Month: March 2017

3 Ways to Affect Change in an Unfamiliar Culture

Posted on March 29, 2017 by - Articles, Church & Faith-Based, Collaboration, Leading Organizations

In 2007, a team from Community Covenant Church first entered Haiti. 

We were there to introduce the island to the Global Leadership Summit, focusing on identifying and training leaders. We quickly realized how corruption (both within and outside Haiti) had created endemic and unimaginable poverty—and that solutions, were not simple. 

Over a period of about five years, we met hundreds of Haitian leaders. One man, Pierre Leger, consistently stood out for both his accomplishments and his perspective. Leger is a business leader who has, according to UN estimates, created more than 25,000 jobs. His company produces an essential oil that is distilled from vetiver grass and exported to the fragrance industry. This Haitian business is the largest exporter of natural, value-added products in Haiti and is both Fair Trade and Ecocert certified.

Leger soon became our teacher and advisor. His understanding of the culture and corruption of Haiti often seemed prophetic. His consistent encouragement reminded me of how Jesus told us to approach an unfamiliar place. “When you enter a house, first say, ‘peace to this house.’ If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you” (Luke 10:5-6).

When we talked with him about creating a business that would create new jobs in Haiti, he began to teach us his foundational principle—what he called “business for development.” We began to dream about re-starting the lime oil industry in Haiti. As we visited farmers whose livelihoods were destroyed by the UN’s economic embargo in the 1990s, we learned that to those in poverty, there is little difference between a war and an embargo. Both are devastating.

Together, we developed a plan to:

  • grow and distribute low-cost lime tree seedlings to Haitian farmers;
  • ensure an in-country distillation facility that would be ready to purchase and process the fruit at market price;
  • export the resulting lime oil to world markets.

The plan is simple. But, like any plan, the implementation is filled with challenges – especially when you’re trying to do it in the poorest country in the Western hemisphere.

One of our team members invested so many hours in studying and experimenting with the farming processes, that he has become an expert in lime tree nursey techniques. Currently, we have a greenhouse, nursery and fields in Haiti where lime trees are beginning to grow. Last year, we began giving away hundreds of thousands of seedlings to Haitian farmers. With seedling distribution in place, we are now beginning to teach farmers how to produce their own seedlings.

Through these years of work and collaboration, we have learned the people of Haiti are very capable and want to work to lift themselves and their country out of its cycle of dependence and poverty. But they have lacked access to training, technology and markets. We hope that our work will help open those doors.

1. Identify a Person of Peace

It takes trusted relationships to develop lasting solutions to intractable problems. Progress always takes time, especially in a country where corruption is ever-present.

2. Business for Development

Developing a system of mutual accountability is an essential ingredient to long-term success. Responsible business practices, while often awkward to advance, provide the mechanisms for lasting impact.

 3. Long-Haul Commitment

Any attempt to improve life for people in need requires an acceptance of failures and a willingness to constantly re-adjust plans. When starting such a project, ensure your team is committed to years of work. Money is a tool; it is not the answer.

When Skill and Passion Meet to Bless the Lives of Prisoners and Their Families

Posted on March 29, 2017 by - Because of the GLS, Diversity, Government, North America, Prison, Stories, Wellness

After attending The Global Leadership Summit, Joy Johnson was inspired to use her sewing skills to give back to the community in a unique way.

The impact she’s had on prisoners and their families in Rehoboth, Rhode Island  has multiplied over the years.

Be inspired by her journey in this short video:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St1rQ1d9VGc

Interested in learning more about how The Global Leadership Summit could inspire you this year?
Go to www.willowcreek.com/summit

The Surprising Truth about Prioritizing Relationships

Posted on March 28, 2017 by - Articles, Leading Yourself, Wellness

Last week, I started a new job.

I am embarking on a new adventure as the lead pastor of The Journey Church in Avon, Indiana, a small suburb of Indianapolis. This is an exciting new season in my life, and I cannot wait to work side by side with the great people in this community.

As I was transitioning out of my last position, I went out to lunch with close friends. They each took a turn giving me advice to help me in my new position. Some of the advice was very pragmatic. Others stayed in the realm of philosophical. It was all helpful.

But the advice from my friend Adam resonated with me differently than the others.

He said, “Tim, make friends. It may seem like getting close to people will make it more difficult if you have to correct them or give them negative feedback down the road, but make friends anyway.”

Wow! Make friends? He was telling me to prioritize relationships.

Making friends, prioritizing relationships, can be tough—especially when you’re new in a leadership role. It means I have to be vulnerable with people I don’t know well. It means I have to go first to initiate the relationship. It means I have to let go of all of the tasks that need to get done and put relationship building higher than them all.

