CELEBRATE! – by Pastor David Sarmago

Celebrate Growth!
growth
noun
the act or process, or a manner of growing; development; gradual increase.
size or stage of development
completed development.
development from a simpler to a more complex stage:
development from another but related form or stage
something that has grown or developed by or as if by a natural or Spiritual process: 
origin; source; production: 
​
adjective
of or denoting a business, industry, or equity security that grows or is expected to grow in value over a long period of time: adjective.
of or denoting a business, industry, or equity security that grows or is expected to grow in value over a long period of time:

​​When we take small steps of growth every day, over time, we see progress. And then our hope has the most potential to be realized. If you string together enough days of consistent growth, you begin to change as a person. You become better, stronger, more skilled, or all of the above.
-John Maxwell

If you are growing, your organization, your ministry, your circle of influence is growing because each one of you contributes to the whole organization, the whole ministry, the community.

The “Big Mo,” momentum, is an individual’s and organization’s best friend. Depending on which way it’s heading, it either puts the wind at your back…or in your face. And it follows that age-old-rule that an object in motion tends to stay in motion, unless specific actions are taken to change its direction.  If your organization or you have momentum, then you need to intentionally put “the pedal to the metal” and continue to ride on that momentum.  If an organization or you as an individual are not moving forward, the organization or individual is most likely going backwards.

​celebrate

​verb (used with object), cel·e·brat·ed, cel·e·brat·ing.
to observe (a day) or commemorate (an event) with ceremonies or festivities:
to make known publicly; proclaim
to praise widely or to present to widespread and favorable public notice, as through newspapers or novels
to perform with appropriate rites and ceremonies 

verb (used without object), cel·e·brat·ed, cel·e·brat·ing.
to observe a day or commemorate an event with ceremonies or festivities.

My six-year-old daughter is small in stature but makes up for it in confidence and competitive juices.  There is no greater time of celebration around the Cole household than when we stand Maci next to the door jam and measure how much she has grown in the last three months .  She loves to grow, she loves the results of growth, but mostly she loves the childlike excitement Dad and Mom express about how much she has grown.  There is a little kid in each of our leadership development journeys that loves the significance of progress.  If you don’t celebrate your growth or drive excitement around your team’s growth, you are missing a key element to its sustainability.

“That which gets rewarded gets done”.  Growth is no exception.  If you want a culture of growth in your team or a discipline of growth in yourself, learn how to “throw down” with enthusiasm about advancement!
Mark Cole

My success can be achieved only with others.
My lessons can be learned only from others.
My weaknesses can be strengthened only by others.
My servanthood can be tested only under others’ leadership.
My influence can be compounded only through others.
My leadership can be focused only on others.
My best can be given only to others.
My legacy can be left only for others.
So, I should commit myself to and celebrate with others!
-John Maxwell