20/20 - Vision - Jobs - Ministries - A.I.M.'s 21st shot.

Unless you've been enjoying a media fast this week, I'm sure you've heard that Steve Jobs (pictured here, giving the Army salute) passed away.  I realize I am in the minority in that I don't know a lot about the man or his mission.  I'm typing this in an HP laptop.  I don't have a Mac, an iPhone or an iPad.  I do, however, have an iPod.  Okay, it's a Nano, but it gets the job done, (judge not...).  I can listen to my music whenever and wherever I choose.  For that fact alone, I'm thankful that Steve Jobs had a dream, and made it come true.  Last night, 20/20 aired a segment on his success secrets.  You can watch it here...  http://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/steve-jobs-secrets-success-14694518 Among other things, I was surprised to discover that he wore the same outfit almost everyday, in order to simplify.  I should try that.   Below, you'll find some of the text from the segment.  I couldn't help but think that there is some connection between what he did, and what we're called to do.  (italics mine) - Rob (from ABCnews.go.com)  How is it that a college dropout, who landed in his parents' garage and who was once kicked out of his own company, became one of the world's foremost innovators?   Consultant Carmine Gallo, the author of "The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: How to Be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience," has made a career of sharing the success secrets of Steve Jobs. Below, Gallo lists the seven ways Jobs managed to triumph in the face of daunting circumstances and how you can do the same.

1. Do What You Love, No Matter What It Happens to Be If you are leading a ministry, Corps, Church, Movement, etc.  I hope you love it.  If not, pray that you will fall in love with what you do.  If that doesn't happen, do something else - something you love.  Neither the world or the Church needs anymore Christian leaders who are in-like (or worse) with ministry/mission.

2. Put a Dent in the Universe   None of us are here to cruise through life.  If you are in ministry leadership, make a difference!   Go for it!  We should all AIM at leaving a ministry, Corps, Church, community healthier than we found it.

3. Say No to 1,000 Things In order  to do something of significance in ministry, in order to fulfill a vision, focus is required.  You can't do everything,  Focusing on the vital few requires saying "No" to things (which means saying "No" to people who want you to do those things).  Saying "No, Thank you" is preferred.

4. Kick Start Your Brain' by Doing Something New  There is nothing wrong with going back to the "old wells", if those wells are still working.  However, if they are dry and dusty, new initiatives are called for.

5. Sell Dreams Not Products  Those of us in ministry leadership don't really have a product to sell anyway.  We're not door to door traveling sales people, hawking our goods.  However, it is our job (read: privilege, honor, sacred trust) to create space for inspiration and cultivate a culture of vision.

6. Create Insanely Great Experiences  Does your corporate worship experience (or any other ministry you lead) look, feel, smell, sound the same every week?  If so, WHY?  We have been created creatively in order to create creatively.  Let's put to death boredom in the Church!  Who knows, the next Steve Jobs or Billy Graham could be in the room.  Don't let them fall asleep and miss out on what you and God have for them (and us).

7. Master the Message  or the version/translation/paraphrase of your choice.  Self explanatory!