April 30th, 2010 by Tim Moore

Most of you have heard that we are taking a full week to invade our city with acts of kindness and love. We are calling it Impact Week. We often don’t realize the impact we can have in someone’s life when we simply love them in practical ways. It often speaks louder than our words.

We have a goal of giving at least 500 hours of service to our community. But I believe we can SMASH that goal. I want to encourage all of you to register now for the event(s) and hours you can give back this coming week. I want to challenge my faithful blog supporters to not just give 1 hour, but to serve as much as you can.

Let’s make an IMPACT in our city this week!

Click here to register now.

April 30th, 2010 by Tim Moore

We all have this picture in our minds of how life should go.

We would always get a raise.
Our car would never break down.
Our stocks would always appreciate.
Our home would sell in 3 days.
And so on… You get the idea.

But honestly, life doesn’t always go as we picture. When it doesn’t, that is when people often fall into depression, anger or even bitterness toward God.

But this shouldn’t surprise us…God told us to expect it!

Ecclesiastes 3 begins by telling us that life will come with ups and downs. (Ecc 3:1-8) Expect it! It won’t always be days of joy. Sometimes you will experience pain and sorry. That’s part of life. That’s what makes the good times feel so good.

That means when life is good…enjoy it. When life sucks…hold on because it will get better again.

April 28th, 2010 by Tim Moore

Solomon wrestled with the idea that having stuff would make him happy. You can read about all the things he desired and acquired in Ecc 2:4-10.

His wealth afforded him the opportunity to buy every piece of real estate he wanted. He hired servants to do everything he didn’t want to do. He even enjoyed the pleasures of many, many women (harem). Today, most of us would probably do the same given the financial opportunities. Except for the harem part, I hope!

There is this idea built into the fabric of our country that happiness is something we can achieve through wealth and fame. We even profess the “pursuit of happiness” as one of our rights.

This leads us to think…if only I could get a new car, then I’d be happy. One day we’ll get that new LED TV and be happy. If I only had the newest golf clubs, I’d probably be a better golfer. And we all know that definitely makes us happier!

The problem is everyone is pursing happiness, but few are finding it. Solomon proves this point. All the money in the world won’t buy you happiness. Most agree with that statement, yet don’t want to believe it.

April 27th, 2010 by Tim Moore

Lately I’ve been reading through the book of Ecclesiastes. The writer (King Solomon) is so cynical about everything! It’s pretty obvious that he had lost his way late in life. The Bible tells us that this many foreign wives led his heart away from the only true God.

I love this book for many reasons and someday want to do an entire series from this book. Be honest, nothing makes you feel better than to hear wealthy, famous people unhappy! But I also love this book because there is so much that Solomon imparts even in his cynical state that we NEED to hear! This week I thought I would share a few verses that are full of incredible wisdom for our lives.

You might wonder, “How could Solomon, the wisest and wealthiest man to ever live, be miserable?” Over and over he says calls everything in his life “meaningless”.

My take on Solomon’s misery is that because he had been led away from God by worshiping other gods, he lost all fulfillment from life. He learned a hard lesson. All the money, fame and fortune this world has to offer will not make you happy! In fact, it might make you miserable. Perhaps that’s why we hear of celebrities taking their life from incredible depression.

Apparently Solomon realizes this with his final remarks: (Heb 12:13)

Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.

Are you happy?

April 23rd, 2010 by Tim Moore

Yesterday, I talked about the Ladder Leadership principle from Exodus 18:21. Today, I’ll share some more thoughts on the Leadership Ladder.

All of us start out at the bottom rung of leadership. I have never found a leader of thousands who wasn’t capable at the other levels. I believe anyone can develop the skills and character to lead tens. But not everyone is able to move higher.

One principle of ladder leadership that I have learned over the past years is: The higher you want to reach…the higher the sacrifice you must make.

The simple truth is this…
Some will never make it beyond the tens.
Some will never make it beyond the fifties.
Some will not have the capacity to move beyond the hundreds.

As you go up the ladder, the number of leaders decreases drastically. There is nothing wrong with a leader of tens. In fact, you need a lot of them to make your organization successful. Churches need a lot of Community Group leaders. Most businesses need a lot of supervisors.

But as a higher rung leader, you must recognize the cap of some leaders and be willing to make changes as your ministry or business grows. Some just are not willing to make the sacrificial investment in your company or vision to become a leader at a higher rung. Higher level leaders know the pain of having those conversations. They are willing to make the sacrifice.

But when you find ones who are willing to sacrifice time by reading books, going to leadership seminars, and doing whatever it takes to climb the leadership ladder…move them up.

