Archive for the ‘People’ category
November 1, 2008
There are many different groups of people who meet and know each other in various ways. These groups of people can be a formal business group or just a group of people who are interested in the same kind of books or art. There are times when we, as members of some of those groups, want to make something happen or get something done. More often than not, nothing is eventually what happens. Even though we have very good intentions, the end result is that everything stays the same.
Used to be, you needed to convene a committee to make a proposal to get something done, especially in business. Now things are different. The one thing that is needed to move your group toward being a movement is a leader. And there is no reason that leader shouldn’t be you. Yeah, you heard me right, you have everything it takes to be a leader.
You have an idea of something that, if done, would change the way the future of your group looked. You will not be able to push people where you think the group should go. You have to lead them where you know they want to go. People want change. Change is far more inviting than “same”. Change has risk, which is why they need you to lead them.
Having a leader helps people go where they want to go. As a leader you get to see your group begin to move and become a movement. Take up the challenge and take your group that is probably stuck somewhere and be the leader we all need to get things going.
Categories: Awareness, Belief, Cultural Ideas, Influence, Leadership, People, Starting, Vision
Tags: groups, Leadership, movement
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October 31, 2008
Yes, I’m a Halloween baby. For years and years you’ve celebrated my birthday unknowingly. For those who didn’t know, some questions they’ve had have now been answered! Sometimes we have birthdays that are good and others that are bad, but today has been a great day for me. I woke up this morning and had dozens of birthday wishes on Facebook, then I had several people call and then topped it off by meeting at the Holton’s house for trick-or-treating and some good time together (there was also a cake and some good punch!).
So much as happened over the past year to be grateful for, that there simply isn’t enough time or space. Most of it boils down to good times with good friends and being able to be myself. For years I tried to fit into a mold that was made by other people, that was difficult and stressful. The transition to being yourself may be hard, but the “being” yourself part is an indescribably simpler way to live. My friends and I may not agree on everything (we don’t for the record), but the thing we do agree on is that we are friends. Being connected with people in an organic way seems to be the antidote for most of the stressful junk that most of us wade through each day.
When I think of people I want to hang out with or talk to I think of the people who are a part of Lifepoint. The best birthday present of all is to know that true friends are just a phone call away – in fact sometimes they have called before I did! This next year is certainly going to have some new stuff in it. There will be new economic, political and financial events, but in each of the different experiences awaiting in the following year, I know I’ve got people who care for me, and who I care for, that will be sharing in the experiences with me.
Categories: Awareness, Cultural Ideas, Influence, Life, Me, People
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October 29, 2008
Amy and I have wanted to take dancing lessons for a long time, and now, thanks to the Crockers we can. Tuesday night was a blast! About 32 people came together to learn how to Swing dance. We all brought canned goods which will be used to provide food for some needy families this winter season. For an hour and a half we danced and danced. Some had good rhythm and some were a little rhythm challenged, but we all had fun.
One of the things that I am enjoying the most, is being able to connect with people outside of the Sunday meeting. There is so much that we can gain from each other just by spending time and listening. I wish I could tell you that I left with no aches, but I’d be lying. My hips were reacting to movements that were foreign to them, but again, it was a great night of fun! I can’t wait for next Tuesday.
Categories: Cultural Ideas, giving, Life, People
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October 20, 2008
Sunday night is a time that a group of people from Lifepoint go out to a place in Macon on Cherry Street and 3rd called the Fountain. There is obviously a Fountain there – although it doesn’t work – and it is a time and place for a meal to be given to those who otherwise would likely go to bed hungry. The most incredible thing is that the relationships that have developed are little miracles happening throughout the week.
Previously I posted about Kamara, who is a part of the gathering at the Fountain. This Sunday I was unable to make it to the Fountain and, because he’s my friend, sent word to let Kamara know why I wasn’t there and that I was thinking about him. This kind of consideration is something that I take for granted, but it had a great impact on Kamara. He was blown away that I would be concerned about what he thought and me not showing up on Sunday night. Poverty is living without friendship. When Scripture says for us to love our neighbor as ourselves, it is giving us the opportunity to enrich those around us with the gift of friendship.
