Leadership Lessons for Lunch (Part 2)

This week, leading up the iGo Leader Retreat, we are inviting you to join us for lunch. We will serve up the cucumbers, tomatoes, and a brief leadership lesson each day at 12:00. And as a bonus, we are offering Two for Tuesday today. First you will hear from iGo Staff member Crystal Meeker. Crystal coordinates all of our JSI’s (international internships). She also oversees our Go Year students who serve 6 months to a year. The bonus post is from a guest. He is one of our workers from overseas, and we asked him to share some leadership wisdom with you as well. Enjoy your lunch!

The Journey to Leading Well by Crystal (aka Pistol)

As I prepare for the iGo leadership retreat, I keep thinking about the steps one takes on the journey to leading well. One common factor rose to the top–in order to lead well one must be faithful with small things. When I say small things, I’m not implying that they are insignificant, just that they are things we already know we should to be doing (Micah 6:8). For example, are we diligently studying the word, serving our local church, loving our families, working hard at school/jobs, etc? It is WORK to stay faithful with things that are not glamorous, fun or recognized. One of the men at my church spends every week vacuuming the carpets on the weekend, caring for the space the Lord has given us to meet together. People rarely compliment the carpet looking clean, but everyone definitely notices if some ground up goldfish crackers were missed from Tuesday night Awana. Could you imagine what the carpet would look like if he didn’t serve each week? Yikes! Because of this man’s faithfulness each week, people are not distracted by crumbs and bugs and are able to focus on scripture and impacting families with the gospel.

Whether you find yourself with an exciting leadership role or a not so exciting one, be faithful with each step that has been given to you. For some of us, being faithful with the seemingly menial is a catalyst the Lord uses to give more leadership opportunities (Luke 16:10-13). The Lord is working all things for His glory. As we strive to be obedient with serving may we always remember that Christ is our aim, not an important leadership position.

“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12.

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Bonus: Two for Tuesday

Learning to Delegate by The Mysterious Racer D

A wise man once told me that when you lead a team, it’s important to delegate authority but not responsibility.  Having seen the benefits of this principle over the years (and having failed numerous times by not following it), I’d like to pass this wisdom on to you.

Delegating authority means empowering those on your team to make decisions and use their gifts to accomplish the task at hand.  It doesn’t mean giving up your authority as leader, but letting go of the need to be “the man” who holds power too closely and micromanages the team.  There are many issues that can be delegated to others on the team.  Give the members of your team space to give input, to use their gifts and even to fail as they learn and grow.

While delegating authority is good, delegating responsibility is not.  Regardless of how much you’ve empowered others, you bear ultimate responsibility for your team.  The consequences for every decision that is made on the team lands at your feet.  If the team isn’t going in the right direction, you don’t shift the blame to someone on the team (even if you know they’re a slacker), you put it on yourself - and commit to learning how to better lead your team.  If someone else has a problem with the performance of someone on your team, they first come to you, and you handle it.  You’re the one tasked with having hard conversations with those you lead.

So as you lead, keep in mind to delegate authority but not responsibility.

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Lance Shumake, April 10th 2012 | Posted in Crystal, Leadership

Crystal’s Reflections on Leader Retreat

I turned my radio off, put my phone on silent and pointed my Honda down the road that would lead to my house some 45 minutes later. I hoped to process a bit of what the Lord did throughout the Leader Retreat weekend, even though I knew my brain had already stopped thinking clearly and was anticipating sleep rather than sorting out the weekend. I pushed forward anyway. By the time I reached my house, there was only one conclusion I had come to: my heart is deceitful but God is faithful. He is faithful to complete the work He began in me. But it’s not even about the work He’s doing in me, or the iGo staff, or the M’s, or any of the students who participated in the retreat. The good fruit we see is a by-product of what it’s really all about: His faithfulness to bring about His Glory to the nations. This is what stood out to me throughout the weekend from start to finish, weaved throughout every person God used to teach, correct, encourage and lead.

I was reminded of this truth when our staff met on Friday morning with the M’s & partners to spur one another on in the task set before us. I was kicked in the gut as AC shared on Friday night with the Team Leaders from 2 Chronicles, “even though we resolve to set our hearts to seek the Lord, God gives the victory, the salvation is His and He gets the glory for it.”  Saturday morning, I was reminded how God displays his glory through a once cocky, punk kid turned Team Leader how the Lord worked through his Team Leader years before to show him humility. Jami Lee brought the whole idea home when she shared, “You will multiply yourself when you acknowledge God can do it better than you can.”  Brad pushed it further with Philippians 2:5-11, commenting, “The reason Jesus took on our nasty skin was so that God would be glorified.” All of this happened in just the Team Leader portion of the weekend!

