F I R * kr II .,,
How leaders can keep busy and get nothing done! Lowell C. Cooper
Pastoral ministry: management or spiritual leadership Stanley E. Patterson
The story of Pastor Alpha: becoming an emotionally intelligent pastoral leader Delbert W. Baker
The ABCs of everyday spiritual leadership Victor M. Parachin
The rationale for grounded leadership Peter J. Prime
Knight©s Law applied to church leadership George R. Knight
A radical approach to becoming a great leader Steve Farber
Help for spiritual leaders in hard times Ben Campbell Johnson
Serving significantly as leaders Wayne M. Warner
Spiritual leaders and the multicultural mosaic Roscoe J. Howard III
Mission and unity: the challenge for the church today Pat Gustin
Balanced pastoral leadership: Healing the healers James R. Newby
Leading adaptive change Greg Schaller
Leading across culture: The dynamics of deeper-level change John Grys
The way it could be: leadership development in ministerial education Skip Bell, Roger Dudley, and Doug Tilstra
Learning leaders: insights from organizational studies Prudence LaBeach Pollard
Pastor as leader: job impossible? Margie Littell Ulrich
The gap: perceptions on Seventh-day Adventist leadership by those who lead Branimir Schubert
Earn a master©s degree "InMinistry" Walt Williams
MINISTRY July-August 2005 E T T R S
ADOPTING POSITIONAL BELIEFS AS ABSOLUTE ARBITERS OF EVERYTHING REQUIRES THE SUBMISSION Or EVERYTHING TO TE1EK4
Spirituality and health tion of ]ews and women, and many We choose a small church a few miles I appreciated Peter Landless©s article on wars have flourished with biblical literal from home. Church growth in such a I "The Pastor and the Physician" (March ism. community of Adventist churches gives 2005). The emphasis on the team min "In the beginning God created . . ." church growth a different twist! istry of the pastor and the physician in remains an assertion of faith, equally But the article©s statistics are facts, not the well-being of people has been noted unprovable for its absolute truth as "In conclusions. We have to use our judg in other publications as well, such as the the beginning science observed . . ." ment and common sense to draw December 2004 issue of the Southern Faith by its nature affirms that which conclusions from statistical facts. It Medical Journal with the featured topic cannot be known for certain. In allowing seems to me that some of the conclu of religion, spirituality, and medicine, for continuing revelation, developing sions reached in the report of the study and the article, "The Little Clinics That knowledge, and increased understand might be erroneous. Just two examples: Could" in the February 24, 2005, issue ing, we have less need for biblical Pastor Sahlin points out that fast- of the Adventist Review. As a practicing literalism and a greater need for a growing churches have more than one Adventist physician, I would encourage dynamic personal and communal rela church service each Sabbath, whereas you to publish more articles of this kind, tionship with Christ the Living Word. stable or declining churches have only with specific suggestions on how such John Marcon, Auckland, New Zealand. one. Does this indicate, as seems to be ideas may be implemented. implied, that having two church services Cor/os Irizarry, M.D., via email. A jewel in pastoral care causes growth? Isn©t it more logical to he Ritual for Cleansing After conclude that it is the growth that caus Statement on Faith and T Hearing Gossip" (January 2005) by es the need for multiple services? He also Science Rabbi David. J. Zucker is a jewel of pas suggests that fast-growing churches find was intrigued by your Faith/Science toral care. Very significant to us in the funds for hiring more church staff. Does I doctrinal statement (March 2005). United States after our recent presiden adding more staff cause church growth, In stating that "belief in a literal, six- tial election. And no less, for the 24/7 or does the growth lead to more funds day creation is indissolubly linked with stuff we hear and see in the media and and the need for more staff? the authority of Scripture," several other public places where we cannot And just one minor quibble: The assumptions are made. One is that avoid the hearing and seeing. author uses the word reveal in the title scriptural authority is tied to biblical lit Rev. Dr. Francis E. Jeffrey, Lakewood, of the article and several times again in eralism when it might better be linked Washington. the text. Many years ago when I was to Jesus as the Living Word the letter writing a doctoral thesis at a secular uni yielding to the person, the legality to More on church growth versity, I used that term. My the relationship. e appreciate the fine research mentor/major professor objected to my Adopting positional beliefs as Wdone by Dr. Monte Sahlin and his using it. Said he, "Revelations come absolute arbiters of everything requires partners in the study on church growth from God through His prophets; I don©t the submission of everything to them (November 2004). We attend a little think you are either one." Of course, he whether they fit or not and the church "drive-in" church similar to the ones he won the point! m through history has often found itself in describes in the article, though there Charles H. Tidwell, Sr., Collegeda/e, trouble. Slavery, "flat Earth," persecu are a score of churches to select from. Tennessee.
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July-August 2005 MINISTRY D I T O R I A
Bosses, leaders, and human hearts
ost people would agree that the more insecure he tends to become good leadership is something WILL EVA and the more he tends to operate as M like a brass ensemble gathered "the boss." And the more he or she on the stage of life, playing beautiful bosses, the more his/her approach alien music. Each instrument represents a ates. Thus again the natural tendency is feature or quality of leadership that to remedy the fallout by turning yet stands out at one moment, and blends again to still more bossing. This esca in with other instruments at another. lates until this way of administrating or Together they create a captivating har merely managing not really leading mony that moves the audience into a becomes his/her predominant, default constructive common experience. we changed from bossing to leading in style. Or perhaps quality leadership is more the workplace. ... I am not so na©i©ve as Jesus was, of course the consummate like a recipe in which there is an assort to claim that people will not work hard leader. His was the way of discipleship ment of carefully chosen ingredients, for bosses. Many will because they see and that©s an infrastructure I word when mixed in fine proportion, simmering on themselves as hard workers, no matter it comes to the sort of leadership we©re the family stove, ready to be served up how they are treated. They will give advocating here and He gave His with just the right flourish, so the gath their hands and even their brains to a whole life to modeling this approach ered family will be satisfied and boss. But they will give their hearts only (Read again Mark 10:32-45.) nourished. to a leader, and the feeling we experi He led with the overarching aim of Leadership is of vital importance to ence when that happens is something a reaching people so they would volun us because, for one thing, it constantly boss will never know."1 tarily come to see for themselves the revolves around issues of power and Bosses versus leaders; what©s the dif magnificence of His vision, and to influence. So we flock to leadership ference? ... "They will give their hearts choose to follow freely and of their own summits. We read voluminous books only to a leader. . ." volition. He did not need to resort to and pore over magazines, journals, and The core of the difference between a "bosship." If there is any arena in which Web sites. We absorb interviews with boss and a leader lies in the fact that the it is, by the very nature of things, critical successful leaders on and off the air and leader has caught the vision of how crit to capture the hearts of the people we convene conventions. We create classes ical it is to actually lead by enlisting the are leading, it is in Christian ministry. that may only be part of a comprehen hearts of those who work with him or This special double issue of Ministry, sive university curriculum. Then there her. He knows the unsurpassable value inspired by General Conference are the seminars and tapes, audio and of consistently leading from that per President ]an Paulsen, celebrates the video, and now it©s CDs and DVDs. spective. While a leader may not be able 58th General Conference Session of the In the face of all this, may we sug to do this purely and consistently in Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is gest, and still appear sane, that there is every situation, it is nevertheless always dedicated not just to making good just one jugular leadership principle the essential underpinning of a healthy leaders, but contributing to the further that stands out in a class all its own? leadership orientation. It helps to make development of genuinely Spirit-filled, I think so. more bosslike actions more palatable spiritual leaders who are effective To describe it I need the vivid words and effective when at crunch times the because like ]esus Himself, they are sat of a renowned contemporary luminary leader is forced to be more "bossish." isfied only with an approach that goes who writes about leadership in the The boss simply hasn©t caught this for the heart. Ml workplace in general. William Glasser vision. The more he senses that he does says: "We have hardly scratched the sur not have the hearts of those he super 1 William Glasser, Choice Theory (New York: Harper face of the prosperity we could have if vises (a common frustration for him), Coffins, 1998), 289.
MINISTRY July-August 2005 that "Work is the greatest thing in the world, so we should always save some of it for tomorrow."1 Threats to mere busyness come primarily from any sustained effort to take control of time, self, space, and stuff. It may be worthwhile to examine each of these threats more closely.
Getting control of time How leaders Noted Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore enjoyed telling audiences about the sitar player who came on stage to present a con can keep cert. After considerable time the master of ceremonies announced the close of the con cert. In dismay the musician exclaimed, "My busy—and get opportunity is gone. I spent my time tuning the instrument and the song I came to sing is left unsung." nothing done! Leadership positions are the organizational intersections for information, consultation, decisions, and communication. Consequently there is a prevailing tendency, call it suction if he burden of busyness is viewed you will, for a leader to become the victim of Lowell C. Cooper among us as a badge of impor other people©s agendas, interests, and expecta tance. Leaders are frequently tions. introduced at meetings with words The technologies of our day provide count of thanks for "taking time out of less opportunities for staying engaged and Ttheir busy schedules..." No leader, as far as I unproductive. Just sign up on the Internet for know, has ever denied being busy. We accept notification of breaking news, turn on the the tribute even when it might be more ethi switch for instant messaging from your cally correct to refute it. I for one have never friends, share your cell phone number widely, contested such an acknowledgment. answer every call as and when it comes, and Current leadership culture suggests that keep your office door wide open so that any one is obligated to cultivate a reputation for passersby will feel welcome and regard you as being busy. A former colleague advised me very accessible and person-centered. This way that to do this one must carry a briefcase and you may appear to be the man or woman of walk fast. the moment, but in the end, that may be all. The real question, though, is whether or A sense of overwhelming busyness will cer not a leader gets things done. It is rather easy tainly diminish if one goes to the trouble of to be busy and, for many of us, the less you maintaining a calendar. To be of value in get get done, the more busy you will be. ting work done, a calendar should allow for The rest of this article takes a look at the viewing, at least one month at a time, the organizational foundations for getting things schedule for all meetings, deadlines, tasks. done. If what one wants is to be, or to appear The calendar of information needs to be to be, busy all the time, then this article will portable and readily accessible. help but its real purpose is to deal with get But if the real purpose is only to be busy, ting things done. As you work your way one should maintain calendars in several for through the article, be on guard against the mats a handwritten version, a computer-file Lowell C. Cooper is occasional attempt at tongue-in-cheek humor. version, and a downloaded version on your general vice Let©s begin by pointing out that productiv personal digital assistant (PDA). This way you president of the General Conference ity arises from the purposeful organization of will need to spend a lot of time figuring out of Seventh-day time, self, space, and material. which version has the most accurate, up-to- Adventists, Silver Ignore any one of those four components date information and which version needs to Spring, Maryland. and you can keep busy without accomplish be updated and from which of the multiple ing much. After all, one should remember sources. With just a little practice, this alone
July-August 2005 MINISTRY can come close to a half-time job. other party to call back if further con wish I©d heard when I was real A person who doesn©t understand versation is necessary. A good young). But if it is all about what©s the importance of busyness will be secretary (if as a pastor you are fortu above the water line, we are likely to rather careful in scheduling things on nate enough to have such) who witness a leadership crash of sorts in the calendar. Big tasks are broken screens calls can really spoil the busy- the coming years. Leaders blessed down into a series of progressive ness of the day. The game of with great natural skills and charisma steps. Those tasks requiring intense telephone tag is for people who like may be vulnerable to collapse in their thought and concentration are sched to feel overwhelmed with things that character, their key relationships, uled at the most productive time of are always half finished. their center of belief because they the person©s day. Intervals of free time never learned that you cannot (or are built into the schedule. Routine Getting control of self should not anyway) build above the tasks, like paying bills or balancing Equating busyness with importance water line until there is a substantial the checkbook, are assigned to regular is a fraud. On top of that, it©s a fraud foundation below it."2 time periods during the month. that is generally unchallenged in our Another advantage to staying busy Things to be done outside the office age of fascination with the image of is that it can appear so Christlike. or away from home will be clustered success rather than its substance. The Jesus Himself was a busy man, and a so that several can be accomplished most difficult discipline in a role of man of action. He was so busy at with each trip. public leadership, especially spiritual times that He didn©t have time to eat. Unfortunately the person who goes leadership, is to carve out personal "Then, because so many people were to all the trouble of properly main time for growth and reflection. The coming and going that they did not taining a calendar will not experience temptation is to be visible, available, even have a chance to eat, he said to the thrill of living on adrenaline. and indispensable thus portraying a them, ©Come with me by yourselves He/she will not likely have double life of great personal sacrifice. The per to a quiet place and get some rest©" bookings, scheduling conflicts, or sud ception of busyness is a very thin (Mark 6:31, NIV). denly be reminded of an imminent veneer in spiritual leadership. Sooner Getting things done requires that deadline. Such people will proceed or later one discovers that substance in there be periods of rest and rejuvena through their daily routines with public life grows out of what happens tion of the soul. It is obvious, from measured pace. Busy people, on the in the leader©s private life. His own life, that Jesus saw a life of other hand, are generally wound up Gordon MacDonald discovered action blended with rest, worship, tight from morn till night and spring some engineering details in an old and contemplation. into a frenzy repeatedly throughout book about the massive underground So the question boils down to one the day. Poor organization of time eas construction supporting the Brooklyn of how much of each. What are the ily masquerades as busyness. Bridge. Later MacDonald wrote these recommended proportions of duty, When one learns to enjoy busy observations in his personal journal: devotion, and recreation in a life of ness, one can hardly wait for the next "The Brooklyn Bridge remains a major spiritual leadership? I must admit phone call, email, or text message. transportation artery in New York that I don©t have the answer at least Those who don©t yet realize the value City today because, 135 years ago, the not a formula-approach that says one of always appearing busy impose a Chief Engineer and his construction hour of this and five hours of that or stern discipline on their response to team did their most patient and dar vice versa. Perhaps it is more a ques phones and email. Just because the ing work where no one could see it: tion of results rather than of time. phone rings does not mean it is more on the foundations of the towers Better still, perhaps we could say important than the job you are now below the water line. It is one more that if your life is plagued with worry, doing. Of course, if your job is to illustration of an ageless principle in frustration, criticism, and a desire to answer the phone, you better do so at leadership: the work done below the control someone else, then the one the first ring. water line (in a leader©s soul) [is what] thing needful is missing. The rela People who get things done make determines whether he or she will tionship with God has been pinched wise use of phone messaging ask the stand the test of time and challenge. and squeezed so much that it no question, leave the information, sum This work is called worship, devotion, longer deploys humility in your bear marize the purpose of the call, and spiritual discipline. It©s done in quiet, ing and endurance in your spirit. indicate when is the best time for the where no one but God sees. You can know when you©ve had "Today there is tremendous enough of personal devotion time, emphasis on leadership themes such and it will not be measured by the WWW.MlNISTRYMAGAZINE.ORG as vision, organizational strategy, and clock. A relationship with Jesus Christ the ©market-sensitivity© of one©s mes takes time, but time, is not its chief sage. And it©s all great stuff (stuff I characteristic. And this is where
MINISTRY July-August 2005 many a sincere person can encounter an assistant or two, to allow anyone to decisions and task assignments." failure by trusting in time rather sift, sort, and prioritize the flow of doc Such a meeting may get things done! than in the Lord. uments to the leader©s desk. The way to deal with such situations Just stabilize the pile, don©t clear is to propose that more members be Getting control of space the desk. After all, a clean desk invites added to the committee and that Getting things done generally suspicion that perhaps you are not all more study be given to the proposal requires a specific work space that has that busy and maybe not all that at hand. Reaching a decision in a been arranged for the purpose. Proper important in the chain of command. meeting can be a very risky thing. If lighting, comfortable seating, desk Einstein was right. "Nothing hap something must be done, the safest space free of clutter and distractions pens until something moves."3 Appar thing is to recommend that another and, as far as possible, free from ently Einstein applied this principle to group study the issue. noise these things are important to some complex theory in physics. But a leader©s work space. being a genius, he surely must have In summary We must interject that the concept noticed that the principle applies to If you©ve read this far, it must be of multitasking that reports can be stacks of paper on the average office that you are not very busy. Perhaps analyzed and sermons written while desk. your concern is with getting things having background music from the "Handle stuff once and keep it done and you never seem to accom radio or CD player is a very effective moving" is a management mantra for plish enough in your present leader way to keep busy without being pro the product assembly line. That same ship role. You may have a good deal of ductive. idea has been imported to the boss©s control on your time, yourself, your Contrary to popular opinion, get office by those who think their job is space, and your stuff, but you still ting work done has little to do with to get things done. These are the seem to be unable to get everything the size of the office or the cost of the same people who have garbage bins done. If that is your situation, this furnishings. A small space, well equal in size to their filing cabinets. article may not offer much help, for I organized, is more conducive to work They even claim that a good filing have no idea how one can accomplish than a big room where the tools of system frees up a lot of memory stor all that one would like to do, or even work are scattered all around. age in one©s mental software. Maybe should do. Busyness can dominate in any room, it is a good idea to invest in a file cab However, you might find encour regardless of its size or the grandiosity inet, another sign of success but agement from Charles Hummel: of its furniture and equipment. don©t mess with the organization of "Jesus... did not finish all the urgent Most people will find that working folders and file labels. That way you tasks in Palestine or all the things He at home presents more opportunities will always be busy looking for that would have liked to do, but He did for busyness than working in an piece of information you read just finish the work which God gave Him office. In general, homes have more recently but didn©t know you needed to do. The only alternative to frustra work space options. This morning I until right now. tion is to be sure that we are doing can do reading while sitting on the Much of the stuff of leadership life what God wants. . . . Then and only sofa, and later I can move to the comes from attending meetings. then can we think of all the other recreation room. This afternoon I can Having a full schedule of meetings is unfinished tasks with equanimity, spread out my papers and do plan a great way to keep busy. Membership and leave them with God."4 ning at the dining room table. on numerous committees is an indi So you see, the crucial message Towards evening I will sit out on the cation of one©s value, and if you play that I have been driving at in this verandah and make those phone calls the cards just right, 99 percent of the brief essay is that getting things done that I didn©t get done last week. Now time you will never be asked to do and being busy are not identi . . . where did I leave my glasses? What anything. A friend of mine claims the (Oops, there goes my cell phone. It happened to my pen? Has anyone actual percentage is 99.1 percent. But might be someone important. I©ll seen that scrap of paper on which I I doubt his research. He also exagger have to finish this later.) IB wrote the phone numbers of those I ates about the intelligence of his was to call? My life is so busy! grandchildren. So I have played it safe 1 Don Herold, quoted in Edythe Draper©s Book of Quotations and used a much more conservative far the Christian World (Wheaton, 111 Tyndale House Getting control of stuff number. Publishers, Inc.). 2 Qted from
July-August 2005 MINISTRY broadly equivalent to management. Both stew ardship and management involve conferred responsibility and the authority to control human or material resources. As such, the steward is afforded appropriate management structures that allow for the necessary control of that for which he or she is responsible. Eliezer, Abraham©s steward, had the man agement responsibility of his master©s household and was entrusted with weighty decisions, as illustrated in his search for Isaac©s bride (Genesis 24). His management authority was limited only by Abraham and the bound Pastoral ministry: aries that encompassed Abraham©s "house." Similarly, we find the New Testament stew ard, or oikonemos (Luke 16:2, 3; 1 Cor. 4:1, 2; management or Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 4:10), to be a manager, nemo; of the oikos (house); one who dispenses or manages his master©s house. "The word is used spiritual leadership to describe the function of delegated responsi bility, as in the parables of the labourers, and the unjust steward."2 ^^^^^^he search for effective spiritual Management assumes a transactional rela Stanley E. Patterson I leaders extends back to the earliest tionship that allows those being managed to record of God©s people. The effort, exchange their time and skills for financial or I of course, continues today now other rewards. .^L. in a world dominated by organiza Managers are vested with coercive authority tions governed through complex manage aimed at efficiently guiding the operations of ment structures, which are often imposed the organization. This relationship of upon the church by well-meaning people. exchange is contractual in nature and is gener This imposition prompts a reapplication, to ally limited to prescribed hours and formal job the church, of the vexing challenge presented descriptions. by Harvard Business School professor John Russ Moxley notes in his book Leadership Kotter, who asserted that most secular corpo and Spirit that such a relationship, governed rations are "overmanaged and underled."1 by rules and policies, seeks conformity and How do we know when the church is being may or may not involve the commitment of led as opposed to being managed? What is those being managed.3 the difference between the two? And which Leadership may or may not happen in the one must a truly Spirit-led pastor be? context of a managed environment; it can just as easily occur in the context of free asso Management and leadership ciation. Leadership is not dependent upon The critical difference between leadership coercive structures, and is only seen to be so and management, even in the secular milieu, by virtue of what management has commonly is found in the quality of relationships within come to be known for. a given organization. Management relies upon The relational model of leadership (as dis control to achieve compliance, while leader tinguished from the coercive model) involves ship relies upon interdependent relationships people freely associated in a common endeav that lead to heartfelt commitment. Both have or. Furthermore, such relationships are Stanley E. Patterson, a similar focus and objective, but they drive to nontransactional; that is, there is no giving to Ph.D., is vice that destination upon different tracks. To lead, president of pastoral get in such a leadership process. Instead, there ministries, Georgia- especially from a spiritual base, the pastor is a leveraging of the commitment of the Cumberland must avoid depending upon the control struc group or community to provide the incentive Conference, Calhoun, tures that are available to and customary in for involvement. Georgia. most management settings. Thus, a manager who chooses to lead The biblical concept of stewardship is rather than manage must rise above the orga-
MINISTRY July-August 2005 nizational structures that force con tory of the church. Doctrinal positions tion, and then were empowered by formity; he or she must, instead, such as purgatory and an eternally the Spirit to lead in the context of a establish relationships with the par burning hell gave great power to the likewise gifted and called body. Jesus ticipants based upon respect, trust, medieval clergy over a generally igno led, not managed, His disciples. and empowerment. rant church membership. These and Even more so, He taught them to similar fear-based teachings provided be leaders, as opposed to managers. What about the pastor? the coercive structures desired by a Peter©s willingness to take up the What about the pastor? Is he or she management-based church. The histo sword (Matt. 26:51), John©s account meant to be a leader or a manager? ry of the church illustrates the consis- of the disciples forbidding the one Are there control structures available to the pastor that allow for manage ment? Is the pastor vested with HE CRITICAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN personal authority that permits mana gerial behavior intended to produce LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT, EVEN IN THE conformity to a set of rules, policies, T or standards? Are those he intends to motivate bound to any transactional SECULAR MILIEU, IS FOUND IN THE QUALITY OF contract that allows control over their behavior? No! The church member is associ ated with the church by choice. There is no management relationship there. tent tendency to shift toward control- who cast out demons in Jesus© name The exception is the pastor assigned based methods of ecclesiastical man (Mark 9:38), and the act of rebuking the responsibility of managing per agement, the kind that marginalize the children who tried to approach sonnel in a multistaff church, but the individual member who is a vital Jesus (Luke 18:16) suggest coercive even in this setting the management building block in the living church control as natural for the disciples. In does not extend beyond the staff. spoken of by Peter. each of these instances, Jesus strongly The pastor is not afforded personal encouraged a different course. power over the members. He or she Spiritual nature of pastoral The transformation of their hearts may choose to extend his or her influ leadership was necessary if they were to aban ence toward a given end or objective, Leadership in the context of the don the ruler mentality and adopt a but the church body actually holds church is spirit-based. It differs from community-based leadership role. the decisive power and thus the the corporate model. Intentional care Spiritual leadership is profoundly authority. must be exercised to maintain the dif dependent on who a leader is as In attempts to influence the body, ferentiation between the two. The opposed to what a leader does. The a pastor must respect those being corporate model, even the kinder and key word is "character." A trans served. The pastor is not a manager; gentler kind, remains embedded in a formed character is necessary for he possesses no mandate for control managed environment. effective spiritual leadership. While a over those being served. The church (not to be confused management relationship can treat The pastor is, by default, part of a with denominational employment character as a variable as long as con leadership process, but his success as a structure) operates outside the param formity and productivity are leader depends upon building healthy eters of corporate structure. It was achieved, spiritual leadership cannot relationships. To ignore this reality born of the Holy Spirit and exists in happen without Christlike character. and assume control without the nec large part as a means of influencing In the absence of transformed essary authority results in frustration the human spirit. character, the default behavior is and detachment from the process. Jesus calls His followers to a trans command and control. That might The relationships critical to good pas formational relationship that asks work in a corporation but not in your toral leadership cannot thrive in the them to forsake all. The process of local church. context of coercion devoid of the transforming the disciples into a The Holy Spirit provides every mem rewards and punishments of a nor community of leaders was predicated ber of the body with that which is mal, legitimately recognized manage by their simple willingness to follow necessary to participate in the leader ment arrangement. and learn. Jesus nurtured their ship process of the church. Though our The desire of professional clergy to human spirit through a bonded rela common leadership model emphasizes manage by means of personal power tionship with Himself. They willingly one person or at most a few people in has contributed negatively to the his followed, experienced transforma- charge, the spiritual model emphasizes
July-August 2005 MINISTRY leadership as a function of the Spirit- ership behavior is measured. Spiritual gracious service of the Holy Spirit. filled community with each member leaders, whose vocation is practiced Because "self" is forsaken in the transformed and gifted to contribute to in a management context, are man transformation process, the focus of the leadership process. dated by God©s Word to manage in a the pastor is others-centered rather The positional leader (denomina manner consistent with these charac than self-centered. The character of tional officer, pastor, etc.) is an impor teristics, even when administering his ministry to the church mirrors tant part of the leadership process but discipline. There is never a situation that modeled by Jesus in His relation only part of a greater whole. The that allows the spiritual leader to lay ship to the disciples. management model is so ingrained in aside the expectation to serve accord As a model of spiritual leadership, our concepts of leadership that it is ing to the behavioral standards Jesus patiently and consistently difficult to divorce our thinking from depicted as the fruit of the Spirit. demonstrated a life that nurtured and the individual leader or ruler and Unlike the gifts of the Spirit, which molded His followers into a commu accept the incredibly inclusive New are distributed among the members nity of spiritual leaders. His service Testament concept of leadership. of the body without intending to pro was never ego-driven; rather, it Leadership in general requires the vide all the gifts to any one person, demonstrated a passionate love for merging of two basic elements: (1) a the fruit of the Spirit as a whole are a each one in His care. committed relationship with one or standard for all who participate in the Jesus calls pastors to the same more persons and (2) competencies leadership process. The relational servant-leadership role. The pastor necessary to the accomplishment of health of the body is maintained by facilitates both aspects of spiritual the mission. Spiritual leadership is consistent demonstration of these leadership with the members by sup marked by the following: (1) commit qualities. porting the process of character ted relationships governed by the All the fruits are relational in transformation that leads to consis fruit of the Spirit, and (2) competen nature and flow from the transformed tent demonstrations of the fruit of cies imparted by the Holy Spirit that heart. This principle is concisely codi the Spirit and the discovery and equip the church for effective service. fied in the words of Jesus: "©You shall implementation of the gifts that the love the Lord your God with all your Spirit confers upon each member. Fruit of the Spirit as a mark of heart, with all your soul, and with all By this ministry the pastor encour spiritual leadership your mind.© This is the first and great ages the ongoing transformation and Leadership requires a modification commandment. And the second is preparation of the church in the of the truism "It©s not what you like it: ©You shall love your neighbor inclusive process of communal spiri know, but who you know." Instead, as yourself" (NKJV). tual leadership. it©s what you know (competency), and Loving behavior, as demonstrated In summary, spiritual leadership is who you know (relationships). These through the fruit of the Spirit, is not about participating in a process of are the ingredients for true spiritual an option for the spiritual leader. It is change with those called to the serv leadership, and of course, the Holy an expectation. Circumstances do not ice of the Master. It©s about contribut Spirit addresses both. allow the behaviors identified in the ing to that process in a manner that The spiritual transformation of the fruit of the Spirit to be set aside, even draws people into the community of Christian character is evidenced by temporarily. Loving behavior, even faith and assists in their assimilation the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, under the most trying circumstances, into the body. It©s about intentionally longsuffering, kindness, goodness, marks the transformed character of enabling others to take up the mantle faithfulness, gentleness, and self- the spiritual leader. of spiritual leadership and join in the control (Gal. 5:22, 23). These charac reproduction process of building ter or behavioral qualities are then The pastor as spiritual leader God©s kingdom. It©s about becoming a combined with Spirit-chosen gifts or The pastor is called to spiritual "paraclete" in partnership with the competencies, which provide the leadership on the same basis as are the Spirit, who is building a global com means by which the transformed per members: (1) a transformed character munity of spiritual leaders not man son contributes to the mission of the that demonstrates the fruit of the agers. church and the wholeness of the Spirit and (2) specific leadership gifts How important that we know the functioning body. that allow for effective contribution to difference! H The fruit of the Spirit become a the growth and success of the church. standard by which all Christian lead Both aspects find their source in the 1 J. Thomas Wren, ed., The Leader©s Companion (New York: The Free Press, 1990), 114. 2 D. R. W. Wood and I. H. Marshall, New Bible Dic tionary (3rd ed.) (Downers Grove, 111.: InterVarsity WWW.MlNISTRYMAGAZINE.ORG Press, 1996). 3 Russ S. Moxley, Leadership and Spirit (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2000), 51, 85, 100.
