Rich Wilkerson Jr.'s Blog

Miami Vices

So I live in a pretty wild city. Miami is often referred to as the cocaine capital. As a pastor sometimes I can become discouraged because I watch great people fall victim to all the temptations that the MIA has to offer. However, I do believe that with God's help we can live in the world, but not be of the world. Next week I am starting a new series with my good friend Terrance Wilson called Miami Vices. For the next few weeks we will be answering some really tough questions; "How far is too far?" "How to be a christian and stay cool?" "How to withstand temptation?" "How to win a city for Jesus?"  

Happy Mothers Day

I am truly a product of great mothering. My mom is the best. I know you think yours is, but you're wrong LOL. Today she preached alongside my dad. It was really powerful. I'm so proud to be her son! Make sure you hug your mom and tell her that you love her. Beleive me you owe her!

Ramon Fernandez: Official Rendezvous Promoter

Grace Anatomy

So we started a new series this past week at the VOUS. It's called Grace Anatomy. The Bible says in Romans 2:4 it's through Gods kindness that men come to repentace. That word kindness in the Greek is charis which is the same as grace. We know that grace is the unmerrited favor of the Lord. Meaning you don't deserve it. There is nothing YOU can do on your own to get it. It's simply a gift from God that you receive by believing in Him.

So going back to Romans 2. It's through Gods grace that man repent. We've decided at the Rendezvous to put this scripture into action. We believe that as we show Gods kindness people will fall in love with Christ. For the next 5 weeks we're gonna be doing random acts of kindness. We're asking everyone to join in!

Today in MIA 30 young adults came together and washed over 90 cars cars for free. People were touched and amazed! Can't wait to hear all the testimonies! Be apart of the change.

Top 3 Today

Got a chance to interview a really cool pastor today. His name is Dave Gibbons and he pastors new song church. He wrote a book called "the monkey and the fish" it's all about being a third culture leader. Very cool... Check him out at 3culture.tv

You've Got to Crawl Before You Can Walk

Life is as it seems a process. It's a journey. So often we are unsatisfied with our current place in life. However, its in that place that you are being prepared for the next place. Too often we miss the chance to enjoy our current surrounding because we are so focused on getting to our next destination. 

I had a friend in jr. high who was having some problems. He ended up going to the Dr. for a diagnosis. After many different tests; both physically and psychologically, the Dr. claimed the issue he was having had to do with the fact that my friend had missed his crawling stage. Apparently, my buddy when he was young started walking to soon. Some of the problems he was having was because he had missed a crucial stage of childhood...crawling.    

Who knew crawling was such an important thing. You see life is a continual growth process. We sit up, we crawl, we walk, we run. There are different stages. Our dreams and our passions really operate the same way. The only problem is our ambition and drive want them to be running and jumping even though they were just born. Give yourself some time. Enjoy the process before you kill yourself lol. Your dreams will happen just be willing to let them grow.

 

Who Gets the Credit?

I'm not gonna lie. It's great to receive credit for something. Especially when you work really hard. I like it, it feels good. Yet, if that is what drives you, you're not going to get very far because it's never nearly enough. What I am discovering is that true leaders really could care less about who gets the credit for something. A good leader is never after the glory. In fact true leaders  never find their thrill or contentment from others telling them how great they are. Instead joy and  excitement are birthed when the group/body/followers/team....(whatever you call it )is benefiting/thriving/growing.

For instance, it's nice to hear people tell me after a Rendezvous service, "Rich you are a great preacher. Best I ever heard (lol)."  Sure I appreciate that. Still, it doesn't even compare with the excitement I get when I see our church growing. Or when people start running with and spreading the dream. At the end of the day that is what I love. Real leaders don't care about credit, they simply long to see the mission/vision spread. In my  own life I am constantly checking myself.  Am  I doing this for credit or for the mission? If glory is what I am after I will never be the leader God has destined me to be and neither will you.

Happy Valentines Day

I am the most blessed man in the world. The past seven years have been incredible. When I was 17 my life was forever changed when I met DawnChere Duron. Today I celebrate her and what she has meant to me. I love her more now today then when I first met her. Happy Valentines Day honey .

 I watched Mark Driscoll on CNN last night. I though he did a fantastic job. I thought you might enjoy seeing it if you missed it.

Start a Movement

I've been reading a fantastic book called "Tribes" by Seth Godin. It' a leadership book like I've never read before. One of the things that he talks about is the fact that in today's world anyone can begin a micro movement. What do you care about? What do you want to change? With technology being so advanced it has never been easier to make your cause known. However, there are some things that you must do in order for your revolution to thrive (if this talk is a little to intense, these are also just some really good things to do in whatever capacity you are leading in).

1. Publish a manifesto: What are you and your group all about? Whats your mission? What's your cause?

2. Make it easy for your followers to connect with you: This can be as simple as  talking through facebook or face to face.

3. Create opportunities for your followers to connect: This can be done through volunteer groups, small groups...who knows, but this is vital for your tribe to grow.

4. Money is only a means to reach an end: As soon as your cause becomes about money, you've failed. Money simply enables the dream, helps fulfill the vision.

5. Track your progress: Make sure you are evaluating your success. Make your progress known to the group.

No More Excuses

It's so interesting to see what stops people from reaching their potential. Call me an optimist or an idealist, but I happen to believe that God put so much inside of humans. In fact the Bible tells us that we are God's workmanship. The word potential has to do with that which is stored. Meaning all of us have amazing things stored inside of us; gifts, talents, and ideas waiting to be unleashed.

Even though every human has been stamped in the image of God and has their own unique makeup, so many of us still are unable to ever reach what we know we are destined to do. Now there are all sorts of reasons that prohibit people from getting there, yet the thing thats always so fascinating is that we have devised a set of excuses for our inability. Come on you know some of these.

Not enough time...  

Everyone is given the same 24 hours everyday. You have the same amount of time as Barak Obama.

I'll start tomorrow ...

We are poisoned by procrastination

It's too late for me...

The best test to tell if your mission on earth still exists... Are you still breathing? JUST START

I'm not qualified...

Neither were the 12 disciples... looks like it worked out for them

The reality is, we are letting our excuses dictate our future. Today I challenge you to look past your excuse. If God has given you a dream, then you need to go for it! Don't look back, move ahead. You are a leader! Leaders never wait for things to happen, they always make things happen! The time is now. Go and reach your potential.

History Makers: No More Excuses from Rich Wilkerson on Vimeo.