I used to think that New Year's Resolutions were stupid. I didn't see the point in making a bunch of resolutions that I was going to break in a couple of weeks. I've lightened my opinion a bit, however, because for any leader, goals and aspirations are a good thing. They keep us moving in a direction and give us something to measure against and celebrate.
My wife and I sat down last night and worked out our personal goals for the year, but I wanted to share my personal leadership resolutions with you, and hope also to hear from some of you about your resolutions.
For the next couple of weeks, I'm going to be talking about some of my resolutions, detailing them, letting you know where they came from and why. For now, here is a list of my resolutions:
1. I resolve to Follow
2. I resolve to Learn
3. I resolve to Grow
4. I resolve to Lead
What's your New Year's Resolutions, and why?
Training Tomorrow's Leaders Today,
Matt
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Book Review: Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas
It's been a while since I last reviewed a book, but after reading Bonhoeffer, by Eric Metaxas, I had to write something about it.
History, Theology, and Leadership: Bonhoeffer has it all!
I think this book is special to me because it is not only about theology, or history, but a man of God who led people through a very difficult time of history. Bonhoeffer stood for something, and his beliefs informed his actions.
Bonhoeffer is interesting because he provides such an eclectic personality from our point of view. Many different sides claim him as one of their spiritual fathers. Bonhoeffer would have laughed at this no doubt, being a player in an ecumenical movement that was vibrant and faithful. Metaxas strives to show Bonhoeffer as a theological conservative (which he no doubt was) that was also involved with monastic ideas and social justice issues. Metaxas also strives to show the man and his behaviors through the lens of his theology, which is so important if you want to understand Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his leadership during the Nazi crisis in Germany.
Metaxas' style is easy to read, yet deep and thorough in it's scholarship. It's a thick book, which no doubt could have been more thick. But Metaxas drives home his points, and the life and tragedy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer leap out of the page at you.
Bonhoeffer will drive you to your knees
Reading Bonhoeffer will somehow make you feel as though you have been cut from lesser cloth. Bonhoeffer's devotion to his God, his family, his friends, and everyone that he met will convict you and show you what is possible when a man gives himself to Christ.
His devotional life is something else that Metaxas demonstrates aptly, and again, it will drive you to your knees. Reading about Dietrich Bonhoeffer's relationship with God will make you want a deeper relationship with Him, and if nothing else is gained from the book, that is enough.
Bonhoeffer wrote that "when Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die."
We have no better example of that than Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
I hope you enjoy the book.
Training Tomorrow's Leaders Today,
Matt
History, Theology, and Leadership: Bonhoeffer has it all!
I think this book is special to me because it is not only about theology, or history, but a man of God who led people through a very difficult time of history. Bonhoeffer stood for something, and his beliefs informed his actions.
Bonhoeffer is interesting because he provides such an eclectic personality from our point of view. Many different sides claim him as one of their spiritual fathers. Bonhoeffer would have laughed at this no doubt, being a player in an ecumenical movement that was vibrant and faithful. Metaxas strives to show Bonhoeffer as a theological conservative (which he no doubt was) that was also involved with monastic ideas and social justice issues. Metaxas also strives to show the man and his behaviors through the lens of his theology, which is so important if you want to understand Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his leadership during the Nazi crisis in Germany.
Metaxas' style is easy to read, yet deep and thorough in it's scholarship. It's a thick book, which no doubt could have been more thick. But Metaxas drives home his points, and the life and tragedy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer leap out of the page at you.
Bonhoeffer will drive you to your knees
Reading Bonhoeffer will somehow make you feel as though you have been cut from lesser cloth. Bonhoeffer's devotion to his God, his family, his friends, and everyone that he met will convict you and show you what is possible when a man gives himself to Christ.
His devotional life is something else that Metaxas demonstrates aptly, and again, it will drive you to your knees. Reading about Dietrich Bonhoeffer's relationship with God will make you want a deeper relationship with Him, and if nothing else is gained from the book, that is enough.
Bonhoeffer wrote that "when Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die."
We have no better example of that than Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
I hope you enjoy the book.
Training Tomorrow's Leaders Today,
Matt
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Leadership Under the Christmas Tree
Do you have some last minute shopping to do for the young leader in your life?
If so, I have a couple of suggestions that will not only make their Christmas merrier, but also help transform and develop their leadership as well.
1. Strengthsfinder 2.0-I don't know if I even have to explain myself after all I've written about it. If you know an emerging leader who hasn't read this book and taken this assessment yet, please buy this for them. You can not underestimate how much it will affect them.
2. Mission Trip-A mission trip presents many opportunities for the expansion of leadership, and will also give emerging leaders the opportunity to share the gospel and serve others. May I suggest not paying for the whole trip? Raising money also helps building leadership, communication, and strategy skills.
3. Tickets to the Conference of their choice-Conferences can be great fun and a great learning experience. There might be a favorite speaker, preacher, or leader that an emerging leader would like to see. These trips may be expensive, but they are a great way to learn and network with people just like your emerging leader.
4. A wad of money for donation to the cause of their choice-Everyone likes to spend money, but we would be doing a lot better if we spent some money on other people. Helping an emerging leader find and choose worthy causes is a great way to expand their horizons and give them the opportunity to make a real difference in a ministry or cause. They might also find a place where they can volunteer their time, learning more leadership and serving others.
There are many choices when buying gifts for young leaders. I'm not saying all of their gifts should be educational as well as fun, but it doesn't hurt to mix in a little leadership with the gifts under the tree this year.
Merry Christmas,
Matt
If so, I have a couple of suggestions that will not only make their Christmas merrier, but also help transform and develop their leadership as well.
1. Strengthsfinder 2.0-I don't know if I even have to explain myself after all I've written about it. If you know an emerging leader who hasn't read this book and taken this assessment yet, please buy this for them. You can not underestimate how much it will affect them.
2. Mission Trip-A mission trip presents many opportunities for the expansion of leadership, and will also give emerging leaders the opportunity to share the gospel and serve others. May I suggest not paying for the whole trip? Raising money also helps building leadership, communication, and strategy skills.
3. Tickets to the Conference of their choice-Conferences can be great fun and a great learning experience. There might be a favorite speaker, preacher, or leader that an emerging leader would like to see. These trips may be expensive, but they are a great way to learn and network with people just like your emerging leader.
4. A wad of money for donation to the cause of their choice-Everyone likes to spend money, but we would be doing a lot better if we spent some money on other people. Helping an emerging leader find and choose worthy causes is a great way to expand their horizons and give them the opportunity to make a real difference in a ministry or cause. They might also find a place where they can volunteer their time, learning more leadership and serving others.
There are many choices when buying gifts for young leaders. I'm not saying all of their gifts should be educational as well as fun, but it doesn't hurt to mix in a little leadership with the gifts under the tree this year.
Merry Christmas,
Matt
Monday, November 22, 2010
Organic Leadership Development
How does the Holy Spirit change the face of leadership development?
The last time I wrote I talked about how the Holy Spirit is a differentiating factor between Christian and non-Christian leaders. What I didn't write about is what that means for developing leaders, and it means a lot.
First, the Holy Spirit changes everything. Leadership development is no longer a regimen or just a curriculum, but an organic process that we are not in charge of. This is significantly different than most programs of education. Christian leadership isn't something you can just get a degree in and be good. The development of Christian leaders takes considerably more time, patience, and discernment.
Since the Spirit is in control, the time it takes to cultivate a Christian leader cannot be set in stone. I recently read an article by the creator of Relevant Magazine where he stated that God had to teach him over 8 years before he could finally start his magazine. It might take others a lot less than eight years to become the kind of leader God wants to carry out His purpose in their life, and it might take longer. Again, we can't relegate the process; thinking that after we review these principles and such and such a program that the people we are teaching will automatically be the leaders God wants them to be. How long did Moses wonder in the wilderness before God called him to lead the Israelites out of bondage?
Because we aren't in charge of the time it takes to become a leader, we have to be very patient. So do the young leaders in our care. Can you imagine David, after being proclaimed King, waiting to actually become King? That must have been grueling, but God had much to teach David before he became king.
Lastly (please, however, don't think that this is exhaustive), I think that the organic nature of Christian Leadership Development takes a lot of discernment. Not all of your students are going to be at the same place, and each will learn and develop at their own pace. It will take a lot of discernment to know what to teach and when. This will take a lot of prayer and a deep knowledge of each of your students. Take the time to see this through. Be responsible to them and to God for their development. It's not easy, but we didn't get into this because it was easy.
Christian leadership development is difficult, and the organic nature of it makes it that much more difficult. But with patience, endurance, and perseverance, we will be blessed to see the godly leadership of tomorrow.
Training Tomorrow's Leaders Today,
Matt
The last time I wrote I talked about how the Holy Spirit is a differentiating factor between Christian and non-Christian leaders. What I didn't write about is what that means for developing leaders, and it means a lot.
First, the Holy Spirit changes everything. Leadership development is no longer a regimen or just a curriculum, but an organic process that we are not in charge of. This is significantly different than most programs of education. Christian leadership isn't something you can just get a degree in and be good. The development of Christian leaders takes considerably more time, patience, and discernment.
Since the Spirit is in control, the time it takes to cultivate a Christian leader cannot be set in stone. I recently read an article by the creator of Relevant Magazine where he stated that God had to teach him over 8 years before he could finally start his magazine. It might take others a lot less than eight years to become the kind of leader God wants to carry out His purpose in their life, and it might take longer. Again, we can't relegate the process; thinking that after we review these principles and such and such a program that the people we are teaching will automatically be the leaders God wants them to be. How long did Moses wonder in the wilderness before God called him to lead the Israelites out of bondage?
Because we aren't in charge of the time it takes to become a leader, we have to be very patient. So do the young leaders in our care. Can you imagine David, after being proclaimed King, waiting to actually become King? That must have been grueling, but God had much to teach David before he became king.
Lastly (please, however, don't think that this is exhaustive), I think that the organic nature of Christian Leadership Development takes a lot of discernment. Not all of your students are going to be at the same place, and each will learn and develop at their own pace. It will take a lot of discernment to know what to teach and when. This will take a lot of prayer and a deep knowledge of each of your students. Take the time to see this through. Be responsible to them and to God for their development. It's not easy, but we didn't get into this because it was easy.
Christian leadership development is difficult, and the organic nature of it makes it that much more difficult. But with patience, endurance, and perseverance, we will be blessed to see the godly leadership of tomorrow.
Training Tomorrow's Leaders Today,
Matt
Sunday, November 14, 2010
What Distinguishes a Christian Leader?
What makes a Christian leader a Christian leader? Is it a style? Is it training? Is it the kind of organization that the leader is running? What should be the criterion by which we designate a leader to be "Christian?"
With hundreds of books on leadership hitting the shelf each year and just as many different methods of leadership, it's easy to get caught up in method when determining what makes a Christian leader. Christ has a very distinctive method of leadership, one that is based in service and in power revealed through weakness. However, even the "secular" world has co-opted these leadership methods and uses them with much success in the corporate, government, and not for profit realms.
Neither can we determine a Christian leader by the kind of organization that the Christian is heading. There are Christian men and women in all realms of society, leading all sorts of ventures. Likewise, I fear that there are many non-Christian people who are leaders in Christian organizations.
Likewise, Christian and other leadership training is available to all people, regardless of their faith. A good leader will peruse leadership material from all sources and incorporate that which works for them and for their organization. The Christian leader will consider non-Christian sources of leadership, determine whether they are of God or not, and use them accordingly.
What then, distinguishes a Christian leader? It is as simple as this: The Holy Spirit. The Christian leader is indeed a Christian, and therefore is guided, chastised by, and strengthened by the Holy Spirit. This difference between a Christian leader and a non-Christian leader cannot be overemphasized.
God does not hold a specific training regimen for leaders, nor does He work the same in all leaders. He calls, trains, and uses different leaders in different ways. God's spirit which indwells us is manifested so many different ways. The Holy Spirit gives Christian leadership a mysterious edge that you can never quite predict and a quality that makes it incomparable with regular leadership.
This makes even the most unlikely person a leadership candidate, and makes normal models of leadership training and development irrelevant. It means that instead of solely paying attention to a book or program of leadership development, Christian leaders must also discern the calling of the Holy Spirit on the lives of leaders and be open to His leading and prompting, no matter how much this leads us outside the realms of "normal" leadership or our zones of comfort and familiarity.
And while it is important to see and understand the Holy Spirit's place in Christian Leadership, let's not forget that the Holy Spirit also plays unknowable and mysterious roles in non-Christian leadership too. The Holy Spirit factor in leadership and leadership development should not be overlooked, and those Christian leaders who do run the risk of being outside of the will of God and leading without the sustaining power of the Holy Spirit.
Training Tomorrow's Leaders Today,
Matt
With hundreds of books on leadership hitting the shelf each year and just as many different methods of leadership, it's easy to get caught up in method when determining what makes a Christian leader. Christ has a very distinctive method of leadership, one that is based in service and in power revealed through weakness. However, even the "secular" world has co-opted these leadership methods and uses them with much success in the corporate, government, and not for profit realms.
Neither can we determine a Christian leader by the kind of organization that the Christian is heading. There are Christian men and women in all realms of society, leading all sorts of ventures. Likewise, I fear that there are many non-Christian people who are leaders in Christian organizations.
Likewise, Christian and other leadership training is available to all people, regardless of their faith. A good leader will peruse leadership material from all sources and incorporate that which works for them and for their organization. The Christian leader will consider non-Christian sources of leadership, determine whether they are of God or not, and use them accordingly.
What then, distinguishes a Christian leader? It is as simple as this: The Holy Spirit. The Christian leader is indeed a Christian, and therefore is guided, chastised by, and strengthened by the Holy Spirit. This difference between a Christian leader and a non-Christian leader cannot be overemphasized.
God does not hold a specific training regimen for leaders, nor does He work the same in all leaders. He calls, trains, and uses different leaders in different ways. God's spirit which indwells us is manifested so many different ways. The Holy Spirit gives Christian leadership a mysterious edge that you can never quite predict and a quality that makes it incomparable with regular leadership.
This makes even the most unlikely person a leadership candidate, and makes normal models of leadership training and development irrelevant. It means that instead of solely paying attention to a book or program of leadership development, Christian leaders must also discern the calling of the Holy Spirit on the lives of leaders and be open to His leading and prompting, no matter how much this leads us outside the realms of "normal" leadership or our zones of comfort and familiarity.
And while it is important to see and understand the Holy Spirit's place in Christian Leadership, let's not forget that the Holy Spirit also plays unknowable and mysterious roles in non-Christian leadership too. The Holy Spirit factor in leadership and leadership development should not be overlooked, and those Christian leaders who do run the risk of being outside of the will of God and leading without the sustaining power of the Holy Spirit.
Training Tomorrow's Leaders Today,
Matt
Monday, November 1, 2010
Discontent
Tomorrow, or today, depending on when you read this, millions of people are going to the polls here in America. According to most analysts, many of the people going are quite discontent with the state of things, and for the third time in as many National elections (2006, 2008, and now 2010) the makeup of our government is going to change largely out of a feeling of discontent (that's a pretty nice term seeing as some people are more fed up and angry than "discontent").
Now, this isn't some political hack piece. I like politics as much as the next man, and maybe more, but I want to talk about discontent. Discontent is one of those pieces of leadership that I think goes overlooked in many circles.
We are told in the Bible to be content with what we have. Not being content with what God is providing us can get us into sketchy spiritual territory. I believe, however, that God has put into us a discontent with the state of the world that drives the Christian leader to act.
Why are you a Christian leader? My bet is that some aspect of the world seemed wrong to you and you acted on it. Discontent at work. For centuries God's people have seen the spiritual and physical poverty of foreign and domestic peoples and have entered the harvest. Discontent at work. This Ministry: Next in Line, is the product of discontent with the way that young people are prepared for a life of Christian leadership. Discontent at work.
