Month: October 2016

A Glimpse of the GLS in South Africa

Posted on October 21, 2016 by - Africa, Stories, The Global Leadership Summit

Get a glimpse of what happened at the GLS events in South Africa over the last couple weeks.

Thank you for praying for the success of these events. People left encouraged and empowered to lead well to maximize Kingdom impact.

 

“All of us are currently dealing with challenges in the business world. Not only with the economy and scarceness of funds, but also with people who are dispirited because it is generally accepted that life has become a struggle to survive. But during the GLS, I realized that God has placed me at a specific place and for a specific reason. I still have a purpose where I am, perhaps now more than before. I know and I believe with all my heart that God is busy preparing me for so much more.” – GLS attendee, Bloemfontein, South Africa 2016

 

The Prophetic Significance of Iraq Pushing ISIS Out of Modern-Day Nineveh

Posted on October 19, 2016 by - Middle East, Stories, Vision

This week Iraqi forces and their allies are fighting to take back the city of Mosul from ISIL, who have held it since 2014. It’s happening in an area of biblical significance: Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city of some 1.5 million people is in modern-day Nineveh.

We remember Nineveh from one of the most popular stories of the Old Testament in which the prophet Jonah reacted badly to a command from God. He had been tapped to go to Nineveh, the prosperous and powerful center of the Assyrian empire. The people there had become so wicked that God wanted to destroy them unless Jonah could preach some sense into them. But Jonah had his own view of the Ninevites, that they weren’t worthy of God’s compassion. Instead of obeying God, he ran away.

As we and most Sunday school children know, Jonah ended up in the belly of a whale. After three days, he saw the light and obeyed God. He went to Nineveh and preached a warning to the people. And it worked. Immediately everyone, “from the greatest to the least,” donned sackcloth and repented. God spared them.

Today, God is concerned about Nineveh again—and is calling His church to action.

An intense humanitarian crisis is already starting to unfold as a result of the military action in Mosul. Earlier conflict has already uprooted more than 3 million Iraqis, and this campaign could displace as many as 1 million more, causing immense needs Iraq can’t manage alone.

Americans might be reacting like Jonah, unwilling to get involved. This is yet another Middle East conflict with bewilderingly complex politics—who’s fighting whom and why? The U.S. has been entangled in Iraq’s troubles for more than a decade with little to show for it other than the sacrifice of our fallen soldiers. And the people are Muslim, a group many Americans distrust. All of that might make us want to go another way, like Jonah—anywhere but Nineveh.

But when we look at what’s happening in Mosul, as Christians we should seek to understand what God is doing rather than just the geopolitics. Is it a coincidence that today’s crisis is playing out in the very place where Jonah learned a hard lesson about obeying God? I don’t think so.

I believe God is calling us, His church, to participate in His plan for the people of Iraq. But we’ll have to overcome our prejudices first.

We’ve already seen considerable reluctance from churches to help Syrian refugees, who are predominantly Muslim and have been branded potential terrorists in the court of public opinion. A recent survey showed that Christians are less likely even to pray for Syrian refugees, much less financially assist them or welcome them, than they were a year ago. Why would Iraqis—also largely Muslim, their former government a past enemy of our country—be worthy of our help?

As Jonah’s story proves, sometimes God calls us to something we don’t want to do. Whether Jonah liked it or not, God loved the people of Nineveh. “Should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh?” God asks in Jonah 4:11. Should God not have concern for the people of Iraq?

Certainly He does, especially considering that half the Iraqis caught in the crossfire are children. These are boys and girls like our own—except they have already experienced more than their share of hardship. “Those who have been in Mosul have potentially witnessed unspeakable horrors of conflict, not once but many times over,” says Wynn Flaten, World Vision’s director in the region.

This is our Nineveh moment. God is asking us to overcome our own biases just as Jonah had to. Whatever God has planned for Iraqis—peace, security, salvation—it may not happen if we don’t engage.

