Calling

Your calling is deeper than your work, your career, even your gifting. Your calling is related to who you have been designed to be. You were uniquely crafted by your Creator with certain gifts, passions, dreams, and a perspective on life that no other human being can fully appreciate or accomplish. When you find you and live how you were created to live, you fulfill God's work. 

Jesus gave us a glimpse into calling when he prayed his priestly prayer, " I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do" (Jn 17:4).

To find your calling, is to find  you! Parker Palmer in his book titled, "Let Your Life Speak," makes that point dramatically clear. You are at your best and the most effective for all you are designed to be when you are acting out of your own unique personhood and not attempting to be anyone else or to emulate anyone else.  

Leaders are able to understand their calling and move forward effectively in life toward God's good purposes when they identify how God reveals himself to them (shepherd, father, lover, protector,), learn and incorporate their personal life dream (the deep seated passion that flows from within), understand the legacy God wishes them to leave to those who know them best and love them the most, and as they identify the primary gifting pulsating through their work.

At C3 Leaders we intentionally work to help leaders identify and affirm their calling, knowing that when leaders know who God is and know who they are in relationship to him and what God has called them to, they become his instruments of grace in powerful ways and begin to see God's powerful hands released in our communities for healing and renewal. 

May 22. C3 Leaders Community Breakfast

May 31, Kickoff Celebration

C3 Leaders Kick Off Celebration on May 31, where forum members, friends, and spouses, will join together to kick off our new organization with a vision of seeing Spirit led leaders impacting every marketplace in our region. You will have an opportunity to meet other members, hear how God has shaped our vision and mission, and give thanks for God's grace on our work. This is not a fund raiser. It is a celebration!

On May 31, we offer three venues for you to choose from: Choose one or all three!

• Rainier Club Breakfast at 7:00AM or
• Seattle Golf Club Luncheon at Noon or
• Bellevue Harbor Club Hors d’ oeuvres  at 6:00pm

Spouses and friends are encouraged to attend!

http://c3leaderskickoff.eventbrite.com/

The Founder Opportunity C3 Leaders

Charitable Investment Opportunity-Become a Founder

Today, C3 is seeking seed capital to move the mission beyond the existing 30 forums.  Money raised will strengthen the current leadership structure, improve forum development systems, and seek to attract additional forum chair leaders.

Since its inception C3 has achieved significant financial goals year after year.  The 2012-13 budget requirement is $204,000.00.  As of this writing, C3 has a financial plan to secure this funding through strategic partnerships with individuals and corporate givers like you.   

The Board of Directors has agreed to fund $50,000 from personal donations.  In recent days a generous donor has also put forth a $15,000 matching gift opportunity. 

The purpose of this document is to ask you to join the leadership of C3 along with other Founding supporters to make a significant gift to the mission growth of C3. We are asking those who would like to be Founders to contribute $2500 or more in 2012 and to let us know that by May 31. Together we can propel this mission well beyond the existing 30 forums and directly impact the leaders and communities in which we live.

Can we count on you to make a gift today?  You can fulfill your gift by mailing a check to "C3 Leaders" at PO Box 17181 Seattle, WA 98127 or by giving online at he National Christian Foundation  for "C3 Leaders".  One-time, ongoing pledges, and appreciated asset gifts are welcomed.

Thank you in advance for your gift.

Sincerely,

Jon Sharpe                  

Jon Sharpe                              

Executive Director

From Generation to Generation

Jeff Rogers (far right) advocates intergenerational relationship

A conversation a few years ago related to seasoned business leaders thinking about how they were going to spend their time after they stepped away from their careers. One of the key topics mentioned was the reality that when they were climbing their career ladder very few mentors were there to help them as they navigated their course. They noted that many senior leaders had moved away to the greens of the desert and that it seemed like a generation of wisdom was missing from the marketplace.                                      

These leaders began to discuss how they would like to change this in their life time as they moved from busy careers to a place of strengthening each other and the next generation.

