Leading in the Moment

Leadership Significance

2009-07-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!--Psalm 90:12 (MSG)

The key to leadership significance is your ability to recognize the eternal value of the little things you do. The details of your life may seem mundane, but they are filled with eternal significance. Look at Jesus. He would eat a meal with a friend and suddenly turn the dessert time into a life-changing event. He'd walk with a few of his disciples, point to a tree, and offer a faith building life-lesson.

As a leader, you can employ the skills of time management: You can buy a new executive calendar system. You can attend a Franklin Covey seminar. You can do what I did--become a Crackberry addict! But all of this doesn't help you understand the value of time. Sure, you may do a better job of scheduling your time, but that doesn't mean you're doing a better job of spending your time. Knowing the difference creates leadership significance!

Have you ever heard this line: "It's close enough for government work"? Many hard-working, devoted government officials have done their best to overcome the stigma of that statement. The sentiment hasn't disappeared. Instead, unfortunately, we can now say it about church work too!

Please, church leader, don't equate "low pay" with "low effort." Leading a church requires more than leftover time, leftover resources, leftover supplies, and leftover energy. Recognize the value of the little things you do. Realize it isn't what you do--it is why you do it!

A.W. Tozer said, "It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, it is why he does it." The key to leadership significance is your ability to recognize the eternal value of the little things you do.

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.--Colossians 3:23 (NLT)

Leadership Optimism

2009-06-26T16:03:00.000-07:00

A shoe manufacturer sent their two-person business analysis team to research the potential market in a growing third world nation. One of the researchers sent her report back to the home office: "No market here. Nobody wears shoes!" A few days later, the other researcher filed his report: "Fantastic opportunity here! Nobody wears shoes."

In my ministry, I've found that about 80% of the people I work with are like the first researcher. For them, "the glass is half empty." If you serve as the leader of a church long enough, you'll inevitably experience unexpected events that have the potential to create chaos. Working with people in ministry is a messy challenge--and your ability to remain optimistic will surely be tested on a regular basis! Refusing to fall into the "woe is me" trap takes faith. The apostle Paul offers this reminder:

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so than no one can criticize you.--Philippians 2:14-15a

An optimistic leader views defeat as a temporary setback--usually connected to a specific situation. Optimism increases energy and helps a leader to focus on long-term goals. An influential leader typically has and demonstrates the faith to remain optimistic--even when he falls flat on his face. Solomon offered this observation:

The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.--Proverbs 24:16

A negative leader destroys morale! Unfortunately, he has the ability to influence scores of others. For whatever reason, a negative person often has greater influence on others than a positive, optimistic person does.

Let me offer some advice. If you're getting ready to hire a new staff person at your church, always hire a positive person. After all, a church being a church--you get all the negativity you can stomach for free! Why in the world would you want to pay for it too?

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.--Philippians 4:13

Leadership Trust

2009-06-22T16:57:00.000-07:00

I love the kids at Lake Christian Church! Every Sunday the church's classrooms are brimming with excited, laughing children who are eagerly learning how to love Jesus Christ.

I think it would be fair to say that we adults aren't as trusting as little children. To feel secure, all a child needs is a loving look and a gentle touch from someone who cares. Kids believe us if they trust us!

Jesus Christ said people should believe in him with this kind of childlike faith. You don't have to intellectually comprehend all the mysteries of the universe to form a relationship with him; isn't it enough to know how much he loves you?

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."--John 3:16

In my experience, it is much easier for me to trust a fellow leader when he or she actively demonstrates how much they trust God with a child's simplicity and receptivity. Jesus said:

"I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."--Mark 10:15

Visit my other blog

2009-06-18T04:25:00.000-07:00

The church where I preach has accepted a big challenge--the 90 Day Bible Challenge. We're reading through the entire Bible in only 90 days. The 90 Day reading plan stretches you, but it is definitely doable.

I am preaching on the life of a key biblical character each Sunday that ties in with the week's reading. (You can listen to those sermons online.) In addition, I'm also doing a daily devotional blog that connects to each reading.

Needless to say, with only 168 hours each week to work with--keeping this leadership blog fresh is difficult. But keep checking back--thanks.

Leadership Resiliency

2009-06-07T04:24:00.000-07:00

He failed in business in '31. He was defeated for state legislator in '32. He tried another business in '33. It failed. His fiancee died in '35. He had a nervous breakdown in '36. In '43 he ran for congress and was defeated. He tried again in '48 and was defeated again. He tried running for the Senate in '55. He lost. The next year he ran for Vice President and lost. In '59 he ran for the Senate again and was defeated. In 1860, he was elected the 16th President of the United States. The difference between history's boldest accomplishments and its most staggering failures is often, simply, resilience.

Abraham Lincoln once said:

It is said an eastern monarch once charged his wise men to invent a sentence, to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him with the words, 'And this, too, shall pass away.' How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride! How consoling in the depths of affliction!

Resilience will keep you in the game. It will help you to "press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize" (Philippians 3:14). It will help you sense and adjust to what's most important.

Nancy Ortberg of TEAMWORX2 points out: "Resilient leaders are full of grace, open to possibilities, and eternal learners. I watch them and I want my life and my leadership to be like theirs."

Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!--1 Corinthians 9:24

Leadership Innovation

2009-05-18T14:22:00.000-07:00

Dilbert (yes, the cartoon character) was tasked with the responsibility of coming up with an innovative name for a new product. With typical Dilbertian craziness, the reader of the comic strip soon discovers that there is no new product. No one, not even the pointy-haired boss, has an idea of what the new product will be--but Dilbert has to name it.

