The Wisdom of Teams

Working on a high-performance team is challenging, yet is exhilarating and fun. If you want to get something done do it yourself, if you want go farther join a productive team.

 

For example...............

 

My sophomore year in high-school I played on a football team that ranked 3rd in the entire state in defense. I was the third inside linebacker (of two) so I got to rotate with the starters. I averaged playing about half the game on defense. Due to such a stout defense I had the opportunity to blitz quite often. That year as a part-time defensive player I had five sacks, two blocked punts, and a fumble recovery. I loved being a contributor to a winning team. The most exhilarating part of playing on this team was that we won over half of our games in the fourth quarter. We were almost always down by half-time but we had this confidence and expectance that we were going to win the game, and we almost always did. We finished that year 8-2.

 

Fast forward to my senior year in high-school. The record from my sophomore year was reversed. Instead of 8-2 we went 2-8. While leading the team in tackles I was unable to make as many "splash" plays because I was relied upon to be the last line of defense to secure the tackle. Our next to last game we lost by a score of 49-0. The team we played against even put in their second team players and even the second teamers scored on us. What I remember most though was how our team handled the loss afterwards. The locker room was casual and relaxed. The players went into the game expecting defeat and were ok with not giving their best. It was demoralizing to play on this team.

 

I have recently finished and read the book, "The Wisdom of Teams", by Katzenbach and Smith. This book helped me to actualize and understand why my sophomore football team was so great and my senior football team was so lousy.

 

High performance teams focus on performance, have mutual accountability, take initiatives, and know how to have fun. High performance teams do not settle for anything less than their best and are equally committed to each other's personal and individual growth.

 

High performance teams understand that they are creating a movement that is "bigger than themselves." These teams not only believe that the results will happen, they expect them to happen!

 

In being a part of teams and in leading teams I love the thrill of "taking an ordinary group of people and in doing something extraordinary." What teams are you a part of? Are you focused on performance/mission?

 

I'd rather be a complimentary part to a winning team than the leader of a losing team! There is something about winning together!

 



 

Why you should WISH March to be COLD and SNOWY

Let's be honest, it's been a brutal winter. We have set records for snow and for cold.

I am deciding to "heat" things up (pun intended) and try to explain to you why we should wish for the month of March to be just as cold and snowy as the rest of this winter. I know, it's a long shot.

Top Ten Reasons Why You Should Wish March To Be as Cold and Snowy as the Rest of the Winter:

1. Teaches us to accept what the Lord gives us when we ask! (Remember a summer or so ago when it was hot and dry and everyone was praying for precipitation and cooler temperatures. We got it!)
2. Patience needs to be learned not told!
3. Quiets any Al Gore global warming supporters.
4. Gives me an excuse to cuddle more with my wife. (If I needed any help! :)
5. Snow is beautiful and is a great reminder of the cleansing power of Jesus!
6. For the first time in awhile students actually want to go to school. They have more will power to brave the elements to finish the school year strong.
7. The Bible says "to do everything without complaining and arguing." God is giving us practice!
8.  Snow looks a lot like Sown. A good winter helps farmers in the spring, ask any farmer. You can't have sown without snow!
9. Winter brings out manly competition and motivation to prove one's valor (i.e. No Shave Months, Snowmobiling, Four Wheel Drive in order to get to church, etc.)
10. In the end we got to take what we get.......it's easier when you enjoy it!

I know I am going to hear a lot of blow back from this post by people stating how advantageous spring would be. Believe me I know that warmer weather, fishing, shorts and T-shirts, and baseball is around the corner. My point is, enjoy every moment and season of life no matter how long and harsh it may be! Take time to thank God instead of constantly looking forward to what's ahead that you forget to enjoy the blessings that God has bestowed on the here and now.

Want to be RELEVANT........watch TEENAGERS!

My wife and I went to a Fort Wayne Komets game last night. It is one of her favorite date activities. Our seats were right behind a large row of teenagers.

While most people would probably be perturbed and frustrated that by chance they had to sit behind a raucous group of teenagers, I was not. Whether these students knew it or not I was going to enjoy watching and evaluating their behavior.

Kim and I enjoyed dissecting their behavior and interpreting what type of clique or family background we would place each student. You can learn a lot from a person by sitting right behind them!

