http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheForgottenWays/~3/261776495/

Did an interview with New Wineskins ezine.  Thought it was worth a post.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheForgottenWays/~3/263136689/

Here is another book review courtesy of David Mays. It is a book on the future as well as how we can deal with it now. It is by Eamonn Kelly, and is is called Powerful Times: Rising to the Challenge of Our Uncertain World

(more…)

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheForgottenWays/~3/264694862/

Just a reminder that Exponential, probably the premier church planting conference in the West, is coming up again soon. Hirschy will be there along with the Shapevine tribe. We are running the missional track which includes Ed Stetzer, Neil Cole, and myself. Also, I will be doing one of the keynotes on Wednesday. Click on image for the link.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheForgottenWays/~3/266622685/

Hi gang, just letting you know that Deb and I have started a personal blog called “A Taste for the Other“. You can found it at www.theforgottenways.org/personal/ or listed in the “about Alan Hirsch” section on my front page (see above). We started this to make sure we can keep connection with all our friends and to be a bit of a travelogue and general reflection on life. Debs will post regularly there, and I will contribute from time to time as well. See you there as well.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheForgottenWays/~3/266622684/

At worship today, the speaker mentioned that Leo Tolstoy believed that every person was created to be Christlike and that when we do come to an awareness of Jesus it is as if we remember, or discover, ourselves for the first time. The quote is as follows….

By its nature the human soul is Christian; Christianity is always adopted by people as something forgotten and suddenly remembered. Leo Tolstoy

I have always found this idea intriquing. Of course C.S. Lewis hasd uch to say on this. He recalls his coming to awareness of God as coming to an awareness of “…a music that resembles some earlier music that men are born remembering.” I recently came across some reflections on this notion of ’sehnsucht’ or joy in an book by Alistair McGrath called Intellectuals Don’t Need God & Other Modern Myths Here are some of his reflections.

Like Augustine, C. S. Lewis was aware of deep human emotions that point to a dimension of our existence beyond time and space, a deep and intense feeling of longing that no earthly object or experience can satisfy. Lewis calls this emotion “joy.” It is “an unsatisfied desire which is itself more desirable than any other satisfaction … anyone who has experienced it will want it again.” (Surprised by Joy, C. S. Lewis) Lewis describes this experience ( better known to students of German Romanticism as Sehnsucht) in his autobiography. He relates how, as a young child, he was standing by a flowering currant bush, when– for some unexplained reason– a memory was triggered. There suddenly rose in me without warning, as if from a depth not of years but of centuries, the memory of that earlier morning at the Old House when my brother had brought his toy garden into the nursery. It is difficult to find words strong enough for the sensation which came over me; Milton’s “enormous bliss” of Eden … comes somewhere near it. It was a sensation, of course, of desire; but desire for what? Not, certainly for a biscuit tin filled with moss, nor even (though that came into it) for my own past … and before I knew what I desired, the desire itself was gone, the whole glimpse withdrawn, the world turned commonplace again, or only stirred by a longing for the longing that had just ceased. It had only taken a moment of time; and in a certain sense everything else that had ever happened to me was insignificant in comparison. (Surprised by Joy, C. S. Lewis) Lewis here describes a brief moment of insight , an overwhelming moment of feeling caught up in something that goes far beyond the realms of everyday experience. But what did it mean? What, if anything, did it point to? Lewis addressed this question in a remarkable sermon entitled “The Weight of Glory.” There is something self-defeating about human desire: that which is desired, when achieved, seems to leave the desire unsatisfied. The books or the music in which we thought the beauty was located will betray us if we trust to them; it was not in them, it only came through them, and what came through them was longing. These things–the beauty, the memory of own past–are good images of what we really desire; but if they are mistaken for the thing itself they turn into dumb idols, breaking the hearts of their worshippers. For they are not the thing itself; they are only the scent of a flower we have not found, the echo of a tune we have not heard, news from a country we have not visited. (”The Weight of Glory” by C. S. Lewis) Human desire, the deep and bittersweet longing for something that will satisfy us, points beyond finite objects and finite persons ( who seem able to fulfill this desire, yet eventually prove incapable of doing so). It points through these objects and persons toward their real goal and fulfillment in God himself.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheForgottenWays/~3/271162659/

Here is a book review of A Leader’s Legacy by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner (HT David Mays)

Kouzes and Posner are best known for their award-winning book The Leadership Challenge.  This is a collection of brief essays dealing with personal aspects of leadership.  Main section headings are Significance, Relationships, Aspirations and Courage.  There is much good in the book.  Unfortunately it misses the whole realm of exponential possibilities when one partners with God in the world.

