It's 1am, but I find myself unable to sleep. Today was one of the most exhilarating days I can remember in recent history. The day began 19 hours ago when I arrived at my office. I had to go in extremely early to finish preparing for the discussion I would lead after dinner (more on that later). I met the group at 9 and the conference began at 10. Some of the best speakers I've ever heard spoke in the last 48 hours. Craig Groshel, Bill Hybels, John Burke and Efrem Smith all had profound impacts on me.
They reminded me that we must be focused...we cannot do everything. We have to say no to good things, noble ministry ideas so that we can channel resources to those few things in which we can be the very best...where we are uniquely gifted and called by God.
They reminded me that we can talk candidly about issues of racial division and social injustice and that we can make a difference in the solving of both of these problems.
They reminded me that leaders lead....that leaders make the tough calls.
They reminded me that the local church is the hope of the world, and that its future rests primarily with its leaders.
After all of the sessions are over, everyone on the PCC team who attended the Summit stays for a Friday night catered dinner. This is a 'working dinner' where every table talks through some assigned questions. Then we share some as a large group and I get the chance to cast some vision and share some information. Tonight I also shared some stories of changed lives at PCC in the hopes that we can all be reminded that what we do matters and that the sacrifice makes a difference.
For the first time in a long time, I feel like we can conquer the world. PCC Leaders (those who came to the Summit and others who couldn't make it) have reminded me several times in the past few days and weeks that they are ready to take some real risks for God; that they are following my leadership; that they are removing their own agendas and egos so that the church can reach its fullest potential.
And now I'm ready, too. Ready to really lead again. Some really great things are about to happen and I'm so grateful that God is allowing me to be a part of them.
2 comments:
I like you...was floored and amazed in the past two days. Wow. But our meeting..the PCC time...THAT is what makes me just want to scream, "THANK YOU LORD!" That I get to be a part of something so BIG that touches so MANY. Out of all the words you said..these are what mirrored what I got the most from the conference:
"that they are removing their own agendas and egos so that the church can reach its fullest potential"
It's not about you, Kelley. Yes, God, I hear You. It's ALL about YOU.
I was most impacted when I heard the speaker say that the soil or environment that the leaders cultivate/create for the rest of the 'team' can really make or break what happens within a given team in church life.
You can't just fertilize the ground once and expect good things to come of it, likewise in Kingdom work you must constantly be in the word and cast the vision to the people and above all make sure the mission you are seeking to fulfill is really what God wants you to do and not what you want you to do. It is a labor of love and faithfulness that requires careful tending. So I loved the analogy that was used of a garden with bad soil that needed constant fertilization and watering.
I think everyone can relate to the task of getting our hands dirty and working in the soil. It is the same when doing work for God.
I learned so much more ... this was just one tidbit.
Kristal
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