I  spent Thursday and Friday at a leadership conference in Atlanta.  Let me be real honest with you.  I went to hear great leaders teach me how to become a better leader.  I didn't realize God had something much more in store for me.

I believe 110% that any organization can only go as far as it's leadership.  That is why I've spent so much time evaluating and trying to improve myself lately.  I'm going through people in our church looking for leaders.  Asking staff to make changes in their daily routines to become better leaders.  I went to Atlanta hoping to become a better leader.  Thursday and Friday we're more about life change, not leadership.

Andy Stanley started by discussing the best leader that walked on this planet - Jesus Christ.  Jesus greatest leadership moment was when he washed the feet of his disciples.  In other words, he lead by serving.  As I look at our culture, churches and daily lives I find this to be the furthest thing form the truth.  Do we really try and lead by serving others or are we so consumed with our own life and agenda we don't see anyone else?

Rick Warren preached the best message I've heard in 45 years of life.  God literally flattened me through the words of Rick Warren.  He spoke about caring for others.  Truly caring, to the point of doing something.  Not just looking across the tracks and saying, somebody ought do something, but actually doing it.  I think this was so powerful for me because I've already began on a series about this very thing.

In December we'll be going through reVOLolution.  The key being the VOL (volunteer) to others.  The greatest commandment is to love the Lord with everything, then the second is to love others the same.  Again, do you find this anywhere in our culture?  If we're going to be an obedient church, we've got to begin caring more about the hurting.  If we're going to be the men and women that God desires, we've got to look through a different set of glasses.  A set that looks at Christ first, others second and self last.

Dave Ramsey went form preaching to meddling.  He talked about God's people being debt free.  Think of the possibilities we'd have of helping others.  Again. this nailed me.  Deb and I tithe very faithfully.  In fact we tithe above 10%.  Why, because I want God's blessing on my life in all areas and that includes financially.  

Think with me, what if we took the above ideas, to love Christ first and others second and to lead by serving?   If this were the case, would every dime of our money be tied up in ourselves.  Maybe we might actually stop and help the guy in the ditch.  Maybe we wouldn't have to have the biggest house on the block.  Maybe we wouldn't have to have the best vehicles, cell phones, clothes, vacations etc.

I want to lead this church by setting the example in all areas of my life.  Once again, I see that I'm falling short.  Lord Jesus, please speak into my life and show me how to lead as you, to love as you, to give as you so that I can teach our people to be like you.