The Basics - 2

Over the years I've become alarmed at the lack of professionalism that exists among our ministers.  This doesn't just apply to the new young guys.  There seems to be slippage at all levels.  Let me explain.

Our culture has made it acceptable for pastors to dress more casually.  This is great!  We no longer have to wear suits and ties every day.  I enjoy the more casual style.  When I pastored in southern California, my Sunday morning "work" clothes were business suits (we were in a very professional area) but otherwise I had a lot of flexibility.  In my current ministry setting, I might wear a suit, a sweater, or when the weather is nice, polo shirts and even my fun Hawaiian shirts (much to my wife's and daughter's dismay!).

But I'm seeing a disturbing trend.  Some pastors no longer consider the setting they are walking in to.  What I mean is this.  If you are going to meet with a city or town mayor or a group of community leaders, I don't think you should be wearing camo pants, hiking boots, and your favorite Duck Dynasty t-shirt!  Trust me, this happens!  Guys, go business casual at the very least!  Look like a professional!  I've walked into meetings to see a pastor who looked like he crawled out of bed, found the most wrinkled and ripped thing he could find, unshaven and looking like death warmed over.

I know.  I'm old school in some ways.  But I will go to my grave believing that I am a professional and I need to dress appropriately for the situation I'm in.  I am glad I don't have to wear a tie all the time!  But at the same time, I think I've learned that dressing right keeps you in the game rather than turning off the very people you are trying to influence.

The Basics

As a pastor of 32 years, I must say that I don't really feel like an authority on a lot of things.  I make no claim to being an expert!  I am still learning every day, and I am deeply indebted to the people I am continually learning from:  Tim, my spiritual growth partner; Matthew, my friend and young leader who thinks outside the box; Rob, an innovative church leader who I appreciate more as the years go by; and, Aron, my good friend who is my superior in ministry.  Thanks to these people, I am constantly being challenged to raise the bar and strive for more.

There are many things that I've learned about life and ministry over the years, and I am thinking that sharing them might be of some benefit.  One adage is, "You can't take people to a level where you haven't been."  By that we mean that leaders need to stay one step ahead of their people.  To raise people up you don't get behind them and push, but rather, you bend down and offer a hand to lift them up.

In order to be that kind of leader, you have to keep learning.  Read books.  Listen to cd's and other online resources.  Attend an occasional conference.  Spend time with other growing leaders.  Expose yourself to the wisdom of others - even (especially) if they are younger than you!

Let me encourage you to take it to the next level no matter what level you find yourself on.  And keep serving others.  There is no better way to lead than to serve.  But more about that next time.

Teamwork

The rage in the sports world this week and next is the Super Bowl.  Analysts and fans alike are dissecting the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks as the teams prepare for the biggest game of the NFL season.  I heard one analyst talking about that the team wins will not do so because it has the biggest stars or the greatest players.  The team that wins will do so because it is the better team.

Teamwork.  It's the missing ingredient in many organizations including churches.  Too many pastors think that leadership is about them having to call all the shots and insisting that everyone follows them.  While everything rises and falls on leadership, I think that the leader who fails to build his team fails.  Patrick Lencioni writes, "Not finance.  Not strategy.  Not technology.  It is teamwork that remains the ultimate competitive advantage, both because it is so powerful and so rare.  If you could get all the people in an organization rowing in the same direction, you could dominate any industry, in any market, against any competition, at any time." (The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, page vii). 

There are many tools available to help us in the endeavor of team building.  Tools aren't the issue.  The issue is doing it.  What stops us from developing strong teams?  Is it pride or self-sufficiency?  Is it insecurity?  Let me encourage you to lay aside the thing that stops you and build a team!

Thoughts on following Jesus

"The religion of Christ is not a tidbit after one's bread; on the contrary, it is the bread or it is nothing.  People should at least understand and concede this if they call themselves Christian."

