The Value of Church as Community

Why Church matters




I have shared with you in the past that I read two books each morning along with scripture as part of my daily devotion. They are 'Imitation of Christ' by Thomas a' Kempis and 'The Cost of Discipleship' by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.



I gain tremendous insight from the wisdom of the ages passed down by these great Christian thinkers. I am often amazed at how closely the two readings will line up in message on some mornings even though they were written centuries apart.



I have been in a season of reading about the Church, why it was established and what purpose it serves. Rather than recount this for you, I strongly encourage you to dive deep into this subject for yourself. I want to share the one point that I have gained most clearly from this text. Church is community. Wow, wasn't that amazing? Did you feel that burst of insight? No?





I add my sarcasm because for anyone on the discipleship journey you already know this. I am, however, often reminded in the LifePlan process how we can take this for granted. Many LifePlanners will admit a lack of connection or distancing with their current church. Many times in our Lifeplan plan of action we will discuss investigating and finding a church that feels like home.



As Bonhoeffer points out in the side bar quote, we can only exist fully in one of two worlds, the Church or the World. We serve the World through the discipline and dispatch of the Church. We are 'sent' into the world.



From where are you sent?



In John 20:21 Jesus says " Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."



What's Important Now?



Are you fulfilled and connected to a church community?



If not, Let's talk.



Tommy



PS Again, thank you ALL for the forwards and sharing. My distribution list has DOUBLED in 3 months. Please continue to forward, comment on facebook and twitter. I love and appreciate you all.

Mastery instead of Mission

A mission statement as a statement of mastery


‘Set your sights on mastery, leave goals to the competition’ – TP



Very little is said in our world today about mastery. Tom teaches through his training for LifePlans™ and Strategic Operating Plans™ that the key to success is found in the key to mastery.

What is this concept of mastery? In the pre-industrial revolution days a master was someone who had gained status as an expert in his or her particular field. They were referred to as ‘master craftsman’. Today we pay a premium for a piece of art or furniture created by someone considered a master.

What is unique about their work that creates the title of master? Once Tom hired someone to hang a door who had been referred to him by a local shop as a master carpenter specific to doors. Tom watched as he carefully studied the door, the door frame and surrounding area. After about 30 minutes of just walking and looking, the master carpenter hung the door in about 15 minutes. Tom said it was a thing of beauty. The door swung effortlessly. As the carpenter was packing up Tom asked, “ How did you become a master ?”. The gentleman answered, never looking up, I first learned all that I could learn about wood, doors and hanging doors. Then I learned all of the steps as well as I could learn them. Finally I applied speed to all that I had learned. “ Tom summarizes it this way:

Learn all that you can of your craft

Practice the process for your craft

Become as efficient as you can at your craft



What would your vocation, your family life, your company look like if you endeavored to be the best with the gifts you are entrusted? How might this change how you approach outcome, your interaction with clients, employees, suppliers, critical partnerships?



I am not suggesting for consideration that mastery in some way places one above another. In fact I believe great masters are great servant-leaders. In the tradition of master gardening, a Japanese student isn’t even allowed to place the first stone on her own until ten years of study with a master has passed. Great sacrifice and service precludes great mastery.



Is there a connection between mastery and mission? If we understand our mission statement as our statement of purpose, it can be concluded it is our subject of mastery.



What is it that you purpose to do or accomplish? Isn’t this the point of a well thought out, compelling mission statement? While many books , seminars, and countless other means have been dedicated to the writing and crafting of mission statements, our process is pretty straightforward. Once we are in perspective, our purpose, our call to action, nearly writes itself. I have never experienced it taking more than 30 minutes to 1 hour to create a compelling statement of mission or purpose. Often I advise clients to live with it, wear it like an article of custom clothing and then adjust as necessary. I have yet to experience a complete rewrite, even years after the Strategic Operating Plan.



Our clear, articulate statement of mission becomes our charge for mastery.



Want to share your thoughts about mastery? Join the conversation at http://tmoore-foraclearview.blogspot.com . Also check out past Clear Views.



If you need assistance in discovering your personal or organizational purpose, let’s talk.



Tommy

A Fresh Perspective on Trust

Clear View for LifePlanners 8/10


The following are comments from one of my Paterson Colleagues, Linda Lindquist-Bishop. Almost daily Linda sends out a commentary with a Daily Spiritual Vitamin (DSV). DSV is authored and distributed nationally by Diane Garazin.

