What’s My Motivation?

A few weeks ago I found myself in a conversation with several other small group pastors.  We were all sharing our strategy for leader recruitment and training.  It was a passionate exchange.  Not quite no-holds barred…but close.

The first guy shared a very detailed, very structured approach designed to recruit and train the highest caliber candidates.  Lots of hoops.  The highest standards.  It was an account delivered with great confidence.

There was the briefest of pauses and then another of the guys in the circle turned to me and said, “Mark, your strategy is pretty different.  Why don’t you take a minute and describe the way you recruit and develop leaders.”

“Well,” I started, “our strategies couldn’t possibly be more different.”  It was quite a moment.  It was a great next few minutes (it was the moment that prompted Leader Qualifications: Raising the Bar, Lowering the Bar, or Open Bar).

I have to say, I got a little worked up.  I feel that strongly about the issue.  Why?  What’s the big deal?

For me, it’s a serious thing because of what I believe hangs in the balance.  See, I believe that unconnected people are always one tough thing away from not being around.  An illness.  A difficult marriage or divorce.  The loss of a job.  A child making bad decisions.  It’s why I wrote The Titanic, Lifeboat 14, and Your Lobby.

One tough thing.  I know that and you do too.  Unconnected people don’t call the church when tough things happen.  They stop coming.  They abruptly disappear.

Recruiting leaders and starting groups, connecting unconnected people is about rescuing some who are one tough thing away from not being around.  It’s my motivation.  It’s the foundation of what I’m about.  It’s a life-threatening situation.  There’s no time to lose.  And I will not be stopped.  Not by hoops.  Not by high standards.  And not by the pursuit of problem-free.

Want do you think?  Have a question?  Want to argue?  You can click here to jump into the conversation.