Successful Leaders

I came across this blog posting a couple of weeks ago and thought it might encourage you. It was originally written for pastors so I have edited it to reflect volunteer leaders.

Spiritual Passion

To be successful in ministry, perhaps above all else, a leader must have an intense spiritual passion. A typical church attendee might assume that spiritual passion is a “given” for anyone in leadership. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.

Ministry is full of passion-killers. The short list could include:

• Education—Many schools, courses and workshops are excellent at educating while helping a student increase passion. Unfortunately, many aren’t.
• Failure—Can cause us to second-guess everything, wondering if we’re really hearing from God.
• Success—Surprising to some, success in ministry can distract one from his first love.
• Criticism—After taking bullets of criticism, some leaders start to wonder if it’s worth it to continue.
• Rejection—Similar to criticism, being rejected from group members (and others) can cause us to become guarded and lose spiritual vigor.
• Life—The normal routines of life (especially church life) can slowly drain away our spiritual passion.

Those who remain spiritually fruitful over decades learn to stoke the flames of passion. Here’s what works for the author of the original blog post:

• Developing friendships with non-Christians
• Staying in God’s word
• Living in an attitude of prayer
• Giving extravagantly
• Resting

Successful Ministers 1 (of 4) at LifeChurch.tv : swerve

How to Authentically Encourage

I recently found this post that suggests practical ways we can be better encouragers to those around us. I have much to learn in this area and you may be able to personally point to my weakness in some of these areas, but we all have room to improve.

1. Active listening. This requires the regular (perhaps daily) discipline of going to those who work for you and checking in with them.

2. Specific praise. Praise early, often, and with specific references. This requires you to be familiar with what is happening in the work of those around you, making active listening all the more valuable.

3. Personal thank-yous. For some leaders, thanking people is a recurring oversight. For others, the ubiquitous nature of e-mail has robbed them of their ability to meaningfully thank others for their hard work. That’s why I am a staunch believer in the power of the hand-written thank-you.

4. Talk about the big picture. How often have you handed a task to a worker, realizing it is mundane, monotonous, perhaps even beneath that worker’s skills and education? Rather than hand it off, sit down with them, explain the task, and then take the extra 30 seconds to say why this seemingly insignificant work plays a very real and important role in the success of the ministry’s bigger vision.

5. Flexibility. Sometimes, the best encouragement we can give means recognizing the people around us are human beings beset with the same headaches and hiccups we deal with. Our flexibility in those situations extends a measure of grace that, in my experience anyway, often is returned to me later with a greater magnitude than I gave.

6. Dig in. What is more discouraging than watching a leader hand off the “lesser” work without chipping in? Dig in to the same work that you ask others around you to do. And when your workload doesn’t permit, be sure those around you understand why you can’t at that particular moment—and that you’re available to intervene should a problem develop.

Off the Agenda: How to Authentically Encourage

I’m Third

I was recently introduced as 'Pastor #2" by someone in our congregation. At first I was honored because I believe I have been gifted by God to lead from the second chair. But a split-second later I questioned in my own mind "Why am I #2 and not #3?" I believe the person who made the introduction was speaking Chronologically, rather than a ranking of priority or power.

We work hard as a staff team to shatter the image of a "corporate ladder" or a "ministry hierarchy." Few things get my dander up quicker than asking an associate pastor when he will become a Senior Pastor or when he will "get a church of his own." I have served in associate, solo and senior roles and each of them was the highest place for me to be at that time because that was exactly where God wanted me to be.

The link below connects to a well-written article that has the premise that we should not strive for first place or even second place, but THIRD place.

As you teach or lead others, I hope you always recognize God to be first priority in your group, but as a leader you should also avoid 2nd place.

The Pastor's Soul, Role, and Home.: I’m Third

10 Ways to Be a Better Listener

Here is the short list, for more explanation on each point check out the link at the end of this post.

Listening is a crucial skill for small-group leaders to master. Here are ten practical tips for improving our listening habits.

1. Be quiet.
2. Try to understand.
3. Eliminate distractions.
4. Empathize.
5. Don't judge.
6. Avoid advising.
7. Verify and clarify.
8. Listen for what is not said.
9. Watch body language.
10. Affirm.

10 Ways to Be a Better Listener | Building Small Groups