Something Andy Stanley said at Catalyst West has been haunting me for months.
He was trying to break apart two myths that are prevalent amongst leaders, and especially within church leaders.
Myth #1 - Great leaders are great at everything Myth #2 - I need to focus on my weaknesses and wing it with my strengths
Apparently when we start doing everything we start damaging ourselves and hurting our leadership ability. He was trying to get us to see the need for focusing on what only we can do and then delegating the other tasks to other leaders. By doing so we free ourselves up to thrive, and we create opportunities for other leaders.
Looking over the crowd at one point he started talking about the burnout that was probably evident in the lives of some of those in attendance and he said something to the extent of, "It's not the amount of work you're doing that's killing you, it's the kind of work."
I think he would argue that burnout starts when you're doing too much of everything and therefore not receiving energy and satisfaction from what you are good at doing.
So he tossed a few questions (below I have put only 4 of them) our way:
What do you do that is almost effortless from your perspective but daunting to others?
In what areas do people consider you the "go to" person?
What energizes you?
What do you wish you could stop doing?
This idea of "playing to your strengths" has been floating around in leadership circles for some time now, but it seems like most people (especially those in church circles) are slow in catching on to it. I know I have been.
Another morning of work and then I'm officially on vacation for a week and a half. To make it through the next little while, I will find much joy in this video.
One of the things I love about BC is the fact that I can play soccer year round. The only problem I have had these last 4 years is that I have been unable to connect with a team that actually plays during the summer. So I've been stuck with lots of rainy Saturdays on the pitch instead of sunny warm evenings.
But that came to an end. A guy I know from Aidan's school and who I play against in our rec league has been trying to get me out to play for their coed team. Yeah, it's coed, but it's still a chance to play the beautiful game.
Tonight was my first time playing since March (I think) when our team lost a semi-final match in extra time. And my body was shouting at me pretty loud...and it still is. But I was able to net a couple, which is always good for the soul.
Jon started a website by the same title. I've read it a few times and got some chuckles, but mostly dismissed it. Then I heard him at Catalyst West. Funny guy. So I bought the book. I laughed. Go buy it. Enough said.
I started reading this one back in February or March (which shows how far behind I am in my book reviews) for a teaching series we were doing about "rethinking church".
I find that these two guys cram a lot of content into their books, and that it's good for my brain. I don't think that Mark is bang on with everything, and I'm not particularly thrilled with his view of women in leadership, but you need to admit that he's a bright guy who has no doubt spent some extensive time in Scripture.
I'll recap a little of what I've been reading lately. Don't expect much by way of reviews. This is mostly so I can keep track of my reading total for the year.
Angry Conversations With God (Susan E Isaacs) - Funny. Sarcastic. Unusual. Basically a woman takes God to counseling in the midst of sharing her spiritual journey. 13 1/2 (Nevada Barr) - I need to stop picking up books out of the 7-day-only pile. Darkly Dreaming Dexter (Jeff Lindsay) - I thought I'd see what started all the hype about the TV show. Worst Case (James Patterson) - Sucked in by Patterson yet again. Dearly Devoted Dexter (Jeff Lindsay) - I actually like the way this guy writes. Sure, the stories are a little dark, but I'm finding that his stories are keeping me captivated. Wishful Drinking (Carrie Fisher) - She strikes me as a funny lady, so this book was an impulse buy on a trip through the bookstore. There are a few chuckles, but mostly it is just sad.
We got back last Thursday night from "the island".
And while the recovery process has been a little difficult (lack of sleep combined with...um...intestinal issues), I find it hard to try and describe to others what I experienced.
Here's a short recap:
Seeing a 5 year old pray for healing...and seeing those prayers answered.
Being taught what hospitality actually looks like.
Eating some amazing food.
Eating only one meal that registers on the "Uh oh...I probably should not have eaten that" scale.
Eating a small lime whole...and being mocked because I couldn't handle it.
Sweating more than I have in the rest of my life combined.
Visiting pastors & churches & small groups.
Leading some seminars on marriage.
Eating a pineapple off a string.
Getting prayed for.
Breaking a camera lens.
Squishing a cockroach on our hotel room wall. The guts remained there 2 days later.
Learning about "the mystery" of island life.
Being propositioned...in the middle of the day...in front of our entire group!
Teaching a group of students.
Finding a spaghetti dinner for supper.
Playing along with the worship team and discovering that I did not have the stamina to play that fast for that long.
A pig roast.
Almost getting attacked by a bat in a cave/tunnel.
There is no way to sum this trip up. We spent almost 3.5 hours on the weekend taking our parents through the pictures and telling stories.
I loved every second of the trip. It has opened my eyes and my heart.
