Buzz: Craig Groeschel on the Qualities of Innovative Leaders
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Fri, June 29, 2007
- Viewed 192
- (35) comments so far
One of the speakers Thursday was Craig Groeschel, the pastor of LifeChurch.tv. Craig shared what he thinks are four great qualities of innovative leaders. I thought I’d pass them on to you here today.
First, innovative leaders heal the sick. Jesus sought out those in need and met their needs. Unfortunately today, too many churches are inwardly focused and are not meeting the needs of unbelievers. Craig said that in order to reach those who no one is reaching, we will have to do things that no one else is doing. Our goal is to reach people for Jesus however we can, and in order to do that, we need to teach our people to love people who don’t know Christ. His question to us was, “Who is God calling you to reach that no one around you is reaching?”
Second, innovative leaders break the rules. Jesus broke the Sabbath rules. Craig used the analogy of Nascar. “Go straight, turn left. Go straight, turn left.” Innovative leaders don’t take the common path. They turn right! Every great movement of God was started by a leader making a right turn. Quest: What is God calling you to do that’s never been done before?
Third, innovative leaders offend the Pharisees. When you do something new to reach people for Jesus, the Pharisees WILL attack with a vengeance. But Craid said we shouldn’t worry when the Pharisees are shooting at us. We should worry when the aren’t. He asked, “What new thing will God call you to create that will be hated today and embraced tomorrow?”
Fourth, innovative leaders redefine success. Instead of saying how many people they are reaching and bragging about numbers, they are constantly reminded how many people there are still to reach. We cannot be impressed with ourselves. We need to stop building attendance and start building the Kingdom.
It was a great lesson on leadership.
So… you have my (and Craig’s permission): Heal the sick. Break the rules. Offend the Pharisees. And redefine success!
As you know, I’m roughing it this week in the nation’s capital at the Buzz Conference, held at National Community Church. Well, actually it’s being held in one of the theatres at Union Station in Washington, D. C. since that’s where National Community Church meets.
Comments
if you want a Globally Recognized Avatar (the images next to your profile) get them here. Once you sign up, they will displayed on any website that supports them.
Wyeth Duncan on Sun, July 08, 2007
Dear Ron,
I’ve read all your comments on this post, but after reading your latest comment, I must ask you a few questions:
What is your definition of “opinion” and “truth”? If an opinion is grounded in Scripture, is it still just an “opinion”?
What do you mean by “revelation”? I sense you mean something outside of Scripture.
What do you mean by “truth without understanding”? I get the idea that you are advocating the seeking of extra-biblical “revelation” in order to “understand” Scripture. Is that what you mean?
What was this sentence about: “Some of the things that we have always believed, just doesn’t stand up against the revelations we are receiving from the Lord in this hour”? Do extra-biblical “revelations” trump the Bible? Is that what you’re saying? Are “revelations” more to be followed than Scripture?
Then there are these closing sentences: “I for one have been asking the Lord why He didn’t tell us these things before. His answer was profound: ‘It wasn’t for before, it is for NOW.’”
The other day, I took the liberty of looking at your ministry’s website. Brother Ron (and I say this out of love and concern for your soul), you need to stop listening to these “voices” in your head and spend more time in the Bible. You can hear the voice of the Lord any time, day or night, if you just open up your Bible and read. Study the Bible well, use your mind and think, and pray as you study, and God will give you understanding. You don’t need a “revelation” for that. Quite a bit of what you’re spouting doesn’t line up with Scripture at all (and most of it doesn’t make any sense, either). Scripture is THE standard by which we measure EVERYTHING (even your so-called “revelations”).
Ron Roy on Mon, July 09, 2007
Wyeth,
Thanks for sharing what you feel about my posts. Scripture is not for private interpretation. I would think you should know that your opinion in regard to truth is just that, Private interpretation. You have profoundly expressed your opinions and I will do this. If you should want to explore the answers to your questions? E-mail me personally and I will do that and will attempt to share with you what the Lord has written in our hearts not on the printed pages of the Bible. Christ did not come to bring us to the Bible but to reconcile us to His Father through Himself. The Apostle Paul stated: “The letter killeth, but the Spirit gives life.” Jesus said, “If I bear witness of Myself, my witness is not true, The Father He bears witness of me. I and my Father are one.” Jesus came to bear witness of the truth, not share his opinion, not His will, but the will of the Father” who sent Him. As the Father has sent me, now I send you. “I came not to do my will, but the will of my Father.” Scripture is clear on this subject.
There are three things in the world, as you know, lust of the eye, lust of the flesh, and the boastful pride of life. I’ll explain just to be sure: Lust of the eye: I want. Lust of the flesh: I feel. The boastful pride of life: I think.
You have expressed very well, what you want, feel and think, or simply your OPINION. A believer in the world is good, but the world in the believer is not good. As far as our web-page is concerned it is with sincerity and truth we have written and shared everything on it. And this is our commitment, if we cannot convince you it is true? We will change it! So if you question the truth on our website I am open to prove according to scripture what we have written. If you really want to know the truth concerning anything written, I will personally respond to your questions, I will not however respond to your accusations. See, Wyeth, I do not even judge myself, He who judges me is the Lord. I do have one question I would like you to answer. What is iniquity?
In His Blood, Ron Roy
Todd Rhoades on Mon, July 09, 2007
The reason you are frustrated, Roy, is that MMI is not a theological discussion board (although this post has turned into one.)
This is a forum to discuss church ideas and innovation. What Wyeth has started (and a few have taken the bait on) is a discussion of parsing the words of the original post. (The whole Craig Groeschel session is not available for download at BuzzConference.com now).
The information Craig shared may not be for everyone; but many have found inspiration from his words. And I know Craig to be a sincere Christ follower who is making a real difference in the Kingdom with his leadership.
We can sit around and discuss whether he was really talking about healing the sick, or whether Jesus sought people out or whether they sought him out; but in my opinion, that really misses the point (and is kind of a waste of time here on this forum). Take the main points for what they are worth; and if you’d like to discuss and debate theology in minute detail (i.e. picking several words from a sentence and debating them), then there are many forums across the internet that do just that. MMI is just not one of them. http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
Todd
Ron Roy on Mon, July 09, 2007
Hi Todd,
Thank you for your response to this post. Enough said, let’s move on.
Sincerely, Ron Roy
Sieg Schuler on Wed, July 18, 2007
Loved the article. Love the idea that it is not about us, but about reaching others for the Lord.
I love the idea of moving out of our confort zone and letting God work through us. We will
experience great things when we let God work in us and through us. Our guiding principle as
a church is; “to win as many as possible’. We work hard to fulfill this principle.
Have a great day.
Pastor Sieg Schuler
Page 3 of 3 pages < 1 2 3
Post a Comment