You are the Shepherd?

The idea of moving from ministry doer to minister equipper, requires a paradigm shift for most of us. Ephesians 4:10-12 describes the role of pastor as that of a teacher. It further defines the pastor's role as the one who equips the saints to do the work of ministry. If the pastor is the only one doing ministry in a local church, the congregation will rarely grow beyond 200, if that.

One of the biggest shifts involves a very popular metaphor that's used in the Bible, a "shepherd." Is the pastor really to be the shepherd of the flock?

While there are certainly leadership and caretaking behaviors in ministry similar to shepherding, we're far more like sheep than we are like shepherds. Our job is not to be the smart human who shepherds the stupid sheep. That attitude can often be heard at church conferences when a non-ordained attendee says, "I'm just a layperson." This sort of class distinction is destructive to team building.

John 10:16 reminds us that there is but one Shepherd. David said, "the Lord is my Shepherd." It is not the pastor or ministry leader. We are, when we're at our best, lead sheep -- just ordinary people who have a sense that God has called us to help lead our peers and equip them for roles of ministry/serving, based around the passions and gifts that the Shepherd has given them. I often say, "I'm just a sheep trying to help other sheep find their way home." We are all human. The pastor does not Call nor Gift others. The pastor simply helps people discover their gifts and callings - to fulfill their passion or divine purpose in life.

Have you ever heard the complaint, "I'm not being fed"? Somehow when I hear that, and after working for years in trans-local ministry I have heard it plenty, I picture a shepherd with a sheep in a headlock forcing grass down their throat. Or, I picture my six-month-old grandchild being spoon fed by his mother. Jesus did say to Peter, "Feed my sheep" (John 21:15-17). But, in Biblical times, the shepherd led the sheep to greener pastures, where the sheep ate for themselves. The way they were "fed" was by leading them to lush pastures so that they could avail themselves of the nourishment they needed. Healthy guidance was provided.

It may be more a case of instructing the sheep what not to eat. When assailed by the wolf of heresy, by the hostile marauder, by new conditions of any kind, by special danger, we caution the sheep. This passage is more about love than about force-feeding the sheep.

The writer of Hebrews (5:11-13) said, "I have a lot more to say about this, but it is hard to get it across to you since you've picked up this bad habit of not listening. By this time you ought to be teachers yourselves, yet here I find you need someone to sit down with you and go over the basics on God again, starting from square one—baby's milk, when you should have been on solid food long ago! Milk is for beginners, inexperienced in God's ways; solid food is for the mature, who have some practice in telling right from wrong." Some people just don't eat, even when the table is spread before them.

This is a difficult concept for many of us in ministry to embrace because it feels like we're stepping down, losing our position and authority, and diminishing our sense of calling. However, when we surrender our rights to act like the Shepherd (which is old school), we begin to foster more of a "We" mind-set and less of the us-them attitude that works against effective team unity and synergy. The old school of driving the sheep will not work in the 21st century.

Do you remember the story of the drunk dragging a 20 foot logging chain up the sidewalk upsetting the pedestrians? A police officer stopped him and asked, "What are you doing dragging that 20 foot chain up the sidewalk?" To which he replied, "Did you ever try to push one?" We lead not push. Leaders serve, they do not drive people. If driving is attempted., it usually drives people away.

What can you do to foster the sheep-like qualities you have and let the other sheep know that you're not the Shepherd, that you're just trying your best to serve the Shepherd? It may be saying as much in a sermon, or Sunday school lesson, or even a board or staff meeting. Being aware of the shepherd-thinking that sneaks into your conversations and preaching is a step in the right direction. How you talk about others with other pastors and staff members is another idea. Subtly, you'll begin to build a flock of sheep that's truly amazing.

What do you think? Click "comments" below.

[Based on an article by Alan Nelson]

Today's Prayer

For every problem, every anxiety, every problem, every attack, in my life, there is a deliverer -- Jesus Christ!

Thank you, God, for Your sacrifice, Your love, Your way to reach down and pull me up. Please help me to stand sure-footed and steady on the Rock of my salvation and not to slip and fall into the mire of the world.

Please, be in control of my life ... and I know everything will be all right.

In Jesus' name, amen.

