Epic Leadership Guide by epicsf

WHY EPIC LEADERS EXIST

We have to start with this question: Why? Why do we need leaders at Epic Church? Why should you consider being a leader here? Why does leadership matter? Why do we do what we do on our various teams at Epic? The “why” question gets to the heart of vision. God has given us a very clear vision for Epic Church. The vision of Epic Church is to see an increasing number of people in San Francisco orient their entire lives around Jesus. This is the reason why we exist as a church. There are two parts to this vision: 1) reaching as many people as possible in the influential city of San Francisco; 2) and helping them to orient, or center, all of life around Jesus. So, now you know why we exist as a church… but this doesn’t yet tell you why we need leaders. When we look all throughout the Scriptures, all throughout the history of the world, and even when we look back at the first several years of Epic Church, this much is clear: God uses leaders to make a great vision become a reality. Think about this for a moment. God could do everything Himself to make a vision become reality, only He doesn’t. One of our leadership values is this: When God gives us a specific purpose or mission, there is a part for God to play and a part for us to play.

The reason Epic Leaders exist is because God wants to use humans just like me and you to fulfill the vision He has given to our church. A great case study for why leaders exist comes from the life of Moses. Moses becomes a leader because God wants something done in the world. Specifically, God is wanting to rescue the Israelites from their slavery in Egypt. God certainly plays a major role in bringing this about, but He also uses Moses to play a significant part. Exodus 2:23 - 3:10 During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. 24 God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. 25 So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them. 3:1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb,the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight— why the bush does not burn up.” 4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” 5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father,[a] the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. 7 The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, 2

a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” Notice how this begins. We are simply told about all that God is doing. God heard. God remembered. God looked. God was concerned. So far, the only one playing a part is God. Then comes the infamous burning bush experience. Moses was tending the flock of Jethro, his fatherin-law. God gets his attention. Then God lets him know what He has seen and how He is concerned. God says, “I have come down to rescue them.” This had to make Moses excited, but he must have wondered, “Why is God telling all of this to me?” In verse 10, we learn why God is telling this to Moses. “So now, go. I am sending you to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” Perhaps, part of the reason God has sent you to San Francisco at this time is because he wants you to play a part in helping us accomplish the vision He has given Epic Church. Can you see what God is doing in Epic and in San Francisco? How might He be calling you to be a part of it?

The reason Epic Leaders exist is because God wants to use humans great case study for why leaders exist comes from the life of Moses. Moses becomes a leader because God wants something done in the slavery in Egypt. God certainly plays a major role in bringing this Notice how this begins. We are simply told about all that God is doing. God heard. God remembered. God looked. God was concerned. So far, the only one playing a part is God. Then comes the infamous burning for help because of their slavery went up to God. 24 God heard with Isaac and with Jacob. 25 So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.

them.” This had to make Moses excited, but he must have wondered, “Why is God telling all of this to me?”

at this time is because he wants you to play a part in helping us accomplish the vision He has given Epic Church. why the bush does not burn up.” Can you see what God is doing in Epic and in San Francisco? How might He be calling you to be a part of it?

was afraid to look at God. in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and

work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

WHO EPIC LEADERS ARE

As Christian leaders, never forget this: WE ARE FOLLOWERS BEFORE WE ARE LEADERS. Before we lead others, let’s make sure we are orienting our entire lives around Jesus. We can’t give others what we lack ourselves. Never forget what Jesus said in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” One of the greatest leadership lessons we can learn from watching other leaders throughout the world is this: It is dangerous to have an outer life that your inner life cannot keep up with. “One of the great and subtle temptations of leadership is to neglect the inner life and your relationship with God because of the many things which demand immediate attention.” - Steven Croft, The Gift of Leadership “Because my inner life is invisible, it is easy to neglect.” - John Ortberg, Soul Keeping “The most important thing in your life is not what you do; it’s who you become.” - Dallas Willard Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good 4

Galatians 4:19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is FORMED in you. Christian leadership certainly has a lot to do with the work that we do for God and we’ll get there in the next section. We’re mostly interested in what we can produce in this world, but God is mostly interested in what He can produce in us. Here’s a question we should ask: How can I position myself so that God can do His work in me? Luke 6:43-45 No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. At the end of the day, what goes into us is what comes out of us. We can only give this world the person we truly are. And if we don’t fill ourselves with the right things, it will affect us and those we lead. This is where spiritual practices (also called “spiritual disciplines”) come into play. One of the best books on spiritual practices is Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. It is a great resource to learn more about the various practices. Epic did a teaching series on spiritual practices called Formed that you can access on the media page of our website. For our purposes here, this is a list of some of the spiritual practices we want to pursue as Epic Leaders:

work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

WHO EPIC LEADERS ARE of childbirth until Christ is FORMED in you.

WE ARE FOLLOWERS BEFORE WE ARE LEADERS. Before we lead others, let’s make sure we are orienting our entire lives around Jesus. We can’t give others what we lack ourselves. Never for

Christian leadership certainly has a lot to do with the work that we do for God and we’ll get there in the next section. We’re mostly interested in what we can produce in this world, but God is mostly interested in what He can produce in us. can do His work in me?

me you can do nothing.” One of the greatest leadership lessons we can learn from watching other leaders throughout the world is this: It is dangerous to have an outer life that your inner life cannot keep up with.

45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

“One of the great and subtle temptations of leadership is to neglect the inner life and your relationship with God because of the many things which demand immediate attention.”

“Because my inner life is invisible, it is easy to neglect.”

“The most important thing in your life is not what you do; it’s who you become.”

This is where spiritual practices (also called “spiritual disciplines”) come into play. One of the best books on spiritual practices is learn more about the various practices. Epic did a teaching series on spiritual practices called Formed that you can access on the media page of our website. For our purposes here, this is a list of some of the spiritual practices we want to pursue as Epic Leaders:

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Scripture and Prayer (These are primary and something we should be engaged in daily.)

some quotes and additional thoughts from this resource:

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Silence

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Solitude

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Fasting

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Worship

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Sabbath

“One measure for whether or not you’re rested enough – besides falling asleep in board meetings – is to ask yourself this: How much do I care about the things I care about? When we lose concern for people, both the lost and the found, for the bride of Christ, for friendship, for truth and beauty and goodness; when we cease to laugh when our children laugh (and instead yell at them to quiet down) or weep when our spouses weep (and instead wish they didn’t get so emotional); when we hear news of trouble among our neighbors and our first thought is that we hope it isn’t going to involve us – when we stop caring about the things we care about – that’s a signal we’re too busy. We have let ourselves be consumed by the things that feed the ego but starve the soul.” Don’t miss the last sentence; reread it. So many leaders have fallen because they focused on the ego part and neglected to take care of their souls.

