Learnings @ Leadership Network

"We're Tired of Trying to Microwave Church Leaders" (2 of 3)

In yesterday’s blog  I wrote about churches that are being very intentional in strengthening their approach to leadership development and seeing greater fruit from it. The participating churches were quite frank about what they’re not yet doing well enough. Here are some examples:

 

- “We need a better language to talk about leadership development, and especially the multiplication of leaders, where they develop other leaders.”

- “Our senior pastor says he wants leadership development to be one of our top three priorities for 2010. Doing so has forced us to think about things we assumed were happening – but aren’t.”

- “We’re a long-term established church. We need to shift from people thinking that leadership is holding an office, moving to more of a view of leadership as influence.”

That last quote comes from University United Methodist Church, San Antonio, TX.They emphasize the idea of leaders as trained disciplers. Here’s a clip of the directing pastor Charles Anderson explaining the three branches by which they develop leaders. Their three options are directed coaching (like a directed study at school), Walk to Emmaus (an immersion weekend experience), and the pastor’s cabinet and academy (peer mentoring in a group).

http://www.youtube.com/user/leadershipnetwork#p/a/u/2/Y2Tagvc-ErA

 

Next blog: Another video example of how churches are doing leadership development.

 

Warren Bird, Ph.D., is Research Director for Leadership Network, and blogs regularly here and at Leadership Network Books.

The Big Question

The following is a guest blog post by author Hugh Halter.

Last February, the movement of missional communities got a kick-start through the VERGE conference held in Austin Texas. In April of 2011, Exponential -- the largest church planting conference in the world -- will focus their attention on missional communities. And over the last two years, I’ve traveled extensively speaking to church planters and existing pastors who want to see God’s extraordinary move throughout the church. What do I talk about? Yep, missional communities.

The biggest question I get asked?

“What is the difference between missional communities and small groups?”

In our newest book AND: The Gathered and Scattered Church, we (my co-author Matt Smay and I) give the missiological differences, but here’s the bottom line. Church gatherings are “first-decision” environments. That is, a person need only decide to be a God believer to come to the church. Likewise, small groups are 1^st-decision environments where the living room is full of people who believe in God and want to grow in their devotion, knowledge of God, and deepen their friendships. It’s all good stuff and part of any good church. But one need only be self-oriented to participate.

But a missional community is a “second-decision” environment where the 1^st-decisions are made, but they add a second intentionality of living the life of Jesus, especially to those outside who haven’t made the 1^st decision yet.

And yes, a true missional community will be much more inclined to see evangelistic influence, but at the core, a missional community is about spiritual formation. And those who take part no longer settle for self-focused cognitive growth, but instead, like a bulldog locks its jaws on a fresh bone, they lock arms with friends who doggedly fight against consumerism/materialism/individualism as they pursue the life of Jesus.

*The witness of the full gospel? Seen best by second-decision people.

*The true…deep growth of believers? Happens faster in second-decision communities.

*A successful church plant? Forms naturally as missional communities unite for a common cause.

*The successful transformation of any church? Begin a grassroots movement of second-decision missionally-incarnational communities, alongside 1^st decision small groups and inspire consumers toward the missionary life of Jesus.

Learn more by checking out these events & free resources:

• Missio www.missio.us
• AND www.ExponentialSeries.com
• The Nines (9/9) www.thenines.leadnet.org/2010/
• 10-10-10 Initiative www.101010initiative.org
• AND Conference, Granger Community Church www.AndConference.com
• VERGE/Exponential Church Planting Conference www.exponentialconference.com

Hugh Halter lives in Denver with his wife Cheryl and their three offspring, Alli, Ryan, & McKenna. Besides directing Missio, Hugh pastors Adullam, and loves to help The Church find it's Missional Mojo. He has co-authored The Tangible Kingdom, Tangible Kingdom Primer, & AND: The Gathered and Scattered Church, and his new book, The Sacrilegious Disciple is due out in June 2011.

The Christian Century on Megachurches

 

The Christian Century’s August feature article, “Going Mega: The Trend Towards Bigger Churches,”  is an excellent article and not just because author John Dart, their news editor, quotes me numerous times, and likewise quotes my colleague Scott Thumma, with whom I’m writing my next book. What I found striking in the coverage is its rather positive acknowledgment of the expansion of very large churches into the world of mainline churches. His overall point is that “bigness has an appeal among both evangelical and mainline churches”. Dart acknowledges that megachurches tend to be evangelical in tone, but he also observes that mainline megachurches do exist – and are growing in both size and number. He quotes me in noting that the biggest church of every denomination is bigger now than its biggest was 10, 15 or 20 years earlier.

Dart is fair in presenting the pros and cons of a large church. “Worshipers at a megachurch may not know the people seated nearby, but they are offered a plethora of small groups, classes or ministries to join for service and spiritual growth,” he observes. The megachurch surge "already has completely changed the face of American congregational life," he quotes Scott Thumma to say. "In some sense, megachurches are becoming de facto replacements for denominations and seminaries" by providing resources and training staff more efficiently. They are at the least providing "a thriving alternative," according to Thumma.

