It's not about you!

I walked into my bank recently and wished I never had to return.  It was super quiet.  No music playing.  There were only 2 employees visible.  One behind the main counter and one in an office on the phone.  Neither seemed too excited to be there.  It was dark, with many of the lights off.

Great customer service is a passion of mine, so I at times share what I think are insightful observations to those I think can or want to make a difference in their place of business.  At least, I'll share what I feel will make the experience worth my returned business.

Here's what happened next...
(me) "Its so quiet in here.  There's no music playing?"  I'm thinking she forgot to turn the music on.
(bank employee) "I don't need music.  These machines are noisy enough."
(me) "The music is for your customers.  It feels like a ghost town in here."
(b.e.) After a placating laugh "Oh, we're not allowed to play music."

My next stop was to another bank where I was pleasantly serenaded as I walked in.  #truestory

A Couple Thoughts...
1.  Customer Service = Serve the Customer

Business owners or organization leaders: there are things you need to do for your customers or guests that may not initially benefit you but that make your guests/clients more comfortable.  Embrace it.

2.  Be a guest often.

The only way to become aware of what it feels like to be a guest is to be a guest.  Visit businesses that are new to you and take notes.  What makes you feel welcomed and valued?  Why?  What can translate into your business or organization that will add value to your guests?

Dan

Are You Gathering or Sleeping?

Ministry is all about gathering people.  We experience true life when we actively participate in relationships.  Yet, some of us have been waiting around….waiting for someone to offer us opportunity.  Waiting for life to slow down and grant us the extra time to connect with others.  "Some day I'll step out of my comfort zone.  Some day I'll be ready enough, good enough, charismatic enough to reach others."  We've all said this.

What we don't realize is that in the passivity of waiting we are often being lulled to sleep.

Joy-filled relationships and opportunities are quickly passing us by and slipping right through our fingers before we even notice.  In fact, we may never notice.  That is…until we wake up.

Proverbs 10:5  

"He who gathers in summer is a wise son:  He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame."

Our family recently went to a professional baseball game.  Our 8 year old son had been talking non-stop about going home with a game ball.  My husband was alert with his glove on his hand throughout the entire game.  He was ready for the bless-ed event should it come our way.

During the 8th inning, many families started to leave early.  Truthfully, I was being lulled to sleep in the summer heat.  Until suddenly, I could hear the roar of the crowd and tangibly feel the rush of something coming towards us.  There it was!  The much anticipated game ball coming fast and fiercely towards Dan's glove.  It hit hard.
Right. In. His. Glove.

- EPIC FAMILY MEMORIES

- JUMBOTRON FAME

- HEAD TRAUMA INJURIES AVOIDED

He caught it all…..Because he was ready.   

Let's be ready.  Let's be gatherers and not sleepers.  Let's be gatherers of people as wise sons and daughters.

Stephanie

Are you Teachable?

I've been corrected a lot.  Growing up with 3 brothers produced a good amount of opportunity to find myself on the wrong side of the law (My mom's apple shaped cutting board, if you know what I mean!).  Fast food jobs, high school sports, church serve teams, and ministry positions have all given their fair share of correction.  The question is, did I learn anything?

Teachability, one of our leadership values at Life Church Jersey, has been defined as: "the willingness to relearn things we think we already know."

So, here's what I'm learning; its not IF I need correction, but how I respond to correction that makes all the difference.  

Proverbs 9:7-9 NKJV

"He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, and he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.  Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.  Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning."

Teachability is revealed through our response to conflict and correction.  Our character is displayed through how we endure pain.  The question remains; Are you teachable?  If you haven't been, you can certainly start right now.

Dan

Who is Bigger than What!

I've been in ministry leadership since 1992 and the longer God allows me to do this deal the more I'm convinced that it's who I'm with that matters more than what I'm doing.  Relationships are life.  Relationships are everything!

I recently heard of a young man leaving a church staff because he wasn't passionate about EVERYTHING he was responsible for.  His job description included his sweet spot, but he was also asked to do a few things he didn't love.  He and his pastor had known each other for years and there had been rich investments by the pastor into the friend/staff member.  The pastor is one of the most relational, inspiring and supportive leaders I've ever met.  I'd move to his city in a heartbeat to just be around him!  And even though my friend was committed to work with his young staff member and invest in his personal growth, it wasn't enough. He left to seek out his "calling".

My observation is that the young man was more concerned with opportunity and position than being around healthy leadership.

Here's my advice to young leaders (any leader really):
* Seek a Person Not a Position!

If there's a respectable leader willing to invest in you and your growth...you've hit the jackpot!  Look no further.  God uses healthy people and relationships to develop us.  You can learn the what and how of ministry almost anywhere.  But, if there's not a deep connection with a leader that believes in you, loves you, stretches you, and develops you; you're toast.

You'll never be fulfilled if you're not serving with people who fill you. (No matter what you're doing or accomplishing.)

God calls us to people and places, not positions!

What's TEAM NIGHT?

#TMNight #TeamNight #Leadership #DreamTeam

Life Church Jersey has always focused on doing a few things really well.  So, when we do "do something" it is really important to us.  Team Night is one of those REALLY important things.

And here's why: 

1. Our Dream Team is the life-blood of the church & Team Night is all about the DTeam.

2. All our focus is on pouring into our Point People and Dream Team members.

3. We have fun together.

4. We eat together.

5. We learn together.

6. I share vision and my most current thoughts at Team Night before I share them anywhere else.

7. Its the best way to be more connected to the core of LCJ.

TMNight is for those who lead or serve on a team at LCJ.  So, if you're on the Dream Team or lead a Connect Group, DO NOT MISS our "special edition" on Sunday, March 16th, at 5pm.  Its our 6 year birthday as a church and we're going to party!!!
(Childcare will be provided.)

Take A Step

Each year following the 21 days of prayer and fasting, we celebrate with VISION NIGHT!

Vision Night is strategically scheduled after the fast because God has always revealed clear direction for the church during these 3 weeks of seeking Him.  This year was no different.

TAKE A STEP

We believe that is the word of the Lord for Life Church Jersey in 2014.  We experienced amazing things in 2013. (Listen HERE to Vision Night for the all the details.) 

As we enter 2014, God has challenged us to stretch our faith and reach for more.  All He wants us to do is to #TakeAStep.

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way."  Psalm 37:23 NKJV

He (big "H") GOD delights in YOUR (little "h") way when you are taking steps toward HIS plan.

Let's #TakeAStep together and accomplish great things for God this year.

Let the Players Play!

The leader or coach's job is to prepare his or her team for game day.  Whether it's a stadium full of people with the entire world watching or a crowd of 100 people about to experience church; the big day is a big deal.

Coaches (pastor in my case) can and should get out on the field during practice.  Show the players how to run the play.  Demonstrate the blocking assignment.  Teach.  Train.  Explain.  Set your players up for a win.  But when game day comes, Let The Players Play!

Coach before the game.  Coach at halftime.  Coach after the game is over.  But, while the clock is running, stay off the field!  Sometimes, the only way the players will learn and grow to play at a higher level is if we let them experience the necessary pain of blowing an assignment that costs the game.  Believe me, they want to win as much or more than the coach.  So, they'll learn from their mistakes...if we let them make a few.

It's hard to watch a player, team, game, or church experience crash and burn.  But, you'll be developing leaders and there will be more wins in your future if you learn to Let The Players Play on game day.

Dan

I'd love to know your thoughts or comments.