THE JOURNEY

Which is the most powerful agent for change in this world?

Here's a question that has been bugging me for a while. I recently photographed this event on sustainability. One of the speakers was this guy, Peter Bakker, former CEO of a large Dutch company. I think the photo is a little funny ("so, how big was the fish you caught?"), but he was actually really inspiring. Turns out a he left a lucrative position to donate his energy to 'helping create a better world for our children'. Nothing wrong with that, right?

But in the middle of his speech he made a claim that really startled me. He said: "business is the most powerful agent for change in the world. If you want to change the world, go into business!"

In all fairness, I think what he meant was 'as opposed to government.' But it startled me, because for the longest time I've believed the most powerful agent for change in this world was not business, not government — but the church!

I have been thinking about this for a while now. It impacts me in this sabbatical, because I am thinking about 'the second half of my life and what to do with it.' I feel I can choose between business (photography) or the church (church planting). Or maybe a combination of the two.

I would love to hear your thoughts. Which is the more powerful agent for change — and why?

On Sabbatical

As of today I am on Sabbatical. I know: that sounds sudden. Sorry about that. I started discussing this with Rob Fairbanks, CA's President, when he visited The Netherlands in March. I had a couple of really good conversations with him.

What did we talk about?

First, I've been with CA for 14 years and have been involved in church planting for 21 years. I have been on CA's European Leadership Team for 3 years and have led the work in Europe for three (co-leading first with Phil Graf and next with Kevin Johnson). Truth is: I am tired. I am tired and I feel empty. I feel I cannot go on as is. There is no crisis now — but if a change is not made, a crisis will happen.

Second, I cannot sustain my way of life. I make my living as a photographer and I am grateful that I have been allowed to build up a growing business in spite of the economic situation in Europe. At the same time I have a serious responsibility with regards to CA's work in Europe. Doing both is challenging, very challenging. In fact: as both are growing it is becoming obvious this is not sustainable.

When Rob heard this he recommended I'd take a Sabbatical. We discussed this with the other leaders and, as of May 1st, I am officially on leave.

I'd never thought I'd take a Sabbatical. I thought Sabbaticals were for pussies... :-) But here we are and I can already sense this is probably a really good thing.

Not that I am going to be sitting on a beach somewhere, sipping Martini's. Well, not the whole time at least. Over the course of the last month me and some of the people around me have made a 'Sabbatical Plan.' It involves reading, resting, thinking, talking, doing some things I like, prayer and reflection and stuff like that. Roughly speaking there are three phases to this Sabbatical: Resting, Reflection and Reorientation. I like those three R's...

Current thinking is this Sabbatical will end on Dec 31st. What happens then is uncertain. That's what the next few months are about... I need to do (want to do) lots of good thinking. I've got lots of questions milling through my mind!

My intention is to journal some of my questions here on this blog and to see what response I get. You're thoughts are invited!

Everything rises and falls with leadership!

Yesterday I met with a number of leaders to talk about different church plants. In our conversation we also spoke of situations that concern us. I wish I could say that church planting is easy and that all church plants everywhere are doing great. But the reality is church planting is hard and church plants fail on a regular basis. In my leadership role I have not had to close a project down yet — but I have come close on a few occasions.

As we talked about this we also addressed the ‘why’ — why do church plants fail? There are all sorts of possible reasons: lack of team, wrong strategy, dominant leadership, lack of funds are a few. But there is one that in my mind is more important and more prevalent than all the others.

“Everything rises and falls with Leadership!” is how I say it when we speak of this. It’s a phrase I first heard Bill Hypes say years ago. I know Hybels is the pastor of a really large church with strong corporate structures and the truth is that I wasn’t sure I agreed with him when I first heard this statement. But over the years I have become convinced that this is a core and central truth — and it is key for those of us who provide oversight to church plants.

We need leaders. The truth is, however, we often mistake managers for leaders. We see people who lead existing projects well, who get on well with people, who can create structures and programs and who can lead meetings. But to put it succinctly: a good manager does not a leader make!

