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
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