All About Saws

Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Church Leadership Center “Saw:” the past tense of “see.” Reverse the word order and put them together and you get a see-saw. “Saw:” a twisted and gory R-rated horror film that some may be watching on Halloween, but I will not—not ever. Instead, on Halloween I’ll be thinking about the five “solas” of the Protestant Reformation: Sola scriptura (by faith alone), Sola fide (by faith alone), Sola gratia (by grace alone), Solus Christus (by Christ alone), Soli Deo gloria (glory to God alone), along with the Ninety-Five Theses of Martin Luther.   “Saw:” a tool with thin blade and toothed edges for cutting wood and other hard materials’; also used as a musical instrument. For a rendition of “Amazing Grace” played on a saw, click here. “Saw:” a word that is part of the phrase, “Sharpen the Saw,” and explained in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (Stephen R. Covey). Sharpen the Saw is the seventh habit, which refers to the need for leaders to continually improve themselves. Expanding upon this final definition, Covey tells about meeting a woodsman who is attempting to cut down a tree. The woodsman is making very little progress and the saw blade is getting more and more dull. Covey asks, “Why don’t you stop to sharpen your saw?” The woodsman replies, “I can’t. I haven’t got the time.” Covey uses this illustration to remind his readers that in order to be highly effective, they need to take time to focus on self-renewal in order to increase their productivity.   The “saw” needs to be sharpened in these four areas: Physical - diet, endurance, flexibility, strength Spiritual - meditation, prayer, Scripture, values Mental - reading, writing, continuing education, challenging conversations Social - relationships, group involvement, deep friendships For ministry leaders, renewal often comes through continuing education classes, conferences, and retreats. Church Leadership Center and Synod of the Great Lakes (RCA) sponsored a retreat this past weekend. It was attended by Commissioned Pastors, mentors, course facilitators, and other leaders.  It was an amazing “saw sharpening” experience as we discussed, talked, sang, learned, and shared our life stories, both indoors and out. Here are a few questions to ask about your own renewal. - Am I working on self-renewal on a daily and weekly basis? - Do I have a personal mentor whose feedback I trust? - Am I involved in a supportive group as a participant or leader? - Do I have a plan for my development and renewal? Church Leadership Center helps leaders with self-renewal and growth experiences through personalized training plans, classes, and mentoring so that they are able minister effectively. Click here for more information. To view videos about Commissioned Pastors and those who support them, click here. To read previous blogs, click here. Please forward this email to a lay leader or church staff member who may benefit from information about leadership development and Church Leadership Center. To contribute financially to CLC or to learn about options for leadership development in your church, reply to this email.  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences | view email in browser

On the Worst Day of Your Life

Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Church Leadership Center As a leader, you've navigated through times when everything falls apart, even times when you've thought, "This is the worst day of my life." Pastor Tom Holladay of Saddleback Church offers guidelines on his "Drive Time" podcast of October 17, 2013. To listen to the podcast, click here. The guidelines are based upon the book, What to Do on the Worst Day of Your Life (Brian Zahnd) that was used in a sermon on the Sunday after the suicide of Pastor Rick Warren's son, Matthew. Six ways are identified for dealing with the worst of situations. 1. Weep. With dependence upon God, allow the emotions of your heart to reflect your pain. 2. Don't get bitter. Focus on healing rather than revenge. Ask God for the strength so that you are able to forgive. 3. Encourage yourself in God. Get around those of God's people who are the encouragers in your life. Get a word from God. Open the Bible and let God's word soak in. 4. Look to the future with hope. This is different for everyone. Regain and restore vision. Start to see again the future that God may have in store. 5. Attack evil. Recognize that we are living in a broken world. Evil will never be overcome by focusing on evil: evil will only be overcome by focusing on the good. 6. Keep on giving. When you have the worst day of your life, you may want to pull in and focus on yourself. It is easy to become selfish. Instead, break through this and reach out to the needs of others. The above six stages are based on an exposition of 1 Samuel 30. Other related passages are listed below.  - "Jesus wept" (John 11:35).  - "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).  - "Cast your cares on the LORD, and he will sustain you" (Psalm 55:22).  - "The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (I John 4:4).  - "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21).  - "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). So, reflect on what have been the worst of days for you. Have there been stages listed above that you have skipped? By looking back with these stages in mind, are you now better equipped to deal with the days when everything falls apart? What characteristics do you come by easily and which ones are more challenging… weeping?, bitterness?, encouragement?, hope?, evil?, giving? What new commitments are you willing to make to deal with the worst of days, the times when everything seems to be falling apart? Church Leadership Center helps leaders grow in strength through personalized training plans, classes, and mentoring so that they are able minister effectively, even during the struggles and challenges of life. Church Leadership Center assists leaders and churches with leadership development through personalized training plans, contextually-relevant approaches to learning, and mentored support. Click here for more information. To view videos about Commissioned Pastors and those who support them, click here. To read previous blogs, click here. Last chance to register: Leadership and Commissioned Pastor Retreat is this week, October 25 – 26, 2013 at Camp Geneva, Holland, MI. Guest presenter: Pastor Marlin Vis. Topic: Reading the Bible through Middle Eastern Eyes." For additional information click here. To be put on the retreat mailing list, contact Alison DeBoer, adeboer@rcagl.org Please forward this email to a lay leader or church staff member who may benefit from information about leadership development and Church Leadership Center. To contribute financially to CLC or to learn about options for leadership development in your church, reply to this email.  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences | view email in browser

