Untitled project from SquadCast
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[00:00:00] James Marland: hello and welcome to the scaling therapy practice. This is the show where we empower mission driven leaders to launch life changing online courses. My name is James Marland. I'm your host. And today I have John Rennie here with Brushfire Ministries. I'm really excited to do an interview with him because he, him and his ministry, as I was looking at the webpage and a little bit about him really aligns with what I'm trying to do with people.
[00:00:37] James Marland: Let me read his his intro. As a founder of a 37 year old business software company, I thought I was going to ride off into the sunset and retire. Okay. All that changed in 2015 when God decided to redirect my true purpose. Prompting's new understanding and inspiring guidance brought me to a founding brush, founding Brushfire Ministry a ministry that helps other believers discover their God given purpose, destiny, Just like God had led me to mine, John, welcome to the show.
[00:01:11] John: Hey, thank you for having us. We're really appreciative of the opportunity to speak to your audience and to share the the focus of our ministry.
[00:01:20] James Marland: So let's tell me a little bit about yourself. Like your early years, you had a career before what you were doing. Now.
[00:01:28] John: Yes. So, back in 1987, a fellow worker and I got disgruntled with the same boss and wound up partnering to create a business application software That did distribution, manufacturing, accounting software. And we were a relatively small group that worked more like your local CPA firm, but we actually had the software to run distribution and manufacturing companies.
[00:01:57] John: And I was doing that since 87 and back in 2014, 15, I thought, well, that was pretty much how I was going to finish up the last of my working career, if you will. And because of some circumstances outside of my control and not because of my my actions that was rudely interrupted by God in 2016.
[00:02:24] John: And he pretty much cleared my entire schedule in 2016. So that all I had time to do was to talk to him, read scripture, read devotionals. read books and write poetry and short stories. And at some point in 2016, I was a bit frustrated with them because I knew it wasn't a consequent of my action that I had to wind down my software company.
[00:02:53] John: And so I remember saying out loud, I know you're behind this. What do you want? And towards the end of 2016, an acquaintance came to me and said, Hey, I think that you would be really good at this personality assessment stuff. Why don't you sign up for it now? Just to be clear, he had no altruistic intent.
[00:03:16] John: He charged quite a significant fee to do this. And so my immediate reaction, if you've ever closed down a business or, you know, you cut all expenses. And this was clearly at the top of an unnecessary expense. So I told him no immediately. And then later that day, in the next day, I got this prompting from God, do it.
[00:03:38] John: What do you mean, do it? That doesn't make any sense, but I was looking for God's guidance. And so it was like, all right, let's do it. And I was in the assessment training program for about a week or two. And all of a sudden I'm realizing that these things are nailing me. And I had negotiated my wife to attend this training with my, with me also.
[00:04:02] John: And it nailed her. In a completely different way. And so I'm looking at this, I'm going, all right, these are pretty remarkable. Maybe I should stick this out. And it, these assessments have been used in business corporate world for decades. And then at some point in the process, I had this epiphany, this was intended for the church.
[00:04:25] John: The church absolutely needs the ability for people to discover how they're wired, what they're supposed to be doing, and get them placed in the right positions in the body of Christ for kingdom purposes. And so I was pondering that idea in 2017. The end result of our program is to create what's called a Purpose Statement, and it's one sentence that is derived from key elements of your assessment results, and mine reads like this, I must strategically lead a gifted team to embrace the power of their God given design for long term positive results.
[00:05:08] John: And I was pondering that and I had early on come to the conclusion that the way to please God was to do what you were created to do, to obediently follow His calling in your life. And that is a platform that produces joy. I go, well, if you really believe that this is what you were created to do, and you believe that this is how you obediently follow God and that obedience will lead to joy, what's, what are you going to do about it?
[00:05:39] John: And at that moment in time the entire ministry was just laid on me. It was like, okay, you're going to write the curriculum because this is in a secular world. So I have to write the curriculum that would make it consistent with Christian doctrine and just the Bible. And the name was just given to me at that moment in time.
[00:06:03] John: It was like brush fires ministry. So a lot of people ask me, how'd you come up with that name? It's a pretty cool name. And I go, I know it came out of my head, but I cannot take credit for the inspiration. It was just handed to me. And so in 2018, we started the workshops and now we're we're going throughout all of North America.
