So were the Mayans right? Is today really the last day of the world?

Well, no. I’ll explain why in a moment.

But first, the Mayans created quite a buzz, didn’t they?

In fact, any time there’s semi-serious talk of the world ending, people talk about it.

Having released a book recently, I’ve spent some time looking through the best seller list. I was surprised to discover that some of the very best selling books in any category are books about the afterlife. I guess if you’re going to spend forever somewhere, people want to know whether heaven is for real. (We’ll do a series on what happens after you die at Connexus next year).

After we survive the Mayan apocalypse, it would be good to have a filter for any and all future predictions of doomsday. And we have one.

So why isn’t the world ending today?

You can look at it from at least two perspectives:

1. Scientific. NASA is so sure the world will be spinning with people on it December 22nd that they released this video to be watched the day after world ended. (It’s a decent explanation of how we misunderstood the whole Mayan calendar in the first place; pop culture is not know for it’s depth of analysis.)

But we don’t need NASA to tell us the world isn’t ending. We have an even better perspective.

2. Biblical. The fact that someone predicted the end of the world on a specific day is virtually ironclad proof it won’t be that day.

Jesus simply said that no one will know the hour when Christ comes back. While Jesus was on earth, he didn’t even know the day or time. So how could we?

As soon as you hear someone predict the world will end on X date, you can be pretty much count on the fact it won’t happen. My personal guess is the world will end the day people finally stop predicting it will end, kind of like the couple who got pregnant when they stopped trying.

As fun and amusing as today’s prediction is, it leaves me uneasy. Here’s why.

One day Christ will come back.

And that will be an awesome day and a terrible day. When we finally realize it’s actually happening, we won’t be able to change anything. It might in fact be too late for many people you and I know and love.

Today is not that day. At least not yet. Which makes what you and I do today so important. Particularly in terms of letting people know that a relationship with God through Jesus Christ is not just possible but desirable and ultimately necessary.

And one day – when we least expect – it will really happen.

And in all likelihood, it will surprise us all.

Sometimes you just need to say thank you. Today is one of those days. Last week was launch week for my new book, Leading Change Without Losing It. A heartfelt thanks to every one of you who helped make the launch a success.

Thank you to everyone who

Tweeted about the book

Shared the news on Facebook

Blogged about the book

Bought a copy

Prayed for me and for those who will be reading the book

To say that the launch exceeded my expectations is quite an understatement. I never dreamed it would become a bestseller out of the gate. To see it be the #1 bestselling Kindle new release in ministry for a over a week now has been incredible. But then to see it in the top 5 bestselling ministry books, and even spend time at #1 – well, the thought didn’t actually cross my mind.

So thank you! While I’m excited that the book did well, I’m far more excited by what that means for you, the church and anyone trying to lead change effectively.

There’s a growing tribe of us now who are going to try to navigate change prayerfully, skillfully and strategically. We need each other. And I hope and pray this blog and the dialogue the book prompts will create a conversation among leaders that helps each of us navigate change more effectively. So thank you. Please know I’m cheering for you and I’m praying for you.

In the upcoming months, the dialogue will grow richer, fuller and I hope become very helpful to all of us trying to lead change.

On that note, I have a few announcements for all of us passionate about change:

1. I’ll be happy to answer questions about the book on twitter. Just use the hashtag #leadingchange on twitter. You can follow me on Twitter here.

2. In January, I’ll be launching a free monthly podcast all about change. Watch for details and how to subscribe to the podcast in the next few weeks.

3. This blog will continue to be my homebase on all things change. As I write the next two books in the change trilogy, a lot of the ideas will be beta tested here.

4. To make sure you don’t miss out on anything, subscribe to the blog using the fields to the right of this post.

And finally, thanks to everyone who used the #changebook hashtag during launch week. You got the word out, and here are the contest winners:

@GToddPounds and @jeremypauldavis won free signed copies of the book.

@danbrubacher won a free signed copy of the book and a free one hour change consultation I can’t wait to dig into with him.

Congrats!

A change is underway in how we lead change in the church and in other organizations. And for that, I’m incredible excited.

Thanks for being part of this tribe early on! Thanks for helping us get off to a great great start. I appreciate you so much, and I’m excited for what’s ahead! My goal is to help you become more effective than ever as you lead change.

So, how else can I serve you? I’d love to know.

A few weeks ago, I sat down with a great friend who’s also one of my very favourite leaders, Reggie Joiner.  Reggie is a brilliant thinker and the CEO of Orange.

Reggie started North Point Community Church with Andy Stanley, and left a few years ago to devote all of his time to helping church leaders figure out how churches and parents can partner together for the sake of the next generation.

Listen in on our conversation about the challenges of navigating change in the church.

Leading Change Without Losing It is available now for Kindle on Amazon, on iBooks (for iPad and iPhone) and in paperback at the Orange Store.  The Kindle and iBooks version are on sale at 50% off for a limited time. Sale ends tomorrow.