Archive for the 'Leadership' Category

Leadership

Something to think about…

I am working my way through Organic Leadership by Neil Cole. Neil is the author of several great books… Organic Church and Cultivating a Life for God are two of the ones I have read and appreciated. He is also the founder of Church Multiplication Associates.

Near the end of Organic Ledership, Neil writes about leadership saying, “The greatest leaders are not those who win the most followers. The greatest leaders are the ones who produce other leaders.”

What do you think?

In that same chapter, Neil also says that he finds Jesus articulates three things that are crucial for success…1. Faithfulness, 2. Fruitfulness, and 3. Finishing Well.

What do you think?

Finally Neil draws on the work of J. Robert Clinton and says that these five factors enhance the probability that a leader will finish well.

1. Perspective – “a leader who finshes well has a persepctive that focuses his or her energies on ministry strengths over the course of a lifetime.”

2. Renewal – “a leader who finishes well enjoys repeated times of spiritual renewal.”

3. Discipline – “a leader who finishes well has learned to discipline his or her spiritual formation.”

4. Learning – “a leader who finishes well maintains a learning posture throughout life.”

5. Mentoring – “a leader who finishes well has recognized that such a feat does not come about through going it alone. Leaders who finish well mentor others and are also mentored.”

What do you think?

Community, Leadership, Ministry Formation, Special Announcements

Coming to National Pastor’s Convention?

Hey everyone, so sorry that its been so long since I’ve posted. I have some ideas in my mind, but haven’t taken the time to get them written down. I’ve been very busy in my CLT work. I hope to post my other ideas soon!

Anyway, next February 9th-13th, the National Pastor’s Convention will once again be coming to San Diego. I always enjoy meeting various Brethren from around the country to join this rich event. Do you know of anyone who might be coming? If so, could you please send me their name and congregation? In past conferences, there’s been up to 13 Brethren from around the country attend that I know of, and who came.

I like to host a dinner each year for all Brethren who attend. Its a great time to connect and reflect on our learnings. However, the sponsors will not give me information on who’s coming. So, I just have to rely on a sign at the message board, with my phone number on it.

So, if you know of someone, please let me know!

Thanks!!!

Jeff

Change!?!, Decline/Growth, Leadership

Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead

Hello hello hello… Last week for the first time in a year and a half, I was sick on Sunday. Not being with Missio Dei that night was one of the most uncomfortable experiences that I’ve had in recent memory. I was sure it would have been foolish for me to try to lead that night; but unsure whether I had the right not to be there. One of the members wrote after the meeting saying that things went well, I was really happy to hear it. 

Building a church is, or better said should be, more about the people than the pastor. Now I know that there are those that prefer to have everything under their control. The truth be told, I have a hard time letting go of some stuff myself; for example, I will probably will always want to teach, and think I lead meetings better than most. But I think a better way to run things, is to let people find what they do best, and run with it.

That said my dual employment is proving more difficult than I had hoped. I am in Hollywood 55+ hours a week, and can’t effectively cross all the T’s and dot all the I’s; study, rehearse, teach, and connect with the community like I could when I was in Pomona all day. This experience has however really helped me understand how much a church asks of people when we ask full-time workers to volunteer. It’s why I think that many large churches use mostly paid staff. In the postmodern economy, people just don’t have much time to help out volunteering. The American expression of finance and labor, combined with Californian commuting demands, produces a social toll on the individual that severely limits what we can expect out of our members. Worship shouldn’t be a chore, it should be a respite.

And yet “a respite” can also be thought of as a vacation. Vacations can be relaxing, or exciting; it really depends on what you prefer. Now my wife and I enjoy vacationing in the city. Cities are the center of the human experience. They are full of life and culture, new births, and expanding boundaries. In fact, even though God’s creation begins as a garden, in the Book of Revelation, we see it’s completed as a city. I work in a city now, and everyday I see hard working people; in the office, on the streets, on telephones and in taxis. Black people and brown people, shades of Asian beige, and European pinks,   everyone up, out, and on the move. A million stories overlapping and interconnected by a common humanity. It’s exciting to be honest. Just the kind of place I imagine Jesus would be living.  

That certainly has put an exclamation point onto my frustration with folks with no passion for growth or vision for the future. The Christian life can be a sleepy experience if you’re not careful; short slow days that accomplish little except conversation. I’m convinced that, that can’t be the best way to be to live for God. The Christian life should be vital, dynamic, exciting and intense. If that’s not the way you’re living, let me kindly suggest, you’re missing a big part of the resurrection story. What have you done with what God has given you? Are you asleep or are you alive… either way, the truth is, things like this aren’t secrets. God knows, the World knows, and your heart knows. Therefore the Apostle says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine, make day dawn upon you, and give you light. ” And likely, a lot of smiles, and a little excitement.

Leadership

A Great Attitude Will Take You Places….

Last night, while waiting for Michael Phelps to swim, we watched 43 year old Dara Torres win her first silver medal. What a race!

One of the reporters asked her what she will tell her two year old daughter about this event (assuming that the daughter won’t remember witnessing it) and Dara said….”You don’t have to put an age limit to your dreams!”

Now that’s the truth! You are never too young or two old to dream dreams and reach toward acheiving them. What are some of your dreams?

Change!?!, Leadership, Missional, Third Places, Understanding Context

Don’t Miss the Dialogue….

I know it is a rare thing here… but a GOOD thing and a thing I hope happens a LOT more!  Some good dialogue took place under the radar back in July and August… you can find it in the “Third Places” category under Jeff’s “Thanks Starbucks” post.  Jump in…   Thanks Jonathan and Mike for carrying on a bit of a conversation here…  I am interested in hearing other thoughts on the points you raise.  And when I have more time… not sure when that will be!  I will check out Jonathan’s dissertation link!

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