Learning from history doesn’t cost much. And it’s worth whatever we have to pay for it.
No matter where you are located, there is something momentous going on around you. I’ve heard the opposite time and again from various settings around the world. I usually ask leaders, “What great stuff is God doing around your city?” When we’ve gone through a long stint of frustration, it can be easy to conclude that nothing positive is happening.
Before you can see what is actually going on, you need to shirk any of the false perceptions and open your mind to the idea that something very positive actually is happening.
Ask yourself “What are the three best decisions the churches in my area have made in the past year?” Share on X
They are great decisions, not just because they “worked” but because you and other leaders in the area have discovered new ways of thinking.
Those new ways often appear to work in the reverse direction of our instincts.
As a leader, you need to be able to outline the top three lessons of those around you who are changing the face of your city – especially the positives they’ve learned from the “other guys” who are not officially connected with you.
Sometimes the “them” are ones you’ve previously seen as part of the problem. Those who can’t learn from them are either ignorant or are so fearful they are willing to amputate the gift God has provided in the form of a great lesson.
What’s the number one thing we can learn from those who are not a part of your group? Wisdom.
Side note: Be sure and subscribe to our new podcast – Church Planting Today. You can find it wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!
About the author
Steve Sjogren
Steve Sjogren is widely regarded as the father of servant evangelism — the idea that small acts of kindness, done consistently and without strings attached, can change a church, a community, and eventually the world. He is the founding pastor of Vineyard Community Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, which he and his wife Janie launched with a group of five people — eventually growing to over 7,000 weekly attenders across seven weekend services.
His first book, Conspiracy of Kindness, has sold over 300,000 copies and has been translated into several languages. Today he writes, speaks, and mentors church planters around the world.