10 MINISTRY July-August 2005 communication, proficiency in spiritual for mation, ability to motivate, organizational mastery, conflict management, and compe tency in problem solving, to name a few. These can be termed hard skills. However, in recent decades, leaders are increasingly expected to also possess what are sometimes referred to as soft skills, which facilitate good interpersonal relations, sensitivity, and diver sity expertise. One such skill is emotional intelligence. The story of Broadly defined, emotional intelligence (El) is "the capacity to recognize and manage our own feelings and to respond to the feelings of Pastor Alpha: others in such a manner as to create positive outcomes." Few skills are as important to a becoming an emotionally Christian worker as the spiritually based abil ity to understand and relate to one©s own intelligent pastoral leader emotions and the emotions of others. Many Christian leaders lack emotional intelligence. The problem is, they often are not aware of this deficit. Emotional intelli astor Alpha1 graduated from the semi gence is arguably one of the most essential DelbertW. Baker nary at the top of his class. He excels tools for a successful ministry, whether in in Greek, Hebrew, and theology and is person-to-person encounters, local congrega well versed in biblical hermeneutics. tion leadership, or the denominational He can explain difficult biblical administrative structure. Yet in many ministe Pprophecies and complex theological truths, and rial training circles, emotional intelligence is can quote a dizzying array of texts from memory. little thought of or referred to. He has an extensive vocabulary, a full and reso Christians often assume that the biblical nant voice, and the ability to paint powerful word command to love (e.g., 1 Cor. 13; Eph. 5; pictures and command audiences with dramatic 1 John 3) is enough in itself. That is, to want pulpit mannerisms. He is tall, personable, and to love is somehow equal to loving or knowing striking in appearance. He is happily married. He how love works. Similarly, it is believed that a seems the ideal pastoral prospect with a promising leader©s emotional intelligence automatically future ahead. comes with his or her desire to love. Unfortunately, however, Pastor Alpha©s min "We are judged by a new yardstick: not istry has not really taken off! Mired in medioc just by how smart we are, or by our training rity, he transfers from one pastorate to the next, and expertise, but also by how well we handle leaving behind a string of problems, complaints, ourselves and each other," says Daniel and disgruntled parishioners. Everywhere he Goleman, author of Working With the pastors, the record is the same. He has talent Emotional Intelligent and Primal Leadership. and technical skills but does not get along well Goleman©s research demonstrates that in the with people. organizational setting, having emotional Pastor Alpha lacks the ability to deal with his intelligence is twice as important for compe own emotions and the emotions of others. Though tent leadership performance as having IQ and intellectually brilliant, he lacks the emotional technical skills combined. skills necessary to relate successfully to others. As There is hope for anyone having the Pastor a result, he continues to experience failed rela Alpha syndrome! Integrating emotional intel tionships with his parishioners. ligence principles in the context of the gospel and mediated by biblical values can Delbert I/I/ Baker, Pastors, ministers, and church administra facilitate true transformation in the life of the Ph.D., is president of tors in the twenty-first century are expected Christian leader. Five steps will bring about Oakwood College in to possess such skills as proficiency in biblical positive change in ministerial leadership rela Huntsville, Alabama. knowledge, leadership ability, expertise in tionships.
July-August 2005 MINISTRY 11 1. Accept the El and people vital spiritual traits. This same rela Fortunate is the leader who can connection tional emphasis is found in 1 Corin spiritually discern personal danger Ministry is about people. Loving thians 13, the well-known "love areas. Fortunate also is the leader who and relating to diverse people is at the chapter." Next to loving God, loving receives vital feedback from con heart of an effective ministry. Jesus is and relating authentically and sensi cerned people so he or she can do the true model of leadership, and His tively to others is the primary and something about it. ministry was intertwined with people most important trait of a Christian. from the beginning to the end (see Emotional intelligence, then, pro 3. Use the spiritual Luke 2:52). "He who seeks to trans vides a platform and context for love transformational power of El form humanity must himself under to demonstrate itself. Its effects are When it is clear that a leader needs stand humanity. Only through obvious. When a pastor models love help, what is he or she to do? While sympathy, faith, and love can men be and authenticity and encourages the Holy Spirit is the source and cata reached and uplifted."2 members toward spirituality, the lyst of all genuine change, emotional This understanding is a crucial church grows and develops signifi intelligence is a primary tool to effect step. Knowledge, abilities, and skills cantly. Conversely, if the pastor authentic relational improvements in are important, but they can©t be sepa models selfishness and negative atti a spiritual leader. The development rated from the centrality of sound tudes, spirituality suffers and vitality and practice of spiritual discipline pro emotional intelligence. This need is a plummets. vides the needed nourishment for the reality for ministerial and leadership life of the believer (see 1 Tim. 4:7, 8). success. 2. Admit the need to change Prayer, Bible study, service, steward Paul himself highlighted the If a person has a problem handling ship, and fellowship with believers importance of the leader©s emotional emotions and dealing adversely with encourage growth in maturity, intelligence. He noted that these others, he or she must accept respon strength, endurance, wisdom, and qualities originate with the Holy sibility for what©s happening in his or faithfulness. Spiritual discipline pro Spirit but need to be cultivated and her life and ministry. However, con vides the energy and authenticity to nurtured in the life of the believer: ventional thinking indicates that only achieve the positive effects of emo "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, about 20 percent of a given group is tional intelligence in one©s life. peace, patience, kindness, goodness, committed to personal change at any Arguably, no concept has played a faithfulness, gentleness and self- given time. Often it takes a crisis to greater role in leadership develop control. Against such things there is bring about the realization that a ment in the last two decades than no law. Those who belong to Christ leader is having problems and needs emotional intelligence. Psychologists Jesus have crucified the sinful nature to change. However, this change must John D. Mayer and Peter Salovey with its passions and desires. Since we begin with the person. developed and defined emotional live by the Spirit, let us keep in step People will learn what they want intelligence in the 1980s, and the with the Spirit" (Gal. 5:22-25, NIV). to learn, and when they want to learn research of Daniel Goleman popular Paul also identified emotionally it. For the change process to begin, ized emotional intelligence in the unintelligent qualities emotions and Pastor Alpha types must have the 1990s. However, the concepts and actions that need to be avoided (vers interest, motivation, and commit principles have been with us for a es 19-21, NIV): "The acts of the sinful ment to see the need and admit the long time. nature are obvious: sexual immorali deficit in their ministry. Emotional intelligence recognizes ty, impurity and debauchery; idolatry A frequent challenge in leadership that all leaders experience emotions and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jeal is that people don©t tell the leader how such as happiness, sadness, anger, ousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, she/he is being perceived until it©s too ecstasy, terror, despair, and fear. Such dissensions, factions and envy; late. The leader suffers from what feelings are generally helpful in that drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I might be called pastoral myopia not they signal information about rela warn you, as I did before, that those being able to see oneself clearly and tionships. For example, happiness sig who live like this will not inherit the therefore causing harm unawares. nals the presence of harmonious kingdom of God." Helpful indicators that highlight relationships; whereas fear signals a Clearly, the emotional tasks of pas the need for change such as frequent state of being threatened. Emotions, tors and Christian leaders are primally disagreements, lack of cooperation, then, bridge thought, feeling, and people-centered. This primacy is high feelings of isolation, anxiety, disrup action. Emotions become problematic lighted in the apostle Peter©s principles tion of devotional life, lowering of when they dominate and control a of spiritual development listed in 2 spiritual standards, and constant reoc person. Peter 1:3-10. Brotherly kindness and currence of career roadblocks are Often such domination is slow in love are at the top of the hierarchy of overlooked or excused away. developing and therefore occurs with-
12 MINISTRY July-August 2005 out our awareness. When it does occur in a leader, there is a strong inclination THIRTEEN PASTORAL EMOTIONALLY UNINTELLIGENT PRACTICES to develop attitudes and behaviors 1. Criticism 8. Mind blind to idiosyncrasies that destroy trust in relationships and 2. Dictatorship 9. Unconscious to personal faults complicate decision making. However, 3. Failing to listen 10. Negativity a further complicating reality is that 4. Failing to communicate 11. Projects before people emotional intelligence takes time to 5. Inferior attitude 12. Rigidity learn because the emotional system is 6. Lack of delegation 13. Superior attitude not easily or quickly changed. In fact, 7. Manipulation making significant changes can require a year or more. Further, mak TEN El THINGS WE NEED FROM PEOPLE AND PEOPLE NEED FROM US ing such changes enduring is highly dependent on social interaction. 1. Communication (say what you mean, listen with attention) Significant change seldom takes place 2. Community (respect/love to family, neighbors, state, country) by insight alone, in isolation, outside 3. Intimacy (knowing and letting yourself be known) of helpful relationships. 4. Laughter (puts life into perspective by lightening up) Emotional intelligence is acquired 5. Love (genuine need to give and get; integral to being human) through experience in relationships. It 6. Passion (natural urge, enthusiasm, vitality, compassion) requires time and diligence, but the 7. Sharing (value of common experiences give courage/strength) benefits are obvious and highly 8. Support (encouragement and positive reinforcement) rewarding. Emotions and actions are 9. Touch (physical contact with other humans vital to life) brought under control. Stress levels 10. Trust (ability to be vulnerable to reveal hopes and fears) —Anonymous (adapted) are lowered. The leader is better able to avoid saying or doing things he or emotional intelligence: "personal Finally, relationship management is she will later regret. The leader com competence," the capability that building collaborative and satisfying municates more effectively and is determines how we manage ourselves, relations with others. It includes able to influence others without which consists of self-awareness and inspirational leadership, influence, undue conflict. Further, relationships self-management; and "social compe developing others, conflict manage with parishioners, colleagues, and tence," the capability that determines ment, building bonds, teamwork, and family are enhanced. how we manage relationships, which collaboration. Emotions play a pivotal role in includes social awareness and relation Of course, while being conversant molding and shaping thinking and ship management. These categories with emotional intelligence terminol logic. New breakthroughs in the area offer leaders endless opportunities for ogy is helpful, leaders can work on of neurophysiology have verified this evaluation and improvement. emotional intelligence without know crucial relationship between values, Self-awareness, the first capability ing all the relating categories, charac intellect, and emotions. in the personal competence category, teristics, and vocabulary. Knowledge When emotions such as anger, is considered to be one of the most of and training in specific emotional sadness, or fear are experienced, the important areas in the life of a leader. intelligence areas can be of great assis human brain is programmed to It is being aware of your emotions tance, but not an absolute. respond to the threat, and an emo and their impact on others. This cate A leader can determine, by the tional response is activated. Time gory includes such characteristics as grace of God and with increased per should be taken first to reflect on the emotional self-awareness, accurate sonal or interpersonal effort, to be situation. With prayer and the help of self-assessment, and self-confidence. more emotionally intelligent. By being the Holy Spirit, that response can be Self-management, the other capabil more conscious of emotions and their rational and intentional. Emotional ity in the personal competence catego impact by practicing skills needed to intelligence dynamics are put to ry, is the ability to make our emotions understand, manage, and relate to work. Clear thinking, under the influ work for us and not against us. It emotions better advancement may ence of the Holy Spirit, gives positive includes emotional self-control, trans be realized. By enlisting the thoughtful direction to subsequent actions. parency, adaptability, achievement, help of others, along with focus and initiative, and optimism. energy, progress can be made. 4. Expand your El horizon Social awareness means understand It should also be noted that one©s In his book Primal Leadership: ing, accepting, and being sensitive to health habits or lack of them will have Realizing the Power of Emotional the emotions and perspectives of oth impact as well. Sleep deficiencies, Intelligence,1 Daniel Goleman suggests ers. This category includes empathy, poor dietary habits, little or no exer two broad competencies necessary for organizational awareness, and service. cise, etc., can make emotional intelli-
July-August 2005 MINISTRY 13 gence efficiencies more difficult to The assistance of an informed coach or reflected and met with trusted confi achieve. By being responsible in these friend can greatly facilitate the emo dants to assess how he was doing. areas alone, emotional intelligence tional intelligence growth process. The plan has worked. Pastor Alpha performance in the home, church, Pastor Alpha has realized that a big used the three-step plan with good and social circles can be improved. part of his problem has been his outcome. He assessed himself to unawareness of his emotions and how ascertain his current state and chal 5. Develop a change strategy they have been negatively impacting lenged himself to achieve an ideal a Pastor Alpha has been working on others. He has decided that he needs specific, measurable target. He devel improving his relational skills. He is to do something about it. He has oped a simple plan to get from where determined to do something about prayed and has deliberately started to he was to where he wanted to be. The his history of emotional unintelli- pay attention to how he has been plan was accompanied by evaluation gence and is getting a handle on his coming across to people and how feedback. He was gratified that with emotional roadblocks. At this point they have been reacting. God©s help, his commitment, and he needs a plan. He now focuses more on the support he began to see progress. Richard Boyatzis, coauthor with moment and upon the person he is Daniel Goleman of Primal Leadership, interacting with, rather than on his per Conclusion suggests three steps for anyone inter sonal point or the project at hand. He So ends this idealized story. The ested in improving his or her emo asks those close to him for their feed leader who senses his or her need in tional intelligence (see model). back on his emotions and actions. He this area is truly unique. It is rare First, honestly and candidly assess has started to listen. He has then inten because people, and often leaders your current emotional intelligence tionally chosen to increase his emo especially, don©t sense that they lack state. This can be done privately or tional self-awareness and self-control emotional intelligence. with the help of others. Second, decide through deliberate self-assessment, It takes courage and humility for a what you want as an emotional intel which he has received from his own pastor or Christian leader to admit ligence goal, an ideal state. Finally, personal assessments and from others. this. It takes determination to com develop a clear implementation plan He then resolved to build bonds mit to a development plan. As leaders to arrive at your ideal state. Evaluate and increase the level of teamwork expand their understanding of your progress frequently to assess the and collaboration. He kept focused on human nature and its impact on all effectiveness of the change process. his plan. Periodically, he personally areas of life and interaction, one thing is apparent change can and does occur, even though it doesn©t SELECTED RESOURCES happen overnight. While some + David R. Caruso and Peter Salovey, The Emotionally Intelligent Manager: How to effects will be real and immediate, Develop and Use the Four Key Emotional Skills of Leadership (San Francisco: Jossey- others will be gradual and long-term. Bass, 2004). It is clear that we never graduate from our need to improve emotional •f Daniel P. Goleman, Emotional Intelligence (New York: Bantam Books, 1997). intelligence. It is really the work of a •f Daniel P. Goleman, Richard Boyatzis, and Annie McKee, Primal Leadership: lifetime. By the grace of God and the Realizing the Power of Emotional Intelligence (Boston: Harvard Business School Holy Spirit, coupled with personal Press, 2002). effort, our ministry can be trans + S. Michael Kravitz and Susan Schubert, Emotional Intelligence Works (Menlo Park, formed! Calif.: Crisp Learning, 2000). The challenge to be authentic, •f Reuven Bar-On, and James D. A. Parker, The Handbook on Emotional Intelligence genuine, and loving servant leaders (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2000). can take us to new heights. We can be encouraged. The power of the gospel + Ellen G. White, Ministry of Healing (Health and Happiness Version. Silver Spring, united with the determination of the Md.: ASI Missions, Inc., 1990). human will can accomplish truly •f Consortium for Research on Emotional Intelligence in Organizations,
14 MINISTRY July-August 2005 McDougall s All You Can Eat Vegetarian Cookbook Contrary to the anticarb movement, the eating program described in this book makes healthful starch-based foods the centerpiece of a fat-reducing, wellness-promoting diet. Dr. John McDougall, best-selling author and creator of the nationally renowned diet and exercise McDougall Program, presents some favorite vegetarian recipes from he and his wife©s very own kitchen. 0-8163-2104-3. Paperback. US$1.99, Can$2.69.
Dr. Arnott s 24 Dr. Arnott s Realistic Ways to Improve Your Health Tim Arnott, M.D., of the Lifestyle Center of America, has produced this helpful book of short, practical I suggestions based on scientific I research and a Bible-based lifestyle. I Following his advice will help you Tobacco: You Can Be Free! I live longer, happier, and more Loma Linda University. No matter 1 healthfully! how difficult it may have been in the \ 0-8163-2029-2. Paperback. past, if you want to break free of i US$1.99, Can$2.99. tobacco, this practical booklet will provide you with the tools you need. 0-8163-2012-8. Paperback. From Pacific Press8 US$.99, Can$1.49. Quantity pricing The harvest is ripe available. 2005 * Prices subject to change.182/55590 Available at your local ABC: 1 800 765 6955 ! WWW.. .com Enthusiasm. Cultivate enthusiasm. When times are tough, the chances slim, the odds long, enthusiasm will always propel forward. The spirit of enthusiasm lifts us (and those around us) during low times. Enthusiasm adds vigor to all things and helps build com munity. Failure. Expect some. It comes to every per son, sooner or later. Don©t let it demoralize The ABCs of you. Rather, let the failure strengthen you, toughen you, mobilize you. Think about Washington Irving©s observation: "Little everyday minds are tamed and subdued by misfor tunes, but great minds rise above them." Gratitude. Never fail to show appreciation. spiritual Gratitude strengthens relationships, energizes colleagues, and fortifies friendships. "Always be joyful.... No matter what happens, always be thankful" (1 Thess. 5:16, 18, NLT). leadership Hope. Always let your hopes, not your hurts and handicaps, shape your future. Clare Booth Luce wisely observed, "There are no A ttitude. "People can alter their hopeless situations in life; there are only peo Victor M. Parachin /^ lives by altering their attitudes," ple who have grown hopeless about them." / ^ declared William James. This is a Influence. "A man leaves all kinds of foot j^^^ thought in which to soak our prints when he walks through life," says ^L ^^consciousness because our atti writer Margaret Lee Runbeck. "Some you can tude toward life will always be more see, like his children and his house. Others are important than the facts we face in life. invisible, like the prints he leaves across other Attitude, even more than circumstances, can people©s lives: the help he gives them and determine whether we succeed or fail in what what he has said his jokes, gossip that has ever we do. We are to be positive, filled with hurt others, encouragement. A man doesn©t faith and hope because we know that "God think about it, but everywhere he passes, he causes everything to work together for the leaves some kind of mark." Do your best to good of those who love God" (Rom. 8:28, leave behind a legacy of positive influence. NLT). Joy. Spiritually balanced leaders live with Bible. You will never lose your sense of joy. They know that life is a glorious gift; they direction if you use the Bible as your guide. allow themselves to be dizzy with joy and Saturate yourself with Scripture. "I study my grateful for the many blessings that flow their Bible as I gather apples," said Martin Luther. way. Also, they rejoice in the success of others. "First, I shake the whole tree that the ripest Kindness. Toward others, always be charita might fall. Then I shake each limb, and when ble, courteous, decent, gracious, hospitable, I have shaken each limb, I shake each branch and thoughtful. Kindness reaches minds, and every twig. Then I look under every leaf." touches hearts, and changes lives. Character. We are to be persons of integrity. Learn. "There is only one corner of the uni Say what you mean, mean what you say. Let verse where you can be certain of improving, your deeds match your creeds, and your and that©s your own self," wrote Aldous behavior your belief. Ralph Waldo Emerson©s Huxley. Spiritual leaders are lifetime learners. statement is worthy of careful thought: "What Money. According to the Bible, it is not lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny money but the love of money that causes many matters compared to what lies within us." problems (1 Tim. 6:10). As Henrik Ibsen Determination. The difference between suc noted, "Money can buy the husk of many Victor M. Parachin cess and failure, between the impossible and things, but not the kernel. It brings you food, writes from Tulsa, the possible, lies in determination. Difficulties but not appetite; medicine, but not health; Oklahoma. erode in the presence of fierce determination. acquaintances, but not friends; servants, but
16 MINISTRY July-August 2005 not faithfulness; days of joy, but not sense of confidence that allows them and Sunday School teacher, ended peace and happiness." Keep money to be comfortable receiving input, each year by writing a $500 personal in proper perspective. including disagreement, from others. check to the company to cover his Nip. Spiritual leaders know the wis Although the best leaders are often personal use of the copy machine. dom of nipping things in the bud, of strikingly knowledgeable . . . they©re Universe. Permit the magnitude and catching things in the early stages, neither wimps or Genghis Khans, nei- majesty of the universe to remind you and thus preventing major issues from emerging. They appreciate the wisdom of Lau Tzu, who wrote the AILURE. EXPECT SOME. IT COMES TO EVERY Tao Te Ching over 25 centuries ago as a handbook for leaders in ancient F PERSON, SOONER OR LATER DON©T LET IT China. In it he said, "Deal with the difficult while it is still easy. Solve DEMORALIZE YOU. RATHER LET THE FAILURE large problems when they are still small." STRENGTHEN: YOU,TOUGHEN YOU MOBILIZE YOU. Opportunity. Every adversity con tains opportunity. Before the Civil War, Edmund Mcllhenny operated a ther humble nor arrogant. As a result, of God©s vastness. The psalmist sugar plantation and a salt works on they don©t think that needing other praised God saying, "I look at the Avery Island, Louisiana. Union troops people©s input is demeaning." night sky and see the work of your fin invaded in 1863, and Mcllhenny fled. Struggle. Life is not always smooth gers" (Ps. 8:3, NLT). Let the sun, the When he returned in 1865, his sugar sailing. Nor do things move in pre moon, the stars, and the galaxies be fields and salt works were ruined. One dictable patterns. There will be God©s signature and autograph. of the few things left were some hot stormy times occasions when the Values. Those who lead effectively Mexican peppers that had reseeded unexpected, even the disastrous, have values beyond mere material themselves in the kitchen garden. occurs. Strong leaders are prepared to ism. They are more focused on family, Mcllhenny, living hand to mouth, struggle through hard times. The friends, colleagues, and their relation started experimenting with the darkest days in the life of author ship with God than on building ground peppers to make a sauce that Thomas Carlyle happened when his empires. "No one who is a lover of would liven up his bland diet. His cre friend, philosopher John Stuart Mill, money, a lover of pleasure, or a lover ation today is known as Tabasco informed him one morning that the of glory is a lover of man," warned sauce. A century later, his product is manuscript Carlyle had given him to the Greek philosopher Epictetus. still sold the world over. read was used by the maid to start the Words. Choose them carefully. Perseverance. "With ordinary talent fire that morning. It was the only What you say can inspire or injure, and extraordinary perseverance, all copy and had taken Carlyle months hurt or heal, wound or win over. things are attainable," wrote the in research and writing. Alternating X. The letter X is the mathematical eighteenth-century British philan between rage and grief, he one day symbol for the unknown. Those who thropist Thomas Foxwell Buxton. looked out the window and saw lead are not intimidated by the Spiritual leaders understand this. bricklayers at work. "It came to me," unknown. In spite of uncertainty, Quiet. Be certain to give yourself he wrote later, "that as they lay brick they move forward into uncharted ample times of quiet. God shapes on brick, so I could still lay word on waters, trusting God. Fear of the mind and heart through silence and word, sentence on sentence." Picking unknown did not keep Abraham and solitude. Wrote Trappist monk up his pen, he began to rewrite The Moses from responding to God©s call. Thomas Merton, "It is in deep solitude French Revolution. His work endures, a They left the comfort and security of that I find the gentleness with which classic, and he is an example of some the familiar to do God©s work. I can truly love my brother and sister." one willing to struggle with an Yearn. Strongly desire to continue Respect. Effective spiritual leader unexpected difficulty. thinking, learning, growing, develop ship always involves respect for Trustworthy. While Jim Copeland ing, expanding. Keep challenging others. Spiritually mature leaders lis was CEO of the multibillion-dollar yourself. Yearning should never end. ten respectfully even when the Deloitte Touche accounting firm, Zoom. Learn to zoom in on what©s speaker is offering a different view those who worked closest with him important and what©s not. Separate point. Author and management admired him for his trustworthiness. the trivial from the urgent, the neces consultant Judith M. Bardwich says, He demanded that Deloitte audit sary from the superfluous. Be a "The best leaders don©t waste other every expense report he turned in. spiritual leader who sees the bigger people©s brains. Leaders need a core Copeland, a Southern Baptist deacon picture. HI
July-August 2005 MINISTRY 17 there are two differing usages of the word. One is positive, "Love the LORD your God with all your heart" (Deut. 6:5), and the other negative, "How long . . . will you love delu sions and seek false gods?" (Ps. 4:2). The relevant shade of meaning in the word love in each case is to be determined more by the context as a whole, than by its mere lexi cal definition. To love God with all of the heart is more than light years apart in mean ing from loving delusions, and yet the same basic word for love is used in both cases. The rationale Accordingly, in what way, other than the con text, is the difference to be determined? In the Greek New Testament where there was a wider option in the choice of words for for grounded love eros, storge, philia, and agape the chal lenge in determining its distinctive meaning was more subtle than the Hebrew Old leadership Testament. Nonetheless, the same principle of the contextual meaning as being the greater determinant of meaning is still very evident, ow valid is it to assert that the as the following examples will illustrate: Peter J. Prime canonical declaration "God is "For the Father loves \phileo] the Son ..." love" not only constitutes the (John 5:20). "The Father loves [agapao] the most inclusive statement about Son . . ." (John 3:35). "You love [agapao] the God but also conclusively iden seats in the synagogues ..." (Luke 11:43). tifiesH the total essence, function, and ends of "For Demas, because he loved [agapao] this God©s leadership of His entire creation? world. . . ." (2 Tim. 4:10). ". . . Who loved Companion to this question, is another: In [agapao] the wages of wickedness" (2 Peter what way is all authentic leadership directly 2:15). "Do not love [agapao] the world or any related to or fully grounded in this divine thing in the world. If anyone loves [agapao] framework? "That ye, being rooted and the world, the love [agapao] of the Father is grounded in love, may be able to compre not in him" (1 John 2:5). hend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know Love in the context of "Cod is love" the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, In John 4:8, 16, the total context for deter that ye might be filled with all the fullness of mining the particular meaning of love is God" (Eph. 3:17-19, KJV).* without parallel, and as such provides a mean ing for love that is as exclusive as it is inclusive. The lexical and the contextual The immediate context of love in the reference meaning of the word love cited is the undiminished Person of God that A methodical study of the Hebrew Old includes, but is not restricted to His self- Testament and the Greek New Testament and existence, His omnipotence, His omniscience, their typical usage of the words from which His immanence, His eternity, His holiness, His love is translated will indicate that the word mercy, His justice, His faithfulness, and His per love conveyed a range of meanings. In the fection. "Whoever does not love does not Hebrew Old Testament, since there was sim know God, because God is love. God is love. Peter J. Prime, ply one basic root word, ahebh, for love, it was Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in D.Min., is an not difficult to determine the intended him" (John 4:8, 16). associate secretary of the General nuance of the word whenever it was used in a In the context of this declaration, "God is Conference given reference or context. love" conveys the meaning that God and love Ministerial For example, in the following references it may be differentiated from each other, while Association. is apparent that in the Old Testament use of in another sense they may not be differenti the word for love in contrasting contexts ated. The best analogy for explaining this
