May 25, 2009  

Practical Tools
Vern Sanders

 

Start a Movement - Create a Tribe - Be CLN

Your 24 hour challenge
Ordinarily in this space I talk about things I know from experience, things I've learned from others, or things we've published. Not today.

I'm asking you to change the world on behalf of the Creator Leadership Network. Yes...I know...too busy, or [fill in your specific excuse here]...but consider this...it is possible.

When we started CLN it was to help those in music and worship ministry become better leaders. Did I think we would grow to be almost 3000 strong? I had no idea. I just knew that it was important, and I cared enough to try. Have we changed the world? Not yet...but we have changed the world for more people than I could have possibly imagined when we started. And, more to the point, we have made a start.

Certainly you've heard about the 80/20 rule...20 percent of the people do 80 percent of the work, give 80 percent of the money, volunteer 80 percent of the time, and so forth. 20 percent of the 3000 CLN members is 600 people. Each of those 600 people have the capacity to influence 2400 people. 600 times 2400 is roughly 1.5 million people. That's the city of Philadelphia, or Phoenix. You can do that. Really. Not overnight, and not without help, but really.

Each of you. Really.

How is that possible? Am I asking you to gather around a specific cause?

All I am saying is to give yourself a chance to be a transformational leader. It takes 3 steps, according to Seth Godin (more about him later).

Find your cause. Something you believe in passionately.

Tell your story. Find people who care about the same thing you do, and give them the chance to tell your story so that you don't have to be in 500 places at once.

Don't give up. That's why it has to be something that you believe in passionately. This is not a summer vacation task, or one week mission trip. This is a life-long commitment to change the world. Literally.   

Isn't that what the disciples signed on for?

Isn't that what your church is supposed to be doing in your community? (not that it isn't, mind you...)   

As I said before, I can't tell you what your mission is...or whether you are one of the 600. But I can tell you that if you spend 17 minutes and 23 seconds watching the following video of a speech Seth Godin gave, it might inspire you to find your mission and be one of the 600. And if it does, I hope you'll let me know, because I'd like to help in any way possible. In fact, I'll make this promise. If you bring me an idea that we can support, I will do everything I can to help you change the world.

Here's the video: http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/seth_godin_on_the_tribes_we_lead.html

Final Thoughts