This morning when you woke up... what did you do? Did you take a shower? What about after that... did you brush your teeth? Then, before you went out for your morning run (which I'm sure you all do), did you hydrate to prepare? All of these actions are everyday occurrences for us, so it's hard to believe that for more than 884 million people around the world, their reality looks much different.

Let me introduce you to six-year old Adinda. Adinda lives in Lataka, Kenya, which is a a semi-arid region considered one of the most marginalized communities in Kenya. The harsh climate and lack of safe water make it difficult for its inhabitants to thrive. Everyday, Adinda makes the nearly 5km journey to a rain-fed pond to collect water for her family. This is her only water source and it is highly contaminated due to animal feces and rainwater runoff. At times it is green in color and you can see little red or black worms in it. From this water, she and the rest of her family suffer from extreme stomach pains and diarrhea. This water may kill her.

Global statistics speak volumes. 1.8 million people die every year from diarrheal diseases (including cholera); 90 percent are children under 5, mostly in developing countries. (WHO, 2010) But untold stories, like Adinda's, strike to the heart of the matter.

This crisis is completely preventable. Water treatment is not rocket science, and there are many organizations working hard to make a difference. As Christians, it's not good enough to merely provide access to safe water. The Bible tells us to "go and make disciples of all nations." Water is a tool to open the door and share the Living Water message of Jesus Christ! This is a reason to celebrate.

It's easy for your church to get involved and make a difference! Water Missions International is launching a church initiative called Water Sunday. Water Sunday is one Sunday that a church dedicates to the global water crisis. All the materials will be provided to make this a fun and energizing Sunday for your church. Join churches across the country who are hosting Water Sunday's in March (March 22nd is World Water Day). The beauty of Water Sunday is that not only are lives transformed in developing countries, but as people look outside of themselves, the Holy Spirit does a transformational work in their hearts as well.

Water Sunday from Water Missions on Vimeo.

A few things you should know:

* All the materials are provided (promo video, lesson materials, graphics, sermon notes).
* March 2012 is the focus month, but you can choose to host a different time that fits in your ministry schedule.
* This provides a great opportunity to connect your church community with communities in the developing world.
* Your church will be able to share the love of Christ in a tangible way and equip a local pastor with a valuable tool to share the gospel!
* You'll receive inspiring photos, videos, and stories will come back in a few months showing the direct impact your church made.
* Expect God to show up in BIG ways!

Visit the Water Sunday Website to learn more and sign up your church NOW!

Testimony of the spiritual impact a project has on a local Pastor:

"People are always questioning about how this system works and asking how they can acquire it. We always tell them about our Great God and there we end up with the chance of preaching to them the gospel. Can you imagine that even non believers come willing to offer us land to plant churches because of this water system. Not one or two, many have come to us! So to us, it is an iron tool for the gospel." Pastor Charles - Glory Center church - Neddje, Uganda

OKLAHOMA CITY - It was Martin Luther King Jr. who said Sunday at 11 o'clock was the most segregated hour in America - and 40 years later this statement still rings true for over ninety percent of churches.

But there is an effort to help change that statement and Oklahoma Christian leaders are hoping the upcoming Church Diversity Week, Jan. 13-19, will open a dialogue about the importance of diversity in the Lord's house.

"Church Diversity Week isn't about a particular church, type of church or movement, but rather a week with a goal of seeing a more unified body of Christ," said Scott Williams, Oklahoma City pastor and author of Church Diversity - Sunday The Most Segregated Day of the Week.

According to the research of Sociologist Dr. Michael Emerson, 93% of churches in America are racially segregated.

In October Gov. Mary Fallin signed a proclamation officially recognizing Jan. 13-19 as Church Diversity Week in the State Of Oklahoma.

"I'm proud of our state leadership and I'm looking forward to continued momentum around the country," Williams said.

More than 100 churches are celebrating Church Diversity Week across the U.S. and in countries around the world, including Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Peru, Australia and the Czech Republic during Church Diversity Week.

To celebrate Church Diversity Week and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is Jan. 16; Williams will be speaking at Cross Pointe Church in Atlanta Sunday.