I chose this particular commentary and DSV to share with you in this Clear View because I was not familiar with Jeremiah 33:3. As Linda points out, who among us can fear, can wallow in self pity or self doubt, can worry if we believe 33:3 to be true?! I challenge you to live confidently, expectant that our Lord is who he says he is and will do what he says he will do

Linda:
“I LOVE this verse!!!!

Many of us who are seeking God's direction often turn to Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
But somehow I have missed this one in Jeremiah 33:3 ( NIV)
3 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
In this verse God LOUDLY and CLEARLY tells us to:
- 'Call to Me' - Call out to him directly
- 'I will answer you' - not 'I might here you' 'I might answer you' 'I might lecture you'
- '(I will) tell you Great and Unsearchable things you do not know
Wow!..... Wow!
In LifePlan work - this is why we build the perspective of our life story and get awareness as to how we are designed as a foundation for stepping into the unknown. And - I would suggest - given that we have the choice to either:

a) 'go it alone' or

b) 'go at it with an all powerful God who loves us'
for me - I'll go with option 'b'
That's what this verse is about!!
When we are searching - God tells us to 'call out to him'.

He will not only answer us - he will do so with insights, wisdom and direction ….the 'Great and the Unsearchable'
I love this verse! :)
L2B”


YOUR DAILY SPIRITUAL VITAMIN
"Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

Jeremiah 33:3
Israel was in a mess. Their disobedience and wayward living had caught up with them, and God allowed their enemies to not only win a great victory over them but to capture them. Jerusalem would be under siege -- something that Israel could not imagine.
However, while the prophet Jeremiah recorded the downward spiral of Israel's fate, he also chronicled their future restoration.
In a letter to those living in exile, Jeremiah writes, " 'I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the Lord, 'and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you' " Jeremiah 29:11-14).
Israel had sinned against God, but He had not forgotten His people. When they returned to their worship of the Lord, their hope was restored. The moment they began to seek God, He was moved by love to bring them home.
When we live for the pleasures of this world, we reap the emptiness of our quest. But when we live our lives for Jesus Christ, we gain a sense of unspeakable joy and eternal hope. Just as God has a plan for Israel, He has one for us. In order to know and live it, we must be willing to follow Christ in faith, trust, and obedience."

DSV is published daily and reproduced by permission. Check out the author's story below.

Any of us who endeavor to live the life our Lord desires for us to live lnows something about life being in a mess. So, are you living confidently, with great certainty of the Life Christ has called you to live? If not, let’s talk….

Tommy


Diane's Story:From: DMGarazin1@aol.com


Date: August 23, 2010 7:08:16 PM GMT-04:00

To: L2B@thekairosnetwork.com

Subject: Re: more about you :

Hi Linda,
So nice of you to want some info about me for your friend, but I don't want any credit for this ministry, I truly believe God wants me to do this. He is so involved in writing and sending out the DSVs. He gets the credit!!!
I am just a 69-yr old grandmother, who loves the Lord. He gave me this ministry back in 1997, and it is still going strong. Praise Him! I am thrilled when I hear from the brothers and sisters that a particular DSV was exactly what they needed that day. That's how I know it is God who guides me to the devotional He wants me to type up and send each day. I have a small library of Christian books and devotionals that are the source of the DSVs. I always put the name of the source (book) at the bottom of the page. I don't want any credit because -- I hate to repeat myself-- it is not me, it is God.
Tell your friend I appreciate his kind interest and desire to say something about me, God bless him, but info about me is not important. The message is what's important. I encourage him to forward them to as many people as possible. The important thing is to include the "from part" at the bottom of every DSV, because they are written by others, I just copy and send.
Linda, you are so special and I thank you again, for your encouragement, love and prayers.
God be with you always,

Diane
:

Key Assumptions

In the Paterson Strategic Operating Plan process we learn that no organization has ever died from too many opportunities. Organizations die from invalid key assumptions and unmanaged risk. As we did with Perspective let’s define Key Assumptions; A Key Assumption is a fundamental principle we are living with we believe critical to our success. We may or may not have validated it as truth. Think of it like a hypothesis in math or science that has yet to be proven through the proof process. A hypothesis begins with an assumption.




Each of us live daily with assumptions; the car headed toward me will stay in its lane, my work will be rewarded, I can make that putt, etc.



