Ministry is serious business.  Crises happen frequently involving members’ health, life and death issues, and relationship stressors and strains.  The workings of the church and Kingdom are also things that involve seriousness.  In the midst of the reality of the depths of ministry, we must find ways to also come up for air so to speak.  When do you laugh?

I enjoy a good, no great laugh.  I plunge in the depths of seriousness, but I also enjoy the heights of humor.  In the past some of my favorites have run the gamut from Jerry Lewis, Don Knotts, Tim Conway, and the Stooges, to Chevy Chase, Dana Carvey, Martin Short, and Jim Carrey.

Recently, I have gotten some huge laughs from guys you can trust to keep their comedy clean…Tim Hawkins and Taylor Mason.

Check these guys out, and laugh a little!

Who makes you laugh out loud?

One of the great experiential lessons I am learning is the value of clear, repetitive communication in leadership. The case in point concerns communication through a strategic planning process: Where are we now, where do we plan to go, and how will we get there? Here are some of the points that stand out to me as critical in communicating during this process:

1. While I may be aware of elements of change, and a core leader group may be very familiar with the information, this information will be brand new for some. How would I respond if I were hearing change elements for the first time? What critical questions would I have? I cannot be lulled into believing that what has been churned and studied and developed for months can be processed quickly.  How would I need to see and be presented information so I could grasp it quickly?

2. It is critical to share the responsibility of the strategic plan; no one person is coming up with it. This amps up positive communication in that the process itself becomes one of communication, refining, communicating, and refining. The pastor that I work with is incredible at equipping leaders to share the responsibility of tasks like this.

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40 years ago, man stepped out on the moon.  One man, many dreamers, and many who got him there.  Just to think of it today is almost mind-blowing.  Incredible.  Too common.  Too familiar.  

What is the next lunar mission?  What would be the same today in terms of manpower, technology, science, and experience?  Sure there is Mars, but would that really equal this feat?

Then I think of myself?  What is my moonshot?  What is out there that stretches you and me to our best?  What is there that takes enormous energy, creativity, while also creating teams and common goals?  

At work, what is the moonshot?

At home?

In my community?

Do I even think about (dream about) seeing something on the distant horizon and rocketing toward it?

“Lord, I know You want each of us to give our all for You and for things that stretch us to the max.  Help us to see You and Your plan, your moonshot for each of our lives!”

I had the great opportunity to preach last night from Deuteronomy 20:8, which speaks to the power of our spirit and words on others. As these men faced battle, those whose hearts were faint should go home so that they “might not make his brothers’ hearts melt like his heart.” (NAS)

I really do have the opportunity today to honestly encourage or discourage others in the daily battle. Do I really trust in a Sovereign Lord? Do I act like I trust Him? Do I let others know that I trust this great God?

As I shared this with a friend yesterday, he pointed me to a word of valor for those fighting with King Henry in the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. Notice King Henry’s words of valor and encouragement. The St. Crispen’s Day Speech.