leadership

Unexpected Happens Fast

30 Jan ’12 By Christopher Hopper 6 Comments

These two photographs were taken within about one mile of each other on Rt. 12 North yesterday.

One moment the roads were wet from a light rain, grass on both sides of the road; the next, visibility was reduced to about 200 yards and traffic was moving at 20mph.

Life has a way of changing gears on us.

Fast.

But there are some practical steps for navigating its turbulent conditions:

1.) Get intel from those who’ve gone ahead of you. Jennifer called me just as I was taking my normal route home from church. “Don’t go the back way. It’s bad.”

Being old does have its perks; and the perk of being young is the blessing of listening to people who’ve driven the road ahead if you.

“He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.” -Proverbs 15:32

2.) Respect good equipment. The snow tires on my front-wheel drive Matrix are killer. But I tend to delay changing tires out. For a time-sensitive guy like me, it’s a hassle. An inconvenience. But getting in an accident it a bigger inconvenience. Fortunately for me yesterday, I’d put my snow tires on two weeks ago.

And I was three cars behind a snow plow.

While the oncoming lane had two inches of snow to navigate, I had smooth sailing.

Preparing yourself emotionally (by measuring your responses and keeping everything in perspective), physically (by taking good care of your body while you have the opportunities), and spiritually (by actively growing your faith in God) can often be the difference between making your destination and sliding off the road.

Learn to follow people better equipped than you are; you may move a little slower, but success is usually guaranteed when compared with the alternatives.

3.) Pray simple prayers. The late Elizabeth Austin – by far the most spiritually mature woman I’ve ever know (and the most successful evangelist to ALL the nations I’ve ever heard of) – used to tell me her most spiritual prayer ever was, “Help!”

We can have all the wisdom and preparation in the world, but without a relationship with Jesus we’re bankrupt in a snow drift just waiting for a tow we can’t even afford.

(Praise God that He’s quite good at pulling us out, too).

I think that was the secret to the success of the people mentioned in Psalm 112:7:

“They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.”

What things in your life have helped you prepare for and cope with the unexpected storms of life? (You could be a real blessing to someone by sharing).

Thanks for reading. Thanks for sharing. ch:

Filed Under: leadership, travel Tagged With: blizzards, counsel, driving, Elizabeth Austin, hazardous, life, planning, preparation, roads, Rt. 12, snow storms, treacherous, wisdom

Moving Creations from Deadly to Divine

24 Jan ’12 By Christopher Hopper 13 Comments

Sometimes our greatest ideas can turn out to be lethal creations if left in their infant stages. Thus the importance of surrounded ourselves with people who can point out the dangers we often miss.

Three tips on the process of prepping for criticism:

1.) Map everything to its fullest as you see it in your head: Often we don’t get good input on a plan because we inadvertently leave out components we think are irrelevant. Sometimes the most fringe idea can make or break a project, and to the experienced eye, the most mundane things can sometimes be the most poignant, not the obvious.

2.) Give wiser, more experienced people 100% carte blanche: Nothing’s worse than having someone submit an idea that they’ve already made up their mind about. “So are you telling me or asking me?” is something we often say around our office. Make sure that people know they can have it it. Doing so will produce better ideas than you ever could have come up with on your own.

3.) Divorce yourself from your work in terms of self-adulation: No true artist, inventor, or producer can or should divorce themselves emotionally from what they’re making – doing so trumps the entire impetus of the creative process. But realizing your personal value is not bound in your ideas will go a long way in accepting critical feedback that’s essential to your project’s success. People that never finish are most often tying their self-worth to their ideas instead of who they are in Jesus. As a result thy are easily offended when hearing criticism, never realizing they’re killing their project by not receiving.

Don’t despise critique. Welcoming outside input is most often the greatest key to success (and keeps eyes from getting gouged out). ch:

Filed Under: business, culture, leadership, The Hopper Kids Tagged With: creative, critique, deadly, design, help, judah, lethal, marshmallows, methods, toothpicks

Planes: Cruising Not Cursing

23 Jan ’12 By Christopher Hopper 8 Comments

Planes.

They allow carriers of the Gospel to travel more quickly and more efficiently than any time in history.

The only exception would be Philip and his translated in Acts 8:39 (my preferred method of travel, though I’ve yet to experience it).