In the 25 plus plans I have completed, I have yet to encounter a group that could rattle off the assumptions they were operating with and the proof they were all valid. In fact, what are much more common are phrases like “I never thought about our assumptions” or “I don’t know if my assumptions are valid or not, how do I found out? “. Let me introduce the concept of Key Assumptions with three short examples. In the 3 day Strategic Operating Planning process for a company we were discussing what assumptions were we living with. One participant threw out “Our customers love us”. The group participating all agreed. Incorporated into this particular client’s plan was the assumption “Our customers love us”. Fast forward two years later. I had been brought into facilitate a two day review of the plan and we arrived at Key Assumptions. The aforementioned phrase was reviewed. The group grew quiet and the CEO said“That’s not true”. I asked why and he reported they had lost one of their largest and most tenured clients. The discussion that followed led to a detailed breakdown of how we had lost the client. Today the client is back with procedures in place to do our best to prevent a recurrence. In another organization, the group, a non-profit, depends heavily on a particular state fund. Each time they review their plan they review the assumption “State funding will remain in place”. One morning the leader of the group received a call this funding was being discussed in a senate committee for termination. Within 5 hours the leader and about 22 constituents related to the non-profit were in Columbia, SC meeting with a subset of the senate committee. By day’s end the funding was intact and off the table. Imagine what would have happened if this group had not come to understand how critical this assumption was to their very survival. A different outcome would have most certainly played out. Finally, I recently was brought in for a review after a multi-year break in working with a particular client. When we arrived at Key Assumptions the owner asked the group to define one word in one of their most critical assumptions. Not one person agreed on the definition. A conversation lasting more than 1 and ½ hours ended with a collaborative answer. The group agreed it was living in a dangerous place with so many different interpretations of the assumption.



The three stories all highlight how organizations can live with real risk, risk they have full control and power to do something about, masked in assumptions that may or may not be valid.



What assumptions have you made about your organization that have yet to be proven as true?





What's Important Now?





Is your organization clear about the assumptions you are living with?



Want to understand more about Key Assumptions and their effect on your organization, your clients, and your future?



Remember to join the conversation by leaving your comments, questions or becoming a follower on my blog.

Giving up? Clear View for LifePlanners Issue 3

The following is written by Pete Richardson (www.convergenceplanning.com ). Pete has immersed himself in the full body of Tom Paterson’s work. I am reprinting this blog, with permission, as it exemplifies the life well lived in surrender or as Tom recently defined it “reverent submission”.



From Pete: “But if you were to cut Tom Paterson, he would bleed surrender. He lost his 12 year

old daughter, Debbie, to bone cancer in the 1970’s. Tom Paterson Jr. drowned in Alaska at age 36 when his float plane flipped on a lake. Jim Paterson was killed a year ago when a car hit him while helping a woman broken down on a Virginia highway. Ginny Paterson, Tom’s first wife, died of lung cancer in the late 1990’s after 54 years of marriage. Meryl Paterson, Tom’s second wife, died last year of Alzheimer’s. He knows something about moving on from life’s losses. Today, you’d never know from his view of life and positive attitude that he has suffered so.



We all face loses of some kind. Suffering, pain, trials, and tests face any hairy biped traveling through time. But what allows a man who has experienced SO much loss in his lifetime to have peace of mind and soul? To have no observable signs of bitterness toward God, life, other people, the world in general?



Surrender.



The concept of surrender invokes quitting, giving up to an enemy. It’s usually applied to competition or combat. “The enemy surrendered.” “The team gave up. Surrendered.” Surrender evokes the imagery of the defeated waving a white flag waving out of the trenches of conflict communicating, “We’re done. We’re laying down our guns.”



There is a time to fight for that which is noble, right, honorable and just. Where would the world be had Churchill and Roosevelt surrendered to the German dictator? Where would our nation be had Lincoln quit in his relentless pursuit of the human dignity and freedom of the enslaved and the integrity of the Union? “



To read the full body of this excellent understanding of surrender go to Pete’s ‘Plog’ at

www.convergenceplanning.com



For those who have completed the LifePlan process, we know to come to fully enjoy the Joy of Christ, we first must come to the place of complete yielding of our own will and demand on our life for the ultimate will of Christ. How is this achieved? All of life is a process and the process of surrender is no different. It is a process. As Linda Brewer pointed out so eloquently in Issue 1, the outcome of yielding our will is the receiving of the Life and Joy of Christ. It’s a process that begins with a choice.



Have you decided to stop telling God what you are going to do and let Him lead?



Are you struggling with the concept of ‘giving up to gain’?