There are several books that speak to the inner life of a leader. One of those books is The Contemplative Minister by Ian Cowley. Below are some quotes from this book: “I would only be able to sustain the work to which I knew I had been called if I lived each day in active dependence and trust in God.” “The value of what we do will flow directly from who we are.” “In such demanding contexts, unless we are deeply sustained by the resources which only Christ can give us, we are all too likely to lose our way, and perhaps even lose our vocation.” “God meets us where we are, not where we would like to be or where we would like other people to think we are.” “Putting first things first in ministry means that we make the nurture of our relationship with God the priority of our lives.” One of the things most driven leaders overlook is their need for rest and replenishment. We tend to wear busyness as a badge of honor and that has to stop if we are going to be the kind of leaders God intends for us to be. The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan is a book that can help us pay attention to the part of life we often ignore the most. Here are 6

“Busyness kills the heart. Busyness makes us stop caring about the things we care about. And not only that. Busyness also robs us of knowing God the way we might.” Being constantly busy is not a sign that you are a great leader; it’s a sign that the opposite is likely true. “A common characteristic of driven people is that, at some point, they forget the purpose. They lose the point. The very reason they began something – embarked on a journey, undertook a project, waged a war, entered a profession, married a girl – erodes under the weight of their striving. Their original inspiration may be noble. But driven too hard, it gets supplanted by greed for more, or dread of setback, or force of habit.” Questions to ponder in light of this quote: Why did you first get into serving and leading? What would it look like to get back to that reason?

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Scripture and Prayer (These are primary and something we should be engaged in daily.)

some quotes and additional thoughts from this resource:

•

Silence

•

Solitude

•

Fasting

•

Worship

•

Sabbath

There are several books that speak to the inner life of a leader. One of some quotes from this book: “I would only be able to sustain the work to which I knew I had been called if I lived each day in active dependence and trust in God.”

“In such demanding contexts, unless we are deeply sustained by the resources which only Christ can give us, we are all too likely to lose our way, and perhaps even lose our vocation.” “God meets us where we are, not where we would like to be or where we would like other people to think we are.”

our relationship with God the priority of our lives.” One of the things most driven leaders overlook is their need for rest and replenishment. We tend to wear busyness as a badge of honor and that has to stop if we are going to be the kind of leaders God intends for us to be. The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan is a book that can help

going to involve us – when we stop caring about the things we care about – that’s a signal we’re too busy. We have let ourselves be consumed by the things that feed the ego but starve the soul.” sentence; reread it. So many leaders have fallen because they focused on the ego part and neglected to take care of their souls. “Busyness kills the heart. Busyness makes us stop caring about the things we care about. And not only that. Busyness also robs us of knowing God the way we might.” Being constantly busy is not a sign that you are a great leader; it’s a sign that the opposite is likely true. “A common characteristic of driven people is that, at some point, they forget the purpose. They lose the point. The very reason they began something – embarked on a journey, undertook a project, waged a war, entered a profession, married a girl – erodes under the weight of their striving. Their original inspiration may be noble. But driven too hard, it gets supplanted by greed for more, or dread of setback, or force of habit.” Questions to ponder in light of this quote:

“If God works all things together for good for those who love him and are called to his purposes, you can relax. If he doesn’t, start worrying. If God can take any mess, any mishap, any wastage, any wreckage, any anything, and choreograph beauty and meaning from it, then you can take a day off. If he can’t, get busy. Either God’s always at work, watching the city, building the house, or you need to try harder. Either God is good and is in control, or it all depends on you.” This last quote is a reminder of a Scripture that became the foundation for how Epic Church started. These were the two verses shared at Epic’s very first meeting in 2010, which was attended by 13 people in a living room. Psalm 127:1-2 Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he grants sleep to those he loves. God is limitless; we are not. God created us to rest, to be refilled, to be replenished. And if we don’t pay attention to the rhythms He intends for us to adhere to, we will pay a price and so will the people we are called to lead. The best thing you bring to the table is a filled bucket and a heart that is right with God. Jesus models this so well for us in Mark 1:29-37. Read the entire text on your own, but let’s look at a few things that we see him do: •

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Jesus is doing ministry in this setting. He heals Peter’s motherin-law. That same evening, they brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. Here’s what the text actually says happened “The WHOLE town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons…” So Jesus has been doing a lot. At this point, many leaders would 8

be so addicted to the adrenaline that comes with these results or they would convince themselves that everyone needs them at all times. Would Jesus follow this same pattern? •

Mark 1:35 - “Very early in the morning, while it was STILL DARK, Jesus got up, LEFT the house and went off to a SOLITARY place, where he PRAYED.” Jesus calls a timeout from all of the leading He had been doing. Why? He needed to be alone with his Heavenly Father. His soul needed to be filled up again before he was ready to step back into all that he would need to do next.

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Notice this from Mark 1:36-37: “Simon and his companions went to look for him (Jesus), and when they found him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for you!’” Jesus knew what it was like to have incredible demands placed on his life by others. That didn’t matter to him. He knew what was needed if he was going to continue taking care of the people he had been sent to lead. If Jesus needed to take the time away, why would we think that we can just keep producing without doing the same?

Here’s another occasion where we see Jesus do something similar: Luke 5:15-16 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that the crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus OFTEN withdrew to lonely places and prayed. How are you moving between engagement and disengagement? Time with the people you lead and time alone? If Jesus did this often, it probably won’t be sufficient for us to only do it occasionally. In his book, The Emotionally Healthy Leader, Peter Scazzero gives some questions that can help us see what we need to be doing with our time:

be so addicted to the adrenaline that comes with these results or they would convince themselves that everyone needs them at all times. Would Jesus follow this same pattern? •

is in control, or it all depends on you.” This last quote is a reminder of a Scripture that became the foundation for how Epic Church started. which was attended by 13 people in a living room.

food to eat - for he grants sleep to those he loves.

ing He had been doing. Why? He needed to be alone with his was ready to step back into all that he would need to do next. • went to look for him (Jesus), and when they found him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for you!’” Jesus knew what it was like to have incredible demands placed on his life by others. That didn’t matter to him. He knew what was needed if he was going Jesus needed to take the time away, why would we think that we can just keep producing without doing the same?

for us to adhere to, we will pay a price and so will the people we are called to lead.

