From One Degree to Another

Phil Auxier's Blog

Connect

Dangerous Calling Email – Guarantee

by

Here’s the email I wrote to the Elders and Deacons of Crestview on 8/27/13:

There’s a great quote in the notes from Sessions 7 & 8 of Paul Tripp’s Dangerous Calling DVD Study Guide.  It comes from p.126 of the book: “If you and I have been guaranteed a place in eternity with our Savior, then we also have been guaranteed all the grace we need along the way.”  My response written on the page when I read this was, “Yes!”  I tend, so very often, to forget that the grace that justifies is the same grace that sanctifies and will eventually glorify me eternally.  The grace that leads us safe thus far will, indeed, safely lead us home.  And, this is good news for each of us. 

You see, our success in ministry is not entirely wrapped up in who we are.  It’s wrapped up more specifically in God and who He’s made us to be.  Jesus said, “Apart from Me, you can do nothing.”  We do a lot in ministry without Him.  But the most effective ministry moments are those that find us in weakness admitting to Him our need and relying on Him to accomplish what He intends.  Today, remember that God is the source of our work.  Rest in Him.  And, as we do, we’ll be the effective leaders God’s called us to be. 

LRC Email – Self and Others

by

Here’s an email I wrote to Leadership Reno County alumni yesterday, 8/26/13:

Good Morning. 
As you know, my life has recently been turned inside down and upside out (yes, that’s a play on words) and I’ve been thinking about how this relates to our acts of leadership in Reno County.  One part of this is a simple reminder that I too easily forget:  I don’t have all the answers.  Now, I’m sure some of you have different capacities and rebuilding a basement might not be an issue for you, but I’m out of my element.  I need the eyes of others.  I need their wisdom, expertise, experience, history, baggage and all that’s gone good and bad for them before. 
And, if we were all honest, there are countless ways that we need the insight of others.  In terms of the competencies of the KLC, we would say, we must engage the unusual voices.  But, this is as large a part of managing self as anything.  How many of us simply default to our own best-laid plans or schemes and don’t really pursue the insights of others?  I know I do.  I don’t want to have the mess with the work that engaging others might bring.  But, it is an act of leadership to seek out those unusual voices.  So, today, remember this simple truth: You don’t have all the answers.  There might (probably definitely will) be others that you need to engage.  And, as you do this, I believe you’ll make more progress on this issues you care about deeply. 

With you in this adventure…

DC Email – Self Glory and Our Kingdoms

by

Here’s an email I sent out to Elders and Deacons at Crestview based on a DVD series we’re watching entitled Dangerous Calling with Paul Tripp:

We’re coming off the heels of our meeting on August 13 (reminder, if you missed the meeting, the videos and handouts are available from Bob G).  These 2 sessions really got after how much we live for ourselves and fail to be the ambassadors which we’ve been called to be.  There were lots of areas of application and Tripp put his finger on that one of personal worship before God. 
Here’s some key points from Session 7:
·         Through ministry we can build God’s glorious Kingdom or we can attempt to build our own glorious kingdom.
·         The DNA of sin is selfishness.
·         Your actual position in ministry is God’s ambassador; as such, we are called to incarnate the King.
And some points from Session 8:
·         We must continually be reconciled to God.

·         Ministry is only made effective, safe and attractive when it is fueled by our own devotional life.

LRC Email – Fighting the Hiccups

by

Here’s a short email I wrote to Leadership Reno County Alumni this AM:

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve written and this has been due to some circumstances in life.  Specifically, I lost my grandmother on July 7.  I had the privilege of traveling home (to Southern Illinois) and being a part of the service.  It was a great time, but hard as that last relative on one side is now gone.  Needless to say, it was a hiccup on the road of my life. 
We all face these don’t we?  We face situations that have the potential to take us out of the game for a season.  We encounter times or seasons that call for refocusing or redirecting our efforts.  We drift into parts of life that mean we’re a little bewildered as to who we are and what we’re doing.  Even a simple vacation, which is an important part of taking care of yourself, can have an effect like this. 
So, how do we fight the “hiccups”?  Well, for me, even writing this short thought meant fighting through the hiccups.  And, I simply recalled a couple of basic KLC civic leadership principles:  Leadership is an activity, not a position.  I have to simply step out and do something.  I also remembered that It starts with you and must engage others.  Reengaging meant stepping into other people’s lives.  And, finally (and maybe most important), I remembered Your purpose must be clear.  Why do I do this?  So that the leadership capacities of you, my friends, are strengthened.  I want Reno County to be better for my children because we are more effectively engaging in acts of leadership. 

Today, what hiccups are you fighting?  Maybe these simple reminders will help you make progress on the issues you care about.  

Dangerous Calling Email – Simple Question

by

My 6/25/13 email based on Paul Tripp’s Dangerous Calling book to elders and deacons of Crestview Bible Church:

We continue to work through Dangerous Calling thoughts this year.  Specifically, we’re following up on chapters that were recommended to read following up on Sessions 5-6 of the DVD.  Chapters 5, 6, and 11 are encouraged to be some follow up on these sessions. 
There’s a profound question at the beginning of chapter 5 that I would encourage you to consider: “Who am I and what do I spiritually need?”  When was the last time you considered this?  Why not today?  I’d like you take some time and spend 5 minutes honestly considering this question.  Journal some thoughts or write a reflection and then act accordingly.  Maybe there’s a cry out for help you need to make.  Maybe there’s some sort of follow up you need to pursue.  Whatever God stirs in you, consider this question, then avail yourself to the body of Christ. 

