CrossWay Church

On site this morning with the Vision Team at CrossWay Church for a ministry planning weekend. They are preparing to relocate on 17 acres just north of Elon NC.
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Clarity is Audible

When you read or hear the word "clarity", the odds are that your next thoughts have something to do with vision, imagery, or similar metaphors. Will Mancini, author of "Church Unique" and founder of the consulting group Auxano, refers to himself as a "clarity evangelist." One of the central tenants of his work is clarity, and he uses powerful visual images to illustrate.

The concepts of clarity are a regular part of my conversations with churches. In the last week, I have talked about clarity with large and small churches; rural and urban churches; traditional and contemporary churches. Clarity transcends all these groupings as a necessary ingredient of successful churches.

In the midst of all this conversation about clarity, a comment was made to me that literally stopped me in my tracks:

Clarity is audible, too

This astute and wise church leader was telling me that our words - verbally - were very important in his context, maybe even more so than images and other visual elements. He demonstrated this the next day in a powerful, passionate sermon that was a masterpiece of the spoken word. He schooled me though the use of:

• The dynamics of voice
• Volume
• Inflection
• Pacing and tempo
• Eliminating verbal graffiti

Leaders who communicate with clarity radiate passion, conviction, and enthusiasm - and people respond.

Leaders as Followers

One of my favorite pastimes is chasing down one thought which leads to a totally different thought which is unexpected pure gold. Like this one, from Garry Wills' "Certain Trumpets: The Call of Leaders."

The mystery of leadership and followership goes on all around us - and within us. We are all in some measure leaders and followers - as we are, most of us, alternately parents and children, employers and employees, teachers and taught. Integration of our leading and led selves is one of the goals we seek when we look at exemplary cases of leadership and following. Tell me who your admired leaders are, and you have bared your soul.

The leader most needs followers. When those are lacking, the best ideas, the strongest will, the most wonderful smile have no effect.

Leader: Who is following you?

Nordstrom's Customer Service Rulebook

One five by seven index card.

One paragraph.

One rule.

We're glad to have you with our Company. Our number-one goal is to provide outstanding customer service. Set both your personal and professional goals high. We have great confidence in your ability to achieve them.

Nordstrom Rules: Rule #1: Use your good judgement in all situations. There will be no additional rules.

What about your organization? Do your values so permeate your organization that rules are minimalized?

Passion isn't Project Specific

It's people-specific. Some people are hooked on passion, deriving their sense of self from the act of being passionate.

Seth Godin, in his recent book "Linchpin", writes about the myth of Project-Specific Passion. According to Godin, people with passion look for ways to make things happen.

What are you making happen this week?

Just Show Up

Our neighborhood Target recently remodeled, enlarging its food aisles among other things in the store. Within the food section, there are rows of refrigerated and frozen foods - in dark display cases. Or so it seemed.

Step near the front of the aisle, and all the cases light up instantly with bright LED lighting, displaying rows and rows of choices. Motion sensors activate the lights when customers are present; if no one is there, the lights go out.

What looked like poor planning and marketing is actually brilliant efficiency at work. LED lights consume far less power, turn on instantly, are very tolerant of the cool temperatures, and have a longer life than any other type of light available. The food was there all the time; it just needed my presence to be noticed.

I think your community is like that, too. Along with the great needs in your community, there are great resources already there.

All that's needed is your presence - just show up.

Listen to the Story

Every community has a story - a unique story. Every community has a character, a "feel", and an attitude shaped by its own peculiar events and circumstances.

Does your church want to make an impact on your community in a meaningful way?

Listen to their story first.

Don't rush in with your plans and dreams and schemes for what you want to accomplish. First, you ask what's the story? What are the real issues, the real problems, the real needs?

He who answers before listening - that is his folly and his shame. Proverbs 18:13