mattmehaffey

The World is Flat

“Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation.” - Nelson Mandela

"...and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."  - Jesus from Acts 1:8

There has never been a time with more opportunity and potential for global change than the time in which we live.

Globalization is nothing new for the city of Miami.  The latest study by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that over half of the city's residents were born in another country.  Miami is a gateway to the corners of the earth. 

The Pursuit Christian Church wants to storm that gate!

That's why our next series has been dubbed, The World Is Flat.  In his book, with the same title, Thomas Friedman, foreign affairs columnist for the New York Times, looks at how globalization gives people all over the world greater opportunities economically and socially than ever before. Friedman says that the world has “shrunk and flattened” in a way that empowers individuals like never before. 

In this series, we will be challenged by the life of Jesus to see our opportunities and responsibilities to change the world in three key areas:

• Sunday, November 2 - Lonely World: "Responding to God's call to reduce loneliness in the world."
• Sunday, November 9 - Impoverished World: "Responding to God's call to reduce poverty in the world."
• Sunday, November 16 - Lost World: "Responding to God's call to help people find their way back to Him."

Leadership & The Office

I love The Office. Thursday nights cannot come soon enough. There are so many reasons my TiVo has this show rated with "three thumbs-up."

1. Watching the melting pot of personalities that are brought together by a job that no one cares about is like driving by the accident on the interstate.

2. Dwight. Every office has one, or five.

3. As corny as it sounds, I am helplessly riveted by the office romance of Jim and Pam (probably because my wife and I are a product of a secret office relationship).

However, there is no reason so great as the role of Michael Scott, Regional Manager of Dunder-Mifflin. My wife calls him "uncomfortable." I think this is a good description. My first impression of this character was that he was unrealistic. No way someone could be this oblivious and out of touch with those under his leadership. Oh how I wish I could go back to the dream world where I once thought this to be true. I am finding out that art really does reflect life.

I have started looking at those in leadership positions (including myself) and asking myself the following question: "Do they/I lead out of position or influence?" One way to easily answer this question is by observing those who follow a particular leader. If you take the leader's title away are those under his/her authority still following? In most cases, I observe the employees or volunteers work in spite of that person in authority.

Here's the point. A title never equals influence. Only character and integrity equals influence. A title comes quickly with a handshake or signing of a contract. These are both highly overrated. Character takes times. When volunteers or employees see character in you that is congruent over time, influence always follows. Then they will follow you anywhere.

One week an episode of The Office was entitled "Grief Counseling." Michael faced his own mortality when the man who previously held his position died suddenly in a car accident. All of a sudden Michael was driven by the question, "Would anyone in the office miss me if I died?" I know the character is fictional but I felt my heart hurting for him.

I cannot think of someone more lonely or pathetic than someone who leads out of position. They live in their own little world which they create in their minds. In this world they are successful, respected, and followed. When in reality, a harsh truth awaits.