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^^':^^^£^^^^^^l^^^^^"^^-'-'i'':- '~^, '^iill«SfeSlK»^^P:*4»,l*~^^li;'^''::>1'' •', ''•..".'.«' *«t' t - -• -••••. •-,--. ./ '. • ,' . .', paradox is the Trinity, which from the God in Psalm 136? It is that His perspective of differentiation consists unique love, that "endures forever," of God the Father, God the Son, God identifies who God is and what He is the Holy Spirit, but who from the per like, in totality. This includes all of spective of undifferentiation are One. what He thinks and feels and deter Jesus declares, "I and the Father are mines all of what He does, when He one" (John 10:30). does it, where He does it, for and with Similarly, from the standpoint of whom He does it, and why and how undifferentiation, "God is love" He does it. means that there is absolutely no dif In this framework the first three ference between God and love to the and the final verses of the psalm extent that to see and experience one implore us to give thanks to God (1) is to see and experience the other. for being good, (2) as the God of gods, "God is love: Whoever lives in love (3) as the Lords of lords, and (4) as the lives in God, and God in him" (1 John God of heaven; and it does this with 4:16). Yet, from the standpoint of dif no explanation or reason for doing ferentiation God and love are as so, other than the reality that "His RELIGIOUS distinct as the Persons of the Trinity love endures forever." are distinct, and by the same token are Accordingly, verses 5-9 speak of the not interchangeable as the Persons of creation of the world, including the the Trinity are not interchangeable. sun and the moon as being the work BOOKS Accordingly, there is no biblical of His love that endures forever. Verses evidence to support the view that 11-14, 16, and 21-25 cover a wide since God is love, the converse is also range of His miraculous acts of inter true, that love is God. "God is love" is vention and deliverance on behalf of where the whole and the primary His people. There are His acts of Seminaries and Colleges truth begins and ends and to which emancipating them from Egypt and around the world are in nothing must be added, subtracted, facilitating their occupation of the great need of quality or juxtaposed. Promised Land as well as His provid religious reading materials ing food for all humankind. For all of for training and educating Love in the context of these no other explanation is given, future leaders. Psalm 136 but that His love endures forever. Psalm 136 is an exceptionally sig Even God©s acts of judgment against You can help meet this nificant explanation of the consum the Egyptian oppressors and the over challenge by donating new mate biblical revelation that God is throw of the enemies of His people or used religious books love, and as such contributes much to like Sihon, king of the Amorites, and (avoid story or devotional the unveiling of some of its underly Og, king of Bashan, are seen to stem books), or by helping us ing meaning. from His love that endures forever. purchase the most urgently First, and most significantly, this The obvious inference is that God©s needed books through your psalm emphatically separates the eternally enduring love constitutes financial contribution. character of God©s love from all oth His total modus vivendi and modus ers. The essential contrasting differ operand!. Why is this so? Because Please send donations to: ence between God©s love and other from alpha to omega, GOD IS LOVE. loves is that God©s "love endures for Seminary Books ever," while all others are temporal. Love in the context of GC Ministerial Association God©s love embraces all eternity while 1 Corinthians 13 In care of GC Transportation other loves are spatially confined. "If I speak in the tongues of men § 6620 Amberton Drive The apparently needless repetition and of angels, but have not love, I am | Elkridge, Maryland 21075 | of the refrain "His love endures forev only a resounding gong or a clanging l| |! er," which occurs 26 times in the cymbal.... If I give all I possess to the | or, if you would like to meet | chapter, is much more than a mere poor and surrender my body to the | a specific need, please call | literary device. Rather, it is a perfectly flames, but have not love, I gain | 3016806511 or 3016806499 J accurate representation of the truth nothing" (1 Cor. 13:1, 3). i to find out how you can help. I about God. First Corinthians 13 says explicitly What is the defining truth about what Psalm 136 says implicitly that
20 MINISTRY anything not predicated on God©s love corpus of Scripture saying anything urrection, Jesus fully represented the that endures forever is, in the end, fruit more than these commandments complete configuration and meaning less and meaningless. Without this (Law and the Prophets is a Hebrew of love with all its multifaceted partic love, even celestial eloquence is a idiom for the complete Scripture). 1 ularities. It is this Jesus in whom cacophonous noise. Even rare pro "The commandments... are summed "dwelleth all the fulness of the phetic foresight, the mastery of the mystery within a great body of knowl edge, and even the exercise of moun tain-moving faith, all these, collectively T IS CLEAR THAT OUTSTANDING LEADERS IN or separately, are without value. The surrendering of all one©s possessions to I SCRIPTURE WERE GIFTED WITH MANY OR ALL OF aid the poor and the act of voluntarily giving up of one©s body to martyrdom THE CHARACTERISTICS OF MATURE LOVE. are both valueless, if done without love that endures forever. To use the analogy of John Donne, God©s love is like the continental up in this one rule: ©Love your neigh Godhead bodily" (Col. 2:9, KJV), who main in relation to which there are no bor as yourself" (Rom. 13:9). is the perfect embodiment and defini independent and self-existent islands "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, tion of love. of value or worth. Accordingly, with joy, peace, patience, kindness, good In the context of 1 Corinthians 13, out love, everything from angelic ness, faithfulness, gentleness and self- what if the life, ministry, and death of eloquence to the ultimate sacrifice of control. Against such things there is Jesus Christ were not totally grounded martyrdom is as worthless as inde no law" (Gal. 5:22, 23). In using the and expressive of God©s love that pendent islands, but is full of worth as two greatest commandments© expan endures forever; or what if just a mere part of the continental main of God©s sive interpretation of love, Galatians iota of His life, ministry, or death were eternally enduring love. 5; 22, 23 may be summed in one com predicated on anything but God©s prehensive metaphor: the fruit of love, what then? Love in the context of the love, of which joy, peace, patience, greatest commandments and and the other elements may be The great commandment, the Galatians 5:21, 22 described as integral components Great Commission, and great "One of them, an expert in the since their integrity is entirely leaders law, tested Him with this question: dependent on their being innately The essential intent of the Great Teacher, which is the greatest com related to love as expressed in Commission is totally summed up in mandment in the Law?© Jesus replied: 1 Corinthians 13. the two greatest commandments, the ©Love the Lord your God with all your commandments of love as illustrated heart and with all your soul and with Love in the context of Jesus in the total life of Jesus Christ. It envi all your mind.© This is the first and Christ and His cross sions fallen humankind breathing in greatest commandment. And the sec In the Person of Jesus Christ, "God the very breath of love so that we ond is like it: ©Love your neighbor as is love" became flesh and thus human become loving souls. "The goal of this yourself.© All the Law and the ly comprehensible and His cross command is love, which comes from Prophets hang on these two com became the symbol of its deepest, a pure heart and a good conscience mandments©" (Matt. 22:35-40). "Do widest, highest, and greatest expres and a sincere faith" (1 Tim. 1:5). this and you will live" (Luke 10:28). sion. John declares that "the Word "Be imitators of God, therefore, as "There is no commandment greater became flesh and made His dwelling dearly loved children and live a life of than these" (Mark 12:31). among us. We have seen His glory, the love, just as Christ loved us and gave In Jesus© declaration that on these glory of the One and Only, who came himself up for us" (Eph. 5:1). "Do two greatest commandments "hang from the Father, full of grace and everything in love" (1 Cor. 16:14). all the Law and the Prophets" was His truth" (John 1:14). "©Anyone who has "And over all these virtues put on acknowledgement that these com seen me has seen the Father©" (John love, which binds them all together mandments embodied all that the 14:9), says Jesus. in perfect unity" (Col. 3:14). sacred Scriptures were about and all In His Spirit-filled and perfect life, "Anyone who does not love that they were saying in essence. In a in His teaching, preaching, healing, remains in death" (1 John 3:14). There word, the commandments were say relationships, leadership, compassion, is just no higher objective than loving ing nothing less than the entire severity against and opposition to God with one©s total self and all others corpus of Scripture, nor was the entire wrong, His crucifixion, death, and res- as oneself, while simultaneously expe-
MINISTRY 21 riencing an ever deepening oneness behalf of them all, "For Christ©s love repented and returned to that original with God and with one another. compels us" (2 Cor. 5:14). love. It is imperative to realize that there Furthermore, with great spiritual In the last church, Laodicea, "the is a direct correlation between the leaders, not only is their rooting and ardor of the first love has lapsed into a greatest commandments, the Great their grounding in love very secure but selfish egotism."2 What is our only Commission, and great leaders. For the many branches that stem from answer? "Buy faith and love ... which were it not for the consummate great their grounding also tend to be mature. will enable us to find our way into the ness of the commandments of love The more of these branches there are hearts of those who do not know and their all-transcendent value, the and the more mature they are, the Him, who are cold and alienated from Great Commission could not be truly more effective the leader will tend to Him through unbelief and sin."3 great. And where else, apart from the be. Some of these branches or charac Accordingly, for the remnant greatest commandments and the Great teristics of love include peace, joy, church of the Laodicean age to fulfill Commission, could truly great spiritual faithfulness, humility, goodness, self- the imperatives of Revelation 14:6-12, leaders be found? The greatest com discipline, gentleness, and patience. and at the same time fill the earth mandments, the Great Commission, It is clear that Scripture©s outstand with the glory of God in keeping with and the greatest leaders, of which Jesus ing leaders were gifted with many or Revelation 18:1, it has no option but Christ is the absolute model, are inex all of the characteristics of mature to have its leadership grounded in tricably bound together. love, but some of them were particu love. This is necessary to see the larly distinguished for one or more of church through the time of the end. Great leaders: prescription them. Job was distinguished for his ©"By this all men will know that you and description patience in the severest suffering, are my disciples, if you love one In the framework of the divine pat Abraham for his exceptional faith in another©" 0ohn 13:35). tern, great leaders are so rooted and God, Moses for his meekness, David And for the time of the end to give grounded in Godlike love that such for his humble contrition, and Paul for way to the end of time, with its prom love becomes their dominant way of His extraordinary self-discipline and ise of ineffable joy and uninterrupted functioning, living, and leading. unyielding commitment. bliss, only grounded leadership will They reflect Psalm 136 in the sense Great leaders have developed other do. Therefore, this is the form of lead that like God, all that they are and all gifts that are related and complemen ership that our church and the world that they do are predicated on God©s tary to the ideals mentioned. These must diligently pursue and faithfully eternally enduring love. gifts cover a wide range of cognitive, practice. "That Christ may dwell in your affective, behavioral, and technological And when the church©s leadership hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted skills that serve to strongly enhance a that is grounded in God©s love will and grounded in love, may be able to leader©s efficiency and effectiveness. have achieved its inexorable ends, no comprehend with all saints what is Nonetheless, these, like all others must better words than these can as aptly the breadth, and length, and depth, be grounded in God©s eternally endur describe the transcendent Utopia into and height; and to know the love of ing love to be ultimately effective and which our hate-filled world will be Christ, which passeth knowledge, meaningful. transfigured. "The entire universe is that ye might be filled with all the ful clean. One pulse of harmony and ness of God" (Eph. 3:17-19, KJV). This Grounded leadership in the gladness beats through the vast cre is the essential characteristic of effec time of the end ation. ... From the minutest atom to tive Christian leadership. Grounded leadership is leadership the greatest world, all things animate When rooted and grounded in that is fully rooted in the art and sci and inanimate, in their unshadowed love, which is inextricably tied to ence of divine love. As such it repli beauty and perfect joy, declare that being rooted and grounded in God, cates the leadership exemplified in God is love."4 n great leaders are unique and excep the life of Jesus Christ. tional channels through which God©s In the first-century Christian * AH Bible references are from the power, wisdom, knowledge, and church in Ephesus, it became apparent New International Version unless other grace can flow unrestrictedly, and His that the grounded leadership provided wise indicated. purposes be expeditiously accom by the apostles, with its world-shaking plished. results, was being replaced impercepti 1 Francis D. Nichol, ed., Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5 (Washington, D.C.: Review and Old and New Testament examples bly by a passionate doctrinal focus per Herald Publishing Association, 1956), 484. of this sort of leadership include se. The inevitable results were the loss 2 Ellen G. White, Manuscript 61, 1898. Abraham, Moses, Joshua, John the of their grounding in their first love, 3 , Bible Echoes, )an. 15, 1892. 4 , The Great Controversy Between Christ and Baptist, and the apostles Peter and and the risk of having their candlestick Satan (Nampa, Idaho: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., Paul. The apostle Paul affirmed on uprooted from its place unless they 1888). Revised 1911, 668.
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US$9.99, Can$ 14.99. 2005 * Prices subject to change.181/55590 Available at your local ABC: 1-800-765-6955 * dventistBookCenter.com progress, and it is even easier to confuse sta tistics with progress. Now, I must admit that the statistics are impressive even inspiring. Some months ago the denomination©s 141st Annual Statistical Report crossed my desk. It is moving to read that a church that had about one million members when I was baptized in 1961 had grown to 13,406,554 adherents by December 31, 2003. Then there are these impressive statistical configurations: that the total tithes and Knight's Law General Conference offerings for 2003 had been nearly two billion dollars, that the denomination baptized 991,714 people into membership that year, and that it operated applied to 6,689 schools, 754 health-care institutions, and 56 publishing houses. It is equally excit ing to read that the church by 2003 had church leadership entered 204 of the 230 nations of the world and was using 882 languages in its outreach programs. ^^"" "^ he world is full of laws, not only in Yes, the statistics are truly impressive, but George R. Knight I the physical realm but also in the we need to remember that the ever-growing I social. I have been collecting these statistics are not an end in themselves. Perhaps I enlightening laws for some time. their true significance lies not so much in what ^M. Take Schmidt©s Law, for example: the church has accomplished but rather in "If you mess with a thing long enough, it©ll what they tell us is yet to be done. break." Or Weiler©s Law: "Nothing is impossi After all, when compared with the more ble for the man who doesn©t have to do it than six billion people living on earth, the himself." Then there is Jones©s Law: "The per denomination©s fourteen million adherents son who can smile when things go wrong has doesn©t sound like much (they represent a lit thought of someone to blame it on." And tle more than two-tenths of 1 percent of the most of us have experienced Stewart©s Second world©s population). I remember some years Corollary to Murphy©s Law: "The magnitude ago when addressing a closed meeting con of the catastrophe is directly proportional to sisting of the General Conference president the number of people watching." and the North American Division and union Having been enlightened by such wisdom, conference presidents, I noted in my opening about 25 years ago I decided to try my hand at remarks that the very fact that the denomina developing some cryptic and esoteric sagacity tion had six million members on earth was a of my own. The result: Knight©s Law, with two sign not of its success but of its failure. The corollaries for church leaders. Put simply, same could be said for 14 million, or 30 mil Knight©s Law reads, "It is impossible to arrive lion, or even 100 million members. at your destination unless you know where After all, the problem that is the basis for you are going." Corollary number 1: "Church all other problems and challenges in leaders who don©t know where they are going Adventism is that the church is still on earth George R. Knight is are lost." Corollary number 2: "Church leaders rather than in heaven. We must never con professor of church who are lost often have confused motion with fuse the excitement of growing a large history at the progress." denomination on earth with the real goal of Seventh-day Adventist arriving in the heavenly kingdom. Theological Seminary, Confusing motion with progress Thus even though statistics have their pur Andrews University, Let©s start our discussion with corollary pose, they are not what the church is about. Berrien Springs, Michigan. number 2. For those of us who have been in They may represent a means to the end, but the Adventist system for a number of years, they must never be confused with the end it©s all too easy to confuse motion with itself. In fact, theoretically the statistics could
24 MINISTRY July-August 2005 continue to grow throughout eternity without ever bringing about the desired end. So again, we must ever Bible Study Guides remember that motion is not neces Church & small groups! * Classroom workbook! * Gifts and sharing! sarily progress. Personal devotion! * Pre or Post Evang. Series * Prison ministries! That dictum also needs to be kept in mind in our daily activities as church leaders. One of the deadly sins of administration is equating the fill ing out of reports, the planning of projects and campaigns, and the rais ing of money to pay for those projects with genuine progress. The bad news is that we may be generating motion 1/4 Christ©s Object Lessons rather than progress, heat rather than Now share the soul winning classic Spirit of Prophecy books as Bible interactive study guides. You forward movement. answer thought provoking questions from Scripture followed by E.G. White©s life-changing commentary. Like the little boy on his rocking Great for ages 12 and up! Use any Bible, contains a certificate, response questions, and answer section! To acquire 1-4 guides call an Adventist Book Center horse, we may have a lot of activity, Kewiccjiion but we may not be progressing toward For quantity discounts up to 75% off retail value, check out our website. Also see other products available, book Website www.RevelationPublications.com our original goal. We must not lose Email [email protected] descriptions, endorsements, testimonies, and more!! track of the vision and goals that Phone 800-952-4457 made us Seventh-day Adventists in the first place. To do so is to become We need to re-vision more effective ness is to move beyond the success lost, even while we are loudly and ways of using the media, selling measures of the larger culture to the enthusiastically proclaiming that we books, running health-care and edu truly radical vision of the Christ who have the real answer. Those who have cational institutions, and structuring claimed that He would come again fallen into the pit of corollary number the church and its outreach. And and consign all the symbols of world 2 represent a rather classic example of "more effective" does not mean some ly success to the eternal rubbish heap. the blind leading the blind. how surviving or even surviving with In re-visioning the future, Ad more style and funds. That approach ventist leaders need to stop thinking The case of lost leaders to being "more effective" may be sat arithmetically and begin thinking That brings us to corollary number isfactory for IBM or General Motors, geometrically. Too many of us just 1: "Church leaders who don©t know but it is inadequate for Seventh-day chug along as if church growth is a where they are going are lost." Now I Adventist planning. graph that gently (or maybe not so do not mean lost spiritually. Rather, We need to focus on the fact that gently) slopes upward. Thinking and theirs is a case of occupational, vision, our goal is not to run a good business planning along the lines of that kind or mission lostness. here on earth but to forward the mis of thinking will keep the church As implied above under corollary sion of the church in such a way that earthbound for a long time proba number 2, church leaders need to it enables the coming of the kingdom bly for eternity. raise their sights above the bean of God. Adventist leaders must move If I am reading my Bible correctly, counting mode if they are to gain a beyond the mentality of being suc the church will at some point in time helpful perspective or orientation. cessful business people to that of be faced with explosive growth of One of the greatest needs of leaders being radical revolutionaries who are such a magnitude that terrestrial in all parts of the Seventh-day out to change the world order. structures will not be able to contain Adventist work is to re-vision the If we continue to vision success it. Is that kind of exponential growth future. Even though we as leaders may from the perspective of what com a part of our vision of the future? be comfortable with the way things mon, earthly evaluations identify, we Furthermore, it should be pointed have been done in the past, we need to will be on the planet for a long time. out, radical, massive change does not awaken to the fact that familiar and The church may be in this world but necessarily take a lot of time. Let me traditional ways of doing things are its vision must not be of this world. illustrate. In October 1989 I was tour not the only ways of doing them and The only way to keep out of the realm ing East Germany as a guest of the are probably not even the best ways. of occupational, ecclesiological lost- East German government. At the
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July-August 2005 MINISTRY 25 time we made the arrangements, nei the church©s foremost leaders and its ther I nor that government could most humble district pastors. In fact, foresee that I would be traveling I often room and eat with district pas through the midst of a revolution tors as I teach extension schools that in a few weeks would overturn around the world, and what some of the entire Soviet system. them tell me is quite enlightening The whole structure fell virtually when it comes to the perceived men overnight. And that degree of radical tality of some of their leaders. change was of the highest magnitude In one rapidly growing division, imaginable for most people. But as for example, the pastors told me that Adventist Christians we expect to see they were not given permission to a social/political change of such pro attend my class until they had portions that the fall of the Soviet reached their baptismal goal. They block will pale into insignificance by went on to note that in their Union comparison. In the meantime, we pastors could not have their vacation should see the sudden collapse of the unless they reached their goal. Soviet system as an historical type of At that juncture they pointed out what can happen on a massive scale that the only way some of them could in a very short time. reach their goal was to invent names Trusting God©s Word But such megachange did not hap (as in getting them from nearby tomb pen by itself. There were human stones!) and add them to their bap A worthy old bishop of yesteryear spark plugs, such as the influence of tismal report. Voila! the goal had been had a pretty sound philosophy: "Jesus absolutely trusted the Bible, Polish labor leaders, who envisioned reached and everybody was happy. and though there are in it some a different world and were willing to Such stories, as I hear them from things inexplicable and intricate that risk and sacrifice to make it happen. people under pressure to come up have puzzled me so much, I'm Adventist leaders need to think big with results, lead me to question going to trust the Bible because of rather than small if we are to have a whether some of us aren©t just a bit Him." Jesus' attitude toward part in these big events rather than more than confused regarding the Scripture is worth noting: just plodding along at the speed of overarching, genuine goals of the 4- Jesus read Scripture (Luke 24:27) mere day-in, day-out change. And, church. 4- Jesus trusted Scripture (Matt. needless to say, such spiritual leaders, Do we as church leaders really 5:17, 18) like the radicals from within the know where we are going? Or are we 4- Jesus accepted Bible history Soviet block, need to be willing to risk merely "playing church" in the same (Matt. 19:4) and sacrifice to make the larger vision way others play at making McDonald©s 4- Jesus believed its prophecies come about. the world©s most successful fast-food (Luke 24:44, 45) An attitude of doing business as chain? 4- Jesus endorsed its creation usual just won©t do. Such is the hard I want to be very clear and explicit account (Matt. 19:4-6) road of becoming ecclesiologically at this point. The Seventh-day 4- Jesus validated the historic flood unlost. The church needs leaders who Adventist Church has only one gen (Matt. 24:34-39) can envision something better than uine, ultimate goal: the arrival of 4- Jesus warned of rejecting what we have now and what we are Christ in the clouds of heaven. Scripture (Luke 16:31) doing in the present. That one goal is beyond human 4- Jesus declared Scripture the basis achievement. But and here is where of judgment (John 5:45-47) Keeping leadership eyes on the church comes in in preparation 4- Jesus recommended Bible study the goal for the Second Advent God has given (John 5:39) That thought brings us back to an end-time message that must be 4- Jesus taught that Scripture Knight©s Law proper: "It is impossible proclaimed to all the earth. "Then I sanctifies (John 17:17) to arrive at your destination unless saw another angel flying in midheav- ", ;.: • ; !: . —W. A. Townend you know where you are going." en," we read in Revelation 14, "with Now I wouldn©t want to go so far an eternal gospel to proclaim to those as to say that some Adventist leaders who dwell on earth, to every nation are confused as to purpose, but it does and tribe and tongue and people; and seem that some are a bit messed up in he said with a loud voice, ©Fear God how they operate. It has been a pleas and give him glory, for the hour of his ure in my work to hobnob with both judgment has come; and worship him
26 MINISTRY July-August 2005 Special O^er for Paatcrd at the General Conference Smionf
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who made heaven and earth, the sea Church to the far corners of the earth, Vibrant Adventist leadership must and the fountains of water©" (verses 6, until today it is history©s most wide keep at the very forefront of its col 7, RSV). spread, unified Protestant body. That lective mind both its destination and That first angel©s message is fol vision with its imperative to world the task that God has given it in lowed by a second dealing with the wide mission has led generations of Revelation 14. fall of Babylon (verse 8) and a third Adventist young people to give their The Second Advent is the denomi commending those who are patiently lives to mission service and it has nation©s ultimate goal, and worldwide waiting for Jesus to come and who, inspired older members to financial mission is the proximate goal that while waiting, are keeping God©s com sacrifice in order to support them. God has given it. There must be no mandments and maintaining faith in It is the vision of a last-day mission sacred cows in Adventism. Anything Christ* (verse 12). Immediately fol to all the world that has made Ad that does not contribute to the ulti lowing the proclaiming of those three ventism a vibrant movement. When mate mission in the most effective messages is the Second Advent, which the denomination and its leaders lose manner is expendable. As a church we is pictured in verses 14-20. that vision and begin to see have been good at adding things to One reason I became a Seventh-day Adventism as just another denomina the denominational system, but we Adventist was because of our under tion, Adventism will have lost its have failed dismally at the job of standing of the teachings of Reve reason for being. It will become just pruning and chopping off those lation 14. Adventism has never seen another toothless religious group. aspects of the system that are less than itself as merely another denomina Of course, it would still be some maximally effective. The ultimate and tion. On the contrary, it has from its what different because it keeps proximate goals must be the measure earliest times viewed itself as the gath Saturday instead of Sunday and has of all we do. ering of a people of prophecy with a some other peculiarities. But to all It is fine to say that worldwide mis special message to be preached to all intents and purposes it will have lost sion is the proximate goal of Adven the world before the Second Advent. its biblical reason for existing, no tism, but even such a worthy mission It is that conviction that has liter matter how many millions it can must, by its very nature, be mission ally driven the Seventh-day Adventist count as adherents. about something in particular and
July-August 2005 MINISTRY 27 targeting someone in particular. To all Still others I would send on a psy the world is Adventism©s rather "hum chological or megachurch trip that ble" view of mission. And the content neglects the Adventist message alto of its mission message is specifically gether. Better still, I would aim at spelled out in Revelation 14, especial getting the various factions of ly verse 12. Adventist leadership divided and In that verse we find the three arguing with each other. If those tac absolute essentials of Adventist mis tics took root, I would have very little sion content: to fear. 1. The Second Advent. Now if the devil©s strategy is imbal 2. The end-time importance of ance, I would suggest that God©s is GOATS God©s commands, which will be an balance. If I were God I would seek an issue at the end of time. (See Rev. Adventist leadership that clearly sees NAMED 12:17. And as we read this verse, let©s that the only genuine goal is the please note the allusion to the Sabbath Second Advent, that the specific mis SHARON commandment at the end of Rev. sion of the denomination is to preach Or two goats named Mike, 14:7. The context is clear that at the the message of the three angels to all it©s your choice. For only $35 end of time everybody will be wor the world, and that that message must you can buy a goat for a shiping someone either the Maker of be preached in a balanced way that heaven and earth [verse 7] or the beast emphasizes both the great gospel disadvantaged family. and its image [verse 9]. Thus in verse 7 truths that the denomination shares Whether through breeding or we are even told which command with other Christians and those truths milk production, goats are a ment will be most problematic as that make it distinctively Adventist, renewable income source in events lead up to the eschaton.) all set forth within the context of the economically challenged areas 3. The supreme importance of hav Bible©s end-time scenario. where there are very few ways ing faith in Jesus.* That brings us full-circle to the to make money. The program The point that needs to be empha heart of Knight©s Law: "It is impossi is supervised by the wives of sized at this juncture is not only that ble to arrive at your destination unless local pastors, so you know God has given Adventism a specific you know where you are going." God your gift will go where it©s message, but that it is a balanced mes has spelled out both the denomina needed most. Get involved! sage. With that in mind, it is impor tion©s goal and its message in For once it©s a good thing to tant to note that the faithful Revelation 14. It may seem arrogant proclamation of a balanced message for such a small church to claim it has let the world get your goat. implies the need of balanced leaders. God©s last-day message to the world as That being so, if I were the devil I set forth in that chapter, but no other "What a great idea! I bought ten would do everything I could to unbal religious body has specifically under goats for our 35th anniversary and ance the leadership of the church. I taken that prophetic task. named every one of them Sharon." would not be overly concerned with It just may be that a bit of "sancti -James A Cress the direction of the imbalance, just so fied arrogance" must be part and long as most leaders were off center in parcel of those leaders who claim to > some direction. be following the One who claimed Thus I would get some of .them so that He was the Light and the Way and ORDER NOW involved with preaching the com the Truth and who sent out an unim Fill out this form and fax or mail it to: mandments and those aspects of pressive and poorly educated dozen SHEPHERDESS INTERNATIONAL doctrine that make them distinctively followers to take His gospel to the 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904 Adventist that they would neglect the ends of the earth. tel (301) 680-6513 fax (301) 680-6502 great gospel truths that Adventism Maybe things haven©t changed all shares with other churches. On the that much. And one thing has cer I'll buy I I goats § $35 each = $ opposite side, I would get other tainly not changed: Leadership must Adventist spiritual leaders so focused both understand and be committed Include a list of your Goats'names. on the gospel truths as posited in to its destination if it ever hopes to other churches that they would neg reach it. ISI Send a check or money order with this form lect the heavenly sanctuary doctrine, or call the number above to place an order the last-day implications of the * For a discussion of the "faith of Jesus" of Revelation by VISA or MasterCard 14:12 being "faith in Jesus," see George R. Knight, Angry Sabbath, and so on. Saints (Washington, D. C.: Review and Herald, 1989), 52-60.
