Monthly Archives: August 2010

Last week my work computer died.  No one shot it – it just died.  Probably should have shot it – but why add more metal to useless metal. 

So, another computer was pieced together for me.  With just the basic operating system and a few Windows programs.

Which means I had to reinstall a number of programs.  And had to find the application data.  Which is always tucked away somewhere on the hard drive.  Of course, the computer companies are not going to outline this in bold print.

Off to Google and the internet.  And soon I was given the information and health was restored to my computer system.

Which brings me to the great aid that the internet has become.  On a TV newscast today the item featured was nurses using their iPod touch to show patients medical information.  Instead of turning to older textbooks, the current place to find data is online.  The textbooks are outdated too quickly, the indexing too slow and just generally they have become obsolete.

May we never have a power outage, or an interruption to the world wide web.  In a few years that will spell the death of us.  

Drive by Daniel  Pink.

On of those books that, although I’m only started, has great promise.

I heard Daniel Pink over a simulcast at the Global Leadership Summit held by Willow Creek Association.  The talk was given by a self professed geek, who is an amazing speaker – dry sense of humor and lots of content.

His basic thing relates to the matter of motivation in getting things done.  He admits to the idea that the carrot and stick work for some efforts.  But the real motivator needs to be intrinsic (or as we gospel types would say – from the heart).

The true motivators?  Autonomy (let them go at it!), Mastery (do something you are good at and be good at it), and Purpose (we like to do what is significant).  Money as an incentive actually is proving to be a disincentive. 

Can we apply this to church?  Start accepting people’s ideas about the wild way they would like to do things.  Don’t necessarily look to give unexplainably high salaries, but rather give a significant mission. 

Well, that’s a start.

August is a month for planning.  In the last few weeks and into the coming days a whole fall schedule for our church will be forwarded.  These last few days have been exhilarating. 

I love to see a big picture and the puzzle pieces that make up the whole.  This fall I’m also glad to see the fantastic people who are stepping up for leadership.  As one leadership specialist says – “find the fantastic people, get them on the bus and then decide where you are going.” 

OK, I think having a vision for where you are going leads to finding the fantastic people.  But we need to let our people be creative – and that’s where I’m headed with this.  Let the leaders lead!

And so, I’m excited!  Let’s see where things go!

Almost sounds like an oxymoron. 

There is often a true conversion and complete reversal of the discontent in a person’s life.  “Only God” is a great motto for that. 

On the other hand, others have struggled with their life, seeking God and yet still finding failure and disappointment.  At some point this can lead to bitterness.  “If Only God” becomes their motto.

I can direct conversations, indicate remedies and even walk through situations with others.  But in the end change may not happen.  Or my idea of change may not happen.

Today I met, worked with, and remembered those who tip the scale one way or the other.  And I finish this evening praying for God to push those who are bitter towards hope, and to keep those who are hopeful away from despair.