(I am working on a couple of entries around a series of questions that I answered when I shared with Grace Family Church’s Next Level Leaders.  This is a group of lay adult leaders who are interested in growing and stepping up in their leadership role at the church.  When I was scheduled, I asked them to submit questions about what they wanted to discuss from the day to day workings of the church.  This was an amazing night!  Their questions were broken down into two categories:  personal and ministry. This was the first question…)

What are you watching and looking at and thinking about when you stand at the bottom of the stairs every weekend?

The only picture I could find of me at the GFC Grand Staircase. My mouth is open and I am not looking at the folks – not what I would recommend.

This was the first question on the two pages given to me.  I read it while sitting in an airport with Pastor Craig and laughed out loud because I thought it was so good.  The night I spoke, I gave the person who asked it, a $5 gift card to Starbucks for asking the “best question of the night.”  If you remember in an earlier post, I talked about the importance of asking questions and learning to ask the “right question.”  There is only one person in the world who could answer this question – me!

Here is my answer:  EVERYTHING!

When GFC built the Van Dyke Sanctuary, I decided in the building process that I needed to find a location that I could stand which would allow me to get information quickly, keep a pulse of environments, greet as many people as possible and be accessible.  I actually walked the building and courtyard as it neared conclusion and came up with this area.  I work hard to get to this spot as much as I can.  Every so often, someone or a group of people will settle there to talk to wait for someone.  I will wade right into the spot with them because I value this location so much.  It sounds petty but the reasons I listed above are very strategic to me doing my job on the weekend.

One of my responsibilities is to oversee everything that happens on a weekend.  With so many tremendous staff and volunteers doing great things in their ministries, I am very comfortable sitting back and letting them run with it.  Yet, you still need someone who is the “umbrella” to all that is happening at the campus.  I get feedback on traffic flow, air temperature, people counts, live streaming, sound levels, lighting, volunteers, resources, “situations” and even the sermon all in real-time during the service.  You can imagine that the 5pm is the most chaotic because it is the first.  A minute before that service begins, I will run up to the tiers so I can get the service related information.  The other three services, I am at the stairs or walking around gathering information about how GFC is serving those who are on the campus.

The second thing I am looking for at the bottom of the stairs are environments.  I know I can’t be everywhere but I can see how the traffic is flowing, first time guests are being greeted, the Starbucks in the lobby, the music is flowing, the preschool check in, the courtyard activity is developing – all by standing in the one spot.  I am always looking for the environments and if we can improve them.  (I am a maximizer – it is what I do.)  For example, I am looking for garbage and stray items all the time.  Do our sign up areas have people and resources so guests can get information from a friendly face, quickly?  Is someone hurrying and if they are, why so? It sounds intense but after a few times you learn to scan and pick up stuff pretty quick.

Thirdly, is I get to greet people.  If you only knew how I have grown 180 degrees on my interaction skills with people.  I used to really hate greeting.  In fact, early in my arrival at GFC, Pastor Craig pulled me aside and told me I need to “change my face” as I walked through the crowd.  He said, “I know you have things to do but you are looking so intense, people think you are angry.”  Now, I love to see the people who come to GFC.  Diverse in race, personality, career, age, talents, gifting – we have some of the most extraordinary people who call us their church home.  It is humbling.  So, I want to greet as many people as I can.  Beyond that, I ask a ton of questions while standing there to learn more about them and their lives.  It really charges me up now.  Also, I do ask about their interaction with the campus ministries. (Another way to get data and check the environments.)  The funniest thing about this part is that there are still people who do not know that I am on staff.  They think I am the most dedicated volunteer and greeter.  I started wearing a name badge a few years ago and you can see them realize “Oh, now I get it.”

