The Big Idea: Understanding how decision-making groups work becomes useful only
when applied to actual leadership of groups.
If there's not one already, there should be an entire module (or three) just on leadership and how to lead people well. It's one thing that we are going to have to do the rest of our career. Being a lousy leader doesn't accomplish anything, and with our Commission, that's not acceptable. Being a constantly-learning leader though has many benefits that not only affect our lives, but the lives around us as well.
Reflect on how you are going to incorporate the information and ideas from
this lesson into your ministry.
Now I have a lot of practical tools for leading meetings. One of the improvements I would like to implement is the one to help the leadership know their spiritual health is vital. We can take the first portion of the meeting to study Scripture and pray together. I especially like the piece of advice about praying for one another by name.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
lesson 9 reflection
Reflect on the following statements:
—Every decision has its costs, rewards, and consequences. I agree because every decision involves some level of cost, whether it's time, talent or treasure. Most good decisions bring rewards with them, usually in the form of feeling fulfilled. Consequences usually has the connotation of something bad or unwanted that happens, but it could also mean something fantastic that happened as a result of making wise decisions.
—Leaders who refuse to make decisions eventually cripple their
organizations. Agreed. But let's not confuse patience or waiting with not making a decision. Sometimes not making a decision can be costly because the church could miss out on an opportunity.
—Decision-making is the moment when knowledge, feeling, thought,
energy, and opinions are brought together for action—a time when the
best alternative is chosen. It's more like a process. There comes a time when all these factors come to a point of decision.
—Leaders are chosen to lead. By definition that's correct. Leaders are also to model what others should be acting like. But leaders also choose to lead, leadership can't just be put on someone who doesn't want to lead.
Big Idea: God intends that those trusted with leadership in the church will, in the
process of leading and serving, be spiritually stretched to develop into great
Christians. That’s what this lesson is about—becoming a great servant leader.
The more someone walks with God, the more they know this is true. God didn't save us and set us apart so that we could continue living in our own comfort zone. Instead He calls us to live like Christ, sacrificing our pride and ambition in order to serve others; meeting needs in love. You may not be called to go far away. That's fine. Maybe it's a stretch for you to have a conversation with the check-out person at Walmart. We will always be challenged by the Holy Spirit to serve others. It's a large part of life.
—Every decision has its costs, rewards, and consequences. I agree because every decision involves some level of cost, whether it's time, talent or treasure. Most good decisions bring rewards with them, usually in the form of feeling fulfilled. Consequences usually has the connotation of something bad or unwanted that happens, but it could also mean something fantastic that happened as a result of making wise decisions.
—Leaders who refuse to make decisions eventually cripple their
organizations. Agreed. But let's not confuse patience or waiting with not making a decision. Sometimes not making a decision can be costly because the church could miss out on an opportunity.
—Decision-making is the moment when knowledge, feeling, thought,
energy, and opinions are brought together for action—a time when the
best alternative is chosen. It's more like a process. There comes a time when all these factors come to a point of decision.
—Leaders are chosen to lead. By definition that's correct. Leaders are also to model what others should be acting like. But leaders also choose to lead, leadership can't just be put on someone who doesn't want to lead.
Big Idea: God intends that those trusted with leadership in the church will, in the
process of leading and serving, be spiritually stretched to develop into great
Christians. That’s what this lesson is about—becoming a great servant leader.
The more someone walks with God, the more they know this is true. God didn't save us and set us apart so that we could continue living in our own comfort zone. Instead He calls us to live like Christ, sacrificing our pride and ambition in order to serve others; meeting needs in love. You may not be called to go far away. That's fine. Maybe it's a stretch for you to have a conversation with the check-out person at Walmart. We will always be challenged by the Holy Spirit to serve others. It's a large part of life.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
lesson 8 reflection
Reflect on your own personality and your ability to plan and carry out plans.
What can you do to improve?
I'm a melancholy personality type so I like lists and organization. You would think I would be good at planning. I am pretty decent at making plans, but not so great at following through.
I guess to improve I could set some planning dates for calendering and message series, setting aside times just for planning. Also, having other people to hold me accountable for having completed a task could be helpful. I need to put the different steps on my calendar with dates due.
Reflect on “The Big Idea.”After one has studied and understands all the planning concepts and
principles, the next step is to find out how it is done—what is the process.
This is one of the lessons that has been good for me, because I need constant reminders and examples on how to execute. It helps to list out the steps and give time lines. I need this hammered into my head. I've seen a lot of progress in this area, but would like to see some more.
What can you do to improve?