“By asking ourselves how we want to be remembered, we plant the seeds for living our lives as if we matter.  By living as if we matter, we offer up our own unique legacy.”  (6)

“When we move on, people do not remember us for what we do for ourselves.  They remember us for what we do for them.”  (10)

“Exemplary leaders are interested more in others’ success than in their own.  Their greatest achievements are the triumphs of those they serve.” (10)

“You are the most important leader in your organization for the people who look to you.” (11)

“The best way to learn something is to teach it to somebody else.”  (21)  When we teach we “always try to provide an opportunity for participants to become the teachers.”  “When they have to talk to even one other person about their own experiences…they’ve got to reach deeper inside than if we just leave them to sit there passively and listen.” (22)

“Each of us, whether we intend to or not, will become at some point a character in someone’s story.”  “The obvious question is, What will they say?” (25)

“…most leaders don’t want honest feedback, don’t ask for honest feedback, and don’t get much of it unless it’s forced on them.”  “The higher up you go on the corporate ladder, the less likely it is that leaders will ask for feedback.” (28)

“Paying attention to the early warnings prevents more serious problems later.” (30)

“It is hard to get good feedback.  The default position in our cultures is: fear.  Fear of getting honest feedback and probably even more fear of giving it.” (31 quoting Dan Mulhern)

“…to your direct reports you are the most important leader in your organization.  You are more likely than any other leader to influence whether people will stay, perform at their best, wow customers, or be motivated to share the organization’s vision and values.  In other words, you are the CEO of your group.” (33)

The behavior of the immediate supervisor is the strongest influence on ethical or unethical behavior of employees.  (34)

“There is a 100 percent chance that you can be a role model for leadership.  There is a 100 percent chance that you can influence someone else’s performance.  There is a 100 percent chance that you will make a difference in other people’s lives.” (36-37)

“No one likes to be an assumption.  No one likes being taken for granted.  No one likes being ignored, overlooked, or dismissed.”  “We all want to know that we’re appreciated, and we want to hear it firsthand.”  “…we need someone shouting in our ear, ‘Come on, you can do it.  I know you can do it!’” (40)

The most important thing a leader can do is say “Thank you, great job.  I appreciate you and what you’re doing for the company.” (42)  “Extraordinary achievements never bloom in barren and unappreciative settings.” (44)

“…if people are going to follow you they need to know more about you than the fact that you’re their boss.  They need to know something about who you are as a person—your hopes, dreams, talents, expectations, and loves.” (50)  “Do they know who you are, what you care about, and why they ought to be following you?” (51)

“They want to know about your values and beliefs, your aims and aspirations, and your hopes and dreams.”  “They want to know what drives you, what makes you happy, and what ticks you off.”  “This is about learning to trust.  We’re just more likely to trust people we know….”  “Leadership is a relationship between those who aspire to lead and those who choose to follow.” (52)

“We lead our lives in the company of others, and that is where we leave our legacy.  It’s the quality of our relationships that most determines whether our legacy will be ephemeral or lasting.” (55)

“Leaders should want to be liked.”  “…we never, ever hear anyone tell us…, ‘He was a real jerk, but I sure was inspired to do my best for him.’” (57)  “Likability is a major factor in being successful in just about every endeavor in life.” (58) “It’s about how you act when you’re around others.  It’s about your behavior.” (61)

“I think people notice when you are having difficulty working with someone, but they also notice when you find ways to make it work.  In other words, you begin to shine as someone who can be trusted and is capable of leadership.” (63 quoting Eric Piziali, Hitachi Data Systems)

“Experience is a great teacher, and not all experiences are going to be pleasant.”  “…in every serious conflict there’s something about ourselves we have the chance to learn.” (64)

“When you’re in a difficult and tense situation, the first and most important thing to find out is if everyone involved shares the same purpose and goals.  It’s crucial to talk about desired outcomes and make every effort to get everyone aligned.” (68)

“Leaders have to be able to promote, demonstrate, and support constructive insubordination.” (68)  “We have to make it possible for people to argue with each other—up, own, in out, and sideways—if we are to realize the best from today’s diverse and talented workforce.” (69-70)

“Leaders must decide on what matters in life, before they can live a life that matters.” (90) “Until you passionately believe in something it’s hard to imagine that you could ever convince anyone else to believe.  And if you wouldn’t follow you, why should anyone else?” (97-98)

According to thousands of surveys “being forward-looking is second only to honesty as their most admired leader in quality.”  (99)  “Today’s leaders stink at it.”  “…this is the competency that has shown up as being the least understood, appreciated, and demonstrated.” (100)  [As someone said, Forecasting is difficult – especially about the future. dlm]

“To increase our ability to conceive of new and creative solutions to today’s problems, we have to stop, look, and listen.  We have to stop doing for some amount of time each day.” (103)  “It’s imperative that we spend less time on daily operations and more time on future possibilities.” (106)