[00:06:25] James Marland: Great. Thanks for that. A summary of your history. You mentioned your purpose statement. What do you think a purpose statement does for you? What, or what does your purpose statement do for you? Like how meaningful is it to you?
[00:06:39] John: Well, it's a, it's an identity, if you will as a born again, son of the most high God, that is my primary identity, but he created me for an intent, just like when you create any kind of tool for, to be used in carpentry or mechanics or whatever, you create it for a purpose and God is very intentional with all his children.
[00:07:02] John: We are not. We are not. uniform in any way. We are very disparate as far as our designs are concerned. And part of what the church's job is to figure out what pieces that you need to accomplish your ministry and to be able to do that. Well, my purpose statement enables me to go, this is what I was created to do.
[00:07:22] John: It was that moment in 2017 where I said, if you believe this purpose statement, build strategically, build and lead a team to embrace the power of their God given design. I had the elements there. I was now trained in these psychometric assessments. I now had a tool that I could use to help people do that.
[00:07:45] John: I have a creative writing and had been writing on this subject for about 20 years. And so I had materials to be able to create the curriculum. And so it gave me a destination. Part of my design is what's called a high planner. So I don't do anything sort of off the cuff and it's just rarely happens. I will make a plan.
[00:08:10] John: After our meeting today, I have a schedule of other events. I've got a person I'm going to talk to at two o'clock and another one at three o'clock and it's all on my calendar. I'm a very organized sort of person. So when I looked at this, it was like, all right. Okay. How are you going to make this happen?
[00:08:27] John: It gave me a destination. You're going to be teaching this in front of people. Well, if I'm going to be teaching this in front of people, what I, what do I need? I got this great tool, these assessments. I need the curriculum, got to write the curriculum. So it's sort of, you start at the, where are you going, which is what the
[00:08:45] John: purpose statement gives you.
[00:08:46] John: That's your true North. I'm going there. What are the steps that I need to then accomplish to be able to achieve and arrive at that destination. And so that's what the purpose statement does. Yeah. We actually call it a compass.
[00:09:00] James Marland: because it's always pointing in the right direct, you know, points in the right direction where you need to go. I love that. My, my vision, or my. Logos and everything is like lighthouse and a compass and sailing ships and stuff because it's the mindset of you're in motion, you're going somewhere. There's a guide, there's a direction, there's a way to go. It really dovetails nicely together. One of the things that you spoke to me as you were speaking is it that purpose statement and also like knowing your identity. It's really changing your identity. It's like really get replacing an identity of maybe even a victim mindset or a mindset of like, I can't do anything with a A true purpose, a new purpose. I belong to a my church serves it's a 12 step program called regeneration and every time we introduce ourselves, we say, I have a new life in Christ. And I was in the program, like, 8 months before I actually believed it, like, like, just restating that purpose over and over again and hearing other people on the same journey. Doing doing the hard work and struggling with things, but also going in a new direction really helped me reclaim a new identity. And your compass or your purpose statement sounds like it's trying to give people a new identity that they have a journey to go on and that they have a purpose.
[00:10:27] James Marland: Is that is that one of your hopes for the compass?
[00:10:31] John: Well, absolutely. In fact, our session is, our workshop is in eight sessions. The very first session is called identity. And in that particular session, we focus in on your position in Christ and your position as an adopted son or daughter into the family of God.
[00:10:50] John: So
[00:10:50] James Marland: that
[00:10:51] James Marland: can be foreign to some people, like even that identity right there, like, Oh, like, I'm a child of God. What does that mean? I have an adopted son. And that whole adoption thing means something to me as I understood from scripture. So anyways, so you have the first sessions on identity.
[00:11:11] John: Right. And so the intent there is for them to understand that their accepting of Christ as their Lord and Savior. adopts them into the family of God. And it's interesting when Paul talks about that. A lot of people sort of just apply today's understanding of what adoption meant. The reality is in the Roman culture, you could disown any naturally born child.
[00:11:38] John: If they disgraced you or humiliated you or dishonored the family, you could simply disown them, cut them off from all financial resources and kick them to the curb. You could not do that with an adopted child. An adopted child literally had greater confidence and greater security in their position in the family than a natural born child could.