The obvious questions all elders will ask as they think about helping the next generation are, "What do we have to give?" "Does anyone care that we are still here?" "In a culture that celebrates youth, emerging technology, communication, and entertainment, what does a seasoned leader have to offer?"  "Will my life of planning, executing, vision casting, and accounting have any meaning to  a new generation?"

Yet as seaonsed leaders have been meeting together with their peers and sharing life at a deeper level in forums throughout the Seattle area young leaders are seeking to relate to them. Seasoned leaders are finding that their life does have meaning for others even after their professional career fades away. Younger leaders are looking for wisdom and relationship not just success princples or tactics.  

Recently C3 Leaders has moved to bridge the gap between seasoned leaders and younger leaders. We are now bringing seasoned leaders and younger leaders together in forums to share in a life journey. Our mission, "leaders encouraging leaders to live and lead like Jesus," propels us to think about the next generation and to give them shoulders on which to stand.

Perhaps you would like to be a part of Generation to Generation? Let us know. jsharpe@c3leaders.org

C3 Leaders Changing the way leaders lead

Our world is in desperate need of leaders who lead with integrity and grace. Too often Christian leaders fall into the same moral pitfalls as their secular counterparts. Leaders need peers who share common challenges, joys, and experiences. They also need peers who share common spiritual values reinforcing their own values.  Christian leaders are often isolated and struggling to maintain their integrity without an adequate ongoing person to person support system.  Christian leaders rarely find that their existing relationships offer safe places for them to be real. Leaders are not usually given the same grace that they offer others. If Christian leaders are going to make an impact in the marketplace they cannot walk alone.

C3 provides peer forums for Christian leaders where they can find a safe place to be real. A place where like-minded people share their lives together. Rich friendships are forged when peers encourage each other to live and lead like Jesus. We build forums by recruiting and training Forum Chairs and members to live a great life where 6-12 peers learn how to walk together in trust relationships. C3 helps leaders learn to live a life based on the values of Jesus. Being a C3 Leader changes the way commerce, community, and culture act and interact.

Turning the Corner

Leaders love to turn the corner, make a change, create space, bring inspiration, see things grow, increase profit, build sustainability, and be rewarded for their efforts. The test for leaders everywhere always comes down to the question of, "Is anyone following?"

Actually, many follow your leadership whether you know it or not. People follow what we do and what we say. Leaders are often unaware that their actions and their words lack alignment and people seeking to follow them will  be confused when words and actions are in conflict. If a leader talks about generosity but actually lives a greedy life, people following will typically interpret what generosity looks like through a distorted lens.

We have all been called to lead somewhere, somehow, and in some place. Our lives were created to be significant and to be a blessing to others. God did not create us as robots, simply grinding out our daily existence but as unique people cast in his image. To be created in God's image means that we have been endowed with creative juices and that the blessed creativity motivated by God's Spirit is a clarion call for others, a shining light on the hill.

What holds us back from turning the corner? We are often so captivated by our culture and what we love about it that we miss the Jesus Style creative leadership God wants to do through us. If we love our success, our status, beautiful people,  exotic places, and great experiences, too much and too long, we become bifurcated  leaders not helpful for God's good purposes. Those following us when we are double minded, continually have to work their way through a lot of fog.

Seeking to follow Jesus as a leader means that we are seeking to align our words and our actions in sync with Jesus' words and actions. The one who serves the most is the leader. Jesus taught us that if you seek to be great (have incredible impact) you need to be the servant of all.

The way to turn the corner this year is to seek to live our lives with God's purpose in mind and with our words and actions in alignment.

Growing business with values

The values of Jesus are troubling to all of us. His values cut across our ego laden paths. The forum mission to leaders encourage leaders to live and lead like Jesus, is no small task. Our mission puts us at odds with the drivers of our culture; the pride of life, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes. To practice living the values of Jesus in our culture means we have to face our own enculturation. We often view the culture as that "bad culture out there." However, when we begin to see that, "The culture are us" we realize how tough it is to be free from cultural mores that sap our energies, our vision, and our passion. The trappings of wealth, power, success, etc... so easily ensnare us.