Tasks. But, there’s SO MUCH to get done! And, tasks never disappoint me or let me down. Plus, I don’t have to worry about what tasks think of me or if I’m living up to their expectations.

But, I am choosing to listen to my sage friend’s advice and prioritize relationships. Because relationships are what leadership is all about. Relationships make the tasks easier and much more fun. Relationships are of far more value to God than tasks.

You know what, I even stumbled on a truth, a paradox if you will, around prioritizing relationships. I’ve just discovered this simple yet profound truth and I believe it’s something that can help every leader everywhere.

The more you prioritize relationships, the less you have to work at prioritizing relationships.

  • The more thank you notes you handwrite and send to people, the less you have to work to think of people and reasons to send them.
  • The more lunches you have with people, the less you have to worry about being approachable.
  • The more one-on-one time you spend with those you lead, the less you have to work at making time for others.

We all know that relationships are key to effective leadership, but far too many of us use tasks as an excuse to move them down the priority list.

There is literally a cause-and-effect relationship between prioritizing relationships and the ease of building relationships.

I want to challenge you to prioritize relationships. Even if it means you have to be vulnerable, you have to step out of your comfort zone and go first, or tasks aren’t going to get done as quickly as you want.

And the more we prioritize relationships, the easier it gets to prioritize relationships.

Interior Designer Brings Healing to Broken Homes

Posted on March 27, 2017 by - Because of the GLS, Business, Calling, Diversity, Europe, Stories, Western Europe

Kirsten Steno, who lives in Denmark, always enjoyed interior design. Her career has involved designing for some 2,000 homes over 20 years. She was experienced and passionate, but something was missing.

When Kirsten became a single mom in 2006, everything began to fall apart. Her son became her reason for living.

But when her friend, Mette, brought her back to church, Kirsten soon discovered the mysterious ways God works to redeem brokenness and even used her passion for interior design to bring healing to others.

God uncovers the missing piece of Kirsten’s puzzle

In 2007, Kirsten wrote a self-help book on interior design for single parents and broken families. In the process, she also met Frank, another single parent, and they ended up getting married.

Writing her first book was just the beginning. God began to stir a vision in her.

Not long after her book was published, her friend Mette introduced her to The Global Leadership Summit on DVD.

Kirsten’s “house coach” vision is realized at the GLS

Later, Kirsten attended the GLS event in Copenhagen, Denmark with thousands of other people like her who wanted to devote their lives to growing as leaders and impacting others.  It was at the GLS that God gave Kirsten a vision He had planted in her heart long ago when he gave her passion for designing homes. “God gave me the vision to become a ‘house coach’, which is a unique combination of interior design and life coaching,” Kirsten explains.

She was able to connect with Martha Beck, a columnist for O Magazine (Oprah Winfrey) and both of them recognized there was a connection between life and home. People who are far from God often try to decorate their way out of misery.

Kirsten and Martha shared the thought that when clients describe their homes, what they are really describing are unresolved life issues. Homesickness at home = restlessness in life.

“I have seen so many people transformed in a few hours of working with them, even on Skype!” Kirsten says. “It has become my ‘holy discontent’ and my ministry.”

God speaks to Kirsten about her Grander Vision

Kirsten’s vision didn’t become reality without struggle and complete trust in God.

She developed melanoma cancer, and her son experienced medical issues of his own. But Kirsten and her husband didn’t stop attending the GLS. “Attending the GLS gave me the strength to believe in God’s miracles,” she shares. “God was changing my life’s perspective.”

In 2013, Kirsten attended the GLS on the main campus of Willow Creek Community Church and God stretched her vision. “I asked how I could give my creative talents, people skills and love to transform homes and lives of people in real need,” she says. “I visited Willow Creek’s food pantry, the clothes ministry and the cars ministry. When I asked ‘Where is the Home Ministry?, I was surprised to hear that it didn’t exist!

“God tapped me on my shoulder and whispered, ‘This is your vision.’ It scared me, but I remembered that God provides. So I learned all I could from the GLS books, resources and videos in order to take this dream forward.”

Kirsten published her second book, and for two years, she toured South America, Europe and Asia with a furniture company called BoConcepts, sharing her passion for house coaching, her work and her God-given mission to serve single moms and broken homes through interior design. Everywhere she went, she was received with open, emotional hearts.

Today she continues to travel and share her Home Angels Ministry vision with churches, as well as build the Home Angels Ministry in Denmark.