His overall tone is one of accepting and perhaps somewhat embracing the impact of large churches into the theologically broad world of the Christian Century.

Warren Bird, Ph.D., is Research Director for Leadership Network, and blogs regularly here and at Leadership Network Books.

"We're Tired of Trying to Microwave Church Leaders" (1 of 3)

 

“We’re tired of trying to microwave church leaders because we don’t like how they ‘taste’ when they come out. The process may be quick, but it’s not always desirable – we don’t want to keep spitting out the kind of leaders we’ve been developing,” says Chris Alston, Pastor of Leadership Development at Clear Creek Community Church, League City, Texas.

This was one of the more colorful comments voiced last week at the opening session of Leadership Network’s latest leadership community named Leadership Development. This is a gathering of teams from 10 different churches. They’re all intentional about improving the way they do leadership development, both of staff and congregation. They’ll meet 4 times over 2 years, helping each other with their process of developing leaders.

As I observed the event, I was struck by the diversity of ways that churches are strengthening their emphasis on leadership development. Some glean training resources from elsewhere (gift inventories, biblical instruction on the role of leaders, etc.), while others write their own. Some use their website heavily for training, while others don’t.  Some use an internship process, while others don’t. However, all have set goals to raise the bar on their church’s efforts at becoming better leader-makers.

One participant in the leadership community was a team from Valley Family Church in Kalamazoo, MI, where 80% of the congregation is involved in ministry. Pastors Jeff and Beth Jones introduce their church’s model of leadership development in this short clip:

http://www.youtube.com/user/leadershipnetwork#p/a/u/0/s5VRxzVU-Vg

 

 

 

Next blog: More quotes and examples from the Leadership Development Leadership Community.

 

Warren Bird, Ph.D., is Research Director for Leadership Network and a frequent contributor to this blog, a books blog and a multisite church blog.

Accelerate Generosity in your Church

For the past few years I have had the privilege of leading Leadership Network's initiatives in the area of generosity and stewardship.  More than 60 churches have participated and the results have been stunning.

Check out this 90 second video that helps to separate fact from fiction in the area of giving and describes four key values church leaders should embrace to create a culture of generosity.  

I suggest you might want to show this video to your staff team or key volunteer leaders as a conversation starter.  Which of these values is a strength for your church?  Where do you need to improve?  For more information, visit our website for free downloadable articles and podcasts.  

Chris Willard, Generous Churches Leadership Community Director

Our Fourth Presenting Sponsor for #TheNines - Catalyst

Now we are about a week away from #TheNines. You can see all the lineup over at http://thenines.leadnet.org.

It’s going to be a great day of learning, interaction and some crazy fun.

Our partners in the program include our friends over at Catalyst.

I will admit to you that there are few conferences that I attend on a regular basis, but I haven’t missed a year yet of Catalyst.

Not only do they have great speakers but it always feels like a family reunion running into old friends. And for the past few years we had some great times meeting up with friends to catch up.

Last year we broadcast “The Nines” live from the Catalyst offices. (ok, their old office) We had several of the Catalyst Team with us last year and Brad Lomenick, the chief major domo of that tribe is going to be with us again.

Now I will tell you that last year, by the time of The Nines, I think they had sold out of their tickets. So, if you want to come to their big Atlanta event this year, best to get your tickets NOW.

But if Atlanta is to far for some of you, there are multiple one days toward the end of 2010 as well. These include One Day Events in Central Virginia and Phoenix. Find those tickets here: http://www.catalystoneday.com/

I am pleased to announce that Brad Lomenick will again help us host the day of The Nines. So look for Brad again on September 9^th.

Catalyst has joined with us again to help bring some of their best speakers past and current to your computer our group this year for The Nines. Please join us by thanking them by going to check out all their offerings at http://catalystspace.com.

 

Dave Travis

Managing Director

Leadership Network

Who Do You Trust?

The whole of wisdom is contained in two Biblical statements:  “I am that I am” and “Be still and know that I am God.” 

-- Ancient Proverb 

 

 

 

When the chips are down, who do you trust?  Is there a God?  Does He exist?  Is He distant -- what some scholars call a “clockwork God,” who created the universe, setting things in motion then retiring to the heavenly realm, or is He available and active in daily life?  Do you believe in miracles?  Do you believe God answers prayers? 

I do -- and so do three prominent doctors! 

As those of you know who read these musings, I was struck down 8-1/2 months ago with what my doctors told me was a “life-threatening” staph infection in my spine.  In a situation like that, ‘who do you trust?’ is a big, big question.  It really makes a big difference how you proceed. 

