I recently was chatting with my friend Zach (like an hour ago). We were talking about the growth we have been experiencing at our Wednesday night student service. For the sake of not focusing on a number I will just say that our average attendance has jumped dramatically over last year. From our perspective as leaders we see all the challenges we experience on a nightly basis. Video elements that don't work or are poorly conceived, transitions that are abrupt or awkward, messages that aren't smoothly delivered. We see all these things but yet we continue to grow. So Zach's question was why do they come? It's a valid question. In fact it's a brilliant question. I recently read the book "It". The book attempts to deal with that question from the perspective of why do some people, some places, some experiences have the "It" factor. "It" can be hard to describe but you definitely recognize that something is special when you experience it. I was pleased with the fact that I actually had a response for Zach's question. Until it came out of my mouth I am not sure it was a fully developed response but here is what I came up with. I don't think it has anything to do with great music, the best videos, amazing teaching (I know that's not the case!)or other programming elements. This is not an excuse to not improve because as a matter of personal pride I always want to grow and develop. In fact personal pride is what often stands in the way of people experiencing "It" in my opinion. If we have any bit of an "It" quality (and I believe we do) it's because I see an extremely high level of buy in. Students and leaders are not coming to a program or something they merely participate in. They own it. Our experience is theirs. They are the critical element. When they are there they make it happen, they provide the heart and soul of whatever we do. I see it as the difference between watching from the sidelines and being a player on the field. The students and leaders I am privileged to be with every week are fully engaged and you can sense that. When new people come they feel the energy and see the passion and it is contagious. I love it. My goal now, and I have actually been experiencing some anxiety about this recently, is to not get in the way of that.
Of course this all leads to another question - how did we get this level of buy in? I will let you know when I figure that out.
2 comments:
I totally agree. I think Stucco is amazing. I get a whole lot out of the messages personally. I think it's awesome for them to see their own friends singing. I think the two dollar challenge is great for getting the girls on stage. I think your right it's the dynamite personalities and love from these kids that keeps everything as awesome as it is. It takes a leader like you to allow them to have that much influence and be whoever they are. You have given them the freedom to be IT! Maybe that's the how??
when tito came, the first thing he asked was "is your leader guy funny? do you like him?" so obviously your being cool was an important factor to him.
and as you know, my friend was extremely impressed, and is now going to be coming on a regular basis
so dont give me that "i know its not the great teaching" crap. we all know you are an essential part of this. besides, if we didnt have you, we would just be a mess of people wanting to help out. doesnt mean that would be happening.
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