[00:12:03] John: And so, when we look at that as we've been adopted into the family of God, it's a promise that I got you. I'm not going to let go of you. You're going to be with me. I have chosen you. You are part of my family. And so that security in that position gives you a foundation that you can start to look at that and you can go, all right, well, then if my destination, my destiny is to, in this case, start brush fires, whatever your purpose statement leads you to.
[00:12:36] John: That I've got. All that power and authority and security as a born again, son of the most high God walking with me to fulfill that. It gives you great confidence. It gives you a great sense of a purpose. It gives you a great sense of endurance and perseverance because when you, by the way, just for your listeners here, if you have the courage, to pursue your God given purpose, you are now actively involved in spiritual warfare.
[00:13:10] John: So you better be very secure in your position in Christ as a child of God, so that when the enemy comes at you, and the enemy will come at you, That you can begin to resist those moments of fear and discouragement and imposter syndrome and all the other things that are connected to how the enemy will try to misdirect and defeat you from pursuing your purpose.
[00:13:43] James Marland: Whether people want to admit it or not, your belief on God really does impact a whole lot of your security, your identity, and even your future state.
[00:13:54] John: Absolutely.
[00:13:54] James Marland: you believe in God or not, or you don't, you say you don't have any beliefs in God it's really a foundational linchpin of security for moving forward.
[00:14:05] John: Absolutely.
[00:14:06] James Marland: read a book Be your future self now, I think benjamin. Oh, man Ben, I forget his name. I forget it, but he he talks about How you believe? You know your belief in god Impacts how you make decisions for today that impacts tomorrow anyways, It's something to but that's a great strength though, right?
[00:14:29] James Marland: When you think about, like, mental security or mental health and your day to day health and your health for your mind and your thoughts having that, that, that belief is really it's anxiety reducing. Like, I remember I, my dad did live with us growing up and I remember some of my best times. Like, ride your, you know, learn to ride your bike, learn to throw a football, learn to do these things. Oh, we're gonna, we're gonna learn to drive a car. You're going to get a job. All those things were easier when my father was with me and supporting me. And it's the similar, everybody has access to that with God, your father's with you and he's going to help you fulfill your purpose.
[00:15:14] John: Agreed. And just so people understand, your purpose is greater than you. The things that have happened since I said yes to that purpose statement back in 2017 have absolutely shocked me. I've written four books since then. I've acquired the rights to eight different assessments. I have I have produced a video series.
[00:15:39] John: None of those things were part of my. Prior work experience or anything that I had felt very comfortable in doing. And if I was given a list of all the things that was, that I was required to do by 2024, I just said, you're nuts. There's no way I'm going to do, be able to do any of that. But one by one these things have happened and come to pass and it's literally because God's got a intentional direction that he wants my life to go in and as long as I align my free will with his Purposes and go in the direction that he is leading, he is going to create these opportunities.
[00:16:22] John: And so guess what? Yeah, there are four books out there on, on Amazon that have my name on it. There is a video series that I am part of that, that teaches the workshop. I literally did write short stories. I literally did do all these things. And all of that was because I was doing what God created me to do and has empowered me to do.
[00:16:44] John: So I don't want anybody to be fearful of what it is that God is potentially asking them to do. I don't want them to be worried about how they're going to pull it off. Here's the thing, if you can point to your fruit, your accomplishments, you know, here on this earth, and another person can associate that with your natural giftedness, your natural talents, your natural abilities, where is the glory to God in that?
[00:17:15] John: I mean, literally the name of our ministry, I can't even take credit for that. I literally can't, because it was gifted to me in my mind. So when you start off with that humility, that this is God's ministry and you're His caretaker and He's going to hold you accountable for what He's doing.
[00:17:36] John: But, you know, You know, buckle up, saddle up get ready because the ride is just starting and I've got things I want you to do. And yet I'm going to blow your mind in the process.
[00:17:48] James Marland: Neat. So, there's three things that we wanted to talk about today. We've kind of touched on them already. I'll just list them here. 1 is everybody has a God given purpose. Number 2, joy is a byproduct of obediently pursuing your purpose. And 3, fulfillment can only be achieved by pursuing what you were created to do. John, can you talk briefly about. Number 1, everybody has a God given purpose.
[00:18:15] John: Yeah. If we look at a individual's life, like they are a tool. And now tools that only have an impact on this world when somebody picks it up and actually starts using the tool. Well, you are a tool for God. That is, he was, you are uniquely and specifically designed. Go back and read Jeremiah chapter one.