What are you willing to sacrifice to move up the Leadership Ladder? It might cost you more time, more energy, more humility, more money…simply more.

Is it worth it? If you say yes, then you probably are a leader on your way up!

April 22nd, 2010 by Tim Moore

From early in the Old Testament, we get the clear picture that there are different levels of leadership. When Moses was overwhelmed by the number of people he was leading in the desert, he received wise instruction to place leaders over the people. It’s the Exodus 18:21 principle.

But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

Here is what I have discovered about the Ladder Leadership Principle.
Some are capable of leading tens. They might be Community Group leaders or a small ministry coordinator. They function best with a small group to lead. They have enough leadership ability to pour into a small group.

There are other leaders that have the mentality to lead the fifties or even hundreds. They have a dynamic that attracts others to them and especially other leaders. They know how to empower, train and raise up leaders of tens.

At the top of the ladder are the leaders of thousands. These leaders keep their eyes on the big picture. They realize what is MOST important for them to do and stay focused there. They have mastered the skill and art of leading tens, fifties and hundreds. They realize the sacrifice it takes and are willing to make it. They have impeccable character and are often full of charisma.

Where do you find yourself on the leadership ladder?

Tomorrow I’ll expand on dealing with leaders on the Leadership Ladder

April 21st, 2010 by Tim Moore

I am very fortunate to work with people that I enjoy being around. Of course it helps when you get to hire them!!

But honestly, I love the staff of Crossroads Church! They are in no way religious or pretentious. (Hang out with them for one day and you’ll know) They are just a group of people who love God and love this church. They give more hours than required almost every week. They are willing to do pretty much whatever it takes to see this church reach more people with the Gospel. God has assembled an incredible team for me. It is a big reason this church has become what it is today.

Staff:
Thank you for all that you do and the burden that you carry to see this vision become a reality. Yes, God brings the vision, but we have to DO it. I am thankful that you use your talents and gifts to serve this church, but even more I am thankful for your hearts and loyalty. I truly love working with you all every day…okay almost every day!

April 13th, 2010 by Tim Moore

I have thoughts that I ponder often in my head. I thought today I’d share them with my blog world!
Here are some random things I often wonder about.

1) Do other people who are not in full-time ministry think about the church as much as I do?

2) Why are some Christians the weirdest people I know?

3) If I had started playing golf when I was 2 years old…could I have been a pro-golfer? (of course the answer is no, but I still wonder)

4) What is our church going to look like in 1 year?

5) Is my staff really going to hell? (Inside joke)

6) How many people live around central Ohio who never go to church? And why?

7) How many people say “Crossroads is my church”? Because we only see some of them once very six weeks and Christmas and Easter.

Why so many people in the church today think they can be a Christ-follower without doing any of the things he COMMANDED us to do?

9) How God is going to fulfill the dreams I feel he has given me for this church? (Sometimes it seems impossible to me)

10) Will I ever get to play golf this year?

April 8th, 2010 by Tim Moore

Today I thought I would share some great blog posts from some great church leaders. Many are thought provoking and might bother you. That’s the point!

How to become a legalist – great post by Mark Driscoll (Mars Hill)
The frustrations post of Tim Stevens of Granger Community Church are shared by so many church leaders today. AMEN!!
When I read this post by Clayton King, it bothered me. Pray for this pastor. I am so blessed to have people who stand with me, behind me and in front of me.
This post by Perry Noble on pain for leaders really challenged me!

Here are some blog posts regarding what God did this past weekend in other churches!! To people who think God isn’t moving today in the church…maybe its the church circles you are in!! Look up, the fields are white.

Lifechurch.tv
Newspring Church
Elevation Church
National Community Church
Mars Hill

April 7th, 2010 by Tim Moore

Lately, I have found myself dreaming bigger than in the past. I have always had big dreams about what I want to see our church become. I dreamed big before we started this church. But lately, I find myself thinking about things that most would say are too big.

But here’s the problem I have. My God is infinitely bigger than I can imagine (Eph 3:21). He has more power in his spoken words than I will ever see in a lifetime. He says in His Word that “nothing is impossible for God.” (Luke 1:37) So why shouldn’t I dream big? If my dreams are in line with what He wants to do, why do I shrink back from asking for the impossible?

I may from time to time put myself out there in ways that are far-fetched. I may sometimes dream beyond my capabilities to lead. I may look foolish when I let others in on my dreams. However, I never want to be limited because I asked for too little or dreamed too small.

I can dream big for our church, because my God has already done BIG things through our church. If only you knew the thoughts and dreams I have for our church over this next year!!!