“What people really want to hear is not the leader’s vision.”  “They want to hear how their dreams will come true and their hopes will be fulfilled.  They want to see themselves in the picture of the future that the leader is painting.  The very best leaders understand that their key task is inspiring a shared vision….” (108)

“…very few adults like to be told in so many words, ‘Here is where we’re going, so get on board with it.’’  “They want to feel part of the process.” (108)  As one employee said to the boss, “We want to walk with you while you create the goals and vision so we all get to the end vision together.” (109)  “We want to walk with our leaders.  We want to dream with them.  We want to invent with them.” (110)

“Getting others excited about future possibilities is not about creating better PowerPoint presentations.”  “It’s about intimacy.  It’s about familiarity.  It’s about empathy.  The kind of communication needed to enlist others in a common vision requires understanding constituents at a much deeper level than we normally find comfortable.  It requires understanding others’ strongest yearnings and their deepest fears.  It requires a profound awareness of their joys and their sorrows.  It requires experiencing life as they experience it.  Being able to do this is not magic, nor is it rocket science.  It really calls for listening very, very closely to what other people want.’ (112)

Breakthrough innovations “are, in fact, the result of superb and attentive listening.  They are the result of being closely attuned to the environment.  They are the result of a great appreciation of people’s aspirations.” (113)

“There’s too much focus on the leader leading and not enough on that same leader following.  ‘A good leader is also a good follower.’” (122 quoting Susanna Wong)

“…leadership is a dynamic relationship between leaders and followers in which the roles of leader and follower are often exchanged.  It’s the kind of relationship in which leaders transform followers into leader.” (123)

“Being a follower is good for the soul.”  (128)

Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of the bus.  Her actions were not complex or superhuman.  They were simple and mundane.  But she shows that it is possible for one person to make a difference.

“Courageous acts flow from a commitment to deeply held beliefs—you just can’t separate the two.” (151) “We all have the capacity to create Rosa Parks Moments.” (152)  “Rosa Parks Moments are turning points in our lives.” (153)

“Modesty may not seem like an important leadership virtue these days, but failure to keep your feet planted firmly on the ground invariable leads to the greatest leadership sin of all—hubris.  Excessive pride has gotten more than a fair share of leaders and companies in a heap of trouble.” (158)  “We have to be vigilant in noticing our mistakes and admitting them before they’re printed in the press.” (159)  “Humility and grace make up the antidote to the poison of excessive pride and the rapacious harm that it does to our lives.” (162)

There are countless chances to make a difference every day in the lives of those we lead.  “Leading is not about what we gain from others but about what others gain from us.” (178)

“The legacy you leave is the life you lead.  We lead our lives daily.  We leave our legacy daily.  The people you see, the decisions you make, the actions you take—they are what tell your story.” (180)

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Here is a clip associated with the release of a new book called The Tangible Kingdom by two good friends of mine, Hughdog Halter and Matt Smay. check it out.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheForgottenWays/~3/274567976/

I love Dave Ferguson. He wrote The Big Idea. Anyhow, here is a podcast interview he did with me recently for the Exponential Conference next week.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheForgottenWays/~3/275364567/

Just about to switch into the next element of mDNA, apostolic environment. Should be a hoot of a discussion. Lets start it off with these two quites that I hung at the top of the chapter in the book…

Purpose and principle, clearly understood and articulated, and commonly shared, are the genetic code of any healthy organization. To the degree that you hold purpose and principles in common among you, you can dispense with command and control. People will know how to behave in accordance with them, and they’ll do it in thousands of unimaginable, creative ways. The organization will become a vital, living set of beliefs.

Dee Hock

The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality

Max DePree

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheForgottenWays/~3/278476415/

Hi all. Sorry I have not been blogging regularly. I have bee so busy and have had little time to blog and interact with my friends here at tfw blog. I have been in three time zones in one week. Having a great time…

1. Was in Oz with my family and tribe (Forge). Had a great grassroots conference. But saying hi’s and goodbye’s (again!)  was very emotionally exhausting.

2. Was deeply involved at Exponential in Orlando last week. This was a fantastic meeting of over 2500 church planters and CPM leaders. Very special.

3. Am now in Germany with Novavox. Had a world cafe creativity sessions with some of the brightest missional practitioners I have ever met.

4. Onto Sweden on Tuesday to be with Interact Youth and Swedish Baptists and then finally home to LA.

I feel a great sense of privilage in seeing some of the most amazing projects and churches and meeting some of the best people in the world! I am very thakful…and tired. Thanks for your support, prayers, and patience.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheForgottenWays/~3/279569182/

Check this out.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheForgottenWays/~3/280648455/

I just got my hard copy of The Multiplying Church, by my good friend BobBob (Bob Roberts Jr.). I wrote the foreword for it and it is genuinely a good book by a great dude. Here is my foreword….