Go, Dog. Go!

Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Church Leadership Center Go, Dog. Go! is a Seuss-esque children's book about dogs on the go. The story includes lots of things that go, all ridden on or driven by dogs… bikes, scooters, skates, skis, cars, roller coasters, carts,  boats, ferris wheels, and hot air balloons.  You can have someone read the book to you by clicking here. A leader needs to be on-the-go… a Go, Dog. Go! kind of person, pursuing purpose and showing satisfaction. While there are constructive voices calling for balance in the lives of leaders (see  Balanced Leadership in Unbalanced Times by Robert Pasick), I'm more comfortable with a modus operandi that is singular and springs from inner commitment and strength. Sometimes we refer to this as a person "being in his/her sweet spot." The "balanced" approach to life makes a distinction between work-life and personal-life, often concerned that a high-capacity leader may be working too much. A dichotomy is made between personal time and work time. The book, Off Balance (Matthew Kelly), points out that we do not have two lives, and we should not, therefore, compartmentalize areas of our lives. (This sounds like a holistic view to me!) Kelly says, "People need and want a satisfying experience of life" (chapter 1). In other words, they need to live all of life to the full… Go, Dog. Go! An area of emphasis that I especially appreciated in Off Balance is the description of four levels of energy. Here they are, ranging from least desirable to most desirable: Level one: low energy – feeling depressed, exhausted, burned-out, defeated, and overwhelmed. Level two: high negative energy – feeling angry, fearful, anxious, defensive, and resentful. Level three: restorative and reflective energy – feeling mellow, serene, and content. Level four: high level positive energy – feeling confident, joyful, enthusiastic, and invigorated. Level four is the Go, Dog. Go! level; "It is contagious, attractive, life-giving" (Off Balance, chapter 4). When functioning at level four, even at level three, it is not necessary to talk about "balance," because the total person has a high degree of fulfillment, satisfaction, and direction. Level four is what I imagine the Apostle Paul to be in when he wrote in Philippians, "I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings…" (3:10), as well as "I can do all this through him who gives me strength" (4:13). I think of Paul as always being "on the go," even while in prison. So, what is your level of energy as you read this? If it is not at level three or four, what changes do you need to make? Church Leadership Center develops training plans and puts together mentoring relationships to help leaders grow. How can we serve you, your church staff, or leaders in your congregation? Church Leadership Center assists leaders and churches with leadership development through personalized training plans, contextually-relevant approaches to learning, and mentored support. Click here for more information. To view videos about Commissioned Pastors and those who support them, click here. To read previous blogs, click here. Mark your calendar: Leadership and Commissioned Pastor Retreat is planned for October 25 – 26, 2013 at Camp Geneva, Holland, MI. Guest presenter: Pastor Marlin Vis. Topic: Reading the Bible through Middle Eastern Eyes." For additional information click here. To be put on the retreat mailing list, contact Alison DeBoer, adeboer@rcagl.org Please forward this email to a lay leader or church staff member who may benefit from information about leadership development and Church Leadership Center. To contribute financially to CLC or to learn about options for leadership development in your church, reply to this email.  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences | view email in browser