Then, the JSI’s arrived Saturday afternoon. (Sidebar: There is a distinct difference between the way excitement is expressed from the Team Leaders and the JSIs upon arrival. Neither one is wrong or right, just different. Team Leaders walk in calm, say their hellos, give high fives and get down to business. JSIs arrive FULL ON, talking 800 miles an hour, doing cheers, jumping up and down about their new t-shirts and never wanting the weekend to end. I love it all.) God used a JSI drawing out the core value on Ancient Work  from creation to Christ’s return to show that God has been working since the beginning to bring about His Glory. I had the privilege of challenging the JSIs with the how to’s of the JSI role and saw God’s handiwork again when I realized that 75% of them were stepping up to the leadership ladder because God had used their JSI in the previous years to encourage them.  Ky preached from Matthew and Mark that, “greatness is found in the mundane and ordinary,” charging us to “excel in our serving others rather than trying to increase our own positions.”

Sunday morning, God used Shu to speak God’s Sovereignty seen in Habbakuk saying, “God is reigning and ruling. He’s in control. Is that enough for you to press on even if everything is falling apart?” Rowdy brought the idea full circle for me from 2 Timothy 3: “You don’t have to rely on some manual iGo puts out that has steps A-Z in it. We have scripture and it’s sufficient.”

These are just a few highlights that stood out to me. We heard from the M’s and former JSI’s about being and making disciples; we worshipped through song with great leaders; we held small group discussions; we had lots of laughs getting to know one another better; we gave many hugs and high fives; and I believe we brought much Glory to God. He is it. The story we’re sharing is about Him, His plan, His sacrifice, His kingdom. He is the only one worthy of being made famous. What were your thoughts from the weekend?

2 Comments

Crystal Meeker, April 13th 2011 | Posted in Crystal, Insightful

Owl Be There for you

In honor of Valentine’s Day and the 2011 mascot, we wanted to send a special message from our staff to you:

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Emily Martin, February 15th 2011 | Posted in AC, Allison, Brad, Chassidy, Crazy iGosian Videos, Crystal, Elizabeth, Emily, Funny, Jami, Jonathan, Kent, Ky, Rowdy, Sarah, Shu

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I have a confession to make, I am a 30 year old, single gal who absolutely loves Valentine’s day, it’s one of my most favorite days of the year. I know that probably doesn’t make sense; I should wear black, eat a gallon of ice cream and cry about my singleness right? Sorry folks, that’s not going to happen.  I could make a long list of nonsensical reasons I love Valentines day like, party time, pink, sparkly things, cupcakes, etc… But the real, deep, satisfying reason I love Valentines Day is because I think being intentional about loving people is pure greatness and I think it should happen year round.

Have you ever noticed that pretty much every song that comes on the radio deals with love? Either we’re trying to find it, keep it, repair it, exist in it, etc…I’m not complaining, just pointing out that humans crave relationship and often go to great lengths to find a significant one. As a follower of Christ I have been given more love than I could ever imagine and I have been commanded to love others because of His love. One of the most significant relationships I have is with the church, but I don’t know that I always express my love like I should.  Galatians 5:13-14 and Galatians 6:10 pushed me to think through how I love the church.

Back in November we had a whole iGo conference; challenging and pushing us to love the church and I wonder how many of us have put into practice what we learned. As a single woman it would be easy for me to spend most of my days lamenting on the absence of a husband and develop bitterness towards those who have a loving spouse. But this is not what we have been called to. I’ve been commanded to love the whole church not just the ones who have the same marital status.

Year round could be Valentine’s Day for couples in our churches if more single folks would encourage and serve the body. I’m not talking just about teaching a class or picking up trash, even though those things are great. What about babysitting for a couple for free, without being asked, just because? Or writing a simple note commending the woman who lovingly submits to her husband. Or dropping by a hot meal just because it’s Thursday? Or mowing a lawn so the husband can have more time with the kids.  It could be Valentine’s Day year round for the singles in your church if more couples would encourage and serve the body. One of the biggest things I hear from single members of churches is that they feel left out. Ask a single to sit with your family during church or out to lunch, it brings so much encouragement! Take an interest in what they are involved in, ask about their lives. I could go on and list things forever, there are a million tangible ways to serve the church. It boils down to this: no one is better than another, none of us deserve the grace we’ve been given, so serve one another with love as long as we have today.

St. Valentine was remembered and honored because he was killed for not renouncing his love for the church. Today is a day to tell those you love just how much you love them, but don’t leave the church off that list. Christ paid a high price for her and because of that we have access to Him who is love.

Now, go bake some cookies with frosting and sprinkles. Share them with others.

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Crystal Meeker, February 14th 2011 | Posted in Crystal

Thanksgiving…

During this season of thankfulness, we wanted to highlight staff members and their families and let them share a few of the things they’re most thankful for. Let us know what you’re thankful for in the comments section!

Sarah Arnett

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- God’s unfailing provision
- Thoughtful family, friends, & supporters
- The opportunity to have some pretty amazing life-adventures

Allison Aycock

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- The Lord’s provision in all things
- The people He has placed in my life, that I get to walk alongside each day
- Juice Boxes

Aaron Clayton

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- For the opportunity to get to serve the Lord and work doing things I love, through the church and through iGo
- For two really amazing kids who teach me so much
- My gracious and faithful, smoking hot wife

Danielle Cody

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- The grace I’m shown daily that gives me a clearer picture of the Gospel
- A staff to work with that is encouraging, sharpening and like-minded
- Shoes. Cute shoes can make anybody look good.