28 MINISTRY July-August 2005 A radical approach to becoming a great leader
he challenge for many leaders is tion going for that long. "And another that we don't have the fortitude thing, boss" . . . was said more than Tto step up to the plate to become once. the type of leader that people trust. The At the end of the day, with rolls of following story is true. It's a potential flip-chart paper tucked under his arms inspiration to any leader ready to make and a pounding sensation behind his real changes in his or her life, and it eyes, Michael looked at his team and gives understanding of what makes a said two words straight from the heart: good leader great. STEVE FARBER "Thank you." As a regional manager at a major That night and the next couple of brokerage firm, Michael had been days, Michael told me, were the most working on his own leadership skills for difficult of his entire career. He was dev several years, but despite his efforts, his astated and overwhelmed by the sever retail branch region had been consis went on, "and I'd like you to get very ity of the feedback and the immense tently ranked last or second to last in his specific and write down your ideas on challenge to follow through. He recov company's employee opinion survey, flip-chart paper. When I come back, ered from the initial shock, however, and in this rare company where surveys we'll talk through each item." and went on. are taken seriously—the results are pub And he walked out. Nobody expected Michael to start at lished and ranked—this was bad news A half-hour later he came back and the top of list one, item one, and work for Michael's career. He was losing his knocked on the door. "We're not done down, systematically planning to fix credibility as a manager. yet," they said. them all. But they saw him try. He Then he had the epiphany. Finally, after 90 minutes, they let him proved through his own actions that Even though the surveys specifically in. The walls were all covered in flip- the session hadn't been a consultant- reflected the views of frontline branch chart paper. List after list of suggestions assigned exercise that he had been employees whose lives were affected by for him had been taped around the forced into tolerating. their immediate supervisors, Michael room. The next round of surveys ranked assumed that he was the problem, not He kept his balance and took a deep Michael's organization second from the the supervisors. Just allowing himself breath. top in the entire company, with jumps that realization was a risky endeavor. Michael knew that his reaction in that of 80 to 90 percent in some measures. Suddenly, responsibility rested moment would make or break the That's a radical leap no matter how you squarely on Michael's already sore whole exercise, as well as his personal look at it, but the funny thing is, the shoulders. The blame game was no credibility. So he took a radical approach improvement had relatively little to do longer an option, and he launched him and responded authentically. with Michael's follow-up actions. It had self irrevocably into do-or-die mode. He "I'm really disappointed," he said, everything to do with his team, ffil cranked up the risk factor one more "in myself. I had no idea there'd be so notch. much." He gathered his management team He didn't defend, justify, or make Steve Father is president of Extreme Leadership, together, stood up in front of the con excuses as they talked together for the Inc. "The Radical Leap: A Personal Lesson in ference room, and said, "I'm screwing next two hours. All he did was ask some Extreme Leadership" is a recipient of Fast up; the numbers show it, so I want you questions to make sure he fully under Company magazine's readers choice award. This to tell me what I'm doing wrong and stood each item. article was found on the Web site,
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July-August 2005 MINISTRY 29
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till Is there help for pastors who are facing hard times? Is there an untapped source of strength for those who wonder if they can go on? Must these dedicated men and women continue with a sense of failure and defeat in one of the most significant vocations there is?
Renewing the original call to be a spiritual leader A major part of the answer lies in the recovery of a profound sense of who we are; a realization of who called us to this task and Help for the important role that we fill in Christ©s body and in His world. We may find a new sense of God in our lives when we review our call and spiritual leaders the primal reasons we had for entering min istry in the first place. The symptoms of burnout, exhaustion, in hard times defeat, and depression often flow from a deeper need in our lives, a God-sized need. Not one of us faces a struggle or betrayal or failure that is too huge for God to handle. lergy today are having a difficult Servants of God have received grace and help Ben Campbell Johnson time! Congregations are harder in the past, and we too can count on God in to serve. They are of greater ways that perhaps we have not yet tapped. diversity and have higher expec Perhaps we should be reminded that these tations. Ministers are caught are not the first hard times that God©s minis Cbetween traditional values and outlooks and a ters have faced in their leadership, and they high-pressure array of daunting innovation will not be the last. and moral uncertainty, all easily identifiable Consider Paul©s testimony as it echoes in any one congregation. The pastor is no from the first century: "But we have this treas longer the parson, almost universally looked ure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear up to and respected by those under his or her that this extraordinary power belongs to God care. and does not come from us. We are afflicted Most pastors serve congregations of 100 in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but members or less. They struggle to raise mis not driven to despair; persecuted, but not for sion funds and often fail to get an adequate saken; struck down, but not destroyed; always salary. With years of education and profes carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so sional training, a high percentage of pastors that the life of Jesus may also be made visible earn little more than a minimum wage. In an in our bodies. For while we live, we are always effort to meet a congregation©s demands, cler being given up to death for Jesus© sake, so that gy become notorious workaholics and often the life of Jesus may be made visible in our find themselves living on the borders of mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life burnout. No wonder that each month in you" (2 Cor. 4:7-12, NRSV). between 1,400 and 1,600 clergy from all Paul©s cry of pain surely indicates that the denominations in the United States drop out servant leaders of God through the centuries of the ministry. have faced times of persecution, perplexity, In a recent study the Missouri Synod and even death when they have been faithful Ben Campbell Lutherans found a mixture of attitudes toward to God©s call. Experiencing hard times is not a Johnson, D.Min., the ministry. About 30 percent of the minis new thing for clergy, but bearing rejection, Ph.D., is professor emeritus of Columbia ters found great satisfaction and personal abuse, and anxiety is always painful. Theological fulfillment in ministry; another 30 percent Perhaps if we can see our suffering for the Seminary, Decatur, had mixed feelings about their work; while the sake of Christ and the kingdom, we can find Georgia. remaining 40 percent were moderately dis the strength and courage to deal with what tressed and facing burnout. ever testing may come.
32 MINISTRY July-August 2005 From Pacific Press",
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Available at your local ABC: 1-800-765-6955 " dventistBookCenter.com My own hard times dreamed she would be, and conflicts you try what someone else suggests?" Christ became a real presence in my with incompetent employees made I took that challenge and determined life when I was 17 years old. I have my days at work more difficult. to pray in a prescribed manner for 30 been a minister for 55 years. I hold Somewhere along the way, I lost hope days. Here is the form of prayer that I degrees from three denominational that my life would ever get better. rigorously followed: schools and two from independent In those years I looked like success schools. I have served two parishes for on the outside, but inside I was In the morning 10 years, directed a nonprofit ministry plagued with a gnawing sense of fail Be still. Find a quiet place. Get seat for 17 years, and taught in a Presby ure. While I ached with these contra ed comfortably. Relax. Take a few terian seminary for 20 years. Through dictory ways of thinking and felt deep breaths. out all these experiences I have, from confused about the direction of my Remind yourself: "I am here to meet time to time, known feelings of failure, life, I did not realize God was trans God. No other appointment com distress, loneliness, and pain that daily forming my purposelessness into a petes in importance." Read a Bible weighted me down. new beginning. verse for the day. Five years out of seminary, in my I do not write about my pain as a Adoration. Think on the greatness second pastorate, I had the frills of masochistic, ministerial exhibitionist, of God. How incredible it is that God success. In spite of a growing mem nor do I claim that my pain is greater knows you and desires to have fel bership and the erection of new than another©s. I have hinted at the lowship with you. God is eager to buildings, I was struck with disturbing depth of my own struggle to under encounter you. Adore God. doubts about my call. I had success score the fact that what I write here Thanksgiving. Name the things that fully developed a failed church into a does not arise out of academic foun God has given you for which you are thriving operation, but inwardly I dations. I have simply felt the pain of grateful: family, friends, health, work, often felt empty. Then, something being a clergy person struggling with the church, fun, food, etc. Picture happened that renewed my life and personal and leadership issues. these gracious gifts and thank God for allayed my pressing inner fears. But I do emphasize that my sense each one. During my tenure in this second both of God and of myself deepened Dedication. Review the large vows pastorate, I began a lay ministry that through my struggles. In offering a you have taken as a Christian, church had far-reaching consequences. Over few words of guidance for hard times, member, minister, spouse, employee. the next ten years it grew into a I speak out of my own woundedness. Reaffirm these, but also focus intent national movement that more than a ly upon this day. Offer your life to dozen denominations adopted. The A way to Cod God for joyful service today. acclaim I had always dreamed of I recently asked a minister friend Guidance. Envision your day with came in abundance. what his greatest struggle had been. God. Foresee God in each task, each Unfortunately, my ego was too He responded, "Having a meaningful relationship, each opportunity, and weak to absorb the applause and prayer life." His answer to my ques each member of your family, and in properly evaluate it. I began trying to tion took me back to that church early the unscheduled events and encoun live up to the image I thought others in my ministry and to my experience ters. Ask for God©s guidance in each held of me. As the months passed, I there of visible success while at the aspect of your day. felt ever more empty and plagued same time I experienced heavy ques Intercession. Make a list of the with growing feelings of phoniness. tions about the call of God to me. names of persons who need a rela The strain of playing a role, of feeling Like my minister friend, I had tionship with Christ. Resolve to pray so miserably unreal, made me dread found it easier to do the work of the for them daily. Also include in your every day©s work. church than the work of God. intercessory prayers those whom you I found myself wishing that I was Back at that time, in the midst of love and those who suffer in whatev someone else and engaged some my struggle with emptiness and lone er way. In addition, pray for the coun where else. Yet though I could not liness, a minister friend had given me try, that the kingdom of Christ may feel God©s presence; I sensed that God a small, sixty-four page booklet, Teach come in all of our national affairs. had not forgotten me. Without my Me to Pray by W. E. Sangster. I had If our imagination could grasp the knowledge, God was planning new read it and tossed it aside because it effect of prayer on others, usual as it directions for my life. offered nothing new. may sound to repeat it, we would pray While struggling with these con A week or two later I seemed com more often and with more assurance. flicted feelings, I also faced other pelled to pick up the booklet and Here are four ways to pray for the issues. At times my family relation reread it. This time a voice spoke persons you have named. Use these ships were in shambles, my daughter within me, "If the way you are pray forms of prayer alternately. was not becoming the person that I ing isn©t working very well, why don©t 1. Call their names in God©s pres-
34 MINISTRY July-August 2005 MUSICAL EXCELLENCE SINCE 1927
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• P. 0. Box 1222 • Simi Valley, CA 93062-1222 • Ph: 805-520-9544 of the General Conference Session ence, asking God to fulfill their needs. 2. Picture each person in the trans forming presence of God. 3. Write a prayer letter to God in which you express your concerns and hopes for each. 4. Offer a prayer of presence by deliberately being with the person for whom you pray. Petition. Tell God what you most deeply desire in your life. "Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive" (Matt. 21:22, NRSV). Special GC SeskoirTOfer Don't be fooled by the blank check Buy any two Adventist Preaching series, appearance of this promise. As we spend time in God's pres receive a third one free! ence, our desires change; our true wants are crystallized by the Spirit. Look for the Adventist Preaching display So persist in asking for what you in the AdventSot/rce booth, really want until you know what it is. Exhibit Hall, America©s Center Act of trust. Release your prayers to God and trust God to answer them. Valid at GC Session only "For whoever would approach [God] must believe that he exists and . . . rewards those who seek [him]" (Heb. Adventist Preaching impacts 11:6, NRSV). Wait. In the silence wait to hear the church what God wishes to say to you. "Speak, * Engaging and worshipful services Lord, Your child listens." Repeat your through the use of beautiful sermons- passage for the day and reflect on it. • ' ,,:'.,' Write it on a slip of paper and carry it for churches without speakers with you throughout the day. « Challenging prlyer meeting or vespers series — In the evening Review the day. Identify the places esources for pastors ^ God has been at work in your day and and lay leaders '?. give thanks. • •.. .'•'.. ' 4 Confession. Note your feelings, Devotional sermons actions, and choices that have been for church lending contrary to God's will in Christ. Be libraries specific. Acknowledge those and accept God's forgiveness. Commitment. Release yourself to God for the night. Pray that you may drift into sleep conscious of God's loving presence.
Learning Each morning I arose, took W. E. Sangster's booklet, and opened it to the guide. I read, "Adoration," think on the greatness of God, etc., and I fol 2-DVD sets just $24.95+ sh/h lowed this suggestion. I let my mind 8W-ACN-1119 • www.acn.info 800-328-0525 • www.adventsource.org wander into the mystery and wonder Also available at most Adventist Book Centers of knowing God.
36 MINISTRY July-August 2005 I then read Thanksgiving, and I ing. But I set out to do it. the divine mission to the world. named the specific persons and As a backdrop for this wholesale My self-accusations, however, did things for which I was grateful. I con confession, I first reviewed the love of not hold up in God's court of mercy. tinued until I had completed each God for me. I remembered that God God loved me, accepted me, and for directive. I followed my new instruc loves me no matter what I may have gave me. God chose to use me despite tor's guidance for 30 days. done or thought or felt. Nothing can my struggles and failures. I believe that At the end of the month I identi cause God to love me more; nothing God will help all of us to get real, if we fied definite changes: I was praying can cause God to love me less. God bring our whole self to Him. daily and had begun to sense that I loves me unconditionally at this very Though I did not at first write my was making contact with God. The moment. Nothing that I was about to confession to God, I have since found prayers that I prayed were being utter in my confession would surprise an enormous value in writing it. answered; I was at peace and wel God. Insight often comes in the act of writ comed my daily time with God. My With this confidence, I set a day to ing. This does not come by only focus in ministry also changed from begin my first real-life confession. I mentally rehashing your life. Besides, dread to delight as I looked forward to began with my earliest childhood when you write your confession, you what God might do through preach memories and placed before God my have an enduring record before you. ing and worship and visits with actions, attitudes, and feelings that So consider writing your confession, people in the parish. were betrayals of Christ. One by one, even if you burn it when you have fin It had been my struggle with my I acknowledged them to God. After ished. call that led to meaningful prayer. each confession, I asked, "Do you Recently, I have written a thor If you feel some of the things that love this person?" A "yes" rang in my ough confession of my life. At my age plagued my life, you might find it heart. there are many reasons to place my helpful to engage in your own 30-day Next, I began to confess my acts of whole life before God. 1 experiment in prayer using the daily adolescent sexual exploration, my guide. You might be surprised at what indiscretions, lies, deceitful actions, Listen to God happens in your life and ministry! stealing, swearing, disobeying my Most of us have been admonished parents, and totally ignoring the One to listen to God, but no one has ever Becoming real to whom I was confessing. told us "how" to listen for God. In Later in my life and ministry, I had As I went through this list, I sought addition to this lack of direction, a struggle with my self-image—how to to place myself in the situation, envi many of us were trained in seminaries be real, how to express on the outside sion the setting, and feel the dark that looked with suspicion upon those the person I was inside, how to be the urges in my soul. Seeing myself in who claimed that God spoke to them. person God had created me to be. each of these situations, I held the Recently, a woman shared her I had fallen into the dangerous picture up to the light of God. experience with me. She said, "When trap of trying to be the minister that In God's light, my darkness I read your book The God Who other people thought I ought to be. became diffused by the divine Speaks,2 I was so encouraged. I went This distortion of our true identity Presence. No matter how painful, I into the ministry because God called causes us to spend excessive energy persisted in owning and confessing me in a rather unusual way. However, trying to please others. the barrenness of my life. After each I never spoke about this call with my This is precisely what I did while session I felt more deeply that God seminary professors because I feared leading a nationwide renewal move did love me, the real me. that they would think I was crazy. I ment. The dichotomy between who I The same acceptance by God held felt relieved when I discovered that knew myself to be and what I fast when I began confessing the sin you, a seminary professor, believe thought others wanted me to be led and brokenness of my adult years— that God still speaks to us. Even if you me to an act of confessing my whole failed parenting, greed, false have not faced rejection for believing life before God. ambition, materialism, the desire for God speaks to us, I imagine that you The idea of confronting myself in greatness, lust, evil imaginations, a would welcome hearing about ways all of its raw reality came from a great critical spirit, betrayal, broken vows, to listen for God." spiritual writer, Francis de Sales, author and pride, to name a few. Try these suggestions as modes of of Introduction to the Devout Life. He As I looked hard at the failure and listening for God: suggested that I lay before God all the sin of my adult years, I could build a First, still your body and your mind. failings and errors of my life. strong case against myself. I could In the stillness begin to muse over the Being challenged to face myself name a hundred reasons why God questions of your life. Write the ques before God, with all my emptiness should not love or forgive me and why tions that interest or trouble you. and failure and hypocrisy, was daunt God should not permit me to share in Begin with the hard ones. Write each
MINISTRY 37 of these in a notebook or journal. that I am not alone in my struggle. If When the first eruption of ques I find in the writing something that tions slows down and it appears that disturbs me, I ask a spiritual friend for there are no more, muse over your evaluation and guidance. relationships and notice the ques tions that arise. What are the Find a spiritual friend questions that come to you regarding My idea of a spiritual friend is a your family? Move on to the congre person with whom I can talk, a per gation, the government, the war, and son who not only listens but also the injustices in the world. offers spiritual discernment. When you have exhausted your This person may be older or questions, lay your pen down and be younger; wisdom is not a monopoly present to the questions on your list. of the mature. Some younger persons Don't try to answer the questions; seem to discern the ways of the Spirit simply be present to them. Spend as more keenly than older ones do. 1 much time as you need. I invite you think this has to do with spiritual gifts to trust that God is in your questions. and the maturity of the person regard As you muse over them, you are like less of age. Be sure to find someone ly to hear God speak. whom you can trust. Decide on a time Second, move into the deep still and place and the frequency of meet ness of your soul and ask the ing. Meeting monthly works fine. question: God, what would You say to A spiritual friend may be only for More than three decades me? Put your pen to the paper and your guidance, or it may be a mutual begin to write. Don't think ahead for experience. If it works out that you of practical wisdom and an answer. Catch the words as they are to be listeners and discerners for insight gleaned from bubble up from your deeper self. Try one another, a short break between not to think about what God ought the times of sharing will help you experience in ministry and to say or what you wish God to say. change roles and thus have a better leadership, summarized Simply write what comes to you. experience. This is a right-brain activity, so let If you set up a mutual spiritual in language that is clear the words present themselves to you. friendship, a workable plan would be and applicable to every Be playful and delight in the experi for one person to share, receive ques ence. tions and feedback, and be prayed for. pastor's experience. This Third, when you have exhausted After a short break, change roles and book is an indispensable your writing, you may keep the flow repeat the process.3 moving by asking, "What else would In this brief article I have endeav tool for the pastor who You say to me?" When you have fin ored to share two things with is searching for practical ished writing and looked at what you you—my own struggles to survive as have written, I think you will be sur a minister and spiritual leader, and a and proven solutions to prised by two things: how easily you few discoveries that have come out of the everyday challenges of wrote and the content of what you them. I have passed these discoveries wrote! Wisdom, insight, and inspira on to you with the hope that some of feeding God's flock. tion will come forth that will shock them will be of help to you in hard you. times. If you desire to share your story Fourth, evaluate what you have with me, I welcome the opportunity written. I believe two things about to hear it. I will join you in prayer, this way of writing. First, God does and I always answer my mail not dictate what I write and second, ([email protected]). m AVAILABLE AT www.ministerialassodation.com/resources what I write is not nonsense. I believe or tel 301-68(M508 • fax 301-680-6502 that God is in the writing. So, I reread 1 Ben Johnson, Confessing a Life (Vital Churches or at your local Adventist Book Center what I have written to discern what Resources, P.O. Box 18378, Pittsburgh, PA 15236. Or God has said to me. online: [email protected]). GENERAL CONFERENCE MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION When I listen for God in this fash 2 ———, The Coil Who Speaks (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2004). 12501 Old Columbia Pike • Silver Spring, MD • 20904 ion, I generally have greater clarity, a 3 Tilden Edwards, Spiritual Friend (Mahwah, N.J.: sense of direction, and the conviction Paulist Press, 1980).
38 MINISTRY July-August 2005 .**
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Lotus Blossom Returns More Amazing True Country Roads, By Florence Nagel-Longway- Mission Stories Painted Skies Howlett with Sandy Zaugg. By James H. Zachary. From author Judie Gulley's dri The remarkable story of a young A second collection of remarkable ver's seat come these short, but missionary's determination to return mission stories from around the potent, true-to-life stories that tug to her beloved China—despite war, world proving that God still works at your heartstrings and provide a emergency plane landings, and miracles today. rare window on the world of chil seemingly "impossible" challenges. 0-8163-2079-9. Paperback. dren, choices, and growing up. 0-8163-2044-6. Paperback. US$9.99, Can$l4.99. 0-8163-2058-6. Paperback. US$14.99, Can$22.49. © Prices subject to change.180/55590 US$11.99, Can$17.99. Available at your local ABC: 1-800-765-6955 or online: www.AdventistBookCenter.com Walk personally with Jesus Christ Assuming a leadership position does not guarantee that one has leadership skills. Moreover, being a leader in one context does not guarantee leadership skills in every other kind of situation. Leadership begins with the person leading, and a personal commitment to a personal Savior provides the initial foun dation on which God gifts all leadership. Personal skills and needs vary considerably from one situation to another. Leaders that last build on those qualities of character that Serving God alone can expand and enrich. Paul made this clear when he wrote that "we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do significantly good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Eph. 2:10, NIV). When facing circumstances we cannot as leaders change, we can allow God to change us. God gifts His church with the responsibility for enlisting and training workers and providing them alternatives for service. He may even nyone willing to pay the price add new skills to our repertoire. Wayne M. Warner can enhance and expand their leadership skills, but what helps a Love people generously and leader to last? Missionary Tom genuinely McCracken suggests we are called Take the sharing out of life, and you remove Anot to be leaders, but servers. "We cannot the shine from it. Individual Christians need to scramble for prestige posts, for leadership is recognize their need for giving. The first essen not the right to direct others, it is the ability tial in serving is to be available. Then comes to influence them." sharing your skills. We can develop significant A career missionary in Brazil, McCracken leadership skills in spite of feeling inadequate, knows that within the Christian family "lead if we are willing to further expand our skills for ership grows from dependable service." the sake of God's work. Christian leadership, claims McCracken, is It naturally follows that successful leader "the earned confidence of our brothers and ship requires loving people. People relate best sisters in the faith" that "fits men and women with people who identify in a redemptive into places where they can influence others." manner with their personal needs and prob Peter Drucker supports this concept when lems. Personal needs provide avenues for pro he suggests that "great leaders are bred from gressive relationships. great causes, but leaders, at their best, also The army focuses its programming on spir breed great causes." Very significantly, itual growth by helping people meet unmet Drucker also believes that "until and unless needs. In this way, well-planned programs business creates a cause bigger and more become the natural entrees for reaching indi embracing than enrichment of the sharehold viduals. When unable to love people as they ers, it will have few great leaders."1 are, leaders lack the necessary ability to Ordway lead distinguishes the CEO from understand the people God sends their way. It the leader when he suggests that "in industry is difficult to lead people who feel unloved, Wayne M. Warner is it is not the passion for profits but for people and much easier to lead those who sense their a retired Church of which distinguishes the leader from the mere leader genuinely loves them and has their God pastor and lives in Battle Creek, executive."2 welfare at heart. Michigan. For Drucker, it is natural to look more to the private sector for leadership. Maximize relational skills Following are seven ways of achieving and The body of Christ, like the human body, maintaining significant, lasting leadership. finds its strength in its relationships. Effective
40 MINISTRY July-August 2005 ministries and those who lead them especially negative attitudes. Expand your talents depend heavily upon those interper Discouraging times overtake every Good leadership, like good work sonal networks. The ability to work one sooner or later. They may manship, builds on personal respect. with others only increases one's value originate with poor organization or Respect the personhood of others at as a leader. An inability to work with come with insufficient motivation, all times and you will be respected, others greatly decreases one's value improper objectives, or just plain even amid disagreements. When both as a leader and as a worker. tough times. In any case, a positive leaders respect the members' com God's redemptive work most fre faith that exalts God will lift up fellow mitment to Christ, and their love for quently takes place when the church workers and increase worker value. one another, the church will be team makes the most of its relation The worker-leader never stands respected. Willingness to pursue a ships, especially those outside the taller in the eyes of his or her peers task with courageous conviction will congregational fellowship. Enriching than when doing God's work without reap respect, even from a nonsup- one's personal ability to relate to peo becoming easily discouraged. We all portive community. ple greatly enhances individual find it easier to face our own prob As Christians, we place ourselves leadership skills while multiplying lems when we can visualize the in a position to receive God's best the collective skills of a congregation. possibilities through the eyes of posi gifts when we allow Him to place us tive leaders. in the body as it pleases Him. Growth Understand ourselves and through God's gifting, whatever our others Maintain courageous ability, witnesses far more significant Although an agnostic, Bertrand convictions ly than the very best situation we can Russell alleged that Christian love, or "The day soldiers stop bringing construct on our own. Such growth compassion, is the motive for exis you their problems," concluded Colin will produce a leader whose faith is tence. He saw it as a guide in action, a Powell, "is the day you have stopped easily read and readily followed. reason for courage, and an imperative leading them."4 Strong convictions The church is always in need of necessity for intellectual honesty. hold us up when circumstances are leaders that God has gifted. Moreover, Because God has a meaningful ready to cast us down. God will use any leader He can gift. place for every person to serve, any More important than the convic Servant leaders almost always make a one can avoid becoming unbalanced tions we hold are the convictions that significant difference! BE and ineffective through diligent hold us. Although Jesus knew the efforts to improve one's self. True, obvious outcome of His convictions, 1 Peter F. Drucker, The Leader of the Future (San some of us are introverts and more He steadfastly set His face toward Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1996), 9. retiring. We find it easier to work Jerusalem. His convictions held Him! 2 Ordway Tead, The Art of Leadership (New York: more effectively by ourselves. Others, Once resolved, the set of His soul Whittlesey, 1935), 103. 3 Colm Powell, with Joseph E. Persico, My American being more extroverted and outgo became concrete. God honors that journey (New York: Random House, 1995), 214. ing, find it more comfortable to work kind of faith! 4 Ibid., 52. in concert with others. Either way, everyone gains when we discover and evaluate our positive General Conference strengths and negative weaknesses. Online Document Archives Caring enough to understand our selves, and caring enough to minister to others, significantly strengthens The Department of Archives and Statistics is commissioned to preserve all God's ability to bless our efforts. materials produced by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Leadership skills will improve as we and its departments. The archives houses over 10,000 linear feet of records understand ourselves better and as we covering the entire period of the Seventh-day Adventist Church history. allow God to reshape us as necessary. Patrons can trace the development of the church through these records, which include legal instruments, minutes, reference files, reports, Practice positive faith Former Secretary of State General correspondence, publications, recordings, films, video and audio tapes, and Colin Powell understood leadership photographs. Their Web site marks the beginning of an effort to place some this way: "If you get the dirty end of of the most referenced archival documents in a flexible and expandable the stick, sharpen it and turn it into a online system. useful tool."3 Leaders who last refuse to harbor discouragement. People www.AdventistArchives.org quickly reflect a leader's attitudes,
