There is an art to communication.

Great communicators inspire us to be better, motivate us to act and encourage us to dream.

In all of my efforts through the years to grow as a leader, I under-valued the importance of growing as a communicator until recently.  Because my job doesn’t require speaking to masses of people each week, I simply underestimated the importance.

The truth is that great leaders need to be great communicators.  Whether speaking to a team of three or an arena of 10,000, good communication skills are necessary for leading people well.

I recently got a copy of Tim Elmore’s new book Habitudes for Communicators and I love it!

Communication is a lost art and we need to resurrect it.

Look around you. In our culture, we often fail at the fundamentals. Having a conversation without an electronic device involved. Writing a thank-you letter. Listening in earnest to a friend in need. Our human exchanges lead us to learn, transform, revolutionize, innovate, connect and love.

Like the other Habitudes books, this book is filled with images that represent timeless principles, to be read, discussed and applied on a team. The images in this book revolve around engaging and communicating with the next generation. You’ll learn how to communicate effectively through images like Windows and Mirrors, #3 Pencil, House of Fire, the Faded Flag, School Yearbook and more.

I encourage you to get a few copies and study this together with your team!

Get all the details here!

“If you deplete your resources, run yourself to exhaustion, and then get caught at the wrong moment by an external shock, you can be in serious trouble.”

That’s a wake-up call from Jim Collin’s new book Great by Choice.

Our executive team is reading this book together and as usual, we’re devouring every concept Collins shares.  The beauty of his writing is that although written with businesses in mind, there is usually significant application to church leaders… and in the case of this book, a great deal of application to one’s personal life.

One of the core principles that Collins shares in this book is his 20 Mile March Philosophy – defined as “concrete, clear, intelligent, and rigorously pursued performance mechanisms that keep you on track.  The 20 Mile March creates two types of self-imposed discomfort: 1) the discomfort of unwavering commitment to high performance in difficult conditions, and 2) the discomfort of holding back in good conditions.”

I love this!

It’s another example of a grey leadership issue that we all wrestle with… how do you balance the tension of “the ambition to achieve with the self-control to hold back.”

As leaders we have to set performance markers for ourselves and our teams but at the same time create self-imposed restraints.  Without the balance of both you set yourself up for failure.

If you are constantly driving forward with no restraint you do exactly what the opening quote suggests… you implode when the conditions change.

There is no shortage of examples of this philosophy in action… businesses gone bankrupt because the market collapsed and they were over-extended, churches hanging on by a thread because their debt service is killing them at the same time giving decreased, marriages on the rocks because lack of intentionality left them susceptible to one too many temptations.

Discipline is one of the greatest marks of a life-long leader.  Discipline is what it takes to be great by choice.

How’s your commitment to  your 20 Mile March?

Andy Andrews has quickly become one of my favorite story-tellers.  The Noticer was the first book of his that I got my hands on.  In the midst of enjoying a story that sucks you in until you finish the book, I found myself deeply challenged.  Rarely does fiction have that power, but it does when Andy has the pen.

The same is true of his latest book, The Final Summit.

In the spirit of its New York Times bestselling predecessor, The Traveler’s Gift, The Final Summit explores the historically proven principles that have guided our greatest leaders for centuries. Andrews combines a riveting narrative with astounding history in order to show us the one thing we must do when we don’t know what to do.

My favorite part about this story is the wisdom that is shared from leaders throughout time.  It’s a perfect blend of story and substance.

**The best part is that I have two copies to giveaway!  I will randomly select two individuals.

To enter for your chance to win, just leave a comment telling us who your favorite leader from history is and why.

Winners will be announced this Friday, July 22nd.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I’m not gonna lie… I’m a huge fan.  I’m a huge fan of Wayne Elsey and the work he has done through Soles4Souls.  Just this week our team in India put shoes on the feet of the children of the Kalphur Slum… sweet little children that I met last year on my trip and witnessed them running around barefoot in a slum with sewage, trash, metal rubbish, etc. all around them.  We put shoes on their feet this year thanks to Soles4Souls.  That’s reason enough to like him, right?

But I also connect so much with Wayne’s drive, passion and convictions.  Wayne is a very accomplished professional, but he walked away from an amazing career because God put a burden on his heart that he just couldn’t shake.  Wayne’s the kind of guy who can and will change the world because he believes with great conviction that Almost Isn’t Good Enough, especially when it comes to matters of sharing Christ’s love with the world.

