Nancy Beach

DISINVITING TEAM MEMBERS

     I just got off the phone with an arts leader from a church in western Canada.  He is trying to take his music worship team to the next level and believes that some of the faithful current team members do not possess the music skill required.  Of course, they are veterans who have sacrificed so much for the team, and are much loved, etc.  It would be so much easier if they were jerks!  Together we talked about the difficult meetings and conversations he will lead as he trims his team.

     I told him that he needs to expect this process to be difficult, and that he should know going in that he won't do it perfectly.  It's vital for him to explain the core values of the worship ministry to the team, and explain why he believes the church needs them to improve their musical quality while at the same time ministering with authenticity and strong spiritual character.  We discussed how the Evil One will try to sow divisiveness and tempt the team to spread slander.  He plans to call everyone on the current team to doing this process as "big people", those who want to follow Christ with their tongues and their attitudes.

     Most of all, arts leaders need to recognize that they are not alone in these experiences.  I have similar conversations all around the world.  What a delicate juggling act we do seeking to honor faithful people while continuing to pursue more effective ministry.  There are no manuals for this sort of thing, but we truly can help one another.  What have you learned along these lines?  Do you have any further advice for my Canadian friend?

SUMMER'S STARTING LINE!

     Is there any greater day than Memorial Day for that feeling of anticipation - all of summer lies ahead of us!  After such a grueling, relentless winter in the Chicago area, most people around here are almost giddy with the joys of working in the yard, taking a bike ride, throwing baseballs or frisbees, and simply enjoying any possible activity that can be done outside.  Memorial Day weekend is filled with exhilaration the same way that Labor Day weekend is tinged with melancholy.

     As we approach the summer days (and don't most of us adults wish we had a total summer off like back in our school years!), I find a need to be determined not to miss it.  I'm already thinking about books I want to read, walks I want to take, friends I want to connect with.  Before we know it, September will arrive.  Between now and then, what do you intend to experience?  How will you seize the summer?

VIRTUAL FRIENDSHIPS

     One more post about friendship - which will be the subject of my teaching this weekend.  I've been thinking a lot about how technology has affected the way we do friendship these days.  I think there have definately been some wins with the use of the Internet - and yet I also have some concerns that some of us are engaging more in pseudo-community than the real thing.  The hours that can be spent on Facebook or Twitter or even texting aren't a magic replacement for the face-to-face encounters that deepen relationships.  Here's what Anne Jackson had to say in Leadership magazine:

I believe what happens online is connection, not community.  People can be vulnerable and

honest online.  And at times these online connections can be more life-giving than many of

our offline relationships, but they are not the same.

When we spend more time staring at a glowing monitor than we do into the eyes of those we

love, or need to love, it might be time to shut off the computer.

     I think Anne makes a wise distinction between connection and community.  When I read most Facebook updates on my wall, I learn very little about how most people are really doing, deep down.  And that's ok........but it's not enough.  There's something about the nonverbal cues, facial expressions, and tone of voice in the face-to-face contacts that are essential to the building of meaningful friendships.  Wednesday evening I got to sit across the table for over 2 hours with a treasured friend who has moved to another state and was in town for a visit.  It was the highlight of my week so far.  Sure, we talk on the phone and e-mail one another.  But nothing tops really, truly being together and living in the spaces of genuine conversation.

     In our service this weekend, we are going to have some fun with two brief drama scenes each placed in different parts of my message.  One portrays a guy who is totally isolated in virtual world, competing in on-line gaming and connecting with thousands of people through Facebook.  Yet this guy does not pursue any face-to-face friendships.  It's quite funny, and I hope that though it's exaggerated, it will make its point.  The other scene shows the upside of technology. A young woman whose friend has moved away is Skyping her to bring a word of encouragement before that friend heads into a huge presentation at work.  This young woman is intentionally doing what she can to show up for her friend using whatever tools she can.

     As you head out to enjoy Memorial Day weekend, I hope you will intentionally pursue some time with friends.  Don't hide behind your computer, but actually give someone a call and get together.  There's nothing like the real deal of friendship!  And let me know, when you get a chance, how technology has been affecting your relational world...

FRIENDSHIP NOT OPTIONAL

     I'm speaking next weekend on the pursuit of friendship in our church services - so I've definately got friendship in the forefront of my mind.  I am working hard to be sure the message has urgency, and doesn't just feel like a casual, lightweight Memorial Day message.  I think a lot of people these days consider friendship to be optional...a luxury in life compared to work and family and volunteering, etc.  C.S. Lewis once wrote that:

    "...many people seem to view friendship as something quite marginal - not a main course in life's banquet; a diversion; something that fills up the chinks of one's time."

