Distractions

The news over the weekend about two Northwest Airlines pilots who missed the Minneapolis airport by over 100 miles and had to double back has had the news media abuzz. What does this have to do with leadership?

It turns out they claim they failed to do their most important task - Pilot the airplane because they were distracted by a discussion about the new software system that determines when they would pilot airplanes.

This reminds me of the parable of the lifesaving station that has been made into a video here. Here is the text version

Do we sometimes lose focus of MAKING MORE AND BETTER FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST because we get distracted by "getting through the lesson" or "finishing the chapter"? Sometimes our format gets in the way of transformation. Sometimes our activities get in the way of our obedience. Sometimes our training gets in the way of our mission.

The news reports that the two pilots will lose their jobs and most likely their commercial licenses to fly. But fortunately there was no loss of life, but those passengers will never get back the time wasted by the mistake of these two pilots.

Somebody reminded me that it is wise to learn from one's experience, it is wiser to learn from somebody else's. I hope we will be able to gain wisdom from the experience of these two pilots.

Changing Perception

I just saw a great video based upon the premise of "Can we motivate people to do something good for them if they think it will be fun?"



Reminded me of something I heard years ago in a preaching class. THE BIBLE IS NOT BORING! "It is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword". If people perceive the Bible to be boring it is because of something we have done to it.

If the people in the video could change perceptions so that people were willing to take the stairs instead of the escalator (even the frail, elderly gentleman at the very end of the video), what might you be able to do to change the way people perceive Biblical training?

I'm not talking about compromising the message!! but how it is presented. The training to join the special forces in the military is not easy, but it is packaged and delivered in such a way that there is a waiting list to get in each class of recruits.

The elite military, elite business schools, elite sports teams, etc. inspire aspiration so that potential recruits are willing to pay great price for the privilege of participating.

What could be done so that the same aspiration was attached to your small group or class?

Who is feeding who?

As teachers and small group leaders I know you put significant time into preparing lessons so that you have something of substance to lay before your students or participants when you gather. But have you given any thought to training them to feed themselves or to feed others?

Feeding an infant usually involves placing a puree into his or her mouth. As the child grows the parent looks for foods that the child can grasp and feed himself without choking. Then the child is trained how to use a knife and fork to cut up his own food. Eventually most people learn how to cook for themselves (at least follow basic recipes) and only a small minority never gain the skills of preparing at least one dish (even if that is frozen pizza or grilled hamburgers) that they can serve to others.

However in the church, we tend to blame ourselves if people complain that they are not being served what they want when we should be teaching them to feed themselves and others.

This is one of the landmark findings of the Reveal study that was conducted by Willow Creek Community Church of their own congregation and later many other congregations as well.

Hebrews 5:11-14 speaks about the sad state when people have been immature for too long because they refuse to move toward spiritual maturity.

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Sometimes people don't move toward maturity because we don't really want them to. We like the fact that they are dependent upon us. When we need them to need us, it is an unhealthy relationship that has been labeled "co-dependence.

I love 1 John 2:12-14 because it clearly identifies various levels of maturity and says that we must interact with individuals depending upon their maturity, BUT it implies that people should NEVER remain in a state of immaturity.

Do you really believe the participants in your group are capable of feeding themselves and others? (2 Timothy 2:2)

Superstar or superTEAM?

Much is being written about the way that Brett Favre shredded his former team in last night's game. Yes, the Vikings won and yes, Favre threw 3 TDs, BUT was it a bad decision for the Packers to go in a new direction with the QB position a year ago?

The statistics today show that after 4 weeks of this season Favre has a Passer rating of 104.7 (3rd in the league). Rodgers is only 2 slots behind that with a rating of 101.1 while still taking a league-leading 20 sacks in the first 4 games. And Rodger has actually thrown for 261 MORE yards over these first 4 weeks than Favre.

What would Favre's rating be if he was playing behind the Packer's offensive line? What would Rodgers' rating be if he was playing behind the Vikings offensive line?

The media likes to make a lot of the QB controversy, but football is a TEAM sport.

In the same way CHURCH is a TEAM endeavor! People may compare musicians or Pastors. Congregants may have great love for one teacher or a particular small group leader, but NOBODY serves in isolation.

What are you doing to value the team around you?

Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

Since everybody else is talking about the Packers-Vikings game last night, I will not… (or did I just do what I said I wouldn’t do?)

I just read a post from another author/consultant whom I trust and has had a significant influence on our local church. These are the questions I am asking myself today. As a leader who has been called by God to influence others in His Church, which of these questions challenge you the most?

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) has a huge impact on our leadership, relationships and influence. Poor EQ causes us to lose coinage with others while good EQ does just the opposite. Think through the following indicators of good EQ and evaluate how well you are doing in these crucial areas.

I am approachable and have a nothing to prove, nothing to lose attitude

I seek to resolve conflict quickly and well

I am self defined but always leave the door open for dialogue with those who disagree and work to keep the relationship

I live with self confidence but not hubris

I am highly flexible

I seek to understand myself well including, weaknesses and strengths and the shadow side

I ask others for feedback on my behaviors

I am a team player and value “us” more than “me”

I work very hard to understand others and put myself in their place

I don’t hold grudges and extend forgiveness easily

I don’t need to be popular but I do desire to be respected

When conflict occurs I take responsibility for my part

There are no issues that are off limits for my team to discuss

I am patient with people and always give them the benefit of the doubt

I have a sense of humor about myself and don’t take myself too seriously

Leading From the Sandbox: Emotional Intelligence (EQ)