God gives the Christian leader a holy discontentment with some aspect of the world and then calls that person into His work. Think of Nehemiah, being told that the city of Jerusalem lay in ruins, a laughingstock to surrounding nations. Nehemiah knew that this was less than optimal. Soon, Nehemiah was supervising the rebuilding of the walls of the great city.
When we get down, or seem to lose our way, remember the discontentment that first brought you to where you are today. Likewise, look for discontent among your students. This is a first sign of leadership capability. Listen to them, and offer them a path to "sooth" their discontent. Tell them to listen to God and hear what He is calling them into. Nourish holy discontent (not so people can complain, but so they can act. Nothing points out a person who isn't a leader like a person who just wants to complain about the problem instead of going into the work to cure the problem).
Tomorrow, or today, watch what discontent does. Pay close attention to what leaders are doing with that discontent. Look and see what discontent is capable of. Agree or not with the way that tomorrow's election goes, you have to see the beauty of what discontent can accomplish. What more can it accomplish when a holy discontent is burning within the heart of a servant of God?
Training Tomorrow's Leaders Today,
Matt
Now, this isn't some political hack piece. I like politics as much as the next man, and maybe more, but I want to talk about discontent. Discontent is one of those pieces of leadership that I think goes overlooked in many circles.
We are told in the Bible to be content with what we have. Not being content with what God is providing us can get us into sketchy spiritual territory. I believe, however, that God has put into us a discontent with the state of the world that drives the Christian leader to act.
Why are you a Christian leader? My bet is that some aspect of the world seemed wrong to you and you acted on it. Discontent at work. For centuries God's people have seen the spiritual and physical poverty of foreign and domestic peoples and have entered the harvest. Discontent at work. This Ministry: Next in Line, is the product of discontent with the way that young people are prepared for a life of Christian leadership. Discontent at work.
God gives the Christian leader a holy discontentment with some aspect of the world and then calls that person into His work. Think of Nehemiah, being told that the city of Jerusalem lay in ruins, a laughingstock to surrounding nations. Nehemiah knew that this was less than optimal. Soon, Nehemiah was supervising the rebuilding of the walls of the great city.
When we get down, or seem to lose our way, remember the discontentment that first brought you to where you are today. Likewise, look for discontent among your students. This is a first sign of leadership capability. Listen to them, and offer them a path to "sooth" their discontent. Tell them to listen to God and hear what He is calling them into. Nourish holy discontent (not so people can complain, but so they can act. Nothing points out a person who isn't a leader like a person who just wants to complain about the problem instead of going into the work to cure the problem).
Tomorrow, or today, watch what discontent does. Pay close attention to what leaders are doing with that discontent. Look and see what discontent is capable of. Agree or not with the way that tomorrow's election goes, you have to see the beauty of what discontent can accomplish. What more can it accomplish when a holy discontent is burning within the heart of a servant of God?
Training Tomorrow's Leaders Today,
Matt
Sunday, October 31, 2010
"Radical" Leadership
Lately, I've noticed a jumble of books hitting the shelves that have to do with "radical" Christian living. Personally, I think that they have to do with real Christian living, but that's another topic for another time. Personally, I'm enjoying these books. I just finished Crazy Love (for the 4th time), and am in the middle of David Platt's Radical.
I know people are reading these books because they turn up in the Christian book section of Wal-Mart. Only very popular Christian books turn up there.
More than reading these books, I pray that people are convicted by them and are repenting. My first romp through Crazy Love dropped me to my knees, and I've been in two other groups who have studied it now. I know what a book like that can do to a person who has betrayed Christian ideals for the safety and comfort of our American lives.
What I also pray is that we are teaching these books to our kids; discussing them and doing what they prescribe. I say this because I'm convinced that tomorrow's Christian leaders will live in the ways that are described in these books. Tomorrow's Christian leaders will throw off the compromise that we have lived with between the world and our faith. They will live in radical obedience to God and lead a movement of radical obedience to God.
I'm a student of history, so I don't believe that the things discussed in these books have never been discussed before, but I truly believe that we are faced with a time in which our technology and state of information overload are allowing more and more Christians to come into contact with the ideas that people like Chan and Platt are writing about.
We have an opportunity, given our "new" awareness of the Christian life, to explore and integrate this teaching into our programs. We have the opportunity to model this kind of life to our students and practice this kind of life with our students.
Thank you, Francis Chan and David Platt, and all of those like you, for being the modern day prophets that we need, and for calling us back to the truth. Now, for the rest of us, lets take that truth, live it, and teach it.
Training Tomorrow's Leaders Today,
Matt
I know people are reading these books because they turn up in the Christian book section of Wal-Mart. Only very popular Christian books turn up there.
More than reading these books, I pray that people are convicted by them and are repenting. My first romp through Crazy Love dropped me to my knees, and I've been in two other groups who have studied it now. I know what a book like that can do to a person who has betrayed Christian ideals for the safety and comfort of our American lives.
What I also pray is that we are teaching these books to our kids; discussing them and doing what they prescribe. I say this because I'm convinced that tomorrow's Christian leaders will live in the ways that are described in these books. Tomorrow's Christian leaders will throw off the compromise that we have lived with between the world and our faith. They will live in radical obedience to God and lead a movement of radical obedience to God.
I'm a student of history, so I don't believe that the things discussed in these books have never been discussed before, but I truly believe that we are faced with a time in which our technology and state of information overload are allowing more and more Christians to come into contact with the ideas that people like Chan and Platt are writing about.
We have an opportunity, given our "new" awareness of the Christian life, to explore and integrate this teaching into our programs. We have the opportunity to model this kind of life to our students and practice this kind of life with our students.
Thank you, Francis Chan and David Platt, and all of those like you, for being the modern day prophets that we need, and for calling us back to the truth. Now, for the rest of us, lets take that truth, live it, and teach it.
Training Tomorrow's Leaders Today,
Matt
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Field Day
Today, I'm doing something I've never done before. I'm going to talk to the offices of two senators. I'm taking two youth to our local senator's offices for IJM and we're going to have a little chatty-chat about human trafficking.
I'm doing this for a couple of reasons. First, human trafficking is one of my hot-button issues and tends to be pretty important to the young people that I teach. Second, this is a wonderful opportunity for the leadership team to actually do something that can make a difference in so many lives. Our leadership students need this kind of experience.
In this case, it was one of our leadership students that became aware of this opportunity because of her past dealings with IJM. There's a bill that's going through the Senate concerning human trafficking, and of course, senators need prompting and briefing about these sort of things, so we volunteered.
Participating in these kinds of activities now can very well wet your student's appetites for their entire lives. I doubt that the students will forget what happens today, one way or the other. It will mean even more to them because the idea didn't originate with me, but with them.
Now, some of you might not want to involve your students in politics like this, but I assure you there are lots of ways different activities that your students can do that will increase their leadership skills without visiting the offices of the local politicians. Here's a couple of things I've found about these sort of trips that really help cement them into the minds of students:
1. Make it important. If your students feel that what they are doing isn't important, the activity isn't likely to have much impact. Even if your students can't see the importance of what you are doing, it is our responsiblity to show them how important what we're doing is. Students want to do important things. They want to be involved. Give them that opportunity.
2. Give them ownership. This opportunity didn't come from one of my sources, it came from a student's source. It means more to them that way. As much as I'd like to talk a lot today, I'm not going to. My students are taking the lead. They are coming up with the agenda and the talking points. They will lead the meeting.
3. Debrief. Luckily, we have time between our two visits to talk about how the first one went and what we can do to improve the second meeting. Make sure you are thoroughly debriefing your activities. I've found that the real learning takes place after the activity as we all sit down and digest what we did.
4. Make it Fun. After we're done, we're going to go have coffee at one of our favorite coffee shops and just chill out for a while. These kind of activities can be wonderful times to strengthen your relationships with your students.
Training Tomorrow's Leaders Today,
Matt
I'm doing this for a couple of reasons. First, human trafficking is one of my hot-button issues and tends to be pretty important to the young people that I teach. Second, this is a wonderful opportunity for the leadership team to actually do something that can make a difference in so many lives. Our leadership students need this kind of experience.
In this case, it was one of our leadership students that became aware of this opportunity because of her past dealings with IJM. There's a bill that's going through the Senate concerning human trafficking, and of course, senators need prompting and briefing about these sort of things, so we volunteered.
Participating in these kinds of activities now can very well wet your student's appetites for their entire lives. I doubt that the students will forget what happens today, one way or the other. It will mean even more to them because the idea didn't originate with me, but with them.
Now, some of you might not want to involve your students in politics like this, but I assure you there are lots of ways different activities that your students can do that will increase their leadership skills without visiting the offices of the local politicians. Here's a couple of things I've found about these sort of trips that really help cement them into the minds of students:
1. Make it important. If your students feel that what they are doing isn't important, the activity isn't likely to have much impact. Even if your students can't see the importance of what you are doing, it is our responsiblity to show them how important what we're doing is. Students want to do important things. They want to be involved. Give them that opportunity.
2. Give them ownership. This opportunity didn't come from one of my sources, it came from a student's source. It means more to them that way. As much as I'd like to talk a lot today, I'm not going to. My students are taking the lead. They are coming up with the agenda and the talking points. They will lead the meeting.
3. Debrief. Luckily, we have time between our two visits to talk about how the first one went and what we can do to improve the second meeting. Make sure you are thoroughly debriefing your activities. I've found that the real learning takes place after the activity as we all sit down and digest what we did.
4. Make it Fun. After we're done, we're going to go have coffee at one of our favorite coffee shops and just chill out for a while. These kind of activities can be wonderful times to strengthen your relationships with your students.
Training Tomorrow's Leaders Today,
Matt
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Explosions of Worship
This morning at Desperation Church, our worship pastor talked about the Spirit of God filling us to such an extent that we just exploded in worship to our God and King. I had never heard this analogy before, and like so many other things, this got me to thinking about leadership.
My worship pastor talked about glorifying God in explosions of worship. He prayed that there would be explosions of worship all over the world. It was simple and beautiful, yet so poignant that I have been thinking about it all day.
So I began to think to myself: "What is it that we want to see out of the next generation of leadership?"
The answer? I want to see explosions of worship in leadership positions all over society.
It's true that if we explode in worship people will see and be drawn to God. It's also true that if we have godly leaders living lives of worship in positions of leadership throughout society, people will see and be drawn to God.
This is what God wants. This is what I want. It's why Next in Line Ministries exists. It's why we do what we do. It's why I write this blog, and why the board of Next in Line works their tails off to help raise new leaders. We believe that Christian leadership througout society witnesses of Christ, honors God with just and true decisions, and changes society at it's core by leading like Christ.
Just as our worship pastor prayed today, I also pray tonight: Father, raise up a generation of leaders that live for you. Fill them with Your spirit that they may burst in explosions of worship to You. May their every action, their every word, and their every interaction be fueled and guided by love for You and others. May they be a light in the darkness, a constant witness for You, and a guide to those who need it. In Christ's Name, amen.
Training Tomorrow's Leaders Today,
Matt
My worship pastor talked about glorifying God in explosions of worship. He prayed that there would be explosions of worship all over the world. It was simple and beautiful, yet so poignant that I have been thinking about it all day.
So I began to think to myself: "What is it that we want to see out of the next generation of leadership?"
The answer? I want to see explosions of worship in leadership positions all over society.
It's true that if we explode in worship people will see and be drawn to God. It's also true that if we have godly leaders living lives of worship in positions of leadership throughout society, people will see and be drawn to God.
This is what God wants. This is what I want. It's why Next in Line Ministries exists. It's why we do what we do. It's why I write this blog, and why the board of Next in Line works their tails off to help raise new leaders. We believe that Christian leadership througout society witnesses of Christ, honors God with just and true decisions, and changes society at it's core by leading like Christ.
Just as our worship pastor prayed today, I also pray tonight: Father, raise up a generation of leaders that live for you. Fill them with Your spirit that they may burst in explosions of worship to You. May their every action, their every word, and their every interaction be fueled and guided by love for You and others. May they be a light in the darkness, a constant witness for You, and a guide to those who need it. In Christ's Name, amen.
Training Tomorrow's Leaders Today,
Matt
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Sometimes You Just Need to Keep Your Mouth Shut
It's not easy for me, but the art of keeping your mouth shut is just as important as knowing how and when to speak. A lot of leadership literature today hinges on communication, and I don't mean to denigrate communication, but sometimes it's better just to keep your mouth shut.
A lot of leaders feel they need to add something to every conversation. Please kick this impulse in the teeth. There are many times that people just want you to listen. There are many times that you need to just listen.
Learn before you speak.
Though you may have something to add to the conversation, always having something to add to the conversation will get you a reputation that you don't want.
Equally important to a leader as speaking is listening. Communication without understanding doesn't happen. That's miscommunication; and if we feel the need to talk more than we listen, miscommunication is exactly what we're going to have.
As leaders, we are expected to be charismatic, witty, charming folks that liven up all conversation with our intellect, wisdom, and anecdotes. We can do those things to. There is a time and a place for that. More than that, though, is the need to understand before being understood. If we truly serve the people we lead, our job is to listen to them more than we talk at them.
In all honesty the more we listen and understand other people, the more poignant and guided can our words be. Hastily speaking we miss important aspects of a situation, or have a less than full understanding of a person. A leader can't afford misunderstanding; sometimes there's only one opportunity to lead correctly and wisely.
I'm not suggesting a prohibition on talking, but I am suggesting that we not only learn to listen better, but find ways to teach our leadership students to listen more carefully and thoroughly. Doing so will be a long haul, because listening to others without interjecting our own opinion and beliefs is not an art that is being taught by today's culture.
Your overtures into this disicipline are going to need to be planned, intentional, and plentiful. We are constantly encouraged to give our view on something, no matter how little of it we know, and so as teachers we will have to be contantly vigilant to expunge that tendency in our students as much as we can.
Remember, a servant listens, and then acts. It is a tyrant that dominates a conversation or a debate without understanding the situation or the person.
Learn to listen. Listen. Model listening. Raise listeners.
Training Tomorrow's Leaders Today,
Matt
A lot of leaders feel they need to add something to every conversation. Please kick this impulse in the teeth. There are many times that people just want you to listen. There are many times that you need to just listen.
Learn before you speak.
Though you may have something to add to the conversation, always having something to add to the conversation will get you a reputation that you don't want.
Equally important to a leader as speaking is listening. Communication without understanding doesn't happen. That's miscommunication; and if we feel the need to talk more than we listen, miscommunication is exactly what we're going to have.
As leaders, we are expected to be charismatic, witty, charming folks that liven up all conversation with our intellect, wisdom, and anecdotes. We can do those things to. There is a time and a place for that. More than that, though, is the need to understand before being understood. If we truly serve the people we lead, our job is to listen to them more than we talk at them.
In all honesty the more we listen and understand other people, the more poignant and guided can our words be. Hastily speaking we miss important aspects of a situation, or have a less than full understanding of a person. A leader can't afford misunderstanding; sometimes there's only one opportunity to lead correctly and wisely.
I'm not suggesting a prohibition on talking, but I am suggesting that we not only learn to listen better, but find ways to teach our leadership students to listen more carefully and thoroughly. Doing so will be a long haul, because listening to others without interjecting our own opinion and beliefs is not an art that is being taught by today's culture.
Your overtures into this disicipline are going to need to be planned, intentional, and plentiful. We are constantly encouraged to give our view on something, no matter how little of it we know, and so as teachers we will have to be contantly vigilant to expunge that tendency in our students as much as we can.
Remember, a servant listens, and then acts. It is a tyrant that dominates a conversation or a debate without understanding the situation or the person.