The following is an excerpt from Chapter 6 of Almost Isn’t Good Enough:

I chose to leave my corporate career and make Soles4Souls my life’s work. Just because I made that decision doesn’t mean that is the only option you have available. Maybe you’re in your twenties, thirties, fifties, or whatever age and wondering what you can do. You might be discouraged that you can’t leave your job and start a nonprofit organization to solve a looming social problem. Maybe you feet backed into a corner with your career and family obligations and think there is no way you can get a do-over in life.

If you’re in your twenties, let me encourage you to learn as much as you can about yourself. Surround yourself with people who are better than you at just about anything. Listen, watch, observe, and practice. Change jobs more frequently if you need. Not everyone wakes up one day and recognizes what he or she will do with the rest of their life. With the pace at which technology is changing the world, chances are whatever you are doing today won’t exist by the end of your career. Even better are the chances of you stumbling into a career that didn’t exist when you graduated from college. Use this time to discover who you are, your unique talents,and how you can leverage those skills to help others and yourself.

If you’re in your thirties, keep a balance between work and family. Don’t be consumed with building your career that you leave your family behind. Your family will be there when your job fails you and when the company you have been so loyal to decides they no longer need your services. There is no amount of money that will buy you security you can find in the loving arms of the ones you love and who love you.

If you’re in your fifties or older, it’s not too late. You may be entering a transitional period in your life that is very similar to those who are in their twenties. Perhaps you are on the brink of retirement. Your identity is wrapped up in your work, your airline rewards account, and your membership to the corporate gym. Retirement does not mark the end of your life but an opportunity to invest in other areas.

Almost Isn’t Good Enough shares Wayneʼs story from a teenage boy on the verge of committing suicide to the founder of one of the fastest growing charities in the world. Along the way, Almost Isnʼt Good Enough takes a look into what has made Soles4Souls grow to where it is today.

Almost Isnʼt Good Enough will speak purpose into your life, much like the purpose Wayne discovered when he founded Soles4Souls. 100% of the proceeds will go directly towards furthering Soles4Souls mission.  For every book sold, 10 pairs of shoes will be given to people in need!

Wayneʼs hope is that this book will provide 200,000 shoes to kids around the world in 2011! Soles4Souls is asking you to join in using the book to change the world.

Buy Two, Give One, Tell Five

•   When you BUY TWO, 20 pairs of shoes will be distributed to people in need wherever you designate.

•   When you GIVE ONE, a message of hope and purpose will be given to someone you care about.

•   When you TELL FIVE, you will help Soles4Souls hit our goal of giving away 200,000 pairs of shoes to people in need all over the world.

TELL FIVE by sharing this post on your Facebook or Twitter. Use the hashtag #200kShoes.

Sign up & share email updates from the book. When you do, youʼll be providing shoes to an entire village.

To purchase your copy of the book click here: http://www.wayneelsey.com/almostisntgoodenoughbook/

Here’s a sneak peek into “Almost Isn’t Good Enough”:

[VIDEO]:

My friend Greg Darley is guest blogging today.  Greg is the founder of Backstage Leadership and has just finished his first book Passion Is Not Enough.  In the short time I’ve known Greg I’ve been so inspired by his drive and ambition and this book is an overflow of who he is.

Good intentions don’t change the world. Ideas alone will change nothing. Desires don’t feed the hungry. Ambition won’t stop injustice. Enthusiasm alone will not reach the lost. Wishing changes nothing. To change the world, we must have more than passion.

Passion is Not Enough explores what it takes beyond a good idea to change the world. Whether you have a vision to change the entire world or your city block, the principles in this book will help you reach that goal.

One of my favorite quotes I used in Passion Is Not Enough is from Albert Einstein.

“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”

No one would question that Einstein changed the world.  He was brilliant.  He changed the game forever.  But this quote reveals the secret to how he changed the world.  It also takes away every excuse we can muster to the reasons why we can’t do the same.  Notice he doesn’t credit education, family background, genes, or whom he knew.  These are often the excuses we use for why we can’t pursue our dream or the burdens we have to change the world:

We say things like:

- I don’t have the right degree

· I’m too young

· I’m too old

· I don’t know anyone in that field

· I’ve never started a church

· I don’t know how to write a book

· No one in my family is a missionary

· I have no clued how to start a business

All of these are missing the point. These are all external factors.  Einstein gets to the main point, which is internal.  He says:

“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”

That’s it.
No secret formulas.
No insider tips.
No special favors.
No family history.

