There are three kinds of people:
A leader is anyone who chooses to step out in faith and desires to make something happen. John Maxwell says, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” As someone who has taken on the task of organizing and executing an event for Solid Rock – Climbers for Christ, you are a leader.
Leadership can be summed up in one word, “influence.” And what is the greatest tool we have for increasing our influence with someone? It’s a relationship! Developing a relationship with other Solid Rockers can be problematic. We have the same bond of desiring to reach climbers for Christ, but we are very spread-out. Many us have not met each other. Having strong, trusting relationships are difficult to achieve. As a leader of an event, you need to go the extra mile in developing relationships with other Solid Rockers.
Here are some guidelines from John Maxwell to help you develop influencing relationships:
People who focus on themselves when interacting with others rarely build positive lasting relationships. All they do is create frustration for themselves and boredom for the other person. Instead, become a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.
I often say that people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. And it's true; all the skills and education in the world will never impress anyone as much as genuine, heartfelt care for them. Find out and remember things about them. Knowing a lot about people is a real display of your care for them, and it creates a lasting bond.
In spite of our human desire for large-scale influence, we really make an impact on people ONE AT A TIME. Meet others with anticipation, and expect EVERY encounter to yield positive results. It costs little to make another person feel important and respected, but it does wonderful things for him or her.
Few things damage a relationship more severely than the failure to follow through. And that happens when a person is inconsistent -- when his words and actions don't match or when he stops fulfilling his obligations. Relationships dissolve quickly when others can't count on you, so say what you mean and stick to your word.
· REFLECT CHRIST-LIKENESS
Although no one is perfect,
our desire as Christian is to become like Christ. We need to remember the words of the Apostle Paul to the
Philippians (2:1-11)
If you have any encouragement from being
united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the
Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being
like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain
conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you
should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of
others.
Your attitude should be the same as that of
Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not
consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he
humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
“What distinguishes a leader from others? The capacity to do something with an idea."
(Unknown) With a leader, a Solid Rock event will
happen!
Our purpose is to
encourage, equip, and empower Christian climbers to reach climbers for Christ through
personal witness and group outreach. As you think through the event you are
planning, always ask this question, “Do the particulars of the event add up to
making Solid Rock’s purpose come alive?”
Encouragement: Many believing climbers may be excited about
their faith and want to reach the climbing community for Christ. But, so often, after years of climbing they
may not know another Christian climber.
It's probably true that there aren’t many Christians who climb, but when
you add that to the general sense of discouragement that can be part of
witnessing, it’s easy to see why it is so hard to share our faith. Through being together and the power of
group prayer, Solid Rock events will encourage
Equipping: One of Solid Rock’s primary missions is the
building of the right set of skills and a knowledge base into us so we can be
more effective in doing the work of an evangelist. On the other side of the coin in equipping is having the right
tools in hand to share our faith to climbers.
Have a time of teaching at each event!
Have Solid Rock resources available.
Empowerment: Jim
Cymbala in Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, “When it comes to spiritual matters, you and
I will never know our potential under God until we step out and take risks on
the front line of battle.” Someone
getting involved with a Solid Rock event will be taking a risk on the front
line of battle. Have expectant
eyes! Be ready to see how God empowers
each through the Holy Spirit to be used beyond belief. Jesus
said in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit come
on you; and you will be my witnesses….”
Many different elements
can be part of an event. Plan them so that Solid Rock’s purpose is fulfilled!
Start Small: Although Solid Rock has over 500 members, that
pales by comparison to the 400,000 climbers in the U.S. The ministry is small, and some areas have
very few members. However, even with a
few, a great event can happen. Expect a
Gideon side “army.” God reduced Gideon’s
force from 33,000 to 300. Life in
general keeps many unavailable. Even Jesus said, "The harvest is plentiful
but the workers are few.” (Matthew 9:37)
God can still do great things where a few are gathered in His name!
Sow Seeds: Expect the event to do our part in a person’s
salvation, and expect God to do his responsibility. All He wants us to do is share the gift. God promises to do the
convincing, convicting, and converting (see Romans 8:38, John 16:8 & 1
Corinthians 3:7). Paul in 1 Corinthians
3:6-7 wrote, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it
grow. So neither he who plants nor he
who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” Be pleased if at an event you are able to
plant a few seeds and water them. And if
you see the tremendous miracle of a saved life, give all the glory and thanks
to the Lord!
Surmount Snags: As soon as you become a leader and begin to make
things happen, you will face resistance.
You will feel insecure and have doubts about your abilities. Others will question you abilities and
motives. Land managers will see you as
a threat to the status quo. Climbers
will see you as a challenge to their hedonistic lifestyle. The devil will try to distract you and
derail your efforts. If you go into it expecting some difficulties, you will be
far less likely to be discouraged by them.
Facts are the foundation upon which we build things. Faith is the wings with which we fly. Having realistic expectations is holding them in both hands and understanding, "I have to be realistic, and yet at the same time I have to have faith."
Proverbs 24:3 in the
Living Bible says, “Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong
through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the
facts." Others have said, “If you
fail to plan you plan to fail.”
