeaways for an established church.
As a church that has been going for several years my staff and I left with some great ideas and a well defined game plan for the next several months.
First time I got to hear Gary Lamb in person.  Very refreshing and inspirational along with some practical ideas.
Been to lots of conferences over the years and this one definitely ranks up near the top.  Plus got to hear the wisdom of Ron Sylvia, Hal Mayer and others.
NEXT was a time of learning and as a result will help us move to another level.