Stuff I wish I’d said

This stuff I did say:

Church members are expected to believe the vision religiously. They are something to be believed in.

I think he believes in his bones that this is a reformation on the scale of 1517. That accounts for his all-too-common public vitriol against the church.

Furtick assumes that paranoia is a normal part of leadership.

The more paranoid the leader, and the more obsessive the leadership is about not tolerating criticism or complaints.

This stuff I wish I’d said:

Narcissist- They impress us as a personality, who disrupts the status quo and brings about change.

“The ones who do actually change our world, provide meaning not only for themselves but also for the people who work for them, who believe in them, who follow them.”

“Because of their paranoid tendencies, narcissists may try to maintain total control over an organization, making it impossible for their best people to make any kind of contribution or further the narcissist’s vision.”

“A true narcissist is the kind of person who (1) doesn’t listen to anyone else when he believes in doing something and (2) has a precise vision of how things should be.”

Who said it or quoted it? Perry Noble’s former assistant.

In defense of the Baptist

Yesterday I tried to defend Simeon against a slander from the pulpit that he was a crazy old man. In response, I see a few folk are also aiming at John the Baptist, suggesting that if God could use crazies like him in the Bible, he can use crazies in the pulpit today.

One commentator on Simeon said:

Look at John the Baptist, he was a loon by the standards of the day yet he Baptisted Jesus.

Another defended Perry Noble’s embarrassing Twitter posts by comparing his behavior to John.

john (who prepared the way for Jesus) ate bugs. you can’t really get any weirder than that.

Baloney. John was no crazy loon. Here’s why you shouldn’t think of him as some redneck idiot.

1. There is nothing in Scripture that suggests he was crazy or weird. He was an intimate of Jesus; he was much sought after for his astute preaching; he was a priest.  What’s loony about that? My only guess is that his attire and diet seem weird. They weren’t.
2. He wore clothes made of camel hair. To our modern senses this seems foreign, though I thought it was well established among NSers that we don’t judge people according to what they wear to church. More seriously, he lived in the desert because he was fulfilling a prophecy that that’s where he would be found (Matthew 3:3). He’s not likely to be discovered there wearing a Brooks Brothers suit.
3. He ate locusts. Again, he lived in the desert. He didn’t have the luxury of dining at Fogos whenever he felt the urge. Also, there was nothing at all strange about it. Leviticus 11:21-22 tells God’s people that they are fine to eat.
   

   There are, however, some winged creatures that walk on all fours that you may eat: those that have jointed legs for hopping on the ground. Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket or grasshopper.

4. He was Jesus’ priest. John was the son of a priest, was a priest himself, and consecrated Jesus as a priest. That’s a big-time resume.
5. He was respected by the chief priests. When Jesus was questioned after cleaning out the Temple, he appealed to the fact that John had baptized him (Matthew 21:23-27). It was a winning argument for Jesus and quieted his accusers. John the Baptist was a daunting, well-known and respected figure.

So, on what account can we say that John the Baptist was weird or loony? Are we not perhaps just re-imagining the intelligence and behavior of godly men like Simeon and John to justify the lesser intelligence and boorish behavior of more questionable modern leaders?

Shooting wildly with blurred vision

If you spend any time listening or reading modern church leaders like Perry Noble and Steven Furtick, you know that they are driven by vision. Their job is to cast vision, and everybody else’s job is to follow the leader’s vision.

It’s a leaders job to cast vision and focus people on the future, not to be in a constant state of comparison. I wrestle with this–every leader I know does; however, I honestly believe that the more passionate and obsessive we become about VISION…the more of a difference God will allow our churches to have.

Church members are expected to believe the vision religiously. They are something to be believed in.

People DO BELIEVE in the vision God has placed IN you.

Violations of vision obedience usually prompt vigorous discipline. As I’ve documented before, that can range from strong questioning to involuntary resignations.

As much as they build their careers and churches on the first part of Proverbs 29:18, visionary leaders rarely quote the entire verse:

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

(Check out the Google results from Noble’s blog for “vision and perish” and the results for “vision and perish and law.”)

The word vision is not the same as we use in corporate vision statements. The word has a number of possible meanings:

• a) vision (in ecstatic state)
• b) vision (in night)
• c) vision, oracle, prophecy (divine communication)
• d) vision (as title of book of prophecy)

In the context of this verse, it refers to God’s inspired Word. Notice the contrast in the but. People who don’t listen to God’s Word cast off restraint, but blessed are the people who listen and obey it. The antidote to perishing is not to cast vision, but to keep the law.