Learn to listen. Listen. Model listening. Raise listeners.
Training Tomorrow's Leaders Today,
Matt
Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Hardest Lessons
It's been a while since I blogged, and I feel I owe you some explanation. The last few months have been one of transition for me, and have been extremely difficult. There have been a lot of changes in my life, and a lot of difficult decisions that I've had to make. Through it all though, I've learned some incredible leadership lessons, and am looking forward to finally getting back on track with blogging and Next in Line in general.
These last couple of months have shown me that the hardest things that a leader will face can't be completely prepared for. As teachers, we can academically prepare our students for a lot of things, but our students will have to experience them to understand and learn from these experiences.
Academically, we can teach our students how to make hard decisions; but they will never know the stress and pain that making them entails. We can academically teach our students how to confront someone, even one of their closest friends, but we can't teach them how difficult it really is, or how much anguish there can be in confrontation.
Only experience can teach these things, and they are lessons that will stick with them for the rest of their lives. The hardest lessons learned are those that will be strongest in their minds throughout their lives.
Does this mean we shouldn't try to academically prepare them? No, of course it doesn't. By training students in the proper way to handle a situation such as confrontation or decision making, we can help them push through the emotional aspect and make the right decision, or confront in a loving and productive way. We can and must continue to teach our students to do things correctly and in a Christ-honoring manner; however we can't expect them to fully understand some of these situations until they have gone through them themselves.
Along with academically preparing them, we also have to let them get real experience in the leadership world. By allowing our students to "get their hands dirty" we allow them to have some of these hard experiences early, where we can come alongside of them and help them through. The earlier these hard lessons are learned, the more prepared our students will be for where God will put them in life.
Keep carrying on, and remember that the hardest lessons learned will also be some of the most important lessons learned.
Training Tomorrow's Leaders Today,
Matt
These last couple of months have shown me that the hardest things that a leader will face can't be completely prepared for. As teachers, we can academically prepare our students for a lot of things, but our students will have to experience them to understand and learn from these experiences.
Academically, we can teach our students how to make hard decisions; but they will never know the stress and pain that making them entails. We can academically teach our students how to confront someone, even one of their closest friends, but we can't teach them how difficult it really is, or how much anguish there can be in confrontation.
Only experience can teach these things, and they are lessons that will stick with them for the rest of their lives. The hardest lessons learned are those that will be strongest in their minds throughout their lives.
Does this mean we shouldn't try to academically prepare them? No, of course it doesn't. By training students in the proper way to handle a situation such as confrontation or decision making, we can help them push through the emotional aspect and make the right decision, or confront in a loving and productive way. We can and must continue to teach our students to do things correctly and in a Christ-honoring manner; however we can't expect them to fully understand some of these situations until they have gone through them themselves.
Along with academically preparing them, we also have to let them get real experience in the leadership world. By allowing our students to "get their hands dirty" we allow them to have some of these hard experiences early, where we can come alongside of them and help them through. The earlier these hard lessons are learned, the more prepared our students will be for where God will put them in life.
Keep carrying on, and remember that the hardest lessons learned will also be some of the most important lessons learned.
Training Tomorrow's Leaders Today,
Matt
Thursday, July 1, 2010
The Forgotten
We've had a busy day here in Peru. We went to Canete; and when I say that we went to Canete, I mean we went to a surrounding village where the people and the animals live very close to the same existence. In fact, I saw some places where they literally lived side by side.
When we came into the village, I was privelaged to talk to two people. Both were fascinating, but one in particular caught my immediate attention. He knew who he was talking to, and his was a cry for help. He told us that they lived in poverty (which was obvious), and that the government had forgotten them. Forgotten them. Candidates often campaign there and promise running water, but then of course conveniently forget their promises. The people live in whatever hovels they can eek out, and they work in the fields or as mototaxis pilots throughout town. They drive donkey carts. They also herd goats and sheep.
Needless to say, this saddened me, but something hit me as hard as that man's statement:
They are not forgotten. Though every man on the face of the planet may forget them, and they are oppressed beyond measure, they are not forgotten.
God knows their names, and has numbered the hairs on their head. They are not forgotten.
God is moving among them right now. As I write, He is raising up people with a heart for the people of Canete and with the right mix of Spiritual Gifts and natural talents to serve them. He has moved, is moving, and will move.
The people of Canete are not forgotten.
When we came into the village, I was privelaged to talk to two people. Both were fascinating, but one in particular caught my immediate attention. He knew who he was talking to, and his was a cry for help. He told us that they lived in poverty (which was obvious), and that the government had forgotten them. Forgotten them. Candidates often campaign there and promise running water, but then of course conveniently forget their promises. The people live in whatever hovels they can eek out, and they work in the fields or as mototaxis pilots throughout town. They drive donkey carts. They also herd goats and sheep.
Needless to say, this saddened me, but something hit me as hard as that man's statement:
They are not forgotten. Though every man on the face of the planet may forget them, and they are oppressed beyond measure, they are not forgotten.
God knows their names, and has numbered the hairs on their head. They are not forgotten.
God is moving among them right now. As I write, He is raising up people with a heart for the people of Canete and with the right mix of Spiritual Gifts and natural talents to serve them. He has moved, is moving, and will move.
The people of Canete are not forgotten.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
The Whole Cultural Experience
Up to the jumping off point of our trip to Peru, I prayed fervently that God would allow me a complete cultural experience. I wanted to meet the people, taste the food, and experience some of the hardships that plague these people on a daily basis.
Well, my prayers were answered. Yesterday morning, I was blessed with illness. not just any illness, but a gut-wrenching, can't get warm, feverish, out of both ends extravaganza. I don't think I have ever felt so badly. But beyond that, it was very, very lonely. I came to Peru to work, and for the last two days I have stared at the pale yellow walls of my dorm. Usually, when I am sick, I have all of the comforts of home to keep me company, and my wife to wait dutifully on me and dote on me. Not here. This was a very new experience, and one I am already learning from. That may sound wierd (and it may well be delusional), but let me just offer a few of the things that I am learning about myself:
1. I am way too hooked up in things. It is obvious that I take way too much comfort in my stuff. This was revealed to me when I was sick and had no stuff save a couple of books. I didn't have my favorite comfort food, or my favorite comfort movie, or my favorite comfort coffee (yes, such a thing exists). My comfort should be wholly in Christ alone, and it is obvious that it is not.
2. America is so privaleged when it comes to medicines. Jeff told me prior to coming here that they sell medicines by the capsule. Even in my rural home, I have almost instant access to gobs of medicine. I even have a cabinet full of it. The major remedy here: herbal tea. Herbal Tea. And you know what? The herbal tea worked. It settled my stomach and comforted me. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm taking my cipro, and I'm glad to have it. But I am learning to be very grateful for the abudance of medicine we have in the United States.
3. Community is everything. After I took ill, Kailyn went across the street and in her best Spanish, explained to the Bodega owner that I was sick, and asked which crackers would be best for me (her sweetness never fails to melt me). she came back across the street with a pack of Saltines that she gave to me when I woke up that evening. Brandy had a powerade waiting for me, and all evening, I had people come into the room to check on me and make sure that I was okay. Even the directors of operations here in Peru came in to check on me. Those people made me feel better than any medicine or hot tea did. it is obvious the power of community and that of having those that care about you around you.
I am a firm believer in learning from all of your experiences, and I am learning mightily from being sick. You'd think I wouldn't need a Peruvian stomach bug to teach me these lessons, but in this place, where you are forced to slow down and look at life rather than watching it fly by you, learning I am.
Well, my prayers were answered. Yesterday morning, I was blessed with illness. not just any illness, but a gut-wrenching, can't get warm, feverish, out of both ends extravaganza. I don't think I have ever felt so badly. But beyond that, it was very, very lonely. I came to Peru to work, and for the last two days I have stared at the pale yellow walls of my dorm. Usually, when I am sick, I have all of the comforts of home to keep me company, and my wife to wait dutifully on me and dote on me. Not here. This was a very new experience, and one I am already learning from. That may sound wierd (and it may well be delusional), but let me just offer a few of the things that I am learning about myself:
1. I am way too hooked up in things. It is obvious that I take way too much comfort in my stuff. This was revealed to me when I was sick and had no stuff save a couple of books. I didn't have my favorite comfort food, or my favorite comfort movie, or my favorite comfort coffee (yes, such a thing exists). My comfort should be wholly in Christ alone, and it is obvious that it is not.
2. America is so privaleged when it comes to medicines. Jeff told me prior to coming here that they sell medicines by the capsule. Even in my rural home, I have almost instant access to gobs of medicine. I even have a cabinet full of it. The major remedy here: herbal tea. Herbal Tea. And you know what? The herbal tea worked. It settled my stomach and comforted me. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm taking my cipro, and I'm glad to have it. But I am learning to be very grateful for the abudance of medicine we have in the United States.
3. Community is everything. After I took ill, Kailyn went across the street and in her best Spanish, explained to the Bodega owner that I was sick, and asked which crackers would be best for me (her sweetness never fails to melt me). she came back across the street with a pack of Saltines that she gave to me when I woke up that evening. Brandy had a powerade waiting for me, and all evening, I had people come into the room to check on me and make sure that I was okay. Even the directors of operations here in Peru came in to check on me. Those people made me feel better than any medicine or hot tea did. it is obvious the power of community and that of having those that care about you around you.
I am a firm believer in learning from all of your experiences, and I am learning mightily from being sick. You'd think I wouldn't need a Peruvian stomach bug to teach me these lessons, but in this place, where you are forced to slow down and look at life rather than watching it fly by you, learning I am.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Dignity in Labor
I have heard it said that there is dignity in labor, and I beleive it. Today was a rewarding and an exhausting day. This morning, our team divided up and worked on different aspects of the property here. We painted, dug irrigation ditches, and built shower partitions. The morning went very quickly.
In the afternoon, many of us went back to our jobs while the others went into Chilca and handed out invitations to VBS.
Our debrief time this evening was full of questions about the people and customs of Peru, the spiritual needs of Childreach, and about reacclimating back into America.
We are really looking forward to tomorrow, and our first VBS. More on that tomorrow.
Praying for a good sleep and clarity of purpose for the morrow.
In the afternoon, many of us went back to our jobs while the others went into Chilca and handed out invitations to VBS.
Our debrief time this evening was full of questions about the people and customs of Peru, the spiritual needs of Childreach, and about reacclimating back into America.
We are really looking forward to tomorrow, and our first VBS. More on that tomorrow.
Praying for a good sleep and clarity of purpose for the morrow.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
We're All In This Together
Okay, We are in Peru, working with Childreach Ministries in Chilca. I have been amazed at the number of different mission teams we have run into. Last night , as we boarded the plane to get to Lima, we ran into two different teams, one from Alabama and one from Mississippi. This morning at Church, we ran into yet another team from Alabama. To top it all off, Pastor Jorge, who is the pastor of a church in Chilca, was talking about an imminent trip into the highlands where he shares the gospel with the villages of the highlands of Peru.
It struck me as funny, even though it shouldn't have, that there are so many churches that are taking up the great commission. It also struck me, even though it shouldn't have, that even the church that we have partnered with to serve is taking the gospel to those who have not heard in their own context.
It's beautiful that no matter where I've been this weekend, I am running into churches that are taking missions seriously. It is such a blessing to know that even the church that our missions team is serving is itself conducting missions.
It will take all the beleivers of the world; carrying out the great commission, to see God's work done.
We're all in this together.
It struck me as funny, even though it shouldn't have, that there are so many churches that are taking up the great commission. It also struck me, even though it shouldn't have, that even the church that we have partnered with to serve is taking the gospel to those who have not heard in their own context.
It's beautiful that no matter where I've been this weekend, I am running into churches that are taking missions seriously. It is such a blessing to know that even the church that our missions team is serving is itself conducting missions.
It will take all the beleivers of the world; carrying out the great commission, to see God's work done.
We're all in this together.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Educated Above Our Obedience
One of my favorite preachers is Matt Chandler, and one of my favorite sayings of his is that we are “educated above our level of obedience.”
Let me ask you a question. When it comes to your leadership students, how are you measuring forward progress? Are you looking at how much information they can regurgitate? Are you looking at how into their spiritual disciplines they are?
Many of us fall into the trap of believing that the more education our students get the better off they are spiritually. Nothing could be further from the truth. In today’s culture, our students are absolutely inundated with information. They can check out any book on any Christian topic that their brains could ever conceive of; and they can do it all with the click of a couple of buttons. This blog is a testament to how much education anyone can have access to in today’s world.
Education does not necessarily translate into life change though, as many of you are well aware. For our responsibilities to be filled, we need to provide students with the opportunity to put the lessons we teach into action, and encourage them to continue to behave in a manner that is in keeping with Christ’s Character and Leadership.
I think of Ephesians 5 as Paul is exhorting the Ephesian Church to behave in a manner worthy of God. It isn’t just a matter of hearing the truth, or learning the truth. It’s a matter of doing the truth. Be a “doer of the word, and not a hearer only,” as James says.
If you are measuring the success of your leadership development ministry in terms of ideas imparted, then please reconsider. If you aren’t giving your students the opportunity to put their knowledge and conviction to action, then please reconsider.
Our success in training young leaders is contingent not on how they turn out, but on what and how we taught them. In other words, while we may not be responsible for them, we are certainly responsible to them. Help them to be as obedient as they are educated.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Let me ask you a question. When it comes to your leadership students, how are you measuring forward progress? Are you looking at how much information they can regurgitate? Are you looking at how into their spiritual disciplines they are?
Many of us fall into the trap of believing that the more education our students get the better off they are spiritually. Nothing could be further from the truth. In today’s culture, our students are absolutely inundated with information. They can check out any book on any Christian topic that their brains could ever conceive of; and they can do it all with the click of a couple of buttons. This blog is a testament to how much education anyone can have access to in today’s world.
Education does not necessarily translate into life change though, as many of you are well aware. For our responsibilities to be filled, we need to provide students with the opportunity to put the lessons we teach into action, and encourage them to continue to behave in a manner that is in keeping with Christ’s Character and Leadership.
I think of Ephesians 5 as Paul is exhorting the Ephesian Church to behave in a manner worthy of God. It isn’t just a matter of hearing the truth, or learning the truth. It’s a matter of doing the truth. Be a “doer of the word, and not a hearer only,” as James says.
If you are measuring the success of your leadership development ministry in terms of ideas imparted, then please reconsider. If you aren’t giving your students the opportunity to put their knowledge and conviction to action, then please reconsider.
Our success in training young leaders is contingent not on how they turn out, but on what and how we taught them. In other words, while we may not be responsible for them, we are certainly responsible to them. Help them to be as obedient as they are educated.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Penetrating the Culture
If you think about it, Christians are everywhere. We live in cities all over the world, hold various jobs, and participate in manifold hobbies.
I think we can also agree that Christians are the salt of the earth. We should be bringing the love of Christ wherever we go, and whatever we do. If this means sharing Jesus at work, then so be it. If it means inviting your ball team over for a barbecue on Saturday, okay.
What I’m getting at is that God has made us and placed us into society to make a difference.
Our students need to be taught why and how to be Christians in everything they do. I know way too many Wednesday and Sunday Christians who are perfectly content to put on the Christian hat on those days and take it off the rest of the week. Needless to say, they have no witness.
During a recent trip, I met a young man who is writing articles for a website that caters to Christian gamers. This is a site where video gamers who also happen to be Christian can go and find groups of people to play with online, or can find the newest game review. The young man I met is writing about the spiritual lessons that some of the games teach (albeit unwittingly sometimes).
This young man is taking his hobby and weaving the biblical narrative into it. I love it. In fact, I love the idea of the site. Christianity and the “secular” can exist because God created both. God is seeking to redeem the “secular,” and He’s put us into the culture as His redemptive agents.
