Mentors

Here is some good stuff from Perry Noble. Put his ideas to use and grow!

My Five Rules For Meeting With A Mentor

I have had the privilege of being mentored by some incredible leaders, some you would know, others you might not–but nonetheless, God has used them to teach me SO MUCH about life and ministry.

Over the years I have developed five rules for meeting with a mentor that I would love to share here today…you may agree or disagree, all Iknow is that they have worked for me.

#1 - I Always Adjust To Their Schedule–ALWAYS!

When I am attempting to set up an appointment with someone I want tomeet with–I always ask them (or their assistant) to throw two or threedates at me that is most convenient for them…and then I adjust myschedule to make the meeting happen.

I NEVER send them the times I want and then ask them to adjust their schedules. I am the one who wants the meeting…and if they are available to me I will bend over backwards to hang out with them.

#2 - I Am Always Early For The Appointment

If I am driving from out of town I always make sure I arrive around 30 minutes early. If I get their TOO early then I will find a coffee shop–OR break out a book (ALWAYS have a book with you.)

Usually I will arrive at the person’s office to meet them about 15minutes early…and quite a few times the person I am meeting with hasbeen ready, thus giving me “bonus time!”

#3 - I Have A List Of At Least Five Questions That I Want To Ask.

I remember John Maxwell saying to me once, “I will mentor you, butyou have to ask the questions. I am not preparing a lesson for you…YOU guide this meeting. If you want to know something–ASK. If you don’t askanything then we don’t really have anything to talk about.”

SO…anytime I meet with a mentor (especially JOHN) I am LOADED with questions. Sometimes I get them all answered…sometimes I don’t…but I NEVER walk into a meeting without having a list of what I would like to know.

#4 - I Don’t Talk About Myself Unless They Ask.

When I meet with a mentor I don’t spend 30 minutes telling themabout myself, my daily routine and how good I think I am. I ask questions and then SHUT UP! If I disagree I do not argue. If they askme a question then I will answer…if not then I will keep on asking themmy questions. They didn’t ask to meet with me…I wanted to meet withthem–TO LEARN from them, not debate them.

#5 - I Always Send A Note/Gift Saying Thanks.

I haven’t done this until recently…but anytime someone gives me timeI will send them a Starbucks gift card or a restaurant gift card–justto thank them for the time. (And I jot them about a four sentence note–NOT A BOOK, but a note.)

Those are my rules…hope they help!

New Again

Holy Week is fast approaching. It is a great time to do some extra praying and reflecting about our relationship with Jesus and his sacrifice for us.

You can use the video clip below as a prayer starter.

Quotable

Phineas Taylor “P.T.” Barnum:

“You must exercise your caution in laying your plans, but be bold in carrying them out.”

Financial Peace University

Our new personal finance ministry begins March 25th. We already have 4 families signed up who do not attend our church. I think we have found a need.

You can go to Dave Ramsey's Web site to sign up. Just search for us in the class listing by area code (48312).

Below is Craig Groeschel's blog post for today. It's good reading.

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Financial Margin

from LifeChurch.tv : swerve by Craig Groeschel

Many people live with little or no financial margin. God says this is foolish.

Proverbs 21: 20 says, “In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.”

• The wise have margin.
• The foolish have no margin.

Whenever God gives more, most people and ministries tend to consume the margin. We tend to believe more is for us!

If you get a raise, a bonus, or an inheritance, you might think,
“Now I can get a house cleaner, or help with the yard, or an Apple
iPhone, or a new car, or take a vacation, or buy new shoes to go with
the outfit I don’t yet own.”

Very few people say, “God, how do you want to use this?” They generally absorb and consume all margin.

How do we create financial margin?

1) We can earn more. (Or in ministry, we can raise more money.)

2) We can spend less.

Most people and ministries could be way more effective if they created margin and asked God to use it.