I'm a melancholy personality type so I like lists and organization. You would think I would be good at planning. I am pretty decent at making plans, but not so great at following through.
I guess to improve I could set some planning dates for calendering and message series, setting aside times just for planning. Also, having other people to hold me accountable for having completed a task could be helpful. I need to put the different steps on my calendar with dates due.
Reflect on “The Big Idea.”After one has studied and understands all the planning concepts and
principles, the next step is to find out how it is done—what is the process.
This is one of the lessons that has been good for me, because I need constant reminders and examples on how to execute. It helps to list out the steps and give time lines. I need this hammered into my head. I've seen a lot of progress in this area, but would like to see some more.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
lesson 7 reflection
The Big Idea: Planning—the art of leading the voyage to the future—takes energy,
savvy, time, courage, and patience.
That's a pretty good definition for planning. Planning does take energy, but it's a good use of energy, because essentially it saves work in the end. You also need good insight in order to plan a church/ministry/event. The main insight needs to come from God's Holy Spirit, and we need to walk in step with Him. It is wise to take time to plan, but making time to plan actually adds a level of flexibility that you wouldn't have if you didn't take the time to plan. Planning is an act of courage because you're trusting that God knows what He is doing and that He will provide for the dreams and plans in your heart. Lastly, it takes patience because once you feel like you know the direction God wants to take your church, youth group, or Sunday School class, you have to wait a while before seeing those results come to being.
Reflect on your own experience with good planning versus poor planning.
To me, much of my early experience in youth ministry was not poor planning, it was no planning. Our calendar was chock full of stuff to do, but that's all it really was: giving our kids something to do. There wasn't much purpose behind it. Good planning is much more the norm now that the mission here at Grace (win/disciple/send) drives all the planning. I don't have something happening every weekend, but when we do it is aimed at one of those three goals.
I used to hate the idea of sitting down and planning, but now I have experienced the peace and rewards of planning for a ministry and its many activities.
savvy, time, courage, and patience.
That's a pretty good definition for planning. Planning does take energy, but it's a good use of energy, because essentially it saves work in the end. You also need good insight in order to plan a church/ministry/event. The main insight needs to come from God's Holy Spirit, and we need to walk in step with Him. It is wise to take time to plan, but making time to plan actually adds a level of flexibility that you wouldn't have if you didn't take the time to plan. Planning is an act of courage because you're trusting that God knows what He is doing and that He will provide for the dreams and plans in your heart. Lastly, it takes patience because once you feel like you know the direction God wants to take your church, youth group, or Sunday School class, you have to wait a while before seeing those results come to being.
Reflect on your own experience with good planning versus poor planning.
To me, much of my early experience in youth ministry was not poor planning, it was no planning. Our calendar was chock full of stuff to do, but that's all it really was: giving our kids something to do. There wasn't much purpose behind it. Good planning is much more the norm now that the mission here at Grace (win/disciple/send) drives all the planning. I don't have something happening every weekend, but when we do it is aimed at one of those three goals.
I used to hate the idea of sitting down and planning, but now I have experienced the peace and rewards of planning for a ministry and its many activities.
Reflection on Lesson 6
Reflect on the scriptures from this lesson (Acts 6:1-7, Romans 12:4-5)
Romans 12:4-5 reminds us that we are all part of the body of Christ, yet we each have our own specific role to play. We are each given different gifts to use to help others know God. We shouldn't be jealous of others' gifts and talents.
Acts 6:1-7
This is the passage that shows us as pastors two things: what we need to be concerned with (prayer and the Word), and that we need to delegate important tasks (like feeding of the widows) to other capable people. We cannot and should not try to minister by ourselves, it is meant to be a team effort.
Reflect on “The Big Idea.” For Kingdom expansion, congregational health, disciples’ spiritual
development, and the multiplication of a pastor’s ministry, every lay leader must be
challenged to become a member of a ministry team and shown how to do it.
This is one idea that most pastors would probably agree with, but not enough are actually practicing it. Of course, Jesus modeled to us how to lead a team by his examples with the disciples. This won't be a one-time event where we train and everything is done; but rather a long-term commitment to leading and training others.
I haven't done as well here at my current assignment with training our youth staff, but this reminds me I need to get with it so we can be even more effective for Christ.
Romans 12:4-5 reminds us that we are all part of the body of Christ, yet we each have our own specific role to play. We are each given different gifts to use to help others know God. We shouldn't be jealous of others' gifts and talents.