This young man is being that agent.
How are you teaching your students to be redemptive agents in society? How are you being a redemptive agent in society?
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
I think we can also agree that Christians are the salt of the earth. We should be bringing the love of Christ wherever we go, and whatever we do. If this means sharing Jesus at work, then so be it. If it means inviting your ball team over for a barbecue on Saturday, okay.
What I’m getting at is that God has made us and placed us into society to make a difference.
Our students need to be taught why and how to be Christians in everything they do. I know way too many Wednesday and Sunday Christians who are perfectly content to put on the Christian hat on those days and take it off the rest of the week. Needless to say, they have no witness.
During a recent trip, I met a young man who is writing articles for a website that caters to Christian gamers. This is a site where video gamers who also happen to be Christian can go and find groups of people to play with online, or can find the newest game review. The young man I met is writing about the spiritual lessons that some of the games teach (albeit unwittingly sometimes).
This young man is taking his hobby and weaving the biblical narrative into it. I love it. In fact, I love the idea of the site. Christianity and the “secular” can exist because God created both. God is seeking to redeem the “secular,” and He’s put us into the culture as His redemptive agents.
This young man is being that agent.
How are you teaching your students to be redemptive agents in society? How are you being a redemptive agent in society?
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Monday, May 17, 2010
Uniquely Gifted
If you’ve been reading this blog for long, you know how passionate I am about helping students find their spiritual gifts and natural strengths. You probably also know how passionate I am about personalizing your leadership team to such an extent that each of your students are allowed to grow in their own gifts and strengths.
I was reminded the other day about a man I met at the KALEO Conference in 2009. His name is Kerry Jackson, and he is an artist. He did visual worship on stage, and it was stunning. He talked briefly about his Christian journey and how he never realized that his artistic skills could be used to share the gospel until a mission agency showed him how his artistic skills and his influence in the artistic community could be used to plant a church among that very unique community.
Think about that statement for a minute. God gifted Mr. Jackson quite uniquely, and He did it for a purpose. Many people know their strengths, their gifts, and their passions, but don’t have the first inkling about how it can be used for God’s kingdom.
Helping our students understand how God made them and then helping them apply it to their lives and calling may be the most important thing we can help our leadership students realize. Our western world is becoming more and more compartmentalized; each compartment needs a gospel representation. By showing our students how to live out their unique calling, we can expect to see God’s light in even the darkest, most forgotten corners of our culture, the very place God would have us to share His love and grace.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
I was reminded the other day about a man I met at the KALEO Conference in 2009. His name is Kerry Jackson, and he is an artist. He did visual worship on stage, and it was stunning. He talked briefly about his Christian journey and how he never realized that his artistic skills could be used to share the gospel until a mission agency showed him how his artistic skills and his influence in the artistic community could be used to plant a church among that very unique community.
Think about that statement for a minute. God gifted Mr. Jackson quite uniquely, and He did it for a purpose. Many people know their strengths, their gifts, and their passions, but don’t have the first inkling about how it can be used for God’s kingdom.
Helping our students understand how God made them and then helping them apply it to their lives and calling may be the most important thing we can help our leadership students realize. Our western world is becoming more and more compartmentalized; each compartment needs a gospel representation. By showing our students how to live out their unique calling, we can expect to see God’s light in even the darkest, most forgotten corners of our culture, the very place God would have us to share His love and grace.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Mediocre
Is your ministry mediocre? Is your leadership development program so-so?
Remember this axiom: You can do nothing badly, and still do nothing well.
With the demands on our time; with the constant juggling between work, family, and recreation, I think we often find ourselves doing only what we have to in order to get by.
While there is nothing necessarily sinful in this, I think we can honestly agree that God has called us to be the best we can be at what He has called us to do. Mediocrity doesn’t cut it.
As we teach our leadership students, one of the things we need to impart is to do the best job they can in any given situation. If we work as unto the Lord, and God demands our best, than mediocrity cannot be tolerated.
This is a hard lesson to learn, and all sorts of other lessons can be tied up into it; such as time management, planning, work ethic, and stewardship. In the end, many times it comes down to how you model work in your own ministry. Your students, especially your leadership students, are going to pick up very quickly on your work habits.
Strive to be the best at what you do, and many times your students will follow you in that practice. Overburden yourself and start to dip into mediocrity, and you can also be assured that your students will see that as well.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Remember this axiom: You can do nothing badly, and still do nothing well.
With the demands on our time; with the constant juggling between work, family, and recreation, I think we often find ourselves doing only what we have to in order to get by.
While there is nothing necessarily sinful in this, I think we can honestly agree that God has called us to be the best we can be at what He has called us to do. Mediocrity doesn’t cut it.
As we teach our leadership students, one of the things we need to impart is to do the best job they can in any given situation. If we work as unto the Lord, and God demands our best, than mediocrity cannot be tolerated.
This is a hard lesson to learn, and all sorts of other lessons can be tied up into it; such as time management, planning, work ethic, and stewardship. In the end, many times it comes down to how you model work in your own ministry. Your students, especially your leadership students, are going to pick up very quickly on your work habits.
Strive to be the best at what you do, and many times your students will follow you in that practice. Overburden yourself and start to dip into mediocrity, and you can also be assured that your students will see that as well.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Friday, May 7, 2010
Finding Your Value
I’ve learned a lot by watching teachers.
I have a deep respect for teachers that knows no bounds. I went to school for four years to become one ( I ended up one, just not like I figured).
One of the things that I was warned about during my college days was not to be the student’s friend. I never could figure this out until I got into the classroom and saw how this worked. If you were worried about being a friend to the student, you were often less of a teacher. It was a rare teacher that I saw or see today that can pull off being both to their students.
Thinking about this in terms of Youth Ministry, and especially in regards to leadership development, it occurs to me that we are brothers and sisters with our students. We love them, and often form friendships that last a lifetime with our students. So how can we be friends with our students, pour into their lives, and love them as brothers and sisters, yet still remain a teacher to them?
I think it all has to do with where you find your value as a human being. If you derive your value from the friendship of your students, then you’ll likely be a poor teacher. It’s more than being a friend to your student, at this point your self-image is caught up in it.
As Christians, we have to find our value in Christ. Personally, I don’t know any better identity to have than as a son or daughter of God. God created you, therefore you have intrinsic worth.
We are supposed to look to God for our value and worth as His creation, and not turn to his creation for that value.
That’s where we have to sit as youth leaders and as developers of young leaders. Most of the time, we can’t help but befriend the youth we work with, and well we should. But we should never derive our personal worth from being their friend. This leads to a bad motivation, less teaching, and a less than godly relationship.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
I have a deep respect for teachers that knows no bounds. I went to school for four years to become one ( I ended up one, just not like I figured).
One of the things that I was warned about during my college days was not to be the student’s friend. I never could figure this out until I got into the classroom and saw how this worked. If you were worried about being a friend to the student, you were often less of a teacher. It was a rare teacher that I saw or see today that can pull off being both to their students.
Thinking about this in terms of Youth Ministry, and especially in regards to leadership development, it occurs to me that we are brothers and sisters with our students. We love them, and often form friendships that last a lifetime with our students. So how can we be friends with our students, pour into their lives, and love them as brothers and sisters, yet still remain a teacher to them?
I think it all has to do with where you find your value as a human being. If you derive your value from the friendship of your students, then you’ll likely be a poor teacher. It’s more than being a friend to your student, at this point your self-image is caught up in it.
As Christians, we have to find our value in Christ. Personally, I don’t know any better identity to have than as a son or daughter of God. God created you, therefore you have intrinsic worth.
We are supposed to look to God for our value and worth as His creation, and not turn to his creation for that value.
That’s where we have to sit as youth leaders and as developers of young leaders. Most of the time, we can’t help but befriend the youth we work with, and well we should. But we should never derive our personal worth from being their friend. This leads to a bad motivation, less teaching, and a less than godly relationship.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
The Change Agent
I know a lot of people who believe that they are the defining element in the lives of young people.
I hope this isn’t you.
As a youth worker, and as a developer of young leaders, if we’re not careful we can somehow get the idea that we are the change agents in the lives of young people; and nothing could be further from the truth.
We have no power to truly change a person. Most people would tell you that a person will only change if they want to, and to an extent, I would agree with them.
But to another extent, I wouldn’t; mainly because our God is bigger than any person, and having made us, He can certainly change us. I am a living example. I was not what you would call a people person before my conversion. Even after my conversion, you probably would have found in painful to be in my presence for any length of time, but not more painful than I would have found it.
By the grace of God, I am no longer as introverted as I used to be, and not from my trying to become an extrovert. I fought God tooth and nail every step of the way of my introversion.
What I’m trying to say here is don’t get cocky. God may be using us to affect the lives of many youth, but it is God, not us, that in the end is the Agent of Change. Their success is due God. Their change is due God. You are but another faithful servant that God uses to bring this about.
So the next time that you find yourself surveying your little kingdom and start mumbling something like “his success is due to me,” or “look at the affect I’m having on such-and-such a person,” remember a certain Chaldean king and the time God humbled him by driving him into thinking he was a wild animal. I’m just saying.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
I hope this isn’t you.
As a youth worker, and as a developer of young leaders, if we’re not careful we can somehow get the idea that we are the change agents in the lives of young people; and nothing could be further from the truth.
We have no power to truly change a person. Most people would tell you that a person will only change if they want to, and to an extent, I would agree with them.
But to another extent, I wouldn’t; mainly because our God is bigger than any person, and having made us, He can certainly change us. I am a living example. I was not what you would call a people person before my conversion. Even after my conversion, you probably would have found in painful to be in my presence for any length of time, but not more painful than I would have found it.
By the grace of God, I am no longer as introverted as I used to be, and not from my trying to become an extrovert. I fought God tooth and nail every step of the way of my introversion.
What I’m trying to say here is don’t get cocky. God may be using us to affect the lives of many youth, but it is God, not us, that in the end is the Agent of Change. Their success is due God. Their change is due God. You are but another faithful servant that God uses to bring this about.
So the next time that you find yourself surveying your little kingdom and start mumbling something like “his success is due to me,” or “look at the affect I’m having on such-and-such a person,” remember a certain Chaldean king and the time God humbled him by driving him into thinking he was a wild animal. I’m just saying.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Monday, May 3, 2010
What Others Say
Usually I think we’d say that we shouldn’t listen to what others say about us; “sticks and stones,” and all that tosh.
However, as we are raising up young leaders, sometimes it’s good to get out of your church box and bend an ear towards the community. You should know by know that many of our students put on their best when they are with us. Sometimes it’s hard to tell what progress is being made and what problems need to be addressed if you’re basing your analysis solely on how your students act when they are with you.
Listening to what others are saying about the leaders you are developing can be a humbling experience. It can be hard. You may hear some things that you don’t want to hear. You may also hear some things that cause you to praise God and rejoice.
The problem is, if you’re not listening you don’t know.
How long has it been since you had a chat with your student’s parents? What are they saying about your student? Are there problems? Are there victories? What areas do the parents see that needs work, especially when it comes to character?
Talk to teachers. School is a harsh place, and teachers have a unique insight that neither you nor their parents have. Ask the teachers about leadership qualities being displayed at school. Ask them about character issues and homework issues. Remember that many of the good work habits your students will form will take root (or won’t) in High School.
Talking to these other influences on your students has a great advantage: it draws other parties into the leadership development of the student. The parents (which I hope are already engaged) will be on the lookout for specific leadership and character markers, so will teachers.
Use all of this information as you coach your students. We are called to lead an integrated life, and our students will need help in doing that. We do them a disservice when we base their growth strictly on what we see. If we are truly committed to seeing these young people grow into Christian leaders, we’ll get other people’s input.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
However, as we are raising up young leaders, sometimes it’s good to get out of your church box and bend an ear towards the community. You should know by know that many of our students put on their best when they are with us. Sometimes it’s hard to tell what progress is being made and what problems need to be addressed if you’re basing your analysis solely on how your students act when they are with you.
Listening to what others are saying about the leaders you are developing can be a humbling experience. It can be hard. You may hear some things that you don’t want to hear. You may also hear some things that cause you to praise God and rejoice.
The problem is, if you’re not listening you don’t know.
How long has it been since you had a chat with your student’s parents? What are they saying about your student? Are there problems? Are there victories? What areas do the parents see that needs work, especially when it comes to character?
Talk to teachers. School is a harsh place, and teachers have a unique insight that neither you nor their parents have. Ask the teachers about leadership qualities being displayed at school. Ask them about character issues and homework issues. Remember that many of the good work habits your students will form will take root (or won’t) in High School.
Talking to these other influences on your students has a great advantage: it draws other parties into the leadership development of the student. The parents (which I hope are already engaged) will be on the lookout for specific leadership and character markers, so will teachers.
Use all of this information as you coach your students. We are called to lead an integrated life, and our students will need help in doing that. We do them a disservice when we base their growth strictly on what we see. If we are truly committed to seeing these young people grow into Christian leaders, we’ll get other people’s input.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Monday, April 19, 2010
Character Weakness
Last time we looked at why we shouldn’t try to overcome weaknesses in the abilities and talents that God gave us. This time we’ll look at why we can’t take that same tact when it comes to weaknesses in our character.
Unlike talents, where there isn’t a prescribed set for any given individual, there is a handbook on character, and there is a very definite list of traits that God has given us to have. What that means is that when we have a deficiency in character you have to address it; and it must be changed.
Character weaknesses affect us unlike a talent weakness. God has given us talents to serve in certain places within His Kingdom. Character is something God wants everyone to have, and without it not only are we not obedient to Him, but no one is going to follow us, limiting what we can do for God’s Kingdom.
The thing about character weaknesses, though, is this: they are part and parcel of being a sinful human being. And that means that we can’t beat them on our own. It also means we all have them.
As we are leading in our organizations, and as we are raising up new leaders, we are going to have to identify and eradicate these weaknesses. Our obedience depends on it, our organizations are depending on it, and our students are depending on it.
Here’s a few pointers:
1. Identify your weaknesses. Chances are you probably are already well aware of where you fall short in the character arena, but you may also have some weaknesses that would blindside you. There are two ways that you can ascertain where character weakness has started choking the ministry life out of you:
a. A trusted peer-ask a trusted friend to gracefully share with you where they think you’re character might be coming up short. Prayerfully prepare for this, it’s not a fun experience. There will be times when you will have wished you didn’t ask.
b. Prayer-Pray that God would show you where your weaknesses are. He will, because He wants you to confess your sin and repent.
2. Set up better disciplines. From a knowledge of your own weaknesses, sometimes you can overcome them with discipline. There are some situations that you react badly to, and so you avoid those situations or through knowing about the weakness, control it. However, when you can’t take care of it(and that’s more than often the case)…
3. Pray. God will work with your character weaknesses. Through His word, prayer, and other spiritual disciplines He can and will change your life.
As we are bringing up the next generation of leaders, let them see this process in you. Be transparent with your students about your character weaknesses, and encourage them to do the same. Pray for each other. If your students are well versed in their own weaknesses before they allow them to screw up their ministries, they will be that much more prepared for leadership.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Unlike talents, where there isn’t a prescribed set for any given individual, there is a handbook on character, and there is a very definite list of traits that God has given us to have. What that means is that when we have a deficiency in character you have to address it; and it must be changed.
Character weaknesses affect us unlike a talent weakness. God has given us talents to serve in certain places within His Kingdom. Character is something God wants everyone to have, and without it not only are we not obedient to Him, but no one is going to follow us, limiting what we can do for God’s Kingdom.
The thing about character weaknesses, though, is this: they are part and parcel of being a sinful human being. And that means that we can’t beat them on our own. It also means we all have them.