This need for friendship is why sites such as Facebook and MySpace are so popular. The currency of friendship never loses value and will withstand any economic crisis. Watch this video and understand that the gift of friendship is the most valuable commodity on the planet.
[this is a repost – the video had problems]
Categories: Awareness, Belief, Context, Creativity, giving, Influence, Kingdom of God, Life, Lifepoint, People, Uncategorized, Vision
Tags: friendship, poverty, strength
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October 13, 2008
Columbus Day is an important day because without it, the Spanish would have never found the Americas. This is somewhat funny paradoxically as many experts say that within the decade more people will speak predominately Spanish than English in the United States. Columbus was always important to me – we share a first name.
The holiday is celebrated as Day of the Cultures in Costa Rica (a place I hope to retire to). I like that. We should have a Day of the Cultures in the United States. After all, we are an amalgamation of cultures from around the globe – we should celebrate it.
I celebrated with a time being home with family – both blood family and those who I have had the privilege of calling family because we “do life together”. We talked about the future and what we wanted for our children and then we ate (because you can’t have a family gathering without food!) Life is good – not because of the stock market or the bond market or because of my paycheck. Life is good because I do not have to live it alone! Be it so for you and yours. Live life, but live it in relationship. It is the messiest, most chaotic and most wonderful way to exist on this planet we call Earth!
Categories: Belief, Context, Life, Me, People
Tags: Christopher Columbus, Columbus Day, Costa Rica, family, relationship, retire
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October 11, 2008
Well, tomorrow the staff will have an opportunity to share some of the ideas that they have for Lifepoint in 2009. For me, the idea of personal development is crucial. I can’t imagine being the point guy for personal development, but it is a concept that has connected with my very core. When I have talked with people over the past year, the one common thread has been a desire to understand their lives better and to make better decisions for it’s future.
In the past twelve months I have read more books than I have been able to post about. Most of those books have had to do with the idea of personal development. Now I’m not talking about Anthony Robbins – although he has made a good living doing his thing – I’m talking about the mechanics and psychological underpinnings of why we do the things we do. From Marcus Buckingham and his putting your strengths first approach, to Robert Torbert and his vision of action logics to Dee Hock and his view of chaordic organizations, I have read and digested and wanted to do something with the information. Now is the time.
In 2009, there will be many opportunities for people n the Middle Georgia area to come to events hosted by Lifepoint Church (that’s right, a church!) to help people in their personal development. From personal mission statements to strengths that will help you find the right job for you, Lifepoint will embark in a new era of facilitating personal growth for Middle Georgia and it’s citizens.
Needless to say, I can’t wait!
Categories: Context, Creativity, Cultural Ideas, Influence, Leadership, Life, Lifepoint, Me, People, Starting, Strengths, Vision
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October 5, 2008
It has been one year since I began blogging. Last year we were in the middle of a series called “Whatever It Takes”, and this year finds me in much more of the same place, only more extreme goals and ideas for next year. The concept of “Whatever It Takes” was about catalizing people to volunteer in areas inside the church – BTW the people of Lifepoint have done great.
More is still to come and I’ll be getting down to brass tacks in the coming weeks, but once you make the decision to do “Whatever It Takes” there really isn’t any place for stepping back.
As with anything we do in life, I have learned a number of lessons concerning blogging:
1. You may think nobody’s reading, but they are
2. When you feel a need to rant…don’t
3. Use the platform to encourage people in the development of their lives.
4. Be prepared for the parodox of your opinion.
5. When you feel the need to open yourself up a little more…do
6. You’re not going to make a living at this
7. Check your spelling twice
8. Check your hyperlinks three times
9. You don’t have to be an expert to comment on something
and finally…
10. People that you never thought you would become connected with will turn out to be the greatest teachers
Here we go again!
Categories: Creativity, Life, Me, People
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September 27, 2008
In the scientific realm there are discussions about a substance called Black Matter. This material is theoretically what connects the universe and holds everything together. Perhaps in the theoretical field the answer is Black Matter, but in the sociological field the substance that holds all of us together is Relationships.
