Henriet's Blog

2012 Hopes, Dreams and Goals

It is my New Year's Day tradition to focus on my hopes, dreams and goals. I don't make New Year's resolutions. We all know they don't work! :) Obviously not all my hopes, dreams and goals come true. At the beginning of each year I review last year's list, celebrate God's faithfulness and look forward to the New Year with a new list.

Hopes and dreams for 2012

• Among my hopes and dreams is to live each day to the full in peace, joy and hope. 
• I also want to live with margin. Life is too short to race through it without enjoying God's special surprises along the way. 
• Hopefully, we will get to travel somewhere wonderful like the Caribbean (again) or South Africa, my ultimate travel destination dream. 
• Finally, I hope to be successful in my writing, speaking (I will be presenting at the NW Ministry Conference, March 22-24 at Overlake Christian Church), and with Semper Vita Institute, my StrengthsFinder and Myers-Briggs training company. 

Goals for this year

• Make a difference
• Publish my book, "The Story Lives"
• Launch more Go Groups, a special kind of missional leadership multiplication group
• Start on my second book
• Stay in touch with family and friends
• Stay organized (apparently that's the key to success for an ENTP, my Myers-Briggs type)

Of course I can only hope to accomplish any of these if I stay close to God, follow Jesus and live according to his Spirit.

How about you? What are your plans? Do you make New Year's resolutions? Please leave a comment and share what you are looking forward to in 2012.

Forgive - As I Have Been Forgiven

" ... and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us." Luke 11:4, ESV

Did you forgive?

Recently, a friend asked if I had forgiven one of my former superiors. Though tempted to dismiss her question, I decided to listen carefully. This woman loves me and cares deeply about my spiritual well-being. As she spoke I considered her words. After the conversation, I prayed about what she said and I asked God to reveal the truth about the situation. And, he did.

I had been sure that I forgave my ex-boss. Now I wondered. As I thought about it and prayed for clarity, I realized that I had held on to a piece ... the piece that related to the pain I had experienced in a situation. I had felt hurt. And I feared that letting it go would mean that I might get hurt gain.

Letting go

I realized that this was about relational boundaries for me. Subconsciously, I had equated forgiving this person with the idea that I would open myself up to getting hurt again. You see, I like to restore relationships. And, sometimes I don't know how to reconcile and keep an appropriate guard up.

Once I saw the truth of this situation, and after much prayer, I chose to forgive - really forgive. Not just my ex-boss but others too. As a leader, I believe it is super important to live what we teach. I certainly encourage others to forgive. Now it was my turn. "Thanks friend! You helped me sort it out and let go."

How about you? Do you need to forgive someone? What's holding you back?

Hybels at WC Leadership Summit: "Don't Quit"

This year's Global Leadership Summit 2010 started with three sessions, including Bill Hybels' kick-off talk, with a variant of "don't quit" and "never give up."

"Thanks, Bill, I needed that!"

One of my favorite conferences each year is the Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit. Why? Because it's all about leaders. I love leaders and leadership. Bill Hybels always inspires and the Summit usually lines up great speakers that provide nuggets of truth and inspiration to improve each leader's effectiveness.

This year, as I arrived at the Westminster Chapel satellite site, I lacked enthusiasm. Not because of the Summit, but because of life and leadership circumstances. Can you relate? Have you experienced times of discouragement in your life or leadership?

Bill Hybels kicked off the Summit with an opening session - as he always does. He reviewed some basics of leadership, including that leaders:

• Move people from here to there - there being the envisioned future
• Recruit fantastic people to the team
• Need to establish mile markers and celebrations

Whispers from God

Then he spoke about The Power of a Whisper - also the title of his new book. He told us how over the years God has spoken to him (not audibly) through thoughts in his head, which he called "whispers." Then he gave us a list of "whispers" and invited each leader to listen for the whisper God intended for them.

Now, listening to God is not new for me, but lately I've had a harder time due to this current funk. As Bill read his list, "Don't Quit" jumped out at me. It was clearly the whisper for me. I wasn't really planning to quit, but this word from God helps me to be more determined to keep following his leading in my life.

Interestingly, the next two speakers, Jim Collins and Christine Caine, also gave variants of "don't quit": "never, ever, give up" and "don't lose hope or give up." It's just what I needed today.

"OK, God. I heard you loud and clear. I won't quit. I will go wherever you lead. Please give me the courage and strength to follow."

Semper Vita, Cindy Patterson and the PNW Leadership Summit

Last Friday and Saturday (June 18-19, 2010), I attended the Leadership Summit of the Pacific Northwest Conference of the Free Methodist Church at Warm Beach Camp. I have attended this annual business meeting of the church for many years. They do a great job of incorporating worship, stories and reports of what God is doing in and through the churches located in Washington and Alaska. Why do I attend this summit? Well, I'm an ordained pastor (we call them elders) in the Free Methodist Church. I had the privilege of being ordained in 2006.

Thank you, Cindy!

