2010 has been an incredible year of IMPACT at Community Christian Church.  This past year we had more baptisms, more people connected, more 3C Christ-followers, more people celebrating at our weekend services, and more generosity than every before.  It's amazing to look back at how God has worked through our church to continue to pursue our mission of "helping people find their way back to God."  For a snapshot of the past year, check out Community's Annual Report right here.

Among the many people and things I am grateful for this Christmas are two of the most selfless leaders on the planet.  About 18 months ago when we decided that it was time for Community's vision of launching three sites in Chicago to come to life, I scheduled a meeting with Tim Harlow and Bill Brown at Parkview Christian Church in Orland Park. 

I was well-prepared: had our vision down, knew what I was going to ask, and prayed that God would show up in this meeting.  No sooner had I sat down in the chair across the desk from Tim that he says, "Look, we've wanted to do something in the city for a long time.  You and the team at Community have the horsepower to do something like this.  Rather than us trying to do it as well, we want to jump on board and get behind what God is already doing through you and the people at Community."  Then he said, "We're good for $50k, and I'm going to get as many of my pastor friends to jump on board as well." 

That was a day I will never forget.  Parkview is a great church -- one of the fastest growing churches in the country, with many projects and multiple visions and opportunities at every turn.  Yet they saw Chicago IMPACT as an opportunity to get in on where God was already at work through another church.  What an incredible example of selfless kingdom-minded leadership!  It's just one of the many reasons I'm feeling grateful this Christmas season.

I recently saw where Brandon Hatmaker posted the following list from Exponential:  How You and Your Friends Can Start a Missional Church Movement.  Dave and I put this list together, and it is one of those lists that I go back to over and over again as a sort of personal check up to help me avoid attitudes and behaviors that I tend to fall into when what I need to do is step up and lead. 

The list completes this phrase:  "I Know I'm Not Leading When..."
1. I wait for someone else to tell me what to do rather than taking the initiative myself.
2. I spend too much time talking about how things should be different.
3. I blame the context, surroundings, or other people for my current situation.
4. I am more concerned about being cool or accepted than doing the right thing.
5. I seek consensus rather than casting vision for a preferable future.
6. I am not taking any significant risks.
7. I accept the status quo as the way it's always been and always will be.
8. I start protecting my reputation instead of opening myself up to opposition.
9. I procrastinate to avoid making a tough call.
10. I talk to others about the problem rather than taking it to the person responsible.
11. I don't feel like my butt is on the line for anything significant.
12. I ask for way too many opinions before taking action.

One of the highlights of every Christmas season at Community is our Gift Marts.  Thanks to everyone who has contributed toys.  We have 2,111 toys collected so far of the 11,000 we need for our two East Aurora Gift Marts. So, over the next 10 days, we need to collect another 8,889 toys! Here's how you can help: *Bring toys to the Yellow Box anytime between now and Dec. 16th.  Bring toys to the Yellow Box, DownTown, Montgomery, Plainfield, Yorkville, and East Aurora Campuses this weekend. Make an on-line donation at http://www.communitychristian.org/giftmart and we will shop for you.

One of my all-time favorite Chicago Cubs will be laid to rest tomorrow:  Ron Santo.  Few athletes played or offered color commentary with such unbridled enthusiasm.  He was a great third basemen.  His color commentary alongside Pat Hughes on WGN spoke the words and emotions of every true Cub fan.  He was  a courageous human being, battling cancer and diabetes, never complaining and always moving forward.  Ron Santo will be missed.

Brian Zehr, Director of Coaching and Training for NewThing gave a great talk at our recent gathering.  He used the acronym G-R-O-W to remind us of an effective strategy for one-on-one coaching.

Goal - In one-on-one coaching ask the person you're coaching, "What do you want?" and "How will you know when you're there?"  He also suggested that we tend to ask for too many goals in a given meeting.  Try to limit the number of goals to no more than two per one-on-one session.

Reality - Examine the current reality.  Brian says it is the role of the coach to cut through the "fog" and help the person being coached to better define what is really going on.  Ask questions like:  "What are the numbers?  What are the facts?  What are you feeling?"

Options - Explore the options for achieving the goals.  Ask questions like:  "What have you tried in the past?  What worked?  What didn't work?"  Look at multiple options, and brainstorm together to find the best option.

Will - When you have chosen a path or an option, ask "When will you accomplish this goal?"  Establish a deadline.  This may be the most difficult question to ask, but if you fail to ask "Specifically, when will you do this?" you have will have not done all you can to coach this person toward success.