MINISTRY 41 that finds itself more and more isolated, treading water in the wake of a species of technological novelty that makes us more efficient and twice as lonely. When these proliferating solitary travelers find their way to our churches on any given weekend, what will they find? A church that is gender inclusive and ethnically sensitive? Will they see the oneness they crave, which Jesus Spiritual leaders described in the seventeenth chapter of John? Will the church reflect the demographic reali ty that they encounter in the workplace and the without the sense of hostility and competi tiveness of cultural clamoring? A lot of what the church will mirror will multicultural depend on the leader. Henry and Richard Blackaby in Spiritual Leadership define such lead ership: "Spiritual leadership is moving people on to God's agenda."3 They list five elements mosaic behind this straightforward definition: (1) "The spiritual leader's task is to move people from where they are to where God wants them to asten your seat belts—but whatever be"; (2) "Spiritual leaders depend on the Holy Roscoe J. Howard III you do, don't close your eyes. The Spirit"; (3) "Spiritual leaders are accountable to prognosticators of a future pluralistic God"; (4) "Spiritual leaders can influence all society have been proved to be true people, not just God's people"; and (5) prophetic voices heralding a rapidly "Spiritual leaders work from God's agenda." Faltering world in the supercharged informa If we believe this is a reasonable assump tion age. Change is taking place with such tion of what God wants, then there are certain speed that our theology and ethics are being areas of focus that leaders need to compre outpaced, struggling to keep up with the hend if they wish to meet the challenges of exploding proliferation of innovation and this rapidly changing mosaic of a society. technology, and the massive social revolution that sweeps in behind it. Cultural competency Max De Free, in Leadership Is an Art, states, Every spiritual leader must first examine "The first responsibility of a leader is to define his or her own cultural programming. This reality."1 The globalization of technology, com introspective gaze must ask questions such as: munication, and travel have made our reality a Do I see myself as superior to other ethnic culturally diverse environment that begs the groups? Do I make assumptions that stereo question that Spencer Johnson asked in the type and pigeonhole people into self-fulfilling title of his book Who Moved My Cheese?2 How prophecies? Do I see individuals with little did I wake up one morning and suddenly there education as less valuable than others? Are were more women in my workplace, minori people from other denominations not as close ties in my neighborhood, immigrants and to God as I see myself to be? Is race an issue people with accents all over our societies, and when it comes to my personal worship, my silver-haired people in the pews of my church? dating preferences, and how I feel about such These new demographic realities are diversity within my neighborhood? changing the way we think, act, and lead. The Questions like these get at the ethnocen- Roscoe J. Howard III, rapid compression of time and our ability to trism that sabotages our ability to allow Christ D.Min., is secretary process events and the way they leave noth of the North to lead others through us. "Challenging leaders American Division of ing unaltered has taken its toll on spiritual to connect the culture that has formed them Seventh-day leaders. Answers to complex problems are with the culture that confronts them, without Adventists, Silver demanded at the touch of a key stroke. The shutting down" is the heart's task for leaders in Spring, Maryland. information age is juxtaposed against the relation to culture.4 "relationship desire." We've become a society Besides knowing one's own cultural pro-
42 MINISTRY July-August 2005 gramming, it is important to under have the courage to overcome their tions to understand the need for basic stand the values, norms, and beliefs of own cultivated tendencies that tend conflict resolution skills across cul other cultures. Trips to the library, long to thwart the practice of egalitarian- tures. I recommend seven books for talks with individuals who are open to ism in the local church setting. starters (see box below). vulnerably discussing their worldview, The leader must design his or her Such books are able to jump-start group sharing, and other creative program and vision to include the our understanding of the issues of activities can foster dialogue in diversi concept that all of God's children are conflict and how they relate to a par ty and interpersonal discernment. This equal inheritors of the will and revela ticular local context. is the task of today's spiritual leader. tion of God. Writes J. Oswald Sanders: In Becoming a Healthy Church, This kind of interaction must be a "We can lead others only as far along Stephen A. Macchia says, "Conflict is part of every agenda. People must the road as we ourselves have trav cancerous to relationships if left unat sense that they are valuable and eled. Merely pointing the way is not tended. Resolving our conflicts needed in the community of Christ. enough. If we are not walking, then begins with an honest assessment of Constant and purposeful communi no one can be following, and we are our heart in line with Scripture." He cation must take place. not leading anyone."7 also says that "We need to meditate Milton J. Bennett, a cross-cultural The idea of intentionality means on passages like Romans 12:9-18; specialist, states, "Intercultural sensitiv that the concern for diversity issues is 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a; Ephesians ity is not natural... nor has it charac always on the agenda of the leader. 4:22-32; Colossians 3:12-17; Hebrews terized most of human history. What the leader sees as important 12:1-3; and James 3:13-18. Then our Cross-cultural contact often has been becomes important for the organiza hearts will be prepared to address lov accompanied by bloodshed, oppres tion and the community. That's why ingly the conflict at hand."15 sion, or genocide. Clearly this pattern intentionality, focus, and a clear sense As a young pastor, just out of col cannot continue. Today, the failure to of direction must come from the lege, I recall sitting for seven hours exercise intercultural sensitivity is not leader when negotiating the waters of with two saints who were in conflict simply bad business or bad morality— multicultural complexity. Waves of over relationship issues that spanned it is self-destructive. So we face a complexity and conflict will swell 25 years. One of the women pulled choice: overcome the legacy of our his from time to time in a pluralistic out a tablet that chronicled 25 years tory, or lose history itself for all time."5 community. The leader must be of transgressions on the part of the As a secularist, Bennett does not intentional in weaving a collective woman sitting across from her in my have much hope in the church, but consciousness and of himself or her office. We went line by line, entry by spiritual leaders, of all people, must self embracing diversity to minimize entry, day by day over each event, prove that unity in diversity not only the potential struggle that comes and when it was all over, they still can exist but can flourish and thrive with the challenges of a multicultural could not come to any resolution. in God's family. church community. If I had known then what I know now I could have cut the length of Intentionality Conflict mediation skills that meeting by at least 50 percent! Ideas of self-reliance, individual Every leader's mettle is tested Conflict across cultures and even ism, and independence, admired so when facing conflict in the congrega basic interpersonal conflict is drain much in many of the traditions of tion. It is especially important for ing, time consuming, and painful. It significant segments of today's soci leaders of multicultural congrega does help to have a few skills to facil- eties, will not dwell easily in a church where we are trying to focus on col RECOMMENDED READING laboration, team work, and unity. It is the continued task of the spiritual •f Conflict Resolution: Cross-Cultural Perspectives, by Kevin Avruch, Peter W. leader to remind the flock that the Black, and Joseph A. Scimecca8 ground is level at the foot of the cross. •f Preparing for Peace: Conflict Transformation /Across Cultures, by John Paul In the book Leading Congregational Lederach9 Change, the authors point out that + Interpersonal Conflict, by William W. Wilmot and Joyce L. Hocker10 "when we see others as equals, we are •f Managing Church Conflict, by Hugh F. Halverstadt" more willing to embrace the spirit of + Cross-Cultural Conflict: Building Relationships for Effective Ministry, by Duane unity. The apostle Paul clearly states, Elmer12 'Make every effort to keep the unity of •f Culture and Conflict Resolution, by Kevin Avruch 13 the Spirit through the bond of peace' > Church Conflict: The Hidden Systems Behind the Fights, by Charles H. (Eph. 4:3)."6 The denial of equality is Cosgrove and Dennis D. Hatfield14 at the heart of all racism. Leaders must
MINISTRY 43 One day in Sunday school the teacher was talking with the children about the church. To illustrate her point she folded her hands together and said, 'Here's the church, here's the steeple; open the doors and see all the peo ple.' She asked the class to do it along with her—obviously not thinking about my son's inability to pull this exercise off. Yet in the next moment it dawned on her that my son could not beaytifaj white join in. Before she could do anything about it, the little boy next to my son, fora time of refreshment a friend of his from the time they were babies, reached out his left hand and said, 'Let's do it together.' The www.beside-stiHwaters.O(|gP| two boys proceeded to join their Beside Still Waters hands together to make the church and the steeple."15 A ministry of Manatee Religious Services/ I long for the day when my church A Partnership of Christian Churches reaches out to all of humanity across cultures and says, "we are all one in itate the mediation. The Holy Spirit ity, and are setting the tone for the Christ," and when that phrase be can better assist us in our differences congregation. comes more than a politically correct if we ourselves are sharpened tools in Isn't that a large part of what expression printed in a policy book, the Master's hand. Christian diversity management is all but when it has instead become the about, preferring others before your essence of who we actually are as the Value added to the church self? The benefits that the church followers of Jesus Christ. Hi Every church will be benefited receives through diversity-sensitive when the needs of the members are leadership are inestimable. Members 1 Max De Free, Leadership Is an Art (A Dell Trade Paperback, regularly addressed. Although the themselves come to have a deeper 1989), 11. church is not a business, and cus appreciation for fairness, justice, 2 Spencer Johnson, M.D., Who Moved My Cheese? (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1998) tomer satisfaction is not the bottom social responsibility, and improving 3 Henry and Richard Blackaby, Spiritual Leadership (Nashville. line, people will know when they are economic opportunities for the Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001), 21. 4 Reggie McN'eal, A Work of Heart (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass actually valued and when priority is underachieving members of society. Publishers, 2000), 75. given to their concerns. It is the The realization of the importance 5 Milton J. Bennett, quoted in Lee Gardenswartz and Anita Rowe, Managing Diversity: A Complete Desk Reference and Planning Guide leader's role to help shape and create of diversity education in bringing (Business One Irwm/Pfeiffer & Company, 1993), 4 a safe place and a sense of belonging about parity comes to penetrate the 6 Jim Herrington, Mike Bonem, James Furr, Leading Congre gational Change (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2000), 19. for all members. heart of every believer. The innova 7 }. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence Recognizing different diversity tion, creativity, problem solving, for Every Believer (Chicago: Moody Press, 1994), 28. 8 Kevin Avruch, Peter W. Black, and Joseph A Scimeca, eds., issues, such as making all facilities cohesiveness, and brain trust in a het Conflict Resolution- Cross-Cultural Perspectives (Westport, Conn.: throughout the church accessible to erogeneous membership will be Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc., 1991). 9 John Paul Lederach, Preparing for Peace Conflict Transformation those who are physically challenged, blessed in many measurable ways. Across Cultures (Syracuse, X.Y.. University Press, 1995). makes a huge statement to everyone. Spiritual, mental, and physical 10 William W, Wilmot and Joyce L. Hocker, Interpersonal Conflict (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2001). This type of sensitivity heightens the growth; financial health; a sense of 11 Hugh F. Halverstadl, Managing Church Conflict (Louisville, Ky. awareness of all members and takes oneness in the body of Christ; a wit Westminster John Knox Press, 1991). 12 Duane Elmer, Cross-Cultural Conflict- Building Relationships for their mind-set off of themselves and ness to the world; and stability in Effective Ministry (Downers Grove, 111.: InterVarsity Press, 1993). turns it toward service. creating a safe place are just a few of 13 Kevin Avruch, Culture and Conflict Resolution (Washington, D.C.: United States Institute of Peace Press, 1998). Starting a class that teaches the benefits that the diversity- 14 Charles H , Cosgrove and Dennis D. Hatheld, Church Conflict. English to newly arrived immigrants sensitive leader will constantly be The Hidden Systems Behind the Fights (Nashville, Tenn.: Abmgdon Press, 1994). or making sure that the leadership promoting, preaching, teaching, and 15 Stephen A. Macchia, Becoming a Healthy Church (Grand Rapids, configuration of the church reflects sharing with his or her congregation. Midi.: Baker Books, 1999), 106. 16 Randy Frazee, The Connecting Church (Grand Rapids, Midi.. the changing demographics in the In his book The Connecting Church, Zondervan, 2001), 242. congregation signals that leaders Randy Frazee writes "I have a son embrace diversity, consider it a prior who was born without a left hand.
44 MINISTRY July-August 2005 What's your bottomi;mr ^ ~liner> 4^
Money vs. Mission o you have to choose? Not with an our money a little differently. We spend D American Humanics (AH) certificate it on sendee to those who need it most. in nonprofit leadership. Imagine a career Only one Seventh-day Adventist school where you can impact the community, offers AH certification with a major or change lives and get paid for it. minor in nonprofit studies: Southern Nonprofit doesn't mean "non- Adventist University. paid," it just means we spend The possibilities are endless.
SOUTHERN ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY power for mind & sou) 1.800.SOUTHERN Collegedale, Tennessee ah.southern.edu years. Rwanda, Kosovo, Bosnia, Iraq, Northern Ireland, Afghanistan, Palestine, Israel, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Indonesia are just a few painful reminders of the destructiveness of disunity in our world today. Besides these locales, every nation today experiences in one way or another sim ilar challenges. We live in a global village in which meaningful unity is a hazy and distant dream, mocking us in the darkness of our real ity. Though we could wish otherwise, the church, unfortunately, is not immune to seri Mission and unity: ous challenges along the same lines. The goal Yet, as seemingly unrealistic and impossi the challenge for ble as attaining such a dream may seem to be in our world today, Scripture leaves no doubt as to the imperative nature of the call to live the church today together in unity, oneness, brotherly love, and harmony. Jesus' prayer in John 17, so well known among us, focuses on it: "Father, ... I s we meet in St. Louis for the pray . . . that they may be one" (John 17:11, Pat Gustin 58th session of the General 20-23).2 Conference, we do so with opti Unity and oneness are a constant theme of mism and enthusiasm. Our the apostle Paul. "May the God who gives membership has reached over 13 endurance and encouragement give you a spir Amillion, coming from more than two hun it of unity among yourselves as you follow dred countries of the world. With awe we Christ Jesus" (Rom. 15:5). "We who are many exclaim, "What has God wrought!" form one body, and each member belongs to Yet, even in the midst of our exultation all the others" (12:5). "I appeal to you... in the over what God has done, we have concerns. name of ... Christ, that all of you agree with Many of these concerns were articulated at one another so that there may be no divisions the 2000 session in Toronto. among you and that you may be perfectly The most challenging of these is unity. Is it united in mind and thought" (1 Cor. 1:10,11). possible to maintain unity in an organization "The body is a unit, though it is made up of this large and this diverse? As Pastor Jan many parts; and though all its parts are many, Paulsen, General Conference president, stated they form one body . . . whether Jews or during the closing Sabbath convocation in Greeks, slave or free" (12:12, 13). "Aim for per Toronto, "our very size—internationally, fection ... be of one mind, live in peace" culturally, and politically—and our ethnic (2 Cor. 13:11). "There is neither Jew nor Greek, diversity pose a formidable challenge in terms slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all of unity."1 one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28). "Make every Other organizations throughout the effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through world—churches, multinational corpora the bond of peace. There is one body and one tions, and even the United Nations—also Spirit" (Eph. 4:3). "Make my joy complete by struggle with the challenge of developing or being like-minded, having the same love, maintaining unity against the backdrop of being one in spirit and purpose" (Phil. 2:2). massive differences—cultural, linguistic, eth "Bear with each other and forgive whatever Pat Gustin is director nic, religious, political, ideological, racial, grievances you may have. . . . And over all of the Institute of tribal, and national. these virtues put on love, which binds them all World Missions, These differences lie at the core of most of together in perfect unity" (Col. 3:13, 14.) Peter Andrews University, the serious armed conflicts tearing the world adds, "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with Berrien Springs, Michigan. apart today. Their power to divide and destroy one another" (1 Peter 3:8, 9). "Above all, love has been tragically demonstrated in recent each other deeply" (4:8.).
46 MINISTRY July-August 2005 Were these words just pie in the sky stration of unity empowers our mis coming, and prophecy are just three). platitudes? Vague dreams? Hopeful sion and enables our witness. To the 4- Our standards—practices basic exhortation and advice? Is unity only extent that the church reflects the to the faith that we share (such as a practical matter—an organizational reality that it is the body of Christ, modesty temperate living, and chaste necessity to help the church run more united in love—to that extent, the behavior). smoothly? Or is there a deeper, more church's mission will succeed. Unity 4- Church structure, organization, fundamental, reason for the urgency among us all is simply foundational and administrative practices. we see emphasized in these elemental to effective witness and mission. 4- Church programs (Pathfinders, calls from the heart of Scripture? The early Christian church was a Sabbath Schools, women's ministries, Unity is neither a vague dream nor living example of a unity that crossed to name a few). just an organizational tool. It is rather cultural, linguistic, social, and ethnic 4- The Sabbath School lessons. the very core and driving force of barriers. Slaves and freemen, wealthy 4- The Spirit of Prophecy. Christian life—but especially of our merchants and Caesar's soldiers, Jews 4- The Church Manual. Christian witness. The deep motiva and Gentiles, men and women all 4- Our financial structure that tion for the above admonitions for worshiped together at a time when makes us interdependent. unity is made abundantly clear in the society was splintered by classes and 4 Theological education. texts themselves. During the Last castes. The first-century church was 4- Worshiping together. Supper as Jesus called for the disciples clearly countercultural just in terms Some of the above items focus on to love one another as He loved of the love and unity it exemplified. doctrinal unity, which is obviously them, He concluded, "By this all will Those looking into the face of the important. Others emphasize the know that you are My disciples, if you Church are purported to have ability to organize and administer have love for one another" (John exclaimed, "How these Christians ourselves effectively on a global basis. 13:35, NKJV). love each other!" Their unity was Each of these is important and is In John 17, Jesus follows his indeed the greatest witness to the valuable in helping to maintain repeated pleas to "be one" with the power of the risen Christ. unity. I would like to suggest an addi words, "that the world may ... know Our ability to glorify God, to bring tional one: Mission. that you [the Father] sent me" Qohn praise to Him, and to be a viable wit Mission (our effective witness in all 17:21, 23). It is clear that only in our ness to the "gentiles" (nonbelievers) its forms—but especially mission that unity can the world see a true demon today, is still dependent upon this reaches across cultural barriers) is not stration of the power of the gospel. God-given unity. only the most significant reason for Paul follows his plea for unity in maintaining unity but also a major Romans 15:5 with the assurance that Achieving unity: How? method for maintaining unity. when this unity exists, the church But with all the inherent differ The greatest threat to unity today will "with one heart and mouth . . . ences among us, and the incredible is not doctrinal differences or specific glorify the God and Father of our pressures surrounding us, how can practices of Adventism that vary from Lord Jesus Christ." He concludes by unity be achieved? Here are some fac place to place, or even differences in urging, "Accept one another, then, tors that are effective in encouraging how the church operates in different just as Christ accepted you, in order and enabling unity among us. locations. Throughout the centuries, to bring praise to God.... so that the 4 Our shared beliefs—doctrines starting with the early church, con Gentiles may glorify God" (Rom. and biblical truth we hold in com verts have been able to worship God 15:7, 9). mon (the Sabbath, Christ's second in ways that were quite diverse from Though there are obviously many practical, organizational reasons for unity, and many important reasons MINISTRY SUBSCRIPTS to maintain a doctrinal unity, the MAKE GREAT GIFTS! biggest single reason that both Jesus and Paul gave for maintaining unity is the impact it has on our witness. Download a subscription form at: Unity brings glory to God. It demon www.ministrymagazine.org/pdfFiIes/subscribe.pdf strates to the world the power of the gospel to do what humans cannot do alone. ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION (12 issues): The unity of the church is the United States: "©$29.99 greatest advertisement there is for Canada and overseas: "5$31.99 God's power and grace. This demon
MINISTRY 47 other believers. superiority and judgment, we build Therefore God wants the different The real challenge to unity and bridges of tolerance and acceptance. nationalities to mingle together, to be harmony is the inherent human ten We come to realize that the things one in judgment, one in purpose. dency to exclusiveness and ethno- that unite us are greater than those Then the union that there is in Christ centrism. These inevitably lead to that divide us. By widespread inter will be exemplified."' nationalism, racism, and elitism, and mingling, we avoid the danger of result in distrust, prejudice, and inter splitting into overly diverse congrega The question of unity versus personal division in all its forms. It is tions, driven by nationalism or ethnic uniformity possible to study the same Sabbath pride or prejudice. As we face the need for and the School Adult Bible Study Guide and to Perhaps the greatest blessing from challenge of developing unity, we will use the same Church Manual and, at this mingling together is the develop encounter the temptation to focus on least on the surface, to share the same ment of trust. As a colleague of mine uniformity as a means of reaching beliefs and practices, and yet because frequently states, "Trust is the glue unity. Unity is essential for our of prejudices, exclusiveness, and eth- that holds groups together." And church, but uniformity is not only nocentrism we may not have true trust can only grow as we come to unrealistic but perhaps unhealthy. Christian unity. However, commit know each other and learn that in The underlying unity of basic beliefs ment to mission can bring unity. spite of our differences we share a and standards does not require unifor common humanity and a common mity in every aspect of religious The cure spiritual identity, grounded in Christ. thought and practice. Intermingling By staying focused on the primary This unity expresses itself in a com with each other across cultural barri mission (taking the gospel to all the mon commitment that is forged on ers in mission helps clarify the differ world), we find unity of purpose and the anvil of common goals. We thus ence. As we personally encounter action that ties us together in a very learn that those who are very differ others whose lives represent both practical and deeply meaningful way, ent from us are, in fact trustworthy. areas of similarity in religious practice despite cultural differences. When To have true unity based on trust, and belief, and areas of considerable church members share a common, however, we must have opportunities diversity, we experience the effects of overarching commitment to mission, to know and interact with each other. the differences. reaching out to others—across the Paul and the early church strug street or across the globe—their per The added blessing gled with these things (see Acts 15) as sonal, cultural, ethnic, and linguistic Each of us is in danger of seeing Jews, Romans, Greeks, proselytes, differences become much less impor only a part of the picture of what God slaves, etc. came into the church with tant. Minor matters (the color of is trying to reveal to the world. different views about worship and the carpet in the church, the interpreta Without intending to, we each read Christian life. But Paul and the early tion of minor doctrinal points, the Scripture through our own cultural church leaders did not expect or specific order of worship, hair or dress lenses and biases—understanding require a uniformity of practice styles, etc.) cease to be issues of some things well and missing others. among all the churches they estab importance. We inevitably have theological blind lished. There was unity in their belief Mission unites people at a deep spots because of our own cultural per in Christ as the Messiah, their faith in level that allows for an underlying spective and limitations. the gospel and the promise of His unity that does not require some kind To get the full picture of what God return, their commitment to living a of outer uniformity. The unity Jesus wants to communicate to the world, transformed life, and above all, their and Paul spoke of was based not on we need to hear from each other. We commitment to sharing the good externals but on a foundational love need the insights and wisdom that news with others. Unity, yes. for God and a deep commitment to those from other cultures and world- Uniformity, no. mission and witness. It was a deeply views have to offer. This blending and Ralph Winter notes: "I have person spiritual yet practical unity born of the mingling of our spiritual strengths ally come to believe that unity does fact that the Christian community was will contribute to unity in a powerful not have to require uniformity, and I one fashioned in Christ and one under way, and will be a significant factor in believe that there must be such a thing the compelling and impelling min keeping us together, as well as giving as healthy diversity in human society istry and mission of the Holy Spirit us a greater breadth of understanding and in the Christian world church. I Himself. of truth—if we are willing to listen see the world church as the gathering As we interact with and learn to and learn from each other. together of a great symphony orches understand and respect people of dif "There is no person, no nation, tra where we don't make every new ferent cultures without a spirit of that is perfect in every habit and person coming in play a violin in thought. One must learn of another. continuted onpage 82
48 MINISTRY r ^Convenience
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[email protected] http://religion.southern.edu 4. Balance. Does the pastoral minister main tain a healthy balance, creative tension, and wholistic understanding between the human need for relationship and aloneness, thinking and feeling, i.e., keeping a clear head and a warm heart, and a personal certainty of belief while holding an openness to the mystery of God? When ministers seek to live holistic and balanced lives, good ministry is possible. 5. Discipline. Good pastoral leadership results when pastoral ministers can maintain a covenant of discipline with themselves that includes the physical disciplines that maintain Balanced pastoral the health of the body, the mental disciplines that keep the mind active and expanding, leadership: and the spiritual disciplines that help develop an authentic relationship with God. 6. Vision. Good leadership in ministry fol Healing the healers lows when one has a vision toward mission and sees what the church could be, rather than being willing to simply settle into main taining what it is. The pastoral minister needs hat are the marks of a to be able to articulate this vision and lead the James R. Newby well-balanced, healthy congregational leadership and membership pastoral minister whose to embrace and implement this vision. work and leadership 7. Ability to nurture community. Congre results in the practice of gations are communities where pain can be Wgood ministry? My experience in working processed, care for one another expressed, and with and training pastors leads me to list four joy celebrated. To put the words of Paul in teen important marks. query form, How do we encourage one anoth 1. Passion. Passion is a slippery word that is er and build one another up (1 Thess. 5:11)? difficult to define, but one knows when she or 8. Ability to understand the concept of faith he has it, or when he or she has lost it! development and know, experientially, about However that passion may be expressed, it transformation. By knowing about faith devel will carry within it the element of intensity. opment theory and transformation, the Intense passion is the fuel that ignites one to pastoral leader can relate to where his or her drive toward an ideal to be attained. parishioners are spiritually, as well as being 2. The ability of the pastor to share his or her personal in sharing his or her own spiritual pain. Is the pastor willing or able to be real experiences. and honest about his or her pain within the 9. Ability to recognize one©s limitations in pas congregation he or she is serving? Henri toral ministry as well as one©s gifts. The Nouwen has written, "The minister is called demands of the ministry are many, and with to recognize the sufferings of his time in in most congregations the pastoral minister is his/her own heart. . . his/her service will not called to be the jack-of-all-trades. Good min be perceived as authentic unless it comes istry results when ministers recognize their James /?. Newby, from a heart wounded by the suffering about limitations and are able to be honest about D.Min., is the which he/she speaks." these limitations within the congregations executive director of 3. Perspective. Does the pastoral minister they are serving. Likewise, when pastors are the Trueblood have a clear institutional perspective that rec cognizant of their gifts, and are able to nur Yokefellow Academy, ognizes that, in the end, the institution ture these gifts, good ministry and good and the minister for cannot love you back? The church is not one's leadership result. faith and learning at the Wayzata wife, husband, boyfriend, or girlfriend. Does 10. Ability to empower others and delegate Community United the pastoral minister recognize the limita responsibility. Good ministry is shared min Church of Christ in tions, as well as all of the possibilities, within istry. This is the recognition that the pastoral Wayzata, Minnesota. the church as an institution? continued on page 79
50 MINISTRY July-August 2005 "I strongly encourage the use of this new evangelistic tool... to reach many individuals who would probably not be reached otherwise. This is a powerful 21 st-century approach to presenting the wonderful Advent message." —Ted N. C. Wilson, Vice President, General Conference of S.D.A.
"This series presents the living Christ... in a highly attractive, compelling way. I highly recommend it. Invite your friends and neighbors to view this life changing series." —Mark Finley, Director of Global Evangelism, General Conference of S.D.A.
Tony has served as a Bible Instructor, Church Planter, Pastor, Metro Area Coordinator, Senior Pastor of a large multi-staff church, and NAD Evangelism Ministries Director of It Is Written.
The Biblical World was founded as a non-profit teaching ministry by Tony Moore in 2003. It is dedicated to uplifting Jesus as the Christ by bringing the pages of Scripture to life. For over 30 years Tony has researched the culture and history of the Biblical World. In this fascinating series "In The Footsteps of Paul" Tony will take you back in time to understand the world of the Apostle Paul. This spectacular twenty episode series was filmed entirely on location in Turkey, Israel, Syria, Greece, and Italy, and brings fresh meaning to Paul's teachings by applying them to our life in the 21st century.
Call Toll Free 866-492-3941 The 3-DVD Set Includes: • Twenty 30-minute episodes filmed on One set of 20 full-color printed study guides with: location in 6 countries trace the life of Paul. —Maps that make Bible sites easy to visualize. • DVD's include easy-to-use digital guides. —Bible studies that lead participants into • Key Biblical teachings flow naturally. a personal discovery of Bible truth. • 200 page Leader's Manual. —Personal Application questions.
FREE DVD Sampler at Ihe Biblical World booth #506 during the G.C. in St. Louis Box 1384 Chino Hills, CA 91709 • 866-492-3941 • fax 909-498-9674 • www.biblicalworld.org • [email protected] identifying and solving problems. We can cat egorize problems as either technical or adaptive. Technical issues have clearly defined prob lems and solutions. Several examples are the arrangements needed to open the church up for meetings a half hour early, or how to relate to a group to whom you may be renting out your church, or planning for a church retreat. You can address technical challenges routinely by applying conventional wisdom, precedents, and policies. Leading change would be much easier if all problems were clearly known and the solutions self-evident. Adaptive problems, on the other hand, Leading adaptive tend to be complex, and the real issues may be more subtle or submerged. Further, after you clearly define the problem, the solutions change require new learning, discoveries, and adjust ments. The deeper the change and new learning required, the greater the resistance, and thus the greater risk for those who lead.1 eading change is dangerous work. For example, adaptive issues could involve Greg Schaller Consider Mr. Boisjoly. The day obstructions blocking people and the church before the space shuttle blew up in body from forming deeper relationships with 1986, Mr. Boisjoly, an engineer for a God, a local church's need to engage and win NASA supplier, warned his superiors postmodern people, declining church atten thatL the shuttle's O-rings might fail in dance, or barriers to mobilizing spiritual gifts, extreme cold. Like others before him, Boisjoly to name a few. was punished for his honesty. He lost not Because of the complexity of these issues, only his job but his career. Sherrpn Watkins teamwork is needed. A pastor or church spotted accounting irregularities at the energy administrator must take some risk by releas firm Enron and spoke up—only to be ban ing control and making himself or herself ished to a windowless office.1 Also, keep in vulnerable to the wisdom of the group, while mind Jesus, who challenged the expectations using every appropriate leadership skill to of the Pharisees. For His efforts, they "were keep people focused on the solutions to the looking for a way to arrest Jesus by stealth and problem. kill him" (Mark 14:1, NASB). One vital step to gathering group input for As we lead change, we will encounter adaptive problem-solving work is to become resistance. As we encounter the resistance, it an "all news organization." An all news is important to remember that people do not organization hears not just the good news but resist change as much as they resist loss. As also the bad. To make such "news" gathering leaders we may see with clarity the promise of effective, a leader cannot allow members of progress and the movement toward the next the group to mislabel dissent as disloyalty. level, while others may see with equal clarity Leadership sage Warren Bennis pinpoints the losses you as a leader are asking them to the "all-too-common failure [of groups] to rec accept. Thus, to successfully lead a group to ognize that internal dissent is not itself a crisis, change depends on having the people who but rather priceless insurance against disas Greg Schaller, are actually dealing with the situation inter ter."4 Counterviewpoints help working groups D.Min., is pastor of nalize the need and desire for that change.2 the Kent Seventh- consider issues from a number of perspectives day Adventist So, how does a leader successfully lead as they attempt to identify the central adap Church, Covington, change and stay alive in the process? tive issue. A group must decide if it can handle Washington. putting "skunks" on top of the table for dis Surfacing issues cussion. Can "the twenty-ton elephant" be Much of our leadership activity involves freely and safely talked about?
