Month: August 2017

The March Toward True Equality Continues

Posted on August 10, 2017 by - Articles, Diversity, Leading Others

In Sheryl Sandberg’s Thursday morning session at #GLS17, she shared an excerpt from her book, Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead. She gave us permission to post the excerpt on the blog.  Enjoy! 

“The march toward true equality continues. It continues down the halls of governments, corporations, academia, hospitals, law firms, nonprofits, research labs, and every organization, large and small. We owe it to the generations that came before us and the generations that will come after to keep fighting. I believe women can lead more in the workplace. I believe men can contribute more in the home. And I believe that this will create a better world, one where half our institutions are run by women and half our homes are run by men.

I look toward the world I want for all children—and my own. My greatest hope is that my son and my daughter will be able to choose what to do with their lives without external or internal obstacles slowing them down or making them question their choices. If my son wants to do the important work of raising children full-time, I hope he is respected and supported. And if my daughter wants to work full-time outside her home, I hope she is not just respected and supported, but also liked for her achievements.

I hope they both end up exactly where they want to be. And when they find where their true passions lie, I hope they both lean in—all the way.”

Used by permission. Sandberg, Sheryl. Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead (p. 173). Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.

 

Guest faculty members are invited to participate in The Global Leadership Summit based on proven leadership abilities in their field of expertise.  Their beliefs may not necessarily reflect those of Willow Creek Association and Willow Creek Community Church, and their presence at the Summit does not imply blanket endorsement of their views or affiliations.

How to Change the World? Equip Leaders Through Giving

Posted on August 10, 2017 by - Because of the GLS, Calling, Stories

Eric and Kylie, faithful donors to the Willow Creek Association, share why they partner to support leadership development for the sake of the church, and the world:

Of all the organizations we have come across, we believe WCA is the most effective organization to impart lasting global change — and that’s why we give.

Our hearts ache for the brokenness in the world and we long to be a part of a solution that resolves and removes that suffering. But for us, the questions that always arise are: What do we focus on?

How do we make the greatest impact with what we have and where we are?

With women being enslaved and suffering horrendous acts, children starving for food, diseases ravaging entire communities, and the life giving words of our Lord inaccessible or misunderstood by so many people — it is an overwhelming mission to act on. Overwhelming that is, if we’re alone.

Thankfully, the generation we are living in today is active in advancing God’s kingdom work on this earth.

We see causes that need our help and our hearts move our bodies to their aid. Because of this we know of so many good organizations to which we can support — organizations that are truly making a positive dent for God’s glory all over this earth. Amidst the options, we repeatedly choose to give to WCA because we know that our money will be used in the most responsible and God-honoring way: one that enriches churches and Christ-like leaders around the world who will in turn give out of their fullness in order to benefit others. It is this circle of regenerative benevolence that deeply moves us and continues to spur on our giving.

Throughout history we have seen incredible change occur when people that are within a situation find the passion and the tools to rise up and move.

So if we have a desire to instigate change, what better vehicle do we have than passionate local churches and leaders that are in the middle of the problem or the pain — those that are living it and breathing it?

We are absolutely thrilled with WCA because it has that vision. It seeks to inspire and build skills throughout the global church body, wherever a spark of leadership and passion exists. As individuals we personally don’t have the connections or influence to do it ourselves, but by partnering with WCA we can strengthen their organization – drawing on the network and influence they already have.

We are awestruck by story after story of people who are revolutionizing their churches, communities, and governments in an astonishing way — who were propelled to act because of God’s movement through WCA’s most influential program: The Global Leadership Summit. As the Summit is rolled out to churches across the world, we are blessed to hear about countless pastors who received the necessary training, advice, and emotional fuel to motivate them to persevere.

It is humbling and exciting to know that our donations provide the admission costs for leaders in under resourced countries that can’t afford it on their own.

For we truly believe that equipping indigenous leaders is a critical component to successfully sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and spreading His love.

The WCA isn’t starting every movement themselves, but building the people that have what it takes to start the movements.

We want to be a part of that.

If you are interested in joining Eric in Kylie in supporting this global movement
of leadership development for the sake of the church,
go to www.willowcreek.com/give
to make your donation to Willow Creek Association.

