Today I want your opinion. Some may know that Facebook limits profile pages to a maximum of 5,000 followers. I never set out to exceed this number, nor did I anticipate doing so, but I’ve learned it’s part of having an online presence. I have known for some time that I would have to make some decisions as I get closer to the 5,000 number and so I’ve already starting being more selective in who I accept as a friend. (You can currently find me on Facebook HERE.) That creates a problem for me, because I sometimes don’t know when it’s someone who is simply following a bunch of people, or someone who knows me.  They could be newer people to our church who I’ve not gotten to know personally yet, people who follow my blog, or followers on Twitter.

Recently Facebook has made it easier to switch from a profile page to simply a Facebook page. It doesn’t look much different to people, you still have the same basic options, but instead of requesting a friendship, people simply “like” the page. Some people then set up a separate Facebook profile page for those they truly know and interact with on a regular basis.  You can read more about it HERE or HERE.  You can see an example of it HERE with my friend Michael Hyatt, who recently made this switch. He’s over the 5,000 limit, and knowing Mike personally, I can assure you he’s not on an ego trip. He’s an intentional online investor in people.

Still, I’m mixed on my response to this opportunity. On one hand, it keeps me from refusing people who may want to follow my content, but on the other hand, it seems weird asking people to “like” my page. If you think my online presence is an ego-trip for me…well…you don’t know my heart, but I want to be accountable in this area of my life also. I see it as part of my current ministry to invest in people online (I’ve been doing that since 1996), but I also never want to come across as trying to be a celebrity, and I realize this switch only fuels that perception. So, I’m torn.

That’s where you can help. Here’s the Friday discussion: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Should I leave things as they are and just stop taking new friends when I reach 5,000 followers?

OR

Should I take advantage of a Facebook option to switch to the other version of Facebook?

Give me your thoughts. Feel free to throw in your thoughts of this whole online personality thing. I recognize the potential to seem “bigger than life”, the opportunity to fall into a sense of self-pride, and even pump a false ego. I also know, from feedback after feedback, that God is using online to help people grow personally and in their walk with Christ.

So, help me decide.

The statistics are staggering. The older a child gets today, the greater his or her chances are of disappearing from the church. The church must intentionally plan to reverse this trend.

Grace Community Church is built around a desire to reach people who may not have previously been interested in church. We love when people bring their friends. This vision extends to reaching the youth of our community. Along the way, we’ve learned a few things.

If the church wants to reach young people these days, here are 7 things we must do:

Love them – Young people today seem to crave genuine, no strings attached, healthy love from other adults…and they want it to be unconditional love…through the good times of their life and the times they mess up.

Be biblically true – Young people today don’t seem to want fluff. They want an authentic, honest approach to the Bible. Whether they believe all of it yet or not, they want people who say they believe it to teach what they believe…and be willing to discuss it with them if needed.

Be culturally relevant – Young people today have been exposed to the problems, challenges, and changes in the world today. They are more socially conscious than in years past. They want the church to be addressing the needs they see in the world around them.

Give them a place to serve and support them in their pursuits – Young people today want to make a difference. They want to be a part of change. They want to serve somewhere they believe is doing good work and makes a positive impact on the world and they may even want to help lead the effort.

Value their ideas and input - You have to allow young people to do things their way…with technology…within groups of friends…sometimes unscripted…etc. A church that is bent on protecting the past over creating the future turns young people away from the church.

Be genuine/transparent with them - Young people today want to learn from the mistakes of those older than them. Pretending as if we’ve always been wonderful doesn’t help them deal with the issues they are dealing with today. They need living examples of battling life’s temptations, struggles, and fears.

Guide them - Young people today want direction. They want help making life’s decisions, but they want it done in a way that helps them understand wise choices, but gives them freedom to choose their own path. Young people today need adults who will walk with them through the obstacles they face on a daily basis.

What would you add to my list? How is your church reaching the youth of today?

BTW, notice I didn’t say anything about music. It’s a bonus if you give them worship styles they enjoy, but I’m not convinced it’s a necessity if the others on this list are kept.

There’s a consistent debate about the role of social media in our lives today.

