A challenge?

So bear with me as I put into perspective some thoughts that have been percolating for quite awhile.

I think it is wise, and in many cases necessary, for leaders to get out of their zones of leadership and experience the culture of a similar organization. This primarily applies to the church, but can also be applied to business, schools, coffee shops, restaurants, musical preferences etc. The perspective gained from a regular change of scenery is invaluable to the leaders understanding of a community as a whole. Let me give you an example.

Two years ago I switched out of a rather drab church at which I had been attending for 14 years. I had rarely done much else, but for the last two years I was there was convinced that while the grass may not be lushly greener on the other side, it had to be greener that what I was feeding on where I was. I was right, and God put me in a very cool place where two years later I'm a part of a church plant, in leadership, and very excited. What's my point?

During that period of growing up, learning, adjusting, and experiencing what I would term a "dry" chruch experience (with peeks at what God has in store), I was isolated from external influence, and had little context to guage whether the discontent I was experiencing was justified. Once I was old enough (read: had a car) I was able to experience a diversity of churches and spirtual environments. This changed my perspective in a healthy way. You're still asking, what's my point?

In short, all leaders should "get out" once every quarter (businessy term) or so. I recently had a chance to "get out" and play with a worship team that was doing the ordination service for a local major denomination. It gave me huge perspective on where I had been, where I've come to, and ideas and excitement for where I can go in the environment God has placed me. I encourage every leader to figure out how they can get away and change their worldview with something "different". Try it at least once.