GraceWorldAGLeadershipPodcast

Moving Away From ComplexityLeaders Make It Better "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." – John 15:2 (ESV) What is the purpose of pruning… that less… produces more As organizations, ministries, leaders grow, so does complexity. However, complexity is not a necessity. Great leaders make things better—not by adding more, but by doing less, better. As I write this, SpaceX launched its first rocket of the year early this morning. Last year set a record for the number of launches, and this year is already on track to surpass it. SpaceX has pioneered lower-cost rockets that not only launch but return safely to Earth—a concept that was considered impossible just a few years ago. But a team of the best engineers on the planet, paired with a visionary leader willing to attempt the unthinkable, proved the doubters wrong. I recently saw Elon Musk post a picture showing the evolution of their Raptor rocket engines. These engines are ultimately designed to carry humanity to Mars. But to me, the true marvel lies in how each version has been refined. Raptor 1 looked like a tangled mess of wires, tubes, and complexity. It worked, but it was difficult to build, maintain, and reproduce. Raptor 2 was a major step forward—cleaner, more streamlined, and a genuine engineering breakthrough. Yet, the team didn't stop there. Raptor 3, the latest version, is elegant in its simplicity. It's powerful, efficient, and ruthlessly refined— the result of hundreds of intentional decisions to remove what didn't belong and simplify what remained. Elon Musk's team didn't arrive here by accident. They followed a radical but effective design philosophy. "Every requirement is dumb until proven otherwise. Delete it. Simplify. Optimize. Accelerate. Only then do you automate." This isn't just how you build rockets; it's a masterclass in leading toward simplicity. When I arrived at Grace eight years ago, we found over 50 separate ministries operating under the banner of the church. Most were siloed, competing with one another for resources and attention. We made the intentional decision to move from 50 things to four. It was a deliberate shift away from complexity. It's a timeless problem. As organizations grow, complexity inevitably creeps in. Often, it's not bad things, it's good things that no longer serve the mission. Sacred cows. Outdated processes. Organizational comfort zones. If we don't intentionally prune them, we'll never move with the power and speed the Spirit desires. Remember the words of Jesus: "Every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." – John 15:2 What Space X Can Teach Leaders 1. Question Everything "Every requirement is dumb until proven otherwise." As leaders, it's our responsibility to question every process, system, and program we engage with. We should consistently ask, "Does this serve the mission?"—until we can either validate it or eliminate it. Why do we hold this meeting? How many of these programs are truly necessary? Can one person do this instead of two? Can this leader handle more responsibility? Why does it take three classes and three months to move someone toward membership? How hard is it to onboard new leaders? Why are we using more than one communication platform? Just because something worked in a past move of God doesn't mean it belongs in the next. 2. Delete, Delete, Delete You can't simplify clutter. Before you simplify, you must eliminate. Craig Groeschel challenges his leaders to keep a "stop doing list" alongside their "to-do list." It's logical—you can't add something new until you remove something old. This year, we made the decision to eliminate our Midweek Fire service to make room for the mission. We asked: Why do we need two weekly services focused on awakening—especially when Sunday is already our strongest and most effective service for that purpose? By removing the Wednesday service, we created space and opportunity for more Grace Groups to meet on campus. That shift better aligns with our vision to train and send. What weekly or monthly meeting can be eliminated or consolidated? What process or system could lose a step or two? What volunteer or leader could be repositioned or reallocated? I promise, you can do more than you think, with less than you think you need. Eliminate what no longer helps people discover life in all its fullness. 3. Clarify What Remains Once something is stripped down to its essential parts, you must then clarify it. Every program, system, activity needs a clear and identifiable win. Every leader needs a clear and simple expectation. Clarity is essential for both mission and movement. What is the win for our Sunday service? What's the expectation for Next Steps? What's the goal of your weekly connection points? What's the purpose of your one-on-one meetings? "Write the vision; make it plain… so that he may run who reads it." (Habakkuk 2:2) Clarity empowers people to run with vision. 4. Accelerate Timeframes What is your big, bold goal for this year? What if you accelerated your timeframe? Instead of going for it slowly over the year, what if you hit it hard for 90 days? Chances are you will not make it… but what if you do? Or how much further will you be along the journey because you accelerated? When you move swiftly and quickly, it might be messy, but it could also be more missional! Remember, the Acts church moved fast because they trusted the Spirit and empowered people. So can we. 5. Automate Last I love automation. This is where systems and programs operate without your constant intervention. However The temptation is to automate first. However if you automate while there is still clutter you will only create confusion. This is why automation is the last step. Today there is a wealth of tools and resources that can steam-line processes, automate tasks and communications. Before you lock them in… make sure that the process has been perfected. Leaders Make It Better This is one of Grace World's 5 Core Leadership Behaviors: Leaders Make It Better. It means we leave things better than we found them. We don't settle for "this is how we've always done it." We treat "it is what it is" like a curse word. We question everything. We eliminate what's unnecessary. We clarify constantly. We move at the speed of the Spirit. And we multiply what matters. As leaders, we take initiative to clear obstacles. We don't wait for someone else to do it. Questions 1. What is one area in your ministry you can simplify this week to make it better? 2. What is a system, step, or sacred cow that needs to be challenged? 3. Where have you settled for the status quo instead of stewarding revival? "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life… so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." – 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 Follow Up Questions What is on thing you will STOP doing in the next 30 days? What is one thing you need to SIMIPLIFY in your life immediately? What is one BIG BOLD goal you can SPEED up?