As we are leading in our organizations, and as we are raising up new leaders, we are going to have to identify and eradicate these weaknesses. Our obedience depends on it, our organizations are depending on it, and our students are depending on it.
Here’s a few pointers:
1. Identify your weaknesses. Chances are you probably are already well aware of where you fall short in the character arena, but you may also have some weaknesses that would blindside you. There are two ways that you can ascertain where character weakness has started choking the ministry life out of you:
a. A trusted peer-ask a trusted friend to gracefully share with you where they think you’re character might be coming up short. Prayerfully prepare for this, it’s not a fun experience. There will be times when you will have wished you didn’t ask.
b. Prayer-Pray that God would show you where your weaknesses are. He will, because He wants you to confess your sin and repent.
2. Set up better disciplines. From a knowledge of your own weaknesses, sometimes you can overcome them with discipline. There are some situations that you react badly to, and so you avoid those situations or through knowing about the weakness, control it. However, when you can’t take care of it(and that’s more than often the case)…
3. Pray. God will work with your character weaknesses. Through His word, prayer, and other spiritual disciplines He can and will change your life.
As we are bringing up the next generation of leaders, let them see this process in you. Be transparent with your students about your character weaknesses, and encourage them to do the same. Pray for each other. If your students are well versed in their own weaknesses before they allow them to screw up their ministries, they will be that much more prepared for leadership.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Weakness
I love “Strengthsfinder 2.0.” If you haven’t read this book or taken the strengthsfinder test than please do that. Lately, this book has me thinking about how we overcome weaknesses. I have been talking to my friends and associates about this a lot, and so I thought I’d share my thoughts.
We all have a lot of weaknesses. We’re not so good at more things than we’re good at. That’s not a diss, that’s just a fact of life. Maybe we should start with just being able to admit that. Take a deep breath, and repeat after me: “I am a flawed person. I have weaknesses.” There you go. That wasn’t so hard, was it?
When we’re talking about weaknesses, remember that there is a huge difference between character weaknesses and talent weaknesses. We have to approach them in a different way. Today, we’ll look at how we overcome weaknesses in our skills and natural talents.
Okay, when you’re dealing with your natural skills and talents, it should be obvious that you aren’t good at everything. I’m no good at math. It’s true. I stink at it. I’m not real good with science, either. Some of you might contend I’m no good at writing either (and you’d have a legitimate point). Anyway, I think that if you’re honest with yourself you’ll find that you’re better at some things than others. So, how do you overcome those weaknesses?
You don’t.
It’s that simple, and that difficult. Our natural tendency is to work harder on those things we’re bad at in order to become better. As Strengthsfinder 2.0 pointed out, that’s probably a waste of time you could spend becoming the best at the things you are good at. And still we try to overcome it. Read the book, you’ll see what I mean.
In the meantime, stop trying to be good at everything. And when you’re dealing with young leaders, please don’t be trying to make them good at everything, either. God has given them gifts and talents that fit them and their purpose. Don’t waste their time trying to “fix” their weaknesses.
And don’t say “weakness” as though it’s a bad thing. It’s usually not. The more a student believes that a weak spot is a bad thing, the more apt they are to pour tons of time and effort into something they may not ever be good at. What a waste.
And please remember, that as Paul pointed out, God moves in our weaknesses. Sometimes those weaknesses are there in order to bring glory to God when He uses them to do mighty things.
Instead of focusing on weaknesses, focus on your strengths. You’ll find building them much more rewarding for yourself and your students. You’ll also find yourself much more equipped to do the work God has for you to do. And that’s rewarding; Much more rewarding than trying repeatedly to improve in an area that I’m just not gifted in.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
We all have a lot of weaknesses. We’re not so good at more things than we’re good at. That’s not a diss, that’s just a fact of life. Maybe we should start with just being able to admit that. Take a deep breath, and repeat after me: “I am a flawed person. I have weaknesses.” There you go. That wasn’t so hard, was it?
When we’re talking about weaknesses, remember that there is a huge difference between character weaknesses and talent weaknesses. We have to approach them in a different way. Today, we’ll look at how we overcome weaknesses in our skills and natural talents.
Okay, when you’re dealing with your natural skills and talents, it should be obvious that you aren’t good at everything. I’m no good at math. It’s true. I stink at it. I’m not real good with science, either. Some of you might contend I’m no good at writing either (and you’d have a legitimate point). Anyway, I think that if you’re honest with yourself you’ll find that you’re better at some things than others. So, how do you overcome those weaknesses?
You don’t.
It’s that simple, and that difficult. Our natural tendency is to work harder on those things we’re bad at in order to become better. As Strengthsfinder 2.0 pointed out, that’s probably a waste of time you could spend becoming the best at the things you are good at. And still we try to overcome it. Read the book, you’ll see what I mean.
In the meantime, stop trying to be good at everything. And when you’re dealing with young leaders, please don’t be trying to make them good at everything, either. God has given them gifts and talents that fit them and their purpose. Don’t waste their time trying to “fix” their weaknesses.
And don’t say “weakness” as though it’s a bad thing. It’s usually not. The more a student believes that a weak spot is a bad thing, the more apt they are to pour tons of time and effort into something they may not ever be good at. What a waste.
And please remember, that as Paul pointed out, God moves in our weaknesses. Sometimes those weaknesses are there in order to bring glory to God when He uses them to do mighty things.
Instead of focusing on weaknesses, focus on your strengths. You’ll find building them much more rewarding for yourself and your students. You’ll also find yourself much more equipped to do the work God has for you to do. And that’s rewarding; Much more rewarding than trying repeatedly to improve in an area that I’m just not gifted in.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Thursday, April 8, 2010
You're Wrong!
Yes, you are, and so am I. We’re wrong a lot, and if we’ll be honest with ourselves, we’re wrong more than we like to admit.
That is between you and God, but when you are working with youth and raising young leaders, you have other obligations as well.
The more you work with and around youth (or other people for that matter) the more often you’ll do or say something stupid around them. It’s not an “if” situation, but a “when.”
The question is, what do you do when you do screw up?
Let me give you an example from my own life. I recently took our leadership team to a local leadership conference. On the way home, I made a snarky comment about one of the hosts, who had been extremely rude to us.
The kids thought my comment was hilarious, but I immediately knew I was wrong for having said it, and that it had come out of my pride and hurt.
What to do?
On the next Sunday, during our weekly meeting, I apologized. They still thought it was funny, so I told them exactly why what I had said was wrong, why my pride was sinful, and how I am responsible for only my own actions, and not the actions of anyone else. I then asked their forgiveness.
By the time I was done, they knew it wasn’t funny anymore, and they learned a hard lesson about themselves, their reactions, and their leader.
When we screw up in front of our students, it is imperative that we explain to them what we did wrong, apologize, and ask their forgiveness. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it also provides a model for them to follow.
I could just have easily not said anything, let them think I was snarky and funny, and let everything go. This would have been easier for me, and not near as humiliating, but would have given those students who heard it the idea that comments like that are okay.
How often do you admit to your students that you are wrong? How do you handle those situations?
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
That is between you and God, but when you are working with youth and raising young leaders, you have other obligations as well.
The more you work with and around youth (or other people for that matter) the more often you’ll do or say something stupid around them. It’s not an “if” situation, but a “when.”
The question is, what do you do when you do screw up?
Let me give you an example from my own life. I recently took our leadership team to a local leadership conference. On the way home, I made a snarky comment about one of the hosts, who had been extremely rude to us.
The kids thought my comment was hilarious, but I immediately knew I was wrong for having said it, and that it had come out of my pride and hurt.
What to do?
On the next Sunday, during our weekly meeting, I apologized. They still thought it was funny, so I told them exactly why what I had said was wrong, why my pride was sinful, and how I am responsible for only my own actions, and not the actions of anyone else. I then asked their forgiveness.
By the time I was done, they knew it wasn’t funny anymore, and they learned a hard lesson about themselves, their reactions, and their leader.
When we screw up in front of our students, it is imperative that we explain to them what we did wrong, apologize, and ask their forgiveness. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it also provides a model for them to follow.
I could just have easily not said anything, let them think I was snarky and funny, and let everything go. This would have been easier for me, and not near as humiliating, but would have given those students who heard it the idea that comments like that are okay.
How often do you admit to your students that you are wrong? How do you handle those situations?
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Embrace the Messy
How much control do you try to exert over your leadership development team?
I’m not talking about a kind of iron fist control that you’d find in a totalitarian government, I’m talking about how deeply planned you’re meetings are, how much we try to influence outcomes, and how hard we try to steer our lessons in a certain direction.
While each team is different, I have been finding lately that the more control I try to exert over activities of the leadership team, the less the team thrives. Most students need structure, and even welcome it, so why does more control equal less outcome?
I think it has to do with the very nature of leadership and leadership development. While some structure is necessary, the more structure we put into the system, the more it chokes the life out of our young leaders. Our students aren’t normal (whatever normal is), and being leaders, they don’t always operate under the same norms that we’d expect all students to. The more I work with young leaders, the more exceptions I find to developmental theory as explained in my many college classes on the subject.
Leadership development is messy. It happens in real time, and no lesson plan, no matter how good and how detailed, can take into account every student and their personality. No activity, no matter how well planned and what outcome it’s supposed to achieve, can fully take into account every student on your team.
What I’m trying to say is this: plan for the unexpected. Plan to get off-plan. Your lesson or conversation or activity may take your team in a direction that is totally unexpected, and may even seem like a waste to you. Don’t judge it too quickly. Don’t shut it down too quickly. Real growth can happen where you least expect it.
Control is comfortable, control is planned, and control is, well, controlled. Leadership development is messy. Embrace it.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
I’m not talking about a kind of iron fist control that you’d find in a totalitarian government, I’m talking about how deeply planned you’re meetings are, how much we try to influence outcomes, and how hard we try to steer our lessons in a certain direction.
While each team is different, I have been finding lately that the more control I try to exert over activities of the leadership team, the less the team thrives. Most students need structure, and even welcome it, so why does more control equal less outcome?
I think it has to do with the very nature of leadership and leadership development. While some structure is necessary, the more structure we put into the system, the more it chokes the life out of our young leaders. Our students aren’t normal (whatever normal is), and being leaders, they don’t always operate under the same norms that we’d expect all students to. The more I work with young leaders, the more exceptions I find to developmental theory as explained in my many college classes on the subject.
Leadership development is messy. It happens in real time, and no lesson plan, no matter how good and how detailed, can take into account every student and their personality. No activity, no matter how well planned and what outcome it’s supposed to achieve, can fully take into account every student on your team.
What I’m trying to say is this: plan for the unexpected. Plan to get off-plan. Your lesson or conversation or activity may take your team in a direction that is totally unexpected, and may even seem like a waste to you. Don’t judge it too quickly. Don’t shut it down too quickly. Real growth can happen where you least expect it.
Control is comfortable, control is planned, and control is, well, controlled. Leadership development is messy. Embrace it.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Monday, April 5, 2010
Value in Struggle
Life is hard.
Even so, I bet the best “ah-ha” moments in your life have come through struggle. While we do gain much by learning principles in the spotless laboratory of the classroom, it can’t teach us the most important lessons. Life teaches those, and it’s not always a nice teacher.
When we work with youth, and as we develop young leaders, our relationship with them will often lead us to want to keep them from struggle in life.
Don’t.
There is great value in struggle. In many ways it’s so easy to supply the right answers, or give them the best choice to make, or to help them in the moment that they start to founder in the face of a monumental task.
Don’t.
As mean as it sounds, I can’t think of a worse thing to do. The lessons and clarity that come from struggle will endure long after your boring lectures and teaching have faded from their memory.
Instead, when push comes to shove, come along side of them. Encourage them. Pray with them. Let them know you’re there for them. But let them face the struggle, beat it or succumb to it, and then learn from it.
This can be as easy as letting there be some silent moments after you ask an important question, or not giving them the answer on that history homework. It might be something more involved, too, like not bailing them out when they don’t prepare for a lesson.
Now, don’t take this too far. I’m not talking about putting them in imminent danger. But don’t baby them, either. They’re learning; let them.
Not only will they learn more when you let them struggle, but in the long run, as they look back on their life and reflect on their most poignant lessons, they will thank you for not stepping in and giving them a safe way out.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Even so, I bet the best “ah-ha” moments in your life have come through struggle. While we do gain much by learning principles in the spotless laboratory of the classroom, it can’t teach us the most important lessons. Life teaches those, and it’s not always a nice teacher.
When we work with youth, and as we develop young leaders, our relationship with them will often lead us to want to keep them from struggle in life.
Don’t.
There is great value in struggle. In many ways it’s so easy to supply the right answers, or give them the best choice to make, or to help them in the moment that they start to founder in the face of a monumental task.
Don’t.
As mean as it sounds, I can’t think of a worse thing to do. The lessons and clarity that come from struggle will endure long after your boring lectures and teaching have faded from their memory.
Instead, when push comes to shove, come along side of them. Encourage them. Pray with them. Let them know you’re there for them. But let them face the struggle, beat it or succumb to it, and then learn from it.
This can be as easy as letting there be some silent moments after you ask an important question, or not giving them the answer on that history homework. It might be something more involved, too, like not bailing them out when they don’t prepare for a lesson.
Now, don’t take this too far. I’m not talking about putting them in imminent danger. But don’t baby them, either. They’re learning; let them.
Not only will they learn more when you let them struggle, but in the long run, as they look back on their life and reflect on their most poignant lessons, they will thank you for not stepping in and giving them a safe way out.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Monday, March 29, 2010
Problems Young Leaders Face
New leaders always face problems. Think back to your first leadership role. What kind of problems did you face? Were they pleasant? Probably not, but they did teach us a lot. Your young leaders will face these same problems and then some. As a leadership developer, you’ll be there to help them through, pick them up when they’re down, and warn them ahead of time about what they’ll face.
Here’s a few of the problems that I see our young leaders facing as we “hand-off” leadership to them…
1. Few or no people will follow them. It stands to reason that if they are brand new to leadership some people might have a problem following them. This is to be expected, and if you’ll recall you’re first forays into leadership, you probably faced the same problem.
2. Fear. I don’t know about you, but my first leadership position scared me to death. Make no mistake, as you hand off leadership to your students, they are going to have fears.
3. Generational Conflict. The new and the old have always clashed. Every generation’s new ideas have been rejected and trashed by the generations before. Honoring the old and following through with the new is a skill that they will have to learn and hone.
4. Age Discrimination. This is nothing new. Many people don’t believe that youth (teenagers) have anything to offer until they are adults (and many times teenagers don’t do much to improve this viewpoint). I think we need to keep Paul’s admonition to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12 in mind here.
5. Failure. Failure has such a negative connotation in today’s society. Will our young leaders fail? Yes, they will, just as we did and still do. The problem is when, instead of learning from failure, our students stop trying because of perceived humiliation or fear.
Here are five that I know my leadership students are facing. How about your list? I can pop a few others up there, but I’m more interested in hearing from you…
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Here’s a few of the problems that I see our young leaders facing as we “hand-off” leadership to them…
1. Few or no people will follow them. It stands to reason that if they are brand new to leadership some people might have a problem following them. This is to be expected, and if you’ll recall you’re first forays into leadership, you probably faced the same problem.
2. Fear. I don’t know about you, but my first leadership position scared me to death. Make no mistake, as you hand off leadership to your students, they are going to have fears.
3. Generational Conflict. The new and the old have always clashed. Every generation’s new ideas have been rejected and trashed by the generations before. Honoring the old and following through with the new is a skill that they will have to learn and hone.
4. Age Discrimination. This is nothing new. Many people don’t believe that youth (teenagers) have anything to offer until they are adults (and many times teenagers don’t do much to improve this viewpoint). I think we need to keep Paul’s admonition to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12 in mind here.