Let’s not succumb to the tactics of the enemy that often convince us to curse modern means of transportation and technologies, and by extension curse the spreading of the Good News.

Rather, thank God for his genius. After all he invented technology, not man.

Remembering that simple truth will go a long way in ensuring we use it for Kingdom purposes. And not blow up at every gate gent we see when things don’t go our way. ch:

Filed Under: culture, leadership, travel Tagged With: aviation, cursing, evangelism, planes, technology, the Gospel, transportation

Life-Themes and Leadership Tips

22 Jan ’12 By Christopher Hopper 3 Comments

While it seems the subjects of “age” and “getting older” are the brunt of many jokes, we would be remiss if we didn’t reflect on the fact that God invented the process. As such, there are some incredible benefits.

One of which is seeing life-themes emerge.

Although Jennifer and I have certainly had some highlights leading worship for thousands of people, that’s not the context God places us in most often. Rather, it’s is ministering to rural churches that are on the verge of “epoch” change.

A life-theme emerges: encouraging people that the idea that God likes to do big things in seemingly small places.

It’s a joy to fly home from a trip utterly spent. And my time here at Hope Community Church in Marlette, MI will be no exception. This place is in the midst of transforming their town for Jesus, and further, their county. In one year they’ve already moved from one building to a bigger building, and are transitioning to two services in less than a month.

Two tips to seeing a local church have a massive impact through word of mouth:

1.) Love your community. Every person on a church’s leadership team must be sold-out, head-over-heels in love with their region. If they’re not, they need to get the Father’s heart, step out of leadership, or move. People in a region can smell hirelings that are not 100% committed to a locale, and as a result the church will never grow. As my Senior Pastor once asked me, “Are your feet planted?”

2.) Love whoever God sends you, and whoever God sends you to. I just heard a story last night where a church leader did a mailing but told his secretary not to include the addresses of a trailer park. That is so anti-Christ it made me sick to my stomach. Yet we all have a little if that in us and it needs to be confronted. Loving the unlovely will spark revival every time: it’s what Jesus did for each of us.

Hope Community’s people clearly love their community and are walking testimonies of Jesus’ tangible love. I’m thrilled to be here for their one year anniversary weekend. My sincere congratulations to Pastors Paul & Erin Rohling. I’m behind you 100%.

So if you’re ever in Michigan’s thumb, you’ll be blessed to visit a powerful church touching God’s heart. ch:

Filed Under: #heavenmeetsearth, culture, leadership, marketing, travel, worship Tagged With: Church, church growth, development, Erin Rohling, Hope Community Church, Marlette MI, paul rohling, strategy

Getting Peed On

21 Jan ’12 By Christopher Hopper 10 Comments

While flying to Michigan last night I heard a lot of complaining.

The weather was bad.

Flights got canceled.

I experienced my first aborted landing.

People had to wait in line.

Lots of passengers missed flights.

And everyone blamed the flight attendant for the pent up negative experiences of their entire lives.

But you know who wasn’t complaining?

The men’s urinals.

Some of the people I admire most are those who have every right to complain but never do, happy to serve people who’s needs they consider more important than their own. ch:

Filed Under: culture, leadership, travel Tagged With: attitude, complaining, gratefulness, perspective, urinals

The Great Mess Makers

18 Jan ’12 By Christopher Hopper 12 Comments

When was the last time you picked up after somebody? (Moms: you don’t need to answer that). For everyone else, was it a co-worker? A visitor? A church volunteer who didn’t finish the job?

I’ve found there is a huge difference between making messes and leaving messes.

The creative process demands that beauty emerge from chaos. Painters make messes, as do sculptors, graphic artists, novelists, builders, and scientists. Even God’s best work comes in the most chaotic moments, from creating the earth to fixing a life-problem.

But if those very same messes are not picked up by their creators, they are left for someone else to clean up.

The same messes that were evidence of genius can become the epitome of disgrace. When we are so consistently negligent that we fail to pick up after ourselves, whether in life or in projects, we not only insult those who follow us but we devalue the creations we set out to make.

It’s even more fascinating to realize the converse is true. And God is the prime example.

Not only did he create mankind, and pick up his mess, but when his creation made a mess of everything, he went so far as to pick up our mess, too.

