Do you remember what your math homework looked like on those really bad days? Hundreds of rubbed out answers and a mess of calculations. Multiplication sure can be messy - even more so when we talk about people.

Why is that? Well its not rocket science. If we do something ourselves we control it. We can do it just the way we like. But if we train and empower others, the results go beyond us. We no longer have control of how that other person might do a specific task. That can be messy.

We bring many expectations to our ministry work. We think that it should be done a certain way for it to work and then someone we train comes along and brings an entire new approach. They have a different perspective and the scarry thing is it might just be a better solution than ours.

I think that is why we don't see as much multiplication as we should in missions. We don't want to loose control of what we have worked so hard to begin.

Will they do it well?

Will they have my values?

Will they follow my process?

It takes a heart of humility and a passion to see others grow and develop if multiplication is going to be a reality.

So how have you seen multiplication work out in your life and ministry? 

This week on our podcast, we are talking about the concept of "Vital Hands." Vitality is a word that speaks for itself doesn't it? You hear that word and you get a mental picture of action, life and excitement.

But where does vitality come from? It comes from a health, balance and a foundation that is solid. Just like physical vitality requires that our systems be in order, spiritual vitality requires the same thing.

If we want to be a vital part of God's mission and have Kingdom Impact, then we must have a solid foundation. We must be spiritually healthy and have a depth of faith.

We have all seen those who burst on the scene with their faith but fizzle out soon after. They created waves but they were not vital.

If we are to accomplish great things for Christ, we must be able to draw on God-given resources.

How solid is your spiritual foundation? 

If God called on you today to step up for Him, are you prepared?  

This week on our podcast, we are talking about the concept of "Quick Hands - Slow Hands." This is the idea of being quick to listen and slow to speak.

That is Biblical right?

So lets go beyond the podcast and ask the hard question? "Why don't we do it?" There are probably several reasons:

1. We get our identity from our ability to fix things.

2. Our sin nature values what we think above how others view the world. It is natural for us to think we are right.

3. Listening takes a lot of time and energy which doesn't seem to accomplish much in the short term.

4. We want to be "movers and shakers" and the perception is that a good leader is assertive and has the right answers.

If we look at the life of Christ, most of his greatest lessons were in the form of questions. He watched the world for 30 years before most of his thoughts were recorded.

As we look back over centuries of missions, we can point to some of the most effective missionaries as those who really listened to those they came to serve and asked the hard questions in order to create solutions that work.

Out of these people's lives, we see long-lasting ministries and millions of lives impacted. But unfortunately, when we come in with quick answers and little time to listen, we create ministries and initiatives that die quickly with little lasting fruit.

Will you adopt a lifestyle of listening?