Moving Away From ComfortLeaders Are Self-Led

"Remember not the former things… Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?" (Isaiah 43:18–19, ESV) Friday nights in the 90s often started with a drive to the strip mall to visit the local Blockbuster. I still remember that distinct smell of a thousand plastic cases mixed with the faint scent of buttered popcorn. We'd wander the aisles aimlessly, scanning rows of movies, hoping to find something good. The New Releases wall was always empty, so we ended up with two or three classic movies. A quick scan of your Blockbuster card, some microwave popcorn, and an ice-cold Coke, and our weekend was officially set, as long as you remembered to, "Be kind, rewind." At its peak, Blockbuster had nearly nine thousand stores. Those iconic blue and yellow signs were in every town. Home entertainment ran through them. They did not compete in the market. They were the market. Then a small company showed up with red envelopes and a simple question. What if people didn't have to come to us? What if movies showed up at their door? What if there were no late fees at all? Blockbuster laughed. Netflix was a novelty. A slow option for people willing to wait. Blockbuster had momentum. They were not failing. They were winning. They were comfortable. That comfort cost them. Netflix started by mailing DVDs across the country. Then, while that model was still working, they began investing in a new idea, streaming movies through the internet. No one thought it would work. Few had the bandwidth or patience. When it did work, they leaned in harder. Soon the mailed DVDs, the model that built them, was discontinued. When online content exploded, they shifted again, producing original stories and building a global platform. Netflix was never married to a method, only its mission, "to entertain the world." Blockbuster lost because they tried to protect what they were comfortable with. Netflix won because they challenged their own comfort zones. Comfort rarely looks like failure. However, that's what it becomes when you settle into a season of success. Blockbuster did not fail because it lacked resources. It failed because it clung too tightly to what worked in a previous season.

That is why the Lord says, "Remember not the former things." God is not dismissing what He has done. He is warning us not to settle there. Yesterday's success can quietly become today's blind spot if we stop perceiving what God is doing next (Isaiah 43:18–19, ESV). The Hidden Cost of Comfort There is a big cost to falling into complacency, one that should terrify a leader. It costs momentum. Momentum is built by consistently moving in the right direction over time. When you have it, everything feels easier. When you lose it, everything becomes harder. Momentum never gives you permission to coast. You are always fighting some sort of friction. If you stop adding the right amount of energy, momentum dies, and once it's gone, you may never recapture it. It costs multiplication. Multiplication is momentum that begins to compound. It takes a season of winning and turns it into sustained fruitfulness. But comfort interrupts that process. What should be multiplying suddenly starts getting managed, and management stalls growth. It costs maximum impact. The goal of a leader should be to make the greatest impact possible, leaving nothing on the table. We seek to give God the fullest return on our obedience. Comfortable leaders may stay busy, but they will never reach their maximum potential. Comfort does not destroy leaders. It limits them. Comfort becomes their ceiling. Signs You've Grown Comfortable • You reference past wins more than present opportunities. • You defend current systems more than you discern coming seasons. • You explain away holy discomfort instead of leaning into it. • You manage what exists rather than steward what God is birthing. Read those again slowly. One of them likely stung. Getting comfortable is where leadership stalls, not by failure, but in settling. You quietly trade significance for the status quo. How to Move Away From Comfort God asks, "Do you not perceive it?" He says something new is springing up. This means it is not the availability of opportunity, but your attentiveness to it. So where do we begin? 1. Start with what now feels easy. Where does your leadership no longer require faith? What can you do now without thinking that once caused you to push yourself? Ease is often the first warning sign of growing too comfortable.

2. Disrupt your routine. Growth rarely comes from big changes. It often begins with a simple disruption or change of rhythm. Delegate something you like controlling. Have the conversation you have been avoiding. Look for a new way of doing something old.

3. Choose a place to stretch your faith. Ask yourself where growth would require more faith than experience. Your maximum potential just might live on the other side of some discomfort. 4. Invite accountability into your comfortable spaces. Ask a trusted leader this question: "Where do you see me playing it safe or leaving potential untapped?" Invite feedback and discover where growth is possible. 5. Reignite hunger.Does your current vision still require God? If you fulfilled every current goal you have, would anything really change? Remember God's call on your life is immeasurably more. That has to mean more than the status quo, right? "Behold, I am doing a new thing," is an invitation to get uncomfortable again. Comfort will keep you where you are. Moving away from comfort will take you where you are called to be. Questions: 1. Where in your leadership have past wins quietly become present assumptions? In other words, what are you still doing primarily because it once worked, not because you are convinced God is calling you to do it now? 2. What area of your leadership currently feels safest, most predictable, or least dependent on God? How might that comfort be limiting your growth, influence, or maximum potential? 3. What specific discomfort is God inviting you to embrace in this next season? Name one concrete step you could take this week that would require faith, stretch your capacity, and move you away from maintenance and toward mission.