C3 Leaders Launch

Stay Tuned!

A new organization will launch with 30+ forums for business leaders in the Northwest. Not only will the new organization continue to support peer forums but they will also be launching new forums bringing seasoned leaders and younger leaders together. Jeff Rogers, Martin Barrett, Barry Horn, and Jeff Kemp are a part of starting new forums for younger leaders modeling what seasoned leaders have been learning in the peer forum.

Bob Nuber, Chairman of the Board of the new organization sees that forums provide the huddle like experience for forum members helping them to engage the game through effective small group engagement with peers and in the case of younger leaders, with seasoned leaders. Bob says, "This year we want our theme to be, "Breaking the Huddle."

Jerry Brown, Board member and one of the founders of the new organization notes that forums provide the grist for a leader to effectively reflect on their life and then move into appropriate action as they have allowed God enough access in their inner life. He often mentions, "Good leadership is from the inside out."

Barry Horn, board member and founder sees this new organization as a way to radically impact the Northwest as serious leaders begin to reach out in their communities in a variety of ways. A few years ago Barry and Fred Benthin co-founded an organization Liberty Road Foundation to facilitate businesses adopting non-profits to make a big impact in our neighborhoods.

Jon Sharpe

Forum Chairs in the Northwest

C3 LEADERS

Here's where it's taking place...

 

Mill Creek, Charles Doepp

Shoreline, Bob Lonac

Shoreline, Dan Eernisee
Shoreline, Mark Hockman

Seattle, Les Parrott

Seattle, Candace Grisdale

Seattle, Gary Glenney

Seattle, Mike Vandenbos and Jim Shapiro
Seattle, Martin Barrett and David Grieger
Seattle, David Brenner and Tim Weinhold

Kirkland, Jim Gunlock

Kirkland, Dave Odom

Kirkland, Bob King

Kirkland, Teresa Gillespie 

Kirkland, Tim Knapp and Doug Engberg  

Kirkland, Jerry Brown and John Black
Kirkland, Joe Castleberry and Craig Chapman

Bellevue, Tom Coccione

Bellevue, Ward Tanneberg

Bellevue, Larry VanNess
Bellevue, John Heller

Bellevue, Bob Nuber, Jerry Brown, and Dean Johnson

Bellevue, Bob King
Bellevue, Jeff Kemp, Dan Hazen, and Neil Mitchell

Issaquah, Ron Worman

Renton, Dave Mitchell
Snoqualmie, Scott Pearson

Auburn, Ed VanderPol and Bart Brynestad
Tacoma, Chris Ihrig

Tom Coccione interviews Mill Creek Forum Chair Charles Doepp

Mill Creek C3 Leaders


April 2011 Charles Doepp Mill Creek Forum Chair

TC How long has the forum been meeting, when do you meet and where?

CD We started in the summer of 2009. We meet the first and third Friday of the month, in the morning, 7:15 – 8:30. The venue has changed a bit (we initially met at Mill Creek Country Club) as the group has jelled and preferences have been solidified. We presently meet at a restaurant just off the Mill Creek exit of I-405. We utilize a private room for discrete conversations and where everyone can order their own breakfast preference.

TC How was the group formed?

CD The initial interest and response in starting a north side Pinnacle Forum group was quite great as there were no other forums in the north end at the time. I personally had the advantage of attending a new forum in downtown Seattle for nine months prior to starting the Mill Creek Forum. I experienced firsthand the start-up phase, selecting new members, implementing how the forum would be conducted, etc. All of this experience and knowledge was then transferred to starting and running the Mill Creek forum. Participating in the downtown forum was instrumental in the success of the Mill Creek forum.

TC What is the make-up of the members?

