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A humbling reminder from Matthew Paul Turner

Posted on 03/03/2011 by Benji Zimmerman Posted in Honesty | 1 Comment

Matthew Paul Turner aka Jesus Needs New PR, is a widely read & popular Christian author and blogger. MPT is known for his off the cuff comments and challenging debates with the Christian status quo. Matthew likes to ruffle feathers and is not afraid to throw a few punches in the process. Personally I have never read any of Turner’s books but we do carry them in our store and I have thumbed a few chapters of a couple of them and is a talented guy with an honesty that can be appreciated on this website.

Every so often I will swing by Matthew’s blog and read some of his recent posts. Most of the time I don’t engage in the posts, I usually just read and move on. However the other day when I stopped by Turner had just posted a new post containing a video about tithing and how mega churches were lining their pockets. Maybe it was my mood or the topic, but for whatever reason I decided to post a comment. I actually was one of the first few people to respond to the post. I made the mistake of clicking the box “subscribe to all comments” after posting my brief comment. Over the next 48 hours I received 91 emails telling me what people had posted on Turner’s blog! That was for just one blog post, sometimes Turner posts up to three things a day!

Here is the humbling part to write:

Deep in the recesses of my wounds, fears and ego there is a big part of me that wants to be Matthew Paul Turner. I don’t want to be as snarky or write like Turner, but I want to be an author and popular blogger. As much as I am wrestling through my own layers of the onion, I still find myself with a wounded desire to be known and be able to have influence in this world.

Turner’s post and the subsequent amount of comments regarding the video left me wondering how in the world I would handle that kind of traffic? I can barely manage my life, my family, my job and my own website with just a couple hundred readers, what would it be like if I had a couple thousand or tens of thousands? I am pretty sure that Turner’s full time job is blogging and writing books, so he has more free time on his hands to tackle the debates he facilitates. Even with more time on my hands I don’t know how I would handle the traffic Turner gets, or the controversy surrounding Rob Bell or Justin Taylor’s post this past week.

I am reminded by Turner’s post of something that I heard Jud say in a staff meeting once and he repeated again at the Catalyst labs yesterday: “Don’t become preoccupied with greatness, just do a good job and love people.” The amount of traffic that Turner gets is irrelevant to my quest to be known and have influence. What is relevant is the fact that it has reminded me that I have become preoccupied with becoming great rather than doing the work of loving God and loving people.

What would you do with $100

Posted on 02/10/2011 by Benji Zimmerman Posted in Honesty, Other | 7 Comments

It might not seem like a lot to some but $100 can still go a long ways in someones life. Good ole Benjamin Franklin can still change someone’s day, week or possibly even month.

This week I was blessed with an unexpected $100. Honestly I really want to spend it on a race entry fee. I really want to run the Red Rock Half Marathon. But after thinking about it I realized that was pretty selfish. My mind then jumped to the next “selfless” act of spending the money. I could use it to pay for a portion of a ticket for Catalyst West. A conference in California that I really want to attend but don’t really have the money for. Going to the conference would me I would grow spiritually and relationally, that in turn would spill out into my relationships, small group and onto the pages of this website. A win-win for everyone right? Nope, still pretty selfish.

After thinking about it for a few hours I really feel a deep conviction that I need to give the money to someone or something. But honestly I am not sure what or whom. So if you had a $100 to give, who or what would you give it too?

Is Free Really Better?

Posted on 02/10/2010 by Benji Zimmerman Posted in Spiritual | 1 Comment

“It’s about building roots . . . there is a saying, no roots, no fruits,” Rick Warren says emphatically through the speakers of my computer. He is currently on stage teaching the first session of the Radicalis Conference hosted at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest California. The conference has various sessions streamed online for FREE. A little about the conference:

“Radicalis is a unique hands-on, comprehensive experience that will enhance each member of your team’s role in your church and build and inspire them to serve God in your community and the world. Rick Warren, the Saddleback Team and leading national pastors will challenge, develop, and expand your vision to be a moving force for God in today’s world.”

I was able to listen to Rick’s first session before getting caught up in my daily workload. It was an excellent start to a conference that I am sure will help a lot of pastors. But something sticks out more than a conference that helps pastors. . .

FREE STUFF!

Conferences are expensive! Travel, food, registration, conference paraphernalia all costs money. And these days all of us: individuals, ministries & churches are strapped for cash, as a result any type of free stuff is awesome! Cue up Radicalis. A conference that costs money to attend that is being broadcast online for free! Last week the same was true for the Verge Conference on missional community thinking.

