Why? A simple and haunting word.

Why do you do what you do? What’s the motive behind what you do?

Enjoy part 3 of CC with Bil Cornelius as he talks about his own struggles and reminds us all of the words of Jesus…Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.

Christine says…

I find the fact that you meet the people as they are a wonderful and encouraging thing.

I watched you on tV a few weeks ago and didn’t know what to make of you.

Then, I checked you out your site and found the church quite interesting.

I like the fact that you are so involved with the teenagers of today.

They need guidance more now than ever.

I know that there are plenty of good teens out here in the communities but there are more lost children than I would like to count.

I would like to become a part of your church because I can believe in what you do and I for one do think that it is a time for change in the church. I think you are doing it.

People need to feel welcome and secure in what is being preached. With people that are trustworthy and know and like/love what they are doing. I want to thank you for just being you and not afraid to show it.

Buddy says…

So glad you enjoyed our program and found our site helpful. Thanks for your kind and encouraging words Christine….I also love your passion for todays youth! We would be honored to have you anytime at Northway! Gods best to you!

TARA SAYS…

I recently started attending your church with my children at the Colonie location.
I have to say how glad I am to have reconnected with this part of my life.
It had been a long time since I had attended church and found the formalities of many churches off putting.
However, I instantly felt welcomed and appreciated there.
The messages are relevant to my life and truly affect me.
I even find myself singing the songs to myself during the week.

Also I was not able to attend last weekend as I was out of town and I found myself disappointed that I was missing it.

Thank you for making me and my family feel so comfortable and welcome.
My kids actually ask all during the week when we can go to church next.

BUDDY SAYS…

Thank you Tara! Its our honor to serve you and your family!

Thank you for introducing yourself on facebook and sharing your story.

I love it!

So glad you have found a home at Northway Colonie!

This past weekend I had the pleasure of meeting a couple who attended Northway for the first time. They mentioned to me that they had given up on the, “church thing,” years ago, but then ran across our TV program on Sunday nights @10:00pm on the CW. They enjoyed our program so much that they decided to give us a visit and check out the whole Northway experience.

Now get this, they drove almost 2 hours! Are you kidding me? All the way from Massachusetts! I shared with them our vision to start a location in The Berkshires. The question is not if we are coming to the Berkshires…but WHEN and WHERE? I then thanked them for making the trek and I’ll never forget the husband’s response….

Pastor Buddy, “It was d- -n well worth it!”

I said, “Excuse me, what did you say?” He said it again, “It was d- -n well worth it!

I laughed pretty hard and told him that was the best compliment we could receive. I then asked his permission to use that as our new slogan.

Northway Church…it’s d- -n well worth it!

God used this guest’s words to remind me WHY Northway Church exists. Northway Church does not exist for us. We exist for the world. Northway is a place where the unchurched, the disenfranchised , and the irreligious can find a place to call home. You remember they were the people that Jesus hung out with. Who knows? It wouldn’t surprise me if one of the fishermen that turned disciple told Jesus.

Following you, Jesus, is d- -n well worth it!

God Honors Honor.

It’s a principle that runs the universe.

And it’s also a principle that will determine your destiny.

From God’s House, to your home, to your work, to all of your relationships…

If you block honor, God will block you.

If you honor honor, God will honor you.

So the stakes couldn’t be HIGHER…what is honor?

Honor has been defined as, “to highly regard or to give great respect.” I like to break it down this way. Honor is our attitude and approach towards God and others.

I think all of us would agree that we live in a culture contaminated with dishonor. Honor, without question, is a lost art in our society. Honor is culturally counter intuitive. It’s not hip or cool to give honor. Somehow we have bought into… if we honor God or people we are dishonoring ourselves.

One problem. It’s completely unbiblical.

So let me ask you…why do you think it’s so hard for us to give honor?

Leadership can be hazardous to your health. One thing I wasn’t prepared for when we started Northway was all the criticism and personal attacks that go along with it.  I would go thru seasons and then think…Man, I’m glad that’s over…it will never happen again.  Then, it does.  It comes with the mantle of leadership. So how do you stay open to people and not become cynical?

Cremeans Couch: Bil Cornelius Part 2 from Northway Church on Vimeo.

A Healthy You.

So what do Healthy Leaders look like?

Healthy Leaders Celebrate!

Life is too short not to celebrate. I remember hearing Billy Graham say that one of the greatest lessons he learned in life was …the brevity of life. Life goes by way too fast!