Planning always seems
hard. Why? Because it forces us to put wheels to an idea and we are required to
make decisions. All of that requires
work. However, with an outline of what
needs to be planned, the process becomes easier. Here is an outline for planning:
"There comes a
moment when you have to stop revving up the car and shove it into
gear." - David Mahoney
Here are some tips to
make it happen:
Note: Although the
drinking of alcoholic beverages is a freedom many Christians participate in as
an individual, Solid Rock – Climbers for Christ events are to be
alcohol-free. Enough non-Christians can
easily misinterpret drinking that in a group setting of Solid Rock, its best
for it to be a non-issue.
Step #6: After the Event
Some thoughts for
after an event:
1. Write a report for Emailing.
“The men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where
they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. The people read it
and were glad for its encouraging message. Judas and Silas, who themselves were
prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.” Acts 15:30-32
2. Evaluate and make suggestions for improvements.
"No institution can possibly survive if it
needs geniuses or supermen to manage it. It must be organized in such a way as
to be able to get along under a leadership composed of average human
beings." - Peter Drucker
3. Thank all who participated.
William James said, "The
deepest principle in human nature is the desire to be appreciated." Appreciation means to "raise in
value". Affirm their effort,
loyalty, ideas and production.
--------------- Appendix
----------------
ITEM - A
Possible Gathering Schedule:
Friday Evening
Check
in and Get to Know Each Other
Campfire
and Worship
Devotional
and Training
“On
Mission” Climbing (See Definition)
Campfire
and Worship
Worship
and Planning for Outreach
“On
Mission” Climbing
Say
Goodbye
Before and as you climb, pray something like this, “Lord, if it’s Your desire that we give witness of You today, please allow us to be open to those divinely appointed opportunities that will happen. Help us to have the boldness and sensitivity as we are “on mission” for You.” When this is prayed, all you are really doing is asking that the Great Commission happens. Jesus states in Matthew 28, “Go and make disciples.” Often, we think that is only meant for those missionaries who have gone to a foreign land. But I understand that the word “Go” has the meaning of “as you are going.” For us as Solid Rockers, that is saying, “As you go climbing, look for ways to give witness to Jesus our Lord.” Being “on mission” will gives you a greater purpose when we go climbing!
------------------------------------------------
ITEM –
B
Possible Outreach Dinner Schedule:
Friday Evening
Check
in and Get to Know Each Other
Campfire
and Worship
Devotional
and Training
“On
Mission” Climbing and Invitations to Dinner
Preparation
for Climber’s Outreach Dinner at Camp 4
Climber’s
Outreach Dinner (see Checklist for Spaghetti Dinner below)
Worship
and Planning for Outreach
“On
Mission” Climbing
Say
Goodbye
Supply List for Spaghetti
Dinner
· Buy 1/5 of pound of hamburger for each dinner
· Noodles (suggested servings about right)
· Sauce (suggested servings about right)
· Rolls and Butter
· Salad Ingredients and Dressing
· Drink Mix or Drinks
· Plates, Cups, Plastic Silverware & Napkins
· Garbage Bags
Bring
· Tablecloths
· Big Pots
· Stoves (it takes about an hour with an outside propane stove
· Coolers (you will need a lot)
·
Drink Coolers
------------------------------------------------
ITEM –
C
Resources
Present
q
Tracts (Tobin
Sorenson or The Seventh Grade)
q
Personalized
business cards with your contact info and the Gospel
q
Sports Drink Laser
Labels with Gospel on it
q
Religious
Survey for Climbers (see questions below)
Would
you help us by giving your opinion and answering a few questions?
· What single thing do you want to make
absolutely sure you do during your lifetime, if at all possible?
· What happens after death?
· How do you identify yourself with respect to
religion?
· Have you ever experienced God? If so, how?
· Who is Jesus Christ according to your
understanding?
· In your opinion, how does a person become a
Christian?
· If you were to die on your next climb, do
you know for sure whether or not you would go to heaven?
Male? __
Female? __ Age? ___ Climber? __ Non-Climber? __
Thank you for completing this survey. Would you like a booklet
that explains what Jesus Christ meant to legendary climber Tobin Sorenson? If so, please give us your contact
information. Name:
____________________ etc…..
Planned
q
Logo
merchandise (T-shirt, carabineer, water bottle, baseball cap, handhold, etc.)
q
Video showing great,
classic climbs of an area and climbers sharing their faith.
------------------------------------------------
ITEM -
D
q Ask
q Get
q Bring
q When
you get there
q Registration
q New People
q Job Sign-ups
q Announcements
------------------------------------------------
ITEM – E
Suggested Registration Form
Solid Rock Climbers for
Christ -Event Attendance
Event:
___________________________ Location:
_________________________ Date:
______________
Name:
_______________________________________________ Member of Solid Rock: ____
New to Solid Rock: ___
Address:
__________________________________________ City: ____________________ State: ____
Zip: _________
Phone(s):
________________________________________
Email: ___________________________________________
Your Climbing Style(s) > Trad: ___ Sport: ___ Big Wall: ___ Ice: ___ Alpine: ___ Bouldering: ___
Climbing Level >
Beginner/Novice: ___ Competent
& Recreational: ___ Competent
& Serious: ___
I’m paying $___________ for
___________________ I’m donating $____________
for Outreach Costs: _____ Other: ________________________
____
T-shirt Check
Size: ___XL ___L ___M ___S ($15
- includes shipping) ____ 10 Personalized Outreach Business Cards ($5.00
- includes shipping)