Category: Leadership

Life on the Pedestal

We place some people on a pedestal, high above all others. pedestal.jpg

I first realized this many years ago when Charlotte and I were in the home of a young couple who lived in North Alabama. They were newly married. She was a Christian and he was not. We were in their home that evening because he wanted to ask some questions regarding Jesus, the Bible, Christian faith, etc.

At one point in this conversation, this young woman referred to her dad, who was a long time minister in our area. She said, “My dad has never done anything wrong.” I then asked her to explain what she meant by that. She went on to say, “I have never known my dad to say or do anything that was wrong. He never mentioned that he struggled with anything. He never apologized for anything. I just assumed for all of these years that he was perfect.”

Now I know her dad. He was a good man. Perfect? No.

Sometimes we put people on pedestals. Some of us place fathers, mothers, and other family members there. Many Christians place their minister or other church leaders on such a pedestal. Our expectations of such church leaders are incredible. Some feel very uncomfortable when they realize this is where they have been placed by . On the other hand, there are some people who seem to relish being there. Yet, the pedestal is a dangerous place to live.

Beware of living on a pedestal.

1. The pedestal does not invite a life of daily repentance. Instead, it can all too easily accommodate secrecy, distance, and rationalization.

2. The pedestal invites unreal expectations. While I may admire someone, to place them on a pedestal is a set-up for major disappointment.

3. The pedestal creates either delusion and arrogance (maybe I really am as great as they say I am), or loneliness (there is no one who I can talk with about my humanness).

Sometimes ministers who have been placed on such a pedestal find themselves living with impossible expectations. Consequently, many feel very defeated. Yet, some ministers seem to desire the pedestal. Complicating this even further, some Christians seem all too ready to place them in such a position. Perhaps it is a way of vicariously living as a Christ-follower through the minister. “I may not be doing very well in my walk with God but you ought to see my minister.”

Pedestal living can create a spirit of arrogance and entitlement. For example, the minister may live among the congregation as if he is entitled to special treatment because of the role, etc. Such a spirit of entitlement can powerfully influence a person toward making decisions that are unwise and even immoral.

Pedestal living often becomes cocoon living where one feels isolated and alone. Instead of a lifestyle marked by ongoing confession and repentance, this minister feels that he must hide and keep to himself his struggles.

We were never created to live on a pedestal nor do we do anyone any favors by placing them on one.

Questions:

What are the costs of being on a pedestal? In what ways do we place someone there? Why would someone desire to be on a pedestal?

     

21st Century Ministry and 2 Corinthians (Part 1)

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Ministry in the body of Christ may look very different from church to church, depending upon your context and setting. It may look differently in a 21st century setting than it did fifty years ago.

Nevertheless, anyone involved in any kind ministry in the body of Christ would do well to read 2 Corinthians–again and again. In particular, those of us who function in a leadership role of some kind should read this book.

Here is a sample of what you might find in 2 Corinthians regarding ministry:

  • Ministry takes place in times of weakness not just in times of strength.
  • Ministry comes through living authentically in the body of Christ not simply as a professional who keeps a safe distance from the congregation.
  • Ministry is about relying on God who raised Jesus from the dead, not on one’s self.
  • Ministry is sometimes painful, pressure-filled, and difficult. At times, very little may be happening that is encouraging or which meets the minister’s “career goals.”
  • Ministry takes place as God ministers to us and then we are able to minister to another.

Yes, more could be said, but I would like to stop for now.

For the last few months, I have spent much time with 2 Corinthians. This is a deeply personal book that is autobiographical in nature. At times, Paul seems to struggle and his life and ministry are difficult. (He describes his life as one of “… great pressure” (1:8). He even “… felt the sentence of death” (1:9). I suspect that he would be very uncomfortable with the pedestal on which some of us have placed him.

Reflecting on Paul’s words in this book has helped me as I reflect on my own ministry. Maybe this will be helpful to you as well.

Some of you will read these reflections and relate them to your ministry as a Christ-follower in the body of Christ. Each one of us has been called to ministry in the body, both gifted and energized by the Spirit.

