leader – John Markum

The Tuesday Ten: Big Influencers

Posted on September 18, 2012 by johnmarkum

This week, I decided to share the top ten people who have influenced my life the greatest, whom I have never met. Also, these are non-biblical individuals, so the obligatory “Jesus,” or “Apostle Paul” didn’t make this list.

Billy Graham: Taught me that the Gospel, itself, was powerful enough to change multitudes.
Rick Warren: Dared me to think about church differently.
Peter Furler: Former lead singer for the band, Newsboys. Showed me that good music can be fun, loud, powerful, and full of the Holy Spirit.
Steven Furtick: The church should be the most creative entity in the world… and it’s OK to preach in jeans.
Perry Noble: Be real. Be yourself.
Bob Hughes: Missionary to the Philippines. Don’t hold back!
Chuck Swindoll: It’s lonely to lead.
Andy Stanley: Discipleship happens in community.
Mark Zuckerberg: Connected more people to a social website than were on earth during the time of Christ.
Steve Jobs: A man who clearly had an amazing gift. He changed much about my world. I think of people like him advancing God’s Kingdom.

These are not perfect men, and some of them may not even be Christ followers. But I – and much of my generation – have been greatly influenced by these individuals, and I’m grateful to be the recipient of their contributions.

Book Review: “It”

Posted on August 21, 2012 by johnmarkum

No, not the one by Stephen King! This It is by pastor and church leader, Craig Groeschel about the quality that some churches (and organizations) have that makes them succeed, grow, expand, thrive and have obvious momentum. It’s as if God blesses everything some churches do and they can’t ever mess it up. We don’t know what it is. But we know it when we see it, and we want it too. We also know when we don’t see it. We say things like, “This place just doesn’t have it.”

It’s God’s hand of favor and blessing that, aside from the Holy Spirit, we don’t know how to quantify it. But we want to understand it, because we want it! It talks about “it“, literally. I was most pleased with how much time in the book Groeschel takes to stand upon Biblical principles. He does not take the time to try explaining something that we’re all familiar with, yet cannot articulate. Rather, he talks about where God seems to give it the most, and how we can stand upon solid principle and find ourselves in a position to receive it, use it for the Kingdom, and keep receiving it.

I wanted to pick a favorite page or chapter, but the truth is, this book is full of it! That was a compliment, I swear… Anyone in ministry, or considering going into ministry, should get It, read It, and practice It. I loved It…

Blessings,

John

How to Gain Favor with Your Leader

Posted on June 8, 2011 by johnmarkum

The following comes from the blog of Herbert Cooper, the senior pastor of People’s Church in Oklahoma City. I found this very applicable, whether you are on church staff following your pastor, in the corporate world, or even the military.

1. Understand their vision and heart.

2. Exceed expectations.

3. Praise them publicly and challenge them privately, not the other way around.

4. Put the team’s success before personal success.

5. Submit and line-up your vision with your leader’s vision.

6. Don’t cause your leader problems by doing stupid things.

7. Bring your leader solutions and not just problems.