Why is passion so important?

I watched a DVD by Bill Hybels yesterday. I cried…way to go Bill. If was from his lecture from The Summit this year titled, “The Courage Leadership Requires.” He reminded me of his definition of vision, “Vision is a picture of the future that produces passion.” page 33 from his book, “Courageous Leadership.” 

People, especially those who do not get paid for doing ministries, do them ultimately because they want to.  I have met many lay people who are passionately involved in various ministries both inside and outside of their church. Some know their spiritual gift, but most don’t.  Many of them have never studied their Strengths, DISC or personality profile.  Some are involved in ministries that don’t make a lot of sense in light of their life experience, occupation, or natural abilities, while others have their ministry calling in the same area as their profession. In fact they only seem to have one thing in common; they are all motivated by passion. 

It is that place you experience your created greatness. What is your passion?

Better Roads...jump on!

The other day I flew into Dallas and needed to get on the 121 freeway, I could see it, but for the life of me I could not figure out how to get on it. I could see it, but all I did was circle around it wondering how to get on it. Have you ever had that happen? Many leaders in the church have had to deal with a person coming with a great idea for a ministry, only to realize they have no idea or knowledge of how to do it. Just buy a book it will tell you how to do small groups, evangelism, discipleship, etc.right? No!

If those same leaders ignore the pressure for success for a moment; and look outside the walls of their churches, they will see a huge number of organizations already in place.  You name the target group and there are Christian organizations positioned to minister to them, prisoners, addicts, mothers of preschoolers, motorcycle riders, athletes, internationals and the list just goes on and on.

The Freeways are in place, we just have to know what roads connect with them.  And unlike the freeways in most American cities these ministry freeways are not crowded at all.  They have far more capacity to engage lay ministers with their target group than they are now using. The biggest mission challenge of the 21^st century church is to connect with the current ministry freeways. The freeways are the fast track to unleashing the ministry passions of millions of church members.