This morning I was reading in the Psalms and Proverbs when I settled on this verse. Proverbs 18:15–“Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.” I don’t believe that I would throw myself into that “intelligent people” category but one thing that has really surpised me throughout my ministry years is a desire to learn. I can specifically remember saying upon graduating from college that I will never read another book. If memory serves that statement lasted me about a year or less. What I have discovered is that it is not the ignorant person who needs to learn but the active person. The one that is daily growing and improving and sharping their axe. I have always wrestled with a statement that I heard Doug Fields say one day, “when you stop learning you stop leading.” I’ve hung on to that.
This fall alone I have the privilege with some of our staff and team to attend the Catalyst Conference, Drive Conference, and even have a one on one with another young pastor named Perry Noble. Yes, my head will be floating, but how can you sit back and refuse to learn when there is knowledge to be gained and passion to be transferred. I am excited about Lifepoint simply because of the twenty leaders that will be attending Catalyst. Its’ gonna be good.
It breaks my heart when I hear the statistics that the average CEO reads 1 book per year or when I talk to people who have checked out of the world of learning. I’ve talked to people who don’t read any books, don’t attend conferences, and don’t do anything to improve themselves. I can’t help but find it sad that one day a person wakes up and says, “that’s it…I have arrived.”
I am convinced that no matter how full my bookshelves are there is always a concept or lesson that has yet to be learned. In my own life I am constantly reading books, attending conferences, listening to other pastors, studying other strategies. Going back to the Bible, it says, “Intelligent people are always ready to learn.” I have to ask myself a question, am I always ready to learn? Are my ears open for knowledge.
I want to speak directly to the staff and leaders of Lifepoint Church. Develop an appetite for knowledge. Learn all you can from everyone you can. Never develop a sense of arrogance that says I don’t need any more knowledge or training. Always look for the nugget of knowledge even if it is what NOT to do. Learn all you can because our mission is so great that we need people who will never quit learning and growing.
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