Bart Blair

Defining the Win

This video of my (then 4-year-old) son Silas scoring his first goal in soccer was the first I ever posted on YouTube.

He shoots! He scores! And he declares, "Daddy, I win! I win!"

Since the outcome of that 4-year-old mob-soccer game wasn't going into any record books anywhere, I suppose it's fair to say that by scoring a goal, Silas did indeed win.

Much has been written (in countless books on leadership) about "defining the win." Last year Charlie Sheen made a very big deal out of "winning" - using a definition that I believe only he might live by.

As I contemplate my personal day-to-day operations of disciple-making and kingdom-building enterprises, I am constantly reminded to evaluate and re-evaluate what it means to win in our service to Jesus.

Outside of my ministry work, there are a few things that I enjoy immensely:

- Playing golf
- Coaching little league baseball
- Playing tennis
- Fishing
- Songwriting

When I particiapte in any of those activites, whether alone or with others, I always have a clear set of personal expectations on how the endeavor may conclude and at what point I feel that my expectations have been met; i.e. whether or not I got a win!

Sometimes I go fishing with my sons or a buddy and the purpose of the trip is to build our relationships. Other times, I'm going to catch fish.  If the purpose of the trip was to deepen in our relationships and that happens, then catching fish in the process is a bonus. But if I have no other plan than to hook me some trout, then the trip is a bust if I fail to do so.

As a church leader, I have many roles. Sometimes my duties are related to the individual investment of time and energy into people. Other times, my responsibilities are much more broad and might involve the planning and/or execution of a larger event or program which includes lots of people.

Regardless of the gig, I have been challenging myself lately to define my win by making three assessments:

1) What are the expectations of those to whom I am ministering (individual or group)?
2) What do I realistically believe that I can do to meet those expectations?
3) What are God's expectations of me in this situation?

I believe that in order to most effectively define a win, I need to employ this trifecta. By evaluating a specific set of expectations on all three parts, I find that it becomes easier to ensure that my efforts are focussed and effective, and that I am able to stand before God with a clear conscience; knowing that my motives were not only others-centered, but that they were Spirit-led.

Quote of the Day

"Leaders who follow the kingdom lead not by controlling, but by connecting. They bring people together to generate synergy through the combining of visions, gifts, and experiences for the diversifying of the church's mission and its continuing outreach to society."

       -Dr. Edmund (Eddie) Gibbs, Emerging Churches

Thought For the Day

Wouldn't it be cool if the role of the church pastor was more like a "culture driver" than a "program director?" I imagine a church community where Jesus-followers learn, grow, serve and multiply because it is their way of life, not because of the events they attend or programs in which they participate.

Thought For the Day

If we are making disciples the right way - the Jesus-way - then they're going to live their lives the Jesus-way. They will live their lives on mission.

Thought For the Day

The church cannot claim to be missional if it is not also determined to make disciples. After all, without disciples, who will go on mission?

Our Canadian Chronicles - Episode 5

We've finally made it! Landed in Alberta a few weeks ago and getting settled into the new house. Here's a little video update on the latest and greatest...

The Not-So-Benevolent Beard

The last day I shaved was December 28.  Attended a wedding that day.  Now, my face is getting hairy.

Why?  Many have asked.

Somewhere in the world is a guy named David who is growing his beard to raise funds for charity; one of which is Doctors Without Borders.  In light of the tragedy in Haiti and Doctors Without Borders' involvement in the recovery, I made a donation to the organization in connection with David's Benevolent Beard project.  You can read more about that here: www.thebenevolentbeard.com

Now, I wish I could say that my beard was being grown for such a great cause.  But it's not.  I'm being selfish (and maybe a bit lazy).

I calculated that I spend an average of 7 minutes per shave.  I usually shave 3 times per week.  That's a total of 21 minutes per week, translating to about 18 hours per year in shave time.  18 HOURS!  Is it just me, or does that seem like a ridiculous amount of time trimming facial follicles?!?