Lee University Announces Major Building Project

Lee University has announced the details of its newest construction project, a laboratory and classroom building for science and math. The building site at the corner of Billy Graham Avenue and Ocoee Street has been undergoing foundation work since earlier this month.

Lee president Dr. Paul Conn said the new facility will provide 73,000 square feet of space for academic programs, with a total project cost of $14 million. The building will include two wings with a central "commons" space connecting the two. The larger of the two wings, which will include all science labs for the university, is being built first. After its completion, the current Beach Building, which now houses Lee's Department of Natural Sciences, will be razed to make room for the second wing of new construction. The Beach Building is a 22,000 sq ft structure built in 1966.

The preliminary schedule calls for the first wing to be occupied in time for the fall 2009 semester. "We are thrilled to be finally beginning this wonderful project," Conn said. "It will triple our academic space for science and math, and give us all-new facilities for this important academic area. It will also provide a beautiful new structure on the northwest boundary of our campus, and I believe our neighbors in the downtown community are going to be thrilled with the way the project upgrades and beautifies our Ocoee Street frontage. "

The general contractor for the project is Tri-Con, Inc., with Cope and Associates, a Knoxville-based design firm, serving as architects. The building was designed in consultation with a faculty committee chaired by Dr. Matthew Melton, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Cole Strong of the university staff is general liaison to the project.

Thirteen classrooms of various sizes, ten laboratories, and two computer labs will create total "seat-space" for 640 students, plus a 150-seat lecture hall. The central "commons" area will feature a massive student lounge of five thousand square feet, plus reading rooms. The building will provide thirty faculty offices. The labs will serve 200 students in chemistry, organic chemistry, molecular cell biology, microbiology, dissection, general biology, and physical science.

The new science/math building is the "capstone project" of the university's "Press Toward the Mark" capital funds campaign, Conn said. The campaign began in 2005 with a goal of raising $25 million for various campus needs. Conn said the fund-raising for the science building itself was launched in late 2006 at the university's "Celebration 2006" festivities. "We are having a wonderful response to this effort to upgrade our science and math programs," Conn said. "Cleveland and Bradley County leaders in business and industry are supporting it very generously, as well as many out-of-town donors."

As construction begins on the science building, a different major "Press Toward the Mark" project is nearing completion on the other end of campus. A $5 million-dollar classroom-and-office building for the Lee University School of Religion is under construction at the corner of Parker and 8th Streets, and is scheduled for occupancy in the fall semester.

Shortage of Young Ministers

The Fund for Theological Education recently announced that it will be giving away grants to local churches that motivate young Christians to enter into ordained ministry.

This was motivated by a shortage of new ministers to take the places of an aging ministry force.

All denominations and ministries are acknowledging this shortfall. There are fewer seminary students seeking a career as senior or associate pastor. Many of those who graduate with advanced degrees do not plan to work in the local church.

Why this shortage? Has God stopped calling? Is God not aware of the need? How many young ministers have you seen leave the church in recent years? Pastor, how many young ministers are following in your footsteps?

Could it be that there is too much negativity around pastoring today? Has there been a loss of respect for clergy? That has changed considerably over the last 40 years. Parishioners pick on pastors, denominational leadership drives pastors, the media crucifies pastors, and the public has a distrust for pastors. In short, it is open season on pastors.

Could it be that few pastors and churches are emphasizing the Call? When was the last time you heard a plea for young people to be sensitive to the Call of God to full-time ministry?

Could it be that the church does not meet the needs of pastors? How many pastor's children turn bitter against the church due to the way their parents were treated? Pastors give and give until they are empty? Who pours into them?

May God help us to regain a respect for ministry, and treat pastors with love and respect. When the next generation sees this turnaround, maybe they will be more sensitive to God's Call and more willing to answer.

Can you think of more reasons for this shortage? Click "comments" below.

Without A Vision ...

[by Bill Reichart]

Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint (Proverbs 29:18).

Without vision: family members eat separately in their own rooms; churches argue; companies only have employees.

"Without vision, people will define their own vision and the loudest voice will prevail."

Vision unifies us around a preferred future; a future that can’t be accomplished by yourself.

Great leaders cast a clear, concise and compelling vision.

"If your vision doesn't scare you, then both your vision and your God are too small."