In God’s mysterious ways, reluctant Jonah was the one chosen to help the Ninevites. Now, in the very same land, it’s our opportunity to come alongside the people God loves in modern-day Nineveh.

imagesRich Stearns has brought strong leadership and oversight to World Vision U.S. since 1998, when he left his position as CEO of Lenox to follow what he felt was a distinct call from God on his life. He holds a B.A. in neurobiology from Cornell University and an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Stearns is the author of several books including The Hole in Our Gospel and Unfinished. This article originally appeared in Charisma News.

unnamed

Host a Refugee Sunday

Engage your whole church around the refugee crisis. When you host a Refugee Sunday, you’ll get all of the resources needed to deepen your congregation’s understanding of the crisis and move them to respond to God’s heart for the most vulnerable.

Screen Shot 2016-09-01 at 10.15.37 AM

Africa as a Teacher

Posted on October 19, 2016 by - Articles, Character, Church & Faith-Based, Diversity, Leading Yourself, Relationship with God, Resilience

In her interview during the 2016 Global Leadership Summit, Melinda Gates talked about the importance of listening to the natives who live in the cultures served by the Gates Foundation. Rather than imposing our Western will, she pointed out that if we stop and listen long enough and well enough, problems we didn’t know existed will be brought to the surface.

Only after this happens, are we able to allocate our energy and resources to serve others most effectively.

With this mission in mind, directors with the Willow Creek Association take international trips to learn how the Global Leadership Summit (GLS) is being leveraged around the world. I’ve had the privilege of taking learning trips to a few different African nations: Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Nigeria. While the GLS was certainly a focal point of many conversations, the takeaways extend far beyond.

Here are three major learnings from my recent trips to Africa:

  1. Freedom in Christ is Tangible



While every country has its own issues, citizens from different nations enjoy varying levels of freedom. For example, in some African communities, things that rightfully belong to an individual may be taken away without just cause. Someone may work hard to earn enough money to buy a plot of land and start building a home, only to have a wealthy individual – sometimes from within the government – repossess the land and redistribute it to someone within their inner circle. Wealthy individuals don’t need a legal reason to take the land. They have a level of power or money that makes it impossible for most to wage any kind of legal battle against them, leaving the individual who originally bought the land for his family with no other choice but to start over.

To these people, the concept of “freedom in Christ” takes on very practical (as well as spiritual) connotations. Not only is the grace from and relationship with Christ given freely, they don’t have to constantly wonder who’s going to come and take it away. In cultures that don’t offer many freedoms, Christ offers the ultimate freedom. Despite their circumstances, this gift from God has led many Africans to a daily reliance and graciousness toward God that I hope to one day attain.

  1. Young Leaders Can Make Immediate and Valuable Contributions

Every generation has seen great leaders who’ve changed the direction of our world. In Uganda, 77 percent of the total population is under 30 years old, and 83 percent of them are unemployed. Both of these numbers are staggering. The seasoned leaders of the GLS in Uganda understand that the future health of their country hinges on their ability to connect with and enter into “iron sharpens iron” relationships with the next generation.

Regardless of age or level of experience, an individual’s voice deserves to be heard. Both young leaders and more seasoned leaders must understand they don’t know it all. Armed with humility, each party can learn from the other.

  1. We Should Always Thirst for Knowledge, Wisdom and Understanding



Imagine having no access to a library. No wireless internet or strong cell phone network for you to access your favorite blog or app with the touch of a button. No Amazon.com to ship items right to your doorstep. This is a reality for people in many remote regions around the world, and the void has left them with a deep thirst for information most of us take for granted. The leaders in these regions always seem to be after one more book, one more video or one more connection that could help them take another step forward in their leadership.

In cultures where these things are readily available, ease of access and over-saturation of information can numb us in our pursuit of understanding more about ourselves and the world around us. We can fall into a trap of thinking we already possess the knowledge we need to be wise stewards.

