Get With Community

Written by Banning Liebscher Wednesday, 19 May 2010 15:44

Alright, I really do think it's official, I am the worst blogger ever. Well maybe not the worst but for certain the most inconsistent. Usually I fill you in on my life and family but for this blog I wanted to share something that has been on my heart.

Okay, I'll share a few things about my family first. My wife is still the most beautiful woman in the world. I am one blessed man. My oldest girl is amazing. Playing basketball, dancing, cute as ever. Absolutely a blast watching her transition into a young lady. My middle child, my youngest girl, is so much fun. She has a dance production tomorrow. I could not be more proud of her. She has such an incredible heart for people. And my boy, my youngest child, is obsessed with superheroes, Star Wars, and video games. We have been watching the original Star Wars together this week. So weird to sit and watch movies with my son that I went to the movie theater with my dad to watch. Am I getting old or what! He's quite confused about the timeline of Star Wars. The Clone Troopers are now Storm Troopers and are bad now not good. The Jedis no longer fight with them but against them. I've tried to explain that these movies, although older, are actually later in the timeline of Star Wars. Not sure if he fully is getting it. Okay, I've pegged the Geek Meter long enough with Star Wars talk. Now on to what is on my heart.

Recently we had some amazing leaders come in and met with our team for three days. We went through three days of leadership training and team development. It was incredible. As I've been processing this week all that happened last week in the training I am struck again by the revelation of how crucial community is. Over the years I've realized that I cannot do life on my own. Jesus makes it clear that without Him we can nothing. But I believe He also set the life up as a Believer to need others. My marriage would  not be what it is today without community. Who I am as a person, a father, a son, a leader, a pastor, all of those areas have been affected by the community I surround myself with. One of things that saddens my heart is when I see people isolate themselves from others. Whenever we isolate ourselves we actually separate ourselves from strength and wisdom. Many times our strength is dependent on our ability to access the strength of others. We were never meant to live life on our own. Relying solely on our own strength and wisdom. I believe the Satan's plan is to separate us from community, therefore separating us from the strength and wisdom of others. Last week two incredible men came and strengthened our team and poured wisdom into us. We are better for it. In fact, the things that are on my heart could not be accomplished without many different people pouring into me. But I have to be willing to receive and access that strength. Somehow many people have bought into the lie that they have to be strong enough to figure things out on their own or face life on their own. That somehow if we need others it's a sign of weakness. But nothing could be further from the truth.

Isolation is a killer. Don't let yourself get isolated. Get with God and get with community.

I'm headed to Cleveland tomorrow, if you're coming then make sure to say hello. We'll post the sermons online soon. As well, full schedule this summer. Dallas, Atlanta, Redding, and we are currently working on a four or five city East Coast Tour. Then off to our UK Tour and one night in Berlin. My Passion EP comes out in a few weeks, we will be recording our annual album at our Redding Conference. Kim Walker Smith and Chris Quilala. Jake Hamilton is recording his album in Atlanta. Lot's going on. But what a ride! See ya soon.

Banning