Because of the GLS | Prisoner Realizes He’s a Leader, Decides to Positively Impact Fellow Inmates’ Lives

Posted on August 9, 2017 by - Calling, Emotional Intelligence, Execution, Government, North America, Prison, Stories

GLS Group2The first Summit at Southeast Correctional Center in Missouri was held in August of 2015 with the sponsorship and the support of the team at La Croix Church. They caught a vision to serve prisoners, unleash potential and change the culture of the prison from inside out, using the tools offered by The Global Leadership Summit (read more about the event here).

After the event, we received letters from several of the prisoners who were able to attend, and we are blown away by the powerful impact the Summit has had on these men. Here is just one of those letters. We hope you’re as encouraged, challenged and inspired by his words as we were when we received it:

The Global Leadership Summit was way beyond what I expected!

For two days it was like I wasn’t in prison, and that means a lot to someone sentenced to live out the rest of his life in prison.

While facing the death sentence in county jail, a preacher visited and preached. At the end of his visit, I decided to approach him to ask for help. He introduced me to Jesus Christ and I got saved. From that moment, I’ve never been the same again. I prayed and decided that each day from then on I would live for Him despite what the future might bring. I decided that each day I was blessed with, I would live a better life for Him. I was 20 years old when I made that decision, and 10 years later I’m still serving Him where I’m needed.

Apparently, some of the staff and volunteers in this institution have noticed what God is doing in my life, and chose me to go to the GLS. The La Croix Church sponsored it and paid for everything!

God really does work in awesome ways for those who don’t deserve it!

I was one of the first 40 men to attend the Summit out of the 1600 in this prison, and this is the first time this has ever been done in the state of Missouri. What a blessing and honor!

For years I’ve been trying to reach younger men who desperately need Jesus and a new beginning. Unfortunately, many of them choose gangs, violence, drugs, and many of the other evils prison has lurking in the darkness. This becomes bothersome because I want them to experience what I’ve experienced in Christ.

I never really viewed myself as a leader, but since the Summit, I’ve realized there’s more in me than I could ever imagine.

God dwells within me, and he can help me be the leader and man of God He wants me to be! The GLS has given me many more tools to use in the ministry and in my everyday life.

It’s difficult to choose just one speaker as my favorite because each of them spoke to me in a special way. I’ve really been questioning my “White Hot Why” while asking others about my blind spots. I’ve started to reassess the ministry I’ve been blessed with and my servitude as a whole.

I’ve looked into my “dumb ideas” and have created some “Big Hairy Audacious Goals.” Some seem unreachable like the “dumb idea” of having a “Dignity and Respect Walk-a-Thon” to encourage staff and offenders to co-exist in a friendlier environment instead of the dislike and hatred on both sides. For each lap an offender and staff completes, an outside entity will donate $1.00 and the proceeds would be sent to the victims or a place that helps victimized people. Offenders and staff working together? It seems impossible, and to some, a “dumb idea,” BUT with God all things are possible!

I want to do more with my life, and I want to impact people in a positive way for Jesus Christ.

I’m also trying to see how I can reach society in a way that will help others. I’ve created a proposal for a halfway house idea, but it still hasn’t been looked at. The Grander Vision is sometimes difficult to achieve. I’m still learning to step back and let God have His way.

One part of the GLS caused me to cry tears of joy. When Brian Houston sat on the stage for the praise and worship, I melted inside. I sat in my seat singing and praising God as tears rolled down my face and fell on my prison uniform. Just thinking about it almost makes me cry. God is sooooo good! That day I sat next to a Muslim. I’m sure he thought I was crazy, but God deserves praise no matter where I’m at or who is around me!

Since attending the GLS, I’ve contacted a friend of mine (Frank Brooks, the pastor of Flag Springs Church in St. James, MO), and explained to him it is a must that you attend the GLS or go to a church that hosts it. I believe he is going to get the leadership of that church to either host one or attend in 2016.

God is doing great things through the GLS and those who are participating in it.

I can’t wait to see what God will have transpire throughout the upcoming year! I guess I just want to say thank you for letting me, of all people, attend such an awesome event. It was an honor and I hope I’ll get to see the next one. Until next time, take care of yourself and may the Lord bless you abundantly in every aspect of your life.