There’s no doubt that I’ve embraced the cultural shift of socail media, but because of it, I have received criticism as if that means I’m not doing other things I should be doing.  I’ve been online doing ministry for over 16 years and have developed good systems that allow me to do much online efficiently, but  I knew it was “catching on” when my mother got on Facebook.  Still, it does take time and, with limited time for all of us, that time has to take away from something else.

I’ve heard people say it would have been better for the family had the television never been invented.   I wonder what the same people would say of social media. Some feel we shouldn’t be doing it all at all.

More importantly, I’m wondering today what you will say.

Let’s discuss the role of social media. Consider these questions, then add your thoughts in a comment.

• Should the church be involved in social media?
• Does social media help or hurt a relationship?
• Are Facebook or Twitter beneficial to a relationship or is a distraction in building true friendships?
• In a perfect world, would we have social media?
• Does it add to or take away from the quality of our lives?
• Is it an unavoidable evil or a blessing for us all?

Be honest!

What’s important in leadership has changed these days, because organizations and people have changed. Have you noticed?

The fact is that many leaders who are in the highest positions these days developed their leadership style in another generation. This has produced a plethora of what I call antiquated leaders. That creates tension in many organizations, including many churches today.

Perhaps you’ve worked for (or even been) an antiquated leader.

Here are some characteristics:

Keeps people in a box…People won’t stick around in a box these days…they demand opportunities for growth…There was once a day you could control an employee’s actions, but not anymore.

Controls information…Information is king, and these days people are used to having information available to them…Today’s leaders must be free with current information, including what’s stirring in the leader’s mind and where the organization is going.

Enforces a waiting period on young leaders…Young leaders today want an opportunity to explore, take risks, and make an impact in the world…NOW…Successful leaders learn to tap into this energy.

Assumes a paycheck is enough motivation…Today’s workforce demands to know they are doing good work, making a difference, and valued on the team…This has always been important, but it’s a necessity these days.

Makes the work environment strictly business...The generation entering the new organizational world mixes business with pleasure. They want to enjoy their workplace environment…Today’s leaders must learn to celebrate along the way to success.

Now, take a minute and improve this post with your thoughts…

Have you realized a change in today’s workplace?

What would you add to my list?

On which side of the organizational change do you find yourself? Have you lived in both worlds? Share your story…

I wonder how many times this is our picture when trying to attain victory…

• In Business…
• In Marriage…
• In Parenting…
• In Church…
• In Life…

I wonder if, at times, victory isn’t  just over the hill. We can’t see it…the path is difficult…almost seeming to be unbearable…so we quit…just as we were about to reach the pinnacle of success…

Just wondering….

Have you been tempted to give up a little too soon?

Are you tempted to give up now?

You may want to read my posts:

7 Reasons You May Not Be Achieving Your Dreams

5 Steps to Getting Unstuck

7 Steps to Achieving Your Dreams

The current thought process for most of us these days is about what’s new…

It’s important to be current…which means often we are making decisions quicker…

It makes the word “moment” more important than ever…

We are to enjoy the moment…

We all want to “live in the moment” as much as possible, and culture is demanding it these days…

I want to join the party, but I’m reminded of an important principle…

Living in the moment can be dangerous…

It’s great in theory, but some moments can get you off track…

Unless it’s lived within the purview of a planned future…

My son Nate says, “You have to consider your now in the context of your then“. He’s so smart…

The Bible continually encourages us to think about the days ahead, our eternity, and plan our life accordingly…

(Hebrews 12:1-2, Philippians 3:12-17, Romans 8:18)…

We are warned about the moments (Ecclesiastes 10:1)

Have fun in the moment…be timely….act quickly…

Don’t miss an opportunity…

Enjoy the ride….

But make sure your moment is properly grounded in your future…

At least the future you say you want to realize some day…

Do you understand the power of a moment…for good and for bad?

I was reading John Chapter One recently and noticed something helpful in leadership.  I love the leadership principles of Jesus.  I’ve written

10 Reasons I Admire the Leadership Principles of Jesus

and

10 Tips to Doing Leadership the Jesus Way

In John Chapter One, I saw three more principles.  When Jesus began to organize a team, he used practices which maybe helpful for us today, especially those of us who are leading teams during the transition or start-up phase, when recruiting people is paramount to the success of the organization.

