Enjoy, Mel

——————

How Known are You by You?

April 1st, 2013 by bradlomenick

For leaders, one of the hardest things we have to do is self-assessment. We have a much easier time giving feedback and positive criticism and providing helpful advice to those we lead, but being able to honestly assess where WE each are individually as leaders is tough. But, self-assessment is one of the most important things we can do to make sure we continue to grow and get better.

A few thoughts on this:

1. You are never too good at what you do or who you are to not need honest feedback from yourself, your peers, your family, and your friends. Seek it out constantly.

2. Your ability to correctly provide a self-assessment is many times a reflection of your humility and appropriate self-confidence as a leader. The more humble you are, typically the more self-aware you are. The more arrogant you are, typically the less self-aware you are.

3. Can you and do you laugh at yourself consistently? Are you taking yourself way too seriously? If so, chill out. You’re not that important and you need to relax. Sometimes the more platform and position we get, the more serious we take ourselves. Don’t.

4. As a follower of Jesus, we MUST rely on the Holy Spirit for correction and discernment on areas of our lives where we need to improve and grow in maturity.

5. At the end of the day, no one really enjoys self-assessment. But you can be CONFIDENT that those around you on your team, your friends, your peers and your family are way more aware of you and your style and the things you can improve on. As a leader, you have to be willing to swallow your pride and look yourself in the mirror and correctly assess who you are. A more self-aware leader becomes a way more Confident and followable leader.

6. No one wants to work FOR or AROUND a leader who doesn’t understand who they really are. Many times these leaders lack a clear sense of reality. My friend Ken Coleman calls this REALITY DEPRIVATION SYNDROME (RDS). Unfortunately, many leaders live in this world, and end up making decisions based on their false intuitions and assumptions because they don’t have a clear sense of who they are and how they are viewed by their peers and what reality really looks like.

7. Know very clearly your areas of strength and areas of weakness. The more personality tests and self-assessment tests you can take, the better. Strengthsfinder, Myers-Briggs, Right Path Assessment, Personality tests, etc. All of these are helpful in giving you a perspective of the type of person you are, and the areas you need to be more aware of that can become problem areas.

8. Once you understand who you are, create a game plan for constant improvement. For example, one of my tendencies is to use cynicism as a source of gaining power and making others feel weak. I am VERY aware of this tendency I have, and have tried to create some barriers in my life that will harness this. Another example for me is that I will end up doing everything myself, instead of naturally delegating or allowing others on our team to take on responsibility. Because of this, I’ve had to be very intentional about making sure I don’t micromanage. Another tendency I have is to be way more intense than I need to be. Because of this, I’ve tried to give my team permission to tell me when I’m in the “intense” zone. It’s still something I find myself doing, but am very self-aware of this and work constantly to improve.

From

http://www.bradlomenick.com/2013/04/01/how-known-are-you-by-you/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BradLomenick+%28brad+lomenick%29

It got me thinking. Have we become so busy and self focused we no longer have time to show courtesy.

The Bibles encourages courtesy in many ways. For example, take the “one another” passages: “care for one another”, “love one another”, “be patient with one another”, “encourage one another” and many others.

I would like to encourage leaders to model common courtesy. For example:

• Opening doors for others
• Helping the aged and handicapped
• Greeting people we pass or meet
• Showing respect to others.

What are “common courtesy’s” you can think of that you would like to see leaders model?

The earliest Christian creed seems to be “Jesus is Lord!” (Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Philippians 2:11). Three simple words, but difficult for most of us to live. I believe the desire of all true Christians is for Jesus Christ to be Lord of all aspects of our life.

Colossians 2:6 says, the Christian is one who “receives Jesus Christ as Lord.”

Historically, according to Alister McGrath, “the Creed was the profession of faith made by converts at their baptism and formed the basis of their instruction.” It was a declaration of faith and belief.

The Apostles Creed is perhaps the oldest of the creeds and is my favorite. I find it’s words so true. Every time I read or hear it, I want to shout “YES.”

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven an earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried.

He descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic (Christian) church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body. And the life everlasting.

Amen.

This Creed contains so many rich truths that I believe. I found it amazing that so few words can say so much. In a world in which we are bombarded by words, words and more words, it is wonderful to have words like these to anchor our lives.

If you would like to study more about the Apostle Creed, I recommend “I Believe: Understanding and Applying the Apostles Creed” by Alister McGrath.

I can be a follower of Christ and a patriotic citizen, but they are not the same thing or tied together. My first loyalty is to Christ!

Mel

———

Does the American Flag Belong in Your Church? by David Flowers

I grew up like most white evangelicals in the American South. Being a Christian in the Bible Belt meant that it was common to regularly fuse Jesus with nationalism. Unfortunately, it’s taught in churches everywhere and rarely questioned.