Yet, I am also thinking right now about that person who may be designated as a leader within a church. Far too often the church approaches this role much like an organization in the marketplace. In fact, a church might even think that its future hinges on how much money it is willing to offer a potential minister. To complicate this even more, a minister may even look at ministry through the same lens, ultimately selling out to the highest bidder.

Do I think most churches and ministers think this way? No, I do not. Yet I do know there are elements of marketplace thinking that may not be that helpful as we seek to live out the kingdom of God through the church.

Churches sometimes use the language of the marketplace (hiring, firing, employment, bosses, etc.) when referring to the ministers.

Far too often these ministers use this language themselves. “Is this in your contract?” or “Are you going to apply for that preaching job?”

I wonder what kind of baggage we bring into the church when marketplace language begins to replace biblical language as we speak of ministry?

(to be continued)


Questions

I would love to hear your thoughts regarding this. What concerns do you have regarding ministry as it is sometimes approached in the 21st century?


Willow Creek Summit

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I’ve been to four Willow Creek Summits. This one may have been the best.

Each year, Willow Creek Community Church hosts a leadership conference that is made available as a simulcast all over the world. Typically, the resource persons come from a variety of disciplines. Ministers, authors, professors, business consultants, journalists, therapists, politicians, coaches, etc. This year was no exception. What I like about the seminar is the opportunity to hear from some of the most creative, thinking people in just two days.

This year, speakers included:

Bill Hybels, Henry Cloud, Patrick Lencioni, David Ireland, Carly Fiorina, Gary Hamel, Tim Keller, Jessica Jackley, Harvey Carey, Dave Gibbons, Andrew Rugasira, Wess Stafford, David Gergen, Chip Heath, Dan Heath, Bono, and Tony Blair. An interesting and stimulating two days!

Be sure to check out the resources that are available from Willow Creek Summit 2009. Find them here.

  

10 Ways to Kill a Good Ministry

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Some of the finest peopIe I have known are in “full-time” ministry. I really do know some extraordinary people! These are godly people who love the Lord and take their calling to live as disciples very seriously.

Unfortunately, I have also known some people who, for whatever reason, served in “full-time” ministry and yet consistently seemed to make some very poor choices, which hurt themselves and quite often their families and their churches. Sometimes these choices killed good ministries.

The following are ten ways to kill a good ministry:

1. Make no attempt to practice what you are preaching. However, people may hear you preach and then wonder if you don’t see the contradiction in your own life.

2. Let your ego rule. In the last two weeks, I have talked with three people in three different states who were really struggling with the behavior of their ministers. In each situation, the minister seemed to be displaying much ego and pride. In each case, the minister lost much credibility with people. One woman said regarding her minister, “You know, he really has such a big ego.”

3. Take plenty of shortcuts. Don’t study, read, think. Just preach someone else’s messages. You might rationalize that you just don’t have time to prepare weekly messages. Over time, however, your messages will become thinner and thinner. Or, perhaps you simply stop preparing. I remember one minister who used to make some very dogmatic statements in his messages. One of his members told me that quite often, on the way home from church, her teen-age son would raise questions about the sermon and dispute certain points. This minister just did not prepare very well, and it showed.

4. Let your temper flair. Give people a piece of your mind. In one case a minister periodically exploded with rage at anyone who would raise questions that caused him to feel either frustrated or indignant.

5. Manipulate. Manipulate. Manipulate. Use these church members when you need to. After all you have done for them, they should be willing to stand up for you and take your side. Use them to do your dirty work. For example, talk with them about the way you are being treated by the elders or another staff member. Get them really worked up. Now subtly encourage them to speak up on your behalf. Then, you remain silent while they do your dirty work.

6. Practice disloyalty. Don’t worry about keeping a conversation in confidence. Talk about people in ways that you would never speak to them directly. Undercut your co-workers, elders, or other church members if it seems to be in your best interest.

7. Focus on the “show” not the reality. One woman described the very sick and sinful home in which she grew up. She said that her father, a minister, was a mean, angry man who would unleash his anger on his family. During the week, he would abuse his family emotionally, calling them a variety of despicable names. Then he would preach on Sunday, projecting a certain kind of image that was the polar opposite to the reality of what his children and wife had witnessed the previous week.

8. Look out for yourself instead of the kingdom of God. Always do what is in your own interest regardless of what anyone else thinks. (This kind of thinking is the total opposite of what it means to be a servant!)