When we stretch ourselves to pick up messes that aren’t even our own, we actually partake in an unseen glory, often noted only by heaven. It credits you for the good deed done, but also of being worthy of the created entity. Whatever credit a creator loses in their failure to pick up after themselves, the cleaner obtains in participation.

Jesus said in Luke 16:12 that if we’re faithful with that which is another man’s, we’ll be entrusted with that which is our own. Long before I co-owned restaurants, the Lord asked me to start picking up public bathrooms when I saw they were a mess. It was nasty. And I didn’t know why I was doing it. But the first time I picked up toilet paper off the floor in my first restaurant, it all made sense. I had been in training for this moment. It’d been a test.

For the Kingdom-minded person, their is no job too small. My senior pastor will vacuum the hallway just as easily as he’ll preach on a Sunday. There is no difference because it’s all service, and it’s all noble. It all affects people; souls are the common denominator.

The high road in the Kingdom is two-fold: do your best not to leave messes for someone else to pick up, and be eager to clean up someone else’s messes when you find them. The Lord knows I’m at fault here too, and so grateful for all those who’ve picked up after me throughout the years.

Who knows, you may just be preparing yourself for owning a business you’d never thought possible. ch:

Filed Under: culture, leadership Tagged With: art, creatives, credit, diligence, messies, picking up, stewardship, toothpaste, value

How To Rarely Be Wrong

17 Jan ’12 By Christopher Hopper 14 Comments

Are there certain buzz words, catch phrases, or tag lines that drive you nuts?

There’s been a word in the press that’s driven me crazy for a few years now. Recently it’s about all I can do not to turn off the radio or TV every time I hear it.

“Allege.”

Someone allegedly did this, or an alleged suspect did that. Heck, I’m pretty sure the alleged reporter covering the story didn’t even call to fact-check on the piece.

Everyone’s got a story but no ones willing to commit to anything for liability’s sake.

Heck, even our cereal boxes make boastful statements but always cover it up with contingencies and disclaimers. Like yesterday morning on a box of my favorite cereal: “May be proven to lower your cholesterol!*”

May be proven?

And the little * lead to small print on how the inconclusive tests relied on a myriad of strict dietary changes that had nothing really to do with cereal.

Those alive today are “alleged-out.” Because the majority of what’s reported is never confirmed at the time, truth is irrelevant. Trust is cashed in on the name of a good story.

Any good leader I’ve ever known has been honest. Truthful. Safe. And if they didn’t know it for sure, they never said it at all.

Both Matthew 5:37 and James 5:12 not only tell us as Christians to “let our yes be yes and our no be no,” but they go further to say we’re in sin if we don’t.

In sin.

Can you say gossip?

I wonder how many of us go up to the altar and repent of that on a needed basis?

If you want to earn the trust of those you’re leading, only open your mouth when you’re sure of what you’re about to say. That way you’ll never have to allege anything. Such behavior will actually endear you to those you’re leading. It’s bold, mature, and so refreshing.

Sure, your inside scoop may not be as juicy or as hot, but you’ll almost never be wrong. And being right is remembered a long time after being juicy gets old. ch:

Filed Under: culture, leadership Tagged With: allege, allegedly, cheap, gossip, lies, news, reporting, rumors, truth, unconfirmed

Whiteout

14 Jan ’12 By Christopher Hopper 12 Comments

It was only a matter of time. The north country finally got hit with snow yesterday.

Driving in whiteout conditions is very dangerous. Severely inhibited visibility is certainly the first thing that comes to mind. Then there are the road conditions themselves which may or may not be a product of the current precipitation. And then the performance of your vehicle. Its wheel base length, tire type, handling, and drive train all play key roles.

Of course all this is amplified when you consider every other driver behind you, in front of you, and those oncoming, all must factor in the same variables into their own driving equations.

In short, it’s a disaster.

This why our local news was overthrown by a coup of reports on multi-vehicle accidents throughout the day.

This particular shot was taken at 11:55am.

Almost anyone can drive in perfect conditions with a solid vehicle. But it takes something a little extra to manage adverse conditions.

Adversity is inevitable. If we live our lives constantly looking to avoid hardship then we are ill-prepared when it finally comes knocking. We freeze, blinded, unable to navigate. Meanwhile others are “magically” able to move forward through it, taking their time, looking for references, steering for traction, and anticipating turns and hills.