Acts 6:1-7
This is the passage that shows us as pastors two things: what we need to be concerned with (prayer and the Word), and that we need to delegate important tasks (like feeding of the widows) to other capable people. We cannot and should not try to minister by ourselves, it is meant to be a team effort.
Reflect on “The Big Idea.” For Kingdom expansion, congregational health, disciples’ spiritual
development, and the multiplication of a pastor’s ministry, every lay leader must be
challenged to become a member of a ministry team and shown how to do it.
This is one idea that most pastors would probably agree with, but not enough are actually practicing it. Of course, Jesus modeled to us how to lead a team by his examples with the disciples. This won't be a one-time event where we train and everything is done; but rather a long-term commitment to leading and training others.
I haven't done as well here at my current assignment with training our youth staff, but this reminds me I need to get with it so we can be even more effective for Christ.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Journal for lesson 5
The Big Idea: Every church has an abundance of nonhuman resources that are
sometimes overlooked and thus seldom fully utilized.
I know I've been guilty of just looking through human eyes at what is available (typically at physical things like facilities/finances). This has helped me remember that God has given us everything we need to accomplish his mission. He has given us the best story/offer ever through Jesus. He also sends his Holy Spirit into our lives as a guide and empowering us to witness and serve others. There are resources available to accomplish the task at hand; and I'm not on my own (though it can feel like it sometimes).
Resource 5-5:
This exercise was designed (I believe) to help us mentally sort though what tangible and indefinable resources our local church possesses. I know for our student ministry, we need to rely more heavily on the power of prayer; and I'd also like to see if we can get some kind of mentoring thing going with our students and our kids.
Also, I think more people would be willing to get involved if they knew it would bring them satisfaction. This should make me a little more confident when I set out to invite others to join me in ministry.
sometimes overlooked and thus seldom fully utilized.
I know I've been guilty of just looking through human eyes at what is available (typically at physical things like facilities/finances). This has helped me remember that God has given us everything we need to accomplish his mission. He has given us the best story/offer ever through Jesus. He also sends his Holy Spirit into our lives as a guide and empowering us to witness and serve others. There are resources available to accomplish the task at hand; and I'm not on my own (though it can feel like it sometimes).
Resource 5-5:
This exercise was designed (I believe) to help us mentally sort though what tangible and indefinable resources our local church possesses. I know for our student ministry, we need to rely more heavily on the power of prayer; and I'd also like to see if we can get some kind of mentoring thing going with our students and our kids.
Also, I think more people would be willing to get involved if they knew it would bring them satisfaction. This should make me a little more confident when I set out to invite others to join me in ministry.
lecture 4 journal
Reflect on how you have viewed the laity.
It would be easy to get critical of the few people who failed to follow through on promises, let us down, etc.; but I won't do that. I admit in the past I have muttered to myself "if only they were as committed as me, then they'd really jump in and help." That doesn't help anyone. I've come to a point where I understand that I need to heavily lean on our youth staff (volunteers) to do anything of significance. They are some of the brightest, most talented people I know, and they're doing great things for God and our students. I now view laity as my partners in ministry.
The Big Idea—Realize the church is for people and that people are the church’s most
valuable resource.
I think realizing that the church is for people is easy to accept. It should be a place where hurting people are healed, where broken people are restored and where those serving God can have a ministry role. I think we often forget about people being the church's most valuable resource because we can get so caught up in the how of doing ministry and neglect the why/who (reason for doing ministry). I need to be constantly developing leaders within my group and help them to reach others. We can do so much more when we share the load. God, please remind me that these are not only the people You gave your Son for, but also the people through whom You intend to spread the Gospel.
It would be easy to get critical of the few people who failed to follow through on promises, let us down, etc.; but I won't do that. I admit in the past I have muttered to myself "if only they were as committed as me, then they'd really jump in and help." That doesn't help anyone. I've come to a point where I understand that I need to heavily lean on our youth staff (volunteers) to do anything of significance. They are some of the brightest, most talented people I know, and they're doing great things for God and our students. I now view laity as my partners in ministry.
The Big Idea—Realize the church is for people and that people are the church’s most
valuable resource.
I think realizing that the church is for people is easy to accept. It should be a place where hurting people are healed, where broken people are restored and where those serving God can have a ministry role. I think we often forget about people being the church's most valuable resource because we can get so caught up in the how of doing ministry and neglect the why/who (reason for doing ministry). I need to be constantly developing leaders within my group and help them to reach others. We can do so much more when we share the load. God, please remind me that these are not only the people You gave your Son for, but also the people through whom You intend to spread the Gospel.
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