In fact, visions in the Old Testament usually describe things to be avoided. Scan the minor prophets, for example, to see how often visions are descriptions of God’s consuming punishment for sin. They are never blissful dreams of future goodness; prophets who cast such positive visions are condemned (Ezekiel 13:16, Jeremiah 23:16-18). Another way to translate the verse might be something like

Where there is no certain threat of God’s devastating punishment, the people will act carelessly and without restraint, but people who obey God’s law will be blessed. (Proverbs 29:18, Duncan translation)

As Lance Rowlett points out, the common misapplication of the verse is ironic.

Properly interpreted, this passage is a timeless call to proper proclamation of Truth. But in order to properly proclaim God’s Word, we must properly interpret it.

Of late, though, the passage has been improperly interpreted, thus improperly applied to ministry. And that is the irony–a verse that implies the need for correct handling of God’s Word has been improperly handled (cf. 2 Tim. 2:15), and thus ends up extinguishing its own intent.

So-called visions can be dangerous and wrong. Many times in the Old Testament, God’s people are warned away from false teachers casting their own visions.

See Jeremiah 23:16, for example (all of these verses use the same word for vision as Proverbs 29).

This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.

Here’s another example from Ezekiel 7:26.

Calamity upon calamity will come, and rumor upon rumor. They will try to get a vision from the prophet; the teaching of the law by the priest will be lost, as will the counsel of the elders.

One more from Jeremiah 14:14.

Then the Lord said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds.

At least Perry Noble realizes that his own visions are risky.

I believe that if a leader is consistently spending time with Jesus and being set on fire that, from time to time, he or she will cast a vision that is so bold that everyone in the room becomes uncomfortably excited!

The comforting thing for Noble is that if someone points out that the vision is false, it’s actually proof that it’s correct.

He must understand that if the vision is from the Lord it will be attacked…people will not like it…it will get personal…BUT, even when all of these things happen he simply will not back down from what he knows the Lord has spoken into him.

Confidence is casting a strong vision and asking others to join you…

When someone asks you to follow a vision, especially when it’s not God’s certain revelation, run for your lives.

Translating leadership talk (Virginia edition)

Once again, the translation department of Pajama Pages offers this service for the benefit of our readers. A translation of Noble’s leadership talk at Innovate on Tuesday:

• If you are a pastor in the South, you have to be strapped [own a gun]. BCoop is on the fast track to greatness!!!
• I didn’t say ‘What is it that the deacons or the bloggers want to do in my church?’ Of course I don’t listen to them; this whole experiment is a conversation.
• You gotta’ be stupid to plant a church. Seriously. If you understand this, you understand me.
• God used unschooled, ordinary men to change the world. Paul who? Luke did what?
• People say, ‘The music is too loud.’ Well, you’re going to hate Heaven. That’s why we play Highway to Hell. You’ll love it there.
• If it’s God’s will, it’s God’s bill. That’s what I told the waiter at Sullivan’s yesterday, too, but I don’t think he’s a Christ follower.
• Most churches stick their kids and students in the basement with a woman that knew Moses. It’s just as well, because the stupid church planter wasn’t teaching them much.
• I thought the food fight in the grave yard was a great idea. That’s why they kicked me out of cemetery before I could graduate.
• Here’s how you know you’ve got a vision from God: It makes people mad. God told me I should marry your wife. Hah!
• Christians are the meanest people in the world. Especially the Reformed ones! They’re even worse than Nazis and conservative Republicans.
• Don’t change things just to change things. You’re better off changing things to keep them the same.
• We yell at lost people for acting like lost people. Though my wife hates it when I yell at her while she’s driving. What can I say? I’m working on it.
• Because I haven’t forgotten what it feels like to be lost. Now, can someone help me find the closest Cracker Barrel? I’m really, really hungry.

Deciphering leadership psychobabble

Last week 3,000 church leaders met in California to tell each other how to run a cutting-edge church. Tony Morgan helpfully provided a rundown of their best advice.

As a public service, I offer this translation of what they said.

