How much is that doggy in the window?

I know this seems pretty random for this blog about leadership but trust me... I ran across an article by Liz Pulliam Weston about real costs, here's an exerpt:

A puppy

The upfront cost for a medium-size dog can run from zero ("Mom, he followed me home . . .") to hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a purebred. For most people, though, the costs really begin after little Beauregard is part of the family.

You should figure on "capital" expenditures of about $270, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a sum that includes collars, leashes, carriers and the price of neutering or
spaying your pet. Annual costs run an average of $620, which covers $310 for a year's supply of premium-brand kibble, $175 for medical care, $15 for a license and $120 or so for miscellaneous costs, toys and treats.
Given that a medium-size dog lives an average of 15 years, that would add up to a total cost of $9,570, or about $1.75 a day for unconditional love and all the poop you can scoop.

Of course, I know folks who have spent more than that just on vet bills. Improvements in animal medicine mean more conditions are treatable,
but that also means one serious accident or illness can cost you thousands
of dollars.
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveMoney/TheHiddenCostsBehindThePriceTag.aspx

As I read this two things happened: First, I became even less happy with my dog. Second, and of some actual importance, I pondered the real costs of leadership. While a program or opportunity seems inexpensive up front or "too good to turn down", would I buy it if I knew what it would cost? And what about the times that I adopt someone else's calling? Seems cheap to adopt a "housebroken" program, but is it? What about when someone wants to have a "pet program" - they just want you to own it?

What is your calling and gifting? What has God called you to do? On the other hand, which purposes or programs are you "pet-sitting" that you need to give up or give back? How do you plan your time so that you give enough time to your callings, so that it stays healthy and growing?

Guys, last thing I want to do is to become that crazy "cat lady" with too many animals, so that they all end up sick and emaciated. Let's be purposeful to give our lives to a few key purposes - Jesus' purposes of being family, missionaries, servants, and learners. Paying the price is good and called for (Matt. 10:37-39), so let us not shrink from that. Let us invest in eternally valuable causes.

So, I was sitting on my deck last night...

Kevin, Matt and I had a chance to share the deck last night, talking about one of our favorite topics - ministry. It was so good to share time with these men who love Jesus, love their wives and quite frankly, somehow, love me. Three hours evaporated as we talked about the Home Depot effect, our need to be snipers not machine-gunners, and the skill of fine butchering... (I can only assume that butchering is a real word, otherwise, please forgive me.)

Here's some of what we concluded:

• While our role as ministers is to help people walk by faith in the immovable promises of God, there are key expressions of that. One way - to own the "Home Depot effect". We must design retreats and missions trips with equipping as a goal. Like a big box home improvement store we have the opportunity to supply people with the tools and the "know how" to do this themselves all year long. Take the Family Life's Weekend to Remember - good theology, helpful tools, and a whole bunch of reminders wrapped up in one weekend (quite memorable). They equip you to live this out all year long.
• Why? Because we don't want our men to here all the time! The Weekend to Remember would become the Weekend from Hades if we went every weekend! We would have no time to build relationships, share Christ, mow the lawn or see our kids. Our men need time to live as Family, Missionaries, Servants and Learners; the way Jesus want's them to be.
• We cannot tackle every topic that people wish we would. We must take aim like a sniper and target specifically. Let's do a few things and do them well.
• The butcher? To do a few things and do them well we're gonna have to kill a few sacred cows and make hamburger out of 'em, then invite in our neighbors and throw a party.
• We also need a few guys who understand how to initiate; living by "commanders intent". Commanders intent provides clear "direction, that inspires action yet without being overly perscriptive" - allowing men to innovate and create, while keeping them from going off mission or becoming insubordinate. Here's a page that explains even more...

The men's ministry at WBC needs for us to champion these non-earth shattering ideas. These are not new, they are simlpy what we remind each other that we must do. And that's what the deck's all about.