doug gamble | digging below the surface of life and leadership

Encountering Jesus and Johnny Cash

April 4, 2011 in Encountering Jesus, Hobart Campus, Personal Growth, Preaching with 0 Comments

I got to preach on my favorite subject Sunday: Jesus. I believe firmly He is our hope and want nothing more than to lift him up.

We kicked off the series with a fun question for the audience about meeting a famous person. Several responded with meeting…

Brittany Spears
Tim Hawkins
Michael Jordan
Michael Jackson

Meeting someone famous is an interesting study in human behavior. Most are fascinated with famous people. Some, including myself, wouldn’t extend much effort to meet a famous person. I’m not into collecting autographs or stories of meeting famous people. Fine if you like that sort of thing. It’s just not my cup of tea.
There is one story though I do relish. It is the time I met Johnny Cash. I barely remember it because I was only 4 or 5 years old. I actually don’t remember much about it and really think that what I think I remember are actually transferred memories from my mom. I do know though that at one time I had a photo of me sitting on Cash’s knee. It hung for most of my childhood in my Grandpa’s shop. Growing up I never thought much about it. Later as an adult I grew in love with the music of Johnny Cash and remembered that photo. When I asked my mom about it I was devastated to learn that it had been lost.

What? Lost? How could that be? There are underwear from my childhood still lying around, but the photo of me and Johnny Cash is lost.

At least I’m not bitter. :)

There are no photos of my encounter with Jesus either, yet they have shaped me in radical ways. That’s the amazing thing about encountering Jesus. He doesn’t leave you the same.

You may never be able to fill a wall with memorablia of encounters with Jesus but you don’t need to. Those encounters fill our life and are more real than any distant memory.

How have you encountered Jesus? How has it shaped you?

Jesus – you either loved him or hated him

March 30, 2011 in Encountering Jesus, Uncategorized with 0 Comments

We begin this series called “Faces” on Sunday where we look at the encounters various people had with Jesus in Scripture. What has fascinated me over the years as I have read the Gospels more is how polarizing Jesus really was.

I grew up with this image of Jesus as a really nice guy. A guy who was rather anemic and placid looking. Who never, shall we say, got up in someone’s crawl.

The parts of the Gospels where it was obvious Jesus was angry were kind of explained away. For instance, where he clears out the Temple were talked about as if Jesus did it with this reserved anger…almost like he was going through the motions. Here’s one of the recordings of this encounter:

13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me. (Luke 2:13-17)

Let me ask you. Does that sound like controlled and reserved anger? Perhaps you were never given this image of Jesus but in this encounter “Zeal” for God’s house consumes Jesus and he unleashes his anger on those ripping people off. Jesus with a whip…a whip of all things that He made…runs through the temple courts lashing out at those hawking doves for an inflated price and throwing tables out of his way. That’s not an image of Jesus I was given.

Why?

I think a part of it has to do with an unspoken value of “niceness.” We think niceness is a Jesus’ centric value. I’m not sure that is true. From the encounters I read about in Scripture he was considered merciful, forgiving, dangerous, unpredictable and shocking. I’m not sure “nice” is a description overall we read about.

In fact what is most striking to me is that most people had one of two reactions to him: loved him or hated him.

If you were an outcast, one on the fringes of society you would have loved Jesus.

If you were a religious leader you would have likely hated him.

It seems he didn’t leave much room for “middle of the road” responses, at least not for very long.

What about you? How has your encounter with Jesus transformed over the years?

Perhaps we should learn from trees

March 28, 2011 in Uncategorized with 0 Comments

I received a few positive comments on an illustration I used Sunday so I thought I would write about it.

I was speaking on growing our capacity to TRUST God when we don’t understand the past and our next step is unclear. Jeremiah gives us this beautiful picture of how a tree operates:

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.

They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7)

The remarkable thing about a tree is that it does NOT depend on external circumstances to feed itself. By design, a tree doesn’t wait around for it to rain to get water. Its roots are designed to dig deeper and deeper and reach farther and farther until they find water. And a tree doesn’t wait until it needs water to look for it. It prepares for dry seasons by seeking water when it doesn’t need it.

Oh the things we can learn:

We must prepare for the dry seasons of our life. I’m convinced no one gets burned out or runs dry in the hard times. We just notice it then. We actually were unprepared for that season. We enjoy the good seasons so much we don’t prepare for the hard seasons. Lesson: no matter what the season brings don’t forget to keep feeding yourself spiritually.
In times when our faith is being tested, learn from the tree and dig deeper. While not easy or comfortable, a crisis of faith is the very opportunity we need to grow our faith. Needing to trust God is the opportunity we need to grow our capacity to trust Him. The simple truth is that we don’t grow when there is no need to grow. We discover in these times that God’s strength is available to us in ways we never thought possible. But you have to dig for it. You have to search for it.