For vision to to motivate it must connect on 3 levels:

1) Mind-to-Mind – Vision is strategic. While your vision may be, as Jim Collins says, "big, hairy and audacious," people have to believe that it is attainable. When you connect, it becomes “OUR PLAN” and people give their resources.

2) Heart to Heart – Vision is passionate. When people see you, they see, feel and taste the vision. It becomes something you were created for and are willing to die for. When youconnect, it becomes “OUR DESIRE” and people give their life.

3) Soul-to-Soul – Vision is personal. It comes from God but it permeates your life. A calling. A confidence that IT will be accomplished. When you connect, it becomes “OUR CALLING” and people take responsibility.

Winston Churchill believed that leadership's foundation was vision. He had five tools he used when he got ready to communicate vision. Here they are:

TOOL ONE: STRONG BEGINNING (CAPTURE THEIR ATTENTION)

TOOL TWO: ONE THEME (STAY FOCUSED)

TOOL THREE: SIMPLE LANGUAGE (EASY TO UNDERSTAND)TOOL

FOUR: WORD PICTURES: (STORIES AND ILLUSTRATIONS)

TOOL FIVE: EMOTIONAL ENDING (A COMPELLING CONCLUSION)

And take this poem by Sir Francis Drake to heart:

Disturb us, Lord, when
We are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when
With the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst
For the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life,
We have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision
Of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wider seas
Where storms will show your mastery;
Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.
We ask You to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push into the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love.

10 Ways To Draw Me To Your Church

You want me to come and stay at your church? Then ...

10. Show me Jesus
9. Smile
8. Serve me
7. Help me to get involved and connected
6. Look me in the eye
5. Ask my opinion
4. Be clear and anticipate my questions
3. Remember my name
2. Call me (without asking me for something)
1. Be yourself

All of these together boil down to one simple message: Show That You Care.

[from Ministry Best Practices by Bill Reichart]

Today's Prayer

God, You are so good. Your plans are bigger than I could ever imagine. You always honor Your promises. Your love knows no bounds, and You always look at my heart, not necessarily my appearance (although I know I must abstain from "the appearance of evil"). Because You love me, You will discipline me and Your Holy Spirit will convict my heart and speak to my mind to keep me in line. That's how I know I'm Your child. I know that You can change me and make me more like Jesus, if I will agree and not fight against Your will. I am willing Lord. Mold me and make me into that precious child and Christian light that You would have me be. In Jesus' name, amen.

Overcome Your Weaknesses

Every human being has one or more weaknesses. The idea that ministers are perfect, divine, and without weakness is absurd.

Knowing that, it is essential to protect yourself. Don't open the door for the enemy. Guard yourself against the tricks of the devil, and those who are used by him.

Here are some suggestions to consider:

- No minister of the Gospel should be alone with a female that is not his wife. I’m not sure any Christian man should, really. Sexual temptation is a primary weakness for men. So make provision for it. Hide yourself in the cleft of the rock. Accountability software for internet use-like Covenant Eyes -is another excellent example of the provision principle in action.

- Weekends are high stress for most clergy families. Make provision for this. Don’t make difficult decisions or engage in discussions that invite conflict between Saturday and Monday afternoon. It’s a weak spot, so minimize the liability, spare yourself needless collateral damage to your marriage.

- Teach your staff about how to pass on different types of information, and they can communicating within these parameters. Certain modes of interaction trigger wrong responses, leading to bad decisions. Make provision for this weakness by getting info you need at the right time, in the right format.

- Take some time this week to identify some weak places in your life. Then get together with the people you call partners, and make provision.Hide yourself in the rock.

Today's Quote

"Ministry requires scholastic achievement and professional competence as well as a consecrated, Christian life."

Top 10 Things You Should Know About Unchurched People

1. People don’t care about the church database.
2. People aren’t motivated by your need. They’re motivated by theirs.
3. People don’t care about their next step until they know they’re valued where they are now.
4. People don’t know who you are, no matter how long you’ve been around the church.
5. People multi-task and can’t remember squat.
6. People are turned off by lack of preparation.
7. People relate when you talk about them or people like them.
8. People feel left out and frustrated when you use insider’s language.
9. People aren’t impressed with your theological vocabulary and holy dialect.
10. People love stories, not lectures.