Moving Away From ComplexityLeaders Make It Better "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." – John 15:2 (ESV) What is the purpose of pruning… that less… produces more As organizations, ministries, leaders grow, so does complexity. However, complexity is not a necessity. Great leaders make things better—not by adding more, but by doing less, better. As I write this, SpaceX launched its first rocket of the year early this morning. Last year set a record for the number of launches, and this year is already on track to surpass it. SpaceX has pioneered lower-cost rockets that not only launch but return safely to Earth—a concept that was considered impossible just a few years ago. But a team of the best engineers on the planet, paired with a visionary leader willing to attempt the unthinkable, proved the doubters wrong. I recently saw Elon Musk post a picture showing the evolution of their Raptor rocket engines. These engines are ultimately designed to carry humanity to Mars. But to me, the true marvel lies in how each version has been refined. Raptor 1 looked like a tangled mess of wires, tubes, and complexity. It worked, but it was difficult to build, maintain, and reproduce. Raptor 2 was a major step forward—cleaner, more streamlined, and a genuine engineering breakthrough. Yet, the team didn't stop there. Raptor 3, the latest version, is elegant in its simplicity. It's powerful, efficient, and ruthlessly refined— the result of hundreds of intentional decisions to remove what didn't belong and simplify what remained. Elon Musk's team didn't arrive here by accident. They followed a radical but effective design philosophy. "Every requirement is dumb until proven otherwise. Delete it. Simplify. Optimize. Accelerate. Only then do you automate." This isn't just how you build rockets; it's a masterclass in leading toward simplicity. When I arrived at Grace eight years ago, we found over 50 separate ministries operating under the banner of the church. Most were siloed, competing with one another for resources and attention. We made the intentional decision to move from 50 things to four. It was a deliberate shift away from complexity. It's a timeless problem. As organizations grow, complexity inevitably creeps in. Often, it's not bad things, it's good things that no longer serve the mission. Sacred cows. Outdated processes. Organizational comfort zones. If we don't intentionally prune them, we'll never move with the power and speed the Spirit desires. Remember the words of Jesus: "Every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." – John 15:2 What Space X Can Teach Leaders 1. Question Everything "Every requirement is dumb until proven otherwise." As leaders, it's our responsibility to question every process, system, and program we engage with. We should consistently ask, "Does this serve the mission?"—until we can either validate it or eliminate it. Why do we hold this meeting? How many of these programs are truly necessary? Can one person do this instead of two? Can this leader handle more responsibility? Why does it take three classes and three months to move someone toward membership? How hard is it to onboard new leaders? Why are we using more than one communication platform? Just because something worked in a past move of God doesn't mean it belongs in the next. 2. Delete, Delete, Delete You can't simplify clutter. Before you simplify, you must eliminate. Craig Groeschel challenges his leaders to keep a "stop doing list" alongside their "to-do list." It's logical—you can't add something new until you remove something old. This year, we made the decision to eliminate our Midweek Fire service to make room for the mission. We asked: Why do we need two weekly services focused on awakening—especially when Sunday is already our strongest and most effective service for that purpose? By removing the Wednesday service, we created space and opportunity for more Grace Groups to meet on campus. That shift better aligns with our vision to train and send. What weekly or monthly meeting can be eliminated or consolidated? What process or system could lose a step or two? What volunteer or leader could be repositioned or reallocated? I promise, you can do more than you think, with less than you think you need. Eliminate what no longer helps people discover life in all its fullness. 3. Clarify What Remains Once something is stripped down to its essential parts, you must then clarify it. Every program, system, activity needs a clear and identifiable win. Every leader needs a clear and simple expectation. Clarity is essential for both mission and movement. What is the win for our Sunday service? What's the expectation for Next Steps? What's the goal of your weekly connection points? What's the purpose of your one-on-one meetings? "Write the vision; make it plain… so that he may run who reads it." (Habakkuk 2:2) Clarity empowers people to run with vision. 4. Accelerate Timeframes What is your big, bold goal for this year? What if you accelerated your timeframe? Instead of going for it slowly over the year, what if you hit it hard for 90 days? Chances are you will not make it… but what if you do? Or how much further will you be along the journey because you accelerated? When you move swiftly and quickly, it might be messy, but it could also be more missional! Remember, the Acts church moved fast because they trusted the Spirit and empowered people. So can we. 5. Automate Last I love automation. This is where systems and programs operate without your constant intervention. However The temptation is to automate first. However if you automate while there is still clutter you will only create confusion. This is why automation is the last step. Today there is a wealth of tools and resources that can steam-line processes, automate tasks and communications. Before you lock them in… make sure that the process has been perfected. Leaders Make It Better This is one of Grace World's 5 Core Leadership Behaviors: Leaders Make It Better. It means we leave things better than we found them. We don't settle for "this is how we've always done it." We treat "it is what it is" like a curse word. We question everything. We eliminate what's unnecessary. We clarify constantly. We move at the speed of the Spirit. And we multiply what matters. As leaders, we take initiative to clear obstacles. We don't wait for someone else to do it. Questions 1. What is one area in your ministry you can simplify this week to make it better? 2. What is a system, step, or sacred cow that needs to be challenged? 3. Where have you settled for the status quo instead of stewarding revival? "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life… so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." – 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 Follow Up Questions What is on thing you will STOP doing in the next 30 days? What is one thing you need to SIMIPLIFY in your life immediately? What is one BIG BOLD goal you can SPEED up?