CD There are 11 members of the Mill Creek forum. All members have senior leadership, CEO or ownership credentials in their respective industry. The industries represented include: law, real estate, retail, media production, marine, lending, consulting and engineering.

TC How are meetings conducted?

CD The meeting starts with a summary of old open items having found resolution and/or new upcoming items for the group or Pinnacle Forum at large. We then conduct a three minute check-in with each member. Essentially each member discusses three aspects of his life, spiritual, personal and business, in three minutes. The members share as they are led and are not required to discuss all three areas. The three minute time limit is flexible depending on the number of members who attend. If a topic or need presents itself during check-in we use it for further discussion. If no topic immerges (or after a topic discussion) we discuss a future area of focus for the forum. Presently, on average, nine members attend each meeting.

TC How are potential new members introduced to the forum?

CD We have an open forum with respect to introducing new members. Each present member is responsible for personally vetting a potential new member they are recommending. I also talk individually with the existing and potential new member as a final check. So the vetting process is accomplished upfront before an invitation is extended to attend a meeting. At the first meeting, the potential new member can participate or observe. After that I discuss, with the potential new member, their interest in joining. For our forum this process has served us well.

TC What activities, other than meetings, does the forum collectively participate in?

CD Last summer we had a great barbeque, hosted by one of the members, with all the families involved. In March, the group attended a banquet for Global Radio Outreach with their wives. For this summer, we have a day boat trip, on a classic wooden yacht, planned with members and their wives.

TC What is the future focus of the forum?

CD The forum will provide continuing support, encouragement and camaraderie to the individual members. As an entity, the forum is presently selecting an area of focus that will further God’s kingdom by utilizing the God given talents within the group. The group feels this focus will encompass coming along side and assisting a Christian related business venture, for which there is an affinity with a forum member.

Paul Williams Luncheon-Curing Capitalism

Curing Capitalism: can we avoid another crisis?

On Friday March 4, 2011 Paul Williams spoke to a group of 70 business leaders in Bellevue at Maggiano's Restaurant on the topic of the Cure for Capitalism. Forums Northwest partnered with Regent College, The Center for Integrity in Business at Seattle Pacific University, and John Knox Presbyterian Church for this business lunch.

C3 is committed to helping leaders understand personal and cultural transformation centered on the values of Jesus. C3 also builds forums of 6-12 peer leaders who check in on life and leadership issues.
Two years after the global financial crisis broke, we're still arguing about whether banks and international financial markets need more regulation, and the Federal Reserve is still printing money. Governments have bailed out their banking industries but now we see western governments in need of bail outs from the IMF and the European Union. Housing and job markets have not recovered and western stock markets are languishing. Ordinary people are still significantly worse off than they were, their children will be paying off increased government debt for a generation, and bankers have returned to a bonus culture. So is the crisis over? Has anything been fixed?

Prof Paul Williams combines over 15 years experience in international financial markets, most recently as Chief Economist of DTZ plc, with an academic background in economics, political philosophy and theology. He currently holds the David J Brown Chair of Marketplace Theology and Leadership at Regent College and is Executive Director of the College's Marketplace Institute.



DVD's of the Session with Paul Williams will be available from Kostov Productions. If you are interested please contact

Seattle Forum News 2010 in Review

Heller's and Johnson's

C3 Breakfasts, Roundtables, Celebrations, and Appointments 



Pelluer's and Barrett's

The Christmas Celebration at the Bravern in Bellevue

Barry and Dean

Chris and Aleah



Judy, Aleah, Joan, and Katrina



Breakfasts and Roundtables

Lillian Covington



Kevin Compton

 
Kevin Compton, co-owner of the San Jose Sharks and venture capitalist shared his life story and his concern for the global poor working with microfinance through Opportunity International.  Lillian Covinagton of Opportunity International told a breathtaking story about her life from rural Africa to Chicago. The Roundtable was outstanding! 