[00:18:36] John: Go back and read about the conversion of Paul. Go back and look at a number of people The seven brothers before David that were passed over because God chose David because he was a man after God's own heart. God creates us for specific purposes and he's only looking for that obedience. So our purpose is wired into us.
[00:19:00] John: It is the thing about psychometric assessments that. Make them dramatically different than what the vast majority of other assessments that are out there is that the things that they measure about your personality do not change over time. They, this has been a common science disc is a well known psychometric assessment.
[00:19:22] John: Myers Briggs is another. Our ministry is fortunate enough to have psychometric assessments and our other assessments all developed by born again believers, not by the corporate world. And even though they've been used in the corporate world, they are not controlled by the corporate world. And so therefore we have access and control over these tools.
[00:19:46] John: And so psychometrics actually measures What a person is wired to do. If you were wired as a counselor, people are going to naturally come to you for advice and you're going to wonder why am I, why are they always doing that? And why do I feel kind of good when I give them good advice? Well, because you were wired to do just that.
[00:20:06] John: So everybody has a purpose. The psychometric assessments that we use absolutely actually uncover that and give, gives it more specificity so that the individual can actually start operating in that gifting.
[00:20:21] James Marland: So you're everybody has a God given purpose. And your assessments help people tease out some of that and learn what their strengths are learning their values learn. What they they might be good at something, but that might not be a strength. You know, you're not always you don't always enjoy. What you're good at Which
[00:20:44] John: really depends. So with regards to your abilities, your interest in abilities and values, are not accidental. They are intentional, and they vary dramatically from person to person. We are not a ministry that says that you are a golden retriever, or you're a seven, or a three, or whatever. Every person is measured eight different ways, And we look at that from a very holistic perspective, and then we put the pieces together.
[00:21:15] John: So not a single purpose statement that I've ever done over the last six years is identical to anybody else's. None of them. They're they all vary now. I've worked with a lot of teachers. I've worked with a lot of counselors. I've worked with a lot of leaders. They have a common element. If you have that gifting and that, that ability, but they are not the same as far as how God has created you to operate.
[00:21:41] John: So we take the assessment results as part of our design discovery meeting coaching session, and we actually formulate a purpose statement. Now, all purpose statements have two things in common. They start off with these words. I must. Why must you? Because if you are a born again child of the Most High God, and He created you for this purpose, You must be obedient to his call or you will not achieve or experience fulfillment.
[00:22:11] John: It's like trying to take a a a nut off of a bolt using a hammer. It's going to be a very unfulfilling experience, very frustrating experience. You're not the right tool to take that bolt that nut off that bolt. So figure out what kind of tool you are in God's hands and start doing that.
[00:22:34] James Marland: I guess leads to the number the second point joy is a byproduct of obediently pursuing your purpose. I think you're if you're the hammer trying to remove the bolt, you're not going to be very successful at it Which means you're not very happy But you know if god has made a wrench out there to do that job Is that what you're talking about?
[00:22:54] James Marland: Or how could you explain that a little bit more about how joy is the byproduct of doing your purpose?
[00:23:00] John: So, there's a couple of answers to that. So our very second session in our workshop series is entitled purpose. And we use this analogy of a tool specifically to describe this. So a lot of people will see somebody else. Yeah. experiencing joy by doing what it is that they're doing there. Maybe they're a gifted worship leader.
[00:23:22] John: Maybe they're a gifted teacher and you admire that person and you kind of envy their relationship with God. And you kind of envy the joy, maybe the attention that goes around that. Now, unless you happen to be designed and wired like that person, if you start comparing yourself and start trying to emulate that person, you're going to be very unfulfilled, much like a hammer trying to remove a nut off of a bolt.
[00:23:49] James Marland: Yeah.
[00:23:50] John: So the idea and the concept here is that God has specific things that he created you to do. So, in Ephesians 6, I believe, for works that he's created before you took your first breath. I mean, he has good works for you to to do. These are not general, be nice to people works. No, these are very specific kingdom building works that God wants to do through you.
[00:24:12] John: So, joy is the outcome of that. So let's, Joy was one of the things that really motivated me in this process. In about 2013, I wrote an article called what is joy and joy was. Something that eluded me. I was successful in business. I coached soccer for seven years, had winning teams. I had a lot of success and results as the world would measure them, but I knew I wasn't experiencing joy.