5. Failure. Failure has such a negative connotation in today’s society. Will our young leaders fail? Yes, they will, just as we did and still do. The problem is when, instead of learning from failure, our students stop trying because of perceived humiliation or fear.
Here are five that I know my leadership students are facing. How about your list? I can pop a few others up there, but I’m more interested in hearing from you…
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
John Hartford and The Story
This morning I had to run some errands, and I took along a CD I hadn’t listened to in a while. In fact, it’s been so long that I didn’t even have it on my itunes. The CD is by a guy named Gene Goforth, who was a Missouri traditional fiddle player (I know, this doesn’t bode well for the geek-o-meter). It was produced by a guy named John Hartford.
Some of you may know John Hartford. He’s a musician and entertainer. He plays all sorts of instruments, but is best known for his fiddle and banjo work. He was on the Smothers Brothers show (now I’m dating myself) and has recorded numerous albums.
Hartford spent the latter years of his life telling stories. He would find some obscure traditional American musicians, record them if they were still alive, dig up their old recordings if they weren’t, and research their life and music. The end product was a collection of music and stories, some told by the musician, some told by Hartford, all woven into the music.
The end product is fascinating. Besides unbelievably great music, the untold story of these people’s lives unfolds in word and music. It’s a great look into the life and music of an era and people that is all but extinct in modern culture.
This morning while I was listening, something hit me. I am John Hartford. So are you. We’ve dedicated our lives to telling God’s story in a culture where his fame and glory are relatively unknown. We tell this story in different ways. Some of us tell it to youth, some of us share it with adults. Some of us sing this story, others of us preach it, and still others weave it into our activities and our lifestyles.
The cool thing about Hartford is that he knew so many of the musicians whose story he told. His story became intertwined with theirs. That fact made the stories so much more real, interesting, and relevant.
Our story is also intertwined with God’s story. We are right smack in the middle of it, living it and telling it. We play a part in this wonderful story, and we get to tell it. We are every bit the story crafter that John Hartford is, and our story is so much more important.
How is your storytelling? Do you represent your subject well? How are you teaching others to be storytellers?
Here’s to the story of God, and here’s to your storytelling…
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Some of you may know John Hartford. He’s a musician and entertainer. He plays all sorts of instruments, but is best known for his fiddle and banjo work. He was on the Smothers Brothers show (now I’m dating myself) and has recorded numerous albums.
Hartford spent the latter years of his life telling stories. He would find some obscure traditional American musicians, record them if they were still alive, dig up their old recordings if they weren’t, and research their life and music. The end product was a collection of music and stories, some told by the musician, some told by Hartford, all woven into the music.
The end product is fascinating. Besides unbelievably great music, the untold story of these people’s lives unfolds in word and music. It’s a great look into the life and music of an era and people that is all but extinct in modern culture.
This morning while I was listening, something hit me. I am John Hartford. So are you. We’ve dedicated our lives to telling God’s story in a culture where his fame and glory are relatively unknown. We tell this story in different ways. Some of us tell it to youth, some of us share it with adults. Some of us sing this story, others of us preach it, and still others weave it into our activities and our lifestyles.
The cool thing about Hartford is that he knew so many of the musicians whose story he told. His story became intertwined with theirs. That fact made the stories so much more real, interesting, and relevant.
Our story is also intertwined with God’s story. We are right smack in the middle of it, living it and telling it. We play a part in this wonderful story, and we get to tell it. We are every bit the story crafter that John Hartford is, and our story is so much more important.
How is your storytelling? Do you represent your subject well? How are you teaching others to be storytellers?
Here’s to the story of God, and here’s to your storytelling…
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Friday, March 19, 2010
Following to Lead
Why does it seem like most of the qualities of a Christian leader are also those of followers of Christ? Because in Christian leadership, all leaders are followers. Christian leadership isn’t like secular leadership in many ways, but the most important way is this: no matter how high up the ladder you go, the Christian leader always follows. Always; with no exceptions.
We often forget that Jesus told His disciples that to lead meant to serve everyone else. Jesus said that those who wished to be first would be last. To be a good leader, you must also be a good follower.
You must be a good follower of Christ. Remember that no matter what you lead, as a Christian leader, you still answer to God. That is what separates Christian leadership from a lot of business models. If you don’t follow Jesus, then you don’t have to answer to anybody else, and you don’t necessarily have to be a follower. As a Christian leader it’s different.
I think it would do a world of good if all leaders spent some time following, maybe every day. I think it would change the leader/follower paradigm in most companies. They would begin to understand what Christian leaders should already know: following is an essential part of leading.
How are we teaching our young people to follow? Seems like a strange question coming from a leadership blog, but it is pertinent. The ability that our students have to follow godly leadership now has a huge impact on how they lead tomorrow.
Do you want an arrogant, impetuous Christian leader? Don’t teach them to be a follower.
Do you want an out of touch Christian leader? Don’t teach them to be a follower.
Do you want a Christian leader who abuses their power? Don’t teach them to be a follower.
Question: How are you teaching your students to follow? How are you connecting those lessons to future leadership?
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
We often forget that Jesus told His disciples that to lead meant to serve everyone else. Jesus said that those who wished to be first would be last. To be a good leader, you must also be a good follower.
You must be a good follower of Christ. Remember that no matter what you lead, as a Christian leader, you still answer to God. That is what separates Christian leadership from a lot of business models. If you don’t follow Jesus, then you don’t have to answer to anybody else, and you don’t necessarily have to be a follower. As a Christian leader it’s different.
I think it would do a world of good if all leaders spent some time following, maybe every day. I think it would change the leader/follower paradigm in most companies. They would begin to understand what Christian leaders should already know: following is an essential part of leading.
How are we teaching our young people to follow? Seems like a strange question coming from a leadership blog, but it is pertinent. The ability that our students have to follow godly leadership now has a huge impact on how they lead tomorrow.
Do you want an arrogant, impetuous Christian leader? Don’t teach them to be a follower.
Do you want an out of touch Christian leader? Don’t teach them to be a follower.
Do you want a Christian leader who abuses their power? Don’t teach them to be a follower.
Question: How are you teaching your students to follow? How are you connecting those lessons to future leadership?
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Monday, March 15, 2010
Character Development is Hard
Having just finished “The Character of Leadership” by Jeff Iorg, my mind has been wondering around thinking of ways to educate character into my students. I hate to say it, but it’s hard. It’s hard because you can’t make someone else behave in a certain way (and if you do you’re as bad as the person who wasn’t acting right in the first place); it’s hard because we don’t get to spend a lot of time with our students as opposed to other influences on their lives. It’s hard because behavior modification is easier than character development.
I truly believe that you lead out of who you are. If that’s the case, then character development is one of the more important things that we will do for our youth, and especially our young leaders. Its importance cannot be understated.
Here are a couple of ideas when it comes to developing character that I’ve been mulling over:
1. Partner with parents. Parents are the main influence on students, whether they’ll admit to it or not (actually, they have admitted to it. See “Real Teens” by George Barna). If we’re going to have any real impact on character development, it will have to be a multi-front fight. Make sure parents are on board with you.
2. Constantly harp on Character. Maybe harp is a bad term. Don’t nag them, but keep character issues in front of their face at all times. Talk with your students about their character. Do exercises that stretch their moral mental muscles.
3. Give them real moral dilemmas to work through and figure out. Make them as real and as relevant as possible.
4. Cultivate a rich inner life in your students. A student who is out of their bible and not spending time in prayer is not going to develop biblical character. Help your students come up with good spiritual disciplines and then help them stick to them.
Question: How are you developing character in your students? What is working, and what isn’t?
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
I truly believe that you lead out of who you are. If that’s the case, then character development is one of the more important things that we will do for our youth, and especially our young leaders. Its importance cannot be understated.
Here are a couple of ideas when it comes to developing character that I’ve been mulling over:
1. Partner with parents. Parents are the main influence on students, whether they’ll admit to it or not (actually, they have admitted to it. See “Real Teens” by George Barna). If we’re going to have any real impact on character development, it will have to be a multi-front fight. Make sure parents are on board with you.
2. Constantly harp on Character. Maybe harp is a bad term. Don’t nag them, but keep character issues in front of their face at all times. Talk with your students about their character. Do exercises that stretch their moral mental muscles.
3. Give them real moral dilemmas to work through and figure out. Make them as real and as relevant as possible.
4. Cultivate a rich inner life in your students. A student who is out of their bible and not spending time in prayer is not going to develop biblical character. Help your students come up with good spiritual disciplines and then help them stick to them.
Question: How are you developing character in your students? What is working, and what isn’t?
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Monday, March 8, 2010
Student Expectations
What do your students expect out of your leadership program? Do you know?
Why not?
If you don’t know what your students expect, than you might be in for a few nasty surprises down the road. You might experience losses from your group or a general discontent from certain individuals if you don’t figure out their expectations.
Now, many of you are probably saying: “What does it matter what they expect, aren’t I running this program?” This is a good thought. It is our responsibility to let students know what we expect of them, and what the program is, before we even consider them as a candidate to join the team.
However, leadership is a big word, and means many different things to many different people. Find out what it means to your students up front. Find out what they expect to get out of a spot on the leadership team. By doing so, you might find some otherwise good candidates that won’t be satisfied with the program you have put together. You might also be alerted to some weak spots in your program.
In the end, it’s just good practice to find out what your students expect from you, just as you are eager for them to find out what you expect of them. It’ll save you some headache down the road.
Here’s a couple of ways you can work student expectations into your program where they will benefit you most:
1. On your application, have a spot where each student talks about their expectations.
2. Hold an informational meeting with prospective students where you can openly talk about expectations; both yours and theirs.
3. Make one of your first leadership meetings about expectations. Let them know that they need to be prepared to talk about their expectations, and that you will talk about yours.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Why not?
If you don’t know what your students expect, than you might be in for a few nasty surprises down the road. You might experience losses from your group or a general discontent from certain individuals if you don’t figure out their expectations.
Now, many of you are probably saying: “What does it matter what they expect, aren’t I running this program?” This is a good thought. It is our responsibility to let students know what we expect of them, and what the program is, before we even consider them as a candidate to join the team.
However, leadership is a big word, and means many different things to many different people. Find out what it means to your students up front. Find out what they expect to get out of a spot on the leadership team. By doing so, you might find some otherwise good candidates that won’t be satisfied with the program you have put together. You might also be alerted to some weak spots in your program.
In the end, it’s just good practice to find out what your students expect from you, just as you are eager for them to find out what you expect of them. It’ll save you some headache down the road.
Here’s a couple of ways you can work student expectations into your program where they will benefit you most:
1. On your application, have a spot where each student talks about their expectations.
2. Hold an informational meeting with prospective students where you can openly talk about expectations; both yours and theirs.
3. Make one of your first leadership meetings about expectations. Let them know that they need to be prepared to talk about their expectations, and that you will talk about yours.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Your Approval Rocks Their World
You may not realize it, but you have the power to make or break a youth’s world. How you react to a youth’s accomplishments means the world to your students.
Whether we invite it or not, our word carries great weight in their lives, and our responsibility is to use it with love.
I think, as we rush through the day and all the things that we have to do in it, that we often forget to look for the things that our students are doing right. We spend inordinate amounts of time preaching about, counseling to, and dealing with the things that they do wrong, but somehow don’t find the same time to talk about the things they are doing right.
All of our students need this approval, this reinforcement. Many times they aren’t getting it at home, or at school, and they may start playing to the lowest common denominator. They don’t need that, we don’t need that, and the world doesn’t need that. Believe me, if you are told that you are stupid all the time you will start to believe it.
We have to counteract this tendency with truth and love. Look for ways that you can give your approval to each of your students. I think you’ll be amazed at how they’ll react.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Whether we invite it or not, our word carries great weight in their lives, and our responsibility is to use it with love.
I think, as we rush through the day and all the things that we have to do in it, that we often forget to look for the things that our students are doing right. We spend inordinate amounts of time preaching about, counseling to, and dealing with the things that they do wrong, but somehow don’t find the same time to talk about the things they are doing right.
All of our students need this approval, this reinforcement. Many times they aren’t getting it at home, or at school, and they may start playing to the lowest common denominator. They don’t need that, we don’t need that, and the world doesn’t need that. Believe me, if you are told that you are stupid all the time you will start to believe it.
We have to counteract this tendency with truth and love. Look for ways that you can give your approval to each of your students. I think you’ll be amazed at how they’ll react.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Monday, March 1, 2010
Why I Need to Exercise
Want to get some discipline? It’s not easy. But it is useful. Discipline is essential to life. It takes a lot of discipline to get up every morning and go to work. It takes a lot of discipline to get up and go to school. It takes discipline to stay in the Word, to pray, and to take time out of your day for others.
If you want to beef up your discipline, start doing something you don’t want to do. Sounds simple, right? In my case it’s exercise. I hate exercising with every last shred of my being. But it’s good for me, so I do it. I don’t do it as often as I should, but I do it. In fact, as I write this I just finished exercising.
My point is this. Those of us who are running leadership development teams are constantly looking for ways to help our kids put some discipline in their lives. Here’s a good way to do it, even though it’s painful. Some of your kids don’t like to read. Have them start reading (preferably their Bible). Some of your kids don’t like doing the dishes. Get with their parents and have them start doing the dishes.
You get the picture, but here are a couple of thoughts as you ponder doing this:
1. Don’t have your kids do something that is useless just to instill discipline. They need to be doing something useful. They have to see the correlation between discipline and doing things that need to be done, no matter how they feel about them.
2. Make sure you don’t just talk about this and then let it go. Follow up. Even better, get parents involved. I’m sure parents would love all the help they can get instilling discipline in their students.
3. Make sure you are participating just like your students are. Make an online diary or some other public form of accountability so your students know that you’re in it with them.
Question: How do you instill discipline in your students?
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
If you want to beef up your discipline, start doing something you don’t want to do. Sounds simple, right? In my case it’s exercise. I hate exercising with every last shred of my being. But it’s good for me, so I do it. I don’t do it as often as I should, but I do it. In fact, as I write this I just finished exercising.
My point is this. Those of us who are running leadership development teams are constantly looking for ways to help our kids put some discipline in their lives. Here’s a good way to do it, even though it’s painful. Some of your kids don’t like to read. Have them start reading (preferably their Bible). Some of your kids don’t like doing the dishes. Get with their parents and have them start doing the dishes.
You get the picture, but here are a couple of thoughts as you ponder doing this:
1. Don’t have your kids do something that is useless just to instill discipline. They need to be doing something useful. They have to see the correlation between discipline and doing things that need to be done, no matter how they feel about them.
2. Make sure you don’t just talk about this and then let it go. Follow up. Even better, get parents involved. I’m sure parents would love all the help they can get instilling discipline in their students.
3. Make sure you are participating just like your students are. Make an online diary or some other public form of accountability so your students know that you’re in it with them.
Question: How do you instill discipline in your students?
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Friday, February 26, 2010
I'm So Selfish
I’m sure you’re aware of this, but I’m going to tell you anyway. This world is so selfish. We are a selfish people. We are all about me. I’m sure that if you’re real with yourself, you’ll admit that most times you love yourself more than God. It’s bad, it stinks, and it’s part of being human.
This is the world in which we are bringing up a new generation of leaders. I don’t have to tell you that these leaders will have to be more altruistic than any other generation before it to counter the rising tide of self-centeredness, but how do we do that? What is so counter-cultural and life-changing that it swings this generation against the tide and captures their imaginations strongly enough to hold them against the generation of self?
The gospel. That’s what. The life of Jesus is a study in selflessness. It sounds strange, but it’s selflessness that will trump selfishness.
