I got off to a great start, selling “like a storm”, labeling my items with incredibly descriptive and ingenious words like, “superb”, “eclectic”, “mint condition”, super cute”. As I began selling these items I realized that potential buyers were lured to my page by the information or fancy, descriptions but, that was not their reason for purchasing anything.

There’s a lesson here…let me explain, many churches and companies today are trying to describe their “unique factor” in a word or title. They try to catch people with the “authentic”, “organic”, “vibrant” message they each, in all regards, probably uphold. But once a person is drawn in, do they really continue to apply the same language that captivated them to begin with?

In this eBay adventure the only way to communicate my product was over the internet. There was no face to face interaction or building for me to meet with the buyers to convince them of what they could do with the item I was trying to sell. In fact, in 185 characters I have to “sell” them right then and there.  So, here are my thoughts and some lessons I’ve learned to help you better your communication online whether a church or company:

1.        Use the “FLASHY” interest bearing words in the headings or listings of your product or promotion

2.       Shape the description to fit the heading, however, do not be afraid to give nuts and bolts…do not overuse FLASHY words they get DULL and lose their effectiveness. Repeat crucial information in the heading, description, and follow through (like date, time, and location).

3.       PEOPLE LOVE BULLET POINTS, use them!

4.       Creativity is necessary…crazy is not!  I remember one time we named a product for one of Bishop Tony Miller’s series, to say the least it tanked…not because the title wasn’t clever but because no one understood what it was about…in fact Bishop Miller couldn’t even remember!  So we learned to be creative but not crazy!

My reason for selling items on eBay is for extra cash, my competitive side keeps on edge each time I make a sell…it must be some inner child kind of thing. Although my motivation for an internet presence may be different than yours, I hope these tips help you to communicate more effectively your ideas and continue to “make a sale”!

1. The first level is the PUBLIC or POTENTIAL “ATTENDEE”; these are people who have either attended or are in the realm of influence. There is minimal or no commitment or involvement at this level.
2. The second level is CONSUMER (also patron or “church attendee”); these are the people that attend on a fairly consistent basis. There’s little buy in from these people because there is a low level of connection or involvement.
3. The third level is VOLUNTEER; these people usually attend consistently and also have a moderate level of serving or volunteering.
4. The fourth level is, for lack of a better word, a STAFF or EMPLOYEE. At the most recent Affecting Destiny Conference, Dr. Sam Chand made this statement, “a paycheck doesn’t make you a staff member”….it’s all about your level of commitment. Many people with this level of commitment or responsibility may not receive a paycheck.
5. The fifth and highest level of commitment is that of an OWNER. These are the people that “the buck stops with”. At the end of the day the responsibility falls on their shoulders because they take ownership of whatever they are doing or have been called to.

I’m sure most people would think it’s only possible to be an ATTENDEE, CONSUMER, VOLUNTEER or STAFF member, based on your own commitment or faithfulness. However that is not the case, it is possible to be the OWNER; you can take ownership of the church you are a part of. You can shoulder the responsibility of the area of ministry or the organization God has called you to.

When I understood this revelation, it changed me forever; I could be an AARON to MOSES! I believe God intends us to carry the weight of helping fulfill the vision He has called us to. The world can be changed by the real church (the body of Christ)….and I am vital in that “church”. Each person is vital. So go today…. Take OWNERSHIP! The buck stops with ME!

By Cole Phillips

Yet sit and think for a moment over this thought. Potential is key and great breeding ground for growth. Potential can be motivating and promote desire, but what is potential outside of preparation.

When the children of Israel were ushered out of Egypt, they were not ushered directly into Canaan, their Promised Land. They had potential, but no preparation. God used forty years in a wilderness to prepare a people for an arrival they were always potentialited for.

Biblically, God never used anyone of any significance without first processing them through preparation.  As in John 15:1-10, He is the vine dressers and we are the branches. He is ever pruning and shaping our lives to produce the right and consistent fruit.

Couple thoughts for today:
1. Potential is the flour and work is the leaven that makes the bread of your life rise to the occasion.
2. Preparation isn’t an event it is a lifestyle. We are always preparing for something!

Later, as I was preparing for a class I’ve been teaching, the Lord dropped this thought into my heart. I decided it was worth sharing for all of us: How often do we give God the opportunity to remind us, this is certainly not about us! Though as leaders God is concerned with our lives and care for us; He is working greater purposes sometimes than we can understand.

King Jeroboam is a Old Testament King who was often found exalting himself above people and God. 1 Kings 13:1-8 encompasses the very essence of selfishness; here a undisclosed prophet comes and gives a word to the King that one will come and tear down all he has built if he doesn’t repent for himself and for his people. The King set the atmosphere of how the people lived and received…as leaders we set the atmosphere for the expectation of our people.

