Today was a learning field trip to the Panther's training camp. We've been trying to do some things lately around the office to spike our creativity and get the leadership juices flowing.

Anyway, here are three lessons I picked up today at training camp.

Observation #1: The fact that they have a training camp at all - and even the Pro Bowl players are expected to be there. Think about it. Delhomme knows how to throw a ball. Steve Smith can catch a ball. Peppers can tackle. But the Panthers (and all NFL teams of course) have a pre-season training camp. They don't just gather up their players the week before the season starts and put together some plays. They practice. They drill. They sweat. They go over the basics. And they do it as a team.

Application: Churches need a training camp. Just like the NFL has a season, churches need to recognize they have certain seasons when they have the greatest opportunity for growth. There should be a "ramping up" to that season with a kind of "pre-season" training for volunteers, staff, etc. - even the pro-bowlers. Everyone should be involved. Everyone has to sweat.

Observation #2: There were many coaches on the field. I was surprised to see how active and vocal the other team coaches are on the field. I guess I expected one coach to be running the whole show - and in a sense Fox is responsible for the whole thing - but there must have been 20 coaches, assistants and trainers who were doing their part in making things happen. And they knew their role and they did it man. It was really amazing to watch. In a way, it was like there were maybe 6 or 8 head coaches on the field.

Application: A growing, "taking it to the next level" church, cannot be a one man show. Sure, there has to be a lead pastor who is responsible for the whole thing, but having a good staff and volunteer leaders is crucial. And not only is having good leaders crucial but they have to have the freedom to do their job - to lead. That is key. The pastor (head coach) can't be the only one with leadership empowerment because he will bottleneck the organization. Man this really opened my eyes.

Observation #3: There is a lot of vision around that place. You know, when you think about it, someone had the vision/dream to build that organization. And I know there are some folks reading this right now who don't like the Panthers (that's you're problem) but like them or not, there is a visionary leader heading up that organization (Jerry Richardson). And is wasn't as though Mr. Richardson was out there screaming out to the team and fans, "I have a vision." It was just obvious. And what made it obvious is that there is a plan. And not only is there a plan but there are leaders working that plan.

Application: A church has to have a plan. If there is no plan then there probably is no vision. If there is a vision, but no plan then you don't have the right people/leaders around you.

The Bible says that "where there is no vision the people perish" (KJV). I really do think that means something like this: Where there is no plan, the people live in chaos. There has to be a vision/dream and a plan to make it happen. If not, there is only chaos, wasted energy, and unfulfilled people.

I have some other thoughts I may lay out later. But I hope maybe these help you in your church or where ever you lead.

J