The truth is that we are bringing up a generation that does truly care about others. With Bono as their guide, they have taken on problems such as Darfur, the environment, poverty, AIDS, and the list goes on. The elements of selflessness are in place, but you need a spark that keeps them there. That’s the gospel.
The rest of these causes are just that: causes. They don’t necessitate selflessness, just a bit of giving and advocacy. The true gospel demands a selflessness to be like Christ; To deny ourselves, and take up our cross. This isn’t easy, and it does take a lifetime (sanctification) to perfect, but there’s no time like the present to start.
How do we do this: practice. Believe it or not, this generation’s attitude won’t be changed overnight. Despite the sudden shift of concern for others, selfishness still has its hold on us. We can’t change this attitude overnight, but we can change behavior. Over time, God uses that change in behavior to change the heart. Bingo. End game. Selflessness
Here’s a few ways we can partner with God in this process
1. Focus on selflessness. Make sure our students know where it comes from (that’s from God, who alone is perfect). Play the broken record and study it extensively during devotional time.
2. Practice altruism often. Serve others at the expense of ourselves.
3. Pray for changed hearts in this generation. Pray for a changed heart for yourself.
We know that the perfect won’t come until the end, but in the meantime, let’s get as close to selflessness as we can. Our fallen world and the lost who live in it depend on it.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
This is the world in which we are bringing up a new generation of leaders. I don’t have to tell you that these leaders will have to be more altruistic than any other generation before it to counter the rising tide of self-centeredness, but how do we do that? What is so counter-cultural and life-changing that it swings this generation against the tide and captures their imaginations strongly enough to hold them against the generation of self?
The gospel. That’s what. The life of Jesus is a study in selflessness. It sounds strange, but it’s selflessness that will trump selfishness.
The truth is that we are bringing up a generation that does truly care about others. With Bono as their guide, they have taken on problems such as Darfur, the environment, poverty, AIDS, and the list goes on. The elements of selflessness are in place, but you need a spark that keeps them there. That’s the gospel.
The rest of these causes are just that: causes. They don’t necessitate selflessness, just a bit of giving and advocacy. The true gospel demands a selflessness to be like Christ; To deny ourselves, and take up our cross. This isn’t easy, and it does take a lifetime (sanctification) to perfect, but there’s no time like the present to start.
How do we do this: practice. Believe it or not, this generation’s attitude won’t be changed overnight. Despite the sudden shift of concern for others, selfishness still has its hold on us. We can’t change this attitude overnight, but we can change behavior. Over time, God uses that change in behavior to change the heart. Bingo. End game. Selflessness
Here’s a few ways we can partner with God in this process
1. Focus on selflessness. Make sure our students know where it comes from (that’s from God, who alone is perfect). Play the broken record and study it extensively during devotional time.
2. Practice altruism often. Serve others at the expense of ourselves.
3. Pray for changed hearts in this generation. Pray for a changed heart for yourself.
We know that the perfect won’t come until the end, but in the meantime, let’s get as close to selflessness as we can. Our fallen world and the lost who live in it depend on it.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Making a Leadership Team Personal
Leaders don’t learn the same, they don’t act the same, and they don’t lead the same. So why do we try to make cookie-cutter leadership teams? One of the greatest challenges of running a leadership team is trying to personalize it while still maintaining a team atmosphere.
Before you can personalize your team, you have to know how your students differ. Make sure you are utilizing leadership tests so that you and each of your students know how they are different from each other. Leadertreks has a fantastic set of leadership tests that will tell you everything from how each of your students lead to how they learn. This is very helpful information, and after you learn about your students, you can start to personalize your team.
Here are a couple of other ideas:
1. Make sure mentoring is part of your leadership team. One-on-One sessions with your students make sure that they get personal attention they need and that you can teach and coach with them individually.
2. Make sure your teaching includes activities that speak to different learning styles. Mix it up a bit.
3. Do activities that incorporate everyone’s areas of passion and strengths. Don’t do activities that only get you fired up.
4. Continue to sit down and learn about new things that are going on in the life of your students. Keep current with them individually and with the youth culture at large. Utilize this information to create catered leadership activities for your students.
5. Make sure you are balancing individual activities and group activities. Learning individually and learning how to play nice in a group are both very important.
Personalizing your team takes time and quite a bit of effort. Make sure that you’re not playing to your personality or one of the easier personalities on the team. Your students will notice, and they won’t grow as much as they could if you put forth the extra effort to personalize your teaching.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Before you can personalize your team, you have to know how your students differ. Make sure you are utilizing leadership tests so that you and each of your students know how they are different from each other. Leadertreks has a fantastic set of leadership tests that will tell you everything from how each of your students lead to how they learn. This is very helpful information, and after you learn about your students, you can start to personalize your team.
Here are a couple of other ideas:
1. Make sure mentoring is part of your leadership team. One-on-One sessions with your students make sure that they get personal attention they need and that you can teach and coach with them individually.
2. Make sure your teaching includes activities that speak to different learning styles. Mix it up a bit.
3. Do activities that incorporate everyone’s areas of passion and strengths. Don’t do activities that only get you fired up.
4. Continue to sit down and learn about new things that are going on in the life of your students. Keep current with them individually and with the youth culture at large. Utilize this information to create catered leadership activities for your students.
5. Make sure you are balancing individual activities and group activities. Learning individually and learning how to play nice in a group are both very important.
Personalizing your team takes time and quite a bit of effort. Make sure that you’re not playing to your personality or one of the easier personalities on the team. Your students will notice, and they won’t grow as much as they could if you put forth the extra effort to personalize your teaching.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Learning Your Strengths
I’ve blogged here about Strengthsfinder 2.0. I love that book, and I love what it does for people, especially leaders. Well, I’ve just finished its sister book, Strengths Based Leadership, which I also loved. I will do a review of that at another time. What I really want to talk about is this: Gallup released some data in Strengths Based Leadership that I think we can all pay attention to. It’s not strictly related to Christian Leadership, but I think that the stats that I’m about to quote say it all.
Gallup reports that people experience a significant gain in self-confidence after taking a Strengthsfinder test and learning more about their strengths. I don’t think this should come as a surprise. Knowing what you’re good at and being freed up to do it are confidence boosting bits of information. But there’s more:
In 2008, University of Florida released a 25 year study about confidence and work. Here’s a few of the highlights.
People between the ages of 14 and 22 who had more self confidence were making about 3,500 dollars more than their peers in 1979.
These same people saw dramatic increases in their income each passing year.
Those people with higher self-confidence had fewer health problems in 2004 than in 1979 25 years later.
Gallup Polling that has been released suggests that having the opportunity to learn about your strengths has the same effect as the gain in self-confidence. People 15-23 who learned about their strengths were reporting “significantly higher” job satisfaction levels 25 years later.
So what does this mean for us? I don’t know. To my knowledge, there hasn’t been any longitudinal studies on Christian leaders and how Strengths Test and the resulting self-Confidence affects them. I have my guesses though.
I cannot imagine that it would be anything short of revolutionary in the life of a Christian young person to know what strengths God built into them. We are always testing for spiritual gifts, which is very important, so why don’t we test to know how God put us together in other ways?
Imagine the possibilities if we had a generation of Christian leaders who knew both their Spiritual Gifts and their God-given Strengths. What would they be capable of? What difference would it make in their personal lives? How much less burn-out would we have?
I can’t answer these questions (right now), but I am convinced, now more than ever, of the need to test and teach students about their strengths. In fact, I don’t know why every student in the world shouldn’t be taking a Strengths evaluation. I think it’s that important.
Question: What has your experience with Strengths testing been? How has it affected young people you know?
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Gallup reports that people experience a significant gain in self-confidence after taking a Strengthsfinder test and learning more about their strengths. I don’t think this should come as a surprise. Knowing what you’re good at and being freed up to do it are confidence boosting bits of information. But there’s more:
In 2008, University of Florida released a 25 year study about confidence and work. Here’s a few of the highlights.
People between the ages of 14 and 22 who had more self confidence were making about 3,500 dollars more than their peers in 1979.
These same people saw dramatic increases in their income each passing year.
Those people with higher self-confidence had fewer health problems in 2004 than in 1979 25 years later.
Gallup Polling that has been released suggests that having the opportunity to learn about your strengths has the same effect as the gain in self-confidence. People 15-23 who learned about their strengths were reporting “significantly higher” job satisfaction levels 25 years later.
So what does this mean for us? I don’t know. To my knowledge, there hasn’t been any longitudinal studies on Christian leaders and how Strengths Test and the resulting self-Confidence affects them. I have my guesses though.
I cannot imagine that it would be anything short of revolutionary in the life of a Christian young person to know what strengths God built into them. We are always testing for spiritual gifts, which is very important, so why don’t we test to know how God put us together in other ways?
Imagine the possibilities if we had a generation of Christian leaders who knew both their Spiritual Gifts and their God-given Strengths. What would they be capable of? What difference would it make in their personal lives? How much less burn-out would we have?
I can’t answer these questions (right now), but I am convinced, now more than ever, of the need to test and teach students about their strengths. In fact, I don’t know why every student in the world shouldn’t be taking a Strengths evaluation. I think it’s that important.
Question: What has your experience with Strengths testing been? How has it affected young people you know?
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Monday, February 15, 2010
Spiritual Gifts and Natural Strengths
The more I talk about books like “Strengthsfinder 2.0” the more I am asked, “how do strengths and spiritual gifts coincide?” The question has come up enough that I think I should address this.
These conversations come about because of my insistence that as we move forward with Next In Line, every student that can should take a battery of “tests” that will help them know themselves better. They will also help their teacher know more about them and help them set up a more personalized leadership development program (see the article “Explore” in the Next In Line Starter Kit).
I am finding that many leaders in the church are leery of secular tests that help pinpoint your strengths, as these are not your spiritual gifts. While it is true that we cannot confuse God-given talents with God-given spiritual gifts, I don’t see why we can’t be aware of both.
Some people started asking me which was more important, the Strengths Test, or the Spiritual Gifts test. I couldn’t exactly answer that question, because both are important. Here’s how I broke this down to them, and I hope this is helpful to you as well:
Spiritual Gifts are those supernaturally imparted gifts that God gives to us upon conversion that allow us to perform a certain ministry within the church, for the edification of the body (see Ephesians 4 or Romans 12 for a partial list of the gifts and their purpose). Notice a couple of things about Spiritual Gifts:
1. They are given by God
2. They are supernatural
3. They are for ministry
4. Given at conversion
Strengths (or talents) are also God-given. They are things that God wove into our personality and genetics. They are used for more than just ministry, but cannot be separated from it, as we are created for God. They aren’t exactly listed in the bible, but you know what I’m saying: some of us are better at math than others, and some can publicly speak better than others. Others of us have been given incredible wisdom, or inherently understand mechanical things. Notice a couple of things about Strengths:
1. They are given by God
2. They are not supernatural
3. They are for ministry (and other things)
4. Woven into our fabric as God’s creation
The big difference between the two is when they are given and their nature. Otherwise, they are very similar. Ultimately, they also serve the same purpose: the Missio Dei.
The reason that I insist on students finding out their strengths and their Spiritual Gift(s) is that God often uses both in their call to ministry. I love that God would equip us naturally to do certain things well and then complement that with a Spiritual Gift that brings all the glory from that activity to Him.
Our students are more than their spiritual gifts. They are (much) more than their talents and strengths. They are “fearfully and wonderfully made” for amazing purpose. Spiritual Gifts and natural talents are just two aspects of the same person that God has made for His work.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
These conversations come about because of my insistence that as we move forward with Next In Line, every student that can should take a battery of “tests” that will help them know themselves better. They will also help their teacher know more about them and help them set up a more personalized leadership development program (see the article “Explore” in the Next In Line Starter Kit).
I am finding that many leaders in the church are leery of secular tests that help pinpoint your strengths, as these are not your spiritual gifts. While it is true that we cannot confuse God-given talents with God-given spiritual gifts, I don’t see why we can’t be aware of both.
Some people started asking me which was more important, the Strengths Test, or the Spiritual Gifts test. I couldn’t exactly answer that question, because both are important. Here’s how I broke this down to them, and I hope this is helpful to you as well:
Spiritual Gifts are those supernaturally imparted gifts that God gives to us upon conversion that allow us to perform a certain ministry within the church, for the edification of the body (see Ephesians 4 or Romans 12 for a partial list of the gifts and their purpose). Notice a couple of things about Spiritual Gifts:
1. They are given by God
2. They are supernatural
3. They are for ministry
4. Given at conversion
Strengths (or talents) are also God-given. They are things that God wove into our personality and genetics. They are used for more than just ministry, but cannot be separated from it, as we are created for God. They aren’t exactly listed in the bible, but you know what I’m saying: some of us are better at math than others, and some can publicly speak better than others. Others of us have been given incredible wisdom, or inherently understand mechanical things. Notice a couple of things about Strengths:
1. They are given by God
2. They are not supernatural
3. They are for ministry (and other things)
4. Woven into our fabric as God’s creation
The big difference between the two is when they are given and their nature. Otherwise, they are very similar. Ultimately, they also serve the same purpose: the Missio Dei.
The reason that I insist on students finding out their strengths and their Spiritual Gift(s) is that God often uses both in their call to ministry. I love that God would equip us naturally to do certain things well and then complement that with a Spiritual Gift that brings all the glory from that activity to Him.
Our students are more than their spiritual gifts. They are (much) more than their talents and strengths. They are “fearfully and wonderfully made” for amazing purpose. Spiritual Gifts and natural talents are just two aspects of the same person that God has made for His work.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Friday, February 12, 2010
Defining Success
How do you define success in leadership? How do your students define success in leadership?
One of the board members here at Next in Line was at a Christian Bookstore (which shall remain nameless) the other day and was perusing through leadership books. He was horrified to find that more than one of them qualified a successful leader as one who had a large following, was making lots of money, or was very successful(numbers) in his/her business or ministry. He immediately called me and asked me what was going on. I really didn’t have an answer for him.
I have a small problem with Christian leadership success being defined by numbers, followers, or dollars. I know that this defines earthly success, and don’t get me wrong they are not bad things. I just don’t think they are the things a Christian leader defines themselves by.
The Apostle Paul’s boast was never in numbers, but the kind of people that were being raised up under his leadership. Further, he would usually boast in the things of God, not of man. I don’t think Paul would have been considered very successful as a leader by the world’s standards. He was constantly run out of town, stoned, shipwrecked, having problem with the organizations that he started, etc. But he is probably one of the greatest Christian leaders of all times. Why? Because he did the things God called him to do no matter what the cost. He did the right thing, even if it meant upsetting his “followers” (which he would have rightly said didn’t belong to him anyways).
Maybe a better idea of Christian Leadership success should come from that of a successful steward. This is an example that Jesus would use when he told parables about Christian leadership. The steward does well with what is given to him. As Christian leaders, I think that should be our definition of success as well. It should also be what we are teaching our young people. Help them to understand the difference between a steward, who doesn’t own anything but is rather a caretaker of someone else’s things, and a “success”, who owns much and has much.
When the world begins to pollute how we see “success”, then we have lost the fight.
Question: What do You See as Success for a Christian Leader?
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
One of the board members here at Next in Line was at a Christian Bookstore (which shall remain nameless) the other day and was perusing through leadership books. He was horrified to find that more than one of them qualified a successful leader as one who had a large following, was making lots of money, or was very successful(numbers) in his/her business or ministry. He immediately called me and asked me what was going on. I really didn’t have an answer for him.
I have a small problem with Christian leadership success being defined by numbers, followers, or dollars. I know that this defines earthly success, and don’t get me wrong they are not bad things. I just don’t think they are the things a Christian leader defines themselves by.
