2010 Mission Developer’s Conference: Leadership & Discipleship February 15, 2010

1. 2010 Mission Developer’s Conference: Leadership & Discipleship February 15, 2010

2. Three Leadership Myths • Leaders are primarily problem solvers • Called to be a question asker not an answer giver • What is the faithful thing to do? • Where is God already at work? • Where is the Spirit calling us? • Pay attention to faith, community, service, prayer, justice, gifts…

3. Three Leadership Myths 2. Leaders are primarily charismatic individuals • Pastoral and lay leaders are servants first • Preach and teach so that people are sustained, strengthened, and equipped • Broken vessels – “cracked pots”

4. Three Leadership Myths 3. Leaders can solve any organizational problem • Church is not a machine • Pastor is not a mechanic • There’s no “Owner’s Manual” • Complexity of community… • …reality of sin • Congregation is a living organism

5. So, WHO ARE WE? The Pygmalion Effect: What we believe to be true, how we act, and what we SAY shapes our reality… We’re stuck - out of money and people – and there is NO FUTURE for us! God has already given us everything we need to do what God is calling us to do.

6. Our Words have POWER! Our imaginings can CREATE new realities and can shape our congregation’s self-image, IF… • We speak with authenticity • We repeat a consistent message • We develop a long-term strategy

7. What has Jesus taught us?

8. From that time, Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea – for they were fishermen. And, he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately, they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:17-20

9. Learning from Jesus This story offers one of the SIMPLEST, most effective leadership recruitment AND organizing strategies in the bible… 4 ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS are present: • A VISION of the ministry • An appreciation of GIFTEDNESS • A clear DESCRIPTION of the ministry task • A declaration of the IMPACT that will be made.

10. 1. Articulating a Vision The BIG picture: “Repent, for the kingdom of God has come near.” A well-articulated vision answers the question: What is God’s purpose for this congregation?

11. Vision Peter and Andrew followed because they were compelled to TURN AROUND (repent!) and embrace the NEW KINGDOM that Jesus was offering them! The vision provides a compelling REASON to serve, and addresses these questions: • Why are we doing this? • Why is this important? • Is this the most faithful response? • Where do I fit in? • Is this something worth doing?

12. Vision • Does this congregation have a well-articulated and well-known VISION? • Is it faithful and compelling? • Are our members excited about God’s future for them? • Is our vision part of every invitation made to join and to serve in this congregation?

13. Alice & The Cheshire Cat… • Alice: Cheshire Cat, would you tell me, please, which way I ought to walk from here? • Cheshire Cat: Well, that depends a good deal on where you want to get to. • Alice: Oh, it really doesn’t matter, so long as I get somewhere • Cheshire Cat: Then it really doesn’t matter which way you go!

14. 2. Appreciating Giftedness When Jesus called Peter and Andrew, he invited them to USE their gifts! He invited them to a new ministry, but they could keep on FISHING! All of our efforts should be permeated with an appreciation of each person’s GIFTS, SKILLS, TALENTS, and TRAITS…this is what motivates us, individually, and collectively, as a congregation.

15. Giftedness Guides Ministry • We build on God’s blessings • Our gifts help define the vision, and articulate our identity: HOW we’re known, and what we’re BEST at doing usually describes WHO WE ARE! • We find the right people for the right job • Gifted for ministry in daily life – we affirm and support ministry in the world

16. 3. Clear Task Descriptions Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Potential members or volunteers want to know what is expected of them. A clearly stated vision, and a plan for ministry, can help people quickly recognize whether there is a PLACE FOR THEM TO BELONG. NO ONE WANTS TO FAIL.

18. 4. Impact of Ministry Jesus invited Peter and Andrew to be significant participants in the new kingdom he was ushering in. Who you are as a congregation must make a difference beyond your walls, or no one will want to be part of it.

19. Impact of Ministry Don’t inflate or deflate the importance of the ministry position. • Why is painting the worship space important to the ministry of the congregation? • What difference does it make if we have a Sunday School program? • Why do we need this ministry team? If you are recruiting for jobs that have little or no meaning, end the recruiting, or end the jobs.

20. McClelland’s Theory of Motivation Three types of motivation: • Achievement • Affiliation • Power Each person is motivated by one of these types

21. Motivation Self-Test What about YOU?

22. Luke 10:38-42 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"   "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

23. Achievers (Martha) • Love to solve problems and overcome obstacles • Concerned with setting personal goals • Like to work alone • Accomplish “important” things • Advancing their career • Seek out specific feedback • Get the job done – quicker, better, more efficiently

24. Achievers in Church • Program development • Leader in task maintenance • Attend to details • Special projects, events • Task groups • Regular volunteer ministries

25. Affiliators (Mary) • Motivated by relationships • “People Person” • Need affirmation, harmony, and cohesion • Avoid conflict • Care-givers, sympathetic ear, a shoulder to cry on

26. Affiliators in Church • Greeters, callers, fellowship events • Visitation, hosts, counselors • Relational “glue” in community • Talk, share, discuss issues • Feelings

27. Power Motivated People • Influencing others • Changing behavior and ideas • Verbal, outspoken, forceful • Seen as “leaders” • Winning arguments, directing others, beating the competition • Status is important • Positive – power and influence to help others • Negative – dominance, prestige, authority

28. Power People in Church • Make things happen • Develop policies, strategic plans • Cast vision • Teachers, preachers, leaders • Influential and inspiring • Strive for excellence - potential

29. What about your congregation? Every congregation needs ALL three types: people motivated by achievement, affiliation, and power. If you are “over-stocked” in any one type, be intentional about leadership development in the other areas. Recognize the need for balance.