Here’s another occasion where we see Jesus do something similar:

that the crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus OFTEN withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

that is right with God.

your own, but let’s look at a few things that we see him do:

How are you moving between engagement and disengagement? Time

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“The WHOLE town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons…” • 8

some questions that can help us see what we need to be doing with our time:

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What do you currently do that nurtures your spirit and fills you with delight? What people, places, and activities do you need to avoid because they deplete you or make it difficult for you to remain anchored in Christ? What “have to’s” impact your rhythms in this season of life? (These could be caring for aging parents, raising a young child, dealing with health issues, etc.)

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Unplug from technology during this time.

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Worship. Pray. Delight in God’s creation. Take a walk. Listen to music. Enjoy. Take a nap.

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The practice of Sabbath will remind you that God is holding your world up.

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You will re-enter your work with renewed energy, renewed thinking, and a renewed heart.

Practicing a weekly Sabbath time is critical for leaders.

T H E I M P O R TA N C E O F S E L F - L E A D E R S H I P

Some of you may think you or your role is too important to practice the Sabbath. Just think about that for a moment. So God weaves this principle into the universe, He observes it, He rests from His work… but you and your work are too important? Because you lead a massive company? Because you’re working on the next game? Because we want Epic to be the most amazing church ever? Who do we think we are?

We can all agree that leading others can be quite the challenge. Sometimes people aren’t as nice as we wish they were. Sometimes people aren’t as competent as we would prefer them to be. Sometimes people are critical of our leadership. Leading people can be a real challenge. Who would you say is the most difficult person for you to lead?

Sabbath-keeping is the primary discipline that helps us to live within the limits of our humanity and to honor God as our Creator. (Ruth Haley Barton)

“Before we can conquer the world, we must first conquer the self.” - J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership

“Emotionally unhealthy leaders do not practice Sabbath - a weekly, twenty-four-hour period in which they cease all work and rest, delight in God’s gifts, and enjoy life with him.” - Peter Scazzero, The Emotionally Healthy Leader Practical Thoughts for Observing Sabbath: •

24 hours might seem impossible. But choose some block of time each week...preferably the same time, same day each week - to establish a rhythm. 10

The most difficult person you will ever lead is YOU.

“Throughout the Bible we find a pattern where God impacts a key leader before He uses that leader to accomplish greater things with the group he/she leads.” - Steve Stroope, Tribal Church “Nothing so conclusively proves a man’s ability to lead others as what he does from day to day to lead himself.” – Thomas Watson, former chairman of IBM Not only is self-leadership really important; so is self-awareness. 11

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• with delight?

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What people, places, and activities do you need to avoid because

music. Enjoy. Take a nap. •

in Christ? •

Unplug from technology during this time.

What “have to’s” impact your rhythms in this season of life? (These could be caring for aging parents, raising a young child, dealing with health issues, etc.)

The practice of Sabbath will remind you that God is holding your world up.

• ing, and a renewed heart.

T H E I M P O R TA N C E O F S E L F - L E A D E R S H I P Some of you may think you or your role is too important to practice the Sabbath. Just think about that for a moment. So God weaves this principle into the universe, He observes it, He rests from His work… but you and your work are too important? Because you lead a massive company? Because you’re working on the next game? Because we

are? Sabbath-keeping is the primary discipline that helps us to live within the limits of our humanity and to honor God as our Creator. (Ruth Haley Barton)

twenty-four-hour period in which they cease all work and rest, delight in

before He uses that leader to accomplish greater things with the group he/she leads.”

Practical Thoughts for Observing Sabbath:

“Nothing so conclusively proves a man’s ability to lead others as what he does from day to day to lead himself.”

•

24 hours might seem impossible. But choose some block of time establish a rhythm. 10

Self-awareness doesn’t mean self-interest or self-absorption. So many people today seem to be obsessed about themselves. This is not what we are talking about. Self-awareness is being aware of how God has uniquely made you as a person and called you as a leader. How can you discover your purpose in life? “The search for the purpose of life has puzzled people for thousands of years. That’s because we typically begin at the wrong starting point – ourselves…You didn’t create yourself, so there is no way you can tell yourself what you were created for.” - Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life What specific gifts and abilities has God given to you? This might be a good time to talk about the difference between our natural abilities and our supernatural abilities, or what we refer to as our “spiritual gifts”. God has given every person on planet earth natural gifts and abilities.

N AT U R A L A B I L I T I E S •

What you do well

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What tends to come easier to you than to the rest of us

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Don’t have to be a Christian to have natural abilities (obviously)

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You can discern some of these abilities or strengths through assessments like Strengths Finder (http://www.strengthsfinder. com/)

Steve Stroope, a pastor in Texas, created a framework that can help you think about your abilities and gifting. Spend some time thinking about things you do in life that fall into the following categories: what you’re bad at, what you’re good at, what you’re excellent at, and what 12

are your unique abilities. Things You’re Bad At This is something that you do poorly—you might even be incompetent at it—but you have to do it to make it through your day. In the early days of a company or a church or almost anything – you have to do things that you may not be suited for at all. Things You’re Good At This is an area where you have sufficient skill, but no one would pay you to do it full-time. Maybe you’re an amazing travel agent. You know how to discover the tricks that bring the best deals on travel, but no one is going to pay you to do that as your main job. Things You’re Excellent At You excel in this area and are highly competent, and if you had to, you could do it professionally. Your Unique Ability This is what God knit you in your mother’s womb to do. Not only do you excel at this, but you feel most alive when doing it. This seems like a simple assessment. However, the beauty in this exercise is in figuring out the difference between the things you excel at and what your unique abilities are. To the outside world, these two look identical. You have success in both. People seek you out to hear your wisdom on both. The difference then? One of these will drain you, while the other one will energize you. The goal is to try to spend as much of our time and energy working in these “unique abilities”. *Disclaimer: Sometimes God calls us to do things outside of our giftings. Do WHATEVER God calls you to do. But we need to know that the general rule about our natural gifts is that God gives them 13

are your unique abilities. people today seem to be obsessed about themselves. This is not what uniquely made you as a person and called you as a leader. How can you discover your purpose in life? “The search for the purpose of life has puzzled people for thousands of years. That’s because we typically begin at the wrong starting point – ourselves…You didn’t create yourself, so there is no way you can tell yourself what you were created for.”

Things You’re Bad At This is something that you do poorly—you might even be incompetent days of a company or a church or almost anything – you have to do things that you may not be suited for at all. Things You’re Good At

how to discover the tricks that bring the best deals on travel, but no one is going to pay you to do that as your main job. and our supernatural abilities, or what we refer to as our “spiritual

Things You’re Excellent At

abilities.

could do it professionally.

N AT U R A L A B I L I T I E S

This is what God knit you in your mother’s womb to do. Not only do you excel at this, but you feel most alive when doing it. This seems like

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What you do well

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What tends to come easier to you than to the rest of us

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unique abilities are.