52 MINISTRY July-August 2005 Our global church faces many downs of the church's history. Some of issues, ranging from complex race the story was painful, but we learned relations to realigning church from it. At the second summit, people NEW FROM processes and structures. Local opened up with their hopes and TEACH Services, Inc. churches and conferences encounter dreams for the future, which we trans Available at a full range of murky challenges too. lated into a succinctly stated vision. At Your local Leaders face the huge temptation to the third summit, we focused on form Bookstore treat adaptive issues as technical ing a set of shared goals. or by calling! problems by quickly assuming what As a consultant led the summits the problem is and suggesting a rou and the people did the work, I noticed Another Jesus tine solution. However, with adaptive resistance to the called-for change by Alien Roesch $9.95 problems, competent leadership sus reducing significantly. Those at the ManyAdventists pends assumptions, control, and the summits struggled through the process have an under desire to direct the discussion toward and opened themselves up to change! standing of Christ that will cause them a predetermined outcome. This type A leader in such a process must to be lost. of open discussion occurs best in take the risk of making himself or what I call a crucible. herself vulnerable to the group's wis dom as he or she releases control of Last Day Delusions Creating crucibles input. This has a way of resulting in DEtQSlONS by Alien Walker In steel mills a crucible is a con the leading of the Holy Spirit within $10.95 This book handles tainer able to withstand immense the church body. many false religious heat so that it is able to hold red-hot beliefs of today with steel. Adaptive work calls for the cre Adjusting the heat Scriptual evidence. ation of crucibles that can hold People want order and calm. They people's real issues while still being fear the opposite. But without healthy Song Anchor for Sabbath School able to withstand intense dialogue dissatisfaction and productive anxi and Praise Service about unclear problems. To create ety, there is no felt need for change.5 by James E. White such a container, a leader must make Raising questions to challenge the sta $14.95 First SDA Sabbath sure people feel safe and empowered tus quo generates tension and uneasi School songbook to speak freely. Otherwise, they will ness. It produces heat by surfacing compiled in 1878. speak the party line only or default to gaps between stated values and real group thinking. actions, between hidden conflicts and Meek and Mighty, ( A crucible can, for example, be a challenging organizational culture. the Man Moses leadership team, elders' group, church Groups can take only so much by Ellen G. White $10.95 board, task force, or church summit. A heat before they melt down. The wise A compilation of E. G. further illustrative example of a work leader must monitor the group's tem White's writings on the I life of the Biblical ing crucible is the series of church perature range. hero, Moses. board sessions we used to address the As issues are placed into a crucible, adaptive issue of our lack of vision, a leader may raise the heat by judi values, and goals. ciously bringing attention to hard Behold the Man First, our group moved to recog issues and keeping the group focused by Taylor G. Bunch $12.95 nize the importance of vision. The upon them. Let people feel the A Biblical record of group painfully probed into how this urgency of the issues, the responsibil Hebrew and Roman vision drift had occurred. We then ity of struggling with the problem. law of the trials and crucifixion of Jesus. agreed that we needed to reestablish a This raises tension. sense of direction and find a forum Martin Luther King Jr. did this on a for the discussion. We weren't initial national scale with his nonviolent From Fisherman ly sure how to proceed, but together marches. Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson to Fisher of Men we identified our next action step. Mandela, and Reformer Martin by Lottie Tanksley $12.95 We convened three churchwide Luther all found ways to raise peo The story of Carl summits, encouraging the whole ple's tension level so they would Tanksley who left his fishing boat and followed church to discuss our directional address adaptive change. the call of the Master. issues. People almost always want the heat At the first summit, we gained per and tension turned down. They may spective by discussing the ups and falsely expect leaders to protect them
July-August 2005 MINISTRY 53 before the new model goes into pro duction. Prototyping lets you clarify Free Counseling solutions so others can see them and share feedback. tor Pastors & Spouses »i St. Louis GC Session For example, in a church I former Coping with stress • Depression • Ministry satisfaction ly pastored, we decided to prototype a second alternative worship service. Relationship issues • Anxiety • Burn-out This prototype service lasted only 50 All Appointments Strictly Private & Confidential minutes and included contemporary worship music, prayer, and a message. For appointments or info contact: After each service we sought intense 1-866-634-0493 or [email protected] feedback, all before making a final decision. Remember the saying, "a Ministry Care Line & Kettering Counseling Center picture is worth a thousand words"? ... • • Sponsored by _* Well, a good prototype is worth a Ministry Magazine ,,,„,„.„,,,"!* thousand pictures.
Staying alive The difficult work in moving for ward with change often means that some are disappointed. Not everyone wins. Casualties occur. Sometimes from struggling with difficult prob not limit—the number of options. even leaders are among those casual lems. Leadership activity, however, IDEO, a world-leading design firm, ties. This hard fact keeps many people focuses people's attention on key brainstorms by building on the ideas from stepping up to take on the chal issues. of others, attempting to get 100 solu lenges of effective leadership. To keep the crucible from boiling tions in a one-hour session, and The perils of leading change are over, a leader may use strategies for encouraging wild ideas.7 The group not so much in grasping leadership lowering the heat. Examples of these discusses and evaluates ideas only methods but in taking risks. To lead is strategies are addressing fears, reassur after the brainstorming session ends. to live dangerously because a leader ing the group, and slowing down the Once the brainstorming session sometimes has to challenge what peo pace and frequency of addressing concludes, your group can evaluate ple hold dear. People push back when such heat-raising issues. But a wise the most promising solutions. People their church system begins to intro leader is careful not to lower the ten can share what they like about an idea duce even the idea of change. People sion so far that people are lulled into and what might make it even better. may push you as a leader aside, under inaction! It is the infusion of urgency Some groups come into consensus mine you, and marginalize you. So that encourages people to do this dif around a solution or combination of when leaders are challenged, they ficult work. solutions. Other groups prioritize by often count the cost—and hesitate. voting for the top two or three solu So how does a leader stay in the Brainstorming tions. game? How do you withstand the dis Once a group locates, defines, and tress without being numbed and agrees upon the problem, it can start Prototyping desensitized to the very people you finding solutions. Creative brain- Moving your group's brainstorm are called to lead? storming helps a group consider a ing solutions into action can be You can stay alive in leadership by wide range of alternatives.6 To brain challenging. Prototypes can make the practicing an action/reflection pat storm successfully, the group must possibilities for change much greater. tern. To play smart professional first separate the act of inventing Prototypes are rough models of American football, for example, from the act of judging. your newly designed approach. teams take a break on Monday to In the inventing process, any vocal Prototypes allow you to fail early and watch on film how well they played ized judgment of the merit of ideas learn quickly. Sunday's game. As they watch, they must be withheld. The group must The auto maker Lexus, when test see patterns emerge. They note what agree on a "no criticism" rule. The ing the safety of a new model, crashes plays went well and where plays fell environment must be safe for creative more than a hundred prototypes into apart. Teams also observe the plays of expression. Everyone is an equal play walls and then conducts extensive the other team. Reflecting on yester- er at the table. The goal is to expand— safety tests and makes adjustments continued on page 82
54 MINISTRY July-August 2005 C^he future is headed toward us. And it is in a hurry. Discovering God's designs and purposes for the future of the Church, and moving preemptively to secure the future require intentional effort. The 2005 National Conference on Innovation will focus on the role of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial mission in shaping church, school, and healthcare organizations of the future. The Conference proposes to affirm the interests and passions of spiritual and missional entrepreneurs, and help create environ ments in which their vision and gifts can flourish and benefit the forward movement of the Church.
Topics include: Presenters Include:
Visioning the future of the Leland Kaiser Adventist Church Founder & president, Kaiser Consulting Learning to Innovate As a healthcare futurist, executive coach and organizational Innovation and spirituality consultant, Dr. Kaiser has helped many organizations invent Risks & Challenges in their preferred futures. He is a pioneer in many emerging areas of healthcare, and an advocate of self-designing organizations Thinking about Innovation and communities. Innovation in Church, School, Conference, and Healthcare Leanne Kaiser Carlson Organizations Co-founder, The Kaiser Institute Partnering for Innovation Ms. Kaiser, one of the most visible and influential futurists in the United States, helps audiences see the potentials that often lie invisible, challenge limitation, and create fresh energy.
Kevin Kaiser Co-founder, The Kaiser Institute Mr. Kaiser is an influential force in the emerging field of applied intuition. He is known for his work in the creation of intuitive organizations and innovating learning environments. nate leadership within the culture; that is, to come to understand and even to become part of the culture. Incarnating leadership across culture requires taking seriously what largely goes unspoken, unexpressed, or unexamined. With the expanding interconnectedness of our global village, the continuous immigra tion to the Western world, and the rapid shift from a Northern Hemisphere Christianity to a Southern Hemisphere Christianity,1 the capac ity of ecclesiastical leadership to transcend its Leading across own culture becomes vital. Recent projections suggest diversity will be the new defining component in the United culture: States. The aging of our population2 and the growth from the immigrant community3 will The dynamics of deeper-level reconfigure our indigenous communities.4 When we add educational experience, reli gious diversity, and economic strain to the change equation, it becomes readily apparent that the ability to lead across cultural divides will become the defining challenge for the church n the evening of April 12, in the very near future. Effectively carrying John Grys 1915, the Titanic went down the gospel to every tribe, nation, and tongue after striking an iceberg. More is the daunting task ahead of us. than 1,000 people died. Within the past two decades, it has Artifacts Obeen acknowledged that the iceberg, well Culture is the "shared motives, values, below the waterllne, tore a hole in the hull. beliefs, identities, and interpretations or mean What brought this mighty ship down took ings of significant events that result from com place below the surface. What goes undetect mon experiences of members of collectives ed below the waterline of a culture often that are transmitted across generations."5 This creates the conditions for an increasingly culture can be identified by four layers. What healthy or unhealthy environment. someone initially encounters in a group or Leaders, particularly spiritual leaders, are organization are those identity-creating phe challenged today in unprecedented ways, but nomena that are seen, heard, and felt, and that none any more challenging than the necessi serve as the tangible products of the group. ty of being a leader across varied cultures. These first-level signs are called "artifacts."6 What provides the strength and basis for cul For example, within a given group, story after ture is not what is visible but what often goes story is told about inactive Christians who undetected, unseen, and unexamined. have returned through the ministry of that Consequently, leaders who have various cul local congregation. The tapestry of these sto tures under their care must cultivate the ries serves as a symbol for that church. capacity to see below the surface. Other artifacts can include the design of the church, the way minutes are taken, the The challenge manner of the membership second transfer One of a leader's first tasks is to take a cul reading, the location of the organ, whether or tural snapshot of the places where he or she not preliminaries are held during Sabbath John Grys is director leads. Whether Managua, Milwaukee, Manilla, School, or the type of music used throughout of Advent House and or Moscow, each carries a history of estab the church. editor of the forthcoming Journal lished ways in which people live, love, learn, This initial layer is very easy to observe but of Applied Christian and lead. Often what interferes with leading difficult to interpret. I may walk into a church Leadership, Knoxville, change in a given environment is not the on a given Sabbath at the time of the first serv Tennessee. leader's ideas, nor his or her vision, nor the ice and see men wearing casual shirts. I can planning, but the ability of the leader to incar deduce that this church is relaxed in its dress
56 MINISTRY July-August 2005 PLANNING f OR THE < CJ
Estate planning gives us a truly awesome power to make a difference for generations to come" Elder Lynn and Lona Schlisner Madison. Tennessee
e wrote our first wills in the early 1970s, employed - and working with Trust Services has W because we wanted to be sure that, if any- promoted a spirit of confidence that our wishes thing happened to us, our son would be raised as an ultimately will be carried out. We believe stewardship Adventist - even though not all of our family extends beyond our lifetime. Estate planning allows belongs to our church. Over the years, as we've us to continue God's work, so that we are counted in pastored in South Dakota, Oklahoma, the last analysis as faithful. So it's a very Virginia and Tennessee, Trust Services has secure feeling for us to have wills. We are helped us learn how to plan for our growing .SEVENTH-DAY thankful to Trust Services for providing a family, conform to state laws and to ADVENTIST chart to help us navigate the road ahead. CHURCH remember the conference in which we are Trust Services Call us Toll Free: 1-877-WILLPLAN
12501 Old Columbia Pike / Silver Spring, Maryland / 20904-6600 / USA / www.willplan.org code. However, I might be mistaken ever, is used because the membership the way they influence the culture because in the culture of that church, of the congregation enjoys the full and operate within it is what is known the Guayabera shirt is formal wear. sound of the organ and the organist is as the value system of the culture. The same confusion may exist a classically trained musician. There are two layers to a given when it comes to other areas of activ While both churches have an value system. There are the values ity, whether it be in the way the organ, their reasons for using and that are professed by the church, nominating committee conducts its valuing such an instrument are differ organization, or culture, and there are business, the version of the Bible ent. The "artifact" significance of the the values that are actually at work. acceptable to the group, budget allo organ is revealed by these reasons. In The first are called "espoused values," cations, or the color of the carpet. At First Church, they valued and hon the second, "operational values." 7 this "artifact" level, one is subject to ored the memory of people who had Espoused values are those professed making quick and often inaccurate given much, such as the organ, to by the organization to be what guides evaluations. Once a person has spent advance the cause of Christ among the culture in what it does and how it time in a local congregation or local them. In Second Church, they valued lives. Operational values, on the culture, subtle reasons begin to the gifts of the people (particularly other hand, are those principles that emerge that provide meaning to the the organist) and the beauty of the are actually at play in the life and prevailing artifacts. sound of the instrument, along with operation of the organization. Pastor Paul has just moved from the excellence that was provided by Pastor Paul's Second Church pro First Church in a Southern state of the its prominent role in the worship of fesses that central to their fellowship United States, where the dominant the congregation. is the building of a vibrant and friend instrument had been an organ donat ly biblical community—a value put in ed two decades earlier by a wealthy Espoused and operational the weekly bulletin, included in the member who had since died. Arriving values monthly newsletter, and preached by from the South in a Midwestern state, The values espoused by a particular Pastor Paul once a quarter. he discovers at Second Church the culture are also critical to the identity Inquiring Ivan visits Second dominant instrument is also an or "signature" of that culture or con Church for a couple weeks, during organ. This organ, he discovers, how gregation. The values themselves and which he discovers that few people Project PATCH® helps troubled teens find direction
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58 MINISTRY July-August 2005 have introduced themselves, still gone), the assumptions and beliefs their congregation, it might not be fewer have shaken his hand, and that underscore those early estab best to attempt to take the methodol though he raises his hand to make a lished solutions become unconscious ogy used by Second Church in comment during general lesson study, to the group, even though they may Minneapolis—a largely Scandinavian, he has not been called upon to speak. be enthusiastically practiced. They century-old congregation in the Through the eyes of an outsider, it are just assumed. Over time, these North. The shared assumptions are seems that Second Church is very assumptions come to be so strongly simply too disparate to assume an friendly within the confines of the established that the members of a easy, unprocessed transplantation. congregation itself, but not with those congregation will find values or outside the circle. Ivan comes to behavior based on any other premise Conflict believe that what is written in a bul virtually unimaginable. If it takes a long time to identify letin may not be what is happening in There are a number of general cul the underlying values of a culture, it reality. He begins to discover that the tural dimensions or arenas that a takes an even longer time and a operational value is really one of rela leader can examine as he or she seeks greater amount of investment and tional safety and familiarity. to ascertain an organization's (a con intentionality for people—leaders A competent church leader must be gregation's) basic assumptions. The included—to engage in the dangerous able to detect both the professed and broadest expression of these may be prospect of evaluating the basic operational values in a congregation's the five outlined by Kluckhohn and assumptions of that culture. It is at culture. Simply asking for a list of val Strodtbeck.8 These are the nature of this point that personal existential ues may reveal only the espoused truth and reality as understood in the anxiety and organizational anxiety values, not the operational ones. organization, the nature of human find their hottest presence. It was pre It is frequently here that the ten nature, the nature of human relation cisely at this point that the religious sion between dreams and reality ships, the nature of time and space, and political leaders of Jesus' day surface. Worthwhile, genuinely estab and the nature of human activity. decided to sacrifice one man for the lished operational values emerge only How a congregation makes sense of salvation of the culture.9 as trust is built by penetrating the cul these dimensions goes far in revealing Rarely can this kind of evaluation ture over an extended period of time. the underlying, often tacit assump occur without significant conflict. This problem, however, can be dealt tions at work within the group. Conflict serves as a threshold for deeper- with much more quickly by the intro Understanding this dimension level engagement. It is precisely because duction of intentional and well helps to explain why it is difficult for these are deepest-level investments that processed change in the group. While one local church to transplant a the passions are awakened in individu change does have a way of producing methodology from another local con als and groups. Engaging these deeper conflict, conflict frequently reveals gregation—especially if the "trans levels thrusts the whole person and thus both the professed and operational val plant" has to cross significantly the whole culture into the throes of ues in a group. The ability to endure distant cultural lines. debate and disagreement. the conflict that arises from needed Every method and every strategy Whether it be Martin Luther King change requires a great deal of trust, bears invisible markers that provide Jr. questioning the cultural assump honesty, integrity, and group fortitude. the underpinnings for their actual tions regarding race, Gandhi raising operation in a given cultural setting. the issue of assumptions about free Shared assumptions Like an iceberg, the vast scope of dom and autonomy, or Nelson Frequently, during this process, a these markers lies far below the water- Mandela identifying and bringing fourth culture layer emerges: the line of the culture. into bold focus the assumptions shared basic assumptions of the group. For example, while seeking to behind the governance of his nation, These assumptions, often unex strengthen the "empowering leader each recognized that the indispensa pressed, unexamined, and even ship" category from the natural ble transformation that was needed unconscious, evolve over a long peri church development model, the could not occur under the status quo. od of time. During the early stages of leader must take into account the They understood that conflict was an organization's development, host culture's sense of what "empow vital to transformation, and each things are tried, tested, and examined. ering leadership" actually looks like approached conflict nonviolently. As these solutions begin to work, what within the context of the culture in Cultures and organizations who was once a hypothesis supported by a which he or she seeks its unfolding. blindly discourage conflict make it hunch or a value comes to be treated If First Church in Miami—consist virtually impossible for better things as established reality. ing largely of immigrant Caribbean to come into being. Thus, a dilemma Over the course of time (especially people in the southern United States— materializes: The very component after the "founding fathers" are is going to address this category in necessary for furthering the health of
July-August 2005 MINISTRY 59 Yet even this is not enough. Surfacing, examining, and addressing the underlying assumptions of a cul ture become important if the intention is to transform. As we head into deep and unprece go Mas dented shifts in the composition of www.Computersymas.com our global community, the worthi ness of the gospel and the urgency of our message require a spiritual sensi Solutions and state of the art technology. tivity undergirding our ways of i|ijl|i|^) projectors«Thin Client ° MFP ° Laptops leading, ways that honor both the Creator and His creation. Whatever the culture in which we are given a leadership role, we must look below the waterline to where the essence of that culture is found, to where change, real change, must and can take place, ffl
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1 Philip Jenkins, The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity {Oxford: Oxford University Press, the culture can be prevented at the not in sin management but in soul 2002). 2 Increased life expectancy. moment it struggles to come into transformation.12 3 Whereas at the turn of this century the percentage of existence.10 non-Hispanic whites was a little less than 72 percent, Unless cultures engage in this The leader's challenge by 2050 that population will be hovering around 53 percent. change activity, sustainable transfor The deeper a leader challenges the 4 U.S Census Bureau, "National Population Projections," mation cannot occur. Cultures—and various levels of the culture, the more accessed on February 10, 2005.