Finally, I stand there for a purpose most would overlook.  On the 17 acres of that campus, sometimes it is nice to know there is a constant place to find me.  (Sounds weird)  I actually had a sweet, older woman come in one day after dropping off the 6 kids was watching.  She walked up to me and asked, “where were you the last two weeks?”  I said, “I was on vacation for one and at one of our other campuses the following week.”  She said, “Don’t do that to me…you have to be here.”  We laughed and I gave her a big hug – it was nice to be missed.  Most of the time, if a person has a question – guest, volunteer, or staff – they will head to the stairs to see if I am there.  It makes a large church  a lot smaller.  Yes, I actually thought of that a long time ago.  And yes, that means Pastor Craig knows where to find me too and he does that when he needs it.  We both can appreciate that.

So, next time you are at GFC on the Van Dyke campus, stop by the stairwell.  I will probably be there…talking, laughing, asking a question, giving a hug, picking up litter…it is what I do and where I do it!

This past weekend, the Elders and Board of GFC announced that our Lead Pastor will be taking a three-month sabbatical this summer. I am sure some had questions, but for the most part, it was met with a positive approval that truly wanted what was best for Craig and Debbie.  A sabbatical is pretty common amongst senior pastors and is a great way to get away to recharge, reflect and rejuvenate before jumping back into ministry. As someone who watches from the “next rung down,”  I am excited for them.  It isn’t easy being the final say on everything at GFC, even when you have great people under you.  In the end, you own it all.

Which brings us to a place where GFC has never gone before – three months without our lead pastor…leading us.  We have ribbed him pretty good but the truth is that in less than two weeks – we are on our own.  This is where the good news comes in – we are ready!  This has been such a great challenge for us as a staff to prepare our processes and mindsets that we have to lead “without the net.”  We have enjoyed some great conversations about how we need to communicate and implement with Craig gone.  We have proactively planned the entire summer weekend schedule and built the structure for the fall ministries to kick off.  In other words, we are ahead of schedule and on board with what we need to do.

The challenge is not the church…it is us.  Namely, the biggest challenge is me.  I have a phrase that I have been using the last few years and it really has helped me.  “I have never been in this place before.”  Seems pretty simple, huh?  How can that be so strategic when facing life’s crisis?  Simple…I give myself the grace to know that in a challenging situation, I have not faced this particular situation ever before.  Since that is true, I go out to find the answers I need for the first time.  When my daughter got married for the first time, I had never faced that before.  When Craig told me that I wouldn’t preach much anymore, I had never faced that before.  When I received the call that my dad had fallen off a roof and was being air lifted to the hospital, I had never faced that before. Even good news like that Kristin and I are going to be grandparents, Casey wanted to record a CD and Abby was going to nanny in New York….never been through those before.  Finally, even situations that have happened before like Christmas Eve at GFC, weddings, births, deaths – remember, you have never been where you are from a physical, emotional, financial, age and life perspective sense.  This one phrase gives me such a peace that God would allow something to happen at the time that He chose. It also gives me the grace I need to know that I don’t have to have all the answers. I realize I am limited in my own abilities and need God to walk with me through this.  

As the summer sabbatical is only a few days away, I am invigorated by the challenge.  I know there will be some tough situations and conversations ahead.  Ironically, I have them all the time anyway but it will be from a different perspective.  I have some ideas for staff initiatives to implement and already know that I will get asked “if Craig knew about this before he left.” (The answer is yes)  I know that I will walk into a weekend service missing my favorite pastor speaker – you would think it gets old after nineteen and a half years but I still get something out of every sermon he preaches.  This is going to be a different summer!  Yet, if we do it right, the growth at GFC and in ourselves will be immense and set us up for the next wave of ministry.

Day one of the sabbatical is coming…I have never been in this place before!

He saw through their trickery and said, “Show me a Roman coin. Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”“Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”  Luke 20:24,25

Jesus is being challenged by the religious leaders and he knows it.  Instead of venting his anger and frustration, he ask a question.  The answer to that question gives him the “fuel” to lower the boom with a statement that epitomizes common sense and amazing wisdom. After you read his final response, you say to yourself, “That is the perfect answer!”