• com/) Steve Stroope, a pastor in Texas, created a framework that can help about things you do in life that fall into the following categories: what you’re bad at, what you’re good at, what you’re excellent at, and what 12

The goal is to try to spend as much of our time and energy working in these “unique abilities”. *Disclaimer: Sometimes God calls us to do things outside of our

to us so that we employ our gifts and use the abilities He gave to us.

S P I R I T UA L G I F T S “Spiritual leadership requires superior spiritual power, which can never be generated by the self. There is no such thing as a self-made spiritual leader.” – J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership “Spiritual gifts are special abilities given by the Holy Spirit and distributed to every believer according to God’s design and grace for the common good of the body of Christ.” –Bruce Bugbee and Don Cousins, Network

same. The primary passage on this comes from Mark 10. The reason Jesus makes this statement is because James and John have been requesting primary positions within the kingdom of God. Do not miss the response from Jesus here: Mark 10:42-45 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers (leaders) of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” “True greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you. True service is never without cost.” - J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership

If it’s been a while since you have taken a Spiritual Gifts test, let me encourage you to do that now. You can take a test for free at https:// www.freeshapetest.com/ You will receive a report. We want to encourage you to email this report to your Epic coach or to an Epic staff member. Plan a time to discuss your results with them.

Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

It’s not enough to recognize the spiritual gifts God has given to us. We must also find ways to employ those gifts. Based on your gifts, what areas should you be serving – in the church, in the community, in your job, or in any other arenas?

May we always value who we are more than what we do. We will continue to be tempted to focus on the external. But remember - God first looks at our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7). And who we truly are - this is all we can give to those we lead.

E P I C L E A D E R S A R E S E R VA N T S This is the way of Jesus. If we are going to orient our leadership around Jesus, this will be our path too. There are way too many “leaders” who are in it for themselves - their wealth, their status, their significance, and their fame. Jesus modeled a different way and called us to do the 14

us.

Jesus makes this statement is because James and John have been the response from Jesus here:

S P I R I T UA L G I F T S

that those who are regarded as rulers (leaders) of the Gentiles lord

be generated by the self. There is no such thing as a self-made spiritual leader.” – J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership ed to every believer according to God’s design and grace for the common good of the body of Christ.”

“True greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you. True service is never without cost.”

ing to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

member. Plan a time to discuss your results with them.

May we always value who we are more than what we do. We will con can give to those we lead.

E P I C L E A D E R S A R E S E R VA N T S Jesus, this will be our path too. There are way too many “leaders” who

ask you to give Him what He hasn’t first given to you.

W H AT E P I C L E A D E R S D O

Epic Leaders must own, embody, and carry the vision. Otherwise, they aren’t leaders. Epic Leaders sacrifice the most. Epic Leaders do whatever it takes to accomplish the mission. Epic Leaders are in it for the good of everyone, not just themselves. Epic Leaders bring their best. God gives His very best to us. We want to give our very best to Him. We have been called to be image-bearers of God (Genesis 1:27). When we give our best as leaders, we reflect God to those we are leading. What does it look like to give your best in the area(s) you are currently leading in at Epic? We don’t get to determine how many talents/gifts God gives to us. But, we are the ones who choose how we will steward those gifts. (Read The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30) What God has given you is His gift to you. What you do with it is your gift to Him. One of the themes in the book of Malachi is this principle of bringing one’s best. Read the four chapters on your own and see what stands out to you. When our best is available, but we refuse to give it to God and to others - something is off. Here’s the freeing thing: God will never 16

E P I C L E A D E R S H AV E A G R OW T H M I N D S E T We do not live with an arrival mentality. We are always learning and growing. To do this, we stay humble and teachable. How can we grow as leaders? •

Study various leaders in the Scriptures (Jesus, Moses, Paul, Nehemiah, Joshua, Esther, Daniel, etc.)

•

Read leadership books. Check out the “recommended reading” list in the appendix of this booklet.

•

Get a coach. Seek out people who have done the kinds of things as a leader that you’d like to do one day. Ask for their time. Prepare great questions to ask them. Ask how they did certain things that have led them to where they are today.

•

Leaders need to ask this in every season: What 1-2 skills could I grow in that would take my leadership to the next level?

How to think about your own growth: •

If no specific topic of growth is pressing - read general books on the inner life, theology, business, leadership, etc.

•

If there are specific areas of interest or specific areas that you know you need to grow in - pursue resources and coaching around those topics.

One of Epic’s leadership values is important here: Direction > Destination Leaders live with a growth mindset over a fixed mindset. Let’s not 17

W H AT E P I C L E A D E R S D O

E P I C L E A D E R S H AV E A G R OW T H M I N D S E T We do not live with an arrival mentality. We are always learning and growing. To do this, we stay humble and teachable. How can we grow as leaders?

they aren’t leaders.

•

accomplish the mission. Epic Leaders are in it for the good of every one, not just themselves. Epic Leaders bring their best. God gives His very best to us. We want to

Study various leaders in the Scriptures (Jesus, Moses, Paul,

• list in the appendix of this booklet. •

Get a coach. Seek out people who have done the kinds of things

things that have led them to where they are today.

those we are leading.

• grow in that would take my leadership to the next level?

What does it look like to give your best in the area(s) you are cur-

How to think about your own growth: • the inner life, theology, business, leadership, etc. • around those topics. One of the themes in the book of Malachi is this principle of bringing out to you. When our best is available, but we refuse to give it to God

One of Epic’s leadership values is important here: Direction > Destination

think we are getting a grade from God every day on whether we were a great leader that day. Let’s see it this way instead - God is developing us as a leader and we will continue to grow as leaders until we are no longer on this earth.

Acts 20:24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

CO N T E N TM E N T A N D A M B I T I O N F O R L E A D E R S

EPIC LEADERS CAST VISION

Ambition exists inside of most leaders. Is ambition a good thing or bad thing? I think it depends on what the ambition is for. For many leaders, ambition can be about bringing yourself contentment. We believe that if we do what is significant, then we can find contentment. This is not the kind of ambition that is good.

It is the job of a leader to cast vision. A vision is a picture of a preferred future - for an individual, a family, a team, an organization, or an entire church. We must be sharing the vision all of the time, in a variety of ways.

By God’s grace, He can bring you to a place of contentment that isn’t dependent upon your performance or accomplishments. You don’t need to get to a certain place in your career or relationships or status to have contentment. This contentment discovery in your life is a gift from God. Contentment + Godly motivation + a heart for serving people = permission to have Ambition When you no longer want or need to lead or have a following to gain contentment, you are now free to make an ever bigger impact. If God is doing something in your life and you could be useful to others, then you can’t just keep it all to yourself. A couple of life verses that show the ambition that Jesus and Paul both had: John 4:34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.”

