Pastor + Author
In the second session of my Midsize Groups Course on Ministry Grid, I encourage churches to create a sense of belonging through midsize groups – this is what will make a larger church feel smaller. I also explore how different social environments draw on the strengths of both small groups and midsize gatherings.
Click here to take this session.
If you would like to read an earlier post I wrote reviewing Ministry Grid as well as introducing my Midsize Groups Course, click here.
The first session in my Midsize Groups Course on Ministry Grid addresses how to engage people disillusioned with small groups. In this session, I examine how small groups are the means to community, but not the end. I then discuss how to overcome the difficult barriers that may arise in small groups developing community. Lastly, I introduce how you can establish midsize communities in your church.
Click here to take this session.
If you would like to read an earlier post I wrote reviewing Ministry Grid as well as introducing my Midsize Groups Course, click here.
Susan Cain has written a landmark book on the power of introverts. Whether you’re an introvert, married to one, work with one, or are friends with one, this is a powerful message that you need to comprehend and digest – especially because we live in a world that idealizes extroverts.
This quote summarizes the power of introverts and the message that introverts need to hear – it’s by Susan Cain from her book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking:
Use your natural powers – of persistence, concentration, insight and sensitivity – to do work you love and work that matters. Solve problems, make art, think deeply.
Do you know about Ministry Grid? This is THE platform that I’ve been waiting for. I’ve always been a proponent of on-demand and on-the-go leadership training, but the learning management systems out there were either too expensive or not user friendly enough. That’s why, years ago, I went ahead and just created my own online small group leader training using Survey Monkey, but that was so 2010.
As I’ve been looking for more of a dynamic and intelligent system, I was first struck by RightNow Media’s online video Bible study and training library. I decided not to go with them since my church already had over 200+ small group videos in our own library, and with the demographic of our church, an online system would only cater to less than 20% of our groups. Furthermore, their learning management system did not have the customization features that I was looking for and it was way too expensive.
Enter, Ministry Grid.
Ministry Grid has the customization features that I want for a learning management system, the types of videos that will appeal to all leaders in my church, as well as reasonable pricing. That’s why we’ve signed up with them.
Recently, I’ve had the privilege to also partner with Ministry Grid to provide them with exclusive training content on mid-size communities/groups, as you see outlined in the image.
Click here to take the midsize groups course on Ministry Grid.
So if you’re interested in learning more about mid-size communities/groups, then take in this course and, while you’re at it, learn more about Ministry Grid.
We all know that Albert Einstein is known for his brilliant mind. However, as much as a great mind is a prerequisite to innovation, so is action. Without action, your thoughts will amount to nothing.
Hence, here is today’s thought by Albert Einstein:
Reading, after a certain age, diverts the mind too much from its creative pursuits. Any many who reads too much and uses his own brain too little falls into lazy habits of thinking.
The best leaders are consistently learning and challenging themselves. They are not content with the status quo. Neither are they content with leading the way that they’ve been led or simply according to their gut instincts. The best leaders are on a lifelong journey of learning because they know that when they stop learning, they stop leading.
However, it’s not just about learning because any good leader knows the importance of learning.
The thing that sets the best leaders apart from the pack lies in Todd’s quote above. The best leaders not only strive to become experts in their field, but they also broaden their field of vision.
When you develop this discipline, you begin to see connections between seemingly disparate themes, ideas, and concepts. You develop the ability to integrate diverse perspectives into a collective whole. It’s like a light turns on in your brain.
As a pastor and as a church leader, I love to read spiritually formative books. I love to read books from thought leaders in my discipline, like:
However, if I stop there, then my leadership will only go so far.
That’s why these are the books that I’m currently reading to challenge and grow myself:
1. How Brands Grow: What Marketers Don’t Know – Byron Sharp
If you are on a journey to discover your calling in life, then you should acquaint yourself with the works of Parker Palmer. If you want to think deeply about your vocation, then you need to read Let Your Life Speak: Listening For the Voice of Vocation by Parker Palmer.
Here’s Parker Palmer’s perspective on vocation:
Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it, listen for what it intends to do with you.
Today’s Tuesday thought comes from John Wooden, the renowned coach nicknamed, the “Wizard of Westwood.” Over a 12 year period as the head coach of the UCLA basketball team, they won 10 NCAA national championships!
To learn more about him, you can check out his site.
Here’s his perspective on leadership:
You have to really love your people to get the most out of them.
Every Tuesday morning, I’ll be posting an intriguing quote or thought related to ministry, leadership, or culture.
For our very first Tuesday’s Thought, I wanted to share this powerful insight by Wesley Clark, a retired General of the US Army and a former NATO Supreme Allied Commander.
When asked, “What do you make of all the how-to books and seminars on leadership? What true leader would ever take a leadership seminar?” here is his answer as first appeared in this New York Times Magazine Article.
I’ve never met an effective leader who wasn’t aware of his talents and working to sharpen them.
How do you decide on transition or change in your life?
I find that there is a spectrum of change that all humans fall into. On the one end of that spectrum, we love the thrill of the unknown and get excited about change. On the other end, we love stability and are resistant to change.
Where are you on that spectrum?
My intention in this post is not to create a complete framework for discernment or change, nor is it to list out all of the Biblical passages that are relevant towards decision making. This post is intended to help you begin the conversation on how you process change by gleaning insights from this passage.
Don’t let your heart envy sinners; instead, always fear the Lord. For then you will have a future, and your hope will never fade. Listen, my son, and be wise; keep your mind on the right course. (Proverbs 23:17-19 HCSB)
Here are four insights on transition and change from this passage:
[Read more…] about How Do You Decide on Change or Transition?