Iconic Metaphoricalness

I'm about to take the lead out of leadership, put it back in the pencil and sharpen it to get right to the point. Not using metaphors like the one I just used in your messages is one step backwards in effectiveness. It's like saying Amish people are ugly. I've seen the movie Witness and believe me, Kelly McGillis is not ugly.

Metaphors and symbols are powerful tools in leadership. People who generally argue against them in their blogs, saying that you are putting objects before God or worshiping pagan symbols are usually the same people who have a picture of themselves as their symbol or icon in their Facebook page or blogs. So I guess that means they worship themselves. Peanut butter and Idolatry sandwiches anyone?

It's hard to lead people and not use metaphors. Let me show you the impact they make. Lets suppose I'm facing some volunteers and I want to communicate a new vision to them. I could either say " Hey Everyone- I believe God is taking us in this direction. It may take risk but I'm willing to lead you there."

Or communicating the same point through one image or icon. I recently chose to represent my new vision for the C.C.C.C. by having my staff (my mother) stare at a Pop Tart. A Pop Tart is a powerful icon for Leadership and Conferences.

Boom. Done. Think about it.

5 Essential Leadership Tools Yet To Be Created

Since I’m a futuristical leader, I’m going to share with you 5 things or tools, if created, that will revolutionize and help Leaders in the church lead better someday.

1. Leading Leadership Leaders to Lead like Leading Leaders: For Beginners.

This is a workshop on how to lead Leadership Workshops. Sure, we can lead our churches and even lead other leaders, but can we effectively lead Leadership Workshops?

2. The Bible in email form. If the buzz of the blackberry’s going to consistently draw our attention away from the moment, why not let it be the Word of God! This program emails you a verse every 3 minutes! I’m talkin about getting Evites from the Levites. Wives, children and friends are more forgiving of the interruption if they know Truth is texting. That way, you can read a beatitude and a twitter update without getting a second glance! A win, win for any leader.

3. Google Maps, Church Boundaries Application. Henry Cloud’s book was good, but how does that basic idea of boundaries get applied to Pastors and churches as a whole? With this Google maps application, Churches can now draw virtual lines and borders around a city or community or more importantly a location, letting other churches and Pastors know where to stay out and away from the people God has given THEM to Pastor. A virtual spiritual tagging system lets other Pastors know where not to “cross” and what other areas of the city are available instead for their own outreach.

4. SLAM Session: SLAM stands for- Some Learning After Moving. We learn from others mistakes so why not give a small amount of time in each service to hear from someone who has just left a previous church to talk about why? I think Christians want to know what other churches are doing wrong so that their own church can watch out and avoid the same blind sin or mistakes. Open sharing of spiritual blind spots and unfaithfulness in other communities is the healthiest thing leaders can allow to stimulate health and stuff.

5. Public COMMENTS sections on Blogs or Websites specifically for PRAISE! Fan club pages are created allowing people YOU have healed and helped --to share with one another and compare ways of which they never could have done it without you!!

CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE FANTASY LEAGUE

Here are my picks for this summers Christian Conference Fantasy League.

My Speakers:
Stephen Baldwin (great for promo)
Eric Bryant (Adds element of Stand up- humor is always a point getter)
Mark Batterson ( insightful blog writers on your team score huge too)
Ravi Zacharias (A sure point getter for his brilliance and heart. A little over the head of your average Promise Keepers attendee and mid-west Christian arts and media conferences so be selective. Also-Fantastic point tallies for pre and post speaking interviews. I always grab him quick.+++)
Greg Steir (Always have at least one rebellious youth specialist, great with kids, who doesn't get along with older dogmatic Pastors)
Joe White (Gotta have a powerful closer)
Francis Chan (Great speaker! Cultural diversity gets extra points too.)
Shantanu Narayen (CEO of Adobe) (Rumored to have gone to church a few times in college which qualifies him for speaking)


Worship Leader:
Jeremy Camp
(I wanted Chris Thomlin but James Duke grabbed him in the draft before me.)

Breakout Sessions:
Why You Don't Get it and I Do (My most successful breakout session)
12 Steps to Creating a 6 Step Process
How to Make/ Sell Your Own Christian T- Shirts
Leadership For Advanced Beginners
So Your Church Fired You: Leadership Principles Review
Breakout: The Breaking Out Breakout
How To Make Everything a Character Issue: Because It Is

Resources
12 x 15 Booth Space
(I was able to get a bigger space this year in the draft! Finally!)
4 tables
8 banners

SPECIAL GUESTS:
M.C. Hammer
Garret Russel (grandson of Herbert Russel- inventor of the SPORK and author of
"Lead like a Spork: Leadership Principles from a Useful Utensil."
The Script Supervisor for the Movie "Left Behind" (Last pick in the draft- I got her)

ARTS and Relevant Media
Mildred and Carmella Skit Drama Troupe (Sure they're over 55 and sisters but their skit about Every Mans Battle is right on and a big point getter)
MIMESation (no words can describe this group and what they bring to the table. I hear they're booked solid all summer long in Ohio-should get me alot of points. )

TECH
Mediashout (My first year yusing this tool. Should be cool! I wanted the Painted Backdrops again but I needed a change.)
Extension Chords (Not sure why I used my draft pick to get more extension chords. I guess you could never have enough of these.)

There you have it. We'll see how everyone does for me. How many points I get. I'll be at the conferences this year--all of them- to personally keep up with them. My only disappointment is that Humanitarian Videos of African Children being held by white people only get you 2 points this year. Oh well.

My Username and Password Leadership Struggles

Well it's been a while, but I must say I've learned probably the biggest, most important leadership lesson this year in the history of my year long ministry- always remember your username and password! CONFUSION!!! That's what happens when your blog password is the date of your favorite Leadership Conference. Since I've got so many favorites now - no wonder I wasn't able to get in here!