• Twayer = Twitter + Prayer. 141-character prayers are too ostentatious.
• Polarize people. You should read Pajama Pages every day.
• Don’t worry, be crappy. Mission Accomplished!
• If you define your organization by what you currently do, you’ll miss the next curve. Though if the count is 3-0, you should be taking the pitch.
• Are there two or three words that can define your church? Abbreviating your profanity helps.
• Make a mantra. Repeat after me: The vision is not a mantra. The vision is not a mantra. The vision is not a mantra.
• Guy has permission to use “suck” and “crappy” in this talk. We have a way cool boss!
• Churn baby, churn. Enemas are so refreshing.
• What would happen if all of us chose to live heroic lives? There’d be no-one to rescue.
• We can awaken God-given dreams inside others. Apparently, God went to sleep.
• I will always be uncertain. I’m certain of it. Cognitive dissonance doesn’t bother me; it makes ministry easier.
• As a leader, it is okay to be uncertain but it’s not okay to be unclear. We don’t know what we’re doing, but we insist that you follow us.
• You can be clear even when you’re uncertain. I wash my windows with mud.
• Where is the vision conflicting with the plan? Sacrifice the plan for the vision. Can you believe they pay me to say this stuff?
• No decision is ever sacred, but the vision never changes. Yes, the vision is sacred.
• The church has become more of a prison than a portal. We want to be less like Prison Break and more like Star Trek. Live long and prosper!
• There has never been one ordinary child born on this planet. You’re all extraordinary like everyone else.
• You may agree or disagree. I don’t really care a whole lot. Actually, we really hate it when you disagree, especially when you’re on staff. Forget I said that.
• We have to redefine the win. We can’t lose.
• I was driven by the numbers. We really admire AIG.
• You can offer free beer and draw a crowd. Next week, we start our new series, Believers and Budweiser.
• We can do more together. Yes, we can! Yes, we can!
• Build your church on what you’re about and not what you’re not about. Say what you mean and not what you don’t mean.
• My pastor says your pastor doesn’t preach the Truth. Your pastor is very discerning.
• I was taught the church should be a safe place, but I’m learning the church should be dangerous again. Henceforth the sanctuary will be decorated like one of those Deadliest Catch boats.
• I dropped out of cemetery. I didn’t even finish. It’s a mystery that will be featured on CSI next week.
• The kid said, ‘I want to go back to the damn church.’ I said, ‘Get his name because he’s going to be on staff someday. We have a very brief application form.
• Only when we surrender do we experience the supernatural. God could use a hand.
• Cheese biscuits bring you closer to God. If my sermon doesn’t work, drop by Bojangles on your way home.
• God said, ‘I need you to feel what I feel, so you can do what I need you to do.’ No, you can’t see my special Bible!
• I don’t want to preach nice sermons. Life is easy when you set achievable goals.
• If you walked up to me and said ‘I like you but your wife is ugly,’ I’d punch you in the throat. Email is safer.
• If you’ve been called to ministry, God’s hand is on you. The rest of you can fend for yourselves.
• Hey man, have you seen my Twitter? Narcissists R Us. Alerting you to my every hunger pang makes me feel special.
• God said, ‘I don’t like those people either, Perry.’ You STILL can’t see my special Bible.
• We don’t know what we’re doing. Betcha didn’t know that. I wish I’d gone to seminary.

A new addition to the Perry Noble Classic Book Club

An alert reader sent me this link to Perry Noble’s enthusiastic review of Seth Godin’s book, Tribes. It is, according to Noble, ONE OF THE FIVE BEST LEADERSHIP BOOKS EVER!!

Noble doesn’t so much review as sample by listing the sections of the book that were especially appealing to him, including these:

• “People yearn for change, they relish being part of a movement and they talk about things that are remarkable, not boring.”
• “Leaders make a ruckus.”  (The redneck in me LOVED this quote!!!)
• “Organizations that destroy the status quo win.”  (DANG!)
• “Boring ideas don’t spread.  Boring organizations don’t grow.”

If you’re looking for a more substantial review, you can find one or two at Amazon that seem to be more on point than Noble’s (Seem, because I haven’t read it myself).

Let’s create a little conversation between reviewers.

From M. Strong:

Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of this book is Godin’s repeated sincere insistence that what’s important these days is to be stylish and new, not established and stable. I just kept thinking, “isn’t this the attitude that’s gotten us into the economic mess we’re in right now? Throw out what works for something that sounds good?” I couldn’t believe I was reading something so misguided.

Back to Noble:

Seriously, this book is amazing…get it…read it…enough said.

From Professor Mitchell:

Some will be offended by the rants. For example, he takes off rather hard on all religions while being all in favor of faith that you can accomplish whatever you want. There’s no real basis for his position other than generalities about how no religions ever favor any changes.

Perry again, quoting Godin:

“The secret of leadership is simple:  Do what you believe in.  Paint a picture of the future.  Go there.  People will follow.”

At Amazon, Mitchell again:

He feels that leadership is all about passion and communication. But with the wrong ideas, you can be passionate about communicating harmful changes.

One more time from Noble:

One of the things I enjoyed about Catalyst the most this year was Seth Godin’s presentation…for some reason it absolutely astounded me!!!

Mitchell:

Ultimately, this is a book that will be enjoyed by those who cannot stop admiring themselves enough. Mr. Godin will encourage them to take actions so they can admire themselves even more. Whatever happened to servant leadership?

Seth Godin fans can’t seem to get enough exhortations and rants directing them to be bigger, bolder, and more assertive than ever before about anything that occurs to them. I suppose I should review these books by comparing them to what New Age gurus suggest rather than serious books about accomplishing useful things.

Heh.