I can remember reciting the pledge every morning in public school right before a “moment of silence.” And of course, I’ll never forget pledging to the Bible, the Christian flag and the American flag at Vacation Bible School. Nationalism was a big part of my childhood and adolescence.

I don’t recall ever having seen my faith in Christ as being incompatible with a zealous patriotism. That’s of course until I read Resident Aliens by Stanley Hauerwas and William Willimon early on in college. That’s all it took to get the wheels turning. I then began rethinking Jesus and the Kingdom of God.

I seem to remember that this was at the height of my patriotism, around the time of the bombing of Baghdad in 2003.

After reading Bonhoeffer, who believed no nation’s flag belonged in the church, I began to reconsider the oft-neglected Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. I began to ask myself some scary questions.

Like … what if Jesus really meant what he said?

Greg Boyd’s Myth of a Christian Nation seemed to mark a major turning point in my thinking. I also thought that Lee Camp’s Mere Discipleship was sobering. I read several other works by Anabaptist thinkers, and even visited with a plain Mennonite. Those were some intense times.

All of this happened within the last SBC church I served in as minister to students and education. I began teaching what I was learning, and I encouraged those in my sphere of influence to find a new identity in Christ and pledge allegiance to the Lamb.

I taught through enough of the Sermon on the Mount to prompt young people and a group of adults, on their own initiative, not to participate in the upcoming July 4th patriotic service. Their lack of enthusiasm was obvious to the entire church. And while I had purposely taken my vacation that Sunday, what transpired there naturally fell back on me and my ministry.

The very next Sunday, I was broadsided with, “What’s this we hear about you teaching people not to say the pledge?”

The truth is that I never told anyone not to say the pledge. What happened that Sunday when the flag was marched down the middle aisle was the result of a small group of Christians connecting the dots. The events that followed resulted in my resignation and exodus from vocational ministry.

I don’t regret it. It has been a defining moment in my journey with Jesus. And it has shaped me for the next season of ministry to the Body of Christ.

Please stop and consider how we evangelicals have been conditioned not to see any conflict between nationalism and Christian discipleship.

Will we allow another generation of our children to be taught that America is the hope of the world, or will we tell them the truth about a King whose Kingdom is not of this world, but is for this world?

http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-how-to/165921-david-flowers-american-flag-belong-in-your-church.html

http://daviddflowers.com/

A Team has:

• Shared vision
• Shared leadership
• Definable Goals
• Clear Roles/responsibilities
• Active Sponsorship
• Effective Process
• Enhanced Competency
• Synergistic Collaboration and innovation
• Meaningful recognition and rewards
• Quality relationships

Look at the teams you lead and determine what you are doing well and where you need to improve as a team.

We tried out our new one week coaches training format that utilizes: one full week of training, DVD coaches training and one-line systems training for four systems. I think this will become our standard format.

Participants this week included:

From the Pen-Florida AG District

Mike Tedder                     pastormike@betheltampa.org(Refresher)

Scott Young                       scottyoung@scottyoung.com(Refresher)

Jim Rodriguez                   jimrod41@yahoo.com(Refresher)

Steve Powell                     spowell@penflorida.org(Refresher)

Duke Matlock                   dmatlock@allabouitlife.us(District & Independent)

Max Yeary                          maxyeary@gmail.com

Randy Helms                    rkhelms@me.com

Edward Russo                  edrusso@victoriouslifechurch.com

Gregory Evans                   pastorevans@windstream.net(District & Independent)

Russ Jones                        pastorrussjones@gamil.com(District & Independent)

Robby Weatherholt         rkweatherholt@gmail.com(District & Independent)

From the Potomac AG District

Gary Butler (Coord)          gbutler@potomacag.org  (Refresher) (District & Independent)

Independent Coaches

Tim Hager                         drtimhager@gmail.com(Refresher)

Tony Cribb                         tonycribb@rcinth.org

Tony pastors a large independent church in South Carolina.

We welcome the new 8 LDR coaches to the team!

Our next coaches training will be back in Washington June 3-7, 2013

I feel this is the premier church coach’s training offered anywhere.

We have a proven history of helping churches focus on the Mission of God and develop systems to help them accomplish His mission.

Check out the information at http://www.ldrteam.com/church-coaching/coach-training-2/

Those in colder climates might also like the weather in Florida in February.

 You can register two ways:

1) Fill out the Registration Form on the attached brochure: https://www.box.com/files/0/f/30440554/1/f_4196873972

2) Or register on-line at http://www.ldrteam.com/shop/

You do need to pre-register, since we be shipping supplies several weeks in advance.

This will be the first time we have taken the coach’s training to the East coast.

Mel

#1 Farsighted. Leaders look beyond the present into the future and towards the ultimate goal or missions. I see many leaders so caught up in the present they lose sight of the real goal.