(Read the entire article and the explanations of each point from Kem Meyer at Outreach Magazine)

[Bill Reichart]

Evangel Looses Editor

Reverend Hal Donaldson announced plans to step down, effective August 29, 2008, as editor-in-chief of "Today's Pentecostal Evangel," the official Assemblies of God publication. He has served in that position since 1995.

Donaldson co-founded Convoy of Hope and currently serves as its president and CEO. He plans to dedicate more time to that organization.

Evangel staff has been requested to remain in place during this time of transition.

An operations committee, appointed by the Executive Leadership Team, will study and make recommendation regarding Assemblies of God publications.

Legal Update for Ministers

Defamation

Defamation is defined as the speaking and publishing of false, distorted and misleading information about another, in a way that harms that person's reputation.

Libel is written or published information.

Slander is oral or verbal defamation.

It is advisable not to use the background stories or experiences of others in illustrations, without obtaining the consent of the person involved.

Be careful not to violate confidences shared in a ministerial setting, especially a counseling setting.

Always verify and double-check information to insure that it is true and factual. Even then, don't say or publish anything that would harm another person's reputation. Legal judgements regarding defamation can be significant.

Open Letter To Pastors - Religious Rights

Dear Pastor,

A large number of key religious leaders in America share a deep concern that as a pastor, you may not be fully aware of the freedoms you have during this election cycle to speak openly from the pulpit about spiritual and moral issues — key issues that have been the church’s province for centuries.

Over the last four decades, these issues have been shaped into political footballs by groups bent on censoring Christian speech, not only in schools and in the public square, but also in the sanctuary. You and your church may have even received threats of lawsuits, IRS investigations and loss of tax exemption if you speak out on certain issues during an election year.

Be encouraged: Please read, Churches and Politics: Your Freedom to Speak Biblical Truth: http://cts.vresp.com/c/?thezealgroup/aab51b3d05/32bd9bea5d/af095d75ef. This important document includes a checklist of what churches and pastors can do safely, under the protection of the law, to speak out on these key issues. If these guidelines are followed and you are threatened or legally harassed, the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) has trained over 1,100 attorneys to advise and even defend, without charge, your church’s rights of free speech.

This election is of overwhelming importance, not only for the presidency, but for other offices as well. The next president might appoint up to three Supreme Court Justices, to be confirmed by the Senate, who could affect our nation’s destiny for decades. Activist judges with their own agenda can loose a flood of immorality, override the will of the people, criminalize Christian speech and practice, and bring our nation under the judgment of God.

Christians need to be shown how to pray biblically for governments, and to be emboldened to express themselves, not only at the ballot box, but also in our ongoing struggle against immoral legislation. Links below will lead you to valuable sources for sermon preparation and mobilization.

Making disciples remains the church’s first calling. But what does that have to do with politics? Dr. Bill Bright said:

“Citizenship in a free country is a blessing from God ... God wants us to do his will in government ... but we have disobeyed our Lord ... As a result, we are in danger of losing our nation by default, and with it our individual freedoms and possibly our very lives. If that should happen, our opportunity to help fulfill the Great Commission throughout the United States and the world will also be lost. And hundreds of millions will never have the opportunity to receive our Savior.”

We must speak the truth in love. Biblical teaching is not hate speech meant to disparage or condemn; rather, it is meant to warn people that sin has drastic eternal consequences, and the good news is that the gospel offers the solution. That is the church’s commission and always has been.

Here are some specific things we can do:

• Pray and lead our people in intercessory prayer. Activism without prayer cover is like infantry without air cover.
• Teach them the biblical principles of how to pray and what to do for our nation.
• Speak out. Motivate our people to get involved in the political process. There are battles to be won there: not only for traditional marriage, the sanctity of life, and the protection of our children, but also against poverty, disease, injustice, and the suppression of religious rights.
• Mobilize. Fewer than a quarter of professing Christians vote. How can we awaken the rest? We have the numbers to make a difference if we will!
• Recruit others. Please forward this liberating information to other pastors Forward this message to a friend, denominational headquarters, and ministry leaders. If you have any concerns about speaking out, please call the Alliance Defense Fund at 1-800-TELLADF today.

