God... Self... Others

As a Practical Theologian I have spent the majority of my time reflecting on Kingdom Beliefs and Behaviors. Whether you are leading a church, non-profit, or marketplace team the realities are the same- the pressure we feel to perform, the ways we tend to derive meaning out of our results, the fear we have of failure. These realities constrict our ability to dream,

to problem solve creatively, and act with clarity and confidence.

If this is you- no problem. You are in great company. Here is the good news- this does not have to continue to be your reality. Your Beliefs drive your Behaviors and this shapes your Results.

As we lean on God, we find an invitation to co-create for the good of everyone.

Vision

If context is King to interpreting the text, Vision is King to interpreting our Beliefs, Behaviors, and Results.

WE ARE ALL GUILTY OF UNDERSHOOTING OUR VISION

because we start with ourselves and bury ourselves under what we believe we are capable of by ourselves. What is God's vision and how has He made us and invited us to

co-create with Him and with each other for a vision that is both thrilling and terrifying?

Question to ponder:

If you knew you couldn't fail, what would you attempt?

Beliefs

Have you ever really thought about the spring board for Jesus's ministry? At his baptism, before he has done anything "vocationally" meaningful God spoke over him- "this is my son in whom I am well pleased." If you believed that God saw you this way how would it change your approach to your work? Would you dream differently? Would you take bigger swings? Would your relationship with failure change? How would this affect your relationship with your team, their relationship with each other, and the relationship with the congregation or the clients you serve? There is your stated beliefs and then there are the subconscious lingering beliefs that drive so much of what you do. There is your narrative, what you say, and then there is your structural narrative, the things you tell others through your personal and organizational activity. Maple Ave Coaching helps you identify what you believe and how that belief is resourcing or constraining your growth.

Behaviors

If what we believe is instrumental to what we do, behaviors are instrumental to what we achieve. You know the quote- the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Hell here is living in the shame of knowing what is possible and not having the capacity to see it through. When we follow through on the simple things we build momentum for the bigger things. Thus a significant part of coaching in making commitments in light of the belief we hold and the vision we carry, and then seeing those commitments through. You do not control the results, there are to many variables. But you do control your activities individually and institutionally. To be your fierce advocate is to hold your feet to the fire to follow through on what you do control.