I have a Core Conviction: Leaders are learners.

How do you keep learning and growing?

If you don’t keep learning, you will fall woefully behind in whatever trade/skill/career you devote your life to. The world changes too quickly for your diploma you hung on the wall 5 years ago to mean ANYTHING!Zig Ziglar says “The well educated person of today is adequately prepared for a future that no longer exists. It’s only those who keep learning that will be able to survive and thrive in the changing world of today.” I think this is what has happed in most churches. Pastors/teachers/leaders wake up one morning and figure out it’s not the 70′s/80′s/90′s anymore. Most seminaries need to figure this out, too.

So how do you keep growing?

I’ve got a university on wheels, thanks to the folk at apple who invented the ipod/itunes and podcasts (“radio” programs that you download). Wherever I go in my car, I’m listening to something that will help me grow as a leader. Nelson Searcy, Pastor in NYC says something like “if you’re hands are busy, but your mind is free, redeem that time for learning.” My 15 minute/30 minute/ 60 minute commutes are redeemed.

How do you keep growing?

Here are some samples of my podcast playlist

General Podcasts on my ipod:
Focus on the Family
Just Thinking, Ravi Zecharias

Leadership Podcasts
Catalyst Conference
National New Church Conference
Maximum Impact
Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast
Church Leader Insights

Churches/Pastors on my list:
Mosaic, Erwin McManus
National Community Church, Mark Batterson
NewSpring, Perry Noble
North Point, Andy Stanley

I don’t listen to these every day, but whenever I’m in car, I click on one of these and get better at what I do.

How do you keep growing?