9. Justify your own existence. Communicate to others just how needed and how important you are to the congregation. Do it subtly. Some people use self-deprecating humor around church members. “I’m sure this church could get a much better minister than me.” Then listen to the members chime in: “Oh no, you are great! Where would we ever find someone like you?”

10. Give yourself permission to push against the moral edges. Maybe there is someone with whom you flirt. Perhaps you give yourself permission to view pornography on the Internet. Maybe you have a certain friend that your spouse knows nothing about. You tell yourself that there is nothing wrong with this arrangement. Yet, you recently began sharing very intimate details of your life.

Questions

In what other ways have you observed people kill a good ministry? Which one of these have you witnessed? What seems to characterize the ministers who conduct themselves in a godly, honorable manner?

The Month that Has Been a Lifesaver! (A 16-Year Practice)

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Sixteen years ago, my family and I moved to Waco, Texas, to begin working with the Crestview church. Our children were young and were fascinated by the notion of moving. I still remember their glee when we flew into the Waco airport and were greeted by some members of what would become our new church. These people did so much to help us feel welcome. They sent us notes and cards, invited us into their homes for meals, and were very kind to our two little girls.

Yet, in spite of those kind gestures, it would be a hard move. Our prior church situation had been very, very difficult. In fact, after almost three years there, I began to wonder if I wanted to remain in “full-time ministry” any longer. I was burned out — completely. In fact, it was with some hesitation that I agreed to come work with the church in Waco. I was hesitant to trust again and experience deep disappointment all over again.

However, what happened in those early discussions regarding the possibility of our move has turned out to be highly significant to my staying there for sixteen years of ministry.

From the beginning, we (the elders of this church and I) agreed that I would be away each July. Two of these weeks are vacation. They really are vacation. I don’t do e-mail, Twitter, Facebook, etc. The remaining two weeks in July would be for study. These two weeks would be a time to prepare for messages for the following year. It would be a time to read and think without the pressure of everyday ministry responsibilities.

So for sixteen years, I have been away each July. When I return, I usually feel rejuvenated and refreshed, with new energy and perspective. I really believe the primary reason for my being at this church for that many years has been the opportunity to check out each July.

What do I do during those two weeks? I have done a variety of things. For several years, I have gone to Regent College in Vancouver, B.C. There, I am in a different culture, hearing different concerns, and have the opportunity to listen to good lectures. One year I spent the week in Memphis while another year, I spent part of a week in Birmingham. Some years, I have read heavily, covering a variety of issues. Other years I have focused on one topic or issue. Some years, I have spent much time in libraries. Other years, I did not ever enter a library.

One year I simply focused on what I was hearing from people around me. I spent lots of time in Starbucks and various other coffee shops. I made notes of most every conversation that I participated in or that I overheard. I browsed through magazines, newspapers, etc. looking for common themes and threads. During that time, I was also in the middle of preparation for a new message series on Sunday mornings. So what I heard from others connected with the preparation of these messages.

In a few days, I will return to work after another July. I remain thankful to this church that provides this opportunity for me each year. I only wish that more and more of my friends who are in a similar role had such an arrangement with their churches. I think these churches would quickly see that they are making a wise, long-term investment in their minister that benefits the congregation greatly.

(I wrote this after reading a fine post by my friend, Tim Spivey, regarding a similar rhythm that he has in his life. Please read his post here.)

Questions

Have you ever experienced anything close to burnout? What practices or habits have you built into your life that have helped to energize and provide renewal?

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Five Steps to Take in Moving Ahead

Every August, I start over. I begin again.

Charlotte and I have lived in Waco, Texas, for sixteen years this August. During this time, I have worked with one church. My role with this church includes aspects of preaching/teaching, leadership, and care for these people both in this church and outside the church. Each summer, I think and pray about my ministry here in these roles. I think about and plan my preaching/teaching for the next ten months.

For sixteen years, I have been away each July. Two weeks are vacation. Two weeks are spent in study and preparation for the next school year. I usually come back refreshed and ready to go to work. The preparation for this new year actually begins before I leave in July. Typically, I begin working toward this in May.