You have probably heard the distinction between leaders and managers, as I think Peters and Waterman defined it: Management is about doing things efficiently; leadership is about doing things effectively. Good distinction, I agree — but it does not get at what this post is about.

Here’s my distinction (and by the way, I’m sure I picked this up from someone else somewhere along the way): a manager leads what is already there — but a leader creates something out of nothing. That’s right: a leader creates ‘ex nihilo’ (that’s Latin for ‘out of nothing’). Not every manager is a leader! In my view there are plenty of people who can lead a group (and by saying lead here, I really mean ‘manage’). But the kind of leadership we need to plant churches is the kind of person who can see a vision — something that isn’t there — and make it a reality.

I heard a great story about Walt Disney once. Not sure if it is true, but it illustrates the point. A certain director on the board of the Walt Disney Corporation was once blown away by the colors and entertainment and variety and coordination of the first Disney parade. He leaned over to Walt’s widow (Walt had died a number of years before this parade became a reality) and whispered: "if only Walt could have seen this!” To which the lady turned back to him and said: but, oh, he did!”

That, my friends, is leadership — the kind of leadership we need in church planting. People (men AND women) who can see something that isn’t real yet, and then work so that it becomes a reality.

At the top of this post are photos of a number of CA leaders who in my view are that kind of leader — and who are doing just that!

Join a church plant in Edinburgh, Scotland?

We are in the process of launching a new church plant in Edinburgh. That city has been on our radar for quite some time now! We’d love to see a new community of people who love Jesus and who want to love this city emerge!

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and the second largest city in that country. Roughly half a million people live there. There are churches there —  GOOD churches too — yet the majority of people in Edinburgh have no meaningful contact with anyone who loves and follows Jesus, let alone a church that loves the city like Jesus wants us to.

We’re looking for people to join us! We have done research (twice now, in fact), built wonderful relationships, developed an understanding of some strategies that might work… we feel God has put this city on our hearts. Today I and the rest of CA’s European leadership Team are praying for people to emerge with a desire to become part of this initiative. Maybe that would be… you?

ou can get involved in prayer. You can become involved financially. Or you could get involved by joining us there! Please contact us if any of these options this sparks your interest. We’d love to talk to you!

Meeting with CA's Europe Advancement Team in Madrid

Last month I was in L.A. for CA's Leadership Team, but this November I visited Madrid for the Europe Advancement Team meetings. CA's Europe AT leads the work in Europe. The team is led by my colleague and friend Kevin Johnson and myself. On the team also are Al Dyck (HR), Richard Wilson (France and Italy), April Crull (Spain and Portugal), and Rochelle van der Veer (Admin Assistance). Kevin provides leadership to our work in the UK and Scandinavia, and I try to do the same for the Benelux and Germany.

Here are some pictures. I brought my Nikon DSLR to take pictures that could be used in print, but I am also really enjoying the camera on my iPhone — and the different Apps I can use with that. These pictures come from both those sources (see if you can tell which device made which picture?)

We met in the space of Oasis Madrid. Oasis is one of CA's 3 church plants in Madrid. Their space is right downtown next to the main square. It's unbelievable — a bit like renting a space on Dam Square in Amsterdam. This is the view on the square from one of the windows.

Oasis meets on Saturday evening. We attended their service and Kevin spoke.

The night we attended Oasis they did not do any worship to music. Instead Amy, Oasis' pastor, led us through a spiritual exercise.

Another view of the Oasis community.

Kevin speaking.

OK, I've got to share this picture with you... there are two Jesus's in this picture — and, if you want, you can leave your money in the cup. Bizar...

OK, so we found this GREAT mexican place.... I blew my Kevin and Richard away by drinking two cocktails. They were awesome too. And those Nacho's... wow!

the next morning we attended Mountainview, another of CA's church plants in Madrid. Madrid is the only city by the way where we have three church plants. I had the privilege of speaking on the subject of 'Justice.'

Gotta show you of course we did actually do some work... this world map in Oasis' kitchen provided the perfect (and only) place where could put our stickies!

We also do quite a bit of travelling, all over town... but those are some of the best memories. Great conversation, lots of laughs, playing Dutch bingo (don't ask!).