60 MINISTRY July-August 2005 DON'T MISS THE BOAT
GENERAL CONFERENCE MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION PRESENTS
THE INVITATION By Elf red Let
For information on obtaining copies please contact:
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www.BibleIandStudios.com 1-866-593-3010 23 High Banks Drive Fulton, N.Y. 13069 practices enables pastors to be more successful in their ministry."2 Given the correlation between leadership practices and pastoral success, we concluded that the formation of key leadership practices is an appropriate goal of graduate theological education. Our second research stage revealed the need for change in the way people are prepared for the leadership challenge of ministry. We measured the effect of seminary education on The way it the leadership practices of Seventh-day Adventist pastors.3 No significant variation was found between pastors with a graduate could be: theological education and those with only an undergraduate degree. leadership development in No particular denominational tradition stands alone in this challenge. In a study of ministerial education 400 California pastors from five mainline denominational churches, T. J. Naman found that only 36 percent of the respondents felt that as a direct result of their seminary educa f you could redesign seminary education, tion they were equipped to lead the local Skip Bell, Roger Dudley, and what would you wish for? Three years congregation." Douglas Tilstra ago we began a search for answers impor Alan Nelson evaluated the curricula of 64 tant to the future of professional pro seminaries and 77 undergraduate theology pro grams in graduate theological education. grams in the United States for his doctoral dis IBecause our questions focused on the effective sertation. Only six of the 141 programs—three ness of developing leadership for the church, graduate programs and three undergraduate we first sought to establish frames of reference programs—offered significant leadership devel for measuring success in pastoral ministry and opment as part of the required curriculum.5 to evaluate the relationship between leader Pastors and researchers have expressed this ship practices and those criteria.1 We knew our seminary deficiency in various ways. Often research agenda would require multiple stages they describe the traditional seminary cur Skip Bell. D.Min., is and several years of work. riculum as too academic and disconnected professor of J Our purpose was threefold: (1) to discover from daily pastoral demands.6 Another typical Christian correlations between leadership practices and assessment is that the seminary is not respon leadership success in pastoral ministry, (2) to evaluate sive to the needs of the local church.7 Some and director of the Doctor effectiveness of leadership formation in grad point to specific skills such as decision mak of Ministry uate theological education, and (3) to ing, conflict resolution, administration, program at discover effective processes in leadership financial planning, time management, or the Seventh- day Adventist development applied to seminary education. problem solving; all these being areas that Theological We were careful to use acceptable research pastors rarely learn about at seminary.8 Seminary, methods and reliable assessment tools. Other concerns with the leadership devel Andrews Andrews University Seminary Studies has pub opment deficiency in seminaries include University, Berrien lished articles detailing the research methods failure to learn critical thinking skills,9 learn Springs, and findings. ing individualistic rather than team building Michigan. Below is a summary of our work, our find skills,10 lack of self-development, and the dis Roger Dudley, Ed.D., is director of the ings, and our recommendations. connection of intellectual development from Institute of Church Ministry, affective development.11 Andrews University, Berrien The research Nelson12 and Turner13 conclude that leader Springs, Michigan. Douglas The first stage of the study demonstrated a ship training in the average seminary is Jilstra is associate professor of religion at Southern strong correlation between success in pastoral virtually nonexistent. Adventist University, ministry and a pastor's leadership practices. The purpose of our third research stage was to Collegedale, Tennessee. We concluded that "using superior leadership discover if changes in seminary curriculum
62 MINISTRY July-August 2005 and delivery could impact the subse compared to a Master of Divinity quent leadership practices of persons degree but offers significant prepara Changing the in ministry. We selected three pro tion for leadership delivered in a grams in graduate theological traditional classroom environment. yjho Change the education offering increased emphasis Dallas Theological Seminary offers UJorld... on leadership development and a track in their Master of Divinity pro assessed the actual leadership forma gram offering specialized preparation tion among their graduates in pastoral for leadership challenges in the ministry. Further, we examined specif church. It is a significant emphasis in ic curricular distinctions of these a traditional degree program deliv Seventh-day programs as compared to the usual ered in a classroom setting. We Theological Master of Divinity program in semi studied graduates of that track, along naries accredited by the Association of with graduates of the BILD and Theological Schools (ATS). Vanguard programs. The three institutions selected were The table on page 65 provides data (ko'hort) the Biblical Institute for Leadership comparing Leadership Practice a gathering; a band of Development (BILD), Dallas Theo Inventory scores for graduates of the soldiers; associates, logical Seminary, and Vanguard Seventh-day Adventist Theological colleagues, or supporters; University (formerly Southern Seminary (SDATS) with the three insti California College). Vanguard Uni tutions just mentioned and examined Fellow travelers; friends; versity and Dallas Seminary were for this study. The Leadership Practices a group of professionals among the three graduate institutions Inventory is a reliable assessment tool in the flndrews Doctor of identified by a panel of researchers as we applied in all three stages of our Ministry program. demonstrating significant emphasis research.15 on leadership formation within their As in all of our studies, the pastors graduate theological program curricu assessed were in ministry, having four for In lum in Alan Nelson's research.14 through ten years of experience fol BILD is known as a leader in lowing their educational program. church-based theological education, Scores on leadership practices were working formally with groups of obtained by having key congregation • flfrican flmerican churches or associations of churches al leaders rate their pastors. (See table Ministries in 14 countries to develop church- on page 65.) • evangelism and based theological education paths and We found a consistently higher Church Growth resources for church leadership. ranking of graduates from the three • Chaplaincy Participants in the BILD program selected programs when contrasted work within a given church context with graduates from the SDATS. The • Family Ministry for ten years and move through a cur degree of correlation between leader • Preaching riculum delivered to the entire church ship emphasis approaches in graduate • Vouth Ministry body, not simply the professional par curriculums and growth in leadership ticipant who is enrolled. practices provides a significant factor The curriculum provides multiple in the design of seminary curriculum levels, interaction with instructors, a for professional programs in pastoral mentoring process and accountability, education. and is delivered entirely in context. The curriculum offered by BILD is rec Our dream ognized by a growing number of Where does Seventh-day-Adventist seminaries, although BILD is not an ministerial education go from here? ATS seminary. Imagine if we could design a profes Vanguard offers a leadership mas sional graduate theological program For more information call: ter's degree for persons preparing for that met the needs for effective church church ministry. The degree is not a leadership. Having invested years in revision of a Master of Divinity pro research and reflection, we felt it www.doctorofministry.com gram but rather a leadership degree appropriate to imagine "the way it [email protected] positioned for persons entering min could be." Here is our dream. istry. It has little in biblical studies as We would first touch the past. We
MINISTRY 63 leadership ministry as pastors, organi zational leaders, chaplains, or other distinct ministry professions. It would be the usual choice for preministry Andrews University Seminary Studies professionals. Emphasis offered in the program would offer opportunities to *I* A semi-annual, refereed, scholarlyjournal within the context of faith *> Cutting-edge articles to help m your study, research, and preaching further concentrate electives within *J* Articles and reviews of recent books on a variety of biblical, historical the curriculum around specialties and theological topics such as evangelism, preaching, youth ministry, leadership, religious educa tion, counseling, family ministry, world mission, etc. A second track, "the emphasis in New Subscribers: Pay for 1st year and get 2nd year free.' theological studies," is needed. There D Please send me 2 years of AUSS for only S22 00 are candidates preparing for ministry Please print your check or credit card information: who wish to spend some time in prac D Check D Visa D MC n Disc D Am Express Card No •______tical ministry but intend to pursue an Exp. Date ______academic career. They wish to have Name as on card. Please print your full shipping address: some professional preparation while Name: ______receiving significant theological study Address: preparing for acceptance into an aca demic doctoral program. Others may Send payment and this form to: see teaching as their ministering gift Andrews University Seminary Studies Andrews University within the pastoral setting. Bemen Springs, MI 49104-1500 USA Both tracks would prepare the par Phone. (269) 471-6023 E-mail: [email protected] Fax. (269)471-6202 Web: www.andrews.edu/SEM/aui ticipant for continuing education. A person with three or more years of ministry who has taken the profes must do that before we reach for the addressing the challenge. We found sional track would engage in a Doctor future. The church has learned the some researchers suggest consigning of Ministry program should they value of theological orthodoxy and of the Master of Divinity program to a wish to advance in professional com church leaders who exegete Scripture predoctoral theology degree and petency or teach in areas of Christian correctly and effectively. We would starting all over again with a new pro ministry or mission. value those lessons and assure a fessional program. Alternatively, they might complete Master of Divinity program with a Others suggest a new kind of sem some language and theological pre strong background in theology and inary, free from the restraint of requisites native to the "emphasis in biblical studies. Ministry is for God, academic traditions. While we concur theological studies" track, and com guided by Him. The passion for min change is needed, we prefer the fol plete a Ph.D. degree advancing their istry comes from Him. We must be lowing alternative: theological studies and preparing for students of His Word. We would be We would reposition the Master of an academic career in theological or foolish to compromise that aspect of Divinity (M.Div.) program to offer biblical studies. church leadership development. two alternate tracks: "professional" Why two tracks? Why not accom The same reflection on our shared and "emphasis in theological stud plish both objectives in a single history as Christian peoples reveals ies." A person settled on a predoctoral M.Div. program? that seminary education has been con theology program, preparing for a The pursuit of professional compe cerned first with theological themes, career in higher education, should tency within the pressures of time and only secondly concerned with pursue a typically shorter M.A. in reli and space in an M.Div. curriculum— professional development. There is gion program, and a person preparing 80- to 90-some credits in most encouraging evidence that we are for ministry in the church or commu seminaries—make that objective addressing that practice. Andrews nity setting should choose between untenable. The excellent M.Div. pro SDATS, for example, took an impor the two M.Div, tracks. grams of 90 credits or more already tant step only five years ago by increas The professional track in the occupy a person for at least six quite ing the professional curriculum in the M.Div. program would be a true pro stressful semesters. Master of Divinity program. fessional program, designed for per While we do not suggest making We would consider how others are sons planning careers in church the M.Div. program briefer, we have
64 MINISTRY heard the voices calling for reduction of credits to meet practical economic Comparisons of pastors from leadership-emphasis institutions with and family concerns. And increasing Adventist pastors with seminary education on five leadership practices the length of the residency is not prac Leadership Practice Mean of Pastors Mean of Pastors tically possible. Satisfying excellence Leadership Institutions Adventist Seminary Graduates in the curriculum objectives described by both tracks in a single blended Challenging the process 45.3 41.0 degree is simply not realistic. Nor is it Inspiring a shared vision 47.6 44.0 actually necessary. The needs of a pro Enabling others to act 50.4 46.7 fessional in ministry leadership are Modeling the way 49.8 44.9 different from those preparing for an Encouraging the heart 44.9 44.1 academic career. Combined leadership 238.0 220.7 The studied and reasonable posi tion of both theologians and ministry credits would be required in Christian complete the practicum course and practitioners need to be understood in ministry and world missions, includ the program prior to graduation. this discussion. Theologians might ing two in spiritual formation. The Our dream includes pedagogy believe there is enough room in the program would be quite like the pres characterized by integration and col traditional curriculum of an M.Div. ent M.Div. program of traditional laboration among professors and program to provide adequate profes seminaries, SDATS included. with students. Most of the literature sional preparation. Professional The "professional track" would offer regarding seminary curriculum, espe practitioners will respond that there is the more distinctive variation from cially in the past ten years, has shown enough room for adequate theological current practice. Students would a strong emphasis on the themes of curriculum. Each tend to imagine that achieve competency in Greek but reflection, integration, and adapta the other should make any necessary demonstrate only a survey of Hebrew, tion to societal changes. accommodations when it comes to understanding attributes of the lan Carolyn Jurkowitz summarized it the credits provided in the program. guage and how expository tools are well: "Professional learning happens used. The required credits, including in communities where students not A two-track program electives, in Christian ministry and only learn through reflective prac When a vision for excellence of world mission would increase to 56 of tices how to apply knowledge, rules, each position is well considered, the 96 credits. and procedures and to think like a reality emerges that more time and Each student would take two levels particular type of professional, but space are needed for each objective. of spiritual formation, and emphasis where they are coached to invent Further, integration of learning into would be offered in professional areas new rules, reframe problems, and practice is demanded within the cur such as preaching, leadership, pas make new sense out of uncertain, riculum of professional preparation. toral care, communication, worship, unique, or conflicted situations." 16 Thus our research has led us to imag evangelism, family ministry, youth The literature contains examples of ine two tracks as the best solution. ministry, religious education, and innovative attempts by various semi What would the distinctions in world mission. naries to implement the type of the two tracks be? An undergraduate Required courses in interpersonal learning described by Jurkowitz.17 theological degree would be assumed relationships, leadership, administra One example is Emmanuel School for both tracks, and compensated by tion, conflict management, small of Religion. It has attempted two inno added credits in theological studies groups, ethics, leading in diversity, vative programs for pastoral leadership when absent for students in either and organizational change would development. The first program is an track. Adequate theological prepara expand preparation for the leadership integrative approach to teaching the tion must be assured. challenge. The curriculum would subjects of preaching and worship, The "emphasis in theological studies" require an in-residency experience of education, counseling, evangelism, track would provide significant six semesters, but completion of the administration, and leadership."18 The required and elective study in theolo program would occur after a six- entire practical theology faculty team gy, Christian philosophy, biblical credit (these credits are included in teaches, designs integrative assign studies, and church history, along the 56), two-year subsequent field ments, and seeks to "lead students to with minimum professional compe practicum with ministry integrated develop their understanding of min tency. Competency in Greek and learning experiences including read istry in the light of the nature of the Hebrew would be required, and elec- ing, journaling, reflection, small church and to integrate the various tives would provide emphasis in the group work, and mentoring. One two- activities of ministry together into a ology or biblical studies. Thirty-seven week on-campus interaction would theology of ministry."19
July-August 2005 MINISTRY 65 The second innovative program is focused on leadership development hmployers ot Graduates" (an bd D. dissertation, Andrews University 19SOI Bramard, 1-28 a three-module field education min for professionals in ministry for years, A. Le Cornu, "1 he Shape of Things to Come I heological Education in the Twenty-first Century," British Journal of Theological Education, Vol 14, No 1 istry supervision program. The three and the church should engage in the (2003). 13-26 modules include assessment (initial enquiry. Ours is the greatest mission Macaskill, 32-.M Nelson, 165 and final), supervised ministry expe and opportunity in the world—to Calls for Change" (a Ph.D dissertation, Washington State University 2001), 108 rience that includes a learning prepare people who will transform Alan E Nelson, "Leadership Training of Ministerial Students m Evangelical Institutions of Higher Education" (Ed D , University of San Diego, 1994) covenant and personal growth goals, others, and thus the world, according The assessment instrument used in each research stage was the Leadership and finally, weekly group meetings to God;s design. We simply hope we Practices Inventory (LP1) developed by James Kouzez and Barry Pozner. The LP1 tonsiits of 30 descriptions of behavior The observer is asked to rate the for interactive reflection on their may do our best. 8) pastor on each behavior using a ten-point scale from ''almost never" to "almost always." Answers are then aggregated into five scales of MX responses ministry experience.20 each The scales are (1) Challenging the Process, (2) Inspiring a Shared Vision, Skip Bell and Roger Dudley, "Leadership Formation in (3) Enabling Others to Act, (4) Modeling the Way, a/id (5) Encouraging the cation—Part I. Assessment and Analysis of leadership Trai Heart A technical presentation of the Leadership Practices Inventory may be Conclusion Adventist Pastors in North America," Andrews University Sen obtained at www leadershipchallenge com or Josey-Bass Publishing 40, No 2 (Autumn 2002). Carolyn M. Jurkowitz, "What is the Literature Saying about Learning and We realize the risk of talking about Ibid., 290 Assessments m Higher Education," Theological Education, Vol 39, No 1 Skip Bell and Roger L. Dudley, "Leadership Formation m Ministerial (2003J.8S this dream. Valued colleagues who Education—Part 2 The Impact of Graduate Theological Education on See Efrain Agosto, "Ihe Gift of Urban Theological Education A Personal and differ may feel their viewpoints are Leadership Development in the Local Pastorate," Andrews University Seminary Professional Reflection," Theological Education, Vol 33, No 1 (1996) 100, Pau! Stutim, Vol 42, No. 1 (Spring 2004). Ballard and Stephen Pattison, "Practical Theological Education: A Profile," unappreciated. And since we are not T J. Naman, "Pastonng the Church into the Twenty-first Century" (a disser British Journal of Theological Education, Vol 13, No 2, (2003), Robert W Bum, tation, Pepperdine Ujiiversry 1998), !43. "How Pastors Learn the Politics of Ministry Practice," Religious Education, Vol occupying this space with consider Alan E Nelson, "Leadership Training of Ministerial Students in Evangelical 97, No. 4, (2002), Robert M Franklin, "Future Directed Trends in Theological able detail, the dream may be dis Institutions of Higher Education" (Ld.D., University of San Diego, 1994), 111 Education," Theological Education, Vol 37,No 2(200l).114,RobertT Gorman. R. D Beach, "Managerial Leadership Instruction Assessing Contemporary Kathlennd Talvacchia, and W Michael Smith, "Teaching from a Community missed as flawed or not practical. But Seminary Coverage m Light of Biblical Standards" (an MBAMA dissertation, Context: The Role of the Field Educator in Theological Education," Theological Regent University. 1994), B Bramard, "Professional Education and the Education, Vol 37, No. 2 (2001), Kraig Klaudt, "The Ashram as a VIodel for our research, observation, and dia Preparation of Assemblies of God Ministries in Oregon," (an Ed D. disserta Theological Education," Theological Education, Vol 34, No. 1 (1997), Patricia A tion, Portland State University, 1996}, D MacaskUl, C N Shaw, "A Lamoureux, "An Integrated Approach to Theological Education," Theological logue convince us a change is needed. Philosophy of Education Leadership Development through Theological Education, Vol 36, No. 1, (1999), Merv Mercer, "Formational Initiatives at Further, both our community of col Studies" (a D MiSS dissertation, Fuller Theological Seminary. 1989), C. Weese Wycliffe College," Theological Education, Vol 39, No 2 (2003)'53-63, Harry L, and C S Wong, "Chnstian Religious Education m Hong Kong- Professional Poe, "The Revolution in Ministry Training," Theological Education, Vol 33, No leagues and these concepts are strong Mir 1 (1996) 28, Cathy Lynn Hall Stengel, "Pastoral Supervision as a Vehicle (or Evangelical School- 1998). I eadership Development in Theological Education" (a dissertation. United enough to thrive in rigorous discus R M Franklin, "Future Directed' Trend in Theological Educatjon," Theological Seminary: 1998) 88-103, and Malcom I Warlord, "Renewing the sion and collaboration. Theological Education, 37, No 2(2001) Ill-li e Practices of Ministry," Theological Education, Vol 33, No 2(1997) E M Clouzet, "A Biblical Paradigm for Min sterial Training" (a D Mm. dis Bruce E Shields, "Integrating Ministry and Theology," Theological Education, What we hope for is conversation, tatio 997), E. L Dower, "A Needs Vol 33, No 2(1997) 12 sessment of the Seventh-day Adve eological Seminary's Master of Ibid., 14. collaboration, and change. We have Ibid, 16
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66 MINISTRY July-August 2005 tant benchmarks when it comes to spiritual leadership practice.
Theory X and theory Y However, while Christian leaders today must be connected to appropriate spiritual resources, they can also be enriched by being exposed to the leadership research of social scientists. Leader and follower behavior, as presented in the literature of organizational behavior, offers helpful information and insight for the faith-based leader. In fact, I would argue that because many of these stud ies identify significant trends within "follower" culture, to ignore some of these research findings could lead to personal and Learning leaders: professional failure for the faith-based leader. I submit that every leader's decisions insights from organizational studies regarding the following three areas of study by organizational research are mandatory for faith-based leadership: How we view people. How we assess people. And how we assign ven though I have spent a consider and organize people. Prudence LaBeach Pollard able amount of my personal and Thus the starting point for successful lead professional time analyzing success ership and especially in Christian leadership ful corporate leadership, 1 I begin lies in how we view people. this article by affirming my belief The way we view the persons we lead will Ethat no leadership challenge is greater than influence how we manage them! The well- the challenge of providing leadership in faith- known principles that underlie theory X and based organizations. The experience of theory Y, as popularized by Douglas having served as an administrator in a church McGregor, summarize a leader's attitudes or institution, my present responsibility of help dispositions toward people.2 A quick summa ing educate the next generation of leaders (I ry of McGregor's basic hypothesis (see Sidebar teach management and organizational behav 1, page 68) is helpful. ior to business students), and the experience Theory X-oriented leaders attempt to struc of having been the spouse of a clergyman for ture, control, and closely supervise their 25 years have all convinced me that church employees because they believe external con leaders face significant challenges. trol is needed for dealing with unreliable and Leaders of faith-based institutions share irresponsible people. many things in common with for-profit busi On the other hand, theory Y-oriented ness or not-for-profit leadership. There is, for leaders support and encourage rather than example, strategic planning, responsible fiscal control employees because they view employ management, conflict resolution, and human ees as self-motivated, willing to work hard, resource maximization, to name a few. and having a strong interest in helping the Church-based leaders also carry a unique organization and themselves to excel in the responsibility: the unsolicited responsibility workplace. Prudence LaBeach of representing another dimension of After 30 years of service to my church, 25 of Pollard, Ph.D., is associate professor, human consciousness and experience—God which have included my experiences as a cler La Sierra University and His kingdom. This reality often drives gy spouse, I have observed that most members School of Business ecclesiastical leaders to focus on internaliz want to feel valued and be involved. Thus, and Management La ing the necessary spiritual resources that theory Y appears to be a generally better fit for Sierra, California. nurture the metaphysical dimension of their the church than theory X because many, if not service. Thus, engagement with biblical most, members want to be involved in the texts, prayer and meditation, fasting, and church. However, because they are volunteers, other spiritual disciplines constitute impor it is vital that leaders "niche" them into min-
July-August 2005 MINISTRY 67 ship behavior. "Task behavior ... is McGregor's theory X contends that. . . the extent to which the leader 4 Work is distasteful to most people. engages in spelling out the duties and 4- Most workers lack ambition, have minimal desire for personal responsibility, and responsibilities of an individual or prefer to be given orders. group. This includes telling people 4 Most workers have little capacity for solving organizational challenges. what to do, how to do it, when to do 4 Motivation occurs primarily at the physical and psychological levels. it, where to do it, and who is to do it."4 4 Workers must be micromanaged and often coerced to achieve organizational On the other hand, "relationship objectives. behavior is defined as the extent to 4 Theory Y, on the other hand, contends that. . . which the leader engages in two-way 4 Work and play are both appealing to workers, provided the conditions are or multiway communication. The favorable. behaviors include listening, facilitat 4 Worker self-management is often key to achieving company goals. ing, and supportive behaviors."5 4 The ability to solve problems in an organization is distributed across the worker population. Ready, willing, able 4 Motivation occurs at more levels than the physical and psychological levels. The use of these two leadership Workers are driven by social, esteem, and self-actualization objectives. behaviors (task and relationship lead 4 Workers do not need or want to be micromanaged. They want to be empowered ership behavior) should be guided by to creatively solve problems. the readiness of followers. Readiness is "defined as the extent Dumaine's' guidelines for the most effective use of teams to which a follower demonstrates the 4 Use the right team for the job ability and willingness to accomplish 4 Create a hierarchy of teams a specific task."6 4 Build trust Along with readiness is the ability 4 Address "people" issues and willingness of the follower to do the work. "Ability is the knowledge, istries compatible with their spiritual choose his or her leadership perspec experience, and skill that an individ gifts and passions. tive. After this comes the next learned ual or group brings to a particular task Theory X leadership perspective is skill essential for leadership success. and activity [and] willingness is the not consistent with business's current 2. How we assess people for work. extent to which an individual or emphasis on participative manage Effective leaders must make recurring group has the confidence, commit ment, where workers are given an personnel assessments when it comes ment, and motivation to accomplish opportunity to make an intentional to the readiness and ability of followers. a specific task."7 contribution to day-to-day problem- Follower readiness relates to the Is there something practical about solving and long-range planning. principles of situational leadership this way of viewing follower readi Neither is X consistent with the pioneered by Paul Hershey and ness? Yes, there certainly is! Christian leadership objective of build Kenneth H. Blanchard.3 Situational Success in leadership is determined ing disciples and deploying apostles. leadership assumes that there is no by the leader's ability to accurately In the setting of Christian leader single "best" way to lead people. The diagnose the readiness of the employ ship, it seems to me that the gospel's context, ability, orientation, and ees or volunteers in her/his work work is to turn Y in a new and unique receptivity of a given follower all mat environment. The critical success skill direction and to weaken the influence ter and interact. of making accurate follower diag of X. The internalized gospel redirects Therefore, the leadership style we use noses will determine how much trust the energies of the believer toward with persons or groups depends on the or responsibility a leader should dele kingdom advancement (see, for exam readiness level of the people we are gate to a follower. ple, Acts 9:1-22), not just toward the attempting to influence. But sometimes For instance, a conference presi advancement of some earthly cause. It we leaders merely lead from our own dent has a special project that he also uniquely strengthens the inner, frame of reference. Situational leader needs to assign to an office worker. He compelling power of that which is ship is helpful in filling out how we is considering assigning the project to consistent with the Y drives in a per practice our leadership. Here the one of four office workers. Because son. A wise leader can connect with question becomes, How do we assess employee Jane is able and willing, the these factors, especially if he or she has followers and then proceed to exert president may assign it to Jane and encountered the gospel for himself or appropriate leadership? use an empowering style. As a compe herself. Thus understanding theories X Situational leadership is exerted in tent self-starter, employee Jane will and Y can help a Christian leader two ways: task behavior and relation need minimal oversight.
68 MINISTRY July-August 2005 I ^~s i- -L N usV_^ i_J again for a spiri tual renewal of heart and mind in preparation for the Savior's soon return! Doug Batchelor will present a series of powerful, life-changing messages from Ft. Worth, Texas, to be broadcast on 3ABN and ACN/Hope TV. The focus will be on binding the family of God more closely together, as well as reclaiming lost membership and restoring those members to the faith. As :-;;!:W6'fe,'these meetings are specially designed for Christians to gather in homes and churches for a time of prayer and spiritual encouragement. US Support' "*'' 'literature will be'- av:aii|l WILL ROGERS AUDITORIUM, Ek WORTH, TEXAS MOVE ER4-12
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70 MINISTRY July-August 2005 for the right function as highly effec tive. Nominating committees, personnel committees, and other committees all have their appropriate function. It is important for leaders to adventist organize and deploy the right team for the right job, because leaders build trust and credibility by showing effectiveness in creating teams who can advance the organization. Astute leaders will also help teams Lutherstadte see themselves as positive contributors to the overall culture, mission, and service or the organization as a whole. ?~2 A Reformation Conclusion Travel Guide Leading a faith-based organization Martin Luther: ^ is both unique and challenging. «-, Follow the $JL miner's son jj**" However, the way Christian leaders • on his way to "".; view, assess, and organize people becoming a *» reflects how that leader models the university professor. - This travel guide ministry of Jesus to her/his followers. will accompany you to those cities which still remind us of the great Reformator, Because the Christian church is even today. called to witness to and continue the Attention, teachers: English/German healing and teaching ministry of with many pictures and a CD-ROM full of Jesus Christ (Matt. 10:5-8; Luke 10:1- photographs. 12, 17; 1 Peter 2:8-10), contemporary This book and CD are outstandingly leadership's benchmark is the leader suitable: graohics' for preparing the trip and for orien 1 200511 ship of Jesus Christ. Jesus' selection of tation on the road; His twelve disciples showed that His for preparing a varied program of view of His leadership team affirmed instructional units. their potential. From fishermen to fishers of men, ',1 Doors to He assessed them for their willingness i Freedom and ability (Luke 6:12, 13; Mark 3:14) f - presentation of Graphics XL DVD, Vol. 1 and then organized them to accom the Adventist " thousands of dazzling color photos tor plish His mission in a way that w Church- presentations- loors to yielded His desired outcomes (Matt. Freed ist Global Adventist 28:18-20). j Online Image Bank Today's leaders must do no less! m Royalty-free pictures for print and presentation. There is only one simple request: Come and see!
1 Prudence Elveda LaBeach Pollard, Requisite Managerial www.churchphoto.org Leadership Behavior (Ann Arbor, Mich : UMI Press, 1993). 2 See Douglas McGregor, The Human Side of Enterprise (New Seventh-day Adventist York: McGraw-Hill, 1960). 3 See Paul Hershey and Kenneth H. Blanchard, "Life Cycle General Conference / Theory of Leadership" rn Training and Development Journal, May 1969 Session 2005 /-,-,„ „;//„,-< 1-^ 4 Paul Hershey, Kenneth H Blanchard, and Dewey Johnson, Management of Organizational Behavior (New Jersey Prentice ...... f 1/ (/-"•(''''/'<• I. Hall, 2001), 173 Visit us at . 5 Ibid. 6 Ibid., 175. Booth # 529 / 531 7 Ibid., 176. 8 See W. G. Ouchi, Theory Z. How American Business Can Meet the or see our Online Shop at Japanese Challenge (Reading, Mass • Addison Wesley), 1981. 9 Brian Dumaine, "The Trouble with Teams," Fortune, www.adventist-media.de • www.stimme-der-hoffnuns.de September 5, 1994, 86-92. 10 Ibid 11 Ibid.
July-August 2005 MINISTRY 71 the specifications to which God holds pastors accountable. For example, I thought that a good pastor had to be a polished public speak er. Instead, Moses discovered that being a good pastor did not require his ability to preach well: "Moses said to the LORD, 'O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your ser vant. I am slow of speech and tongue'" (Exod. 4:10, NIV). God said, "Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say" (verse 12, NIV). Even in the record of Jesus' life, only a few occasions are mentioned where He preached to the people. I scratched off my list the Pastor as leader: requirement of good sermonizing. My brother told me one time after hearing our pastor preach, "When he tells me the truth job impossible? about God, it is like a lightning bolt of light to my heart." To give us power from the Source, our pastor has to be connected to it. Jesus explained it very well: "For I did not speak of am not a pastor. I do not want to be a my own accord, but the Father who sent me Margie Littell Ulrich pastor. I don't even understand how a commanded me what to say and how to say it. pastor can possibly do his job with all of I know that His command leads to eternal life. us "bosses" sitting in the congregation, So whatever I say is just what the Father has each with ideas about how he should told me to say" 0ohn 12:49, 50, NIV). Iminister. He must feel pulled in all directions Both Moses and Jesus seemed to travel at once. His is surely the most perplexing, irri between God up there and people down here. tating, inspiring, uplifting, disgusting, When the Israelites complained, Moses went stressed-filled occupation in the world. Maybe to God and asked what to do. When God we who are sitting in the congregation need to complained about the Israelites' behavior, sit up and take notice of our pastor's profes Moses interceded for them. "So Moses went sion and treat it with the respect it deserves. back and summoned the elders of the people The best examples of what being a pastor is and set before them all the words the LORD all about are Moses and Jesus. Both had con had commanded him to speak. The people all tentious congregations, both served as responded together, 'We will do everything intermediaries between the people and God, the LORD has said.' So Moses brought their and both are known for the way they pled answer back to the LORD" (Exod. 19:7, NIV). with God for help in their ministries. They Pastoring is by all means an amazing job, both had a spectacular summons to their life's an active maneuvering between God and the calling: Moses, a burning bush; Jesus, a dove people. I noticed that the Israelites could tell descending from heaven. God spoke to them. when Moses had been with God; his face Therefore, before pastors become pastors; became so radiant that he had to wear a veil. God speaks to them. God selects them; they When Jesus took Peter, James, and John don't pick their job. "Such confidence as this and led them up a high mountain, "his face is ours through Christ before God. Not that we shone like the sun" (Matt. 17:1-4). are competent in ourselves to claim anything We, in our congregations, often search for Margie Littell Ulrich for ourselves, but our competence comes from a radiant face on our pastor, illuminating the is a clinical audiologist, Dayton, God. He has made us competent as ministers fact that he has been with God. "For God, Tennessee. of a new covenant" (2 Cor. 3:4-6, NIV). who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us Checklist the light of the knowledge of the glory of God In the Bible, I discovered that my checklist in the face of Christ" (2 Cor. 4:6, NIV). of pastoral qualifications often did not match For a pastor to succeed, we should see God
72 MINISTRY July-August 2005 smiling at us; we should see God's Jesus, too, dispersed responsibili of us have a sensitive core that knows glow reflected on his or her face. This ties among His 12 disciples. when we are disappointing God. illumination does not mean that our A good pastor dispenses the work Otherwise, we would not be church pastor has to be as perfect as God; among the people. He or she dele members. instead, it means that our pastor has gates responsibilities and then trusts God told Moses to make a bronze to have a current, working, vibrant people to do their work properly. snake and put it on a pole. Anybody relationship with God. It means, as The best gift a pastor will give us is who looked at the snake would be with Moses, "The LORD would speak to trust that we will do a task success delivered from the snakebites. To help to Moses face to face, as a man speaks fully. Unfortunately, even the best his people, all Moses had to do was with his friend" (Exod. 33:11, NIV). pastors soon learn that their congre make the snake and hold up the pole. We can hold our pastor to no stan gations are flawed and limited. When Jesus also tells us about this experi dards higher than we hold for we get discouraged, we grumble and ence. "Just as Moses lifted up the ourselves. God has promised that we complain. Our sins are like snakes snake in the desert, so the Son of Man will have perfection in heaven; until that bite and torment us. What must be lifted up, that everyone who then, we all have to have a restoring should the pastor do? believes in him may have eternal life" relationship with Jesus that is evi Qohn 3:14, 15). Instead of pointing denced by a nonjudgmental attitude Snakebites out the snakes and their deadly bites, toward our pastor. The Israelites were tired, hungry, we need our pastor to plug us into the thirsty, and discouraged. They were power of Jesus to transform us. We Delegating authority stumbling around in the desert, pow need our pastor to hold up the pole. I can understand how the daily erless to change their situation. They In other words, when the pastor stress of my pastor's job can cloud spoke against God and Moses. Snakes confronts evildoing, he or she does God's radiance. I am sure that many bit the people; many Israelites died. not merely ask us to change our ways. times Moses wished he had left those What did Moses do? Did he kill the Instead, the pastor exhorts us to let people in Egypt. snakes, treat the snakebites, or move Jesus transform us. The pastor grabs Moses' father-in-law gave him some the people away from the snakes? the nail-scarred hand of Jesus and good advice: "What you are doing is Numbers 21:7-9 is worth reading care holds on while offering his other not good. You and these people who fully. First, "Moses prayed for the peo hand to us parishioners. The pastor is come to you will only wear you out. ple." What a comforting thought. If I the conduit to the life-changing The work is too heavy for you; you can had been Moses, I probably would power of Jesus. What an awesome not handle it alone. Eisten now to me have gone into my tent and left them responsibility to hold up the pole! and I will give you some advice, and to their dilemma. After all, the people may God be with you. You must be the spoke against him and God. Yet The rules people's representative before God and despite their attitude, Moses prayed A great deal of Moses' job consisted bring their disputes to him. Teach for them. of making rules. "For the law was them the decrees and laws, and show In this delicate maneuvering given through Moses; grace and truth them the way to live and the duties between fellow human beings, the came through Jesus Christ" (John they are to perform. But select capable pastor must pray to epitomize God's 1:17, NIV). God gave Moses a group of men from all the people—men who love, acceptance, and power in order people who had been told what to say fear God, trustworthy men who hate to guide us on the path of becoming and what to think for several genera dishonest gain—and appoint them as the people we were called to be. tions. They had limited self-governing officials over thousands, hundreds, fifi- We often miss the point here. skills. They needed rules to survive in ties and tens. Have them serve as When our pastor sees us rebelling the harsh desert. Moses even had to judges for the people at all times, but against God, it is as if the snakes are tell them where to build the latrines have them bring every difficult case to biting us. Our self-centered sinful in order to prevent disease. Following you; the simple cases they can decide behavior will cause our eternal death the rules kept them alive. They were themselves. That will make your load just as surely the snakebites caused completely and utterly dependent on lighter, because they will share it with the Israelites to die. However, it is not Moses to ask God for food, water, pro you. If you do this and God so com the job of the pastor to kill the snakes tection, and direction. mands, you will be able to stand the or to treat the bites. God made the rules to keep us strain, and all these people will go Most of us in our pastor's congre alive, and safe. The rules reveal an home satisfied" (Exod. 18:17-23, NIV). gation know right from wrong. Most continued on page 81
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eaders demonstrate their character the calf they had made and melted it in more clearly in adversity than in the fire. And when the metal had cooled, L prosperity. Contrast the vacillation he ground it into powder and mixed it of Aaron with the faithfulness of Moses with water. Then he made the people during Israel's delayed expectations. JAMES A. CRESS drink it" (verses 19, 20). "When Moses failed to come back Notice their radically different lead down the mountain right away, the people ership styles as Moses demands went to Aaron. 'Look,' they said, 'make us accountability from Aaron, who some gods who can lead us. This man attempts to shift the blame for his own Moses, who brought us here from Egypt, behavior to the people. "What did the has disappeared. We don't know what has people do to you?" he demanded. "How happened to him'" (Exod. 32:1, NLV). did they ever make you bring such terrible Fed up with waiting, the people sin upon them?" (verse 21). demanded immediate action. Moses "Don't get upset, sir," Aaron replied. was out of sight and they were out of Israel, who brought you out of Egypt.' "You yourself know these people and what faith. Unfortunately, when he should Then the Lord said, 'I have seen how stub a wicked bunch they are. They said to me, have stood strong, Aaron caved to their born and rebellious these people are. Now 'Make us some gods to lead us, for some demands for visible, multiple gods and leave me alone so my anger can blaze thing has happened to this man Moses, collected their offerings. against them and destroy them all. Then who led us out of Egypt' So / told them, "Then Aaron took the gold, melted it I will make you, Moses, into a great 'Bring me your gold earrings.' When they down, and molded and tooled it into the nation instead of them'" (verses 7-10). brought them to me, I threw them into the shape of a calf. The people exclaimed, 'O The wages of sin is death, and God fire and out came this calf!" (verses 22- Israel, these are the gods who brought you was fully prepared to penalize Israel for 24). Imagine! Aaron's apostasy is so out of Egypt'" (verse 4). Although he their rebellion, a sin He declares equal bound up with the rebellion that he would later claim that a miraculous to witchcraft. But as a true pastor, declares his own efforts (the basis of occurrence produced the golden calf, Moses began to intercede, asking that every false religion is salvation by works) Scripture describes Aaron actively fash his own life be cut off if God could not to be a miraculous consequence. ioning the idol and, subsequently, lead spare the people. Moses even urged Aaron's failure in leadership, coupled ing the congregation in false worship. God's own reputation as reason to with the nation's rebellion, demanded a "When Aaron saw how excited the people spare the people. "But Moses pleaded call for repentance and reformation, were about it, he built an altar in front of with the Lord his Cod not to do it. 'The especially in light of the scandal their the calf and announced, 'Tomorrow there Egyptians will say, Cod tricked them into behavior had brought upon God's will be a festival to the Lord.' So the peo coming to the mountains so he could kill name and reputation in full view of ple got up early the next morning to sacri them and wipe them from the face of the nonbelieving enemies. So Moses con fice. . . . After this, they celebrated with earth. Turn away from your fierce anger. fronted the issue directly. feasting and drinking, and indulged them Change your mind about this terrible dis "When Moses saw that Aaron had let selves in pagan revelry" (verses 5, 6). aster you are planning against your the people get completely out of control Heaven, however, was not caught people! Remember your covenant.' So the and much to the amusement of their ene unaware by their rebellion. Lord withdrew His threat" (verses 11-14). mies, he stood at the entrance to the camp "Then the Lord told Moses, 'Quick! Co Just as God had previously respond and shouted, 'All of you who are on the down the mountain! The people you ed to Abraham's entreaties for Sodom, Lord's side, come over here and join me.' brought from Egypt have defiled them He now extended mercy in response to And all the Levites came" (verses 25, 26). selves. They have already turned from the Moses' plea. Mercy did not avert judg Today, when our Lord's return way I commanded them to live. They ment, however. "Moses saw the calf and appears delayed, God still seeks leaders have made an idol shaped like a calf, and the dancing. In terrible anger, he threw who will discern the truth, stand for they have worshiped and sacrificed to it. the stone tablets to the ground, smashing right, and call for radical faithfulness to They are saying, These are your gods, 0 them at the foot of the mountain. He took God's plan. How will you and I lead? H
July-August 2005 MINISTRY 75 Branimir Schubert: Please introduce yourselves.