Ideas vs. Results

March 21, 2011 in Creating, Leadership, productivity with 0 Comments

Have you ever heard someone say, “I’m more of an idea man?”

I have. I may have even said it at one time believing that a generator of ideas was something to be proud of. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for dreaming up new things. But what I am valuing more and more these days is someone who gets things done. It is someone I am trying to be.

One thing I have been learning in this process of leading a remodeling project for an old church building using 80% volunteer labor is that there are those who like to talk about things we COULD do and there are those who have an idea, get the idea vetted and then lead it through to completion.

As a leader, which would you prefer?

Some would argue that we need both people who dream up ideas and those who make them happen. Certainly if you dream up an idea you may not be equipped to execute every detail of the project. If your dream is big enough it will involve others who have specific skills you do not have. I’m not talking about dreaming up ideas and then doing it all yourself. I’m talking about dreaming up an idea and then doing nothing about it. I’m talking about dreaming up ideas and expecting applause because you thought of something. I’m talking about calling yourself an “idea man” and considering that enough to make a difference.

If you have an idea, don’t expect a pat on the back. If you have an idea worth executing, then do something about it. Gather a team. Gather the needed resources. Talk to people about it until you get others excited about it. Take action on it until you “ship” as Seth Godin says.

Ideas are cheap. They are a dime a dozen. Anyone can come up with an idea. Implementation is where it is at. Getting stuff done is expensive AND worth it.

As Seth Godin says, “Go make something happen.”

Do you run with earphones?

March 18, 2011 in Running with 0 Comments

There is a much debated topic in running circles: Should you run with earphones?

Typically hardcore runners say no. More casual runners say, absolutely!

It is certainly a thing of preference and in large part doesn’t matter. There’s a ton of people who have an opinion on it but generally it comes down to this:

Those who say no do so because they feel you should stay focused on your running and not “check out.” Especially in races you need to be aware of other runners.

Those who say yes do so because they are bored with long runs. The music inspires and motivates them.

My preference is both. If I am running outside, I typically do not wear earphones. I like to use it as a time to pray and reflect as I’ve mentioned before. If however I’m on the treadmill like I have been a lot this Winter then earphones have become a necessity to endure the running to stand still effect!

What about you?

And for your listening pleasure here’s my most recent playlist for the treadmill:

From organized crime and drugs to Christ-follower

March 17, 2011 in Church Planting, Doing Church with 0 Comments

If you need a reminder of the power of Jesus to transform a life, take 6 minutes and watch this.

I love this story we showed at Suncrest last Sunday that comes from our friends at Northpointe. They are doing a great job in spreading the message of Jesus to the Providence, Rhode Island area. As a church just a little over a year old, Suncrest is a financial partner and I’m honored to serve on their partnership team. We love this church!

Creating connection so you can be heard

March 16, 2011 in Doing Church, Leadership with 0 Comments

My two most important roles as a Campus Pastor is connection and communication. If I don’t do these two things well, I fail. This is really true for most leaders. You don’t have to be the primary communicator on Sunday morning and your communication will still guide and direct who you lead. You set the pace for others.

I was reflecting on these two roles in light of two blog posts by two of the smartest bloggers/writers I know: Seth Godin and Michael Hyatt. They each had a blog post show up one after the other in my Google Reader. I found it interesting the other day however when they wrote from a seemingly opposite perspective.

Seth Godin said:

Only when an innovation is dead can the real work begin. That’s when people who are seeking leverage get to work, when we can focus on what we’re saying, not how (or where) we’re saying it.

Michael Hyatt said:

A good book does not stand on its own. It is foundational, but it is not enough. In fact, it hasn’t been enough for at least two decades.

Hyatt’s point is that writing a good book (or producing a great product) is not enough. You have to build a great platform, particularly in social media. Godin seems to be saying that we have focused too much on social media and need to get back to creating really great products.

Who’s right?

I think both. Here’s how I apply it to my situation. As a leader in a church I need to lead my part of the organization to create and produce really great things (i.e. gatherings, ministries, events). But if I neglect the side that actually gets people to them we won’t have anyone there. One of the “products” I help produce is communication. That may seem crass to you but it’s true. We produce communication products all the time. Things like sermons, blog posts, weekly email updates, creative pieces in the service and events that communicate who we are. These “products” are crucial to accomplishing our mission. And they need to be great.

Also important is the task of connecting people to these “products” and to our church. If we don’t do a good job we are not communicating to anyone. We want our message to get out and for people to hear it. We want people to show up on Sunday, not because we are ego maniacs who need a big attendance to beef our self-esteem but because we want the message of Jesus to be heard and for people to experience worship in the “big group” setting.