As a reminder: To access ADF’s 2008 Churches and Politics Guidelines, click here: http://cts.vresp.com/c/?thezealgroup/aab51b3d05/32bd9bea5d/96488aa33b and read your rights. Or, look at Downloadable Documents in the right column of this Blog and click on "Churches & Politics."

Yours, for the healing of our land,
Jimmy and Carol Owens

Pastor/Church Planter - Beware

I was thinking the other day about what types of people I would warn a pastor/church planter about. Hang on -- here goes ...

#1 - The “I’m Going To Leave If” Person

Pastors, you are going to have people threaten to leave your church – period. And 999 times out of 1,000 the best thing you can do is let them go.

I remember once in the early years of my ministry, being on the telephone for over an hour, begging a young lady in our church not to leave. Why was she wanting to leave? A group of singles had gotten together and forgot to call her.

You are going to have people who don’t like the music, your wife/husband, you talking about your kids, the way you dress, the kind of car you drive, the version of the Bible you use, your hairstyle, your zodiac sign, your staff, and your belief on the end times.

You can’t please everyone … and, to be honest, that BOTHERS me! But, the reality is, according to Hebrews 13:17, you and I will stand before God one day and be held accountable for how we led the church … and I would much rather a disgruntled person walk out than for God’s presence to go instead!

Don’t ever be held captive by a person who keeps threatening to leave.

#2 - The “Let Me Tell You How Much Money I Have” Person.

Pastors, you've GOT to make a choice early - are you going to be motivated by money OR are you going to resign to the fact that Jesus purchased you, thus making you not for sale? Will you be a prostitute or a prophet?

I remember a guy calling my wife and demanding that we come to his house for dinner. He told her where he worked, where he lived (a NICE neighborhood), the company he owned, the kind of car he drove and also told her he wanted to get more financially involved in the church … all I had to do was come to his house for dinner that night. I already had plans, but I also sensed in my Spirit that something was not right.

I didn't go. I don’t play that game. When people begin to dangle money in front of you … it is ALWAYS attached to an agenda.

I have served some incredibly generous congregations who gave faithfully every single week. Some of the most generous people I have served never asked me for one second of my time. They gave with a pure heart and with pure motives.

When people threaten to stop giving, that is an issue they will have to work out with God. Don’t let a person who has a lot of money keep you from doing what God has called you to do.

When a person begins telling you how much money they have … trust me, they ultimately desire to either buy you or control you. Don’t let it happen. Tell them you are excited they have money, ask them to give generously, challenge them to be faithful in their giving … but don’t EVER begin to let them dangle money in front of you, thus becoming your source of motivation.

3 - The “Feed Me” Person

I have never been able to keep one of these people around … ever!

You know the drill … they always come from another church (they weren't being fed there either) and they want you to know that they are sincerely seeking a church that teaches the Bible (and they will stay as long as you teach THEIR VERSION of the Bible.) They are experienced at this "not being fed" thing. They have used it to get their pastor moved (when the overseer would buy it), and when they can't get the pastor moved, they move.

Even at a new church, if they become displeased with the sermon direction … or dissatisfied with your particular view on a theological issue … or convicted of not doing what they know they should be doing – they will say you are not feeding them and try to get you removed, or they will leave.

Pastor, being honest here … I've NEVER encountered a person who claimed they weren't being fed that also had a dynamic personal walk with Jesus. If that were true then they would show up to the church FULL and not need to latch on to the breast!

It’s not our job to feed – but to lead to places where food can be found (shepherd).

#4 - The “At My Other Church” Person

I'm sorry, but I have ZERO tolerance for this guy/girl.

They come into your church and begin to say, “Well, this is nice, but at my other church we used to (FILL IN THE BLANK.)”

I say, without apology, to these people that we are not “your other church,” and … if you liked your other church so much – GO BACK!

Enough about them …

#5 - The “This Is Too Big” Person

These people amaze me. A church will begin growing, lives will begin to change … literally the Bible begins to come to life … and because a person finally has to face the fact that the church is not about them … they take off, saying that the church is TOO BIG.

Now, that same person will go to a college football game the day before with between 80,000 to 100,000 fans (99% of whom they do not know) and be absolutely PUMPED that the stadium is packed. (Usually a sign that the team is winning!)

