Ok … Bill Hybels did me in. This is the second time I hear Bill share in person and what I love is that he is at a place of reflection in his life, where he can look back at what the Lord enabled him to build at Willow Creek. Pastors and leaders can learn so much from the wisdom of this veteran.

The key reflections where:

• Know the difference between a hankering and a holy discontent. You need a profound stirring by God to begin a work. You plant a church when you cannot do anything else but move in the direction that God is calling you.
• Know your spiritual gifts. Bill shared that teaching is not his dominant gift, it’s leadership. It’s been my observation that some of the churches that I most admire are not led by men who are the most dynamic and charismatic speakers, they’re good communicators though. They’re not personality driven as is the case in most charismatic and Pentecostal churches. These men know how to build a team.
• Decide early on whether to take the high road or the low road. Ouch… integrity is key.
• Ask God to let you finish with a few of the people with whom you’ve started. Relationships are so important. I want the right people around me when God calls me to start something. There’s nothing better than the journey with life long companions and partners in ministry.