[00:24:48] John: And then I would watch other people in church. I'm going, okay, that guy's joy filled. And my first reaction was he's faking it. So I would step back and, you know, watch them and go, he's not faking it. That's genuine. That he's really that way. Why am I not experiencing that? I'm giving, I'm tithing, I'm reading my Bible, I'm teaching, I'm serving.
[00:25:11] John: I'm being a good father and husband. I'm doing all those things. How come I'm not experiencing that? And in 2013, I was contemplating the life of Paul, where he was shipwrecked multiple times, where he was lashed, where he was whipped, caned, stoned imprisoned and so forth. And what did he do? He counted it all joy.
[00:25:35] John: And I'm going, how can you write that and be honest about it? How can you honestly say that I am joyful in the midst of all these terrible physical trials? And at that point in time, God whispered in my ear, he was doing what I created him to do. It was like In the midst of all those trials, he knew he was obediently following God's calling, and therefore he could have joy because he knew his father was pleased with him for being obedient to the call.
[00:26:15] John: Let me give you a real world experience that virtually every mother can attest to. A mother, we have three children, so I've watched this process go through from conception to reception. And You watch the woman go through morning sickness and back pains and physical aches and lack of energy and all these things for nine months.
[00:26:39] John: And then I was in the room with my wife was giving birth. And so you're seeing the physical pain and trauma and all that's going through their body. And then when the nurse hands that healthy baby to the mother, You see joy, tears, not from pain. I mean, the entire thing that they just went through is completely vanished from their conscience.
[00:27:06] John: And they're looking at that beautiful, healthy baby. And they're going, I've been waiting for you for nine months. There is joy. Now, why, how can you experience all that pain? Well, who is the author of life? Goddess. When that woman was conceived. and created and breathed into existence by her creator. One of the paramount things that was going to be part of her life was to bring into this world a new living human being.
[00:27:41] John: At that moment in time, she accomplished something that God created her to accomplish long ago. And so her free will choices about bringing that baby full term and bringing it into this world as health, as a healthy child and God's intention for her life intersected at that moment in time. And that intersection generates joy.
[00:28:05] John: I didn't experience joy in any kind of consistent basis. In the past, when I do a design discovery meeting and I help another believer discover their God given purpose and give them hope and direction and intentionality into their lives, I experienced joy. Why my purpose statement. To lead, strategically lead a gifted team to embrace the power of their God given design for long term positive results.
[00:28:36] John: At that moment in time, based upon my wiring, my training, my my position in the body of Christ, I am willfully doing what God created me to do. And at that moment in time, as I explore this entire process with that person that's receiving this purpose statement, I get the benefit of joy. So
[00:28:59] John: that's how
[00:28:59] James Marland: they have the moment of, oh, I get it. Like, oh, I, this is what I'm here for. And that's also helping you experience why you are here for, like, you're
[00:29:09] James Marland: here to help them find that ha have come to that moment where they realize what is my purpose or what is, you know, how has God designed me? How can I work the best?
[00:29:19] James Marland: So that's cool
[00:29:20] John: What last thing on that? I just, cause I said, there
[00:29:22] John: was two items. They all start off with, I must, and they all are how you are to serve your fellow man. Every purpose statement is not about self serving or about doing and becoming the best wealthiest individual or anything like that.
[00:29:38] John: No, it's how do I serve other people? That is what your purpose is here for. So those are the only two common elements in a purpose statement is they begin with, I must, because that's what you were created to do. And that's where you're going to get your joy and fulfillment by obediently following God's calling.
[00:29:56] John: And number two, it's how you serve others.
[00:30:00] James Marland: Yeah that that certainly fits. Donald Miller, his book, Hero on a Mission talks about hero mindset and victim mindset, but also there's a villain mindset and the villains, they're not that much different than the heroes, but they just serve themselves. They're here to, you they also have things to overcome, you know, villains have things to overcome They have obstacles they go on a villain journey But their whole deal is they're serving themselves.