Leadership Kryptonite #3: Critical Spirit

"'Scoffer' is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride." Proverbs 21:24 (ESV)

Zero offense intended to all the wonderful Debbys, Nellies, and Carls in our lives. Thankfully, you are not a Negative Nelly, Debby Downer, or Complaining Carl. However, I guarantee you know a few. They go by different names but always seem to work their way into a team. It's known as a critical spirit, and it is a deadly form of leadership kryptonite.

At a previous church, we had a member of our team who lived with a critical spirit. He saw everything through a negative lens. He challenged every new idea, doubted every decision, and always expected the worst. Unfortunately, he brought the entire team down.

A person with a critical spirit is to a team what water is to a fire. They quench enthusiasm, hinder progress, and create an atmosphere of negativity. To lead effectively, we must recognize and address this destructive attitude.

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Leadership Kryptonite #2: Fear & Anxiety

Paul writes, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6–7, ESV).

When fear and anxiety drive a team, they stifle creativity and innovation. They inhibit open communication, preventing honest dialogue. Together, they create misunderstandings and leave unresolved conflicts in their wake. They work against collaboration, create a culture of finger-pointing and blame-shifting, and bring down morale. Ultimately, fear and anxiety lead to indecisiveness and a reluctance to make bold choices that challenge the status quo.

This leadership kryptonite, left unchecked on your team, is like trying to drive with the emergency brake on full time.

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"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18 (ESV)

"Everything rises and falls on leadership." Maxwell calls it an irrefutable law of leadership. Every win or every loss will always be diagnosed back to one thing—leadership.

We spend a lot of time learning the principles of leadership, but what about the pitfalls? These pitfalls can break momentum, destroy a team, or turn a winning culture into a losing one.

It's leadership kryptonite.

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Rhythm of Reduction

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:15-16

As a minister, I feel the responsibility and rebuke in Paul's statement to manage our time wisely. After all, our work has eternal significance yet we only have a finite amount of time to accomplish it. Truly the harvest is great, but the workers are few!

Because of reality, I have watched many leaders and volunteers burn themselves out working to build the Kingdom of God. Yet Jesus calls us to walk with Him in the "unforced rhythms of His grace". He promised that He would not place anything heavy or ill fitting on us and called His burden easy and light.

So what is the secret to making the best use of our time and multiply our efforts without taking up an ill fitting burden?

The answer is in one of the healthy rhythms we learn from Jesus's life — the rhythm of reduction.

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Healthy Habits

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly" (Matthew 11:28– 30, MSG).

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"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector." Matthew 18:15-20

The consequences of unhealthy conflict are catastrophic; fractured relationships, dysfunction, unproductive teams, divided organizations. Fear of these things is why we often choose to avoid conflict rather than employ it. We are afraid of losing a relationship so we choose to accept the frustrating status quo rather than to take the risk of challenging it.

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Success requires leadership. It's true, nothing happens without leadership. Personal success requires personal leadership just as corporate success requires corporate leadership. This means the greatest limiting or lifting factor for success is tied to your leadership.

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"And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles" (Matthew 5:41, ESV).

"Go the extra mile" is a common phrase we use in business or leadership. The roots of this expression can be traced back to ancient Israel and the times of Jesus. The Romans had conquered the known world and built a system of highways that connected Rome to every one of their territories. It was true, "all roads lead to Rome."

Every road had a stone marker placed at each mile. The stone noted the direction and distance to the nearest town as well as back to Rome. By law, a soldier could compel a subject from one of the conquered lands to carry a load, for one mile, but one mile only..

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