Einstein’s secret can be used by us all. Work hard. Stick with it. Work hard some more.

If you do this today, you’ll be in the minority. Everyone today is looking for the easy way. The truth is, there is no easy way. If you figure that out in the beginning, you’ll separate yourself from a majority of your peers.  Changing the world starts with you deciding to stick with it no matter what.

For more thoughts on this and what it takes to change the world, check out Passion is Not Enough.

**For this week only, Greg is giving the readers of my blog 20% off of Passion Is Not Enough.  You can order it here.  Be sure to use code “Jenni20″.

This week I’m celebrating with my friends Tami Heim and Toni Birdsong as they release their book @stickyJesus!  It’s been so inspiring to watch them prepare for the launch of something they are so excited and passionate about.

@stickyJesus uniquely blends biblical truth and social media know-how and inspires with true stories of people engaging, connecting, and changing the world for Christ through social networks. Conversational and practical, @stickyJesus demystifies the technology of social media and awakens believers everywhere to the astonishing mission field now at their fingertips.

I’m especially excited about the release of this book because I had the special privilege of sharing one of the stories in it.  I tell Cross Point‘s story of how social media enabled us to respond so quickly to the Nashville Flood.  Even reading back through it now that it’s in print, I’m amazed at how God used such a simple tool for such profound redemptive work.

If you’ve ever been concerned about or doubted the power of social media for good, I encourage you to check out @stickyJesus.

@stickyJesus equips you to:

• Build and honor relationships the way Jesus did.
• Bring His heart into your online conversations.
• Understand the marketing-driven culture of social networks and how to navigate them.
• Influence, engage, serve, and lead online—like Jesus.
• Use dozens of tools, tricks, tips, and resources to grow your reach.
• Identify and avoid the danger zones.
• Learn basic Facebook, Twitter, blogging
• Discover how to find great content to share.

You can order your copy of @stickyJesus HERE!

Occasionally there are unexpected collisions in life that alter our course even if we don’t realize it at the time.

My collision with Kat Davis was less than a spectacular one (or so I thought at the time.)  We were two young twenty-something interns competing for power and influence and our chance to make our mark.  Truth be told, I think I was the one competing for all those things, Kat was just being passionate about the things she loved.  And sometimes that annoyed the crap out of me.

But it didn’t take long for Kat to win my heart.  We shared a cubicle wall, and day in and day out I would hear her pray for her customers, ask about their life, celebrate their wins and generally encourage everyone she came into contact with.  How can you not like someone like that?

Around the same time Kat began The Daily Verse as a way to inspire her friends and coworkers.  It was just a simple email with a scripture and Kat’s thoughts and insights on the passage.  Nothing flashy but always timely and profound.  Her faithfulness to this simple act of encouragement really inspired me.

Fast forward 11 years or so… Kat is one of my dearest friends.  We’re both still attempting to conquer our little corners of the world.  And recently Kat accomplished one of her biggest dreams – publishing her first book!

What began as a simple email to encourage friends turned into thousands of daily subscribers and now the first published version of The Daily Verse.

The Daily Verse is a collection of Scripture passages from the English Standard Version of the Bible, along with short, simple and real-life commentary from Kat.  I particularly love the space for personal reflection.

If you are not already a subscriber, be sure to sign up for the free, online subscription of The Daily Verse HERE.

I also encourage you to order a copy of the book at The Daily Verse website.

It’s a great gift book too! I’m getting ready to place my Christmas order (my family – pretend you didn’t read that).

Congratulations Kat!  I’m so proud of you, friend!!

Thank you all so much for participating, commenting, tweeting and sharing your impossible dream in response to the release of Steven Furtick’s book Sun Stand Still.

And now drum roll please…

Our two winners of the random drawing are:

1) @braddutton

2) @alexaraebailey

Congrats guys!  Email me your mailing address and we’ll get your copy in the mail.  (Email jenni (at) crosspoint (dot) tv)

Have you ever picked up a book and thought “oh no… I think this one is going to rock my world”?  Those books come along every once in awhile for me.  I’m sure it’s the right message at the right time that rattles my thinking and pushes me through another season of growth.

My most recent encounter with the “oh man, this one’s gonna get me” feeling was Steven Furtick’s new book Sun Stand Still: What Happens When You Dare to Ask God for the Impossible

I roared through this book in a matter of a couple of sittings.  Sometimes wanting to chuck it across the room because of the fears it was exposing in me and sometimes wanting to stand up and exclaim that I was ready to take on the world.