The following are five steps that I take during the summer to get ready for the fall:

1. Think about what is next in terms of preaching/teaching.

Each summer, I decide on a major series, theme, or text to use the following year. The most difficult decision is deciding upon a text. Generally, I will spend a significant time over the next year in one book of the Bible. This is not necessarily one long series. In fact, it may turn out to be several shorter series.

What goes into this decision? Much prayer over a period of months. I talk with people in our church. I observe the morale and thinking of people in our church. I make no decision based upon one conversation or any one person’s input. Rather, it comes after months of pondering this.  

2. Think about what is next in terms of our overall ministry as a church.

During the summer, I think about what is next for us as a church. Where does God seem to be leading us? What doors are open? What could this church and this ministry look like in several years? This is a time to think, pray, and dream about our future possibilities as a church.

3. Gather and sift through possible resources.

I typically begin collecting resources in May. For example, this next year, I plan to spend some time with our church on 2 Corinthians. Much of this book has to do with the nature of authentic ministry. So, I have been gathering for the last few weeks. I have gathered key commentaries, a number of articles, and some other resources. Lately, I have corresponded with several people, asking them to suggest key resources on this book. I am not looking for a large quantity of resources but rather the best quality resources that might be helpful in preaching/teaching. This week, for example, I have been listening to a podcast of several special lectures on 2 Corinthians. This is early preparation and it takes time.

4. Saturate.

Thirty minutes ago, I read the entire book of 2 Corinthians. I will do this again and again for the next few months. I will read through the book using different English translations. I will also read through the book paying attention to the original language. At some point, I will read through the book underlining key words and phrases. There is no substitute for simply reading and saturating oneself with Scripture.

As I read through the book, I think about the message and possible applications. I think about both my own life and the life of the church.

In addition to the preaching/teaching preparation that I am describing here, I will usually read a couple of books, which helps me think about our church and our ministry here. There are some books that help me look forward. I have been amazed through the years, at some of the books that trigger my thinking, dreaming, etc.

This might be a good moment to mention that I am careful to write down my thoughts, feelings, insights, quotes, etc. from this time period. I am particularly conscious about doing this in July. Whether I think something has any practical relevance or not, I write it down. For example, I might see a commercial on television or read an interesting quote. I write it down if it triggers a thought.

5. Map it out.

By the end of July, I will have spent much time with this material. I intend to have a longer series mapped out and several shorter series mapped out as well. When I go back to my office on August 1, I want to have these plotted on a calendar. Then, I will put a manila folder with the title of each series in my desk so that I can begin collecting ideas, stories, and possibilities throughout the year (or until it is time to begin that series).

Perhaps some of you will find this interesting. Some may even find it useful.

What do you do as you think, plan, and dream about the year to come? Has any practice been particularly helpful?

When Leaders Run By Themselves

leadership.jpgMy daughter Jamie ran track her first few years of high school.  On one occasion, she had a track meet at a nearby school.  At most track meets, I generally stood
against the fence around the track waiting for my daughter’s race.  This day would be no different.  I stood by the fence ready to watch the next race.  

The
time came for the 100-meter, varsity boys’ race.  The guys who ran this race were generally very fast.  The runners got in
their respective lanes.  The starter raised his hand with the pistol in
the air.  "On your mark, get set, go!"  One young man apparently jumped
too soon.  As soon as the gun fired, the starter then quickly fired
again — the signal for a false start.  When that happens, all of the
runners are supposed to stop and go back to their starting positions.

All
of them did return — except for one young runner in a maroon uniform.  He
continued running.  I cringed with embarrassment for him.  I heard someone
say, "Oh no, he’s still running! How embarrassing!"  He ran by himself
the entire race, not realizing that he was the only one running.

Finally he raised his arms as he crossed the finish line, thinking that
he had won the race. He then turned around only to realize that no one
else had been running with him.  I can’t imagine how he must have felt.  The stands were full
of people.  About fourteen or fifteen schools were present at the meet that day.  Many people watched this kid run the race by himself.

Has this ever been you?  Do you, as a leader, ever feel like you are alone in your
race?  Life is a lifelong marathon.  The
goal is not speed but endurance.  We just want to finish and finish strong.  Yet, it
is awfully difficult to do this by yourself. 