• Do I have clarity about the true goal or mission?
• How will I keep me focus on the mission, not the present only?

#2 Passionate. Leaders worth following are not just going through the motions.  They are deeply committed to something bigger than themselves. No one wants to follow or work with a passionless leader.

• How will I keep the passion growing in my leadership?
• How will those I lead know of my passion?

#3 Courageous. Leaders are usually confronted with difficult or dangerous decisions. Leaders worth following don’t just make the safe choice, but make decisions that inspire others to follow.

• Where in the coming year am I going to need to make courageous decisions?

#4 Wisdom. Leaders worth following learn from mistakes. They are learning who reflect on the best and moral strsategies.

• How will I build reflection time into my weekly schedule?
• How will I grow in knowledge and wisdom this year?

#5 Generous. Leaders worth following tend to be generous toward others. They recognize the worth and values of others.

• How will I show a generous spirit this year?
• Will I cultivate a thankful heart that leads to generosity?

#6 Trustworthy. There word is their bond. You can count on them to do what they say they will do.

• Will I care more about my character this year than my status?
• Will I find people to hold me accountable?

For the past twenty or more years I have used the time between Christmas and New Years to reflect on my mission, core values, roles and growth plan for the coming year. I have found this a great practice.

The six qualities of leader who people follow are a great beginning point for reflection.

May Christ be exalted by my words, actions and thoughts in 2013!

Prescott, Ariz.

IT hasn’t been a good year for evangelicals. I should know. I’m one of them.

In 2012 we witnessed a collapse in American evangelicalism. The old religious right largely failed to affect the Republican primaries, much less the presidential election. Last month, Americans voted in favor of same-sex marriage in four states, while Florida voters rejected an amendment to restrict abortion.

Much has been said about conservative Christians and their need to retool politically. But that is a smaller story, riding on the back of a larger reality: Evangelicalism as we knew it in the 20th century is disintegrating.

In 2011 the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life polled church leaders from around the world. Evangelical ministers from the United States reported a greater loss of influence than church leaders from any other country — with some 82 percent indicating that their movement was losing ground.

I grew up hearing tales of my grandfather, a pastor, praying with President Ronald Reagan at the White House. My father, also a pastor, prayed with George W. Bush in 2000. I now minister to my own congregation, which has grown to about 500, a tenfold increase, in the last four years (by God’s favor and grace, I believe). But, like most young evangelical ministers, I am less concerned with politics than with the exodus of my generation from the church.

Studies from established evangelical polling organizations — LifeWay Research, an affiliate of the Southern Baptist Convention, and the Barna Group — have found that a majority of young people raised as evangelicals are quitting church, and often the faith, entirely.

As a contemporary of this generation (I’m 30), I embarked three years ago on a project to document the health of evangelical Christianity in the United States. I did this research not only as an insider, but also as a former investigative journalist for an alt weekly.

I found that the structural supports of evangelicalism are quivering as a result of ground-shaking changes in American culture. Strategies that served evangelicals well just 15 years ago are now self- destructive. The more that evangelicals attempt to correct course, the more they splinter their movement. In coming years we will see the old evangelicalism whimper and wane.

First, evangelicals, while still perceived as a majority, have become a shrinking minority in the United States. In the 1980s heyday of the Rev. Jerry Falwell’s Moral Majority, some estimates accounted evangelicals as a third or even close to half of the population, but research by the Notre Dame sociologist Christian Smith recently found that Christians who call themselves evangelicals account for just 7 percent of Americans. (Other research has reported that some 25 percent of Americans belong to evangelical denominations, though they may not, in fact, consider themselves evangelicals.) Dr. Smith’s findings are derived from a three-year national study of evangelical identity and influence, financed by the Pew Research Center. They suggest that American evangelicals now number around 20 million, about the population of New York State. The global outlook is more optimistic, as evangelical congregations flourish in places like China, Brazil and sub-Saharan Africa.

But while America’s population grows by roughly two million a year, attendance across evangelical churches — from the Southern Baptists to Assembles of God and nondenominational churches — has gradually declined, according to surveys of more than 200,000 congregations by the American Church Research Project.

The movement also faces a donation crisis as older evangelicals, who give a disproportionately large share, age. Unless younger evangelicals radically increase their giving, the movement will be further strained.

Evangelicals have not adapted well to rapid shifts in the culture — including, notably, the move toward support for same-sex marriage. The result is that evangelicals are increasingly typecast as angry and repressed bigots. In 2007, the Institute for Jewish and Community Research, in a survey of 1,300 college professors, found that 3 percent held “unfavorable feelings” toward Jews, 22 percent toward Muslims and 53 percent toward evangelical Christians.