                                                                       (C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves)

     I truly believe that we were designed for deep, meaningful community with a few people - not including marriage or family relationships.  But so many of us fail to invest in the cultivation of friendship, which is truly what is required for any friendships to develop beyond superficiality.  All too often our friends are the "last on our list" of obligations.

     Then when we go through a season of winter, a time of great difficulty, we discover that our friendships haven't been built strong enough.  When we most need friends to show up, we will regret not investing more in those relationships.  This is also true when we are looking for someone to raucously celebrate one of our peak moments.

     So what do you think?  How intentional are you about taking your friendships to the next level of love and support?  How hard is it for you to make this a priority?  

GOD AT WORK IN BRAZIL

     As I write, Rory Noland is teaching over 300 church artists and pastors here in Sao Paulo, Brazil.  We have experienced such an outpouring of God's power in this 2 day event.  I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to cast vision for the power of the arts and the potential of the hour on Sunday.  Though we have a big language barrier and must be translated live from the stage, common ground has been established and I can see how the attendees are being stretched and ennobled.  The Brazilians are very expressive and appreciative.  I have experienced such warm hospitality and gratitude.

     We have engaged in many question and answer sessions - and once again, the questions are similar to what we explore with artists in many other countries of the world.  All church artists struggle with how to motivate volunteers, how to build their teams, how to stay creatively fresh, how to develop a good working relationship with the senior pastor, and how to establish a stronger process for preparing and delivering transformational services.  There is an odd comfort in knowing that wherever we are called to serve in the world, we will experience similar challenges and we are not as alone as we think.

     I'm getting good reports from home that the conference numbers continue to fill - and the Hillsong United worship event for June 10 is getting close to sold out.  So if you haven't registered yet, please don't hesitate.  I can't wait to get home and engage in final preparations for that event.

     Well, I better start listening more closely to Rory - he's such a wise person and I still learn from him!

OFF TO SERVE CHURCH ARTISTS IN BRAZIL

     I fly tonight with Rory Noland to Sao Paulo, Brazil where we have the privilege of leading a 2-day Arts event.  I've never been to South America before, though I've met many of the Brazilian church artists who have made their way to my church for either the Arts Conference or the Summit.  I can't wait to be with them in their environment.  Everything we do will be translated into Portugese, so that should make things interesting.  And I'm delighted to be teaching alongside my buddy, Rory, with whom I served for over 20 years.  

     I took on a little too much travel this Spring, and this will be the last trip for awhile.  But as I have connected with artists, and also women in leadership, I have renewed my passion to ennoble those who invest themselves so sacrifically in the building of God's kingdom.  I talked yesterday in Dallas with a young African American woman who is leveraging her theatrical gifts for God.  I was inspired by the incredible ministry of some Arizona women who extend their ministry to the marginalized women working in strip clubs and brothels, bringing to them the love of God.  So many great stories that fill me with hope!  As I look forward to meeting more servants in Brazil, I realize what a privilege and gift it is to serve these leaders.  But then come Monday....it will be so good to be home for a spell!

CHALLENGE TO HELP A YOUNG MOM

     I hope all moms felt honored and celebrated yesterday - both in churches and in their homes.  At our church service, we divided up the message time into three parts with three different perspectives on motherhood (about 10 minutes each).  One of the speakers was Shauna Niequist, a young mom of a 2-year-old.  She delivered such delightful words, as she always does, and made me laugh.  She also asked moms who are further along to intentionally come alongside a younger mom just to give her some encouragement, a nap, and maybe even a little wisdom.

  

     I was reminded of one of my nieces, Amy, who lives about 30 minutes from me and just gave birth to her third daughter in three years.  I haven't yet stepped in to help, but it's time I gave her a break.  I'm not sure I remember how to do all the baby stuff, but it would be good to hold a little one again, even if she's fussy.  Well, it would be good at least for a little while!  

     Do you know a young mom you could help?  Are you a young mom longing for some help?  When I think back to the infant/toddler years with my own girls, I remember how much it meant when a friend would make me a meal, when someone would care for our children while my husband and I went out for an uninterrupted dinner.  Those of us who are older now need to seize those memories of sleepless nights and crabby children, step up and give a hand.  Next week (when I'm back in town from trips to Dallas and Brazil), I've simply got to call my niece...