Jami Lee Gainey

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- The first ever iGo conference, and how it reminded me of how blessed I am to work with people who love and encourage others to love the church
- The undeserved opportunity to be a part of a church plant alongside my husband and other great friends
- The blessing of experiencing the TSSG trip this past summer in Japan with my husband, mother, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law

Kent Jones

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- For a little girl in Ethiopia who will soon become my daughter
- Thankful I was blessed to have 12 great years with my lab, Mo (he passed away in August).
- For Napoli’s Lunch Special. 2 slices of round Italian food for only 4 bucks.

Elizabeth Junell

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- Chiloso
- A son that’s potty trained
- Friends who faithfully petition the Lord on my family’s behalf

Emily Martin

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- Grace and hope that come through Jesus
- Getting to spend time with family
- Pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin candles - basically anything pumpkin flavored

Ky Martin

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- My wife
- The people around me who have pointed us to adoption
- Getting to work with good friends and leaders

Crystal Meeker

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- Parents that live out the Gospel
- iGo Partners that give financially and walk alongside me
- Cute Aprons

Chassidy Rogers

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- The Word of God
- Coffee
- My husband

1 Comment

Emily Martin, November 23rd 2010 | Posted in AC, Allison, Chassidy, Crystal, Elizabeth, Emily, Jami, Kent, Ky, Sarah

Warrior Dash Pics

An estimated 18,000 people proved their warrior status at the two day event this weekend in Forney, TX. Among these were six of our staff and several friends.

“It was the craziest freaking day of my life,” said Shu. “We all looked like new born giraffes out in that mud. You could NOT stand up. The coolest part was how every part of my body was hurting until I stopped running and then I felt fine.”

Ky said, “The coolest part was the mud slide - you get cooking on that thing. It was just like going down a water slide. Another fun part was when you swam over the logs and got out of the water and felt refreshed - ready to go again.”

“Hopefully we’ll make this an annual tradition and more friends and staff can join us next yaer,” said Allison.

Below are some of the pics Allison took during the event:

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Emily Martin, May 4th 2010 | Posted in Allison, Brad, Crystal, Funny, Kent, Ky, Shu, Uncategorized

Staff Meeting Video

We decided to record one of our staff meetings for the three people that read our blog and who might wonder what a day in the iGo office is like. None of this is planned, staged, scripted or any other synonym you can think of. We tried to filter through the boring stuff. Hope you enjoy the ridiculousness that is our staff:

The day Allison edited this video was the SAME day we found our new office! Praise the Lord! Be praying for us as we transition to the new location in Wylie.

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Ky Martin, February 19th 2010 | Posted in AC, Allison, Brad, Chassidy, Crazy iGosian Videos, Crystal, Emily, Funny, Jami, Kent, Ky, Shu, Uncategorized

12 Days of iGosian Christmas!

At iGosia we celebrate the 12 days of Christmas. Check out this sweet video!

In case you can’t understand us due to all the laughter, here’s the list:
1. Suitcase full of T-shirts and Jeans
2. Fake Bus Passes
3. iGo Dollars
4. Flying Footballs
5. Cucumbers
6. Payment Deadlines
7. Different Accents
8. Busy Jimmys
9. iGosian apples
10. Awesome T-shirts
11. Mustard Bottles
12. Octopuses

From iGosia to you - “We hope you have top of sweet celebration with families this season of holiday!”

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Crystal Meeker, December 16th 2009 | Posted in Allison, Chassidy, Crazy iGosian Videos, Crystal, Emily, Funny, Jami, Jonathan, Kent, Ky, Shu

Thanksgiving

At iGo there are a lot of things we’re thankful for….here are just a few highlights:

Shu:

friends and family that support our ministry
Zoom Bait Company (Bass love ‘em)
camouflage
Apple
Madeley Ranch (where I hunt deers)
The Republic of Texas

Elizabeth:

An office that laughs together
Masking tape—it holds the thermostat on the wall
A son who just learned about butterfly and eskimo kisses
Friends who sit on the floor of my office to do their work

Chassidy:

sweet tea.
garden salsa sunchips.
grace.
the minute maid freezer pops AC has in the freezer here. i owe him about 3.

Aaron:

Chassidy owing me like 18 frozen pops plus interest.
frisbees because they curve…into offices.
iGosians who are cool with kissing the fish.
SO many t-shirts.
a brand new son..

Jami:

I’m thankful for…working in a community of people who are passionately pursuing sanctification and are not perfect, but are willing to share with each other their struggles, weaknesses, and shortcomings.

I’m thankful for…the random phrases that are yelled out down the hall, which are ultimately meaningless to the point that no one even recalls where they originated.

Crystal:

Kitchen Aid Mixer
Centerpoint church
Getting to see JSIs grow
High Fives

Ky:

Working with a staff who are great friends
The chance to help students get the bottom line
Dr Pepper…Dr Pepper

Emily:

The Word
A desk to work from at iGo
Being a part of something way bigger than me
Leftover snacks from base camp

What are you thankful for?

3 Comments

Emily Martin, November 25th 2009 | Posted in AC, Chassidy, Crystal, Emily, Jami, Ky, Shu