"Atlanta holds special meaning in the hearts of many who share the same passion for unity and equality, especially within the church body," Williams said. "I am looking forward to sharing a bold gospel message with the congregants of Cross Pointe Church. Cross Pointe is a multi-ethnic church that embodies the heart of Church Diversity Week and the movement away from segregated Sunday Mornings."

Scott and his wife, LaKendria, will also visit Ebenezer Baptist Church, the church pastored by Martin Luther King Jr.

Williams said the essence of Church Diversity Week is to do what Jesus commands of his followers.

This week is a reminder that it's important that our churches have a genuine heart to do as Jesus calls us to in the Great Commission: to make disciples of all nations," Williams said.

Scott Williams served as a key leader and Campus Pastor for LifeChurch.tv. He is the Chief Solutions Officer for Nxt Level Solutions, a consulting company he founded to help businesses, non-profits and individuals with both internal and external growth. Scott is a speaker, strategist, consultant and developer of leaders. He is an avid blogger at BigIsTheNewSmall.com, and leverages social media to make a Kingdom impact. Scott is passionate about leadership development, organizational growth and diversity. He is the author of Church Diversity - Sunday The Most Segregated Day of the Week. Scott is married, a father of two, and lives in Oklahoma City. For more information, visit www.bigisthenewsmall.com.

Church Diversity: Sunday the Most Segregated Day of the Week is published by New Leaf Press, a division of New Leaf Publishing Group.

For more information about the book, movement, and/or author please contact Katie Gumm, publicist, katie@newleafpress.net or 800-999-3777.

From Catalyst:

5 Great Leadership Interviews on the Catalyst Podcast

Evangelicals, Hispanics, & Immigration Reform by Rev. Samuel Rodriguez

Why Artists are Fleeing Your Church & How You Can Change It by David Santistevan

A "How To" for Producing Events by Brad Lomenick

From The Web:

A great guest post on 10 Mistakes Leaders Should Avoid At All Costs from Michael Hyatt.

Relevant posted an article, Lessons From Leaving a Desk Job. Great read for young leaders trying to figure out their career moves.
 
Thom Rainer has been a favorite blogger of mine recently. Check out his post, 10 Lessons in Organizational Leadership from Steve Jobs.

Our good friend, Carlos Whittaker, is offering a new round of creative coaching, if you are a creative, this is a MUST!

If you have time tomorrow, check out our own, Ken Coleman & his new radio show!

There has been A LOT of hype around Tim Tebow lately. Esther Fleece wrote an article that I actually agreed with, check it out here. 

Are you a manager? Influencer? Leader? Jenni Catron sheds some light on these definitions on her blog.

Just another reminder about the Catalyst Podcast, which is FREE on iTunes or on the podcast.

Over 150 episodes from the past 5 years, but wanted to highlight 5 recent interviews/episodes you should check out.

Again, GO TO iTunes to download all of these and more for Free.

John C. Maxwell – best-selling leadership author.

Bill Hybels – founding pastor of Willow Creek Community Church.

Jim Collins – best-selling author of Good to Great and management guru.

Marcus Buckingham – best-selling author of Now Discover Your Strengths.

Michael Hyatt – chairman of Thomas Nelson and one of the top leadership bloggers in the world.

bonus: Priscilla Shirer, Francis Chan, Joel Houston, John Piper and Jon Acuff. Just to name a few. All available for Free

This is a guest blog post from Ron Edmondson, check out more of his blog here!

I love organizational leadership as a subject and I am happy to serve on a healthy team. It’s amazing how many church leaders I know that say their team is not healthy.  Recently I started wondering why it is that I claim our team is healthy and it led me to this post.

Here, in my opinion, are 10 elements of a healthy organization/team:

• A shared vision is held by all team members.
• Team members and their individual ideas are equally valued.
• Leadership development is a part of the strategy.
• The organization readily embraces change and risk taking is encouraged.
• Team members are continually energized and encouragement flows freely.
• It’s a fun place to hang out…people enjoy their work and relationships are deeper than just the professional environment.
• Mistakes are considered part of the learning process.
• The structure doesn’t limit growth, but provides healthy boundaries.
• There is a freedom to offer constructive criticism, even of top leadership, without fear of retribution.
• Conflict is not discouraged, but used to make the team better.

What would you add to the list?

Do you serve on a healthy team?