I invite you to continue the conversation with me at www.foraclearview-tmoore.blogspot.com



Do you know others who may benefit from learning more about LifePlans and Strategic Operating Plans? If so I encourage you to forward clear view to 3 friends





Tommy

Clear View Issue 5

This is the 3rd of 3 views on perspective. Most mornings I read a paragraph or two from 4 books: Steps to Christ by Ellen White, The Book of Excellence by Byrd Baggett , Daily Drucker by Peter Drucker and The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi. The Book of Five Rings, as told to me, is the Japanese equivalent of The Art of War by Sun Tzu. The Book of Five Rings has transcended the subject of martial arts and has tremendous commentary about life ( written originally in 1644). Musashi states;


“ Observing and perception are not the same thing” and “ …find the state where your eye focus does not change no matter what happens”

What powerful statements about perspective. What are the differences between observing and perception and their impact on perspective? I submit that observing is key to thoroughly understanding a situation or event. I worked with a manufacturing engineer who developed the “bucket” technique. He would take a 5 gal bucket, turn it upside down and watch an operation to see all of the intricacies that were occurring simultaneously. I learned much about engineering by watching him watching. Perception introduces my subjective bias. None of us can be completely divorced from our bias. However, when we clearly observe and seek input from all who have a vested interest we limit our individual bias as we gain the collective wisdom of the group.

What about focus? Musashi suggests it is one of the most critical skills of the accomplished martial artist. Is there really any difference for anyone who endeavors to be accomplished in their respective expertise? Tom Paterson teaches “ Focus is the convergence of all resources for a single purpose. Concentration is the result of sustained focus. Concentrated light cuts glass.” When we focus on our organization, our lives, our relationships, combined with the wisdom of those who are invested with us , we are near the best possible view of our situation. When we are fully in perspective, next steps become obvious.

Lead Goose

    April 2010 Issue 2

                                

 

In a recent sermon series my pastor, Rev. Susan Leonard-Ray, spoke about the 'wild goose'.

She referenced ancient Gaelic custom that symbolized the movement of the Holy Spirit in the form of the wild goose. Anyone living in the South is familiar with the migration of wild Canadian geese. As Pastor Susan pointed out, the goose is not tame or domestic. However, it does have very traditional characteristics from which we may draw life lessons. Dr. Angela Cooper completed her LifePlan in 2008. She shared these thoughts about wild geese with me and by permission with you as well.

 

"When geese fly south for the winter or north for the summer it is not a race, a chance to improve their personal best flight time or a chance for each goose to test his/her self alone against nature's forces. These flights are all about the survival of the species. Success is defined by how many not by how fast. Flying in front is determined by 2 factors. Over the course of the flight many individual geese will take one or more turns flying in front. First, the goose in front needs to know the way, have traveled the route one or more times. Secondly, the goose in front needs to be the one that is strongest and in the best condition to bear more load, at the point in time when He/She assumes the lead role. A goose alone cannot fly the distance. To reach their destination the must fly in groups. Flying together the y share lift and reduce the wind resistance of ever individual goose. Being together also provides encouragement and morale support. While the lead goose benefits some from the geese behind, the lead goose is the leading edge that starts the wind separation process that benefits all of the geese behind. This position is several times more difficult and tiring than any other position in the flight. It appears that all of the more able geese that know the way and are not busy nursing specific groups of young or unhealthy geese along will lead at some point. Observations indicate that the strongest geese not otherwise occupied follow a simple front to back rotation. When a tired leader falls off the next one in line becomes the leader and the former falls to the back of the geese in rotation for the lead position. The time a goose spends in the lead position is determined exclusively by condition and circumstances. There are no ego centric geese out to prove their superiority. They form into a V naturally because they instinctively seek to minimize the drag and maximize the shared lift. Flying together is so critical that often when young or unhealthy geese fall back to rest one or more stronger geese will stay back to fly with them when it's time to proceed."

 

So what do wild geese and LifePlanning have to do with each other? In a LifePlan we discuss the significant positive value mentors have in our lives. I believe mentors are similar to the lead goose. They have gone before us and accumulated life experiences helping smooth our way. Clearly this can be God at work in our lives, in the form of another. Also, we must be attentive to when we should and can be the 'lead goose' for others.

 

Interested in discussing more about the high value of mentors? Let's talk…

                                    Tommy

 

Clear View Issue 2

March 2010 Issue 2







Can a group operate without perspective? I offer the answer of yes. Perspective can only be achieved when we are seeking the complete truth of a situation. Last time I shared that we define perspective as the clear, undeterred truth of where we are today and how we arrived here. One of you responded by asking if I believe absolute truth can be achieved. I referred to a book, recommended years early by the same person, Great Ideas by Adler. Adler takes 102 “objects of thought “as he calls them and researched what the great thinkers of the world have to say about each subject. For ‘Truth’ he quotes Aristotle who says “If there were no absolute truth there would be no reason to walk around a well “. I love it. Do I believe absolute truth exist? Yes. Do I believe that it is 100% achievable by a group of people seeking perspective? Possibly not completely, but I have observed too many times to deny that a higher understanding is gained from the collective wisdom of a group.