You may not have a trip to Africa in your future, but it’s likely you have an opportunity to learn from people and organizations you serve or the  circumstances in which you lead.  Are you listening?

Maybe you’ve spent so much time in a position where people expect you to provide instant answers, you’ve left your own personal growth and development behind.

Perhaps you’ve written off the contributions of a young leader because they lack “experience.”

Or maybe you’ve been running the Christian race in such a way that you’ve forgotten the significance of the supernatural gift of freedom in Christ.

Whatever the case may be for you, my hope is you will be encouraged to shift your mindset and look for fresh opportunities – and to learn, in your immediate surroundings, the lessons from Africa.

Because of the GLS | An Invitation Influences the Leadership of an Entire Police Department

Posted on October 19, 2016 by - Because of the GLS, Government, North America, Stories

groeschel-298x300 - for prison story“You may be one relationship away from changing the course of your destiny.” – Craig Groeschel

Dave is a pastor at a Summit host site and also serves as a police chaplain in his local community. When he struck up a friendship with a police officer named Sam, he didn’t realize the impact it would have on Sam’s life or the ripple effect their initial conversation would create in their community.

“Sam was going through a difficult time in his life,” Dave explains. “One of Sam’s fellow officers was attacked by a man with a knife. To stop the man from causing a potential fatality, they shot him, but immediately gave him first aid, saving his life. The man is now serving 13 years in prison. After the incident, the state gave Sam and his fellow officer an award for merit and valor.”

The incident marked Sam. And because of his relationship with Dave, he decided to start attending his church. When Dave invited him to attend to the 2014 Global Leadership Summit, Sam accepted.

The ripple was growing.

At the Summit, Sam’s chief asked if Sam could be recognized during one of the breaks for his service as a law enforcement officer. The audience at the site stood in applause, showing their appreciation.

Sam was deeply impacted.

Shortly after the Summit, he established a personal relationship with Jesus that impacted his life in a major way. He wanted to lead his life with integrity and excellence, including his life as a police officer. “We started a discipleship group and Sam grew in his faith,” Dave shares. “We reflected on GLS talks and encouraged each other to apply what we learned to our workplace.”

Then when 2015 GLS came along, Dave encouraged Sam to think about who he would invite to GLS.

Another ripple.

He invited a police lieutenant named Brad, who loved it. They began to go to work with different attitudes, and were instrumental in leading a culture of change in the department.

The chief commented on how they were key to carrying out the principles that made the department healthier as an organization.

“I thought I was seeing a mini revival in our department,” Dave shares. “People with grudges were forgiving each other. Attitudes between the union and management were being changed. Marriages of officers were being strengthened. It was really incredible, and what happened keeps happening.

“Brad said he had to change his leadership approach and began making intentional efforts to let the officers under his command know he cares about them and their families. Their performance and attitudes as officers have increased in amazing ways.”

Both of them have a growing relationship with Jesus. They both attend Dave’s church, and have helped to bring three other police officers and two firefighters to the church family. God is moving!

Applying the principles of the GLS has had a big impact on Sam and Brad, especially during these times when leadership in law enforcement is so crucial in our nation’s history. “I am constantly encouraged when I see the growth, heart and attitude and what they are doing at the department,” Dave shares. “I look forward to seeing what will happen as a result of GLS 2016!”

To Build a Great Team You Need Great Team Players

Posted on October 17, 2016 by - Articles, Character, Culture, Emotional Intelligence, Human Resources, Leadership Development, Leading Organizations, Resilience, Team Building

When you think of a great team player, what image comes to mind?

Is it the tireless workaholic who grinds out long hours alone in their office?

Is it the award-winning perfectionist, whose office is lined with trophies and certificates of achievement

Well, in his 2016 talk at the Global Leadership Summit, Patrick Lencioni painted a very different picture.