So which is more important? The content of our communication? The connecting people to our stuff? I’d say it’s really hard to have one without the other. If we have really great content but no people connected, what have we done? It’s the preacher who spends all his time in the office studying and produces a super biblical message that is communicated fabulously but hardly anyone is there to hear it.

If we have a really great connection or platform as Hyatt calls it but no content, what are we moving people towards? What are we accomplishing? I think of these connections like “water cooler conversations.” These are connections that are superficial in nature. They are connections over a TV show or music. They are fun but lack depth and purpose.

You need to create connection so you can communicate.

If you are still reading, I’d love to hear your thoughts on managing this tension.

First Impressions = lasting impressions

March 11, 2011 in Doing Church, Hobart Campus with 5 Comments

I’ve been thinking a lot about first impressions lately. As our campus prepares to enter into a 24/7 facility we’ve been talking a lot about how we can create a great first impression in a facility that is dated on the outside. The response we are looking for from someone who will enter our facility for the first time is simply this: That’s not what I expected.

This is what people will see as they pull into our parking lot:

This will create an expectation of what they will find inside. However, when they walk in we want them to think: This is not what I expected. We want this to be true of what they SEE inside and WHO they encounter. The most important of these two is the WHO. I believe a church’s greatest tool for creating a first impression is her people.

To create a lasting impression, consider these four things:
1. Attitude is contagious

You may have a less than ideal situation, but you don’t have to act like it. Your attitude about your situation will act as a thermostat for the room. You will “set the temperature” for those around you by having a great attitude.

2. A really great smile

Psychology Today has reported how the brain takes “first-impression Polaroids-creating a composite of all the signals given off by a new experience. Psychologists agree that snap judgments are a holistic phenomenon in which clues (mellifluous voice, Rolex watch, soggy handshake, hunched shoulders) hit us all at once and form an impression larger than their sum.”

A really great smile creates the best possibility of a a great “first impression polaroid”.

3. Remember a person’s face and name!

I’ve learned so much from the Starbucks I frequent about how to keep a customer. It all comes down to them making the effort to know me…know my face…know my name…know my drink. They do a fantastic job. We should do an even better job because there is more at stake.

4. 10 Minute rule

This is something we will be creating to give people permission to break away from their “huddles” and go find someone new to talk to. The 10 minute rule is simple. For 10 minutes after our gathering, only talk to people who are new to you. They don’t have to be completely new to you but they can’t be a good friend. The purpose is obvious: create the best environment where people are mingling outside of their comfort zones.

I’m looking forward to blowing people’s expectations out of the water by creating a great first impression!

How do you decompress?

March 9, 2011 in Personal Growth, Running with 1 Comment

It’s different for everyone, but I accidentally figured out that the best way for me to decompress is actually running. I didn’t start running for this reason but it has been a huge positive side effect. There is something in the combination of TIME plus ENERGY exerted that is exactly what I need when I’m angry, frustrated, stressed or any number of other things. I just feel better when I’m done with a run.

I totally relate to this video.

Hilarious!

One of the primary reasons I don’t wear earphones when I run outdoors is because it allows me space to think, pray and process what is going on. The long runs are especially good for this. I’ve heard of some runners having a mental process whereby they get into the “zone.” I’ve never figured that out, but I have found that if I start running without “trying” to think about anything in particular and just click through the things I need to pray about I eventually work into a mental state that helps me process what is going on.

What about you? How do you decompress?

If you stand out front, you will be shot at

March 7, 2011 in Doing Church, Leadership, Personal Growth with 0 Comments

Someone told me that once.

They were said it after I was finished complaining about starting something having some negative feedback. They were right. If you go first in any endeavor, you will be the one to take most of the shots. Go ahead a paint a target on your back because you are the most obvious target. Like it or not, it’s a part of going first. If you can’t embrace this, don’t go first.

This is probably true for every leader because as a leader you are the one out front leading the charge. I really resonate with something Seth Godin said in a recent interview with Tony Morgan:

TONY: Why do you think people are so comfortable waiting for orders?

SETH: Total deniability! If someone else gives the instructions, well, then it can’t be your fault, can it?

This is so true. Many don’t go first because of fear of the consequences and the pain. When you go first expect:

to be questioned;
to communicate often even when you don’t feel like it or think it is necessary;
that others won’t understand;
to be criticized;
to not get credit for most of the work and be okay with it!
to have people angry with you for bringing change;
to collaborate extensively to make your dream come alive;
to humbly ask for help;
to pray like you have never prayed before;
to fail and learn from it;
to succeed and give God the credit;
to disagree with some;
to explain the “why” and “what” repeatedly even to people you’ve already explained it to.

For some going first is just too scary. For others it is too hard of a process. But I couldn’t imagine never going first. It’s too much fun, exhilarating and in the end worth it.

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