Posts Tagged: "Agriculture"

Doing Great Things Without Becoming Darth Vader

Leadership—specifically Christian leadership—is a messy business. It’s messy because it’s never pure. The motive behind what we do is a mixture of Ego, Ambition, & Holy Calling. And there is this shadowy dark side that goes along with our leadership strengths – what I call the Underbelly of (Christian) Leadership.

Is it possible to do great things without abusing power, inflicting damage on others, becoming a control freak, or leading with a sense of entitlement (breaking rules to satisfy personal desires)?

Is it possible to do great things without becoming Darth Vader?

In my opinion, it’s not.

Let me clarify: If the goal is ME DOING GREAT THINGS, I will inevitably abuse power, inflict damage on others, become a control freak, and lead with a sense of entitlement. If it’s about me doing great things, I will become Darth Vader.

Not too many years ago, my goal was to someday have a church of 10,000 people. And my motive was a mixture of… Read More

Agricultural vs Manufacturing Approach to People

Last night concluded our Together Nights at NWLife. Paul Scanlon spoke a message entitled “The Crisis of Human Flourishing.”

After reading the parable, Let The Rabbits Run, from Soar With Your Strengths, he talked about the importance of growing people…

Growing the church and growing people are two different things. Should we use people to grow an organization? No. We should grow people. Grow big people – people who are confident, who have a hunger to learn, who will take risks. If you grow big people, you’ll probably end up with a big church.

Good leaders do not have a one-size-fits-all approach… Read More