Creative passion and soul-restoring ministry come together

This vision, which started in Kirsten when she was a broke single mother in 2006, developed into a powerful ministry serving families through their homes. Because of the training and encouragement she received through the GLS, she has been inspired to make her vision global, creating soul-restoring homes—not only in Denmark, but around the world.

“I am eternally grateful to have found my tribe and support through the GLS, and I’m excited about spreading the GLS across Denmark, expanding the ripple effect of the impact it has in my nation.” Kirsten shares.

“I want to thank ALL the dedicated people who work on the GLS team. The GLS has transformed and blessed my life and work. You have equipped me to listen to God’s whispers. You have enabled me to come home to God and restore my soul so I could become a blessing to many people around the world. My husband and I both owe our visions, motivation and our success, personal and professional, to the brilliant speakers at the GLS. Words cannot express our gratitude.””

To learn more about this year’s GLS event, go to www.willowcreek.com/summit

Corner #4: Real Connection

Posted on March 27, 2017 by - Articles, Leading Yourself, Wellness

So, now we have been around the world…almost.

We have covered three corners: No Connection (Corner #1), Bad Connection (Corner #2) and Pseudo Connection (Corner #3). And we found all of them lacking for various reasons. Not a good place to end. Thankfully, we don’t have to. There is one great option left: Corner #4: Real Connection

Corner #4 relationships provide the essence of thriving, both for ourselves personally and for our leadership performance. Both functions depend on relationships in order to gain what we need and also to sustain and grow. But, not just any kind of relationship will do. The ones that get us to the next level of growth have certain components to them.

Human thriving is based on three pillars.

The physical, which is your brain and body with all of its biology, neurochemistry, hormones and other physical faculties. It is impossible to be at your best if the physical is not strong. But, nutrition and conditioning can only take us so far.

The second leg of the triangle is your immaterial self: heart, mind, soul and spirit. It is the software that dictates all of your outcomes—passions, belief systems, emotion regulation, attitudes, character and coding for behavior and other aspects of performance. The immaterial self affects the physical self and vice versa. When you think positively, your body thrives, for example. When you are negative, you release stress hormones and performance and relationships suffer.

But (and here is the real value of Corner #4) both your body and your immaterial self is fueled, sustained and grown by the third pillar—the right kinds of relationships. Relationships affect both of the other pillars. Good connections grow your heart-mind-soul-spirit and also affect your physical well-being. Both research and experience prove that time and time again.

So, Corner #4 is the place where those good connections happen, but they must have essential ingredients.

Fuel: Good connections provide energy that drives your body and your mind to higher performance.

Freedom and Self-Control: Good relationships increase your sense of freedom by promoting autonomy, choice and personal power. This results in increased self-control, a trait essential to high performance and well-being.

Responsibility: When your relationships are ordered well, it enables you to own your choices and take responsibility for functioning, thereby increasing performance levels.

Metabolizing Failure: Good connections help you to accept failure, “defanging the beast” of not getting it right, and help you to become learners instead of being defeated.

Push Toward More: A corner #4 relationship is a relationship that helps you not get stuck where you are, but pushes you with the right kinds of challenges to grow and get better.

All of these qualities, when present, are reinforced by positive Corner #4 relationships and become internalized into the way you function. The outside becomes inside. And you grow.

The symptoms of Corner #4 relationships translate into human thriving.

  • Clinical Symptoms: You feel good and do not have a myriad of emotional symptoms, toxic stress, energy loss, fears, anxieties or addictions.
  • Relational Symptoms: You relate well with others, are capable of intimacy and of being a positive influence to others as you enjoy mutual connection.
  • Performance Symptoms: You are free to utilize your gifts and talents to reach goals, dreams and higher levels of performance. Corner #4 relationships provide the essence for all of this to happen as the triad of physical-immaterial-relational all work together to take you upward—something we call “growth.”

Take the following steps to ensure your inner circle of relationships, both personally and professionally, are all in Corner #4:

  1. Audit your Corner #4 assets. Who are the relationships you would put in that category—both personally and professionally?
  1. Assess how each one of them helps you thrive. Match the list of ingredients above to names. For example, who provides fuel? Who helps you take ownership? Who metabolizes failure?
  1. What ingredients are missing from your Corner #4 pantry? Do you need someone to bring one or more of the five ingredients to your growth path? Who will that be? Where will you find them?
  1. Share the ingredients list with your Corner #4 people and thank them for what they bring to you. Tell them how they help you thrive and talk about how you can increase those ingredients in your relationships.

Remember this: Corner #4 is life. It is our connection with God and others that ultimately makes everything work. God wants you to thrive. He uses His body— other believers—to deliver the essentials you need to thrive.

Be diligent. 

Make sure you are living in Corner #4.

Blessings,

Henry