30. Guiding Principles for Empowering Leadership • Focus on the RIGHT things • VISION-oriented ministry • Leadership Development • Organic mission and multiplication with gift-based programs • Where’s the pain? • Where’s the opportunity? • Provide powerful Mentoring • Critical for sustaining momentum • Empowerment for ministry

31. Guiding Principles for Empowering Leadership • Cultivate a clear and compelling vision • What do you really want? • Paint the picture for others • Maintain a long-term focus • Good things don’t come easily • Count the cost – it is HIGH • Build a guiding coalition • Who else is passionately committed? • Don’t wait for everyone to join the convoy! • Thanks to Bob Logan - CoachNet

32. Guiding Principles for Empowering Leadership • Reflect and Celebrate • Gather, share, pray, worship… • Embrace the synergy of community • Invite others to share the journey • Who else? • What’s next?

33. Empowering Leaders… • Empower other Christians for ministry • Do not use lay workers as "helpers“ • Assist others to reach their spiritual potential • Equip, support, motivate, and mentor individuals • Multiply, guide, empower and equip disciples • Invert the pyramid of authority • Work together to accomplish God’s vision • Spend the majority of their time in discipleship, delegation, and multiplication

34. The Disciple-Leader • A Christian leader is someone who is called by God and the church to grow in his or her faith and to courageously and joyfully share that faith with others through word and action. • Congregations are disciple-making communities

35. Jesus said… You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.(Matthew 20:25-28)

36. Disciple Leaders • Journey begins in baptism • Disciple Leaders are not born – they are shaped and molded • Formed through the means of grace • Word and Sacrament • Bible Study and Prayer • Fellowship • Start the process with children and youth

37. It All Begins with Gifts Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit, and there varieties of services, but the same Lord, and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Cor. 12:4-7)

38. It All Begins with Gifts • Everyone is gifted by God • Gifted for a purpose – build up the body of Christ and it’s ministry to the world • Blessed to be a blessing • Gifts grow as we give them away • “You complete me!”

39. Developing Leaders So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives growth. 1 Corinthians 3:7 We don’t grow leaders – God does! Disciple leaders are already in your congregation, and in your community…the seeds have already been planted! The harvest IS plentiful… But the laborers are few…Our task is to water, fertilize, prune, and nurture what God has already planted.

40. Recruitment Guidelines • One-on-one interviews are the best practice: the more important the job, the more important the interview • Blanket requests for volunteers are the least effective practice • Use public announcements as a way to invite further discussion • Let people say NO • Keep the door open for participation in other areas, and for later involvement

41. Personalizing the Process One-on-One Interviews: • What are you good at? • What are your gifts and talents? • What are you passionate about? • Where is God calling you to use your gifts and talents? Put together a TEAM of interviewers! Ask these questions of ALL members, and visitors, too!

42. Leadership Development Plan Set up REGULAR training opportunities for Disciple-Leaders Make sure all leadership development efforts include: • Quality Content • A variety of learning styles • Consideration for the motivations of the participants

43. The Wisdom of Yogi Berra: If you don’t know where you are going, chances are you will end up somewhere else!

44. Learning from Jesus 4 ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS: • A VISION of the ministry • An appreciation of GIFTEDNESS • A clear DESCRIPTION of the ministry task (a PLAN!) 4. A declaration of the IMPACT that will be made.

45. Grounded to Lead As a disciple leader, God invites you to see God’s people through new eyes. This congregation is a precious and beautiful creation. It is a JOY to behold!

46. LEADERSHIPVs.MANAGEMENT Pastor’s are called to lead NOT to manage

47. Leadership is not Management! • Management is a bottom line focus: • How can I best accomplish certain things? • Leadership deals with the top line: • What are the things I want to accomplish?

48. Leadership is not Management! • Management is doing things right… • Leadership is doing the right things! • Management is efficiency at climbing the ladder of success. • Leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall. Stephen Covey – 7 Habits

49. We need Leaders to “...provide the force necessary to organize resources in the right direction.” (P. Drucker) Not control, efficiency, and rules - But direction, purpose, and feeling!

50. Final Thoughts • There's No Substitute for Excellence • Know Where You're Going • Learn to Say No • Don't Underestimate the Value of Community • Recruit Like a College Football Team Ron Reynolds, the Executive Director of CAPSO – California Association of Private School Organizations