Leadership Summit – Day 1

Today, Gary Haugen challenged us to ask questions like, “What is it going to take to positional ourselves in a place of complete desperation for Jesus? Am I settling for a spiritualized mediocrity? Am I passionate about the same things Jesus is passionate about?” Bill Hybels explicated his axioms spurring us to examine, “Are we as leaders aware of the growing disconnect between growing Christians and Christ-centered community changing Christians in our midst? Do we ignore the ‘funkiness’ when we feel it or do we engage and confront it?” Bill George incited questions about authentic self-leadership and the ramifications of value-centered, servant leaders. The interview with Wendy Kopp revealed an honest question inside me: “Am I willing to do what it takes? Am I willing to go through the trial, frustration and heartache in order to promote Kingdom-valued communities?” John Burke’s message on leading in today’s culture begged the question of our staff, “What kind of soil have we cultivated in our midst? Is it filled with grace-giving acceptance? Are we an authentic-confessing community? Are we consistently connecting with the Holy Spirit throughout the day?” To wrap up the day, Efrem Smith challenged me to ask, “Do I truly understand and abide in the transforming love of Christ that transcends racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and sociopolitical biases. Do I have ‘low pressure’ comforts that are painfully pressing against God’s ‘high pressure’ kingdom values?” And lastly, “Am I willing to be an integral part of being the church that provides a ‘sneak preview of heaven’?”

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