May 19, Breakfast Donna Hart, US Labor Relations Manager for the Northwest Region speaking to the issue of Human Trafficking

May 19, Breakfast  Forum participants after the May Breakfast sharing how Chip Kimball, Superintendent for Lake Washington Schools made a point about living your values in the public arena.

October 26, Breakfast at Maggiano's with Seattle's favorite Chef, John Howie, owner of the Seastar Restaurants and the John Howie Steak House tells his story at a breakfast with business leaders in October.

National Conference Dr. Joe Castleberry, President of Northwest University spoke about the need for Christian higher education at the national Pinnacle Forum Conference in Scottsdale.



Conrad's

October 26, Breakfast Randy Conrads shared about how Jesus ethics are vital in our community. Randy is the founder of Classmates.com and Redweek.com.

Pinnacle National Conference and the Global Forum, Rob Smith, President of Earthwise International is building a ferry system for Africa and leading the a task force on social entrepreneurship 



Steve Pelluer



May 19, Breakfast Steve Pelluer, former NFL and University of Washington Quarterback and now in commercial real estate shared how forums help him engage the culture of his everyday life.

Jeff Van Duzer

Roundtable in July and August in cooperation with the Center for Integrity in Business and the Seattle Christian Foundation Dr. Jeff Van Duzer, Dean of the Business School at Seattle Pacific University shared at a Pinnacle Roundtable how business matters to God.

Jerry Brown

May 19, Breakfast and Pinnacle National Conference Jerry Brown, Pinnacle Board member and executive coach shared how Pinnacle is seeking to provide "Deliverables" to Pinnacle Forum members as well as telling his compelling life story at the national Pinnacle Forum Convention.



May 19, Breakfast Peter Cline shared how several guys brought about 60 business people together to do a study on Doing Business God's Way.

Ward Tanneberg

May 19, Breakfast Finally, Dr. Ward Tanneberg, Excecutive Director for CASA shared how the original Pinnacle Forum member started turning his life around at 80 years of age... The turn came at the foot of a burning bush...His name was Moses.



Appointments

Scott Urie

Scott Urie, President of AirrepsWashington is a new board member in 2010 and was appointed by the Pinnacle NW Board to lead Forum Development with Bob King and Steve Pelluer. Steve will be leading new forum development in downtown Seattle and Bob King will be leading on the Eastside. Scott will oversee the northend of Seattle as well as lead the team.

Kendra VenderMeulen

Kendra VanderMeulen, President of the Seattle Chritian Foundation is also a new board member in 2010 and was appointed to lead the Roundtable Committee charged with organizing excellent offerings on key issues for Pinnacle leaders. John Terrill, Director of the Center for Integrity in Business at Seattle Pacific University and Dr. Chip Kimball, Superintendent of Lake Washington School District. This year we have experienced two outstanding Roundtables with Dr. Jeff Van Duzer and Kevin Compton as our special guests.

Field Experiences 2010

Pinnacle Board member Jeff Rogers, Global Pinnacle member John Vanderwall and Kiros Seattle business leader Ryan Peterson on a trip to Uganda with Expressive Business Strategies. EBS offers business curriculum for people living in the Two-Thirds World.

Each year we want to give thanks for all that God is doing in this community. Pinnacle Forum NW partners with many organizations and business leaders to encourage every leader to engage the culture with the values of Jesus. Here's our delivery system:

1. Peer Forums
2. Issue Roundtables
3. Encouragement Breakfasts
4. Field Experiences
5. Life Compass Process

I trust you will give thanks with us as we reflect on God's good work among us. 

Blessings toward a New Year!

Jon Sharpe

Truefaced Intensive Seattle, WA May 13-14

Most leaders long to have integrity at the core, but find it very difficult to practice it as they juggle intense pressures in their everyday assignments. Often, the toughest place to be real is with those you walk beside. The authors of Truefaced and other works on authenticity in leadership know what this world is about and can help you and your leadership move forward by building a trust culture where you learn to trust God and others with your life. Most leaders long for this kind of life!

