mattmehaffey

The Leader Within

I enjoy reading autobiographies or biographies of great leaders.  Since last year was an election year I found myself studying past U.S. presidents: George Washington, John Adams, and Harry S. Truman. 

One of my favorite stories is of George Washington as he traveled from Virginia to Boston to lead the militia against the British.  He made a brief stop in Philadelphia to meet a lawyer named Joseph Reed who would serve as his guide the rest of the way.  Reed, having a wife and children back home, was supposed to drop the General off in Boston and go back home but he ended up staying for months.  He was so overwhelmed by Washington's character and leadership he later said, "I thought myself bound by every tie of duty and honor to comply with his request to help through the sea of difficulties"  (check out 1776 by David McCullough pg. 44 for more).

One of the best memoirs of an extraordinary leader comes from a place you might not expect.  The Bible. The lessons on leadership from the memoirs of Nehemiah (aka the book of Nehemiah) are worth checking out. 

During the month of January, at The Pursuit Church, we are going through a 4-week study on the book of Nehemiah and looking at how we can become people of influence. 

If you live in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area ... stop by on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.  I'd like to meet you.  Click here for directions.

Sunday in the Bag

Yesterday, was a hard but very good day. Feeling like I was about to puke my guts out while unloading the trailer was my first sign. Luckily, I was able to hold it together.

Sunday's celebration service at The Pursuit we looked at the true marks of a godly leader. We looked at 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 and you can find the audio here. The Big Idea for yesterday was "We become good news to South Florida when we lead as we serve like Jesus."

This was a difficult message for me to preach because I talked about a couple of men who I considered godly leaders (I am where I am today because they pointed me to Jesus) but they hit the eject button on the church, one abandoned his wife and kids for another woman. Paul says, it's not enough to aspire to be a leader but to be a faithful leader.

I found a prayer journal I kept while I was at Cincinnati Christian University where I wrote the names of 20 of my peers who were studying to become leaders in the church. I committed to pray for these guys for a time. While many are still growing and persevering almost half have dropped off the map.

I think what consumed my thoughts yesterday was how fragile all leaders (and all churches) really are. There is something deep inside all of us that loves to put people up on pedestals and when that leader proves what we should have known all along ... they're human and scarred by sin ... we realize too much of our faith was anchored to them instead of Jesus.

Highlights of the day:

1. We saw a beautiful display of grace take place during communion. Good place for it!
2. Kids City is rocking and rolling. Recent first time guests are coming back because their kids had such a blast.
3. We looked briefly into the future to when The Pursuit will transition from the current management team to a local eldership. I said, "If there are men who aspire to this position you need to know and live 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9." While saying that, I saw a bunch of people writing down those verses to study later. Love that!
4. We now have three chefs at The Pursuit ... thank you Jesus!
5. A great summer crowd showed up.

Boston - Day Two

Today has been very surreal for me. I've been in meetings most of the day as part of the NewThing Network. I look around the room and I can't help but ask the question, "How did I get here." The Pursuit Christian Church hasn't even launched yet and I get the privilege of networking with a group of leaders I have tons of respect for. They stretch me as a leader even more as a Christ follower. The thing that impresses me the most with this network is how "ego-free" everything is.

Sorry to Richa and Troy for not taking a step back to get them in the picture, but Troy managed to get his arm in.

The churches and leaders present are:
Community Christian Church
Dave Ferguson
Jon Ferguson
Tim Sutherland
Brian Zehr
Aaron Monts - planting a church in San Francisco in 2009

New Life Christian Church
Todd Wilson

2|42 Community Church
Dave Dummitt

Church! At Bethany
Matt Payne

Crossings Christian Church
Mark Nelson

Forefront Christian Church
Brian Moll

Jacob's Well Community Church
Dave Richa

Reunion Christian Church
Hank Wilson

Suncrest Christian Church
Greg Lee

Restore Christian Church
Troy McMahon

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.

Yours & His

For the past decade, I have ended my correspondences with the words, "Yours & His" and then my name. Every time I write those words they remind me of a personal hero of mine.

He passed away on Saturday.

In the summer of 1997, I attended the North American Christian Convention in Dallas, TX. It was there I witnessed Russ Blowers, the Senior Minister of East 91st St. in Indianapolis, IN, receive a life-time of service award. I don't remember what he said that day as he accepted the award. I do remember what went through my mind. Here was a man who made a difference. He wasn't flashy or trendy. He led a church out of his love for Christ and that was enough for him. Every thing else (a loving wife, the respect of many, leadership in a large and influential church) was just gravy.

The question I asked myself was, "When all is said and done in my own life, will Jesus be enough for me?"

Afterwards, I felt prompted to write Mr. Blowers a letter. I thanked him for setting such a great example as a man who loved Christ, his wife, and the Church (in that order). A few weeks later, I received a response. I've never shared it before. It's been my private encouragement from a personal hero for over a decade now.

Here's to a life well-lived, a legacy left behind and a party like no other in Heaven going on right now.

Yours & His,

Matt