There is a down side to a free stuff. . . it does not have value. If you get something for free it does not have as much value as something you pay for. I read once that John Maxwell doesn’t give away comps or discounts for any of his conferences because people don’t show up when they get something for free. Free doesn’t always mean better.

However when it comes to free online conferences, I am a huge fan! It makes me wish that Whiteboard Sessions, Echo Conference, Catalyst & Story would all be broadcast online for free. It would save me tons of time on travel and money on expenses. Free might not always be better for some, but for me it is phenomenal resource that allows me to grow and learn without having to leave my desk. But what side of the camp are you on?

Is free stuff really better?

Stealing Content – The Millenial Worker

Posted on 06/24/2009 by Benji Zimmerman Posted in Spiritual | Leave a comment

Okay well it is more like borrowing. But recently Brad Lomenick one of the Gurus behind the Catalyst conference posted this blog:

A good friend asked me the other day my thoughts on how to lead the millennial generation, basically those born after 1980. We gather thousands of leaders who fit in this category on an annual basis, have several on our staff, and really gear what we do towards an early stage millennial/late stage gen X’er. So what are some thoughts on leading Millennial?

give them freedom with their schedule
provide them projects, not a career
work, family, social are all intertwined, so make sure the work environment is experiential and family oriented.
tie in compassion/justice oriented causes and opportunities to their projects or environment
embrace social media.
embrace the reality that they grew up with technology such as texting, XBox, laptops, and ipods as the norm
lead each person uniquely; don’t create standards or rules that apply to everyone; customize your approach
provide authenticity and honesty as the norm for the corporate culture.
millennial are not necessarily interested in “climbing the corporate ladder” but instead interested in making a mark and making a difference
not willing to wait- want to make a difference now; so give them opportunities early with major responsibility.

What are your thoughts? I was born in 1978 so technically I am not a millennial, but I could not agree more that these 10 points. When I read this list I thought to myself, “This is exactly the type of business or ministry that I want to work for!” Do you find yourself agreeing with this list? If you are not a millennial but from an older generation how do you make the transition to leading a younger generation?

Catalyst West – Francis Chan

Posted on 05/03/2009 by Benji Zimmerman Posted in Spiritual | 1 Comment

After reading an advance copy of Crazy Love by Francis Chan I was challenged and intrigued. Chan quickly became one of my favorite voices in ministry. His podcast from Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley California is one of my favorites. You could say I am a Chan Fan. So when I had the chance to attended Catalyst West Coast and found out Chan was speaking I was ecstatic. His session was my most anticipated.

The Holy Spirit did not disappoint.

Notice I did not say Francis Chan did not disappoint. While Chan was a gifted communicator and passionate pastor, his talk was highlighted by the fact that it was all about the Holy Spirit. The more Chan spoke, the more you could sense the presence of God descending on the room. After Chan finished speaking the worship that ensued was absolutely incredible. Hearing Francis speak was of tremendous value to me because it reminded me that none of this (this = life) is about us. This simple idea is so refreshing in an era of history where we are becoming more and more narcissistic as a society.

Here are some notes I scribbled from Chan’s talk . . .

While listening to Chan, I jotted down –> this is all about God, this is not about Francis.
Chan made a statement along the lines of, “When I hear the people at my church talk more about Francis Chan than they do about the Holy Spirit it is a clear sign I am not doing my job.”
“Front row next to the dugout . . . you know, that is how I roll.” – Chan talking about his trip to opening day of the Dodgers. He continued on with the example talking about how he only goes to games when it is ideal, just like most churchgoers who only go to church when it is perfect. He finished the story with this quote, “There are no ‘ifs’ only ‘even if’”.
“The Book of Acts is quite possibly my least favorite book in the Bible, because you never read it and say, ‘Wow that is just like us.’”
“The Holy Spirit is unstoppable, what bothers me is that our churches are so stoppable now.”
“We have churches full of knowledgeable and scared believers.”
“We have people who have been Christians for 10 years and they can not disciple someone!”
“We need to pray for boldness. Paul is one of the boldest people in human history and he still prayed for boldness!”
“We have to learn to love the gospel, not just the way it is delivered.”
“Part of the reason why we have a scared churches is because they have scared pastors.”
“John Piper bugs me.”
“Marriage books often idolize marriage.”
“When was the last time you were astonished by the boldness of someone?”
“I remember being taught the difference between exegesis and isogesis in seminary.”
Exegesis = let the scriptures lead out
Isogesis = start with an idea and pull out verses
“I was taught to teach exegetically but I was never taught to live exegetically.”
“I am begging you to get alone with the scripture!”
“If you had started with scripture would you do church the same way you do?”
“If you read this book [holding his Bible up] cover to cover – what would you come up with?”
“Do we have the boldness to make the changes.”
Francis finished with a powerful story about his own daughter and her relationship with God, it was the one story from the conference that hit home the most. I was humbly reminded that we can not change the spiritual course of those around us, we can only set an example. It is the power of God moving through his spirit that changes people. “Unless your spirit comes I am helpless.” Chan confessed to God his desire to see change in his daughter.
“Something happens only when the Holy Spirit is involved.”