Just wanted to show you this portrait image I took of my friend and colleague Richard. It is such a privilege to serve with him. I have known Richard for many, many years, and he is faithful, diligent, wise, balanced, kind, understanding, gifted... I could go on and on!

Celebrating 25 years with Carlton and Shannon in Brussels!

Our good friends Carlton and Shannon celebrated 25 years of marriage today. They invited us down for a party. And what a party it was! Here are some pictures...

Carlton and Shannon lead CA's work in Brussels. They also spearhead the evergrowing work of Serve The City.

Carlton and Shannon have two GREAT kids: Ani and Parker. They sang some songs together. They way those 2 voices melt together, you think you've died and gone to heaven!

Carlton and Shannon shared with us that the artifacts on tonight's cake should have been on the cake 25 years ago — but they never made it there.

Also present were our friends Horace and Tina. They lead CA's work in Leuven, Belgium. Horace is a really smart dude — really, he is. But for some reason in this picture he looks really confused!

Meeting with CA's Leadership Team in L.A.

Just got back from a fantastic trip to Los Angeles, where we met as CA's leadership Team. Our primary objective was to have indepth conversations regarding our vision and future. We had great conversations and times of sharing. Here are just a few pictures of our time together.

We met in the livingroom of Michael & Rita Warren in Thousand Oaks. It's pretty big living room, by Dutch standards, but then it's a pretty big team! On the team are: Rob Fairbanks (Prez), Dudley Callison (Dir. of Operations), Rita Warren (chairwoman of the BOD), Steve Adams (dir. Latin America), Dan Steigerwald (Dir. North America), Micheal Katzenberger (Dir. Eastern Europe and Russia) and Kevin Johnson and myself (Dirs. Western Europe). Oh, and of course Bob Gerken (dir. of Finance).

Any discussion of vision of course requires a ton of post-its!

Dan 'Wolverine' Steigerwald presenting a synthesis of our thinking to the group.

My friend and colleague Kevin Johnson, with whom I lead CA's work in Europe.

I'm told the key to understanding this picture is knowing where Rob's hands are!

Crazy photo's from a wild conference...

I don't know how we do it, but every year CA's Connect conference is like the highlight of the year. This year was no exception. We met in Topolca, Hungary with about 120 people and just had a fan-dab-tastic time. Here are some photo's to prove it...

I'll start with a serious photo. Here is Marcus Fritsch, our team leader in Gothenburg, giving a fantastic message!

Christine Osgood, our director of training, preached a message that was fun, interesting, thought provoking and very challenging!

We see ourselves as a tribe, and kids play a major role!

We even had a visit by a wise man who read to us from 'the book of Rob'.

Our director of Operations, Dudley, knows how to multitask!

For me personally dancing with everybody was a highlight!

CA moves to Norway tonight!

I just got back from the airport to night where I met this lovely couple. This is Ryan and Hanne. I met them at Schiphol airport, where they were in transit from the US to Oslo, Norway. They are new on the staff of CA, and will be our first people on the ground in Norway.

I have long wondered how we would get into Norway. We have had a team in Gothenburgg, Sweden, for 5 years or so: the excellent Marcus and Karen Fritsch (German), together with the wonderful Luke and Kirstin Meisel accompanied by our wonderful friends Erwin (Dutch) and Maria (Swedish) van der Ploeg. But that's been it in Scandinavia. Turns out there are 2 problems: 1. some countries are not easy to get into for American church planters, and 2. CA has had a lot of people come from the 'warmer' states in the US (like California) and getting them to go to a place like Helsinki... ain't going to happen.

But all of a sudden we meet with Ryan and Hanna (American/Norwegian) with a desire to go back to her home country. They joined our staff while completing their degrees at Fuller and then got on their way.  I hadn't met them yet, but their flight through Amsterdam provided the perfect opportunity to get to know them.I brought my camera along just to share the moment with you —airport atmosphere and all!

I've got to count again, but CA has something like 37 projects accross Europe now — and it continues to grow.

 

January newsletter

I know, it's amazing: two newsletters so close together. What can I tell you other than that I am trying to make a positive change and inform you more often of what is going on?

Read it here.