Here are just a few quotes I couldn’t shake:

• “If the size of your vision for your life isn’t intimidating to you, there’s a good chance it’s insulting to God.”
• “My calling is great, the stakes are high, and stellar character is required.  My vision defines the parameters that I live by.”
• “The impossible becomes possible for you only as you carefully observe and faithfully obey the direction of the Holy Spirit.”
• “A lot of times, our greatest fears are rooted in personal insecurities.  The perspective of faith enables us to see who we truly are in Christ.”
• “Healthy confidence is born out of genuine humility.  Confidence without humility is arrogance.  Humility without confidence is weakness.”
• “The great things God will do through you are going to grow in the soil of persistence, prayer, obedience, and sacrifice.”

I’m really excited that I have the privilege of being a blog stop for this book and as part of the tour stop, Pastor Steven provided some addition insight’s for the readers of my blog as well as a couple of giveaways.  Enjoy!

When I was in college, I came across a paradigm-shattering concept in a book called The Knowledge of the Holy, by a twentieth-century writer named A. W. Tozer.  Tozer emphatically says that your view of God is the most important thing about you.  More than anything else, the scope and impact of your life is going to be determined by who you believe God to be.

I couldn’t agree more.  In Sun Stand Still, I invite my readers to believe that they are made to experience the miraculous on a regular basis.  To believe that audacious faith and impossible prayers are not reserved just for the juggernauts of faith in the Bible.  To believe that they could leave a God-sized impact on the world.

But as I wrote my book, I became convinced that if we are going to take impossible risks for God and make this kind of an impact, we had better know that he has the resources to get his will accomplished on earth. Otherwise our miniscule vision of God will short-circuit our faith.

After all, if God is not able to do the impossible, to accomplish the miraculous, why waste your breath asking him to do so? Faith in a God who is not able to deliver on what he has promised is not audacious. It’s absurd. If I were in financial trouble, I wouldn’t go to a college student to bail me out. I’d approach someone with a balance sheet that was more robust than mine. Anything else would be a waste of time.

The thing is, no prayer of faith to a great God is a waste of time. And that’s because the measure of God’s abilities will always surpass the measure of our audacity. No prayer is too big for our God. No vision too sweeping. No risk too great. God has never been nervous about his ability to live up to our faith in him. And this amazing fact invites us to believe him for the kind of requests and goals that most people would consider outside the realm of possibility.

If there is no limit to what God can do, then there is also no limit to what we can dream or pray or accomplish in his service.

After all, our God is the One who spoke the universe into existence. Then he stooped down and measured it with his hand (Isaiah 40:12). Did you know that scientists have found stars that are as large in circumference as the entire orbit of Jupiter? Yet God did not spend a single ounce of energy in creating them. He simply said, “Let them be.” And they were.

Our God is the One who leveled Jericho’s walls while Joshua and the children of Israel walked laps in childlike obedience.

Our God is the One who made the sun stand still.

The God of the Bible can do whatever he pleases. And what pleases him is to show off his power for his glory and renown.

In Sun Stand Still, I’m going to challenge you to give him the opportunity. Dream God-worthy dreams. Pray faith-fueled prayers. And live a life that can be explained only by the existence of a God who is infinitely great.

So, I’m thinking you’ve probably been challenged enough to check this out…  Sun Stand Still officially releases next week, so go order your copy HERE.

I’m also giving TWO copies away here on the blog.

To be entered to win a copy:

a) leave a comment about what impossible dream you want to believe God for,

and/or

b) twitter this post.

Winners will be announced Sunday, 9/19.

I’m excited to see how God can use a group of people who dare to have audacious faith!

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

M O N E Y

Seems like this is the perpetual plague of ministry leaders.  There is never quite enough of it to fund all the dreams we believe God has given our ministry.

As Executive Director at Cross Point I haven’t been exempt from the frustration of not meeting budget or having the resources we need to accomplish the vision we have.

A couple of years ago I had the privilege of getting to know Casey Graham.  Casey began working with me and challenging me about how I approached our finances.  He inspired me to think differently, to lean into our finances rather than run away from them and to change my habits in how I engaged our congregation in this area.

I’m excited about the release of Casey’s new book “Funded and Free”, co-written by Joseph Sangl.

I encourage you to check it out and consider reading it with your leadership team, Board of Directors, etc.

You can check out more at their website FundedandFree.

And for the next 48 hours you can get 5 copies of the book for just $50.

Go check it out!