But what takes place is interesting. Jeroboam curses this prophet and in anger reaches his hand towards him and as he does…the King’s mighty hand withers. A true sign that God isn’t playing. However this is the part I want you to see…once Jeroboam realized that God was in this thing, instead of repenting and reestablishing the people back to one true God…he was only concerned with his healing.

Leaders who would rather have the answers to the temporary than the presence of forever scare me! We must not be like Jeroboam and be so caught in our own iniquities that our prayer becomes “save me”, “heal me”, “anoint me”. This self centered approach eliminates the possibility of you and I truly being a multigenerational leader.

Listen, God is shifting His people and He is eliminating the self seekers…who only want a restored hand for themselves but not the presence of God for their nation or people! We must not stop praying and sacrificing for the nation of people, the city, the community of people we have been commissioned to. It is very possible that your temporary healing or need will be met but your people could be exiled and lost from their purpose while you are celebrating your temporary experience!

For you and I some of us are faced everyday with the need for more help, more money, and more time!  But let’s all be careful that we don’t sell the dream for a connection to mixture.  God is moving today in the earth and forcing the contamination out…period!  Let’s not invite it back in because we need it to be faster.

As a result, Zerrubabal stopped working and put up with their taunting and disgust because he was committed to purity and holiness in God’s house!  Lord, help each of us this week to remember you are building a holy people!

1. Desire is neutral. This means until you respond to a desire it is not good nor evil. Desire is not good or bad in itself.
2. Desires can control conduct. A desire can take control over logic and reason and bring you to a unrealistic or thoughtless conclusion. In other words we know the piece of cake is not good for us, but we eat it anyway. We had a desire that overtook our logic and reason.
3. Desires are powerful. This is not only in regards to the negative but a desire can be positive as well. It is possible to use desire to serve you in accomplishing the God appointed purposes on your life. It’s all in how you and I use this powerful…motivating tool!

If something as simple as desire can be neutral in human dealings, able to control conduct, and powerful when used, we should all regularly ask ourselves “What is it that I desire?” and “Is what I desire what God desires?”
Am I very passionate for new things?
Have I often wanted what I thought I could not have?
Does desire for God drives my daily decisions?
Do I desire God, but have a hard time reading and studying the Bible?
Do I know what God desires from me?
I pray that God will give me the desires of my heart?

Desire is not a weakness. We all have desires. How we respond to those desires determines whether it becomes a strength or a weakness. Today, my desire is all of God…I want to know him like never before. I also desire to leave work on time…if I am motivated enough I will!

We have to be a people who know the sustainable power and presence of God. It will be this that causes a long lasting reformation to stick to the corridors of our country and truly revolutionize our decisions. I have found that people get bored easily and too much of the same thing is stifling and even suffocating to them. Though there is nothing wrong with change or adding new and better technologies into our message, it is absurd to develop a people who don’t ever relate to Jesus outside of technology or some cutting edge device. A true reformation is genuinely reshaping the framework of the way people think and bringing awareness to a greater dimension of living (purpose). So let’s use all the technology we can to spread the Gospel but let’s not replace the gospel with technology.

Leaders have to understand, we all have “blind spots”.  We want to see everything in our organization as clear as possible but we really can’t.  I have been fascinated by a new program on TV called “undercover boss”.  What a great idea to see the top CEO’s leave the comfort of their executive offices and go out to work undercover among their employees in order to better relate to them and make better decisions.  Our organization definitely isn’t one of those in terms of size but the principal is the same.  In order for us to grow we have to regularly check the temperature of those around us.  Leaders have to ask the hard questions like “How do you feel this organization treats you?”  “As a company, do you think we care about your personal time?”  This type of questioning really gives you an overall weather report…is it “sunny”, “cloudy”, or “storms ahead”.

To overcome blind spots and address them:

We must pursue people who are not like us but understand us…we need people around us that are different but their difference is valuable.

As leaders we are greatest when we are confident in the team around us…how confident are you?  Do you allow others to point out the blind areas?  Just food for thought!

Can any of us say that just because we are emailing, facebooking, or tweeting that we have the right to add ungodly characteristics to our language or devolve our own self-absorbed opinions about someone else? Is this really demonstrating the character of Christ? I believe that social media networks are public domains where Christians are openly monitored for how we act and react! It is what the Bible describes as putting “Truth on display.” How many of us, as Christians, would openly buy a TV spot to bash or criticize the service of a certain restaurant or underhandedly bash people for trying to do the right thing? I would dare say many of us wouldn’t… probably because we couldn’t afford the cost of our opinions in dollars. Yet can we really afford the cost of our opinions in people’s lives?

Jesus is the truth. He is the life. For any of us to display anything else and call ourselves Christians is costing us more than money.