09′ leaders advance

this past weekend we had our first summit leaders advance in dana point, ca - and it was incredible!  we had six other couples join us and the plan was to build relationships, strategize together, cast vision and pray.  i had all these big plans to inspire the team, challenge them to step it up and do their part to help our church go to the next level.  but God had other plans!

mary and i thought it would be a good idea to take the first 30 minutes and go around the room and have everyone share what they appreciate about everyone else (the basic “circle of love” team building exercise). so we picked the first person and began.  what happened next was unlike anything i have ever personally been a part of.  the Holy Spirit orchestrated 3 hours of uniting our hearts and we all experienced an uncommon outpouring of encouragement.  as a direct result of this diving encounter I have fresh strength, renewed joy and a greater expectation that God is going to use us to reach people and touch lives like never before.  

“Christ makes us one body… connected to each other.”  Romans 12:5 (GWT)  only God can unite a leadership team and make them one.  our job is to focus on what we have in common, not our differences. we need to choose to encourage one other and purpose to never criticize.  we have to stay current with each other and practice God’s methods for conflict resolution.  God uses us to encourage one another and give each other strength.

i feel so connected to each of our leaders now.  i’m so thankful that God showed up this weekend and messed up my agenda.  i can’t wait for the next summit leaders advance.  i pray God unites you in a supernatural way to the people he has called you to do life and leadership with.  start today by speaking words of encouragement (in person, e-mail or a note) to someone in your sphere.