Leadership Summit

As Cornerstone Church, we held our first ever Leadership Summit yesterday after worship. All of our people who had been nominated to serve in any of our operational teams came together for a time of lunch and vision sharing. I explained to the group our current leadership structure, its flaws, and the process leading us to this point. Then I detailed the strategy for the new leadership structure and how the pieces will all play their part. We were focusing on how everything we do needs to be in line with our vision. I asked the group to focus their leadership on asking two key questions at every turn: Why, and What If? If we continually ask the WHY question, then we'll always know that their is a vision centered purpose for every discussion we hold and every decision we make. If we continually ask the WHAT IF question then we'll always be walking by faith...leading in a new direction.

After this initial presentation, we split into breakout groups in different areas of the building. Led by representatives from our Lay Leadership Team and Ministry Management Team, each operational team went through a team building exercise. There was lively discussion about how to make decisions and how the decisions we make in ministry effect people for their earthly and eternal lives. Each team member also filled in a survey during this time to share their hopes and vision for the operation of the team. They also wrote down the name of someone they would feel comfortable with leading their team.

Now the Lay Leadership Team will take our observations and the teams' written input and put the finishing touches on our nominations for leadership in the coming year. This was a radical departure from the way things have been done...both in structure and method. But to this point, I am declaring it a great success.