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October 7, 2009

How an Idea Becomes Reality (Mark Driscoll)

Mark Driscoll, Preaching Pastor at Mars Hill Church, recently wrote an article on turning an idea into reality. I've summaried his mental process in some areas and quoted him in others. Thanks, Mark!


1. Begin with Vision

What do we want to accomplish? What is our dream?

2. Develop a Plan

What are the practical steps to seeing the vision a reality? What is my role in the process? What do I need to delegate? What other key leaders will be required to see the plan implemented?

3. Implement the Plan

"The idea has been justified, planned, and approved; it now needs to be launched as a reality. The plan needs to be executed and at this phase, the hard work begins in an effort to build momentum and make the idea a reality." - Mark Driscoll

4. Manage the Plan

"At this phase, the idea has become a new reality but shortly thereafter the ministry will likely lose momentum as the work becomes routine, the systems that were planned need to be upgraded for efficiency, and faithful people need to ensure the ministry continues forward and that the devoted people serving do not grow weary or lose heart" - Mark Driscoll

5. Review

"At the six-month and one-year marks of each ministry (as well as other designated times), the leader of that ministry must ensure that accurate and meaningful reviews are conducted to answer the following questions and determine if the ministry should continue, be changed, or cease." - Mark Driscoll

  1. Have you met your objectives?
  2. Why or why not?
  3. Should this ministry continue?
  4. How can you improve?
  5. What changes must be made?

Filed under  //   church   driscoll   leadership   vision  

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September 28, 2009

Nuggets of Gold from C.J. Mahaney

Here are a few nuggets of gold from one of my living heros, C.J. Mahaney (from an interview from a previous post- see below on the main page of mckaycaston.com).  Enjoy.

  • When dealing with folks on the ministry team, especially in the context of worship leadership, encourage with evidences of grace before a critique or suggestion for improvement. Dr. Bryan Chapell did this with us in our preaching classes at Covenant Seminary. He always began a student's post-sermon evaluation with encouragement before suggesting areas of improvement.
  • CJ quoted someone who once said, "What we win people with is what we win people to." Since Covenant Life Church is known for its emotive, celebratory worship style, he was warning people not to win people with music and modern creativity, but with the content of the gospel, focusing on Jesus and the cross. He wants people leaving the service saying, "What a great Savior!" rather than "Wasn't that great music." Or sermon for that matter. This leads into the next nugget.
  • Music/singing, the sermon, and all the elements of worship are not the end, but a means to understanding, embracing and experiencing the power of the gospel. This does not mean that we downplay the significance of any element—I love to sing and I love to preach! This simply means that we should make sure that everything about worship (music, sermon, prayers, etc.) is a crowbar moving us to sense the wonder of the gospel in a deeper and more personal way.
  • C.J. quoted Martyn Lloyd-Jones' statement in his book Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Its Cures, saying, "Most unhappiness is because I listen to myself rather than speak to myself." He means that when I listen to my "flesh" and the lies of the enemy more than I preach the gospel and the fullness of God's truth to myself, I am bound for disappointment and unhappiness. But when I speak truth and grace to my heart, I discover a joy that is often unexpected and full of hope and worship.
  • And of course, C.J.'s genuine humility and gospel affectedness is sheer beauty. He always takes the lowest place and lifts us those around him. Kind of reminds me of Phil. 2. Such a rare quality among us pastor types, and is only cultivated by long gazes at the cross of Jesus.

So, I'll make a deal with you. I'll preach the gospel to myself today if you will preach the gospel to yourself today, too. Deal? Great! Yes, we are more sinful than we could ever imagine (law), but in Jesus, we are more forgiven, loved and accepted than we could ever dare to dream (gospel)!

Filed under  //   gospel   leadership   Mahaney   music   preaching   worship  

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September 25, 2009

Lessons Learned from Three Decades of Leading- C.J. Mahaney

via vimeo.com

I have learned so much from pastor/preacher/leader CJ Mahaney of Sovereign Grace Ministries. Enjoy this interview as he discusses lessons learned from over three decades of pastoral leadership. He's one of the very, very best. Gifted, humble, gospel-saturated leadership.

Filed under  //   leadership   Mahaney   pastor  

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