Craig Groeschel had a great post today about how different he is today than when he started in ministry.  I can connect with that thought big time.  I look back to just when we started Revolution Church 3 years ago and I don’t even recognize the person who was the pastor then.  I actually was thinking about this a month ago and it is amazing to see how much God has changed me since we started the church.

Some of the ways I am a different Pastor today then when we started:

• I think I am much more kingdom minded.  When we started Revolution I was anti every church in town.  Now, I have several relationships with local pastors, I pray for the area churches and pastors on a constant basis, and I get excited when I hear great things coming from what they are doing.  Sadly, I couldn’t have said that when we started.
• I don’t get mad at people when they leave.  At one time I took it very personal when people left our church.  Not anymore.  When people leave, I want them to know I appreciate what they have done to make church happen and I have actually helped some people find their next church.  If they don’t want to be here, I sure ain’t begging them to stay.  I realize God brings people in and God moves people out.
• I know who I am as a teacher.  Early on, I didn’t.  I basically tried to be whoever I listened to last.  Now, I am very confident in who I am as a teacher and the style in which I teach.  I have found my voice.
• I enjoy the ride a lot more.  Early on, I was so consumed with growing and breaking the next growth barrier that I couldn’t enjoy the ride.  We would have a large number of people and I would be made that it wasn’t more.  I would let others bring me down with their attitudes.  Not anymore.  The last part of 2007, I turned this corner.  I am enjoying everything about the ride.  I am stopping to sight see, I am smelling the roses, and I am having a blast.
• I like Christians a lot more. Tadd can tell you that early on, I had big time issues with Christians.  3 years in to this thing, I love and appreciate the Christ-followers that Jesus has sent our way.  Those that get IT are near and dear to my heart.  We are 100% focused on those far from God, but if it weren’t for the Christians God has sent us, we couldn’t reach those far from God.  I thank God for the good people that have come our way.
• I’ve let go of A LOT.  I have been labeled a control freak and rightfully so.  As the leader of the church, I push the vision and I will always know the overview of what is going on in the different areas.  However, I don’t know every detail like I did at one time.  I trust my staff, our volunteers, and those doing the ministry and I let them do it.  The key here is to make sure they understand the vision and let them go at it.  I can still improve in this area, but I have come a long way.
• I don’t know everything.  I know everything about starting a church BEFORE starting one. 3 years in, I know nothing about it.  What I think will work, doesn’t.  What I know won’t work, does.  I am still learning, still growing, and still figuring this thing out.  I listen a whole lot more than I did at one time.  I observe, I read, I ask questions, and whatever else it takes to be the best leader I can and reach as many people as possible.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008 at 12:40 pm and is filed under General, Leadership, Revolution Church. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.