Sincerely in Christ’s Love,

Brandon
GLS attendee, Southeast Correctional

 

Please pray for our prison sites in 2017.
This year there will be 60 prisons experiencing the GLS teaching.
Imagine what God might do!

On Masterpieces, Elementary Schools and Legacies

Posted on August 8, 2017 by - Articles, Calling, Leading Others, Servant Leadership

You may not be familiar with one of my leadership heroes, but just because her name’s not in the headlines doesn’t mean her legacy doesn’t inspire me every day. I’m one of many in our small town who has been touched by her love, her leadership, her passion.

Dr. Cindy Kalogeropoulos retired last year after serving as the principal of my son’s elementary school for 31 years. We have friends and neighbors who remember her from their grade school years. Before Henry started kindergarten, whenever people asked what school he was attending, when they heard it was her school, they beamed: “Dr. K! I love Dr. K! Dr.K is the best!”

And now, having had a son in her school for four years, I know why: because Dr. K led this elementary school with such immense vision, such passion, such attentiveness. Dr. K knew what every great leader knows: that leadership is about loving people in daily, consistent ways. In her words, her job wasn’t about administration or testing or district politics. She was “painting a masterpiece of love, a few brushstrokes every day.” Isn’t that beautiful? And that’s exactly what it felt like to have a child in her school.

I still see Dr. K sometimes—we both go for walks in the same part of our little town. Every time I see her, she asks about my son—what he’s reading, what he’s into these days. And I remind her every single time that the legacy she left at his school lives so well and deeply beyond her—in the halls, in the conversations and in the lives of people like me, who want nothing more than for our own lives to be masterpieces of love, and who are beyond grateful for such a beautiful, living, breathing, example of extraordinary leadership right in our hometown.

Sometimes the people who inspire us the most, who teach us the most, who call out our gifts and dreams in the most profound ways are not the ones whose names are in headlines–sometimes they’re right in our own hometowns.

Here’s to all the leaders who are building legacies of love in daily, consistent ways in classrooms and storefronts and gymnasiums and offices all around us.

Who are some of the leaders in your local, daily life who teach you and influence you?

Young Leader Discovers 7 Steps to Embrace Leadership, Transforming the Inner City

Posted on August 7, 2017 by - Business, Calling, Church, Culture, Nonprofit, North America, Stories, Vision

Josh Dotzler, CEO of a non-profit called Abide and lead pastor at Bridge Church in Omaha, Nebraska, is committed to building a great city—one neighborhood at a time. Though Josh never intended on taking over the leadership of Abide, or even becoming a leader, God had other plans.

His leadership journey began at a young age when his parents realized he had an incredible gift. Through exposure to great leaders, heartbreaking experiences, learning opportunities and saying yes to God’s call on his life, Josh is in a position he never could have envisioned for himself—being used by God to transform his city.

It’s not very often we come across a leader who has been attending the Summit every year since the 6th grade, but Josh is one of those leaders! His journey is inspiring and encouraging to others who want to learn how to embrace their own leadership gift, and use it to transform their sphere of influence.

Josh talks through the first 7 stages of embracing your leadership:

  1. Realize your leadership gift

When I was growing up, my dad would always tell me and my siblings that we were leaders. For some reason I never wanted to hear it. My parents were always encouraging us in the gifts that God has given us. They are the reason I am where I am at today. When I did not see leadership in myself, they called it out of me. There have also been other pastors and leaders along the way who have called leadership out of me. Sometimes it’s easier for someone else to see in you what you can’t see in yourself. I am thankful for so many leaders and individuals who have impacted my life and encouraged me to continue to lead.

  1. Surround yourself with learning and growth opportunities

Because of the work my father did in ministry and working with city leaders, I was always around great leaders from our city whether they were pastors, business leaders or leaders from other areas of life. In the six grade, when I started to attend the Leadership Summit with my father, I was fascinated by listening to leaders. I was not only inspired by what they shared, but by how they lived.

My parents always pushed me and my brothers and sisters into leadership roles. They would have us speak in front of people. I was always the captain of my basketball teams or a part of the school plays. In every area of my life I was a leader, even though as a kid, I didn’t want to hear my dad say it. But I always carried a love and passion to learn about leadership.