The Apostle Paul’s boast was never in numbers, but the kind of people that were being raised up under his leadership. Further, he would usually boast in the things of God, not of man. I don’t think Paul would have been considered very successful as a leader by the world’s standards. He was constantly run out of town, stoned, shipwrecked, having problem with the organizations that he started, etc. But he is probably one of the greatest Christian leaders of all times. Why? Because he did the things God called him to do no matter what the cost. He did the right thing, even if it meant upsetting his “followers” (which he would have rightly said didn’t belong to him anyways).
Maybe a better idea of Christian Leadership success should come from that of a successful steward. This is an example that Jesus would use when he told parables about Christian leadership. The steward does well with what is given to him. As Christian leaders, I think that should be our definition of success as well. It should also be what we are teaching our young people. Help them to understand the difference between a steward, who doesn’t own anything but is rather a caretaker of someone else’s things, and a “success”, who owns much and has much.
When the world begins to pollute how we see “success”, then we have lost the fight.
Question: What do You See as Success for a Christian Leader?
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Monday, February 8, 2010
Increase Your Wisdom
I was reading in Proverbs the other day and this little tidbit stuck out at me. “The wise man listens, and increases wisdom.” I love this.
In our world, to be “the man” we’re expected to talk. We’re expected to have all of the right answers, and know everything in our field (and a host of others).
The Bible sees wisdom in a different way. Take a close look at that verse. First of all, the person who listens is already wise. Second, when he listens, his wisdom increases.
The next time you are out with a group of friends, at a meeting with fellow professionals, or are just talking to another person at church or work, listen.
It’s amazing what you learn when you aren’t trying to insert your own opinion. Listening has two great side effects. First, as the Bible says, you gain in wisdom. Second, people like to be listened to. You’ll make somebody’s day if you actually listen to them.
Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to listen, especially if you disagree with the person you are listening to. Discipline yourself. Hear everyone out, no matter what their opinion. That’s how you learn. That’s how you grow.
Wisdom doesn’t figure much into today’s world. Unfortunately, to get ahead it seems that listening to others isn’t as important as telling them how it’s done. The wise leader listens before speaking, and they learn from what the other person is saying.
As we teach young people to be leaders, we should make sure that we are teaching them to listen. There are plenty of people all around them more than willing to tell them how they should be doing things. They can start practicing their listening skills right now.
What are some important things you have learned while listening to others?
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
In our world, to be “the man” we’re expected to talk. We’re expected to have all of the right answers, and know everything in our field (and a host of others).
The Bible sees wisdom in a different way. Take a close look at that verse. First of all, the person who listens is already wise. Second, when he listens, his wisdom increases.
The next time you are out with a group of friends, at a meeting with fellow professionals, or are just talking to another person at church or work, listen.
It’s amazing what you learn when you aren’t trying to insert your own opinion. Listening has two great side effects. First, as the Bible says, you gain in wisdom. Second, people like to be listened to. You’ll make somebody’s day if you actually listen to them.
Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to listen, especially if you disagree with the person you are listening to. Discipline yourself. Hear everyone out, no matter what their opinion. That’s how you learn. That’s how you grow.
Wisdom doesn’t figure much into today’s world. Unfortunately, to get ahead it seems that listening to others isn’t as important as telling them how it’s done. The wise leader listens before speaking, and they learn from what the other person is saying.
As we teach young people to be leaders, we should make sure that we are teaching them to listen. There are plenty of people all around them more than willing to tell them how they should be doing things. They can start practicing their listening skills right now.
What are some important things you have learned while listening to others?
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Book Review: "The Character of Leadership" by Jeff Iorg
We lead from who we are. This is true of leaders on the secular and Christian side of leadership. Who we are and how we acts determines whether we are a leader worth following. Jeff Iorg’s book, The Character of Leadership, explores what a leader should be in an easy-to-read book that is both insightful and convicting.
I have read quite a few books on leadership, but not one like The Character of Leadership. Jeff Iorg, who is president of Golden Gate Theological Seminary, explores nine characteristics that he believes a leader should posses in order to be successful as a leader. His book is biblical, reflective, heartfelt, and personal. Iorg’s extensive experience lends a personal note to the book that makes it at once engaging and practical to any leader.
Iorg explores the following nine areas of character with advice, definition, and anecdote:
Integrity
Security
Purity
Humility
Servanthood
Wisdom
Discipline
Courage
Passion
Far from being a rehash of old leadership principles, Iorg manages to challenge many long held beliefs about these nine characteristics and engage them in new ways. Iorg offers practical advice on how to practice each of these characteristics in your life, while being very real about his struggles and victories in each category.
Whether you have been a leader for many years or are just starting your leadership journey, you will find The Character of Leadership extremely helpful and practical for personal and ministry growth. You will find yourself identifying with Iorg’s heart for leadership and personal development, while engaging biblical leadership principles freshly in your own life.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
I have read quite a few books on leadership, but not one like The Character of Leadership. Jeff Iorg, who is president of Golden Gate Theological Seminary, explores nine characteristics that he believes a leader should posses in order to be successful as a leader. His book is biblical, reflective, heartfelt, and personal. Iorg’s extensive experience lends a personal note to the book that makes it at once engaging and practical to any leader.
Iorg explores the following nine areas of character with advice, definition, and anecdote:
Integrity
Security
Purity
Humility
Servanthood
Wisdom
Discipline
Courage
Passion
Far from being a rehash of old leadership principles, Iorg manages to challenge many long held beliefs about these nine characteristics and engage them in new ways. Iorg offers practical advice on how to practice each of these characteristics in your life, while being very real about his struggles and victories in each category.
Whether you have been a leader for many years or are just starting your leadership journey, you will find The Character of Leadership extremely helpful and practical for personal and ministry growth. You will find yourself identifying with Iorg’s heart for leadership and personal development, while engaging biblical leadership principles freshly in your own life.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Monday, February 1, 2010
My Winter Reading List
At this time of year, with the outdoors closed off to us, many of us pick up a good book to pass the time. If you're looking for a couple of good reads, here's my reading list for the winter. I've included a website where you can get more information about the book or the author with each entry. Hope it helps, and happy reading!
Studies in the Sermon on the Mount by D. Martin Lloyd Jones
Six Thinking Hats by Edward De Bono
5 Minds for the Future by Howard Gardner
Mentoring Leaders by Carson Pue
Make Poverty Personal by Ash Barker
PNTC Commentary: The Letter of James by Douglas Moo
Moses by Chuck Swindoll
The Search to Belong by Joseph R Myers
Real Teens by George Barna
Master Leaders by George Barna
The Making of a Leader by Dr. J. Robert Clinton
Six Pixels of Seperation by Mitch Joel
Studies in the Sermon on the Mount by D. Martin Lloyd Jones
Six Thinking Hats by Edward De Bono
5 Minds for the Future by Howard Gardner
Mentoring Leaders by Carson Pue
Make Poverty Personal by Ash Barker
PNTC Commentary: The Letter of James by Douglas Moo
Moses by Chuck Swindoll
The Search to Belong by Joseph R Myers
Real Teens by George Barna
Master Leaders by George Barna
The Making of a Leader by Dr. J. Robert Clinton
Six Pixels of Seperation by Mitch Joel
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Youth Leadership Resume: Intimacy
A Christian leader has a piece of the puzzle that a non-Christian doesn’t have: a relationship with Jesus Christ. Many people would ask what in the world this has to do leadership, but I would say “everything!”
Jesus didn’t lead like other people. He spent a lot of time drawing the line between the world’s leaders and the way that his disciples were supposed to lead. Living the Christian life gives a person a sense of leadership that others don’t have.
Now, let’s get one thing straight. We don’t read the bible and culture a relationship with Jesus in order to become better leaders. In fact, a Christian leader is called by God through their relationship, in order to serve. The Christian leader is also equipped by God through Spiritual gifting and sanctification, the process of being made more like Jesus. So rather than us using God to improve our means, it’s quite the other way around. God uses us as leaders to advance his kingdom and to equip His people to serve Him.
Our relationship with God, in fact, makes us worth following, and gives us the true way of leadership. This being the case, teaching our students to foster a relationship with God should be of high importance to us.
That is easier said than done, obviously, because we don’t see our students every day. It’s hard to help them set up lasting habits even with something as important as a relationship with God. That means we have to work even harder and smarter in helping our students do so. We have to partner with parents, work with our students, and model intimacy for our students in our own lives.
If we are to have a generation of Christ-followers as leaders in all areas of society, they will have to have an intimacy with God that informs their purpose, calling, and leadership.
Question: How are you teaching intimacy to your students?
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Jesus didn’t lead like other people. He spent a lot of time drawing the line between the world’s leaders and the way that his disciples were supposed to lead. Living the Christian life gives a person a sense of leadership that others don’t have.
Now, let’s get one thing straight. We don’t read the bible and culture a relationship with Jesus in order to become better leaders. In fact, a Christian leader is called by God through their relationship, in order to serve. The Christian leader is also equipped by God through Spiritual gifting and sanctification, the process of being made more like Jesus. So rather than us using God to improve our means, it’s quite the other way around. God uses us as leaders to advance his kingdom and to equip His people to serve Him.
Our relationship with God, in fact, makes us worth following, and gives us the true way of leadership. This being the case, teaching our students to foster a relationship with God should be of high importance to us.
That is easier said than done, obviously, because we don’t see our students every day. It’s hard to help them set up lasting habits even with something as important as a relationship with God. That means we have to work even harder and smarter in helping our students do so. We have to partner with parents, work with our students, and model intimacy for our students in our own lives.
If we are to have a generation of Christ-followers as leaders in all areas of society, they will have to have an intimacy with God that informs their purpose, calling, and leadership.
Question: How are you teaching intimacy to your students?
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Youth Leadership Resume: Humility
Humility. I’m not real good at that. I tend to go the other way: rampant, arrogant pride. So does most of the world.
Leadership goes hand in hand with pride. After all, you’re in charge. You’re the man (or the woman). You get it done. With all of that, it’s no wonder that most leaders do not show any humility. Even though this makes sense, it’s not the way it should be.
At its core, humility is recognizing who and what you are. If you are a Christian, then you know that everything you are comes from God. If everything you are comes from God, there shouldn’t be any room for pride, but rather worship, praise, and thanksgiving.
Many leaders, even Christian leaders, seem not to make this distinction. A young Christian leader is going to need to learn humility early, and continue to work on it as they gain in respect, influence, and stature. The higher up they get, the more they will probably struggle with pride.
Pride is an easy trap to fall into, and the world expects high-placed leaders to be prideful. But imagine a group of leaders who gave glory to God for results rather than glory to themselves. Now that’s counter-cultural.
In the course of our leadership development, we have to address humility. Humility, in its naked form, shows just what a person believes about God and themselves.
Question: how are you teaching humility to your students?
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Leadership goes hand in hand with pride. After all, you’re in charge. You’re the man (or the woman). You get it done. With all of that, it’s no wonder that most leaders do not show any humility. Even though this makes sense, it’s not the way it should be.
At its core, humility is recognizing who and what you are. If you are a Christian, then you know that everything you are comes from God. If everything you are comes from God, there shouldn’t be any room for pride, but rather worship, praise, and thanksgiving.
Many leaders, even Christian leaders, seem not to make this distinction. A young Christian leader is going to need to learn humility early, and continue to work on it as they gain in respect, influence, and stature. The higher up they get, the more they will probably struggle with pride.
Pride is an easy trap to fall into, and the world expects high-placed leaders to be prideful. But imagine a group of leaders who gave glory to God for results rather than glory to themselves. Now that’s counter-cultural.
In the course of our leadership development, we have to address humility. Humility, in its naked form, shows just what a person believes about God and themselves.
Question: how are you teaching humility to your students?
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Monday, January 25, 2010
Youth Leadership Resume: Integrity
Over the next week, I want to talk about three elements of character that are most important to a leader. As Christians, we find ourselves in a world that wouldn’t agree with most of our character traits. We seem weak to the world; we seem different. I think different is good, but all too often Christians, in an effort to fit in with the world and not be seen as an outsider, will adopt the world’s standards.
If young Christian leaders are going to have an impact in the world at large then they must remain different. We must be set apart. The three elements of character that I have picked to write about this week represent what I believe are the core aspects of leadership that set us apart.
The first character trait is Integrity. My dad was big on integrity, and I grew up hearing that word every day. Unfortunately, many people didn’t grow up with my dad.
Integrity, at its heart, means doing the right thing all the time, even when people aren’t looking. I think that last part is the most important, because it talks about more than behavior; it talks about attitude. I can follow the rules to a person’s face, and as soon as they turn around, dump all the rules out the window. That is a sure sign that I don’t have integrity. I’m following the rules because it gets me ahead. Integrity is when we do what’s right because it’s right.
In a world of situational ethics, instilling integrity in our kids isn’t easy. In fact, it’s an uphill battle. But it’s a battle worth having. In fact, it’s a must. People follow a person with integrity. They look up to them. They’ll follow them because people with integrity are so different.
We need different. I don’t want the status quo in charge anymore. If we’re going to raise up the next generation of leaders, let’s give them some tools to be different. Let’s show and teach them integrity.
Question: how are you teaching integrity to your students?
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
If young Christian leaders are going to have an impact in the world at large then they must remain different. We must be set apart. The three elements of character that I have picked to write about this week represent what I believe are the core aspects of leadership that set us apart.
The first character trait is Integrity. My dad was big on integrity, and I grew up hearing that word every day. Unfortunately, many people didn’t grow up with my dad.
Integrity, at its heart, means doing the right thing all the time, even when people aren’t looking. I think that last part is the most important, because it talks about more than behavior; it talks about attitude. I can follow the rules to a person’s face, and as soon as they turn around, dump all the rules out the window. That is a sure sign that I don’t have integrity. I’m following the rules because it gets me ahead. Integrity is when we do what’s right because it’s right.
In a world of situational ethics, instilling integrity in our kids isn’t easy. In fact, it’s an uphill battle. But it’s a battle worth having. In fact, it’s a must. People follow a person with integrity. They look up to them. They’ll follow them because people with integrity are so different.
We need different. I don’t want the status quo in charge anymore. If we’re going to raise up the next generation of leaders, let’s give them some tools to be different. Let’s show and teach them integrity.
Question: how are you teaching integrity to your students?
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Long Term Hope for Haiti
The third and last blog on Haiti this week is going to talk about a long term strategy for rebuilding Haiti. Specifically, what our churches can do in the long term to help rebuild the country and share God's amazing love with the Haitian people.
Something I've been thinking about is organizing the church into teams of people with a specific skills mix and sending them down in shifts to help with rebuilding projects. It would take a great amount of planning and coordination, but could really help when a full-scale rebuild is underway.
First, what will the Haitians need in the long term?
Architects
New infrastructure
Consultants
Construction Workers
Carpenters
Teachers
Long Term food supply.
Counseling
Temporary workers in proffesional jobs where people were lost
and the list goes on.
Does anybody in your church fit this list? How about your list?
The resources to help rebuild this country are right here, under our very noses.
I'm curious. What can your leadership team alone supply in the way of expertise or skill? I'd be interested to hear from you.
Training Tomorrow's Leaders Today,
Matt
Something I've been thinking about is organizing the church into teams of people with a specific skills mix and sending them down in shifts to help with rebuilding projects. It would take a great amount of planning and coordination, but could really help when a full-scale rebuild is underway.
First, what will the Haitians need in the long term?
Architects
New infrastructure
Consultants
Construction Workers
Carpenters
Teachers
Long Term food supply.
Counseling
Temporary workers in proffesional jobs where people were lost
and the list goes on.
Does anybody in your church fit this list? How about your list?
The resources to help rebuild this country are right here, under our very noses.
I'm curious. What can your leadership team alone supply in the way of expertise or skill? I'd be interested to hear from you.
Training Tomorrow's Leaders Today,
Matt
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