A Blitz & Summit Re-Cap

Just a quick blitz & Summit re-cap of the past week.

1.  Attended “Strip Church” meeting.  Forming a partnership to reach what has seemed to be the un-reachable.

2. Had our men’s champions group do another communication challenge.  They gave speeches, infomercials, and had to recite the Gettysburg address.  We videoed them all, and then had time to rewind, reflect, and give our input into their communication style.  We affirm the affirm-able, and then let em have it:) Not really!  Very rich night!

3.  Did a video shoot for Epic’s new series entitled “Serve 1″.  Was fun, but I realize I have a lot of work to do if I’m going to be comfortable in front of a camera.  I have a radio face!!:)  Oh, and I love our tech team!  Way to go guys!!

4.  Planned out our Epic Generation (Epic Jr. & Sr. Highers) beach bound trip that we leave for this Friday.  Life’s a Beach!!

5.  Sat down with Craig Gross of www.xxxchurch.com, and began planning out our new Sept series in which Craig Gross will kick it off, I’ll do the two weeks in between, and then Jason Harper will finish the series out.  The series “Jesus Loves You This I Know”, is based off of Craig & Jason’s  new book with the same title.  Craig’s week is “Jesus Loves Sin City”, my weeks are “Jesus Loves the Skeptic” & “Jesus Loves The Broken”, and then Jason’s final week will be “Jesus Loves The Outcast”. Looking forward to the ride!

6.  Attended Willow Creek’s “Leadership Summit” at Canyon Ridge Church in Las Vegas.  I could write for hours on the subjects that were communicated on, but I instead will send you to the Summit web-site, so you can research it for yourself.  I just don’t have time to pontificate, but I’ll  give you a quick hit, and may even blog on each individual talk, if I get time, and get inspired.  I have a life you know!!!:)

Here goes…….

*Bill Hybel’s spoke on a “New Reality” in leadership, and because of our latest economic crisis, and leadership challenges, things will probably never go back to normal.  He said we’re facing “Rogue Wave” leadership challenges.  Bill always, and I mean always, inspires me.

* I listened to an insightful round table talk about “Hiring, Firing & Board Meltdowns.”  Henry Cloud, Patrick Lencioni, David Ireland, Carly Fiorina, along with Bill Hybel’s dialogued about the above issues.  For me……very timely!!  Out of Bill’s book “Axiom”, here’s an insightful thought I’m learning……”Hire 10′s!”.

* Have you ever heard of Gary Hamel?  One word – “Genius”.  He spoke on how to manage differently.  Leaders, read his book “The Future of Management”.  Get it, read it, read it again, maybe again, and then really digest it.  It will ambush your leadership paradigms!! I’ve never met a man that can take his thoughts, and bring them into reality as well as Gary.

* What a feller, this Tim Keller.  Never heard of the man, but was absolutely taken back by his ability to extract from scripture, and bring it to life.  I will read his book “The Prodigal God”, and look forward to his new release “Counterfeit Gods” coming out this year.

*  Ever heard of www.Kiva.org?  Great interview with co-founder Jessica Jackley.  She helped start an on-line micro-lending website that allows individuals to lend as little as $25.00 to help global small business entrepreneurs get their businesses started.  Novel idea, and one that is changing the landscape globally.  I urge you to check out the website, and maybe you could play a part in helping businesses all over the world get launched.  Do something!!!

*  Harvey Carey was truly a caffeinated communicator with a passion to reach the inner city of Detroit.  He has defied all odds at success because of his passion, and heart to reach the poorest, and most destitute large city in America.

*  I loved the session on “Third Culture Leadership”.  Pastor Dave Gibbons communicated eloquently on how to reach a global culture with the Gospel.  He wrote the book “The Monkey and the Fish”.

*  Africa, a poster child for aid & hand-outs was combated by communicator & CEO, Andrew Rugasira.  Founder of “Good African Coffee”.  Andrew in a nut-shell let us know that hand-outs & aid (although helpful), are not the answer to the African crisis.  He said the continent of Africa is full of potential and hope if it’s people will be given a fair share at trade, and industry, instead of living off of  the welfare from other countries.  Out of his studies it was apparent that aid did nothing to push the country forward, but only impaired Africa from reaching its potential.  Great insight!!”  Africa needs less aid, and more trade!!

*  “To Small To Ignore” by Dr. Wess Stafford, President and CEO of “Compassion International”,  was a session on using your past pains to motivate you to be an agent of change for the future.  His story was tear jerking, and restorative for those that have been wounded from their pasts.  He’s the real deal!!

*  David Gergen did an interview with Bill Hybel’s.  Gergen is a political analyst for CNN, and PBS.  He has also been an advisor to four presidents.  I loved his insight on Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Clinton.  Real leaders, with real issues like all of us.  It was a fun discussion to me!

*  If you’ve not read the book “Made To Stick” by Chip & Dan Heath?  Read it!  Theses guys are brilliant.  They did an interview with Craig Groeschel of www.lifechurch.tv.  If you need, or want fresh ideas for life, these guys are worth reading, and listening to.  They have a new book that is due out in 2010 entitled “Switch”.

*  The final interviews with Bono, and former Prime Minister Tony Blair were good.  Blair’s interview felt a little vague, but Bono’s stretched me into the realization that discontent with issues like HIV-AIDS (Which Bono is a true activist for), can change things.  True leaders often times get so discontent that action is the only option. I love the fact that Bono railed the church for its complacency in its fight against HIV-AIDS 3 years ago, and in this new interview he said “I had no idea that I was waking a sleeping giant”.   We need more champions, people of influence, those who are in positions of power, to use those positions to actually do things like Bono is doing.  If that’s you?  You know who you are.  I know who you are.  Do something & count me in!!!

If any of the above things perked your interest?  Go to www.willowcreek.com/summit.

Have a great day!