Relationships are unique things. A relationship doesn’t just happen because two people get to know each other. A true relationship happens when two people are willing to talk and listen to each other. The skill of listening actively to each other means letting life open up in front of you. It means having truthful conversations that give vocal opportunity to everyone and each of those who have spoken feel that they have been heard because the listeners are listening well.
Imagine the last time you were in a conversation. How would you have felt if you had been able to contribute and had felt that everyone listened to your perspective? People sometimes sit quietly in discussions because one or two people are talking non stop about what matters to them. When one takes a break the other begins. This continues several times and then everyone leaves saying that “we had a good meeting”.
The truth is that valuable insight was lost because of the inability of the leader to listen instead of feeling the need to be heard him or herself. The biggest key in conversations is for us to come together as equals. In conversation there is no king and there are no peons – there can’t be for true conversation to take place. When we shed our titles and roles and simply come together as human beings, we are able to hear from varied perspectives. Though a certain answer may not come out of meeting (it seldom does), it should increase our levels of curiosity as something to be relished and sought after. The more we listen, and listen well, the more holistic a perspective all involved will have.
This next week seek out having conversations. but not so that you can be heard. In the conversation, provide plenty of time to listen completely so that the person talking feels they are being heard. You’ll find that if you do that, you will also have plenty of time to talk about the things that you care about.
Before the Internet, email, faxes and phones – even before paper and pen, human beings communicated by having conversations. Building relationships through conversations is the only way true change will ever happen.
Categories: Awareness, Influence, People, Rhythm
Tags: communicating, conversations, relationships
Comments: 1 Comment
September 27, 2008
Something amazing has happened today. Nickelodeon, Noggin, The N and NickToons have all gone dark. From noon until 3:00pm nothing will be shown on these channels. For the fifth consecutive year Nickelodeon is brokering its influence for a Worldwide Day of Play. This is the first year that all Nickelodeon networks and their comparable websites will effectively shut down in order for kids around the world to get out and play.
There have also been over 1,000 play event scheduled around the United States. This was designed as a way for Nick to encourage kids to fight obesity. Before and after the blackout, each network will show programming that is health-related. Nick has partnered with several organizations this year including the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Big Brothers and Big Sisters along with the National Football League.
What a great opportunity to for our kids to see that there is more that they can do, and that influence can be used in positive ways to motivate us toward better goals and a better life.
Categories: Awareness, Creativity, Cultural Ideas, Influence, Life, People, Sports, Vision
Tags: world wide day of play
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September 24, 2008
I have to say a word about the most important part of Lifepoint Church – Lifegroups. If you want a better explanation you can go here, but for me the experience of group life is one of community and trust unlike anything you will experience anywhere else.
In today’s society the increase in social networking sites has shown that people have a need to connect. A lot of times in church we think that we provide for this need of connecting with the services on Sunday or, in other churches, during a mid-week meeting. These venues are often one sided with communication coming from one person to a crowd and the interaction before and after the service amounting to a few minutes.
Typically, unless there is a previous interaction before the service – as with a friend co-worker or family – little or none is experienced in the service itself. This is where the Lifegroup comes into play. In a group people come together for the sole purpose of getting to know each other and talk about each others lives.
Before you ask, no, you don’t come the first week and divulge your deepest secrets only to be shackled to the group because of black-male. Believe it or not, I have had people – maybe not in those blatant terms – say basically the same thing. Lifegroups are about living life. They are about living life together with other people- not alone. How many times do you think about going out, but don’t because you don’t want to go alone. With a group there is always someone doing something with someone else.
And it’s not just for partying. When you need someone to listen or keep the kids while you go to the hospital or bring you dinner when you come home from the hospital – you’ve got your group. Life with a group is undeniably one of the most rewarding investments you can make for your family’s future and health. Talk to Dan, who heads up our Lifegroups, and start doing life together!
Categories: Life, Lifepoint, People
Comments: 1 Comment
christopherhildreth 