BUT … they want to go to “God’s house” the next day and desire for it to be small and “intimate.” Hmm, they want the football crowd to grow and the church crowd to be small … sounds like some very messed-up priorities to me.

Bottom line … the church is SUPPOSED to grow – period! And if it gets “too big” for someone, I would say it’s because their heart is “too small.” Seriously, ask yourself, what spiritual force would motivate someone to get angry when large numbers of people are coming to Christ and being taught to walk in an intimate relationship with Him? Jesus … or Satan? Seriously – it’s NOT rocket science.

Let the “this is too big” person go … and don’t argue with them!

#6 - The “I Want To Know The Pastor If I’m Going To Be Here” Person

Most churches never break the 200 barrier because of the belief that the Pastor must have a personal relationship with every member. At some point, that becomes an impossibility.

Here’s the deal, pastor, you and I are called by God to lead His church. BUT … before that, is an even greater call on our lives to love Jesus, love our wife and love and disciple our children … and there is no way that you can do all of that and also grill hot dogs with everyone in your church!

For too long pastors have been manipulated by church people into a “a pastor ought to know his church people” mentality. A thought that sounds good on the surface … EXCEPT for the fact that it is COMPLETELY un-Biblical! (Acts 6:1-7 is just one example. Exodus 18 is another!)

If a person comes in claiming they need to know you – TRUST ME ON THIS ONE – they have an agenda a mile long!

Yes, we should have relationships with the people we serve … but those should be led by the Holy Spirit and should NEVER take away from the first four priorities that I mentioned earlier. Nothing wrong with the pastor leading a home group who are not currently on staff. Nothing wrong with the pastor going to lunch with lots of people in the church – but never allow yourself to be “guilted’ into doing so.

Pastor, let me warn you – there are church people out there who will allow you to spend all your time with them … and then when your marriage falls apart or your kid turns out to be a hellion or you begin to fall apart spiritually, they will turn on you so fast it isn't funny! I've seen it … so have you – that is why you must prioritize your life … and if you don’t have time for every social in the church … so be it!

#7 - The “This Place Is Too Judgmental” Person

I was reading the other morning in the OT that if a prophet doesn't preach repentance then he isn't a true prophet.

Pastor, any time you begin to call people out in their sin, you will be labeled as an intolerant, judgmental preacher.

BUT …

The only people who get angry when you preach on giving are those who bow before money.
The only people who get angry when you preach on sexual immorality are the sexual immoral.
The only people who get angry when you preach on adultery are those who are committing adultery … or those who really want to.
The only people who get angry when you preach on gossip are the people on the prayer chain … uh … I mean those who are gossiping.

Pastors, speaking about sin isn't easy … but it’s right. We are called to call for confession and repentance … and offer hope for those who are willing to follow Christ.

If someone isn't angry at you, then pray for God to set you on fire and lead you to preach a message that will hit the majority of your church between the eyes … and then HANG ON!

[Based on Perry Noble]

Four Rules of Influence

John Maxwell says that leadership is influence. You can't lead without it. You can drive people without it, but that won't work for long. Leadership by fear or intimidation is doomed for failure.

Chris Widner’s new book, The Art of Influence, gives the proper emphasis regarding the topic of influence. He says in this entertaining short story, that influence is a gift followers give you because you have become the kind of person they want to follow and be influenced by. He provides four rules of influence:

• Living a Life of Undivided Integrity. Notwithstanding that integrity is in fact being undivided, he writes that while leaders do make mistakes, followers “do expect their leaders to admit and correct their mistakes, mend the cracks in their integrity, if you will. Left unchecked, eventually a lack of integrity erodes the trust that is needed between a leader and a follower.”
• Always Demonstrate a Positive Attitude. People respond to optimism. Bad things happen. And when they do, you need to ask not “Why did this happen to me?” but “What’s next?” or “What good can come from this?” “You are choosing to believe that something good can come from negative circumstances and that the future will be better than the present.”
• Consider Other People’s Interests as More Important Than Your Own. “Even more important than being interesting, is being interested.”
• Don’t Settle For Anything Less Than Excellence. Widner encourages us to grow our influence by improving ourselves around seven areas of excellence: physical appearance, emotional health, intellectual growth, spiritual depth, relationships, financial success, and charitable giving. Excellence is in the details.