"Christian" was ascribed, not prescribed.

Others called the first Christians by that name, it wasn't something they - or Jesus - came up with themselves. 

I wonder how much of what I think and do is because of what I prescribe - hope, wish, want, assume - instead of what is actually the case?

• Would anyone know I'm a dad if I didn't have the title in a bio?
• Would anyone know I'm a coach and consultant if it wasn't stated?
• Would anyone know I'm a Cowboys fan? Well, that one's ok to be secret sometimes.

What about the other things not related to status or position?  Are you known BY titles or FOR the fruit?

• Are you known as FOR your generosity?
• Are you known FOR your wisdom?
• Are you known FOR your hustle?

We all know of a man or woman who's known as a "mom" or "dad" by those they didn't birth or raise. Rather it is their expression of love, patience, generosity, sacrifice, challenge, discipline, and maybe even righteous anger that makes someone call them "mom" or  say "he's like a dad to me." 

I wonder about this in my line of work... stretching, stirring, renovating the Church. 

• I wonder if we put "church" on websites and signs because if not, no one would know. I we didn't advertise "church" someone might start calling us a "club" or "the Masons" or "that group that drinks a lot of coffee and talks about someone else's boots in the Carolinas."
• I wonder if we have to say "discipleship" because no one would ascribe "leader" to us otherwise.
• Or the worst of all, maybe we say "community" so much because it's not already obvious that you can make friends there, or that we'll call you back, or that we'll follow through on promises said or implied.

Last thought on this for now ... what if people think we're better than we think we are?

• What if people see you as blessed and you think you're oppressed?
• What if people see you as fun and you think you're boring?
• What if people see you as helpful and you see yourself as bland?
• What if people see you as insightful and you see yourself as simple?
• What if people see you as a leader and you think you're just a quiet doer?
• What if people look to you as a catalyst and you think you're stuck in obscurity?

Been there, Feel that. All. The. Time. But what if...?

No more 5 Things? Not exactly. But they're moving to email-only. I've scrubbed them from IG and elsewhere. Same general flow, a little more spice and color, delivered to you on demand, not in a passive feed. And definitely not constrained by an algorithm. :) 
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P.S. SwebbMail and 5 Things are different lists. Don't assume you're on it already. 

You get the list? Practical, actionable things relevant to ANY leader in ANY industry. I intentionally steered away from church-specific things. Hey, even you only read or do 10 of them you're still better for it. It's an immediate a free download. 
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This has been wildly popular and helpful. I've loved hear from staff and executives from churches of all sizes in many states and countries about how this as elevated their thinking. It's not a prescription of what to think, it's an invitation to think critically about what's considered taboo but shouldn't be. 
THINK AGAIN!