Here’s what I saw:

There was a transitional disciple (John 1:35, 40) – Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist and then of Jesus.   When developing a team or starting a new team, it’s good to have someone with experience in what you are doing.  You need individuals who know how to do what needs to be done, who have learned how to follow, can be influencers to the rest of the team, and who have proven their loyalty.  These people are valuable assets to any team.

The team was allowed to help recruit the team (John 1:41, 45) – Andrew found Simon…Philip found Nathanael.  Apparently, Jesus allowed some of the disciples to help recruit other disciples.  The team helped add to the team. This is a great reminder when you are building a team, adding other team members, or replacing a team member. Get your team involved in recruiting.  Their support will increase for the new recruits.

The recruited were already seekers… (John 1:38, 41, 45) - The disciples Jesus recruited here were apparently already looking for the Messiah. They were ready for Him when He came, because they were already seeking something.  This is important when looking for new people on a team.  People who buy into your vision, remain loyal over time and give their best energies are people who are looking for something new.  They are seekers.  If you have to talk them into something, it may take longer for them to completely commit.

Have you seen these principles at work in recruiting for your team?  Could they be helpful principles?

What would you add to my list as an important principle in recruiting people to your team?

Congratulations to Dan Rutledge for winning Unfolding the Napkin.

Send me your address and I’ll send the book!

I recently wrote 5 places I get my best ideas. Read that post HERE. I didn’t share one of those…

I think while I’m drawing…

It happens every time…I get bored…I start doodling…I start to think. It stirs my creative process to draw. I’m not any good, there’s nothing really worth sharing, but I think better when I do my version of art.

How about you?

To encourage you in this area, today I’m offering a great book. It’s called Unfolding the Napkin and it’s about solving complex problems with pictures…the kind of pictures that will fit on the back of a napkin. I’ll give away one copy tomorrow (Monday).

To enter, all you have to do is:

• Comment on this post with a title for my latest masterpiece pictured below
• RT this post

I’ll choose a winner for this book tomorrow.

Happy artistic thinking!

We are all different. Yesterday I posted about whether a pastor could serve in political office…as expected…I got different opinions. (Read them HERE…and add your own.)

I’m learning to embrace diversity…not to run from it…

Throughout the year I’m going to ask some questions to see a difference of opinion. Here are this week’s questions:

Please comment on this post with your first and best answer out of the two choices…if you could only choose one:

• Would you rather have sunshine or a rainy day?
• Do you prefer indoors or outdoors?
• Would you rather watch a sporting event or a go to the movies?
• Are you closer to friends or family?
• Do you see God more as a Father or as a Judge?

I would love your honest answers…the more the better the post.

You may want to copy and paste the questions in a comment and then add your answers.

Help me out with this post…

Go!

Should a pastor be involved in politics?

or…another question…

Could a pastor be involved in politics?

I’ve often wondered this question…help me think through it today.

Let me explain a little of where this discussion is coming from today.

I’ve been involved in the political process all my life. When I was in elementary school I started following politics any way I could.  I watched presidential speeches, kept up with world, national and local politics, and couldn’t wait to vote.  I worked on my first campaign when I was 16 years old and continued through my twenties to volunteer on campaigns.  I spent a summer interning in Washington, DC for a congressman.

During my thirties I served as an elected official on our local city council and even served as the vice-mayor of our city.  The love of politics has never left me, but my life has changed.  I’ve been called into ministry.  I mostly remain neutral on issues of politics these days.  I still vote, but I’m a silent participant.

While I have no plans to run for anything and doubt that I ever would, the interest in political matters remains in my mind and sometimes I think about what it would be like to be in political office again.  Just to be clear, I’m not asking for permission for me to do anything…I’m just seeking opinions and sharing my story as an example to spur discussion.

I seriously want your thoughts. (I previously discussed this subject in a more general way concerning Christians and politics…read that discussion HERE.)

• Would it be wrong for me to run for a political office some day?
• Should pastors stay out of politics?
• Should pastors be in politics more?
• What are the advantages?  What are the disadvantages?
• Could politics be a part of a Christian’s “calling”?

Help me….I’m seriously curious! Plus I love a good discussion…even a politics or religion discussion!

Add your thoughts now!