Leadership can be a very lonely role.  Yet, sometimes, the issue may be more than loneliness.  We may have jumped the gun and so we find ourselves running — alone.  While leadership involves the individual and his or her commitments, values, and passions, it is more than a task to be done alone.  Leadership requires others.  Leading is more than being aware of where others are in the process.  It could be that you have jumped the gun, not realizing that others are not with you.

Leadership is more than telling people which way to go.  It is more than announcing, persuading, or even preaching to them.  Leadership involves working with people and bringing them along.  Leadership is influencing people for something good, honorable, and worthy.

As leaders, we want to finish and finish strong.  We lead because we believe the cause is great and the goal is worthy.  However, we were never meant to run by ourselves.  Life is
tough — at times leadership is extremely tough.  How encouraging it is to know
that you are not running alone.

 

And so …

1.  Leadership is not about being a "Lone Ranger."  To lead is not to run the race by yourself while others watch.

2.  Leadership is about working with people to move toward something that is good, honorable, and worthy.

 

Questions

What do you think?  Who are some of the best leaders you have known?  What made them good leaders?

 

(Be sure to read the two excellent articles by Michael Hyatt, "Leadership 2.0" and "Eight Things Leaders Can Learn from Symphony Conductors.")

Lynn Anderson on Being Indebted to Mentors

So many of you have communicated to me how much you have enjoyed Lynn Anderson’s words each Monday.  These words today will not disappoint either.  Hear him speak of the value of mentors in his own life.

Lynn Anderson is an author, minister, and encourager to many, many Christian leaders.  If you are not familiar with his books you might enjoy books such as If I Believe Why Do I Have These Doubts? or They Smell Like Sheep.

You can connect with him through his website, Mentornetwork.org.

I would love to hear about the value of mentors in your own life.

Mentoring as An Act of Humility (Guest: Cliff Barbarick)

GreatThan_41713_th.gifLast week, Cliff Barbarick made a comment on this blog that spoke about the true nature of mentoring.  What he said ought to be heard by all of us who are both mentors and who have a mentor(s).  I love what he says about mentoring as an act of humility.

Cliff Barbarick is a part-time Family Minister at the Robinson Church of Christ and graduate student working on a Ph.D. in New Testament Studies at Baylor University.  Cliff, his wife, and his two girls (with one boy on the way!) currently live in Waco, Texas, but they will be moving to Malibu, California, in May for Cliff to accept a visiting faculty position at Pepperdine University.

The following are Cliff’s words.  Enjoy!

I’ve been blessed in my life with women and men who have invested in me.  God has repeatedly placed mentors in my life to whom I am forever indebted and from whom I have learned the following important lesson.  They’ve modeled for me mentoring that bears that unique, cross-shaped stamp.

As a mentor, you should long for your student to surpass you one day.  Mentoring should not be an "ego trip" that inflates your sense of self-importance.  You cannot feel threatened by the success of your student and be a good mentor.  Mentoring is an act of humility in which you recognize gifts in another that you want to help develop in order that he may surpass what you have accomplished. 
 
Barnabas is an excellent example.  At the beginning of he and Saul’s ministry together, the pair is always called "Barnabas and Saul," clearly placing Barnabas in the position of importance.  He leads the team.  A transition takes place in Acts 13:9, however, and it corresponds with the alteration of Saul’s name.  Saul, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly confronts a Roman official and blinds him.  The proconsul is convicted by the powerful demonstration, and the ministry team is never the same.  What was once always "Barnabas and Saul" becomes in 13:13, "Paul and his companions."  Barnabas isn’t even named!  Thereafter, with only a couple of explainable exceptions (14:14; 15:12, 25), the ministry team is always called "Paul and Barnabas."  Paul has gone from being the student to the "chief speaker" (14:12), but their ministry continues to flourish. 
 
Barnabas must have been an exceptional man.  How many preachers do you know who would stick around after being supplanted by a young up-and-comer?  Probably only those that embrace the green preacher as a mentor and hope and pray that "he must become greater; I must become less" (John 3:30).

This is a powerful statement about mentoring.  Now I would enjoy hearing your response.  Have you seen examples of this kind of mentoring relationship?  Why might it be difficult for a mentor to see a student surpass him/her in some way?