DENNIS GINGERICH

My mentor from afar, Dr. John Maxwell, recently spoke at the Global Leadership Summit and one sentence really captured my attention.  “People will describe your life in one sentence – pick it now!”  He went on to say, “You don’t have to wait until you die to figure out what people think.” That’s good.  Really. Good!

When I was in my late 50’s, I picked my one sentence. In fact, I wrote my first post (read it here) on this blog over a dozen years ago, based around that one sentence. That one sentence, with slight variations, is the tag line on all four websites that I own.  I picked it very intentionally as something that would steer the last half of my life. “Inspiring TransforMissional Living.” 

Now, some of you think there’s a typo. You’re thinking, “Doesn’t he mean transformational?”  No, I mean TransforMissional. And for the record, my spell checker underlines that word in bold red, still, every time. My mission is to inspire transformation– change, renovation and a makeover in the thinking and practice of others.  In addition, I envision all the ways our world could be transformed if every individual would be missional– intentional, purposeful, focused, decisive and determined in the way they live out life!  Therefore, I deliberately use this hybrid word.

Here’s how it shows up in my three other interests. For my hobby and part-time profession of photography, my Gingerich PhotoArt website says, “Inspiring TransforMissional Living Thru the Lens”  boldly at the top. For my consulting work, Successful Successions, where I walk alongside those planning their leadership transitions, I use “Inspiring TransforMissional Leadership Successions.” My wife Linda and I have been leading groups to Israel, Greece, Turkey, Europe and more for nearly 30 years and we call it TransforMissional Travel.  So you probably already guessed it. The key sentence is, “Inspiring TransforMissional Living Thru Travel.”

I choose to be intentional in every area of my life. Writing nearly 300 blog posts over the last 12 years to inspire transformation and purposeful living in others, is my passion. My hobby of nature photography is built around inspiring people to be awed by the beauty of God’s incredible creation and to feel immersed in it. I share my story of leadership succession to inspire other leaders to hand the torch successfully to the generations behind them. My wife and I love to host hundreds of people as they travel to explore the world, their faith and their spiritual roots as they walk in the footsteps of Jesus, Apostle Paul or early church leaders. I choose intentionality. What about you?

I’ve observed so many who are coasting and drifting and acquire a “back in the good old days” mindset as they get older.  At any age, and especially as we get older, it is new uncharted territory ahead of us.  Along with the realities of aging: health issues, uncertain finances, declining parents and a changing world—life can be challenging.  But I choose to inspire intentionality and call people to pick your sentence now and leave a significant legacy—honoring the past, celebrating the present with an eager eye toward the future.

Let me ask you today: “What is your sentence?”  What do you want people to say about you at your Celebration of Life? I would love for you to be brave enough to write it in the comment section below (it will only be seen by me).