The first day of a strategic operating plan is set aside for perspective. It is not unusual for us to discover there is missing or incomplete information. We don’t stop the plan to go get it, but it becomes a critical first step. It’s a like a warning blaring “PAY ATTENTION!” Tom Paterson, Founder of the Paterson Strategic Operating Plan © offers this guidance; “A plan built on the truth is destined to succeed, a plan built on fiction is destined to fail, do you know the truth? “

Another point of wisdom on this same subject he offers is “Always try and find the truth first, it is much more painful when it finds you.” If you need help gaining perspective, let’s talk.



Tommy

Clear View for Lifeplanners - Receiving the Gift

February 10, 2010 Issue 1 for LifePlanner


In the course of our time together in the LifePlan, we spent no small amount time gaining a new understanding of surrender. In order to live the life our Lord desires for us to live, we must come to terms with our demand on our lives. It’s the promise of John 10:6-10 :

6-10Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. "I'll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn't listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. ( The Message)

If we see Jesus’ words as the offering of a gift, a gift we could have never dreamed of, are we open to a His gift? Are we accepting without expectation, and willing to yield to the thoughtfulness of the giver?



What feelings come to mind when we are surprised by the genuine unselfish act of one close to us?



One of my daughters has a boyfriend who spontaneously brings her bouquets of roses. She has never been a ‘girlie girl’ and has not displayed a propensity to flowers or other similar gifts. However, when he surprises her with a large display of roses you can see her whole aura light! Who doesn’t love a great surprise gift?



Linda Brewer is one of our LifePlan peers. Linda had an experience that resonated with me at a very deep level. After personally accepting her gift of insight and blessing and with Linda’s permission, I share it with each of you. Linda seeks earnestly to live the life our Lord desires for her to live. She shares an authentic experience that will yield fruit for us all. Please go to the link shown to hear Linda’s wonderful message. Listen and revel in the gift!



http://tinyurl.com/ycvcoeg



Are you living with the gift Christ has for you? If you are not sure, let’s talk.



Tommy

 

Published!

http://www.washingtonlife.com/2010/01/15/get-out-give-back-how-to-make-a-charitable-resolution/



Hi Tommy,



You are officially quoted in the Washington Life Magazine - the online version. If you go to the homepage, www.washingtonlife.com, and click on "Lifestyles", you'll see that they added a Get Out and Give Back link. I just found that out yesterday via an email from the editor!



Cheers,



Jane



Jane Hess Collins

Founder, Get Out and Give Back

Connect. Contribute. Create a legacy.



Inspiring people to contribute

through coaching/speaking/writing



Share your volunteer stories at

http://www.getoutandgiveback.com

Clear View - Perspective

Jan 2010






Welcome to the First Edition of Clear View. Clear View will be a regular commentary from me about all things Strategic that I see from my practice of Strategic Operating Plans and LifePlans

Let’s get grounded with a few definitions. As a founder trained and certified Paterson Associate, we learn strategy is ‘managing tomorrow, today’ and operating is ‘managing today, today’. A successful strategy requires both a clear sense of where we are going and the actions necessary to get us there. The more I practice the Tom Paterson Strategic Plan Process™, the more it is reinforced there are no neutral decisions. Every decision everyone is making in the organization moves us closer to or further away from our envisioned destiny.

It all begins with perspective. Another definition: ‘Perspective is the clear, undeterred truth of where we are today and how we arrived here.’ There is no plan without perspective. I know that is a strong statement but it is a statement grounded in truth. We gain perspective by completely understanding our present reality. Often I will have prospective clients tell me where they want to take their organization. I’ll ask them “How do you know? What process did you use to eliminate distraction, personal bias, and other possibilities that may distort our truth?”

An example from a Paterson associate; As each hour of a Strategic Operating Plan went on, my friend could see the owner becoming less inviting of others points of view. Slowly he could feel them shutting down to the point it was basically a dialogue between he and the owner. This continued into the second day. The morning of the third and final day, my friend met the owner for an early breakfast. He shared his observations to which the owner quickly confessed. He struggled with the changes of the company, direction, and the needs of employees for freedom and trust. Wisely, my friend suggested that the owner share his thoughts and fears with the rest of the team. He did and the plan came together beautifully.

As we enter the New Year, where do you need organizational clarity? Need assistance?…Let’s talk. Tommy