My friend and I are going through a daily bible study where we have to text each other a verse from the reading.  This is the one I picked today.  I chose it because I want wisdom like this on a daily basis.  Life can definitely throw you some curve balls and when it does, I want to be able to say, “that was the perfect answer.”  The perfect answer doesn’t happen very often – those are rare moments where wisdom, common sense, and Godly insight come together to give an answer and direction that move the entire group forward. But good, solid answers can be a normal occurence if you employ a great tool – ask good questions.

I remember sitting with my grandfather, Ed “Pop” Williams in 5th grade when he came to visit us in Florida.  He was such a fascinating man – he had six children, a phrase “the queen is up” when my grandmother would wake up, a long career with Boston Gear and an insatiable desire to learn.  In fact, when he retired from Boston Gear, he went back to Harvard as part of their seniors program.  You could attend classes for free and he took full advantage of it.  One class he told me about was where it was student led.  Each student would get up and share a class lesson on their life passion.  He said people would talk about WWW 2 planes, chinese culture, fitness, etc.  I can only imagine the wealth of insights learned through that class.  During this visit, Pop and I are talking and two things I have remembered since then.  One, he shared with me the democratic process in America.  He said, “This is what distinguishes America from all the other countries in the world.”  Secondly, he said “Learn how to ask questions and more importantly, learn to ask the right questions.”  It is one of the most important lessons I teach my kids, the people I mentor and anyone who wants to grow in their leadership.

Questions are fuel.  If you want to grow, ask a lot of questions.  If you are unsure of what the next step is, ask more questions.  If you need more time to feel comfortable about a decision, clarifying questions will give you assurance.  Finally, if you want to honor someone else, ask them questions about themselves.  A question is not stalling or putting off what needs to be done.  It is fuel that gives you more information, insights, assurance and new-found knowledge that will allow you to walk with more confidence and wisdom.  

How does this come into play as a minister?  I face life situations all the time when people walk in my door.  If I rely on my wisdom, it isn’t going to get us very far.  When I rely on Godly wisdom and insights from the Lord, I find myself saying things and yes, asking questions, that brings out the truth.  I wish I could say every time is a winner.  I get stumped just like everyone else.  But when I feel a nudge from God to ask a question, it usually has a great effect on the outcome.  You can ask God to give you right questions and answers.  James 1:5 says, “ If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”

To take a huge step in your approach to growth, ask more questions.  Are you going to start today…that is a question?

(Can’t show you a picture of God, but here is one of Pop!  He was the real deal!)

Have you ever had a moment where your breath caught from watching someone serve unnoticed? (I know, if they are unnoticed, how do you notice them? Just go with me for a moment.)

Friday night, I attended Tampa’s National Day of Prayer at Legends Field.  The event was overseen and led by a couple who really have a heart for Tampa and the evangelistic approach to continue to bring Christ to this city.  It was pretty special to see so many people from GFC’s tech and worship band involved.  I am always so proud of our people and when they use their gifts to reach the community, it gets even bigger.  Casey and Katy led the worship team in a great time of entering into the presence of God.  The fact that it was in an open, baseball arena, made it even more special.  It is always humbling to see them use their gifts and a number of friends were gracious in taking time to share with us their love for them both.

In that whole back drop, let me tell you what blessed me the most.  Abby served at the event.  In fact, she served with a group of volunteers of diverse ethnicities and immediately became friends with some of them.  She served the pastors who were praying and speaking.  She ran and got water, she continued to walk around with peppermint candies the whole event, and even was the gatekeeper a few times.  I know, I watched from four rows behind her section.  And I shed a tear.  I don’t expect a speaker or a leader to stop and say a few words or even recognize her actions…they are focused on what they need to say.  None one came up to me and said how proud they were of her for serving.  I have been in ministry for 25 years and more of them have been spent in the back of the room, not on the stage.  I firmly believe that the people off the stage are just as important as the one on it.

For me, it fuels me in a big way.  It compels me to say “thank you” to any volunteer at GFC.  I don’t catch all of them on a weekend, but I strive to find someone serving and just say “thank you for giving of your time and energy when you could have done something for yourself.”

Abby never stopped smiling, never stopped looking for the next thing to do, never stopped putting others in front of herself.

Lesson learned…with a tear.