God's Grace Gamble

What if I tell you there are no lists? What if I tell you I don't keep a log of past offenses, of how little you pray, how often you have let me down, made promises that you didn't keep? What if I tell you - you are righteous with my righteousness, right now? What if I tell you, I am CRAZY about you! Live in my grace with your True Face?-John Lynch, one of the Truefaced authors

The Truefaced Intensive is designed for teams of leaders who seek to walk together in authenticity. This two-day intensive brings the best work of Bill Thrall, Bruce McNichol, and John Lynch together in an upclose and practical approach that models living a Truefaced life.

Registration will open in January! Save the date!

Global Forum moves forward with Social Entrepreneurship January 10

The C3 Global Forum has been meeting for about one year and is currently exploring how to effectively communicate and promote social entrepreneurship through a global business community. January 10, a task force led by Rob Smith of Earthwise Ventures will report back to the forum regarding recommended steps for the Global Forum.

The first Global Forum started with the focus on "Seattle an Entrepreneurial City" and the resposibility for business leaders from Seattle doing business globally to understand their place of influence and to effectively engage. Issues to be addressed in the future are Social Entrepreneurship, Mentoring, and International Ethics.

Jon Sharpe, Executive Director for C3 states, "Seattle has a global purpose and it is our task as the business community, to understand it and help each other engage effectively with the values of Jesus everywhere we do business."

Meeting is by invitation only and will be held at the offices at 6710 108th Avenue NE Kirkland, WA. 7:00-9:00AM Breakfast will be served for $25.00.

Forum Chair & Board Luncheon at Sambica Lake House

On February 2, the Forum NW Chairs will kickoff the 2012 Year.

Agenda: Values, Mission, Vision

Global Forum

Join us for breakfast!
 

Topic: Social Entrepreneurship...

the way forward for Seattle Business Leaders doing international business.

On November 15, the  Global Forum Breakfast will be held at the C3  offices (see address below).

Rob Smith, of Earthwise will be making a presentation on Social Entrepreneurship with a roundtable business leader discussion following. Where do we go from here?

Can we create a global fund for Social Entrepreneurship that will change the way we think and act for sustainability? Read more

Register Here!


Schedule
7:00-9:00AM Roundtable Breakfast
9:00-9:30AM Afterward with Setan Lee of Cambodia



Forum Fast Start Breakfast Mill Creek Country Club November 12

On November 12, a Forum Orientation Breakfast will be held at the Mill Creek Country Club for business leaders seeking to join a peer forum with other business owners or CEO's.


Jon Sharpe, Executive Director of C3 and several key board members will give an orientation to C3 and how the forum works. If you are a business owner or a C-Level leader in your corporation we hope you will join us! 7:30-9:00am November 12.

Mill Creek Country Club

15500 Country Club Drive  Mill Creek, WA 98012

Register Here!

Pinnacle Forum Northwest: Pinnacle Forum NW Community Leaders Breakfast October 26

Pinnacle Forum Northwest: Pinnacle Forum NW Community Leaders Breakfast October 26

Pinnacle Forum NW Community Leaders Breakfast October 26

Pinnacle Forum will host a breakfast for community leaders sharing stories of living the values of Jesus within our community. John Howie, award winning chef and owner of John Howie Steakhouse, and the Seastar Restaurants will be sharing his story with us. Randy Conrads, founder of Classmates.Com will also be sharing from his life along with others.

The Pinnacle Forum Community Leader Breakfast brings leaders together to hear how God is working in our community. Today, over twenty peer forums are available in the Seattle area.

Plan on attending and being a participant with other Northwest leaders.

 Register online

7:00AM
Maggiano's Restaurant
10455 NE 8th St

Bellevue, WA 98004-4346
(425) 519-6476

Corporate Sponsors

Investment advice provided through Pacific West Financial Consultants, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Securities offered through Pacific West Securities, Inc.
Member FINRA, SIPC - Broker/dealer services available to residents of Washington. Advisory services available to residents of all fifty states.
 

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