To be sure, college professors are not representative of the population, and, despite national trends of decline, evangelicals have many exceptional ministries. Most metropolitan areas in the United States have at least one thriving megachurch. In New York City, Redeemer Presbyterian and the Brooklyn Tabernacle pack multiple services every weekend. A handful of other churches, like North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Ga., and Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., see more than 20,000 worshipers each weekend. Savvy ministers like the Rev. Craig Groeschel, founder of LifeChurch.tv, are using new technologies to deliver the “good news.”

The pulse of evangelicalism is also shifting, in many ways for the good, from American politics to aid for the global poor, as evidenced in books by the Rev. David Platt, the Rev. Max Lucado and the Rev. Timothy Keller. Evangelicals are still a sophisticated lot, with billions in assets, millions of adherents and a constellation of congregations, radio stations, universities and international aid groups. But all this machinery distracts from the historical vital signs of evangelicalism: to make converts and point to Jesus Christ. By those measures this former juggernaut is coasting, at best, if not stalled or in reverse.

How can evangelicalism right itself? I don’t believe it can — at least, not back to the politically muscular force it was as recently as 2004, when white evangelicals gave President George W. Bush his narrow re-election. Evangelicals can, however, use the economic, social and spiritual crises facing America to refashion themselves into a more sensitive, spiritual and humble movement.

We evangelicals must accept that our beliefs are now in conflict with the mainstream culture. We cannot change ancient doctrines to adapt to the currents of the day. But we can, and must, adapt the way we hold our beliefs — with grace and humility instead of superior hostility. The core evangelical belief is that love and forgiveness are freely available to all who trust in Jesus Christ. This is the “good news” from which the evangelical name originates (“euangelion” is a Greek word meaning “glad tidings” or “good news”). Instead of offering hope, many evangelicals have claimed the role of moral gatekeeper, judge and jury. If we continue in that posture, we will continue to invite opposition and obscure the “good news” we are called to proclaim.

I believe the cultural backlash against evangelical Christianity has less to do with our views — many observant Muslims and Jews, for example, also view homosexual sex as wrong, while Catholics have been at the vanguard of the movement to protect the lives of the unborn — and more to do with our posture. The Scripture calls us “aliens and exiles” (1 Peter 2:11), but American evangelicals have not acted with the humility and homesickness of aliens. The proper response to our sexualized and hedonistic culture is not to chastise, but to “conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God” (1 Peter 2:12).

This does not mean we whitewash unpopular doctrines like the belief that we are all sinners but that we re-emphasize the free forgiveness available to all who believe in Jesus Christ.

Some evangelical leaders are embarrassed by our movement’s present paralysis. I am not. Weakness is a potent purifier. As Paul wrote, “I am content with weaknesses … for the sake of Christ” (2 Corinthians 12:10). For me, the deterioration and disarray of the movement is a source of hope: hope that churches will stop angling for human power and start proclaiming the power of Christ.

Simple faith in Christ’s sacrifice will march on, unchallenged by empires and eras. As the English writer G. K. Chesterton put it, “Christianity has died many times and risen again; for it had a God who knew the way out of the grave.”

John S. Dickerson is the senior pastor of Cornerstone Church and author of the forthcoming book “The Great Evangelical Recession: Six Factors That Will Crash the American Church … and How to Prepare.”

–Mel

The Church Lobby

Your church lobby tells new people in about 3 seconds the kind of people that your church wants to have. Okay, maybe just 2 seconds. It is really, really, really fast and most churches do not even know what they’re doing.

I walked into one church and this is what I saw:

• Faded, worn out mauve carpet that “died” several years ago
• Furniture that I last saw in my 80 year old aunt’s house – and she died 25 years ago
• Bare walls on one side and pictures of old stuff on the wall
• A chandelier

I looked around to see if it was a church or funeral home – everything told me I was in a funeral parlor or at least a place that my great Aunt Clara (born circa 1900) would enjoy. It was like a museum – okay, you get the picture. It was not a drawing card for 20- and 30-somethings. It was not even attractive to anyone under 60 – but most people had seen it for so long that they felt it was just part of the church. But anyone who was new to the church and walked in there was immediately turned off by what they saw.

Tomorrow morning – walk into your church lobby and look at it as you never have before. Look at the lighting, the walls and what is hanging on the walls. Talk with people about the furniture and ask them if that is something they would see in a home of a young family (presuming that family had some money to buy furniture they like).

Then, ask yourself if the kind of lobby that you have is representative of the age bracket of the people you want to attend. Or was the furniture put in there by an older generation because that is what they’re comfortable with? Be intentional about your lobby – it is one of the first impressions people will have about you. Make it a good one, a positive one that will make you look good. Spend some money; recruit some young women or men to be the interior decorators for that area (and then tell them to take on your bride’s room if you have one and update it!); AND then, in about 10 years, do it all again with yet new furniture.

Every time you update your look, you directly affect the age of people that come (and come back) to your church.

Lead On!

Steve

http://churchfinancialleadership.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-church-lobby.html