Rainy Days and Mondays – Dealing with Discouragement

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Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Church Leadership Center When in juxtaposition to one another, the songs "Rainy Days and Mondays" and "Singin' in the Rain" reflect the extremes of our emotions. Karen Carpenter sings, "Hangin' around, nothing to do but frown. Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down." To feel sad, click here. Gene Kelly, in contrast, soft (soggy)-shoes while crooning, "I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain, what a glorious feeling, I'm happy again." To experience a few moments of bliss, click here. There are times when leaders must deal with their own discouragement. If they do not, the ministry will suffer. Here's how to do it according to a few strong leaders. General Colin Powell has rules for dealing with himself. Here are a few that relate to discouragement: -It ain't as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning. -Get mad, then get over it. -Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it. -Don't let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision. -Check small things. -Remain calm. Be kind. -Don't take counsel of your fears or naysayers. -Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier. (for more of Powell's thinking, see his latest book, It Worked for Me.) Dan Rockwell, in his "Leadership Freak" blog, in part says to deal with discouragement by remembering… You're never at your best when you're tired. Problems are bigger and success is smaller. Regret follows exhaustion. You end up saying, "I wish I hadn't said/done that." Refuel your tank - -Hang with positive people. -Let someone care for you. It's time for self-reflection if no one cares for you. -Do more of what you love. -Eat healthy food. -Sleep or nap. (For the entire blog, click here) Rick Warren gives some "Keys to Getting Victory Over Discouragement in Ministry." -Keep your eyes on your vision, not what things look like now. -Keep your personal relationship with God strong. When you are weary, spending time waiting upon Him is the answer to getting refreshed. -If possible, have people you can turn to and talk to... We need to be able to be real with others - especially peers in ministry - and not feel like we have to put on a front for them. Ministers need to be able to be a support system for each other. -Seek God for wisdom about why things are not going according to plan! There are times when we may have missed God or disobeyed an instruction and now the project is not going right. It may not be that the actual project is wrong, but maybe that we are not implementing it how God intended. -Numerical growth is not everything! Don't get caught up in the numbers game and feel it is all about how many people you have compared to another church down the road! Focus on God's call for you and be faithful to minister to those you have. (For the full article, click here) Church Leadership Center assists leaders and churches with leadership development through personalized training plans, contextually-relevant approaches to learning, and mentored support. Click here for more information. To view videos about Commissioned Pastors and those who support them, click here. To read previous blogs, click here. Mark your calendar: Leadership and Commissioned Pastor Retreat is planned for October 25 – 26, 2013 at Camp Geneva, Holland, MI. Guest presenter: Pastor Marlin Vis. Topic: Reading the Bible through Middle Eastern Eyes." For additional information click here. To be put on the retreat mailing list, contact Alison DeBoer, adeboer@rcagl.org Please forward this email to a lay leader or church staff member who may benefit from information about leadership development and Church Leadership Center. To contribute financially to CLC or to learn about options for leadership development in your church, reply to this email. Church Leadership Center assists leaders and churches with leadership development through personalized training plans, contextually-relevant approaches to learning, and mentored support. Click here for more information. To view videos about Commissioned Pastors and those who support them, click here. To read previous blogs, click here. Mark your calendar: Leadership and Commissioned Pastor Retreat is planned for October 25 – 26, 2013 at Camp Geneva, Holland, MI. Guest presenter: Pastor Marlin Vis. Topic: Reading the Bible through Middle Eastern Eyes. For additional information click here. To be put on the retreat mailing list, contact Alison DeBoer, adeboer@rcagl.org Please forward this email to a lay leader or church staff member who may benefit from information about leadership development and Church Leadership Center. To contribute financially to CLC or to learn about options for leadership development in your church, reply to this email.