Stan Endicott serves as the executive worship pastor at Mariners Church in Irvine, Calif., and is the vice president and coaching lead of the Slingshot Group, which partners with local churches to find and build the best leaders possible.
Stan spoke at the most recent GBCC staff development meeting and imparted some words of wisdom and inspiration. Here are 10 highlights:
*Read Psalm 139 and stop for a moment to say, “Wow.” Make a point of having the “wow” factor turned on in all aspects of your life.
*Stan said he is crazy about his grandkids because he learns so much from them. There’s something wonderful about children, which Jesus acknowledged in his public ministry. Children help him to become easily impressed by life, whether it’s smelling the flowers or enjoying the soft touch of a puppy. It would please the Holy Spirt if we would be easily impressed by what God has given to us.
*There’s no way to become relational without conversations. You have to slow down and have conversations with people. Jesus was amazing at that. Jesus was forward-looking by asking people questions.
*There’s a difference between mentoring and coaching. Mentors resist the temptation to teach. As soon as you start trying to teach or look at mentoring as a process, you lose effectiveness. In a mentoring relationship, learning should be taking place for both parties. Mentoring is casual and informal and doesn’t necessarily last very long. You shouldn't ask to be mentored. It happens naturally.
*Mentors listen. One of the most powerful things you can say to somebody is nothing.
*There’s a tie-in with mentoring and how to be effective at evangelism. If you hit somebody up with the four steps to becoming a Christian, it’s not as effective. Instead, you will have more success if you pay attention to the other person’s agenda and life.
*When skill and opportunity collide, that’s when people get happy with their work. Stan’s mission is to help people love their work. If you want to love your work, be willing to ask yourself the following questions: What’s right? What’s wrong? What’s confused? What’s missing (action steps)?
*To have a grateful spirit is an incredible attribute, especially during tough times. Stan mentioned his dad, who in the service was a helicopter pilot and often flew in bad weather on the Pacific Ocean. Stan’s dad gave this advice: “When I was flying, headwind will either give you lift or crash you.” In other words, when we face opposition or obstacles in our lives, will we crash under the pressure or learn and grow and be lifted up? We will always have stuff coming at us but with God’s help can make it through whatever it is.
*Talent is what God has given you. Skill is your responsibility.
*If you want to succeed, have a curious spirit, and be a reader and a lifelong learner.