  1. Become broken

When I was two years old, my father quit his job as a chemical engineer and moved our family from the suburbs in Omaha, Nebraska into the inner city. He felt like he was called to do something for God. He had a passion to see the church get engaged with challenges in our city. Growing up, we experienced the murder of our two neighbor girls, as well as the loss of our friend across the street who was only 16. I remember being at his funeral and my heart began to break. The reality was, growing up in this environment caused me to want to leave. There is a saying if you grow up in the inner-city, “work hard, get an education and you can get out of the ghetto.” That was the saying for my life. I got a scholarship to play college basketball at Creighton University when I was a sophomore in high school and I thought it was my ticket out of the community. After struggling through an injury, God was grabbing my attention. He began to redirect my path.

  1. Respond to God with “Yes”

My wife and I moved into North Omaha after graduating from college and we began to work with my parents’ ministry. We thought and hoped at the time it was just a short-term transitional season of life. But as God would have it, He would continue to give us more of a heart for this community and the city. He would also continue to reveal to us that He had called us and equipped us to live out this plan He had for our lives. I’m not going to lie, for the first five or so years, my wife and I were in this area of ministry out of obedience. There was nothing inside of us that really wanted to be there and there was nothing that made sense to the outside world for why we should be there.

As we look back over our lives, we see how God had been preparing us all along. He used the murders of our neighbors and the crime and violence that we saw in the inner city to break our hearts. He used the Leadership Summit, our experiences and my parents to speak into our lives and give us the tools we would need to begin to lead others. When we first started out, we initially said yes to God out of obedience, and now we have been able to experience the fruit of that.

  1. Focus on your vision

I love this statement I heard at the Summit, “The grander the vision, the greater the price tag.” We believe God has called us to a great vision. If you want to be a part of seeing a large scale change, you have to be a part of a large scale activity. We really believe God has given us a heart and a calling to see an entire community transformed. I get excited when I think about all God is doing, all that God has done, and all that He is setting us up to do. I love being a part of impacting the world for Jesus. I love to see life change. I love to see communities transformed and I love seeing the kingdom of God become a reality on earth. I am passionate about being a part of it and seeing large scale change.

  1. Embrace challenge

I would say faith is the foundation by which I lead. Faith is what gets me going every morning. Faith is what brought me to this position. The role I play in leading is a calling from God, not a career path I chose. Many of the big decisions we’ve made as an organization have come out of our faith and trust in the God we serve. The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God. I would say that without faith it would be impossible to do my job. Faith isn’t just something we use or draw on, our faith is everything for us.

Our church, which started with a group of about 12, is growing. Our church is built on being a church that impacts our city. We want to be out of the seats and into the streets. We are a church for the un-churched, and by God’s grace we have seen incredible life change.

One of our lead pastors spent seven years in prison and is now playing a powerful role in our community. We have seen murderers made whole in Jesus. You name it and we have seen it. Our church is also very unique because it started in our inner city. As a result we have built partnerships with many churches from around the city. We partner with small churches and many of the larger churches. We really believe the church is the hope of the world, so everything we do we tie into our local church expression.

  1. Go places to be inspired

The Summit has been monumental in helping me and our team reach the vision God has placed before us and has helped us overcome so many challenges and obstacles. Every time we are engaged at the Summit, we get re-inspired with a grander vision. We are re-inspired with the possibilities of what God can do when we simply say yes.

The thing I love most about the Summit is its focus on leadership. We believe that everything rises and falls on leadership. We really believe at our core that the Summit focuses on helping leaders get better. Every year I’m challenged to want to grow in my leadership. I’m challenged to want to put into daily practice disciplines that help me take steps toward growth. I’m always challenged by the way I lead organizationally and the culture we’re creating within our organization.

There have been some very specific times that God has spoken to me while at the Summit. Several years ago when I was at the Summit, I felt like God told me it was my time. Shortly afterward, I would begin to step into the role and position that God has given me as the CEO of our organization and one of the lead pastors at our church.

For me and our team, the Summit is a must experience opportunity. Our heart and hope is to bring as many people as possible to the Summit every year.

We are so inspired by how God is using Josh’s life to transform Omaha, and how the Leadership Summit has been instrumental in providing him with the tools to become the leader he is today. Can you imagine what God might do through you, or the young leaders in your life?

How will you embrace your leadership gift today?