Lead Like It Matters

Notes and highlights for

Lead Like It Matters: 7 Leadership Principles for a Church That Lasts

Groeschel, Craig

Introduction

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We will look at seven factors that contribute to it ( or at least don’t kill it ) : Vision Divine focus Unmistakable camaraderie Innovative minds Willingness to fall short Hearts focused outward Kingdom - mindedness

Part 1: What Is It?

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But good intentions don’t always translate into a good and healthy church community .

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God was no longer just someone who did something for me . I was overwhelmed with an awareness that it was about my loving him . It was about his will . His plan . His desire to reach other people — through me .

Part 2: What Contributes to It?

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Ministries that have it always have a clear vision . The people know , understand , believe , and live out the vision . The vision guides , motivates , energizes , and compels them . Large numbers of people passionately move in the same direction .

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Without vision , people perish . Without direction , people drift . Without a goal , motivation wanes . Without a mission , ministries fade . Youth groups lose their life . Once - vibrant churches slowly die . We need a clear and compelling vision that is constantly and enthusiastically communicated .

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“ The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything . ”

Part 3: What It Means to Get It Back and Guard It

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Those two sentences matter . People are our hearts . In other words , we really care .

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People aren’t a number to grow our church . They aren’t projects for us to help . They are children of God , people we are called and compelled to love .

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In a culture that disapproves of formal religion , dislikes power , and is distrusting of authority , we must point people to Jesus . Even if someone is spiritual , it’s a big leap for them to believe in a God they can’t see . To some people , the idea of the Holy Spirit might seem unusual at best and creepy at worst . Jesus , however , is not only the answer , he’s also easier to explain and difficult not to like .

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To have it , you need to accept that the journey to Christ may take longer today for many people than it did in years past . People have questions . Many have way more complicated questions . They don’t want bumper - sticker answers . When a person doubts God because they lost a baby , they don’t want an easy Christian answer like , “ The Bible says it . I believe it . That settles it . ” We need to give people permission to doubt on their journey toward faith . Thomas doubted and Jesus didn’t reject him . When someone is struggling and asking real faith questions , we can enter the struggle with them . We don’t need to have all the answers . It’s probably even good when we occasionally don’t . Instead of trying to solve someone’s problems , sometimes we should just hurt with them . We can have honest conversations . Let people ask the hard questions . Listen . Empathize . And continue to trust the Spirit of God to do what we cannot .