It was bono who once said, “”Dream up the world you want to live in. Dream out loud at high volume”. But it could easily have been Bob Roberts, the big-hearted, vision-on-steroids, huggy-bear, Texan who actually have ushered these words into the world. They just seem to fit the inimitable Rev. Dr. Bob Roberts Jr.. And boy, is he dreaming up a world for us to live in! Its called Glocal Transformation, and you had better hold on to them hats, because Bob’s vision is as big as it is stirring. And talking of Bono, the similarities are worth noting at this point because as far as I can predict, Bob’s ministry trajectory is increasingly taking him along similar paths of glocal nation-building and peace-making in the name of Jesus.

In his first book Transformation, Bob set out a vision for a discipleship that has the world, as well as the local church, in mind. His belief is that the transformed human must lead to a transformed humanity. As I see it, the primary focus in that book remained on the individual, but nonetheless he constantly pointed the reader outward to the world beyond the local church, city, and nation, to what he calls the Glocal world—the highly interconnected reality that all of us now have to live in. In Transformation, Bob envisioned a new way of engaging the Glocal to achieve glocal transformation. He rather cleverly called it “domain jumping” and it involves the willingness to join the Kingdom agenda within the different domains of life (e.g. education, politics, religion, economics, art, etc.) and not limit mission and ministry to the religious, or churchly, sphere. In Bob’s vision of the church, mission always seems to involves a seriously expansive agenda.

In his next book Glocalization, Bob developed these ideas further but focused the reader on the radically changing social, political, economic, and cultural, patterns of the world in which we are all called to live and love in. Drawing inspiration from early church history and the emerging church, and the church in the developing world, he called us to reconstruct a new missional operating system rather than a church program. He proposed ten major glocal issues that demand our attention: communicable disease, hunger, water and sanitation, corruption, migration and refugees, climate change, education, armed conflict, economy, and trade subsidies? Clearly in Glocalization Bob’s agenda has now moved beyond the narrow concerns of “the church” to that of God’s world in all its complexity.

In this book (The Multiplying Church) he lays out not only a vision of a multiplying (and multipli-able) church that can operate effectively in the Glocal context. And this turning of his attention to church planting movements has certain missional logic to it. For God’s church, when it is true and faithful, is by far and away the most powerful agent for the transformation of the world in human history. It is the next, and necessary, piece in the equation. But this is not just theory; Bob is at pains to suggest very practical ways in which we can actually begin the journey toward multiplication church planting. And make no mistake; we have a way to go in this regard. Most churches in the West are beginners when it comes to church planting, let alone in its exponential form. We know from history and experience that a genuine encounter with Jesus result the activation of people-movements that get to change the world. If we wish to transform this complex, glocalized, world in which we live, then multiplication church planting must become a vital part of the missional equation. There can be no dodging here: The 21st Century absolutely requires that we adopt a movement ethos and approach, and The Multiplying Church is Bob Robert’s valuable contribution to the missional agenda of God’s people in God’s Glocal world. We are in real need his guidance.

But what intrigues me the most, and what is perhaps of most importance in the work of Bob Roberts, is that the man himself is well worthy of study and emulation. Bob has an innate capacity to accumulate very important ideas and reconfigure them in ways that the average person can grasp. Make no mistake; he is a very well read, intelligent, “domain jumper” theologian himself. I have had wonderfully wide-ranging discussions with him on numerous occasions and he is disarmingly bright. But intellect aside, what is really distinctive about him is that as a genuine practitioner he does not stop at the ideas-in-themselves. His more primal instincts (thank God) are application as well as demonstration; and it is here where he makes his greatest contribution. He is a genuine apostolic pioneer—the real deal.

Quite honestly, it is exceedingly hard to find anyone comparable with Bob Roberts in the world today. Where does one find a charming, unsubtle, Texan engaging really effectively where experienced, delicately nuanced, diplomats fear to tread? Which Southern Baptist preacher do we know of that gets to meet prime ministers, presidents, warlords, political dissidents, mullahs, communists, or whatever, and somehow bring them together around tables to talk peace and justice? Which local pastor anywhere is involved in “nation-building” (his phrase) in ways that he is? And where do we find a paid-up conservative Evangelical like Bob addressing the glocal issues listed above with such practical, all-encompassing, compassion? And all this whilst at the very same time keeping the living message of Jesus, as well as active missionary church planting, at the center in the equation?

I ask again, who goes where Bob goes and who does what he does? And with the silence that flows from that question I rest my case: the man is worth listening to because God is doing something unique in and through him. We must pay attention.