With you in this journey…

LRC Email – Usual vs. Unusual

by

My 6/24/13AM email to Leadership Reno County alumni:

I want to continue pressing this idea of engaging unusual voices for 2 reasons: 1) It’s something that I don’t do very naturally.  I tend to default into “I’m-the-expert-and-have-this-figured-out-and-don’t-want-to-waste-time-talking-to-others” mode.  So, I need this content.  Also, 2) it was the content of a card sent out by the KLC summarizing a conference call on October 4, 2012.  This info is super-duper helpful.
Here are 2 groups of 3…
3 Examples of Usual Voices:
– People in positions of authority
– Individuals with significant influence surrounding an issue
– Those who frequently participate and show-up
3 Examples of Unusual Voices:
– Those perceived to have little or no influence
– People not actively engaged
– Individuals who are invited to the table but whose ideas are not heard
So, which group gets your attention?  And, what do you envision to positive and negative effects being of engaging these more unusual voices?  Today, why don’t you consider one such voice you could engage and seek to see what they might offer in helping you progress in your area. 

With you in this adventure of engaging in acts of leadership…

LRC Email – Catch Valve and Voices

by

Here’s the email I sent to Leadership Reno County alums today on engaging unusual voices:

Recently had some plumbing problems and had to put in a catch valve in our sump pump pipe.  Now, I’m not the handiest person when it comes to this, but I do understand the thought here.  The catch valve insures the sump keeps making progress.
In a sense, that’s what engaging unusual voices is all about.  It’s helping all kinds of people make progress on things they care about.
So, if this such a great concept, why don’t we engage unusual voices more often?
– We don’t set high enough standards for ourselves in how we connect with people and build relationships.
– It’s risky.  Usual voices fear losing their status or influence.
– Fear.  We gravitate toward what’s comfortable.
– Time. Engaging unusual voices requires time people are unwilling to give.
– Assumptions.  Those without influence are often assumed to lack expertise.
Anytime and every time is a good time to engage unusual voices.
(taken from a Kansas Leadership Center Conference Call summary)

Today, then, engage in an act of leadership by going after the unusual voices so that you make progress on the issue you care about.

LRC Email: Hearing Voices

by

Here’s the email I wrote to Leadership Reno County alums today, entitled “Hearing Voices.”

I’m being serious.  Hearing voices might seem like some metaphysical pursuit or some other kind of psychological thing-a-ma-jig.  But, one of our contentions is that engaging unusual voices is a very important act of leadership.  In a recent conference call, Ed O’Malley said, “Engaging unusual voices is about getting outside your comfort zone.  If we don’t build capacity to experiment beyond our comfort zone, we’re less likely able to engage unusual voices.”  They are important.  So, we’re going to take a couple of weeks and think about this.
Why is it so important to engage unusual voices?
Answer: They see things usual voices don’t.  True progress isn’t made without them.

I’ll leave it there for today.  Hope you have a great week.  And seek out some of those voices you don’t normally.

Dangerous Calling Email – Danger of Arrival Review

by

Here’s the email I wrote to the elders and deacons of Crestview today, following up on a meeting we had going over Tripp’s Dangerous Calling DVDs.

I’m going to summarize session 5 in this email and press for some application. 
Some of the high points were:
– The Bible is shockingly honest about the brokenness of this world but is, also, gloriously hopeful.
– Since the Bible is honest and hopeful, we should be the most open and honest community.
– There is a danger of identifying or defining ourselves and each other by positions of ministry.
– Effective ministry requires an intentionally intrusive, Christ-centered, grace-driven, redemptive community based on humble approachability and loving honesty.
– We are all tempted to live according to the lie of autonomy and the lie of self-sufficiency.
– The greatest problems and temptations of life lie inside of me and not outside which means I need the grace of God in me much more than I need changes in situations.
Here’s the applications, we were encouraged to pursue:
Is there someone in your life whom you have made yourself approachable to and will allow them to intrude into your life?  If not, why not?  Who could such a person be in your life?
Are you still a person who hungers and thirsts for God’s grace?
How can our church help develop and support the spiritual growth of each other in leadership?
Pray for and with your church leaders (reminder, we meet each Sunday at 8:30 in the bookstore).

Hope you have a great week.  

Dangerous Calling Email – War of Kingdoms

by

Here’s my email for the week to leaders at Crestview from Paul Tripp’s book, Dangerous Calling:

Today, we’re back in Tripp’s Dangerous Calling book thinking about Chapter 7, War Zones.  In introducing this idea, Tripp writes, “It took God employing pastoral hardship to get me to embrace the inescapable reality that everything I did in ministry was done in allegiance to and in pursuit of either the kingdom of self or the kingdom of God.  This truth is best exegeted for us in Matthew 6:19-34 (Please grab your Bible and read the passage).  I’m convinced that this passage is an elaborate unpacking of the thoughts, desires and actions of the kingdom of self.  Notice the turn in the passage in v.33, where Jesus says, “But seek first the kingdom of God.”  The word “But” tells us this verse is the transition point of the passage.  Everything before it explains the operation of the other kingdom, the kingdom of self.  This makes the passage a very helpful lens on the struggle between the two kingdoms that somehow, some way, battle in the heart of everyone in ministry.” 
Tripp then unpacks 4 ministry treasure principles that are helpful in seeking to examine the motivations of our heart in ministry:
1) You will be treasure oriented in your ministry.
2) Your ministry treasures will command the allegiance of your heart.
3) What captures the allegiance of your heart will shape your ministry actions, reactions and responses. 
4) Your functional treasures are always attached to either the kingdom of self or the kingdom of God.
Today, will you ask God to shine the light on your service and ministry so that you may seek out whether you are serving the kingdom of self or God?  And, remember to run to God as your refuge.