Decade of Lessons
This past Sunday was truly an epic on for CWC San Jose & Milpitas. We linked both campuses through the internet for the State of the Church Address. In a couple months, it will be a full decade that has passed since we planted CWC in San Jose. This past decade has taught me some wonderful lessons that I do not want to have to repeat in this next decade.
It has taught me:
1. The Cost Of Vision
Every vision has a price to be paid in order to accomplish it. There is a cost associated with each dream connected to our lives. Our passion must be greater than our desire in order to see the vision achieved.
Throughout the word of God we see Moses vision of freedom for his people was paid for by his discomfort by leaving Pharaoh’s palace. Joshua’s vision of leading his people into the promise land was at the cost of Moses, his mentor & friend dying. David’s vision for a temple for God’s presence was at great financial sacrifice and disappointment of someone else accomplishing the task. Jesus vision to save the world came at the cost of humiliation of the cross.
We have paid a steep price for the vision for the people of Bay Area. We left the comfort & security of our home & jobs in Manteca. We dealt with the loss of my daughter Jessica following her three year fight with cancer. Even some friendships were affected as a result of the move. Vision has a price.
2. Must Plan For Success
We came to San Jose with the express determination to succeed but we had no plan for what to do after the initial success. We succeeded at planting a service not a church. If a church closes its doors and the surrounding community does not notice, did that church ever really exist?
We had not planned to fail however we did not have a phase two to follow our success which was a failure in and of itself. Every new venture we take now is done so with a follow-up plan to capitalize on the success. Success without a succession plan is failure.
This is one of the deepest truths I have come to understand. It is a truth I try to instill in our interns. It is how you prepare that will determine your level of promotion. Opportunity will not wait for you to prepare yourself once it comes knocking at your door. We must practice like a champion if we are to play like one.
The one that saves his best sermon, best song, best effort for the big crowds will never have one. We must bring it strong daily or not bring it at all. Like a coach, God is watching our daily preparation and is determining whether or not we are prepared for the promotions He has in store. The promotion to be married, have a child, get a job, become a manager, own your own business, buy a new car or start a new ministry.
God is first and foremost a steward. He manages the resources of heaven. He will not send blessings someone unprepared to take care or utilize them properly. Stop burying your gift and use it.
4. Lastly, the Goal is BEcome Not To Come.
For the past decade we focused on getting people to church. Each event, illustrated sermon, production or give-away was focused on get people into the doors of a building. Our success or failure was based on the number of butts in the seats not in lives changed.
If we are going to change the world, stands to reason we must be producing world changers.
The next decade will truly be a great one with the new campuses started, new churches planted, Life Houses established, people trained and as a result a world changed. We may not be able to change the whole world but you can change the one you live in.
Get ready for a great decade!