Leadership Kryptonite #3: Critical Spirit “‘Scoffer' is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.” Proverbs 21:24 (ESV) Zero offense intended to all the wonderful Debbys, Nellies, and Carls in our lives. Thankfully, you are not a Negative Nelly, Debby Downer, or Complaining Carl. However, I guarantee you know a few. They go by different names but always seem to work their way into a team. It's known as a critical spirit, and it is a deadly form of leadership kryptonite. At a previous church, we had a member of our team who lived with a critical spirit. He saw everything through a negative lens. He challenged every new idea, doubted every decision, and always expected the worst. Unfortunately, he brought the entire team down. A person with a critical spirit is to a team what water is to a fire. They quench enthusiasm, hinder progress, and create an atmosphere of negativity. To lead effectively, we must recognize and address this destructive attitude. Get The Notes

Leadership Kryptonite #2: Fear & Anxiety Paul writes, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7, ESV).   When fear and anxiety drive a team, they stifle creativity and innovation. They inhibit open communication, preventing honest dialogue. Together, they create misunderstandings and leave unresolved conflicts in their wake. They work against collaboration, create a culture of finger-pointing and blame-shifting, and bring down morale. Ultimately, fear and anxiety lead to indecisiveness and a reluctance to make bold choices that challenge the status quo.   This leadership kryptonite, left unchecked on your team, is like trying to drive with the emergency brake on full time. Get The Notes

Leadership Kryptonite - Pride "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18 (ESV) “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” Maxwell calls it an irrefutable law of leadership. Every win or every loss will always be diagnosed back to one thing—leadership. We spend a lot of time learning the principles of leadership, but what about the pitfalls? These pitfalls can break momentum, destroy a team, or turn a winning culture into a losing one. It's leadership kryptonite.   Get The Notes

Rhythm of Reduction “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” - Ephesians 5:15-16 As a minister, I feel the responsibility and rebuke in Paul's statement to manage our time wisely. After all, our work has eternal significance yet we only have a finite amount of time to accomplish it. Truly the harvest is great, but the workers are few! Because of reality, I have watched many leaders and volunteers burn themselves out working to build the Kingdom of God. Yet Jesus calls us to walk with Him in the “unforced rhythms of His grace”. He promised that He would not place anything heavy or ill fitting on us and called His burden easy and light. So what is the secret to making the best use of our time and multiply our efforts without taking up an ill fitting burden? The answer is in one of the healthy rhythms we learn from Jesus's life — the rhythm of reduction.   Get The Notes

Healthy Habits   "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly" (Matthew 11:28– 30, MSG).   Get The Notes    

Embracing Healthy Conflict “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” Matthew 18:15-20 Most of us fear confrontation and choose to avoid conflict rather than embrace it. The consequences of unhealthy conflict are catastrophic; fractured relationships, dysfunction, unproductive teams, divided organizations. Fear of these things is why we often choose to avoid conflict rather than employ it. We are afraid of losing a relationship so we choose to accept the frustrating status quo rather than to take the risk of challenging it. Get The Notes

“And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles” (Matthew 5:41, ESV). “Go the extra mile” is a common phrase we use in business or leadership. The roots of this expression can be traced back to ancient Israel and the times of Jesus. The Romans had conquered the known world and built a system of highways that connected Rome to every one of their territories. It was true, “all roads lead to Rome.”   Every road had a stone marker placed at each mile. The stone noted the direction and distance to the nearest town as well as back to Rome. By law, a soldier could compel a subject from one of the conquered lands to carry a load, for one mile, but one mile only..   Get This Episode's Notes Here

Gal 6:9 "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." The end of the year polls of 2022 showed that 1 out of every 3 Americans said that 2022 was a good year. That means that a majority in our nation marked the previous year amongst the worst in their life. It's tragic because it doesn't have to be that way. What is the key to finding fulfillment in the year ahead? This first week of the year many are asking that question while setting new goals and resolutions. However, fulfillment is not found in doing more things, but doing more of the right things while working to eliminate more of the wrong things...   Get This Episode's Notes Here

Values are a set of principles or standards that governs our behavior. They are a reflection of the way we see ourselves and want to be seen. They speak to what we've placed importance upon and choose to emphasize. They are the foundation for who you are and what you will be able to accomplish. Values are important. Do you know your own personal values? How about your family values? Have you made them clear? Can the important people in your life articulate them? Do you see the value in making your values clear?   Get This Episode's Notes Here

Healthy things are growing things, and healthy leaders are prosperous leaders. So if success and prosperity are goals, health must become the pursuit.  So, how is your health? If you answered that thinking only of your physical health, then you are not thinking deeply enough.     Get This Episode's Notes Here  

What are you looking at? Where are you going? Those two things are directly connected. You can't move forward without focus. Everything starts with a vision. Get This Episode's Notes Here

Get The Notes

Get The Notes

Get The Notes