Yesterday was my last Leadership Vestavia Hills class (we
graduate next month) and the focus was education. We had a fascinating
conversations with State Superintendent, Thomas Bice, which gave me
greater understanding of the news out of Montgomery that is making the
headlines this week. When then toured 4 schools in Vestavia Hills and I
was reminded what an amazing community we serve.
Without question the highlight of the day was the tour of Pizitz
Middle School led by the principal David Miles. Since my
dad was a middle school principal I am a little biased toward middle school
principals and perhaps that’s part of why I instantly became a fan of Principal
Miles. As soon as he began to speak it was clear that he loves the
school, he loves the kids, he’s devoted to the school’s success and (and this
was the highlight) he is absolutely convinced that he is the principal of THE
BEST MIDDLE SCHOOL IN AMERCIA. In fact he made that statement over
and over again and challenged us to “google it” and see if he’s right (mixed
results when I did). He doesn’t take credit for being the best – he is
quick to give credit to the teachers and the students – but there is no
question that in his mind that when we walks through the doors each morning he
is walking in THE BEST MIDDLE SCHOOL IN AMERICA and then he spends every bit of
everything he has making sure it stays that way.
That’s inspiring.
Afterwards I began to wonder what if we approached everything we did
or belonged to that way – our families, teams, jobs, and friendships, even
churches. What if everyone one of us woke up each morning with the
attitude that I get to go (which is very different that I have to go) to
work at THE BEST ______________________ IN THE WORLD and then devoted
ourselves to making that attitude a reality in everything we do? I
convinced it would transform our families, teams, workplaces, relationship and
even our churches.
I love the way Geoff Surratt describes that sort of church in
his book Ten Stupid Things That Keep Churches From Growing as he asks:
Does everything you do on a Sunday morning bring honor to God?
Would He be proud of the way your building looks when He drives into the
parking lot? Is your music something that brings joy to His heart if He
was sitting on the front row? What would He say about the sermon you
preached last weekend? Would God say, “Wow, he really did everything he
possibly could to build my reputation through that message.” If God
brought His friends to church, would He be proud to show them what you are
doing to bring glory to His name? Does God brag about your church to
the angels?
Because he’s convinced that he serves THE BEST MIDDLE SCHOOL IN
AMERICA Principal Miles brags about the school to anyone who will give him even
half a chance. I am convinced that I serve THE BEST CHURCH IN THE WORLD
and with THE BEST STAFF EVER ASSEMBLED – and I need to brag
about that a bit more (so I am writing
this post)! I am committed to making sure that is always who we are
at Mountaintop so that everything we do might bring glory to God and help
people learn and share a better way to live!
So what would it look like it tomorrow morning you got to go to work at the best ______________ in the world?