This year, the leadership summit was very exciting for me because my friend, Cindy Patterson, was ordained. She's worked very hard and studied for quite a few years. Last Saturday was her big day. She was ordained. And, she chose me to be her supporting elder. What an honor! "Thank you, Cindy!" Cindy is not only my friend and fellow pastor, she's also a volunteer who is making Semper Vita happen. Her skills are in operations. Her passion is to be the hands and feet of Jesus to people in the community. Being ordained only confirms that she's been serving God in many ways—demonstrating Jesus' love through service.

Thank you, Matt & Jim!

Though the ordination service was the highlight of the two days, there was another exciting moment for me and Semper Vita. I had the opportunity to share about Semper Vita with my fellow Free Methodist pastors. I currently do not serve at a local church. The denomination has released me to lead Semper Vita. And, now I had the opportunity to share what I've been working on for 3+ years. Thankfully, it was well received. It's exciting to be part of a denomination that believes in the mission and vision of Semper Vita. The superintendent, Matt Whitehead, and the assistant superintendent, Jim Harbour, have been very encouraging over the years. "Thank you, Matt & Jim!"

Thank you, Teresa!

Another Free Methodist volunteer is Teresa Lerew. She attended all my workshops at the Northwest Ministry Conference last March. Since then, she has volunteered to help get Semper Vita off the ground in Auburn, where she attends the Auburn Free Methodist Church. Teresa currently is helping us to reach out to non-profits in and around Auburn so that we can make Semper Vita active there. "Thank you, Teresa!"

ReThink The Future

What do Erwin McManus, Larry King, and George H. Bush have in common?

ReThink Conference

They're three of the 30 speakers at the upcoming ReThink Conference to be held at Garden Grove, Calif., January 17-19, 2008. 

Other headliners include Kathy Ireland, Ben Vereen, Rupert Murdoch as well as John Ortberg, Gary Smalley and Les Parrott. Quite a collection of well known actors, models, TV personalities and pastors. Why are they all gathering at this one conference?

This group of 30 influential global and Christian leaders is rethinking the future at this unprecedented convergence.
When? January 17-19, 2008 at Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, Ca. Cost $349 if you register by Nov. 30.

Why ReThink?

The world is changing faster and faster. These 30 leaders in the realms of music, media, art, technology, politics and faith are gathering to let us know how they are thinking and rethinking the future. 

"Why Rethink? Because you'll be better equipped to make a difference in your life and the lives of the people you lead and influence." That perfectly ties into the theme of my blog: "Get involved. God uses those who show up to further His Kingdom and to change the world."

Let me know if you'll be at ReThink.

P.S. Churches can host the simulcast "link to rethink" of this conference--if you can't make it, check to see if any churches host it in your area.

Have No Luggage, Will Travel

On Monday, I wrote about our travel woes due to the customs' computer glitch at LAX last Saturday. Alaska baggage service had our bags and could not retrieve them--at least not anytime soon.

Dan, the Alaska Airlines' Baggage Service Manager at LAX, told us not to wait and assured us that he would personally make sure that our suitcases (#22 black--the most common kind) would arrive in Seattle. He told us they'd most likely arrive before we did. We decided to believe him.

Good thing we did! The lines were so long on Sunday morning that we probably wouldn't have made our flight.  And, when we arrived in Seattle, our bags were waiting. 

Thanks Dan for the excellent customer service! You never lost your cool, never raised your voice, and you helped make a bad situation much better.

We had met Dan the Sunday before when we arrived at LAX on our way to Pasadena and Fuller. My bag came on a later flight. He took care of us then too. (See Tamara's blog for more on Dan's the Man at Alaska Airlines.) All I can say is "Thanks Dan! You showed character and leadership."

A Humble Man of God

The Bible records that Moses was the most humble man--ever. I think that in our day, Billy Graham exhibits Moses' like qualities.

The 88-year old Graham, received praise and accolades during the opening of the Billy  Graham Library on May 31, 2007. Hailed as the most well-known minister of all time, he impacted an estimated 210 million people in 185 countries over six continents in his 60 years of service. That's something to be proud of.

Billy Graham's childhood home, left, and the new Billy Graham Library, right, are shown in Charlotte, N.C.as shown on MSNBC.msn.com.

During the Library Dedication ceremony, three presidents--President Carter, President George H.W. Bush and President Clinton--paid tribute to the elderly statesman of the Gospel. President Bush called Graham a "spiritual gift to all of us." That kind of praise could go to your head.

Franklin Graham addresses the guests at the library dedication while his father and three presidents look on.

Billy Graham, frail and leaning on his son Franklin, briefly spoke after having received the accolades and praise from presidents and others. He said, as reported on CBSNews.com, "This building behind me is just a building. It's an instrument, a tool for the Gospel. The primary thing is the Gospel of Christ."

Other guests reported that Billy and Franklin Graham's main concern for the event was that this same Gospel was preached to those who attended the ceremony. Well done, good and faithful servant. You are a humble man of God.

Sadly, Billy Graham and his family, returned to the library for his wife's burial yesterday, June 17, 2007. Ruth Graham was laid to rest at the foot of a cross-shaped walkway in the woodsy Prayer Garden.

The Pilate Error?

Looking at the man and the situation, it appears that he had little or no choice. Looking at Pilate as the leader it becomes clear that he committed a huge error—I call it the Pilate Error.