And with the cost of razor blades being at an all-time high, I just thought, perhaps, I could buy some time and money back in 2010 by not shaving.  You with me on this?

I have no idea how long I'll go.  Maybe another week or two.  Maybe a month or two.  Maybe just until the summer comes around.  Who knows?  But won't it be interesting to see?  Silas told me I should go for the ZZ Top look.  Maybe, just maybe, I'll try it out.

Pat Robertson is a __________________

I'll let you complete that sentence any way you like.  Some of the names I've seen on the web are enough to make Gordon Ramsay blush.

I just HATE the fact that I get lumped into the same "Christian" category as him.  We're not the same.  We don't see God the same way.  We don NOT think alike.  Yet, we both claim to be followers of Jesus.  It's so confusing to me.  I'm sure it's confusing to those who know me, know I follow Jesus and are trying to reconcile the whole God/Jesus/faith thing.

It makes me want swear!  But I won't, because Pat might accuse me of selling my soul to the devil.

{Take a deep breath, Bart]

Donald Miller has responded to Pat's comments.  I like what he has to say:

Back in the day, the comment Pat Robertson made today would have infuriated me. Robertson essentially blamed the devastation that took place in Haiti on the idea that, generations ago, people in Haiti sold their souls to the Devil and are now paying for it. I’m reminded of a similar comment made in a debate on CNN, in which yet another religious figure blamed the devastation in New Orleans following Katrina... [read more]

Christmas at Leisureworld

On Friday, December 12, my Community Group had the honour of assisting Grace member, Terry McGuire, with a Christmas service for the residents of Leisureworld Care Centre (formerly Chelsea Park Nursing Home) in Streetsville. Terry is a regular visitor to the care centre and offers Bible studies and spiritual counsel to the people who call Leisureworld their home.

We had a wonderful time singing songs with the residents - aside from the silly antlers Terry made me wear ;0. Terry shared a short message on reconciliation with God (based on Hark, the Herald Angels Sing), and we even got the kids involved by having Jacob and Silas read portions of the Christmas story.

After the service was complete, we had a chance to mingle with the residents and wish them all a wonderful Christmas.

Here are some snapshots from the evening:

The Persecuted Church

I picked up a book out of the church library a couple of weeks ago that I have been really enjoying.  The book is called "God's Smuggler."  It is the story of Dutchman Brother Andrew (founder of Open Doors) and his early years of smuggling Bibles and support into communist countries such as Bulgaria, Romania, Poland and the Soviet Union.  It has been a fascinating read (and I'm almost finished).

I had heard of Brother Andrew prior to reading the book, but knew little about his ministry and his adventures.  Elizabeth and I have been discussing the risks and sacrifices of Brother Andrew and other Christians like him and comparing them to our own lives.  Simply put....there's no comparison!  It's almost embarrassing how cushy and easy we have it as Jesus-followers here in Canada/North America.

This morning I decided to take a look at the Open Doors website to read more about what is happening around the world.  My heart broke as I read some of the stories of the suffering that so many people are enduring in the name of Jesus.  I actually wept.  They were tears of sorrow, tears of guilt and tears of compassion.

My first response was to pull out my credit card and make a big fat donation, which I knew would result in some serious marital counseling later on.  We're already stretched pretty thin with supporting our local church and another international ministry.  And then I noticed another link on the Open Doors website that peaked my curiosity.

I discovered that I can write letters directly to churches and individuals who are persecuted and/or imprisoned as a result of their faith.  And so I did!  I wrote three letters this morning and included some of the Sunday School artwork that my kids had recently done as a way of encouraging those who are suffering.

I will pray that God might provide a way for us to help in a financial way, but in the meantime, for the cost of a letter, I can help.  And I want to do that.

If you want to know more about the Open Doors letter writing campaign, you can check that out here:  LETTER WRITING GUIDE