[00:30:28] James Marland: That's why they're the villain. That's why they hurt people and take instead of The hero which gives and helps people grow not necessarily for themselves, but for the group, you know,
[00:30:40] John: the irony about that, the irony about that, we actually talk about the that mindset, we refer to them as victim identity or narcissists,
[00:30:50] John: In our sessions, but one of the problems with that is they think that they're, it's going to make them happy. They're, they are doing this because they have a misunderstanding of what founded belief, a false belief in their thinking that says, if I get my way, if I take this from him, if I do this to her, I will feel better.
[00:31:12] John: And they don't, they feel more and more miserable, which it's like any kind of addict. They are now trying to get even a greater fix, be more brutal, be more selfish, be more all these things because they, Have this false belief in them that this is what's going to give them joy and happiness, and it's just the opposite.
[00:31:33] John: It's destructive to them. And of course, everybody else around them. So it's really as destructive as they are in their behavior. It's a pitiful existence. It's, it's like seeing somebody that has great potential and only using it for destructive purposes. It's. It's really tragic. So
[00:31:59] James Marland: truly. And the more actions they take, the less fulfilled they are. But your point number three is like fulfillment can only be achieved by pursuing what you were created to do. So how was fulfillment achieved by pursuing your purpose?
[00:32:13] John: it's the fulfillment is the final result of obedience and joy. So you obediently do what God called you to do. That creates joy. And now you go, I am here and I make a difference. All humans have three three qualities. core needs. We have core fears, but we have core needs. We need to feel like we belong when you're adopted into the family of Christ.
[00:32:37] John: Our identity session. Number one, God's saying, you're my child. I have adopted you into my family. So belongingness is number one. Worthiness is that I. And valuable simply for who I am, not because of what I do or what I possess. I have a worthiness simply because I am a child of God. I am a creation of God.
[00:33:03] John: I am worthy. And the last one is competency. And this is the one where fulfillment comes into play. Competency says, I have something to offer this world. There's something that I am good at. Now that's going to be different for everybody. You could be a really good listener and a good person to convey wisdom.
[00:33:22] John: That's competency. You could be the best athlete. We tend to glorify in this world people that have these physical attributes or and so forth. But those people are oftentimes very miserable in their existences because they think that they that the world revolves around them. People, all people were created by God for a purpose, and so they are competent when they are pursuing their purpose.
[00:33:49] John: They discover what it is that God wants to do through them. All of a sudden, they're capable of doing things when they obediently follow his call that they never thought they were capable of. Jordan Peterson shared this bit of insight that he acquired not too long ago. And he said that when we do something that is uncomfortable, that is stretching us, that is beyond what we think we're capable of, that the body produces new proteins.
[00:34:19] John: These proteins create new neuro pathways that are now enable us to be able to accomplish what it is that we are setting our minds towards. So God has in every one of his children that are listening to you right now. These proteins that are waiting for you to step out in faith and to do the scary things and to actually pursue the scary things that will produce and release those proteins, which will then create the new neural pathways, which will make the scary things a lot less scary and more scary.
[00:34:54] John: Within your ability to be able to do that. So now the idea of me writing a book, not something that scares me. It's a lot of work and not something that I wanted to do, but I don't, I'm not fearful of it. Where are we going? You know what? I am completely in God's hands. You know, he'll bring the people to support us and open doors for us.
[00:35:15] John: People that are listening to your podcast right now could be the person that says, I want to give this guy a try. I'm going to have him come to my company, or I'm going to have him be part of my small group, or I'm going to introduce him to our pastor. God's going to work this out. I just need to be patient and have faith.
[00:35:34] James Marland: And I think. The fear that holds us back takes away more than we think it does, you know, the connections that we make the skills that we develop, the confidences gained, all that is locked away behind false security. Really, you know, we think we're safe. Just stay in there. Like I, I often tell people paychecks are the price you pay for giving up your dreams, you know. You stick with doing the safe thing instead of what maybe you were called for, but then you're depressed or anxious or you feel like I'm just going through the motions day after day. There's no joy, no fulfillment, no purpose. And that's not the life God wants for us.
[00:36:19] John: Now, he wants to do amazing things through all of his
[00:36:21] John: children. He really does. And all of his children are capable of amazing things. And what would a church look like if it was filled with people that actually believe the promises of God and were actively pursuing their God given purpose and design?
[00:36:37] John: One of the things that I am. I am, and God's going to give it to me one day. I know it's going to happen. It's like Simeon, I'm going to see the Christ. Well, I know I'm going to see this one day I'm going to be around a church of believers that are firing on odds on all synapses and are absolutely doing what God created them to do individually and collectively when I will know that.