Pilate lacked the basic flight plan for a leader—he exhibited weak character, low courage and shallow conviction. The choices of his life and leadership had culminated into this clash of circumstances.

Governor Pilate lacked the character to deliver a just verdict. His actions demonstrated his lack of integrity and values. He took no responsibility for the decision and absolved himself from blame. He did not base his judgment on the facts of the situation and was willing to bend the rules to suit his purposes by allowing an illegal beating.

Without courage, a leader will be tempted to ditch the tough calls and take right action. As a leader Pilate looked at the polls instead of taking his leadership pulse. He let the crowds drive the decision rather than basing it on principle. He wanted to keep everyone happy—Rome and the crowds. He led from fear and avoiding conflict.

Conviction would have led him to make the right call. Justice did not prevail—a convict was released and an innocent man killed. He did not stand on conviction. He did not do the right and hard thing. He took the easy way out.

Every leader will face a Pilate-type decision—with crowds pressing on one side, superiors on the other side. Leaders face issues of right and wrong conflicting with expedience and seemingly common sense. How do you choose? How do you get out?

Without character, courage and convictions Pilate had sealed his fate. He acted in the moment and was motivated by political expediency—or so it seems. When the issue lands on your tarmac you may not have enough information either. You may not know but you can be ready.

To lead well requires God-honoring convictions. A leader who does not operate on values risks trying to takeoff without a compass. Foolish at best and dangerous at worst. A leader needs to act out of a previously established set of moral guidelines. Do not make up moral code while taxiing down the runway of decisions.

What do you value in a leader?

Pilate Was Needed

Wednesday...Pilate's trouble is only two days away. The familiar story plays out. The Jewish leaders arrested Jesus, questioned him and found him guilty without real evidence. They desired to execute the man who caused them so much grief and inner turmoil.

To accomplish Jesus’ crucifixion they needed Pilate—a seemingly self-absorbed governor in an undesirable outpost of the Roman Empire—to authorize the execution. Judgment in Roman court was the sole responsibility of the imperial magistrate: Pontius Pilate. This same Pilate undoubtedly wanted to keep Caesar happy and needed to lower his crucifixion rate, which had been unreasonably high, enough so that Caesar received complaints about this governor.

At the time of this incident, he stayed in Jerusalem to prevent trouble from the large number of Jews assembled for the celebration. He was tolerant of Jewish ways – maybe because it was easier, maybe because one more riot might cost him his job or—his life. One way he kept the peace was by granting favors such as releasing a prisoner to the crowd.

On Friday morning an agitated group including many of the key leaders, their entourage, and Jesus arrived at Pilate’s headquarters. The time was about 6 or 7 am. The Jewish leaders used choice words to accuse Jesus, sure to rattle Pilate: We have found this man subverting our nation—turning the people against Rome. Secondly, he opposes payment of taxes to Caesar—insubordination. Thirdly, he claims to be Christ, a king—a political or military ruler that Rome would want to get rid of.

To ensure Pilate involved himself they slanted the accusation to look like treason. Pilate would not have cared if he knew that the issue at stake was one of blasphemy and religion. They counted on the fact that he did care about these three points: insurrection, opposing taxes and a challenge to the throne.

Jesus’ accusers knew that if they brought no Roman charge there would be no Roman trial. Without a Roman trial there could be no crucifixion. So they created charges that would cause Pilate to act or react.

It worked. Pilate took notice of this situation. As the ruler he was responsible and would be held accountable by Rome. His political career would not accommodate another riot. So he questioned Jesus but found no basis for the accusation.

The Jewish leaders insisted and focused on the civil unrest. They effectively used the governor’s desire for peace and order against him. They chose freedom for Barabbas who had caused civil unrest and was a murderer over Jesus.

Pilate tried to free Jesus but the agitated crowd grew more riotous and demanded a crucifixion, shouting ‘Crucify him, crucify him.’ Pilate tried again. He tried to stick to his decision and to calm the crowd by having Jesus flogged and then release him. But the shouts prevailed and Pilate granted their demand. He publicly washed his hands of the decision – he took no responsibility for the death of God’s son!

Know Your Strengths

This past weekend I was one of the teachers at a leadership training weekend. I co-taught about Gallup StrengthsFinder. What a great tool! Have you heard of it? Do you know your strengths?

I was introduced to this psychometric instrument in 2005 at a Leadership Vision weekend presented by Bethel Seminary. I took the test online and discovered my top 5 strengths. It transformed my life, especially my life as a leader in the faith community. Until discovering my strengths, I had focused on shoring up my weaknesses in an attempt to lead better. How exhausting!

The key is to know and live out of your God-given strengths. Others in the faith community have complimentary strengths that fill the gaps left by my weaknesses. We need to contribute using our individual strengths. When we each bring our strengths, together we complete the picture. Brilliant. It's just like God. People, working and serving together, as a body with many parts. (1 Corinthians 12)

My strengths include arranger, activator, woo, communication and connectedness. There are 34 strengths. Interested? Check out the book, Now Discover Your Strengths.

What are your strengths? How are you using them? Has it made a difference?