If you find a driver in life like that, follow them, especially if they’re *not* driving an SUV. The vehicle doesn’t make the driver. They probably grew up handling adversity; navigating these types of roads is second nature.

One reason I love people who live in harsher climates year round is that they tend to have a stronger outlook on emotional and spiritual adversity; if they have the fortitude to endure and even laugh at hardships in the natural, they are more prone to view the later in the same way.

I mean, how can you not laugh when you park your car at the mall in a snow storm only to return and find it ensconced in a snow drift?

Happy driving. ch:

Filed Under: culture, leadership Tagged With: accidents, adversity, driving conditions, roads, snow storms, stability, strength, weather

Buddies Make Movie Tickets

13 Jan ’12 By Christopher Hopper 18 Comments

Buddies do things together.

They make tree forts, play basketball, and go swimming in the river.

Buddies help each other, too.

They pull out splinters, fix bike chains, and make movie tickets for each other when their parents are too busy to take them to the real thing.

But when buddies grow up, they become “friends.”

While the term of endearment may change, the need for their nearness doesn’t. Tree forts become cook outs and bike chains become marriage advice. If anything, we need our buddies even more as adults than we did as children.

God never intended us to be solely self-dependent or self-reliant. Nor was our birth family alone supposed to be the end-all solution for companionship; it’s interesting that Jesus himself is alluded to as a “friend” that’s superior in calibre to that of a birth brother (Prov. 18:24).

While I have positive occasional contact with my childhood buddies, most of the men in my life today are products of providence and of choice cultivated over the last ten years or so.

And I am very blessed indeed. We’ve traded peanut butter and jelly for dinning room entrees, BMX bikes for minivans, and Ataris for iPhones. But the genuine care for one another’s health and wellbeing hasn’t changed at all.

Maybe it’s just stronger.

To all the men close to me today: thanks for being my pals. I couldn’t do this without you. Nor would I want to.

If there are buddies in your world who’ve helped you navigate and enjoy the waters of life, make sure to thank them this week. I’m sure you’ll find they’re just as grateful.

Who knows; maybe they’ll even do a real movie with you just for fun. ch:

Filed Under: culture, leadership Tagged With: advice, buddies, childhood, children, counseling, encouragement, friendship, help, marriage, success, support, the movies

Passing The Baton

12 Jan ’12 By Christopher Hopper 32 Comments

Last night was an epoch in my life, as well as in one of my favorite people’s, Joseph Gilchrist.

I became a Youth Pastor when I was 17 years old. There was no fanfare, no ceremony, no certificate. Simple a job to do and no one else to do it. I’ve read that the best leaders in life are the reluctant ones; and after preparing my first Bible study for a group of teens in Dryden, NY before I was even out of high school – thinking I had just presented everything I knew about the Bible the first night – I was definitely reluctant.

But God is faithful, as well as a rewarded of those who diligently seek him. Sometimes that reward is just enough to prepare your next Bible study. But it certainly extended on into the next 16 years of my life, affording my the opportunity to speak before audiences large and small, to counsel thousands of teens, parents, and other youth pastors, and to travel to nations. It is an honor I will never forget as the call shaped who I am today.

But two years ago, I felt the call changing.

The grace I had experienced previously – the energy, joy, and vision – was ebbing. And that’s when I knew a roll change was upon me.

The easy thing would have been to bail the moment I felt God calling me into a new season. Sadly, without good leadership around us, that’s what we tend to do. And I know far too many people who’ve done that, both as teenagers and as adults. I call it the rip cord mentality. It happens in companies, ministeries, marriages, and friendships. It’s selfish, and extremely destructive.

But anything worth doing is worth doing right. In our circles, we call it carrying the elephant.

It’s heavy.

It’s tiresome.

And sometimes it just plain sucks.

But if you can endure it, the results are incredible and well worth the price of admission.

Last night Joseph Gilchrist took my place. He’s grown up over the last 7 years in our youth ministry, so he knows the DNA; and he’s mentored under me for the last 2 years with the direct intention of replacing me. And that he has. Meanwhile I slide into a new role as Associate Pastor of New Life, supporting Pastor Kirk as his second in charge (a role I have mentored in for a good many years as well because he was willing to carry the elephant).