[00:37:04] John: My life has made a significant difference in this world when I can walk into that church. And I'm looking forward to that church that says the leaders are all in about discipling their people to become all that God created them to be. The people are all in and pursuing their God given purpose. I am looking forward to that day and it will happen.
[00:37:26] John: And I will rejoice.
[00:37:29] James Marland: Great. That's a good place to end our discussion. But if people are interested in like joining you on your mission or finding more about you, like, tell us about your website, your book, and what you offer.
[00:37:41] John: So brush fires, that's digital. com is the best place to go. If you register there as a new user, we will start the relationship with four free gifts. We'll give you a free gift, a free spiritual gifts assessment. We'll give you the ability to send that to other people and to allow them to discover their spiritual gifts.
[00:38:00] John: That assessment will be our gift to you as well as some other items. In there, you'll have the ability to be able to sign up for our digital workshop. I would recommend the premium level package that includes the three hour coaching session to develop your purpose statement. It includes All 11 assessments.
[00:38:22] John: There's eight plus three. When you do the premium level, as well as our design discovery workshop book called discovering your God given design, as well as the workshop itself, all eight sessions on video with the homework and PDFs and so forth. That is the best way to. Start the process of discovering your purpose.
[00:38:44] John: If you are a church leader or you're a coach or you're somebody that is in a position to guide others, we can have you go through that process. But then afterwards, we would then train you to not only be able to understand your design, but to be able to understand other people's design as a leader. In Hebrews 10, 25, I believe it goes, we should not delay in meeting together, but encourage one another to good works.
[00:39:11] John: Well, if you're going to encourage somebody, take the time to figure out what it is that God wants to do through them. Begin to use the assessments as a tool to evaluate a person, to be able to point them and lead them into direction. I was sitting down with the pastor just this week, and I asked them, you know, you know, about the people that attended our class.
[00:39:34] John: And I started going over the design of these individuals and one by one, he was able to see where there was a need that was uniquely gifted to that person's design. So what we want to do is train up leaders and coaches to be able to look at these designs that are different than theirs, but be able to start to see where they fit on the team.
[00:39:56] John: Think of it as a a scouting guide on all the people that are in your congregation or in your company. Where can I place them where they'll have the greatest amount of success? You see somebody who is not accomplishing what it is that they're supposed to be accomplishing. Well, maybe you've placed them in the wrong job.
[00:40:18] John: Maybe as a leader, you should redirect them.
[00:40:21] James Marland: The book go discover your strengths, or now go to discover your strengths. It's Marcus Buckingham. He talks about 20 you spend 80 percent of the time at, in your work doing it's the 80, 20 rule 80 percent of your time is spent on the 20%. That doesn't mean anything. And 20 percent of your time where you accomplish the most where you accomplished 80 percent of everything.
[00:40:42] James Marland: That's where you spend your time. I'm saying it wrong, but basically we're created for something that we can do really well. Yeah. And for the tragedy is we're only spending a small part of our attention on that time So you're saying what if the church put people in the place where they could get be their best, you know Be the strongest serve the kingdom the most help the most people Give god the glory the most like where would that be? and could you imagine if everybody was not is that really not just 20 of your popular of your church was that way but 80 percent of your church was in the right place. What would it look like?
[00:41:22] John: Yeah it, it would be changing. It would be
[00:41:25] John: earth shattering
[00:41:26] John: for that community. It would make a real difference for the kingdom. If people were
[00:41:31] John: actively doing what they were created to do.
[00:41:34] James Marland: So that's a good making a real difference for the kingdom. That's a great, summary statement for the brush fire ministries anything else you want to say before we log out here
[00:41:43] John: No, all our contact information is. On the website. We are a 501 C three. So we do accept donations. You can either give to us just simply to be able to support the technology. And because we are a technology ministry, it's not cheap. LMS software is very expensive and development of all these soul is. Are expensive, or you can actually purchase for other people scholarships. We work with a local women's ministry here. We also work with an addiction recovery program here and local business people have provided the scholarships so that they're able to go through the entire program. And be able to and not have to pay for it.
[00:42:24] John: So,
[00:42:24] James Marland: john, thank you so much for being a part of the show. I really enjoyed our conversation