“However, an essential part of being a Christian leader is a holy discontent with the way the world is now and a longing for it to be better in specific and real ways which make a difference in people’s lives and then to dedicate yourself, with others, to making that vision a reality. All too often, leaders who are Christians neglect to nurture a fresh vision of what is possible within our own situation and our leadership is less than it could be.” - Steven Croft, The Gift of Leadership Vision begins when we think about the gap that exists between today’s reality and our preferred future. When casting vision, we are always pointing people towards what could be and even what should be. Communication/Vision-Casting Template when Launching a New Initiative 1. Share the exciting opportunity. a. I want to share something really exciting with you. b. We want to let you know about a brand new initiative. c. We are going to have the chance to _______________. 19

think we are getting a grade from God every day on whether we were

Acts 20:24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious

us as a leader and we will continue to grow as leaders until we are no longer on this earth.

of God.

CO N T E N TM E N T A N D A M B I T I O N F O R L E A D E R S

EPIC LEADERS CAST VISION

ambition can be about bringing yourself contentment. We believe that

church. We must be sharing the vision all of the time, in a variety of ways.

the kind of ambition that is good. By God’s grace, He can bring you to a place of contentment that isn’t

“However, an essential part of being a Christian leader is a holy discontent with the way the world is now and a longing for it to be better in

need to get to a certain place in your career or relationships or status

to dedicate yourself, with others, to making that vision a reality. All too

from God. ” Contentment + Godly motivation + a heart for serving people = permission to have Ambition When you no longer want or need to lead or have a following to gain

reality and our preferred future. When casting vision, we are always pointing people towards what could be and even what should be.

is doing something in your life and you could be useful to others, then you can’t just keep it all to yourself. Initiative had:

1. Share the exciting opportunity. a.

sent me and to accomplish his work.”

b. We want to let you know about a brand new initiative. c. We are going to have the chance to _______________. 19

2. Share the challenge that stands in the way of pulling this off. a. “We can only launch this online campus if we are able to expand our current production team.” b. “We can only build out this new facility if each of us play our part in giving what we can.” 3. Share that this is something we/you can do. a. We can do this. b. God has given us what we need to accomplish this. c. When we think about a church that didn’t exist, a decade ago, into what it has become today...perhaps God can do this through us as well. Because we are involved in spiritual leadership, we also should have a framework for how to help people live out God’s vision for their personal lives: God’s Vision for my Life framework 1. A person shares what they want to ask about, talk about, or share from their own story. 2. We bring it back to a 30,000 foot level by asking: Has God given us a vision for how He wants us to live? Yes, we believe He has revealed this in the Scriptures.

5. Vision statement is so helpful here. God has given us a vision and our aim as a church is to orient our entire lives (including whatever issue is being addressed) around Jesus. 6. Jesus has a vision for my life. It begins here for all of us: a. Mark 8:34-38 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” b. To follow God’s vision for our lives, we will have to be willing to deny ourselves of our own vision for our lives. 7. We should not be surprised that Jesus would make great demands on our lives. Mark 10:21-22 (The Rich Man) Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. 8. Grace and Truth must live in tension.

3. One dominant thing happening in our world is the belief that the individual is king. This creeps into our thinking as Christians and even into the church.

a. John 8:11b (to the woman caught in the act of adultery) “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

4. We must remember we are people who have Jesus as Lord/ Master and that we belong ultimately to God, not ourselves. Since I belong to God, how should I think and live out things like: how I use my money, my sexual practice, how I do my work...has God given us a vision for this particular thing?

b. There is no condemnation from Jesus, but there is a command to go and leave your life of sin. Repentance must be something we’re willing to do if we’re going to follow Jesus - we must continually align our lives with God’s vision for our lives.

5. our aim as a church is to orient our entire lives (including whatev er issue is being addressed) around Jesus.

a. “We can only launch this online campus if we are able to ex pand our current production team.” b. “We can only build out this new facility if each of us play our part in giving what we can.” 3. Share that this is something we/you can do. a. We can do this. b. God has given us what we need to accomplish this. c. When we think about a church that didn’t exist, a decade ago, into what it has become today...perhaps God can do this through us as well. Because we are involved in spiritual leadership, we also should have a framework for how to help people live out God’s vision for their per sonal lives:

6. a. disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” b. To follow God’s vision for our lives, we will have to be willing to deny ourselves of our own vision for our lives. We should not be surprised that Jesus would make great de

at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have

share from their own story. 2.

fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. revealed this in the Scriptures.

8. Grace and Truth must live in tension.

3. One dominant thing happening in our world is the belief that the individual is king. This creeps into our thinking as Christians and even into the church.

a. John 8:11b (to the woman caught in the act of adultery) “Then

4. We must remember we are people who have Jesus as Lord/ Master and that we belong ultimately to God, not ourselves.

b. There is no condemnation from Jesus, but there is a com

leave your life of sin.”

something we’re willing to do if we’re going to follow Jesus God given us a vision for this particular thing?

lives.

Part of leadership involves a willingness to make BIG ASKS.

F O C U S O N W H AT M AT T E R S M O S T

Steps to Making the Big Ask:

There are more opportunities today than there have ever been. While this sounds like a good thing, it means we have more potential for distractions today than at any other time in history. The best leaders bring a ton of focus to only a few things at a time.

•

Gain clarity on who you need to ask to do what.

•

Pray and ask God to be at work when you make the ask.

•

Share the vision of the what and why it’s so important.

•

Share why you believe they would be the ideal person to have this role.

•

Make the ask crystal clear.

How We Challenge People at Epic

One of our leadership values at Epic is this - Few Yes’s and Many No’s. “Clarity about what matters provides clarity about what does not.” - Cal Newport, Deep Work (This is a great book to read if you would like to stay more focused on the work that matters most in your life.) This comes from Greg McKeown’s book, Essentialism:

We increase our challenge to people when one or more of these things is present: • Our relationship with them reaches the place where we have the relational foundation to speak additional challenge into their life. •

We are wanting to give them a greater leadership responsibility than they currently possess. We share something like this with them: “I think that you would be great at ___________. However, in order for you to take on that level of leadership, here are some areas of growth that need to happen.”

•

They are seeking to increase their level of leadership within Epic. They come to you asking for an increasing level of leadership. Again, you share a growth opportunity for them that needs to be practiced before they are the right person to begin leading at that level.

