NOWLeading

Dust Kunkel sits down with Clint, Chris and Kaeshawn, some of the staff at Xrossway Fitness and Life Center, and learns how ball-room dancing is strengthening community in Twin Falls, Idaho. Also, according to the Xrossway staff, it is fun! This is the first interview (with more to come) with “real-live” leaders in the field in the Northwest (NOW) District. The purpose of these interviews is to lift up good-news stories, and focus on ways we can strengthen our communities. If you laugh a little, learn a little, and maybe get encouraged a little along the way, then we’ve met our goal.

Dr. Bob Newton and Author/Researcher Gabe Lyons are introduced as the plenary speakers for the 2017 All-Workers Conference for the NOW District. Paul and Dust have a brief conversation on the question: “Why these guys?"

Paul and Dust take a side-journey into Joy, and its more than fun!

Joy is transcendent. We were made for Joy.

A conversation about having joy like a child.

The opposite of Joy is fear.

Joy is independent of circumstance.

Happiness and Joy are not synonyms. We don’t have to be happy about something to be joyful about it.

Experiencing Joy is being a “participant-observer” instead of being the “actor.”

Time-lapse photography and Joy.

Connecting the dots in the painting to find a heart-shaped reality.

“A foretaste of the feast to come”—experiencing the aroma that leads us home.

Joy shows us we are made for something more, and we are.

For leaders: “Come and See!” we don’t manufacture Joy, but we can help people experience it.

Truth can be used as a weapon to break people, but it is given for healing people.

Paul shares a moving family story—restoring someone with a simple question.

Healing truth is not passive, it “calls the question”

We have a responsibility to pursue the truth, but it requires a humble spirit.

Jesus is never surprised, this is your greatest strength because He is in the room with you.

Why this family story is so emotional for Paul.

Trust God to be the One to draw near and be the Truth.

All three things go together in Jesus: Way, Truth, Life.

Truth is a gift from God, Wisdom applies it in a way that seeks to be a blessing.

Counting sheep at night and truth!

Truth can be applied in a destructive way that can cripple people

Surgery as a metaphor: its all about circumstance and skill.

Examples in scripture about wisdom: Nathan and David, 1. Cor. 13

Love is taking on another person’s perspective

Dust and Paul leave the 30,000 foot level and come down to the ground: empathy

Empathy is hard, it takes practice.

Wisdom is not optional for leaders, it is critical.

The “sweet spot” in knowing someone and knowing what is right, comes down to love.

Being a leader who does not have all the answers.

The first task of servant leadership: listen.

Listening behind the question for what is behind it.

The journey is mutual, authority comes from the grassroots.

The wise leader listens first and speaks later.

The second task of servant leadership: be teachable.

An example from Paul’s own life illustrates his point.

The importance of leading people into discovery.

Every group has the capacity to discover God’s purpose for them — a servant leader joins the Spirit in pointing people to Jesus.

Question: “How is the Lord leading you to point away from yourself?"

Who would have thought that “thank you” was so powerful?!

Saying “thank you:” how often do I do it?

The experience of hearing “thank you” from someone.

What “thank you” does to you and me, what it does to the relationship.

Dust and Paul take a dive into the deep waters of “thank you” and its transformative power.

Practical influences, relational changes, and connection to the Spirit.

Even Jesus has feelings about being thanked.

Question: “Who are the people you need to say thank you to for the grace they give you from the Lord?"

A 3-part series diving into the deep end on leadership

Max Depree: “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say ‘thank you.’ In between the leader is a servant."

Defining reality: we live in a "post-church world"

God’s fingerprints: crucial moments in life lead people to connect spiritually.

We know that “spiritual influence” has a name and a personality — Jesus.

A good leader helps his/her faith group discern their unique community realities

Tell the truth to ourselves about what’s really going on in our neighborhoods!

A conversation about resources available for demographic and vision planning

Question: “How has my reality changed in the last few years

Who starts their day wanting to be in conflict?!

Fight or flight? There is a third way.

The leadership of being present, being engaged, and communicating.

Practicing confession and forgiveness in an 8th-grade classroom.

“How have I contributed to this situation?” — go around the circle.

A leader answers the question first!

A leader models vulnerability.

“Empty piety” does not heal relationships, facing sin together and inviting Jesus into the relationship heals it.

The Spirit helps us be vulnerable, offer forgiveness, and brings healing.

It is a practice and a behavior, not just something we talk about.

Not you or me, but we.

Let a younger generation and the Spirit teach you new things.

Question: “What is it that God is trying to teach me through the people I serve today?"

Arguing with God — Why authoritarian behavior as a leader is counterproductive.

Dealing with expectations—the “internal noise” in myself and from others.

Leading with an “empty hand”

Ministry is not my identity or my role, it's a gift, and it's for a season.

Healthy leadership starts with identity and my need for a Savior: Jesus calls me by my name. Jesus sees me, rather than my titles, tags, and expectations.

“School’s out for the summer!”: a childlike appreciation for the gift of ministry.

Take-home question: “How can I increase my level of influence with the people God has placed around me?"