I’ve got a hunch that Jesus knew He would only have 33 times around the sun. And I believe Jesus seized every opportunity He had to celebrate! Think about it, His birthday was the biggest party this world has ever seen….an angelic heavenly choir singing happy birthday? Not too shabby. Jesus’ first miracle? Turning water into wine at a wedding celebration! And when people showed up for his teaching…Jesus never sent them away hungry. That’s my kind of leader and someone who knows how to celebrate!

Jesus loved the boat rides, the beach, and the mountains…and repeatedly took spontaneous field trips with His team at the most inappropriate times to celebrate their friendship, to celebrate and enjoy His creation.
Jesus modeled if you don’t deviate its hard to celebrate.

Remember, Jesus said I have come to give you the abundant life…not the boring life.

People who don’t celebrate are boring!

Healthy Leaders Celebrate!

Let me encourage you today to give yourself permission to deviate and celebrate. You may not be here tomorrow. Turn your favorite song on…take a walk…look at the sunset….go fishing…..take a hike…dance….sing…and get down with your bad self!

Why do you think it’s so difficult to celebrate?

A Healthy You.

So what do Healthy Leaders look like?

I believe a health gage for leaders is their “laugh-o-meter“.

Healthy Leaders Laugh A Lot!

I don’t know about you, but many times I take myself way too seriously. Face it, no matter where you lead, leadership is stressful business.

The healthiest leader that ever lived was Jesus. And Jesus enjoyed life more than anyone who ever lived! I believe Jesus had the greatest sense of humor, the greatest smile, and the greatest laugh! I think he cracked up frequently at his friends….and even at himself. And when you stop and think about it, no one ever had more pressure than Jesus.

You think your job is hard?

Jesus certainly knew as the Creator of laughter, that it reduces the level of stress hormones like cortisol, epinephrine (adrenaline), dopamine and growth hormones. Laughter also increases the level of health-enhancing hormones like endorphins, and neurotransmitters. And laughter increases the number of antibody-producing cells and enhances the effectiveness of T cells. All this means a stronger immune system, as well as fewer physical effects of stress. Just a little science in the mix to reinforce Proverbs 17:22

A cheerful heart is good medicine.

So let me encourage you today to quit taking yourself too seriously and check your health gage on your laugh-o-meter.

I don’t think I have ever quoted Joyce Meyer before. Nothing against her, I just haven’t. At any rate, I heard her say something recently off the cuff that reached out and smacked me up the side of the head!

She said, “The best gift you can give the world is a healthy you.”

I have to admit, if I would have heard this quote years ago, I would have laughed it off as someone who is soft, someone who is out of balance, and someone that is waaaay too much into all of that “self help” and “psychobabble stuff.” Today, however, I have a different perspective.

It’s hard to believe that Northway Church is almost seven years old now. I’ve learned a lot over the last seven years. I’ve had an insatiable appetite to attend any conference, read any book, blog or tweet anything that could challenge me to be a more effective leader. I’ve learned a lot from friends and mentors of mine from afar and up close.

From the Courageous Leader to the Creative Leader, from the Innovative Leader to the Purposeful Leader. I’m eternally grateful to God for all of these leaders that have enriched my life and ministry.

However, I do believe there is a need for another voice.

The Healthy Leader.

No, Chill out. I’m not claiming to be it. Nor, am I inferring that any of these leaders aren’t. I’m simply saying that there is a need in the ministry and market place for a Healthy Leader.

Think of it this way…

The best gift you can give your spouse is a healthy you.

The best gift you can give your kids is a healthy you.

The best gift you can give your company is a healthy you.

The best gift you can give your team is healthy you.

The best gift you can give your church is healthy you.

In this series I will explore the question… What does a healthy leader look like? Is that a loaded question or what? Please keep checking in, because I’m going to need a lot of feedback on this one.

Thanks Joyce for the idea.

Have you ever met someone that is impossible not to like? Rarely do you meet someone that unique, but Bil Cornelius is such a person. Now I realize, by default, that leadership by its very nature requires that some people won’t like you. Let me say this, if you can’t get along with this dude, then you have a problem! A BIG problem. Let me drill down a little deeper. You might just be crazy! Bil is one of the most humble, kind, generous, funny, and passionate leaders you will ever meet. In short, Bil is Legit.

Enjoy this episode of CC, Too Legit Too Quit.

Cremeans Couch: Bil Cornelius Part 1 from Northway Church on Vimeo.