- Momentum is sustained by continuous, systematic, and unfiltered evaluation. Nothing is off limits- everything must be evaluated and improved.
- As a leader, the people I lead will only do the things I have led them to do. If they won't (whatever), it's because I haven't led them to.
- The mission of our organization must be first and foremost. We can't allow the fear of hurt feelings or difficult decisions to stand in the way of our mission. (Businesses get this, churches don't seem to, which is terrible because they're handling money, we're in the business of eternity...)
- "I will do today what I can do, to enable me to do tomorrow what I can't do today." (In other words, do something today to set yourself up for future success)
And finally, I'll share an illustration with you, because it won't fit under one bullet point. The final session was a talk from Andy Stanley called "Don't Be That Couch." When he came out, there was a hideous couch on the stage. It was old, kinda dirty looking. It was an off white with brown and orange leaves and log cabins, I think. Wood on the arms and back...really ugly and outdated. Here's what he said- When your parents got married, they moved in together and realized they needed a place to sit in the living room. So they went to the couch store, and saw this beauty. It was the most beautiful couch in the store. They sat on it, they liked it, they bought it. They brought it home, and it served its purpose- it was a place to sit. It was comfortable, it was affordable and now it was theirs. Then, when you were born, momma nursed you on that couch. You and your sister sat on that couch and watched TV together. When grandpa died, and the preacher stopped by for a visit, he sat on that couch and prayed for the family. Your little brother prayed to accept Jesus on that couch. That couch has been part of a lot of good times. But now it's thirty years old. It's outdated, it's not as comfortable as it used to be, and nobody really wants to sit on that couch anymore. It's dirty, it's worn out, it's time for a new couch, but mom and dad won't get rid of it. Their attached to it. They've got all those stories and memories attached to the couch- but it's not really serving its purpose anymore. It's time for a new couch, but they just won't let it go.
(not the actual couch, but an ugly one for sure)
Andy told us that we've all got some old couches laying around our churches, and that as leaders, it's up to us to make the tough call- It's time to get rid of it. Time to throw it out and get something new. It may hurt some feelings, and people might get upset, but if the old couch is no longer serving its purpose, it's time for something new.
So that's where I'm at. Looking around for old couches. Praying for some courage to lead. It was a good conference...
-Jared
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