The Beauty of Being Boring
Happy New Year my amazing friends! We are at that time again, when people are chalking up their resolutions for the New Year. So while you are thinking over what some of the targets on the wall are going to be for you this year, I have a new goal for you. Here it is: BE BORING!
My phone just rang again with another agonizing report of a leader who's out of the game due to some agonizing personal choices. My mind races with other names who have joined that sad list—people who could've given so much to kids. Allow me to briefly "preach to the choir" with the reminder that it's far too easy for our charisma to outstrip our character.
Oswald Chambers said, "The future is with the disciplined, and without discipline, the gifts of a leader, no matter how great, will never reach their maximum potential." Let's take his wise advice one step further. Without discipline, the gifts of a leader can become highly dangerous. We can become so verbal that we begin talking rings around the people we should be listening to. We can become so influential that our influence slowly erodes into manipulation. We can become so much a public representative of God that our private relationship with Him becomes past tense.
Some simple warning signs let me know when I'm getting out of touch with Christ in my personal life. See if any resonate with you:
- I speak often from my head but rarely from my heart.
- I speak about yesterday and have nothing fresh from today.
- I speak about what I've learned rather than what I'm learning.
- I cease to answer my own altar calls.
- I long more for the approval of people than of God.
- I internally resent those around me who question my decisions or authority.
The ultimate bottom line for me is the stark realization that it's much easier to get followers than it is to be worthy of being followed. Our talent can become deadly—kind of like an octopus on roller skates. From the outside, we produce plenty of movement but never know which direction we're really going.
Recently, I received a sincere compliment. "Jeanne, your character is so consistent that predicting you is a little boring," someone said laughingly. I paused and then said thanks. I'm not sure I've ever been called boring before, but in that context, I celebrated. By God's grace, I'm determined to be better at leading myself than at leading others.
So this year, aspire to be consistent enough in your character that people will someday call you a little boring. While they may be yawning, Jesus will be smiling.
Happy New Year my amazing friends! We are at that time again, when people are chalking up their resolutions for the New Year. So while you are thinking over what some of the targets on the wall are going to be for you this year, I have a new goal for you. Here it is: BE BORING!
My phone just rang again with another agonizing report of a leader who's out of the game due to some agonizing personal choices. My mind races with other names who have joined that sad list—people who could've given so much to kids. Allow me to briefly "preach to the choir" with the reminder that it's far too easy for our charisma to outstrip our character.
Oswald Chambers said, "The future is with the disciplined, and without discipline, the gifts of a leader, no matter how great, will never reach their maximum potential." Let's take his wise advice one step further. Without discipline, the gifts of a leader can become highly dangerous. We can become so verbal that we begin talking rings around the people we should be listening to. We can become so influential that our influence slowly erodes into manipulation. We can become so much a public representative of God that our private relationship with Him becomes past tense.
Some simple warning signs let me know when I'm getting out of touch with Christ in my personal life. See if any resonate with you:
- I speak often from my head but rarely from my heart.
- I speak about yesterday and have nothing fresh from today.
- I speak about what I've learned rather than what I'm learning.
- I cease to answer my own altar calls.
- I long more for the approval of people than of God.
- I internally resent those around me who question my decisions or authority.
The ultimate bottom line for me is the stark realization that it's much easier to get followers than it is to be worthy of being followed. Our talent can become deadly—kind of like an octopus on roller skates. From the outside, we produce plenty of movement but never know which direction we're really going.
Recently, I received a sincere compliment. "Jeanne, your character is so consistent that predicting you is a little boring," someone said laughingly. I paused and then said thanks. I'm not sure I've ever been called boring before, but in that context, I celebrated. By God's grace, I'm determined to be better at leading myself than at leading others.
So this year, aspire to be consistent enough in your character that people will someday call you a little boring. While they may be yawning, Jesus will be smiling.
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Welcome, my friends, to a powerful topic for this Youth Leader's Coach, "Creating True Character In Your Students And In Yourself." So often we hear character preached at us as being the "big deal" in our lives and ministries, but not very often are we told how to practically help our students increase in their own character and even more importantly how to grow personally in character. So grab a cup of coffee and let me hit on this for you with 10 simple yet profoundly ignored principles in growing and teaching true character.
Lovingly,
With our iPhones, iPads and iPods, we live in a pretty "I" centered world. But, have you ever noticed that there is an "I" in the center of "SIN" and "PRIDE" too? And, that "I" is always faithful to get us into trouble. It is so counter-productive and destructive when it comes to authentically building the Kingdom of God for Jesus Christ.
In this Youth Leader's Coach, allow me to coach from my own humanness and call out to you from my quiet times in 1 Samuel. In doing so, let me help you avoid some of the same costly mistakes, speed bumps and sin "I" have encountered along the way. Prayerfully, my vulnerability will enable you to catch small compromises long before they become "Deadly Detours In Youth Ministry."
Cheering you on,
NYLC General Session
In our modern church culture, we've forgotten our true focus, and we see emerging "Superstars." According to Jeanne, "We've become political...biased and opinionated...self-serving...and highly competitive." Does that sound like any church leaders you know? Maybe...you? Listen to Jeanne's heart as she passionately challenges the "Superstar" in you to "Come Down!" and revive the parts of you that may have died spiritually.
Do you remember Mother Teresa? She was an EPIC Christian leader who has been a massive source of inspiration and conviction in my life. Though she went to heaven in 1997, during her lifetime she was considered one of the 20th Century's greatest humanitarians and even was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.
In this Youth Leader's Coach, I share four of the most inspiring virtues Mother Teresa modeled that has helped shape my life and ministry. Mother Teresa was once quoted to have said, "For love to be real, it must cost, it must hurt, and it must empty us of self." I have learned along the journey that it's much easier to GET FOLLOWERS, than it is to be WORTHY OF BEING FOLLOWED.
Lovingly,
