leaders are heretical
This picture reminds me to break the rules. Although I'm almost certain its been through Photoshop...
Leaders are heretical. But no one ever changed the world by following the rules.
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs that conflicts with established dogma.
By definition, there is nothing wrong with heresy. But, it's certainly a dirty word to many people.
Maybe it shouldn't be.
Jesus was "controversial" and represented "novel change to a system of beliefs". He shocked the pharisees on a regular basis.
Looking back on history, most leaders and change makers could also be called heretics.
Todays leaders must not be afraid to break the rules or they may not be leaders at all. In fact, to lead today, you must become comfortable with challenging the status quo. This is especially true because of the fast paced change we experience around us.
If we fail to change we get stuck in the past and what worked in the past will likely fail in the future.
It's easy to "go with the flow" and nod your head when everyone else does. But, I challenge you; don't settle. If you believe something can be better, different, new, then say something about it. Do something about it.
In a world or ruts, routines and robots, step out of the system of normal, toward your vision for the future, and by doing so, you'll be stepping into leadership.
You may be a heretic, but if you are bringing needed change to the world around you... thank you for your heresy.
The world needs more heretics, contrast, change, and people that take risks because they believe in something that's worth the risk.
No one ever changed the world by doing the same thing everyone else was doing.
Seth Godin does a fantastic job talking about heretical leadership in one of my favorite books, Tribes.
kingdom laser tag
I've just met Travis and I already love this guy.
Travis is a kingdom minded entrepreneur. We met after being invited by our mutual friend Samuel to be on the Advisory Board of an exciting venture GreenHouse Coffee. (GreenHouse is a coffee shop in Xining, China; but I'll save that story for another day)
Travis owns land in east Fayetteville and after having some kids come out to visit, play in the dirt, spend a day outside and sit around a bonfire, he was surprised to find that many of these children "had never seen a bonfire before". Being the entrepreneur type, I'm sure it didn't take him long to start scheming the ideas that eventually led to New Creation Camp.
New Creation Camp in Fayetteville
New Creation Camp is a 25 acre retreat nestled in the Ozark Mountains outside Fayetteville, Arkansas. New Creation offers a place for groups to explore God’s creations and experience a whole host of fun outdoor activities.
Travis seized the opportunity in front of him to bless kids with his resources. However, it quickly became clear that he was going to need a source of revenue to subsidize this new ministry.
Again, thinking like an entrepreneur, Travis decided to leverage his assets, his land, with an innovative start-up business, Modern Mission outdoor laser tag combat.
from the Modern Mission website:
We’ve taken the technology of laser tag to a whole new level and added the adrenaline rush & mission specific game-play of paintball. Our equipment is state of the art and can hit a target up to 1200 feet away. Players are placed on special teams and have specific functions, duties, roles and titles. On the first mission you might be in command of a team escorting a high-ranking official and the next mission you might be a sniper hiding in the woods.
Modern Mission is the result of a heart to serve kids and the execution of a great business opportunity.
This is an excellent Kingdom Business example, no doubt. And I'm even more excited about it because I had the chance to experience the fun first hand this weekend and it is was a thrilling and memorable experience!
As a part of my friend Chris' bachelor party, five of us guys went out to Modern Mission and had the time of our lives, without exaggeration. We all quickly became huge fans and are already planning the next trip out.
I love that this is a local Kingdom Business idea that is pretty simple and has been accomplished with excellence. It's only been around for a few months and the word is spreading quickly because outstanding experiences are worth sharing and good ideas spread fast.
relationship marketing
I believe that the very best principles for any business are found in the Bible and in the life of Christ.
A few weeks ago I spoke on Emerging Media at a Marketing Management class at the University of Arkansas.
During the presentation I was able to share my story & testimony to explain why I love working for DaySpring. Next, I talked about emerging media and how rapidly the world of marketing is changing. This led me to my main point of the presentation, that Relationship Marketing is the core concept that can separate a brand from the noise and withstand the ever-changing world of technologies, strategies and consumer behavior.
(Without my narration, the presentation is missing some substance, but I thought you might enjoy it anyway.)I believe in relationships. I believe the Bible is all about relationships. Therefore, in business, I believe relationships are a key to success.
Authentic, generous, transparent, 2-way, sincere, loving, Christ-like relationships.
In the same way that we strive to be like Christ in our daily lives, we should strive to be like Christ in business.
Be like Jesus with marketing.
As Christians we are called to love one another and in humility, count others more significant than ourselves. Why would that change when we go to work? Why would Christian marketers not be called to the same in their profession?
This may sound strange to some, mostly due to the stigma the word "marketing" carries, but I do this every day. Marketing is just one way to love others through generous giving, service and relationship. This is "Relationship Marketing" and the funny thing is... it is not only personally fulfilling but also the most savvy, rewarding way to do business.
This is why I do marketing.
If you read business books and articles or watch talks on marketing, you'll hear words like "tribes", "generosity" and "engagement". But they are all really getting at the same thing...
If we love our consumers through relationship and treat them that way...
they will love us back.
Pretty basic relationship management. Pretty simple stuff.
But, a very radical shift in the way marketers currently think and sadly, far from the reality we see around us.
This concept of Christ-like marketing is one I hope to explore and develop and I'd love to hear your feedback on these terms and ideas in the comments...
motivation
How often do you ask yourself "Why"...?
As sinful people, we need to constantly keep our hearts in check.
Even (maybe especially) in missions and ministry we must always ask ourselves: "What is the real motivation, deep inside, that drives me to do this?"
When I look hard at my own heart I'm often disappointed to find my own selfish desires for some ounce of personal gain or glory at the root of my actions.
It takes digging, but you've got to find that root and replace it with a heart set on God's glory.
Missions can be sexy. There's no doubt about it.
Sadly, I see people "going" to the mission field to achieve a "radical" image and respect or acceptance in our Christian culture.
But even compassion is a motivation mis-guided.
If your heart's desire and driving motivation is not God's glory and simple obedience to him, its off-target.
There is a constant battle in me for the desires of my heart. I wish it didn't exist, but I'll keep fighting it as long as it does.
I've found that the best way to change my heart is through prayer and time with God.
More often than not, I go to prayer to change other things and yet, I'm the one that is changed.
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