The Blessing and Curse of the Global Leadership Summit
I just got home from day 1 of the Global Leadership Summit. I attended the conference with about 12 folks from New Life Fellowship. It was great to go as a team, enjoy some pizza and take in this experience together. It was also cool to reconnect with some friends from Christ Tab (the church we are viewing the Summit from).
As I listened to the great speakers and leaders offer gems of wisdom and inspiration, I was reminded of the blessing and curse of attending events like these.
The Blessing of attending the Global Leadership Summit
The phrase that comes to mind when I think about leadership conferences is “bringing me to center.” That is, conferences have a way of crystallizing and clarifying the areas of my leadership that need to be addressed. In this regard, the inspirational talks that were given today reminded me of what is to be central in my life and leadership. Things like: Passion for God. Global engagement. Radical faith. Decisive leadership. As I heard from the likes of Hybels, Salter-McNeil, Godin and Furtick, Schlesinger and Booker, I was brought back to center. It gave me an appreciation of the church and the role that God have given me in the kingdom. Conferences like the Summit have this centering dynamic to it. It’s the blessing of attending events like these. For this, I am thankful and full of energy to see what God wants to do in me and through our church community. However, there is a curse that comes with events like the Summit.
The curse of attending the Global Leadership Summit
Curse might sound like an extreme word, but as I define it here, the curse is anything that takes me off center of what God wants me to do. Last week, we had Buck Rogers with our staff. Buck is a great consultant who visits us a few times a year. After a few days with him, I felt like I had a clear vision of where God wants me to be. I felt centered. I felt peace. Yet, as I listened to the talks today, I was tempted on a number of occasions to compare my place in life with the speakers. I was tempted to perform in this kind of competitive, “wait to you see what I’m going to do spirit.” In a matter of a couple of hours, I went to being centered, to being off-center. Gone was the feeling of peace. Something was urging me to do more…be more…show off…make a name for yourself. Ironically, I just preached a message last week on greatness. My definition of greatness was this. “Greatness in the kingdom of God means that you have no need to be great at all.” I think I need to listen to my sermon again.
I don’t know about other pastors and leaders, but conferences like these bring the best and the worst out of me. I have a lot of interior work to do. I’m excited about our church. Excited about our team. Excited about being in NYC. Excited about what God wants to do. Now, if I could only live in way that embraces the unique storyline that God wants me to live out.
Looking forward to day 2.
Good thoughts, bro. I’m @ the Ocean Grove site with the Rockland Student Development team. A lot to process…
Thanks bro…yes, lots to process. Looking forward to hearing you preach this Sunday!
Excellent. I’m glad I’m not the only one that feels like this. Yes, there is a ying and yang to the Summit experience. It’s energizing and yet tends to provoke feelings of having not done enough. During and after the Summit experience I remind myself that God has placed me on the assignment that I am currently on and only he knows to what degree of greatness will result. My job is to simply….stay fully and humbly surrendered.
Hi Catherine…thanks for commenting. Totally vibe with what you’re saying!
Great blog. I appreciate your rawness!
Pastor Derwin
Thanks for passing through, Pastor Derwin! I’ve been following you from a distance (from NYC). God’s blessings on you and your church family!
I so relate, I was blessed encouraged and confirmations Vision God gave us were plentiful. Part of me was a YEA God the other side was darn. I hate digging ditches in dirt that has been dry for so long.
I have to walk this thing out when there is absolutely no sign of rain anywhere. This is not easy. wah!!!
Thanks for commenting, Robert…yes, totally agree…diggin’ those ditches can be exhausting!
I’m going to do my post-Summit goal planning process using a crawl-walk-run paradigm. This way, I give my staff several on-ramps to try something new. For me, I have to resist comparing my behind-the-scenes stuff with someone else’s highlight reel. (Thanks to Steven Furtick!) I’m hoping that my “not doing enough” feelings is a holy discontent based on a sober self-appraisal. Thanks for your real deal here.
Solid words, Charles. Thanks for sharing brother!
Rich…. I think your second point cannot be stressed enough. We have nothing to prove as God’s children. I have to tell myself this every single day. At the same time I want to live to the fullest of who God has created me to be.
preach it, rich! i resonate fully. thanks for putting words to what i feel at conferences, too.
Love the vulnerability in this. I remember while at our last church, 1 person said something to me. It was in response to a post I’d made.
I tend to let it all out as I try to be transparent. He said he wished there were more pastors and leaders like that, who didn’t fake the high road, but were open with the struggles they too faced.
Keep on being raw and o
Thanks, bro! Couldn’t agree more.
I was working at WCA’s Transformation Intensive this year and found myself falling into the comparison trap. A coworker, 10 years my junior, was being introduced as having a masters degree from a prestigious university. I began to think maybe I hadn’t accomplished enough with my time on Earth and maybe I wasn’t so capable after all. I sat there feeling less than average as Harvey Carey, a guest and speaker at the Intensive, was saying how God doesn’t care how well educated I am. God will provide me with the strength and skills I need to do any job he sets before me. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Harvey offers some words of encouragement http://www.wcablog.com/2011/05/a-message-from-harvey-carey/
Thanks for the link, Tricia! I appreciate your thoughts.