Tsylatac – I had it all backwards

Posted on 05/01/2009 by Benji Zimmerman Posted in Personal | 2 Comments

I didn’t know what to expect from Catalyst West Coast. I had heard legends about a team of amazing people located just outside of Atlanta who have been putting on stellar leadership conferences every October for young leaders for nearly a decade. But I wondered if this conference would meet my expectations, because I do expect a lot. I really don’t know what all my expectations were but I knew some of them: I expected there to be 3,000 trendy hipster pastors with their fohawks and iphones. I expected Rick Warren to be arrogant. I expected it to be hoopla.

I HAD IT ALL BACKWARDS.

Catalyst West Coast was a plate full of humility served hot with a side of selfishness. It was not what I had expected.

Andy Stanley started the speaking portion of the conference with a simple introductory idea, “My cup is half full. My job is to pour my cup into as many cups as possible.” With that simple idea the conference turned in a direction I had not really expected. I think I had a preconceived idea that the pastors, speakers and leaders were going to get up in front of the crowd and wow us with there teaching and insights. I expected them to highlight the great things going on at their churches or organizations. I expected them to be all about them.

IT NEVER HAPPENED.

Of course Rick talked about Saddleback, but how could Rick not talk about Saddleback? That is what he knows. Yes there were plenty of hipsters and fohawks. And yes there was plenty of fun and fanfare. But behind it all, there was one very clear message: you matter. I have never been to a conference that made me feel more valued than the Catalyst conference. I think I owe them an apology.

Dear Platform Speakers & Catalyst Staff -

Thank you for handing me a plate full of humility. Please forgive me for my assumptions, expectations and preconceived ideas. I was wrong. While drifting around the back of the room taking photos and scribbling notes during the two days I realized how much you care about young leaders and the future of the church. You were not about putting on a show but hosting an event where young leaders could be invested in.

We could all see how worn out Erwin McManus was but yet he was there sharing his heart. We could hear the passion in Brian Houston for the church. In between the jokes Rick and Andy made it abundantly clear that they care deeply about young leaders. The pastoral nature of Francis Chan and Jud Wilhite was welcomed with open arms. Seeing Perry encourage and empathize with audience sealed the deal.

I realized over the past week as I have reflected on the conference that I am the one who needed to be knocked down a peg or two. I came in with my guns drawn and my heart hardened. I love my church and the job that I have but somewhere in the past few years my heart has become bitter towards other ministries and organizations. I only cared about what I cared about. Catalyst West Coast was a fresh reminder of my selfishness and that we are all on the same team. If one of us does something great, we all do something great. If one of us fails, we all fail.

Thank you for reminding me how important it is to celebrate the wins of others. Thank you for hosting a conference that truly does care about young leaders and gives them tools to become better ones.

Humbled -

Benji Zimmerman

Belong. Believe. Behave.

Posted on 03/26/2009 by Benji Zimmerman Posted in Spiritual | Leave a comment

I met with one of my publishing distributors recently. My sales representative went through the normal hum drum of books coming out in the next few months and got to a particular book and started to tell me that it was going to be a great seller. Here is the conversation that followed . . .

BZ “Why?”

Sales Rep “Because it has a great message for people. Believe in Jesus Christ. Come belong to the church and learn how to behave according to the way God wants you too.”

BZ “No thanks I am not interested.”

Sales Rep “What?”

BZ “Anyone is welcome at Central. Everyone belongs. Our prayer is that over time they will place their trust in the truth of Jesus Christ. And eventually that the love of Jesus will transform the way they behave. So it is simple: Belong. Believe. Behave. So no thank you on a book that endorses something different.”

Jud wrote an article for Catalyst just a few days ago on what Central Christian Church is all about.