BOOMERS STEP ASIDE?

     Last week's edition of Newsweek magazine included a 2-page article at the very back, written by long-time columnist Anna Quindlen.  For 9 years, Anna has been writing "The Last Word" piece every other week for that magazine.  While I don't always agree with her, I have great respect for her writing and often feel challenged by her perspective.

     This last piece is titled "Stepping Aside."  Anna Quindlen has decided to leave her role writing for the magazine, and will further pursue her work as a novelist.  She makes reference to the baby-boom generation, and how this massive group of men and women take up more room than any other generation in American history.  One day, Anna's eldest son expressed his frustration for the bottleneck created by the boomers in almost every field, noting, "You guys just won't go."  So Anna has decided to make some room for the next generation of gifted writers, giving them a turn to shine.

     In contrast, as we approach the season of summer rock concerts, I read that 6 of last year's top-10-grossing tours were headlined by artists who are 50 years and older - such as Madonna, the Eagles, Bruce Springsteen and Tina Turner.  We also see huge response to Elton John (62), Billy Joel (60), Bob Dylan (67), Bonnie Raitt(59), Paul McCartney (66), and Willy Nelson (76).  None of them seem to be stepping aside.

     As a person born in the heart of the Baby Boom, I find myself reflecting on what all this means for church leaders and church artists.  On the one hand, I see such gifted young people expressing their love for God through the arts and teaching.  They need opportunities to flourish and also to make mistakes (just as my generation did).  At the same time, those of us who are older are finally, I would hope, a little wiser and in many ways at the peak of our love for God and the church.  Should we still back away to make room?  Is it high time some of us stepped aside?  At what point do we focus on mentoring, writing, or other behind-the-scenes kind of ministry while the younger leaders take full ownership?  Are we in the way?

     I would love to know what you think about this. This summer I hope to do some deeper reflection on this particular season of life, and see if I can discern what God might be saying...

SPRING PALETTE AND MY NEW COAT

     I had a really strange dream last night that I was walking in my neighborhood, delighting in all the spring trees blossoming in their glorious pinks, whites, and green buds.  Then I noticed a maple tree, decked out in the golden leaves of autumn.  It did not fit, and I could not understand what had gone wrong.

     When I awoke, I thought about how God selected such perfect palettes of color for each season.  The golden reds, yellows, and oranges of Fall would totally clash with the pastels of Spring!  How grateful I am for the completely different look of each season.  This has to be my favorite month in the Chicago area.

     On Saturday, my daughter and I explored some cool shops in the Wicker Park neighborhood, including one that sells samples from designers at incredibly low prices.  I found a spring raincoat that is so bright, my husband joked he needed to put on his sunglasses.  It's a pattern that looks like an artist splashed bright pink, yellow, and kelly green all over it.  My daughter convinced me to buy it, and I am going to wear it proudly for Spring, even though when I walk in the room, it does feel a bit bold!

     Today I fly to San Diego to join Nancy Ortberg in teaching a "Gifted to Lead' workshop.  Normally I'd love to go to that beautiful city - but right now, in May, I'd honestly prefer Chicago.

AN OUTPOURING OF GENEROSITY

     Yesterday we received two offerings at Willow Creek - the regular one about 20 minutes into the service, and a second offering at the end.  One hundred per cent of the second offering will go directly to the under-resourced in Africa and Latin America - food and clean water for the poor.  This offering was the culmination of a three week campaign we call Celebration of Hope, and it was collected in plastic water buckets to remind our community of the water projects we are funding and the lengths hundreds of millions of people go to just to get water every day.

     I'm filled with joy today at the generosity of our people in this tough economic time.  We won't announce the offering total for another week or so, but the inside track tells me that people gave in unprecedented amounts.  Our congregation is continuing to grow bigger hearts for God and for the needs of this broken world.  Bill and Lynne Hybels, Heather Larson, and my husband Warren, along with many others, have provided superb inspiration and leadership to our people.  And boy, were they ready to be challenged.  I urge churches everywhere not to assume that in this difficult economy, people won't give with abandon.  What a work of the Spirit we witnessed - feels like a modern day miracle.  So many folks are longing to do something to make a difference - 18,000 of us packed meals for children in Zimbabwe!  We all still have room to sacrifice for the poorest of the poor.

     I know our church still has a long way to go, but on this day, I could not be prouder of the hearts of our people.  Together we are making a dent, spreading the love of God to those who need it most.  It's such a thrill to be a part of something that matters so much.