One of the greatest advantages of working with teenagers is that you are on the cutting edge of culture and relevancy. Most advertisements are geared toward reaching a younger audience. What teenagers are doing today their parents will be doing tomorrow. For example, Facebook was the rage in college circles when I was in college. As soon as parents started using Facebook younger people went to other social media outlets such as Twitter. Now I am finding that Twitter is starting to be infiltrated by the older generation as I am watching teenagers gravitate toward Instagram and Snapchat.

Instagram and Snapchat is the perfect app for teenagers. In a snapshot and visual world teenagers can communicate by sending pictures back and forth. If you want to learn about the newest social media trends, clothing styles, and music all you have to do is watch a group of teenagers.

Here's my point: Teenager's don't care if you understand and dress in the same style as they do. They prefer you to be authenticate and genuine. What is important is that you are not "out of touch" in understanding the fragmented world in which they live. To reach people you must understand their world!

This is one of the biggest reasons I visit local schools. It keeps me fresh and relevant. This past Wednesday I was unable to visit Goshen High-School and I heard about it from many teenagers at youth group that night. I have promised myself that regardless of age I will always watch, talk to, and interact with teenagers. It will keep my preaching and teaching relevant and understandable.

Let me encourage you when you go to a sporting event, movie, or other event that has teenagers to watch and take notes on a group of teenagers that you are sitting by. You may learn more then you thought! I'd love to hear what you noticed.

The HIGH calling of being a DAD

I was reminded this past Friday of the high calling and responsibility of fatherhood as around 400 dads and daughters participated in our Daddy/Daughter Dance at Grace Community Church.

The dance served two purposes. First, it was a youth group fundraiser to help our teenagers go to the Momentum Youth Conference. More importantly, it allowed dads to spend a night with their daughters to make them feel loved, cherished, and special.

I will be honest with you, I had a few sappy moments, watching dads love on their daughters throughout the night. It was a great evening.

The effects of having absent or abusive fathers are well documented. Here are some startling statistics:

-  Approximately 98% of homosexual males had abusive or absent fathers
- Teenage girls are 164% more likely to have a pre-marital birth if they had abusive or absent fathers
- 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes – 9 times the average.  (National Principals Association Report)


In fact, research has shown that it is imperative that fathers show appropriate physically touch with their daughters. The pinnacle age a father should show appropriate physical touch (i.e. hugs, pat on the backs, etc) is at the age of eleven. This makes perfect sense because as daughters are entering pre-puberty they need to know that there is a man that loves, cares, and cherishes them for who they are otherwise they will look for love in all the wrong places.

God has set the father up as the spiritual leader of the home (Read Ephesians 5). Without, a Godly male influence children flounder.

In the book "Why Men Hate Going to Church" the author states: "Boys follow men not religion." If there is not a Godly influence within a young boy's life it is unlikely that they will ever walk with the Lord!

24 million children (34 percent) live absent their biological father!

Now is the time for men to embrace the Biblical call and responsibility as fathers! Now, is the time for men to adopt and love on orphans. Our world desperately needs DADS!

The Daddy Daughter Dance was a success in that it provided an opportunity for dads to love on their daughters! One couple got dropped off at the church in a limousine!

 

I am forever grateful for a Godly dad and father. I look forward to one day, Lord willing, emulating many characteristics from my father and role model. 

FISHING and METEOROLOGY, A STRANGE PAIRING INDEED!

Each elementary child is mesmerized by something!

I can remember fishing with my grandfather, uncle, and cousin as a five year old. I was fishing with a basic bobber and worm on a fishing bank overlooking cold clear water. We caught a bunch of small panfish that day but what I remember the most is being in awe of watching each small fish investigate and then try to devour that poor worm. It does not matter how many fish I catch I am always in awe and wonderment of the entire process!

Biggest bass I caught last year. Just ask me to replay the events from before the cast to landing this fish and I can tell you everything in full detail! 

I grew up in South Central PA and I can remember wishing, as most elementary students would, that we would have snow days where school would get cancelled. Before dinner, every evening, I would follow the latest weather reports on Weather World. When a storm system would draw near I would research and investigate as many forecasts as possible, and even make my own. To this day, I always enjoy a good snow storm and will regularly walk around my house and look out each window to enjoy the snowfall. (By the way, they are calling for 4-6 inches this evening and tonight!) This passion all started when I was an elementary student.