In his talk, The Ideal Team Player, Lencioni used three vital descriptors to show what a fantastic team player looks like:

  • Humble: more interested in others than self.
  • Hungry: willing to do what is necessary to get things done.
  • Smart: people-smart and able to adapt their behavior as needed.

As Lencioni described such a leader, I thought back to a chance encounter I had experienced years earlier with someone who perfectly embodied these characteristics.

His name was Bob Ackles, a professional football executive who had helped to build the Dallas Cowboys dynasty of the 1990s. But for many, Ackles would always be known by his nickname, “The Water Boy,” a moniker he picked up in reference to his first role in pro football—that of the person tasked with carrying water bottles for the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League.

On the day I met him, he had returned to Canada from his stint in the National Football League and was now serving as president of the team for which he used to carry water bottles. And a key reason for his success was that he built teams that shared his own values of being humble, of being hungry, and of being smart.

Later I would note that if I were to look for these Bob Ackles-type of leaders, these would be the indicators I would look for:

Humble:

  • They are “thanking machines.” Gratitude oozes from them.
  • They carry no sense of entitlement.

Hungry:

  • They are driven by “team success.”
  • They are not workaholics, but they stay until the job is done. 

Smart:

  • They understand people. They know how to work with and through people.
  • They understand systems. They figure out how things work, and they work this to accomplishing their goals.

When you’re building a team, pay attention to resumes and lists of accomplishments. But as Lencioni reminded us, look beyond these and search for evidence of someone who is humble, hungry and smart.

As I learned from a pro football executive, it’s how championship teams are built.

The Impact of the GLS in Yangon, Myanmar | Where God Works at His Creative Best

Posted on October 17, 2016 by - Asia, Stories

“Everyone wins when a leader gets better.”

In Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, that truth has come to life in the most amazing of ways. One such story is that of Rowena Hein.

“I have come to the Global Leadership Summit every year, since the beginning,” the diminutive 70-year-old woman said in a humble whisper. “This is where God gives me my boldness.”

The boldness she requires is for a mission only God could orchestrate. Rowena’s story of GLS-infused boldness goes back many years, and covers many chapters of heartache.

“I lost both my children to tragic accidents. Following the death of my last child, my husband died of a heart attack.”

While the overwhelming sadness of these tragedies remain, with her next thought a faint smile came across her face.

“But out of that pain, God has brought me opportunities to serve Him.”

Rowena explained God gave her unique serving opportunities as one way to heal her pain.

“I am an English teacher,” she said. “And God has given me favor to teach English to a group of Buddhist monks in Yangon.”

Myanmar is 90 percent Buddhist, and opportunities for Christians to share the love of Christ with their Buddhist neighbors are not easy to find. But God has provided Rowena with a unique opportunity to share her faith.

“These monks love me,” she said with a growing smile, “And I love them. They call me Mommy. When I teach them English, I introduce them to words that point to God’s love for them. For example, I recently taught them the word, ‘resources.’ I said, ‘Now, do you know where your resources come from? They come from God!’”

By subtly introducing lessons about the God of the Bible through these English lessons, Rowena has seen many of these monks become very open to the message of the love of Christ.

“They text me and leave me messages on Facebook; these are not questions about English. These are questions about Jesus!”

While God has used these opportunities to help heal the pain of the loss of her family, she has also needed ongoing courage to carry on and to serve God in this way.

“One of the most important ways God has provided me with hope and courage is through the GLS,” she said. “That is why I come every year. That is why I will keep coming every year.”

“Everyone wins when a leader gets better.”

In Yangon, who would have thought that some of those “winners” would include Buddhist monks, being taught English by a 70-year old widow.

Scott+Cochrane+CUScott Cochrane serves as the vice president of International at Willow Creek Association. An insightful and genuine leader, he travels the globe mentoring international teams. Prior to joining WCA, he was the executive pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Kelowna, British Columbia and provided leadership to the WCA Canada.