These words from Dietrich Bonhoeffer are a call to discipleship.  His message in these two sentences is quite simple.  One who claims to be a Christian must realize that following Jesus is an all or nothing venture.  A man cannot serve two masters.  Discipleship (following) is serious business.  Do we understand that?  Has Western culture caused an erosion in our thinking that anything goes?  What cost are we really paying to follow Jesus? 

New Year is Coming

It's official.  We are going to be welcoming in another New Year in just a couple of days.  I'm sure that there are those of you who are going to make several New Year's resolutions.  And, if history tells us anything, most of those will be broken in just a few days! 

Perhaps we don't need resolutions.  Perhaps what we need are commitments - commitments that include accountability.  Just making resolutions and promises doesn't cut it.  We all need people to hold our feet to the fire and who will push us to be better than we are today. 

Let me encourage you to make one solid, meaningful commitment for this New Year.  If you like, tell me about it.  If not, that's fine.  But make sure you enlist someone who has the ability to hold you accountable to that commitment. 

Questions that Sort Through Requests

I don't know about you, but sometimes I allow myself to take on too many things at once.  I am thankful that the Lord gives me the strength to approach each challenge, but at times I start to feel my age.  I'm trying to improve at saying "no," and I have actually turned down some things that would have burdened my already crowded schedule.  A friend who is a national figure and in constant demand once told me, "David, my life is not my own any more."  At first I was impressed with how important he was, and to be honest, I craved that lifestyle and the fame that came with it.  But my pursuit of being noticed did me far more damage than good, and it took its toll on my relationships. 

Over the years I've figured out that there are some questions I need to ask myself in narrowing the field of my involvements in order to eliminate the overloads.  Here are some things I've asked myself.  Perhaps they will help you.  If you have any to add, please do so!  We can learn from each other!

1. Does the request fit within my life mission? In other words, will it help me accomplish my calling or will it distract me from where my vision should be focused?
2. Will it take time away from my loved ones that will do damage to our relationships?
3. Why am I saying "Yes?"  Is it to impress someone?  Does it fill some sort of sense of need of approval?  Or is it because it is the right thing to do?
4. Is the investment of my time in this going to broaden the Kingdom of God, my life in general, or some other meaningful purpose? 
5. Will others benefit from my involvement?
6. Do I have the gifts and abilities to do the task that I'm being asked to do?
7. Do I really have the time?  If I take this on, what might have to be put on hold or eliminated?
8. Am I willing to make the sacrifices necessary to do this well?

I don't always succeed in saying no, but I'm getting better.  These questions help me a lot.  Let me know what works for you!

Proud Dad - Part 2

We celebrated my daughter's volleyball season last night with a banquet and awards.  I was thrilled to see my daughter walk up and receive her varsity letter.  But I was even more proud when the coach spent several minutes talking about my daughter's contribution to the team - her hard work, her all-out play on the floor, and her example to others about how hard work really does pay off!  Yep, the glow on that side of the auditeria was coming from my table! 

What I am most proud of is not what my daughter did (though she was a key cog in a team that was a semi-state finalist in Indiana Class 2A), but rather, who she is becoming.  She is becoming quite a young lady who is developing her leadership.  She is a member of the National Honor Society and is getting involved in community service.  She is a team leader.  She is an encourager.  Younger students look up to her because she brings positive energy to all.

As we were getting ready to leave the banquet, one of the coaches from the junior high girls team spoke with me about my daughter.  She interns for this coach who is a teacher at the high school.  The teacher told me that she is honored to have my daughter intern and that she is a blessing to her.  I thanked the teacher and told her how much she meant to my daughter.  The teacher's response:  "She's such a great young lady." 

Lord, all three of my children are awesome.  Thank you for how you have wired them.  I thank you for the contributions they are making to society and to your Kingdom.  Please continue to lead and guide their lives.  Give them dreams that exceed their circumstances.  Give them courage to passionately pursue the dreams you give them.  And please, give them a joy that comes from knowing and loving you!