Dilbert and Dogbert rush around the office brainstorming names for an unknown product that's intended to improve the company's financial situation. They finally agree on "Salmonella." As ridiculous as it sounds, the boss likes it and determines they should build a new car to go with the new name.

Less ridiculous, but equally disastrous, is the church leader who throws a congregation into chaos without strategically thinking through the necessity of a change. In an effort to be "innovative," church leaders are tempted to implement change for the sake of change. But consider what happens to people during a major change in a church. They...

Ache

A leader cannot bang people's heads against his ideas until they submit to a change. The way I've seen some preachers pursue a change, "ache" is probably too mild a description.

Battle

Change can cause people to choose up sides and prepare for war. Resistance is frustrating for a leader trying to push through a new program. Is there anything less tolerated than intolerance? People intolerant of change are sometimes brushed aside or simply told "get with the program or get out."

Cavil

Change can sometimes feel threatening so those resistant to the change will find reasons to stop it. "After all," they may reason, "if it was good enough for grandma, then it is good enough for me." In my experience, the bigger the change--the deeper the heels dig in.

Are you preparing to introduce an innovative change in your church? Then ask yourself one question: "Have I involved people at all levels in the change process?"

Take this to the bank--Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers (Proverbs 11:14).

Leadership Balance

2009-05-13T07:17:00.000-07:00

A good elder and deacon is expected to serve the local church with zeal and dedication. They are expected to respond quickly and appropriately to the needs and challenges of their church family. But how do they find leadership balance?

A volunteer church leader puts in his eight hours at work and then rushes home in time for supper. Next comes Junior's soccer team where he serves as the assistant coach. He can't forget about Sis! Her dance recital is at 7:30pm. What about a walk with his wife? When will he cut the grass?

It is my experience that life is rarely, if ever, balanced. As a matter of fact, my life feels horribly out-of-balance most of the time!

But guess what? I'm in good company. Look at some of the people called by God to impact their world for Jesus. God's man, Elijah, for example, squares off against 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah and leaves Mount Carmel victorious (1 Kings 18). As a result, he's forced to flee for his life and becomes so depressed that he prayed that he might die: "Lord," he said. "Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died" (1 Kings 19:4). He went from hero to zero in the span of one chapter. Sounds frighteningly familiar doesn't it?

Here's some food for thought: Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives (Galatians 5:25). Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you to lead in the moment so you'll know how to invest your time wisely. Each day may not be lived with perfect balance, but at the end of your life, you can rest from your labor knowing you accomplished all God assigned you to do.

Leadership Growth

2009-05-04T19:39:00.000-07:00

A coaching client recently asked, "Brian, how can I find time for study and leadership growth when I'm so busy?"

Anyone who took a new ministry in the last five years and hasn't kept up with cultural shifts and changing trends in ministry is seriously out-of-date. The minute you stop learning, you stop growing! The best thing a leader can offer the church they lead is to grow as a leader.

Do you want to experience leadership growth?

Free up space in your weekly schedule so you have time to read.

You and I both know church leaders who complain about their lack of time for reading, but they rule their fantasy football leagues because they keep up with obscure players and trivial stats. They cannot tell you who William P. Young is, but they can crack you up with a quote from Ricky Bobby.

Leadership growth happens when you make it a priority. You get 168 hours each and every week to use as you see fit. Obviously, there isn't enough time to do everything you would like to do--so you've got to make wise choices (Ephesians 5:15). The next time you grab the TV remote to watch the latest installment of Dancing with the Stars, open up a challenging book instead and discover how it can enhance your ministry.

Take this to the bank--LEADERS ARE READERS

Proverbs 19:20--Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.

Leadership Courage

2009-05-01T11:27:00.000-07:00

Joshua had some big sandals to fill! After Moses died, the Lord called on Joshua to assume the leadership of the Israelite nation: "The time has come for you to lead these people" (Joshua 1:2). The Lord challenged Joshua: "Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9).

The Blue and the Gray by James Robertson shares a Civil War account about a chaplain who was anything but courageous:

We got into a little row with the Yankees a few days ago and our parson, deeming, no doubt, that discretion was the better part of valor, took to his heels when the shells commenced flying and I have not seen him since.

The same sources of courage that empowered Joshua are available today for any church leader who will accept them. When faced with the daily challenges of ministry, the godly leader will look to God in prayer and to God's revealed Word for the perspective needed to lead in the moment.

What situation are you now facing that requires courageous leadership?

Leadership Agility

2009-04-23T05:01:00.000-07:00

A church leader is constantly choosing. Every response from a church attendee provides information about your ministry. As a result, an awareness of shifting currents within your church is vital if you want to lead effectively.

Sensing and adjusting appropriately to those shifting currents requires leadership agility--the skill of "leading in the moment."

We find a biblical example of this skill from the tribe of Issachar: "All these men understood the times and knew the best course for Israel to take" (1 Chronicles 12:32). These 200 leaders had the ability to constantly sense and adjust to what was most important. What about you?

Have you heard the story of the chicken farmer whose barnyard was flooded almost every spring? The melting snow combined with the April showers caused devastating problems, but he refused to move. When the water would flood his chicken coops, he would franticly move his chickens to higher ground.

One year, hundreds of chickens drowned because he could not move them out in time. The farmer was fed up! He told his wife, "Enough! We can't afford to move. We can't sell this farm. I don't know what to do!"

His wife simply replied, "Buy ducks."

She knew how to lead in the moment.