Good Leaders Perspire

I Cor 9:19-23
19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

The ultimate in life is to find Christ.  It just makes sense that it is almost as important to help others find Christ.

Paul says I have become all things to all people to win some.  We should too.

Lets take that a step back and apply it to leadership.  Just as there are different kinds of people who need different strategies to be won to Christ, there are different types of leaderhsip needed to pull organizations forward.

In shadow of every strength grows a weakness.

CHOLERIC LEADER
Requires:  a get it done person. They shine when there is a fire brewing.  When the heat is on.  When things have to be done and someone needs to take control. 
Inspires:  Heroic action
Misfires:  When there is more than one leader or there is no fire
Transpires:  Accomplishment OR bodies in the wake

RELATIONAL LEADER
Requires:  A leaders who amasses influence by giving and serving in relationship
Inspires: People follow because they like you
Misfires: If people dont like you, they wont follow.
Transpires:  Team OR happy lethargy

POSITIONAL LEADER
Requires:  The org chart says they are the leader so they are.
Inspires:  Work done for the annual review or begrudgingly
Misfires:  When there are holes in the org chart or the organization doesnt adhere strictly to it
Transpires:  Tasks completed OR passive resistance

INSPIRATIONAL 
Requires:  a motivator, a visionary
Inspires:  selfless and inner action
Misfires:  when the feeling fades
Transpires:  Passionate people OR indifference

TEAM LEADERSHIP
Requires:  like minded people and a secure leader, freedom to do and fail
Inspires:  synergy and interdependent results
Misfires:  not everyone pulls their load or communication is challenged
Transpires:  work produced with buyin built in. Also results are multiplied

SERVANT LEADERSHIP
Requires:  a secure and selfless leader who sees the big picture (most likely a believer)
Inspires:  selflessness and concern for others. Results are second to character, people and service
Misfires:  when it becomes a rote formula (legalism)
Transpires:  a culture of amazing people how get the right

All forms of leadership are needed and valuable.  Smart leaders know when forms are needed when and how to use them skillfully.  Even though we know less about the true servant leader, it is the one we need to use the most.

Rock N Roll Funeral

I just officiated the funeral of my friend Jeff Dacus.  Jeff was an amazing musician, unique personality and pure, energetic hippie soul.  He was also 25.  Way to early my friend.  Rest in peace.

The following is a rendition of the message I gave.

I miss ya.

John 14:1-6 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.[a] If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”

5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

From our vantage point, death appears to b dreadful, defeating, and devastating.  It is something that we fear for others & for ourselves.  For ourselves, because it is unknown; for others, because we don’t want to lose them.

We can only think of sorrow we feel at our loss, but it’s not their sorrow.  Because today Jeff is enjoying what he had waited so long on.

When I thought about what I wanted to share I knew it had to honor God and cause Jeff to look down from heaven and shout something crazy.

Jeff loved music, he loved all kinds but I always thought he liked class rock the best, Rock N Roll, so I thought, that is what we should talk about that Rock N Roll.

Jesus told us he was the rock, the original.  He said the rock that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. In essence what he was saying was people will reject me but all things are built on  me, I’m God.  That is a rock I wanna follow, I wanna build on.  2000 years ago in a very religious society, he we around telling people he was God….Either he is or he aint.  Bono puts it this way.

Look, the secular response to the Christ story always goes like this: he was a great prophet, obviously a very interesting guy, had a lot to say along the lines of other great prophets, be they Elijah, Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius. But actually Christ doesn’t allow you that. He doesn’t let you off that hook. Christ says: No. I’m not saying I’m a teacher, don’t call me teacher. I’m not saying I’m a prophet. I’m saying: “I’m the Messiah.” I’m saying: “I am God incarnate.” And people say: No, no, please, just be a prophet. A prophet, we can take. You’re a bit eccentric. We’ve had John the Baptist eating locusts and wild honey, we can handle that. But don’t mention the “M” word! Because, you know, we’re gonna have to crucify you.

And he goes: No, no. I know you’re expecting me to come back with an army, and set you free from these creeps, but actually I am the Messiah. At this point, everyone starts staring at their shoes, and says: Oh, my God, he’s gonna keep saying this. So what you’re left with is: either Christ was who He said He was the Messiah or a complete nutcase. I mean, we’re talking nutcase on the level of Charles Manson. This man was like some of the people we’ve been talking about earlier. This man was strapping himself to a bomb, and had “King of the Jews” on his head, and, as they were putting him up on the Cross, was going: OK, martyrdom, here we go. Bring on the pain! I can take it. I’m not joking here. The idea that the entire course of civilization for over half of the globe could have its fate changed and turned upside-down by a nutcase, for me, that’s farfetched. (article here)

On that rock I put my faith.

If he is the Messiah, if he is God, he WILL do what he said.  The scripture above says, Jesus said, I’m gonna rise again from the dead, see you for a bit, then go to heaven and make a place for you, because I love you.

Christ our rock, now lets talk about the roll.

Somewhere in Heaven is a roll book.  It has the names of those who trust Jesus for their salvation.  If your name is on it, you get in.  Jeffs name was on that book.  He didn’t derserve to have his name there, he was not perfect….but no one is.  No one deserves to have their name on the roll or get into heaven.  Well, actually  one, the rock, Jesus.

If we trust in him, his love, his forgiveness, not our works, not the church, not anyone but him, we can make it too.

Jeff, Rock N Roll my friend, Rock N Roll.