Here's my point. There is NO ONE else in my family that enjoys fishing or following the weather like I do. It was something that was cultivated within my being at an early age! Most of our desires and what we work towards as an adult starts out when we were younger children. That is why children's and youth ministry is so vital as it helps foster and develop each person's uniqueness and God-given talents. As a child, what mesmerized or made your mind race with excitement? I bet you are still passionate about that subject to this day!

What All Singles Should Know On Valentine's Day!

Let's face it: it's a couple's world. Most activities require two, four, six, or eight individuals. It's always an even number. Many times singles feel left in the dark. I remember, I once was there.

 

I can remember getting a host of invitations once I started dating Kim for fun "double dates." While receiving all of the invitations it hit me: "am I all of a sudden cooler or more hip now that I have a girlfriend? Why would people not invite me to activities when I was single?" While my friend's intentions were always noble it was easier and more natural for them to start inviting me once I had a girlfriend.

 

I made a resolution soon after dating Kim. I will always be on the look-out to include singles. The biggest and most memorable feeling I had as a single was of feeling left out or lonely.

 

Valentine's Day is hard for singles and for a number of other people for various reasons.

 

Here are some reasons that ALL singles should keep their heads up!

(All married couples should remember these principles too)

 

1. If you are a nobody without somebody; you will be a nobody with somebody! Work on and focusing on being the person God created you to be. Your worth does not come from who you are around, but from God.

 

2. You do not NEED to be in a dating relationship! Trust me, there are countless individuals who are single. When feeling lonely use that feeling to drive you to serve others. Use your extra time to serve others. I do not regret one moment that I had in serving people as a single youth pastor.

 

3. ENJOY the journey! Do not try to shortcut or manipulate your way into a relationship. Understand that God is working in your life and in your future spouse's. Allow Him to stir up those desires in that person whom you have a "crush" on.

 

Songs of Songs 3:5 "Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires."

 

4. There is a feeling of JOY when God does fulfill a specific desire! When God responds in a powerful way to a request that you have, in His timing, there is a sense of joy and awe of God for His provision. Remember, it's worth waiting for the right thing!

 

Proverbs 13:12 "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."

 

5. God talks the LOUDEST in the SILENCE! I will be honest. As a single youth pastor I spent countless hours in a fishing boat by myself talking, debating, crying out, and asking God questions. I came to appreciate the quietness and calm more than ever. God spoke to me innumerable times when it was just Him and I. Learn to enjoy those quiet times with God.

 



 

When it's the right person at the right time it's worth it!

To my forever bride, Kim!

Anxiety the PARALYZER!

I am an anxious person.

Does that statement surprise you? Most individuals who know me are generally surprised when they find out that I am an anxious person. As a high-school student I used to vomit due to nausea before every football game as I was anxious and nervous.  I have and continue to find ways to properly handle my anxiety.

- It’s estimated that 19 percent of the North American adult population (ages 18 to 54) experiences an anxiety disorder.
- Nearly one in three, 32 percent, say they worry “a lot” about losing their jobs.

HERE IS WHAT I KNOW ABOUT ANXIETY

1. Anxiety, or fear, will stop your growth as a person and as a human being if you let it. When you make decisions based off of your fear you generally sacrifice your long-term growth for a short-term fix.
2. Deep-seeded anxiety has roots in selfishness and control. Why are people anxious, because many times they are unable to control a particular situation. The opposite of anxiety is trust.
3. Habitual anxiety is sin and must be confronted and called as such.
4. People who are anxious have a problem focusing on anything on the horizon, except for the issue that is giving them stress. Anxiety can lead to bondage.
5. You can OVERCOME your fears and anxieties. It is possible.

HERE ARE SOME WAYS TO COMBAT ANXIETY

 

1. Verbally and audibly pray for peace. God will give it to you!

Philippians 4:6-7 " Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

 

2. Work extra hard at pushing through your fears to accomplish what you KNOW God has called you to do! Focus on the motivation for pushing through your fears.

I John 4:18 "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."

 

3. Find the right person who knows your anxieties to be a confidante and to give you good advice and to be a cheerleader for you to push through your fears! You are more likely to do the right thing when you are being properly affirmed!

Anxiety can lead to paralysis in your life. Do not let it. Trust in God and push through to live to your redemptive potential!