Josh Finley – lead pastor of Elim Gospel Church in Lima, NY – made the 3 hour drive at my request to surprise Joseph as guest speaker for his installation at 33 Live. He was joined by other surprised guests including Campus Target director Toby Cavanaugh. From start to finish the whole night was powerful, poignant, and set an incredible tone for the rest of Joseph’s ministry.

I couldn’t be more proud of Joseph if he were my own son. And there is a very real aspect to which he is a spiritual son.

Go and do more than I ever was able, Joseph. The call and anointing on your life are uniquely your own. Wear your own armor well and fight the good fight of faith. I’m behind you all the way. ch:

Photo courtesy of: @KaliLynnMusic

Filed Under: leadership Tagged With: Campus Target, Joseph Gilchrist, Josh Finley, ministry, race, Toby Cavanaugh, youth pastor

Tone Setting

11 Jan ’12 By Christopher Hopper 10 Comments

Setting the right tone at the beginning of any venture is imperative. It tells all those you’re working with exactly what they can expect, and what you expect as their boss or co-worker.

But doing so takes a lot of work. Experience gained through years, enduring one’s own set of scars, and lots of study are a few keys. But being able to articulate all that for the benefit of a diverse group is even more labor intensive. It’s one thing to be able to do something naturally, it’s another to explain why and how you did it.

However it’s much harder to define standards “as you go” than it is to initiate them right from the get-go. So while many prefer to just wing it because it demands less prep time, ultimately they’ll suffer the long term effects. Miss managed employees, poor work environments, emotionally disenfranchised team members, and suffering business or church models are just some of the ramifications.

If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well. So take your time and accrue experiences of your own. It’s easier to set precedent now than make exceptions later.

Before you embark on any new venture ask yourself a few key questions:

• What are the qualities of the people I want to spend the majority of my day with?

• What are the values I want everyone to have in common?

• What kind of work ethic and environments will promote the greatest team collaboration among the most diverse group of people?

In discovering what you value the most, you’ll be able to better cultivate and communicate atmospheres where others feel comfortable with what’s in your head.

Day 1 for New Life Media employees yesterday was all about these defining company qualities. From our company profile and mission statement to our vision and core values, the executive team did a tremendous job at setting the tone properly. The result is team members who aren’t left wondering what unspoken expectations there are; they are comfortable and therefore free to be themselves. And therefore they perform better.

Of course playing with new iPads is fun too. But even that’s one of our core value: fun! It help alleviate stress in hectic environments (which our office is).

As the military is famous for teaching: BLUF – Bottom Line Up Front. It’s what successful organizational models are built on. You can qualify your statements all you want later, but just say what you need first so people know where you’re coming from. Trust me, your teams with thank you for it. ch:

Filed Under: business, culture, geek, leadership Tagged With: BLUF, company profiles, development, employees, expectations, management, New Life Media, staff, standards, tech training, work environments

New Life Media: Staff Training Week

10 Jan ’12 By Christopher Hopper 9 Comments

One of my latest co-creations is coming to life today. I do wish I could enjoy it a little more – 15-hour work days for a week straight leaves the sensory capacitors a little numb – but I’m thrilled regardless.

New Life Media is a marketing firm specializing in public image design, and is the brain child of master designer Jason Clement, business guru Kirk Gilchrist, marketing sensation John Cobb, and myself – master guru of sensational something or otherness.

While the company’s website won’t be public for another week or so, we have employee orientation and training all this week. We’ll be unwrapping new iPads, playing with toys, trying on apparel, talking tech and design, smelling new business cards, and diving into our sales strategies and delivery models.

As with any new for-profit venture, I get fired up about having the ability to employ people (something I’ve learned I can do much better than the government, thank you very much). One of my greatest joys in life is to help provide income earning positions that fit with peoples’ dreams. It’s truly a privilege, and I’ve fallen into it by sovereignty, not on purpose.

Many good things await New Life Media. And many organizations will be better for her existence. Here’s to another Kingdom business birthed for God’s glory. ch:

UPDATE 5:54pm ET – What a fantastic first day for all involved. I’ll be posting pics tomorrow. Lots of laughs, and lots of good content. Very proud of our new staff. Thank you Travis, Kristen, Nina, Rebekah, Candy, Theresa, John, Kirk, Jason, and Jamie for doing our office build out! Peace.

Filed Under: business, culture, geek, leadership, marketing, news Tagged With: design, employees, friendship, launch, marketing, New Life Media, staff, training