Tuesday, November 19, 2013

10.08.13 Interview with Bob Hulett

Bob Hulett

            Tonight we interviewed Bob Hulett.  He was a very passionate individual, who also was very intentional about what he does.  The two things that excite him are leadership and reaching people who are lost.  We started by talking about how salvation is more of a “dimmer switch” than a “light switch,” and is a journey we go on.  Bob said John 4 is one of the best Bible chapters on understanding discipleship.  Something he said that I thought was really good: “Your role in the process isn’t as important as your goal in the process.”

THE WAY TO A MAN’S HEART
            Bob admonished that our ministry won’t thrive unless we understand discipleship.  We are not in the babysitting business; we have to be taking people somewhere.  People will commit to why you do something more than to what you do.  Something interesting Bob brought up that his church doesn’t do is asking anything from businesses for big events.  They don’t ever ask for donations.  This is to break the mentality that the church just wants to take stuff.  In fact, they once bought a $50.00 gift card and put the company on their website, listed them as a sponsor on the website, and told the owner that they just wanted to help his business!
He has found that this approach is much more effective and breaks the negative mentality of selfish church.  He brought up the quote, “The quickest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”  You reach lost people when you meet their needs.  I thought this was a very profound thought.

THE DISCIPLESHIP CYCLE
Bob then broke down “The Discipleship Cycle,” a way that his church connects people to Jesus and then disciples them.

1.     Bridge Event
a.     The Why:
b.     A non-threatening, positive first experience with the church for those who have no previous experience.  Big Days, Community Investments, Mailings
2.     Partnership Service
a.     To provide an opportunity to move people from pre-believer & explorers to believers and followers of Jesus.
3.     Connection | Communities
a.     To provide a biblical context for discipleship through doing life together with other believers.  This provides a place for the service, study, and social components of discipleship, “b-groups”, “b-teams”


The Discipleship Process
Bob then shared his discipleship process.  Essentially, this is getting someone from being a non-believer to being a disciple.  I found this to be incredibly valuable in understanding discipleship and outlining a clear goal in the discipleship process.

1.     Non-Believer
a.     No previous experience or knowledge of Christ, going to church, or relationship with a believer
b.     Non-attender
2.     Pre-Believer
a.     Non-attender
b.     Experience some form of organized religions, has had exposure to a Christ follower, or has a friendship with a Christ Follower
3.     Explorer
a.     Partnership Service (between Explorer and Believer)
b.     Experienced a Bridge Event, or been invited to church by a friend.  They are beginning to explore what faith in Jesus is really all about by attending church, participating in a community group of the church, or have a faith exploring relationship with a believer.
4.     Believer
a.     Discipleship
b.     A decision to begin their spiritual journey occurs.  They may not fully understand what church and Jesus are all about but they want to take the first step in following Jesus.
5.     Follower
a.     Discipleship
b.     Regularly attends church, is beginning to make life changes, serves in ministry, and is daily making living for Christ a priority.
6.     Disciple
a.     Spends consistent time reading the Bible and praying.  Serves actively in ministry, discipling others, gives regularly and sacrificially, intentionally makes friends with non-believers in hopes of sharing Jesus with them, and is using their time, talents, and treasure to show Jesus to the world.
7.     Leader
8.     Hiring People

DO LESS AND LEAD MORE
            Bob talked about leadership, and how that differs from doing things.  He said that 80% of ministry is leading, and 20% is ministry.  “If you can’t lead, you won’t last…or you’ll last in a little church.”  You can’t always be doing everything; you have to be leading people to do it.  I thought that this was really powerful in understanding my role in a church.
            He also talked about developing a culture of leadership.  He said that he has done well because he has stayed in his “sweet spot” in ministry, and worked within his strengths.  When he didn’t stay in his strengths, he ended up doing more and leading less.  He admonished us to “do less and lead more.”  Another great quote of his was, “If you want to grow as a leader, you have to become a learner.”
            Bob talked about how every good leader learns this about themselves and their teams:
            -Strengths
            -Personality
            -Passions
            -Life Seasons
            -Life Experience

            A person’s strengths are broken up into 5 areas: Executing, Influencing, Relationship Building, and Strategy.  Bob talked about how there is no one who is truly well rounded; there are simply some things you’ll never be good at.  He isn’t afraid of his weaknesses, and finds others who are good at it.  Just like he stays in his “sweet spot,” your leaders need to stay in theirs as well.  Stay in your passion.
            I really thought Bob Hulett was great to have in class.  He was very passionate, and sometimes was a little overboard…but I thought his insight was incredible and valuable.  I have actually memorized his discipleship process, and hope that I can begin to sharpen my mind and become as intentional as he is.

People he listens to:
Andy Stanley leadership podcast
Perry Noble
Stephen Furtick
Jonathan Martin


“Greater” by Stephen Furtick

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