•

They are making statements about their level of spiritual maturity that we can clearly see are inconsistent with how they’re living their lives. The Scriptures teach that there will be evidence (or fruit) of a life that is centered on Jesus. (see Matthew 7:16) 22

(the above image show what happens when we try to do everything versus giving our time / energy to one thing)

One of the greatest things that every leader, team, and organization can do is this - know the few things that matter most in a given time period. The following quote captures this principle: “He or she must thoughtfully weigh the value of different opportunities and responsibilities. The leader cannot spend time on secondary matters while essential obligations scream for attention. A day needs careful 23

Part of leadership involves a willingness to make BIG ASKS.

•

Gain clarity on who you need to ask to do what.

•

Pray and ask God to be at work when you make the ask.

•

Share the vision of the what and why it’s so important.

•

Share why you believe they would be the ideal person to have this role.

•

Make the ask crystal clear.

F O C U S O N W H AT M AT T E R S M O S T There are more opportunities today than there have ever been. While this sounds like a good thing, it means we have more potential for distractions today than at any other time in history. The best leaders bring a ton of focus to only a few things at a time.

“Clarity about what matters provides clarity about what does not.” (This is a great book to read if you would like to stay more focused on the work that matters most in your life.)

We are wanting to give them a greater leadership responsibil ity than they currently possess. We share something like this However, in order for you to take on that level of leadership, here are some areas of growth that need to happen.”

•

They are seeking to increase their level of leadership within Epic. They come to you asking for an increasing level of leadership. be practiced before they are the right person to begin leading at that level.

•

They are making statements about their level of spiritual maturi ty that we can clearly see are inconsistent with how they’re living their lives. The Scriptures teach that there will be evidence (or

(the above image show what happens when we try to do everything versus giving our time / energy to one thing)

period. The following quote captures this principle:

and responsibilities. The leader cannot spend time on secondary matters while essential obligations scream for attention. A day needs careful 23

planning. The person who wants to excel must select and reject, then concentrate on the most important items.” - J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership Here are some more quotes from this same book by Sanders on the topic of time, focus, and priorities: “Each of us has the time to do the whole will of God for our lives.” “Often the pressure a spiritual leader feels comes from assuming tasks that God has not assigned; for such tasks the leader cannot expect God to supply the extra strength required.” “Every call for help is not necessarily a call from God, for it is impossible to respond to every need. If the leader sincerely plans his day in prayer, then executes the plan with all energy and eagerness, that is enough. A leader is responsible only for what lies within the range of control. The rest he should trust to our loving and competent heavenly Father.”

A few more quotes, as we consider how we schedule our days: “I also believe it is important to schedule your most essential tasks during the time of the day when you are at your best. Most of us operate better at a particular time of day. For some, the most creative and energetic time is in the morning. For others, afternoon brings a second wind. Still others thrive during the evening hours.” - Steve Stroope, Tribal Church “For me, the most important and challenging thing I do is create fresh content on a weekly basis. For me personally, my best focus time is in the mornings. Knowing these two things, how do you think I should schedule my morning work times? Exactly! I give Tuesday mornings to big-picture staff meetings (because of how crucial this part of my role is) and I give 24

Wednesday through Friday mornings to creating fresh content.” - Ben Pilgreen, Epic Church In light of knowing how you are wired, knowing the most important work God has given you to do, and knowing your time is limited: What work should you be doing at what time? “If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.” - Greg McKeown, Essentialism Here’s a guiding question for what to focus on throughout your month, your week, and your day: What is most important, right now? Here’s another helpful question for focusing yourself, your team, or even an entire organization: If we accomplish only one thing during the next ______ months, what would it be? The answer to this question provides the leadership team with clarity around how to spend its time, energy, and resources. How to filter every opportunity that comes along: Does it move the vision forward? If not, even the best opportunities are distractions.

D E L E G AT I O N Every great leader will have to learn how to delegate well to others. This being true, why do so many of us fear the act of delegating? •

We don’t think someone else will do the work as well, or at least the same way we would do the work. 25

planning. The person who wants to excel must select and reject, then concentrate on the most important items.”

Wednesday through Friday mornings to creating fresh content.”

Here are some more quotes from this same book by Sanders on the topic of time, focus, and priorities:

work God has given you to do, and knowing your time is limited: What work should you be doing at what time? “If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.”

that God has not assigned; for such tasks the leader cannot expect God to supply the extra strength required.”

to respond to every need. If the leader sincerely plans his day in prayer, then executes the plan with all energy and eagerness, that is enough. A leader is responsible only for what lies within the range of control. The rest he should trust to our loving and competent heavenly Father.”

Here’s a guiding question for what to focus on throughout your month, your week, and your day:

Here’s another helpful question for focusing yourself, your team, or

The answer to this question provides the lead ership team with clarity around how to spend its time, energy, and resources. “I also believe it is important to schedule your most essential tasks during the time of the day when you are at your best. Most of us operate better at a particular time of day. For some, the most creative and ener-

Does it move the vi-

D E L E G AT I O N “For me, the most important and challenging thing I do is create fresh content on a weekly basis. For me personally, my best focus time is in the mornings. Knowing these two things, how do you think I should schedule

Every great leader will have to learn how to delegate well to others. This being true, why do so many of us fear the act of delegating? •

We don’t think someone else will do the work as well, or at least the same way we would do the work. 25

•

We feel responsible for the work, and we don’t want to put it on someone else.

do.

•

We think, “If I don’t want to do this, why should I ask someone else to do it?”

Did you see that? The God who created the world also created you to do good works in His world.

•

Many of us struggle with the issue of control. Once we delegate something, we can no longer control the outcome.

There is so much the Scriptures can teach us about delegation. For starters, here’s a fascinating truth: God is the first being in all of history to embrace the act of delegating His work to others. This realization is stunning. God is perfect and His work is always perfect. We are not perfect, and neither is our work. And yet, God is willing to delegate so much of his work in the world to us. The whole reason you have this resource on leadership in your hands is because God doesn’t intend to do all of the work for Epic Church Himself. From the very beginning, He has been inviting women and men to take on His work in the world. Genesis 2:5 Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground. Genesis 2:15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. God created human beings, in part, so that He could delegate the work He wants done in His world. Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to 26

So, we’ve established that God embraces delegation. If He can do this, can’t we? If He is willing to entrust His work to us, can’t we be willing to delegate our work to others? There are two classic stories about delegation in the Scriptures. One occurs in Exodus 18 and the other in Acts 6:1-7. Read both of these accounts to fully understand all that was happening. Here is a summary of what took place and what the results were. Exodus 18 One day, Jethro (Moses’ father-in-law) observed all the work that Moses was doing. Jethro noticed that Moses was doing all the work by himself, and asked him, “Why?” Moses replied, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will.” Then Jethro makes a pronouncement about all that Moses is doing. “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.” Jethro then instructs Moses to select men who are competent, love God, and can be trusted. The reason? “That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.” What do we learn from this occasion with Moses? Delegating our work leads to a lighter load. It also invites others in to share the work. It is more efficient, and it allows the group to accomplish more than Moses could ever accomplish alone.

