Thoughts on Shared Leadership #5

You would think having several minds working in collaboration with each other there would not be anything a shared leadership team could not conquer, solve or fix.  Well you are wrong!

Even though the model is useful for creating powerful synergy, it does not overcome all obstacles. Sometimes it creates them.  So other “experts” are needed. 

Recently, we have needed some of these experts.   Those people with a skill in a clearly defined and refined area that have helped us navigate some topics and issues we are not fully equipped to handle.  These experts have:

• Shown us new ways of solving problems.
• Helped clean up some of our past attempts of problem solving.
• Given us fresh ideas and a new perspective.  They have expanded our horizons and pushed us out of comfort zones.
• Pointed out blind spots and potential pit falls.
• Equipped us with information and resources.
• Given us advice advice and warning, as we move forward with plans and visions.
• Done for us would we could not do ourselves.

All of this takes a great amount of humility and the recognition of our individual and collective weaknesses. In the end shared leadership is not about having all the answers.

Another Story of Stealing and NewFound Freedom

Another story from Tuesday night...

"I wanted to give you a little update on something. Last night your message was really hard for me. I have been dealing with the guilt of stealing from two long time friends for a long time. About 10 years ago I was a nanny for two different families and I stole money from both of them. Since then, I have watched their kids grow up and two of the girls were even the flower girls in my wedding. Needless to say, I am very close to these families and see them in person every so often to this day. When you asked us to go repent for what we have stolen it was like God punched me in the face and said "See! I have been putting this on your heart for 10 years to go confess what you did and ask for forgiveness, so GO DO IT NOW!" when you told us to do that last night my stomach turned to knots and I knew it was finally time to face the music of what I had done to these people who are my "friends". So when I got home from church I sat down and wrote them both letters. I guess I should have tried to tell them in person but I was already ashamed enough as it was. So I wrote both of the families letters telling them that I stole from them, asking for their forgiveness, and letting them know how horrible I felt for betraying their trust and friendship the way I did. I have never told a soul on earth that I stole from them so this was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I'm so ashamed of myself for stealing. Especially because I love their families so much. I also put a hundred dollar bill in each one of the letters. I mailed them out today so they should be receiving them soon. I have no idea what the future holds...if they will be mad, relieved that I confessed, disappointed, or just plain shocked. I'm really nervous and every time I think about the fact that they will be opening those letters in a few days I get sick to my stomach. I don't feel much relief or like the guilt has been lifted..only shame and sadness. This might seriously damage my relationship with these two families and that makes me so distraught.


Well, sorry to write a book, but you said you wanted to hear the updates if people did what you asked. Overall I'm glad I sent those letters of confession and I really hope that they can find it in their hearts to forgive me and still have a relationship with me. I guess only time will tell. Thank you for pushing me to my limit last night. Even though I did this out of guilt, I know, without a doubt, it was the right thing to do."

A Story of Stealing

This past Tuesday in our series on the 10 Commandments called, "Newfound Freedom" TNL was called to make right what they turned wrong.  We were challenged to not only to stop stealing, but to make any needed restitution.  We were encouraged to not be restricted by our theft, but to find freedom in contentment by:

• Getting rid of or paying for the music, movies or software you have burned, downloaded or pirated.
• Giving back any money or property we have "illegitimately acquired."
• Make proper restitution or compensation to those we have defrauded, cheated or swindled. 

Here is an email story from someone who took this challenge seriously.

"So after TNL, I went over to my friends house I had sat and took care of their dog for them over last weekend. I went over to accomplish three missions.


1. was to give them back their key and garage door opener.
2. was to get paid cause they wanted to pay me for taking the trips out there to do that for them ...&
3. was to tell her I ripped a couple of CDs onto my computer and did not ask permission to do so before I did it, asked for an apology if it were stealing.


I told them the reason I was I apologizing, which was what we were asked to do from our church and second I want to make sure I am walking in God's will. I told them I feel a lot of uncertainity is in my life right now and I do not want to be doing things that are causing this for myself. In other words, I do not want bad carma coming back biting me in the rear or consequences, for that matter. 

The wife told me to chill! She said to me taking the cds was okay and offered me a glass of wine!" 

I am continually encouraged by people's sensitivity and obedience to God's voice in their lives.

6th Least Religious State: Colorado

The Pew Research Center recently released a comprehensive survey that analyzed how religious each of the 50 states are really.

The state of Colorado may be more irreligious than others, but Colorado Springs is home to one of the biggest churches in the country. As of last year, the majority of people in Colorado were listed as unaffiliated in the religious department. And according to the Pew Research Group, less than 30 percent of people in Colorado attend religious services on a weekly basis.

Percent who say religion is very important in their lives: 44

Percent who say they attend religious services at least once a week: 29

Percent who say they pray at least once a day: 49

Percent who say they believe in God with absolute certainty: 63



See Main Street for the rest of the list including the top 10 Most Religious States.

Great Thought

Here are some great thoughts from Jared Mackey, TNL's Ministry Core Pastor. He shared this with the TNL Leadership Co-Operative yesterday.

“Most organizations spend their time marketing to the crowd. Smart organizations assemble the tribe. Crowds are interesting, and they can create all sorts of worthwhile artifacts and market effects. But tribes are longer lasting and more effective.”

Tribes,  Seth Godin

At the heart of The Next Level Church there is a core, the partners and shareholders; those who invest their skill, resources, time, and passions. They are the ones who cultivate and create this community. The church is, and always will be, defined by the people who initiate, invest, and invite. The known figures, the pastors or staff, may tell the stories and hold the wheel, but they are not the force or the movement.

The thing itself is you. You are the people whose lives have been changed and not only observed, but participated in the change in the lives of others. You are the people who make this a place where “you are accepted here just as you are”.

Together we are becoming the church God intends us to be. Together we want to be a source of inspiration and a place of perspiration. Together we are a place where pictures of preferable futures become practices of the present day. Together we are more than a collection of individuals with shared belief; we are a community of faith.