Adventist leaders: Thirty-eight percent of us are from underdeveloped or developing countries; the rest (62 percent) work in devel oped parts of the world. Some of us work in local churches (pastors, representing 38 per cent of the group), while others are adminis trators at various levels of the church organization (62 percent). The gap: About 20 percent could be classified as young (ages 18-40), and 36 percent, "middle- perceptions on Seventh-day aged" (41-50 years old). Others are nearing retirement—34 percent are between 51-60 years old. Ten percent are over age 61. The age Adventist leadership by difference indicates a variation in the num bers of years served: 25 percent of us have those who lead served the Adventist Church between 1-15 years; 32 percent between 16-24; 22 percent between 25-30 years. The "veterans" who have served this church for more than 31 Editorial note: The interview and meeting years represent 21 percent among us. Branimir Schubert described in the opening paragraph of this article are fictional in and of themselves. However, the BS: OK, now that we know what kind of facts, figures, and the interview questions present group you are, let's address some specific lead ed in the article are based on actual study growing ership issues. How qualified are you for out of a questionnaire sent out by the author to leadership? How much formal leadership train nearly a thousand Seventh-day Adventist denomi ing did you receive to serve in your positions? national leaders throughout the world. Six hundred and fourteen of these leaders, including AL: The basic trends represented in our pastors, institutional administrators, and depart overall training show gaps in formal leader mental directors at all levels of the church ship training. Those of us serving in the organization (conferences, unions, divisions, and developed part of the world have received the General Conference) returned their replies for more formal training as compared to those analysis. The data thus collected has been serving elsewhere. Administrators are general processed by Dr. Glen Research Services, Oregon, ly more formally trained as compared to local U.S.A., and forms the factual base for this article. church pastors. The average pastor in our Further details are available from the author at the group feels quite strongly that he lacks lead following email address: [email protected]. ership preparation. 1 Older individuals with more years of serv met with a cross-section of Adventist ice reveal that they have had the opportunity leaders (AL) to hear how they view lead to receive more formal training when com ership practices within their churches pared to those who are younger. Overall, a and organizations (see the editorial note significant number feel inadequately trained above). The group consisted of 614 lead for the leadership role we perform. Iers from various levels of leadership and ministry in a variety of countries worldwide. BS: Does this lack of formal training have Branimir Schubert, They addressed specific questions regarding consequences? If so what are they? D.Min., is senior their own leadership abilities and experiences, lecturer, Pacific Adventist University, as well as their perceptions of the leadership AL: Of course. For example, those with Papua, New Guinea. abilities of their superiors and the Seventh-day higher levels of formal training knew more Adventist Church in general. Some interesting clearly where they were leading their followers and challenging trends emerged. Following is and what they wanted to achieve. Their vision an adapted summary of our discussions: was clearer and better articulated.
76 MINISTRY July-August 2005 BS: As I listen to you, it seems that BS: Share with me your thoughts leaders working in the developed there is a consistent gap between pas and perceptions when it comes to parts of the world feel quite comfort tors and administrators, as well as vision, goals, and objectives. able communicating with their between those working in the devel superiors. Then there seems to be a oped parts of the world and those AL: Administrators seem to believe correlation between a more open and working in the underdeveloped parts. that their objectives and goals for the democratic atmosphere, and the abil future are clear. Pastors are not so ity or willingness of pastors to AL: Indeed. Another disparity sure. Another interesting detail worth approach their superiors. seems to be in the feelings of the pas mentioning is that those among us Meanwhile, once again, adminis tors, who indicate that they are less between the ages of 51-60 are more trators feel that they can more aware where their superiors are lead likely to say their future vision is comfortably communicate with their ing them, as compared to the admin God-given as compared with the superiors as compared to the pastors. istrators who are more certain of youngest segment of the group. This shows that pastors are more where their superiors are going. It reluctant approaching their leaders, appears that administrators have not Communication issues and that should cause us to examine been able to communicate the vision BS: A major leadership skill is the the dynamics of this relationship. to the pastors, while there is a high ability to communicate. It appears The good news is that the longer level of "vision understanding" that the communication between people work within the church sys among the administrators themselves. administrators and pastors is not at tem, the more comfortable they seem the level it might be. to become in addressing their superi BS: What occurs among you as a ors. Our administrators see fewer result of this lack of communication? AL: Administrators are more likely problems caused in their areas of to perceive themselves as good com responsibility due to communication AL: It seems to engender a lack of municators. They tend to believe that problems as compared to the pastors. trust. While administrators have a people understand them and follow high degree of trust in their leaders, their instructions. This includes oral BS: How are communication abili pastors have less. The younger gener and nonverbal communication skills. ties affecting the church's mission? ation of leaders also has a lower degree of trust than those who are BS: How does this pattern affect AL: Again, there is a difference in older. Without a focused and deliber the ability of pastors to communicate perceptions. Generally, administra ate attempt to listen and honestly with their superiors? tors believe that church leadership evaluate and address those trends, the communicates the main mission and gaps could continue to widen. AL: First, let us emphasize that message of the church and the reason For example, those of us working in the developing parts of the world perceive our superiors as less demo llow Can We Minister to Preachers1 Kids? cratic compared to our colleagues in NEW APPROACH, SAME MISSION the developed countries. This does not present itself as a crisis, but it is a concern. It seems like more needs to be done to train leaders in the devel oping countries, especially in the light of the fact that the church is growing much faster in those areas and thus more leaders will be needed. INCREASE: the Preachers© Kids journal BS: I have noticed differences in An innovative ministry in the 21st century, INCREASE encourages how various groups perceive the PKs to focus on Jesus, reminding them that they can be a light in this world for Him to shine through. Every issue contains motivational church's emphasis on leadership interviews with successful and dedicated PKs in different capacities. development. Is this correct? If you are a PK or an MK, we welcome your experiences and articles. PK: how is God calling you to partnership with your Dad? AL: All we can say is that this gap is Sara and Libny INCREASE will be publishing again monthly for $29 US, with complimentary issues H. Dubreuze, Sr. consistent. Administrators perceive in Spanish and Portuguese. For more information, contact Libny H. Dubreuze, Jr., Editors Intern Editor, at 470 Olde VVorthington Road, Suite 200, Westerville OH 43082. the church leadership principles much Phone; 614-410-6612 !, Fax: 614-478-2798 E-mail:;inc;[email protected]:; Wehsite: 5TOW.increasepk.org'; more positively than do pastors.
July-August 2005 MINISTRY 77 bility for the decisions they make, as Watch GC Sessions from your home! do the younger leaders among us. PRE-PROGRAMMED CHANNELS • NO MONTHLY FEES HOPE Channel • 3ABN English • Loma Linda Broadcasting Network • Esperanza TV • 3ABN Latino ATN1 • ATN/ACN2 (Special Church Events) RADIO CHANNELS • LifeTalk Radio • 3ABN Radio • Radio/4 BS: Any other areas of interest you (You can GET HUNDREDS MORE Television and Radio Channels with NO MONTHLY FEES!) ^^ would like to mention?
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78 MINISTRY July-August 2005 environment within the church. BS: Who is correct? words, the matter of effective leader The other two groups with diverg ship must become a priority. Pastors ing views are, as we've implied all AL: Both sides are. Pastors seem to should be trained to be leaders. They along, the leaders working in the have a more negative perspective and should be equipped with skills that developing and underdeveloped coun their perspectives are valid; adminis provide them with continuous and tries as compared to those working in trators would do well to listen to the consistent leadership training. the developed countries. Finally, there pastors' concerns and suggestions. Administrators should see their is a consistent difference of opinions role more as mentors, training the between the younger generation of BS: To summarize then: There is a leaders under their care. Their role in leaders and the older generation. To perceived leadership gap in the bridging the identified gaps cannot be neglect these differences is to allow the Adventist Church. Open dialogue overestimated! We need leaders who gaps we've identified to grow wider and constructive, honest global understand God's purposes for this and to potentially lead the organiza assessment are needed to ascertain church in this generation.2 We need tion into possible crisis. the various aspects that need the fur leaders who are courageous enough to ther attention of leaders. assume the responsibility of develop BS: Do you see a "looming crisis"? A comprehensive strategy should ing structures and strategies that will be formulated to emphasize and pro most effectively lead God's people. To AL: Yes, but it can be avoided. mote the strengths of Adventist paraphrase a quote from an anony When pastors are asked about the leadership while at the same time mous source,3 it is time for our leaders leadership quality in the church, they addressing the deficiencies. Allowing to be big enough to admit to our lead are less likely to say that the Adventist for different cultural dynamics, lead ership shortcomings. It is also time to Church is well led. On the other ership principles and models should be smart enough to profit from them, hand, those in older age categories be examined that will further the while being strong and determined think the opposite. The administra aims of Adventist influence and enough to correct them. 1 tors are somewhere in the middle! strengthen the church's mission. Actually, administrators together More formal, in-service leadership with the older leaders are more likely training is needed, as well as the 1 On the scale of 1-7, the pastors have averaged 2.85. 2 See Acts 13:36. to say that the Adventist Church is development of a unique philosophy 3 Based on a quote found in C. John Maxwell, The experiencing leadership renewal. of Adventist leadership. In other Paver of Leadership (Rivet Oak Publishing, 2001), 18.
Balanced pastoral Empathy is important, but becoming Many other marks can be listed. so depressed and burned out over the Much could be written on what a con leadership ills to which one is ministering will gregation can do to encourage a continued from page 50 stifle good ministry. pastoral minister in the practice of 13. Maintaining a balance between good ministerial leadership. After all, minister cannot do it all, and does family, friendships, leisure, and -work. congregations are partners with pas not have the gifts to do it all. The institutional church tends to toral ministers and not just bystanders 11. Understanding and coming to reward pastoral leaders for worka- offering a critique of leadership. Both terms with the issues of power and con holism, with many churches not are needed in ministry for the build trol. Such issues weigh heavily in understanding the risks of such ing up of the faith community. pastoral ministry, and if not checked behavior to a pastor's family life, We and our congregations are or dealt with can undermine good friendships, and his/her need for indeed living through a time of tran ministry. Again, Henri Nouwen is leisure. Institutional rewards can be sition involving the challenging helpful: "When I ask myself the main very seductive to the pastoral minis implications of an unprecedentedly reason for so many people having left ter, and one can subtly yet easily global society. Good leadership is the church during the past two move out of balance. essential in all areas of our life togeth decades, the word power comes easily 14. Commitment with boundaries. er. We need to develop the kind of to mind." Good ministry results when a pas leadership that will give us the 12. Maintaining a balance between toral minister is committed to his or strength not merely to survive within being sensitive to the pain within the her faith and the institutional expres our current situation but to thrive as congregation— divorce, death, the prob sion of that faith. However, such a committed, well-balanced, passion lems of affluence and poverty, etc.—but commitment needs freshness and ate, and encouraging followers of our not becoming de-energized by it. boundaries. Lord Jesus Christ. H
July-August 2005 MINISTRY 79 Earn a master's degree "InMinistry"
eventh-day Adventist pastors in classes. Further, during February and North America have an outstand March, Internet courses are available. S ing educational option available The MAP.Min. curriculum is some from the Seventh-day Adventist Theo what eclectic in nature, providing for a logical Seminary. Unfortunately, few WALT WILLIAMS wide exposure to advanced theological know about or take advantage of it. It's learning. Areas include: biblical studies a virtually free Master of Arts in Pastoral (Old and New Testament), theology Ministry (MAP. Min.) degree. and Christian philosophy, Christian How is this possible? Is it for you? ministry, church history, world mission, Years ago, the Seminary and the and electives. Seventh-day Adventist Unions of the Because each class generates three North American Division designed a credits, most active pastors can expect master's program for mature pastors to complete the MAP.Min. degree in unable to obtain the expected Master years of ministry leadership experience. about four years by taking 12-15 credits of Divinity degree. Instead of the 96- Housed in the InMinistry Center at per year. Provision is also made for some credit program making up the M.Div., the Seminary on the Andrews University academic credit for ministry already the MAP.Min. is a 48-credit degree. In campus, the MAP.Min. degree is entirely experienced. addition, the MAP.Min. does not a field delivery program. Why would a pastor, pressed about require an undergraduate degree in During the first weeks of May and with all the issues of active ministry, religion or theology or the usual biblical November (usually), extension inten- want more education? If nurses, doc language background. To qualify to sives are held near or at one of our tors, businesspersons, and virtually take the MAP.Min. you (1) must hold a Adventist North American Union col every other career vocation are involved bachelor's degree; (2) be at least 35 leges or universities. At each event pas to some degree of continuing educa years of age, and (3) have at least five tors can choose from two back-to-back tion to sharpen the tools of their
Upcoming North American Division (NAD) Field Intensives
Loma Linda University Campus Intensives—Loma Linda, California 4- Studies in New Testament Theology (NTST667). November 6-10, 2005. Taught by Robert Johnston. A study of selected themes in New Testament theology or of the structure of New Testament theology as a whole. Specific topic to be announced. 4- Innovative Evangelism (CHMN623). November 13-17, 2005. Taught by Joe Kidder. This course seeks to stimulate new ideas for evangelizing population groups that may be difficult to reach with more traditional methods. Reviews unique approaches already tried and develops original plans by students.
Southern Adventist University Campus Intensives—Collegedale, Tennessee 4- Preaching from the Old Testament (OTST607). November 13-16, 2005. Taught byjiri Moskala. This is an advanced preaching course that focuses on the analysis of the types of Old Testament literature and special themes found in selected passages.
Southwestern Adventist University Campus Intensives—Keene, Texas 4- Interpersonal Relationship Skills (CHMN518). November 6-10, 2005. Taught by Peter Swanson. The course leads students to examine the patterns of their own interpersonal relationships and challenges them to emulate Christ's example as they interact with persons from all segments of society. 4- Mission to the World (MSSN525). November 13-17, 2005. Taught by Bruce Bauer. A broad introduction to Christian world missions. This intensive course includes aspects of mission history, the theological foundations of mission, contemporary theoretical thought about missions, etc.
80 MINISTRY July-August 2005 vocations, why should this not be even Pastor as leader introduces us to the character of God. truer for spiritual leaders? Does not the When daily life buffets us in bewil excellence of ministry demand the continued from page 73 dering ways, the pastor makes sure sharpest ministry tools? that the rules anchor us and hold us The MAP.Min. program is more infinitely loving God who requires us steady so that we can see Jesus. than a graduate degree. It is an adven to depend upon Him. The law teach ture in spiritual and intellectual growth es us that we need a Savior in order to Conclusion in the context of your ministry meet the high standards of God. "So How I admire the people who take (InMinistry). Active pastors gain inspi the law was put in charge to lead us to on the job of a pastor! Instead of our ration, insight, and stimulation from Christ that we might be justified by criticism, they need our prayers. seminary scholars, local ministry faith" (Gal. 3:24). Instead of judgment, they need our experts, and colleagues. Teaching pro Unfortunately, it is often easier to unwavering support. Let us support fessors have opportunity to stay in tune worship the laws themselves rather our pastors' hands so that they might with the reality of active Adventist pas than give adoration to the Law-Giver. touch God and then touch us. toral ministry. Everyone wins! Moses had to make sure his people We must respect the man or For more information regarding recognized their God standing firmly woman who talks to God for us, the course schedules, site locations, regis behind the rules of behavior. It was one who relights our flame when life tration for classes, and program appli Jesus' job to do the same thing. "Jesus threatens to blow it out, who holds cation, see the shaded boxes below, answered, 'I am the way and the truth up the pole. contact The InMinistry Center at the and the life. No one comes to the David wrote a pastor's psalm: Seminary by telephoning (269) 471- Father except through me. If you real "Praise the LORD, all you servants of 3514, or visit our Web site at ly knew me, you would know my the LORD who minister by night in www.inministry.info. ffl Father as well'" (John 14:6, 7, NIV). the house of the LORD. Lift up your Instead of merely convincing us hands in the sanctuary and praise the Walt Williams, D.Min., is director of the about the truth of our doctrines, our LORD. May the LORD, the Maker of InMinistry program at the Adventist Theological pastor has to make sure that we con heaven and earth, bless you from Seminary, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, stantly and consistently see the lov Zion" (Ps. 134:1-3, NIV). Thank God Michigan. ing Author of our beliefs as he or she He gave us His gift of pastors. IB!
Union College Campus Intensives—Lincoln, Nebraska •f Readings in the Old Testament (OTST570). November 6-10, 2005. Taught by Connie Gane. Selected books or passages from the Old Testament are covered in this course, based primarily on the English text with reference to the original languages. Not for M.Div. credit. -f Development of Seventh-day Adventist Theology (CHIS674). November 13-17, 2005. Taught by George Knight. An overview of the origin and subsequent modification of characteristic Adventist teachings in such areas as the Sabbath, sanctuary, atonement, etc.
Walla Walla College Campus Intensives—College Place, Washington + Preaching from Selected Books of the Bible (CHMN680). October 30-November 3, 2005. Taught by Karl Haffner. This is an advanced preaching course emphasizing the preaching challenges and opportunities of working with targeted books of Scripture. + Church Leadership and Administration (CHMN527). November 6-10, 2005. Taught by Skip Bell. Principles and strategies for developing an effective Scripture-based leadership role. The pastor's role as church leader and administrator is covered. This course also provides biblical resources and contemporary research for managing conflict in the church.
To register for any or all of these intensives, call (269) 471-3514.
July-August 2005 MINISTRY 81 MINISTRY Leading adaptive adaptive change to the people who Ministry is the international journal of the need to take responsibility for Seventh-day Adventist Ministerial Association continued from page 54 change.8 This way you're not caught and has been published since 1928. pushing the group to change but lead Association Secretary James A. Cress day's game helps players figure out ing them to assume responsibility. Editor Willmore D. Eva how to improve their play. Remember our earlier point: The Assistant Editor for Management Julia W. Norcott Editorial Assistant Sheila Draper Likewise, leaders need to disengage leader's role in adaptive work is not to Professional Growth and Interchurch Relations themselves from the change process define and solve problems but to Nikolaus Satefmajer and gather perspective. This may be focus attention and ask questions so Contributing Editors: Sharon Cress, John M. Fowler, Clifford Coldstein, Peter Prime, Joel Sarli, Kit Watts done by journaling, thinking in soli the working group can locate prob International Editors: tude, praying for extended times, and lems and find solutions. French John Graz going on mini retreats. Jesus partici Leading change is high risk. Jesus Inter-American Division Felix Cortes South American Division Zinaldo A. Santos pated in this reflective pattern with knew it. But He took it anyway. Consulting Editors: His disciples when He invited them There's nothing like it when your Ben Clausen, Raoul Dederen, Teofilo Ferreira, Ron Flowers, Michael Hasel, Roland Hegstad, Kathleen to come apart and rest a while. This group converges on tough problems Kuntaraf, Ekkehardt Mueller, Jan Paulsen, Robert Peach, Angel Manuel Rodriguez, Penny Shell, William Shea, action/reflection pattern helps us to and forges out a way for it all to come Russell Staples, Richard Tibbits, Ted Wilson, Edward stay alive in leadership. together. There's nothing like watch Zinke To stay alive in leadership, a leader ing unknown solutions surface, seeing Pastoral Assistant Editors: John C. Cress, Fredrick Russell, Maylan Schurch, Loren Seibold also needs confidants. people change, and witnessing your International Advisors: Alejandro Bullon, John Confidants are people with whom group moving forward. B Duroe, Andrews Ewoo, Paulraj Isaiah, Anthony Kent, Ivan Manilich, Zacchaeus Mathema, Ivan Omana, David you can share your heart and mind Osborne, Peter Roennfeldt, Bruno Vertallier unreservedly. Good confidants can Pastoral Advisors: Leslie Baumgartner, S. Peter provide sound feedback and provide 1 Warren Bennis, "Truth or Consequences," Compass, Campbell, Miguel A. Cerna, Jeanne Hartwell, Mitchell Fall 2003, Vol. 1, No. 1, 11. Henson, Norma Osborn, Leslie Pollard, Dan Smith, perspective while keeping your best 2 Ronald A. Heifetz and Marty Linsky, Leadership on Steve Willsey interests in mind. A true confidant the Line: Staying Alive through the Dangers of Leading Advertising Editorial Office cares more about you than the role (Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 2002), 13. Ministerial Association Resource Project 3 Ibid., 14. Coordinator Cathy Payne you play. Mature Christian confidants 4 Bennis, 11. Cover and Digital Illustration Harry Knox are priceless people who help keep you 5 Jeanie Daniel Duck, The Change Monster: The Human alive while you lead seasons of change. Forces That Fuel or Foil Corporate Transformation and Subscriptions: 12 issues (double issue for Change (New York: Crown Business, 2001), 92. July/August): United States US$29.99; Canada and Another secret to staying alive in overseas US$31.99; airmail US$41.75; single copy 6 Tom Kelley and Jonathan Littman, The Art of US$3.00. To order, send name, address, and payment leadership is to reduce the extent to Innovation: Lessons in Creativity from IDEO, America's to Ministry Subscriptions, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, which you become the target of peo Leading Design Firm (New York: Doubleday, 2001), 58. Silver Spring, MD 20904 U.S.A. 7 Ibid., 57, 58. Web site: www.ministrymagazine.org ple's frustrations. The best way to stay 8 Marty Linsky, "Leadership on the Line" seminar, Circulation queries, renewals, new subscriptions, out of range is to give the work of Seattle, Wash., December 2004. address changes: Email: [email protected]; phone: 301-680-6510; fax 301-680-6502. To Writers: We welcome unsolicited manuscripts. Editorial preference is to receive manuscripts on diskette with name, address, telephone and fax numbers, and Social Security number (if U.S. citizen or possessing a Church in reaching the unreached U.S. Social Security number). Send editorial Mission and unity correspondence to 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver whether near or far, we will find our Spring, MD 20904-6600. continued from page 48 selves drawn together, despite our Phone: 301-680-6510; fax: 301-680-6502; Email: [email protected] or differences. Therefore, commitment to [email protected] (editorial offices). order to fit in with the rest. We invite mission, to sending missionaries Writer's Guidelines available on request. the people to come in to play the same "from everywhere to everywhere," to Ministry (ISSN 0026-5314), the international journal of the Seventh-day Adventist Ministerial Association © score—the Word of God—but to play reaching the unreached will enable us 2005, is published monthly (except for July/August, when a double issue will be published) by the General their own instruments, and in this to take a huge step in preserving the Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and printed by way there will issue forth a heavenly unity of our church and to give the Pacific Press® Pub. Assn., 1350 N. Kings Road, Nampa, ID 83687-3193. Member Associated Church Press. sound that will grow in the splendor most powerful witness to the world. ISI Standard mail postage paid at Narnpa, idaho. and glory of God as each new instru PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. ment is added."4 1 Jan Paulsen, "Steady as You Go," in Adventist Review, GC Vol. 77 Number 7-8 Fellowship. Understanding. Sharing. Bulletin 9, July 13, 2000, 1. Scripture quotations from NASB are from the New American Standard Bible. Copyright© 1960, 2 Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture passages are from the 1962,1963, 1968,1971,1973,1973, 1975,197? by The Lockman Foundation Texts credited Respect. Trust. These are the building New International Version. the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers Texts 3 Ellen G. White, Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the credited to NK}V are from The New King lames Version. Copyright© 1979, 1980,1982 blocks needed to keep the church unit- Seventh-day Adventists (Basle: Imprimene Polyglotte,1886; Bible, New Living Translation Copynght © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, Wheaton, Illinois Alt rights reserved Bible texts credited to NfiSV are from the reprinted 1979, 1985, 1989), 137. New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. Copyright© 1989 by the Division of Christian ed. Each of these is a natural Education of the National Council of the Churches of Chnst in the USA. Used by permission All byproduct of mission, rightly done. 4 Ralph Winter, ed. Perspectives on the World Christian Movement- Copynght ©1946,1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council A Reader (Pasadena, Calif. William Carey Library, 1981, 1992), of the Churches of Christ in the USA Used by permission. As we focus upon leading the
82 MINISTRY July-August 2005 PRESENTS
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