•

We feel responsible for the work, and we don’t want to put it on someone else.

do.

else to do it?”

do good works in His world.

• •

Many of us struggle with the issue of control. Once we delegate something, we can no longer control the outcome. delegate our work to others?

There is so much the Scriptures can teach us about delegation. For starters, here’s a fascinating truth:

There are two classic stories about delegation in the Scriptures. One -

ing His work to others.

willing to delegate so much of his work in the world to us. The whole reason you have this resource on leadership in your hands is because God doesn’t intend to do all of the work for Epic Church Himself. From the very beginning, He has been inviting women and men to take on His work in the world. Genesis 2:5 Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant and there was no one to work the ground.

Eden to work it and take care of it.

counts to fully understand all that was happening. Here is a summary of what took place and what the results were.

Moses was doing. Jethro noticed that Moses was doing all the work by himself, and asked him, “Why?” Moses replied, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will.” Then Jethro makes a pronouncement these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.” Jethro then instructs Moses to select men who are competent, love God, and can be trusted. The reason? “That will make your load light mands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go

God created human beings, in part, so that He could delegate the work He wants done in His world. could ever accomplish alone.

Acts 6:1-7 The early church is continuing to grow. During this time, it was reported that a group of widows was being overlooked in receiving their daily food. The twelve apostles knew that they couldn’t do their roles and add this role. “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.” So, what would they have to do to make sure the ministry to the widows was taken care of? They decided to choose seven men who were “known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.” And they turned the responsibility over to them. The passage ends with this result - “So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.” What do these passages teach us about delegation? 1. As responsibilities of an individual, a team, or a church increase, leaders have to keep sharing the load.

responsible for carrying out everything that took place within our church. Now that the staff team is much bigger, things are able to be delegated and carried out by more people. •

D E V E LO P OT H E R S One of the greatest contributions leaders can make is to invest in the development of others. Here are some ways you develop the people on your team at Epic: •

This sounds simple, but share with them what you are learning. What you are learning about God, what you are learning about habits, what you are learning about leadership, etc. When you learn something that is helpful to you, chances are good that others will find it helpful too.

•

Another way leadership development takes place is when the people you lead find themselves up against a new challenge - either in their personal lives or in their work. A season of growth or change at Epic can lead to this. A crisis or opportunity can lead to needing to engage in a specific kind of growth.

•

You can develop others through your ongoing meetings with them. If you have leadership responsibilities at Epic, it means there is a group of people (varies in size) who are looking to you for leadership. There should be a plan in place for you to meet with them on an ongoing basis. Establish your meeting rhythm by asking these questions: How often should we meet? What questions will I ask each time we meet? What kind of coaching/

2. We learn in both stories that it really matters what kind of people you delegate your work to. 3. Delegating invites others to fulfill the callings God has placed on their lives. 4. When we delegate the right work to the right people, it multiplies the impact we can make. Some practical tips about delegating your work: •

Delegation typically comes about because of growth or taking on additional responsibilities.

•

What we delegate tends to change as we enter a new season or stage as a team or church. In the early days, Epic had four staff members. This meant that four people were ultimately 28

One of the key questions you should ask yourself in every season is this: What are the things that only I can do and I can never delegate?

responsible for carrying out everything that took place within ed that a group of widows was being overlooked in receiving their daily food. The twelve apostles knew that they couldn’t do their roles and

able to be delegated and carried out by more people. •

word of God in order to wait on tables.” So, what would they have to do to make sure the ministry to the widows was taken care of? They decided to choose seven men who

word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.” What do these passages teach us about delegation?

delegate?

D E V E LO P OT H E R S One of the greatest contributions leaders can make is to invest in the development of others. Here are some ways you develop the people on your team at Epic: •

1. leaders have to keep sharing the load. 2. We learn in both stories that it really matters what kind of people you delegate your work to. 3.

One of the key questions you should ask yourself in every season

•

their lives. 4. When we delegate the right work to the right people, it multiplies the impact we can make. Some practical tips about delegating your work:

•

• on additional responsibilities. •

What we delegate tends to change as we enter a new season

for leadership. There should be a plan in place for you to meet with them on an ongoing basis. Establish your meeting rhythm

development will I prepare to share each time we meet? •

One of the reasons we have created this resource is so that you can use it as you are seeking to develop others. Feel free to walk through certain sections with the people you are leading.

Perhaps the very best way to develop others is to show them how to do what you know how to do. Here’s a useful pattern for anyone who apprentices under you: •

I do, you watch.

•

We do together.

•

You do, I watch.

•

You do, someone else watches

How Jesus developed others: •

Jesus spent time observing potential leaders

•

Jesus hand-picked his leaders. • No one self-selected into Jesus’ leadership circle. • Leadership happens through relationship.

R E C R U I T I N G /B U I L D I N G A T E A M “Most people are longing to be involved. Their participation enables them to assume ownership of the church’s ministries. With the participation of the whole congregation, a church can afford a big vision.” - Tricia Neill, From Vision to Action “We found instead that they first got the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus, and the right people in the right seats - and then they figured out where to drive it.” - Jim Collins, Good to Great If we get the right people onto our teams, so much else will be taken care of. But if we get the wrong people on our teams, nothing else will matter that much. “A leadership team is a small group of people who are collectively responsible for achieving a common objective for their organization.” - Patrick Lencioni, The Advantage The right people can make all the difference when it comes to the teams we are leading. Here are some things to look for as you are recruiting team members:

• Create a leadership circle •

Jesus taught leadership along the way.

•

Jesus was involved in leaders’ lives.

•

Jesus put his apprentices into tough situations.

•

Jesus taught in public and debriefed in private

•

Character: As we continue to say, who they are is more important than what they do or how talented they are.

•

Competency: Every layer of every team at Epic requires certain competencies to do the job well. Work with others in your area to make sure everyone understands what the core competencies are for each position or each level on the team.

•

Chemistry: How will this person add to or take away from the way the team currently operates?

•

Culture: Does this person fit the Epic culture and fit the culture 31

R E C R U I T I N G /B U I L D I N G A T E A M •

One of the reasons we have created this resource is so that you can use it as you are seeking to develop others. Feel free to walk through certain sections with the people you are leading.

“Most people are longing to be involved. Their participation enables them to assume ownership of the church’s ministries. With the participa-

Perhaps the very best way to develop others is to show them how to do what you know how to do. Here’s a useful pattern for anyone who apprentices under you: • •

We do together.