I was hospitalized (for the first time in my life!) three times – twice in the UT-Southwestern Medical System and once in the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.  A team of Mayo doctors confirmed the Dallas doctors’ diagnosis that the staph infection, eating away like little termites, had destroyed the disc between vertebra T4 and T5 and devastated significant areas of the two vertebras.  The CT Scans showed that one little bone spur was keeping things stable.  My two options were a 9-hour surgery to implant rods, screws and the like, or watch, wait – and pray hoping that T4 and T5 would fuse naturally.  Linda and I chose to take our chances with God. 

Dr. Pat Thomas, a years-long friend and former Chief of Surgery of one of the large hospitals in Tyler, informed me at a party just last week that he had months ago told his wife, Mary Dale, that from a medical point of view there was “no way” that I would escape surgery.  Pat didn’t tell me till last week.  He and Mary Dale resorted to prayer as did, gratefully, many of you. 

Does prayer trump medical science?  It is a mystery, but sometimes it does.  On August 18, Linda and I, with some fear and lots of faith, went to review our final CT Scan with Dr. James Emanuel Beshay, our Spinal Specialist.  With a big smile on his face, he showed us the current scan compared with one from four months ago.  The white space had filled in with hardened tissue and the two vertebras had fused. 

Our conversation went like this: 

Me:  Dr Beshay, I notice your middle name is “Emanuel.”  Are you a Christian? 

Dr. Beshay:  “I am from Egypt and I am Coptic Christian.” 

Me:  “Do you believe in miracles?” 

Beshay:  “I do.  I see things frequently that cannot be explained by medical science.  That has been your case.  Come see me again in six months and if things remain OK we’re done.” 

I instantly thought of a famous quote from Albert Einstein that goes something like this:  “What is beyond the reach of science is in the realm of God.”  Talking to Pat Thomas last week, he said, “You can count your healing as a miracle.  I have no doubt about it.” 

There was one other unexpected confirmation:  I get a full physical each year at the world- famous Cooper Clinic.  Dr. Kenneth Cooper, now in his 70’s, who has written twenty-seven books on preventive medicine, has chosen to retain a few personal patients, mostly famous folks.  I am fortunate to be on his list. 

There was an unopened letter on our kitchen counter when I came home from a visit to UT-Southwestern.  I thought it was a bill in a Cooper Clinic envelope.  I opened it up and verbatim, here is what it said: 

Dear Bob, 

I was so pleased to learn of the improvement in your health as a result of the physiological fusing of the vertebra.  As mentioned in your letter, this could be described as being a “miracle” since it rarely occurs spontaneously in the practice of medicine. 

Stories like this remind me to go back to the Bible and seek His promises.  If you have not done that already, read James 5:16, which I believe is the reason you have shown such dramatic improvement. 

Thanks for sharing this note with me and I wish you continued success.  Do keep me informed. 

Warmest best wishes, 

Kenneth H. Cooper, MD, MPH

Wow!  I hastened to look up the verse Dr. Cooper relied on.  Here it is: 

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 

James 5:16 (New King James Version)

I was grateful to find an explanatory note at the bottom of the page in my Ryrie Study Bible.  “God may heal directly, through medicine or in answer to prayer.”  I have been the beneficiary of each and it looks like I am pretty much out of the woods after 7-1/2 months of prayer, massive doses of antibiotics and pain pills, competent medical care and months of waiting to see that final CT Scan.  Linda and I are both so thankful for friends who expressed concern and prayer that this would all turn out. 

I feel a new season that I am now calling Life III.  Dr. Cooper has promised to keep me alive until age 100!  I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about the work I am called to do and the people with whom I get to work at this fortunate stage of my life. 

One of the great benefits of my current line of work attempting to serve God’s purposes is that “little miracles” seem to happen with greater frequency – things that defy rational explanation. 

The verse that kept me upright when Linda and I lost our only child 23 years ago and has been a mantra ever since came from the Old Testament: 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5

As I have been saying lately, we live in crazy, unpredictable times.  The scripture commands us to pray, but we don’t always get the answer we pray for.  In those cases, “who do you trust?” is a big question, perhaps the biggest question to determine one’s peace of mind.  For better or for worse, I am prepared to accept that God’s will is what happens. 

At age 95, Peter Drucker was asked in an interview three months before he died what he thought about God and the possibility of eternal life.  He answered, “I don’t think about it.  It’s not my job to think about it.  I am told.  It is my job to say, ‘yes Sir!” 

That’s a good enough answer for me.  How about you? 

Feedback -- Tell me the story of a favorable outcome in your life that defied rational explanation.

 

Bob Buford is chairman of the board of The Buford Foundation/Leadership Network and, until the sale of his company in July 1999, served as chairman of  the board and CEO of Buford Television, Inc., a family-owned business that started with a single ABC affiliate in Tyler, Texas, in the early fifties, and grew to a network of cable systems across the country. A classic entrepreneur, Bob has authored four books - HalfTime, Game Plan, Stuck in Halftime (Zondervan), and Finishing Well (Integrity). Bob was the founder and initial chairman of the board of the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management, now Leader to Leader Institute.  He and his wife Linda make their home in Dallas, Texas.