Fishing for True Small-Group Leaders

I found the following list of qualities to look for in a potential small group leader. What do you think? What would you add to the list? What would you leave off?

Deep, daily spirituality. The leader has a clearly focused faith that pervades both personal and professional life.

Intentional confidentiality. The leader invites immediate trust and gives reliable guarantees to preserve secrets.

Unswerving fidelity. The leader demonstrates loyalty in personal relationships with no hint of sexual exploitation, or flirtatious or abusive behavior.

Commitment to equality. The leader avoids stereotypes of race, gender, generation, or lifestyle. He or she encourages respect and treats others with fairness.

Personal humility. The leader is always eager to learn and grow. He or she does not fear ambiguity or paradox.

Self-directed, self-disciplined. The leader works hard toward clear goals, with an internalized motivation for excellence.

Habitual patience. The leader waits and prays for the work of the Holy Spirit and does not rush people or prematurely resolve differences.

Gentleness. The leader is kind and sympathetic; he or she recognizes and assists others to overcome obstacles.

Courageous perception. The leader sees the point in situations and faces contradiction; he or she identifies the crux of decision-making.

People focus. The leader prioritizes people above issues, dialogue above agendas, and growth above success.

Inclusive behavior. The leader is sensitive to silence, invites people to participate, and is alert to the fringes of groups.

Fishing for True Small-Group Leaders | Building Small Groups

Leaders and followers

I just read the following paragraph from one of the blogs I follow. TJ has much to say about the balance between being a good leader and a good follower.

Click the link at the bottom for the rest of TJ's post.

I am often amazed and saddened by the number of people in Christian ministry who call themselves leaders who really want no authority above them. At its worst it results in narcissism where leaders start to not only ignore the authority above them but to mistreat and violate those who report to them. There is a connection between respect for authority and respect for those for whom we are the authority.

Leading From the Sandbox: Leaders and followers

What Atheists really believe

I just found a quiz taken from Al Mohler's newest book Atheism Remix. We complain that the world misunderstands and misrepresents us as evangelicals. Are we guilty of the same?  Click on the link below and find out.

Resources for Bloggers - Atheism Remix - DeMossNewsPond.com

Developing People

A phrase I use often around our church is "each person needs a Paul, a Barnabas, and a Timothy--someone who mentors you, someone who encourages you, and someone you are coaching."

One of the values we are in the process of embedding in our leadership community is that "you are not done leading until you have developed your replacement."

I enjoyed the following thoughts from a Pastor in Oklahoma.

Here are ten lessons I’ve learned about developing people:

1. Honest, immediate, and consistent feedback on performance is invaluable.
2. Developing strengths nets a bigger return than developing weaknesses.
3. Developing others takes a ton of time in the early seasons and produces huge results with smaller investments in future seasons.
4. You will see a better ministry return by investing in your star team members than you will by investing in weaker players.
5. You will have to allow people to fail if you want them to improve.
6. Great coaches are great encouragers.
7. If you don’t schedule intentional time for developing others, you aren’t likely to do it.
8. God can use you to pull more out of a person than the person may believe exists.
9. The person you are developing can also help develop you—if you will ask questions and listen.
10. The best people builders develop others to develop others.

Developing People - LifeChurch.tv : swerve

N. T. Wright Takes on Stephen Colbert

While I disagree with much of what N.T. Wright concludes is our responsibility now (I believe a literal Millennial reign will take place before the final, eternal state) in light of the reality of the eternal state, I do appreciate what he says about the future state after the 2nd Resurrection--the fact that we will have our earthly bodies renewed and rejoined with our souls. This is what we called "Conditional Unity" in the Anthropology section of the course I teach called "Maximum Impact."

This 6 minute clip will make you think twice about life after death.

MondayMorningInsight.com > N. T. Wright Takes on Stephen Colbert