In Order to Lead......Leaders Must Read

I once heard a man say, "A person who can read but chooses not to do so....is no better off than an illiterate." I believe that as leaders, we should be readers. If you drive much, consider getting books on CD or MP3.

Here are some books that I have read and highly recommend for church planters:

Launch - Starting a New Church by Scratch by Nelson Searcy

The Purpose-Driven Church: Growth Without Compromising Your Message & Mission by Rick Warren

Community of Kindness by Steve Sjogren and Rob Lewin

Purpose-Driven® Youth Ministry by Doug Fields

For House Churches / Simple Churches I highly recommend - Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens by Neil Cole

Get Out of that Funk!

Feel like you or your church is in a rut?

What do you do when you cant seem to get out of the "funk"?

Get around right people to get you out of the "funky rut"!

Jim Collins' Good to Great Principle: Get the right people on the bus, get the wrong people out of the bus and then DRIVE to your destination.

I have always said that everyone needs a Timothy (someone you mentor), a Barnabas (someone that encourages you) and a Paul (someone that mentors you). A leader of leaders so to speak. I have been blessed to have some people in my life that I respect and can receive from, knowing that they have my best interest in mind.

Lone Ranger ministers as well as "Lone Ranger" churches are typically not the healthiest. If you don't have a coach or mentor...I highly encourage you to find one. You will see that this one element can take you and your ministry to the next level.

So...surround yourself with people greater than you and chances are ... you will get back on track as well as have longevity.

Dare to Dream

I dream of a church that.....

follows Jesus without question, reservation or fear.

values the things Jesus valued, is broken for the things that break Jesus’ heart and rejoices over the things Jesus rejoices over.

is always passionate for the outsider - spiritually , economically and culturally.

is made of people who are authentic, courageous, humble, honest, passionate and compassionate.
raises up and releases disciples who will in turn do the same.

experiences the undeniable presence of God in worship.

is of such impact and blessing to its community that the city would grieve its absence.

at the front of everyones lips is the recognition that we are part of something enor- mously larger than ourselves, the Kingdom of God.

are not just hearers of the Word but doers of the Word.

are a people who walk by faith, are messengers of hope and are known by love.

has a vision for the world and acts in a focused, intentional and strategic manner to change the world for the sake of Jesus Christ.

what occurs through their community can only be attributed to the hand of the Living God.

Signs of a Healthy Church

Here’s some thoughts shared by Dino Rizzo regarding Healthy Church Growth Indicators:

■The DNA of the house is everywhere. The leadership carries the culture all the way. It is a personal thing to them.
■There is a high level of interactiveness - and in the interactivity, there is a life-giving atmosphere.
■There is a momentum - unity about the vision and mission that relentlessly pushes love for Jesus, love for Jesus, love for Jesus.
■There is a lot of buy-in. Everything moves at the speed of the leadership because people generally will buy into the leadership prior to buying into the vision.
■The pastor has the ability to engage, enlarge and build the team. There is a high priority on making room for people to flourish.
■There is the irreplaceable God-factor: HUMILITY
■There is an element of outreach in almost everything that happens.

Check out more from Dino, a great outreach oriented leaders @ www.dinorizzo.com