This week we’d like to continue our exploration of what it looks like to be a part of what it means to serve at Shoreline. These are not pronouncements to pull ourselves up by our boot straps and work harder in our own efforts. This is a reminder to surrender to and depend on Christ’s finished work on the cross and to focus so much on the beauty of His love that we cannot help but live a transformed life. We want to interact with you more about these thoughts. You can do so at shoreline.net/lift or liftyoungadults.com. Please click over there and give us your thoughts.

Now for the leadership thought!

Our mission is to unveil God’s love. As those who serve in lift, we are actually responsible for that vision. It's not enough for us to merely get behind it. We must own it. We can’t sit back and wait for Pastor Rob to do the work. It is not enough for us to clap for him when he preaches, and admire how beautiful our mission statement looks written on our screen in weekend services. As leaders, volunteers, youth workers, or whatever we are – WE MUST OWN THE VISION for ourselves. It must bleed into every area of our lives.

So what does that look like? Please comment and tell us what you think. How do you “unveil God’s love” at work? In Your neighborhood? Campus? In your family?

As those who own the vision of Shoreline and Pastor Rob and Pastor Laura, we have certain responsibilities. It’s important to remind ourselves of the nuts and bolts of how to carry out their vision of “Unveiling God’s love” to our broken world.

I compiled these ideas over the years from various sources. It’s not the only things we’re to own, but a few great places for us to start.

We’re responsible for :

1.    The spirit of Shoreline- Pastor Rob says all the time, “More things are caught than taught.” I think that is so true and I'd like to highlight someone quickly. Have you observed Oneka at lift? Have you seen the way she treats new visitors? We need to “catch” that idea. You can regularly observe her searching out first time guests, connecting with them, sitting with them in service, and introducing them to others at jhi, lift, and lift young adults…wherever she is.

What if we all did that? What would the tone be like at our lift environments? As leaders and vision bearers at lift, we are responsible for the tone of our gatherings from parking lot to the end of after hours.  Within a couple minutes of exposure to us people need to know shoreline is a place of life, a place they can be themselves, a place where they have value, a connected place (small groups), and so so fun!

Make sure you keep a look out at the lift environment that you serve in for new people or people you don’t know. As leaders it isn’t your responsibility to know every detail about  every person. That being said, it’s not too much to expect that you connect with 5 new people every week. Our challenge to you is to meet 5 people at each meeting you serve at/attend. Exchange phone numbers, facebooks, myspaces, twitters, or house keys…ok maybe not house keys but you get the point. Let’s make lift a place that truly Unveils God’s Love by the way people are valued. Let’s do it! How couldn’t we in light of all Jesus did for us?

Doug Fields often says, “leaders are learners.” That’s the subject of this week’s leadership thought. Mature people intentionally nourish their souls. They take time to listen to G-d’s voice in many ways, community, books, sermons, quiet times, and even play. Here’s a short list, in no particular order of my soul feeders. What are yours?

• Running with a music or sermon podcast on. It’s not a particularly ancient discipline, but it works for me. It’s great to get outside, get   exercise, and also listen to challenging thoughts.
• Did I mention Podcasts? I know I did. They are a fire hose of information ready for you from Pastors, leaders, colleges, and seminaries that will nourish your soul.
• Study Bibles – Carlos in Shoreline’s Bookstore can set you up with a nice bible to dig into. 
• Google. If you have a question about the Bible or want to find an online devotional reading, google one. You need to be careful to test what you read, because posting something on the Internet doesn’t make it true, however this is a valuable resource for devotions and teaching. Try it!
• www.followtherabbi.com  – I love this website. I get lost on there. I just love reading about Jesus.
• www.sacredspace.ie - ever done an Ignatian Examine? This is a sweet place to have a quiet time. The site tells you what to do, prepares the scripture for you and even has help buttons along the way. 
• The Hinges of History Series by Thomas Cahill – Particularly The Gifts of the Jews, and The Desire for Everlasting Hills for profound insights on our faith and the people we come from. 
• My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers is a classic devotional book that will challenge you to depend more on G-d, surrender more of your life to Jesus, and focus your heart mind and soul on His glory. Online Versions available. Google it!
  
• Shoreline’s podcasts. Have you guessed that I learn audibly yet? For me, this is a great place to feed myself because I’m usually teaching the lesson in the middle school aged service. I can still take part in “grown-up” worship and conversations in my church community.
• www.relevantmagazine.com This site is fantastic. God. Life. Pop Culture. Great devotionals and a chance to interact with other people’s journey of faith. Try it!

So that’s my not-so-official feeding spots. What stirs your soul? Comment below!