•

ing else will matter that much.

How Jesus developed others: •

Jesus spent time observing potential leaders

“A leadership team is a small group of people who are collectively responsible for achieving a common objective for their organization.”

• • • Leadership happens through relationship.

teams we are leading. Here are some things to look for as you are re cruiting team members:

• Create a leadership circle •

Jesus taught leadership along the way.

•

Jesus was involved in leaders’ lives.

•

Jesus put his apprentices into tough situations.

•

Jesus taught in public and debriefed in private

•

Character ant than what they do or how talented they are.

•

Chemistry: How will this person add to or take away from the way the team currently operates?

•

Culture 31

of the specific team you are considering them for? When you invite someone onto your team, clearly communicate the following: •

Description of their role: Let them know exactly what their role is and what the responsibilities are in this role.

•

Who they report to or who reports to them: You must be clear about who they report to and/or who reports to them. We all report to someone. This isn’t about a hierarchy, but it is about knowing who is responsible to whom.

•

Expectations: Everyone you invite onto the team needs to know exactly what is expected of them. Make sure these are clearly laid out for them.

personally before you dive into all that needs to get done. By the way: the higher the morale of the team, the greater the commitment they will have to carrying out the mission.

TEAM MEETINGS Meetings can be helpful or a complete waste of time. The best meetings typically involve these aspects: •

Inspiration: This is where vision-casting comes into play. Passionately share the “why” of your team. You are telling them or reminding them of why what they do is so valuable.

•

Today’s Focus: Give them 2-3 things that matter most today. They will not be able to remember or implement more than a few things. Decide what matters most and communicate this with them.

•

Allow for questions: “ Is there anything about your role today that is unclear or that I can help you with?”

•

Prayer: Never forget that we want God’s presence and power in all that we do. Our best won’t be sufficient, if He’s not involved in what we are seeking to accomplish together.

MISSION AND MORALE When it comes to leading your teams, think about two pedals: mission and morale. High-capacity leaders all have a bent towards mission. This has a lot to do with what makes them a leader. But we can’t simply push the “mission” pedal all of the time. We must take a break at times from the “mission” pedal so that we can give our attention to the “morale” pedal on our teams. Morale is about how the group is doing and how they are feeling. We push the “morale” pedal by showing that we care about the individual and not just what they can produce as a leader. One of the ways you can discipline yourself to care about the health and morale of the individuals and teams you lead is this: In the meeting agendas you create for 1 on 1 meetings and the team meetings you lead, put “Personal” on the very top of the agenda document. This causes you to talk about how they are doing 32

personally before you dive into all that needs to get done. When you invite someone onto your team, clearly communicate the following: •

Description of their role: Let them know exactly what their role is and what the responsibilities are in this role.

•

Who they report to or who reports to them about who they report to and/or who reports to them. We all report to someone. This isn’t about a hierarchy, but it is about knowing who is responsible to whom.

•

Expectations: Everyone you invite onto the team needs to know exactly what is expected of them. Make sure these are clearly laid out for them.

commitment they will have to carrying out the mission.

TEAM MEETINGS Meetings can be helpful or a complete waste of time. The best meet ings typically involve these aspects: •

Inspiration or reminding them of why what they do is so valuable.

•

MISSION AND MORALE

Today’s Focus They will not be able to remember or implement more than a with them.

When it comes to leading your teams, think about two pedals: mission This has a lot to do with what makes them a leader. But we can’t sim ply push the “mission” pedal all of the time.

• •

: Never forget that we want God’s presence and power in what we are seeking to accomplish together.

We must take a break at times from the “mission” pedal so that we can give our attention to the “morale” pedal on our teams. Morale is about how the group is doing and how they are feeling. We push the “morale” pedal by showing that we care about the individual and not just what they can produce as a leader. One of the ways you can discipline your self to care about the health and morale of the individuals and teams and the team meetings you lead, put “Personal” on the very top of the agenda document. This causes you to talk about how they are doing 32

APPENDIX

Epic Church Vision: The vision of Epic Church is to see an increasing number of people in San Francisco orient their entire lives around Jesus. Epic Church Values:

•

Grace and Truth

•

Close, not Closed

•

Two Pedals: Mission and Morale

•

Few Yes’s and Many No’s

•

Bullets, then Cannonballs

•

Always a Student

Recommended Resources: •

Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders

•

Grit by Angela Duckworth

•

The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy

•

Jesus changes Everything.

•

Sabbath as Resistance by Walt Brueggemann

•

Together is Better.

•

The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan

•

Next Steps are Taken.

•

Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster

•

Leaders are Developed.

•

Margin by Richard Swenson

•

Families Thrive.

•

Soul Keeping by John Ortberg

•

Generosity Overflows.

•

The Contemplative Minister by Ian Cowley

•

Vocation is Sacred.

•

Your Life in Rhythm by Bruce Miller

•

Impact is Local and Global.

•

Everyone Plays a Part.

HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done (Harvard Business Review)

•

Essentialism by Greg McKeown

•

The One Thing by Gary Keller

•

H3 Leadership by Brad Lomenick

•

The Divine Mentor by Wayne Cordeiro

•

A Praying Life by Paul Miller

•

Visioneering by Andy Stanley

Epic Church Leadership Values: •

God’s Favor = Our Greatest Distinction

•

God’s Part, Our Part

•

High Commitment to Excellence

•

Direction > Today’s Destination 34

APPENDIX

•

Grace and Truth

•

Close, not Closed

•

Two Pedals: Mission and Morale

• •

Bullets, then Cannonballs

•

The vision of Epic Church is to see an increasing number of people in San Francisco orient their entire lives around Jesus.

Recommended Resources: • •

by J. Oswald Sanders Grit

• •

Jesus changes Everything.

•

Together is Better.

•

The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan

•

Next Steps are Taken.

•

Celebration of Discipline

•

Margin

• •

Families Thrive.

•

by Walt Brueggemann

by John Ortberg The Contemplative Minister by Bruce Miller HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done (Harvard Business

Everyone Plays a Part. • •

The One Thing

•

God’s Part, Our Part

•

High Commitment to Excellence

• 34

by Brad Lomenick The Divine Mentor by Wayne Cordeiro

• •

by Paul Miller Visioneering 35

•

The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Pete Scazerro

•

Great by Choice by Jim Collins

•

Good to Great by Jim Collins

•

From Vision to Action by Tricia Neill

•

The Gift of Leadership by Steven Croft

•

Lead Like a Shepherd by Larry Osborne

•

Deep Work by Cal Newport

•

Living Forward by Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy