OneCry – uniting people across this nation who desire to see a Christ-centered spiritual awakening in our nation.
This Friday – February 24th, OneCry is launching. Become a part of the movement.
Why don’t we really take care of our people?
Yesterday, I posted a Ken Blanchard video about the leadership approach at Southwest Airlines. They are tremendously successful in an industry that is notorious for poor performance – one key aspect is their deep care for their employees. Jim Collins in his his book Good to Great talks about the importance of your people and how the great companies truly care for their staff. Monday night, I talked with my class about a book by a CEO of a $2.5 billion company with 55,000 employees worldwide whose motto is “employees first, customers second” and has seen remarkable growth with that approach. Story after story of the truly great organizations center around the care of the people that make up that organization.
Yet, it is sad to say, that in many of our churches and ministries, there is significantly less care and love for the staff than there is in these “secular” for-profit companies. Why is it sometimes safer to be an employee of a large corporation where they do a better job of caring for their people than it is to serve at your local church or ministry? It seems a college football coach has greater job security than the senior pastor of a local church.
Sometimes it appears that the forward thinking organizations have adopted Biblical models of leadership and thriving while so many churches and ministries are mired in the some of the old discredited “business thinking” models of past decades. Does that seem a little out of whack to you?
Somehow, we need to recapture the biblical model of leadership and care for our staffs within churches and ministries and once again begin setting the standard for how the rest of the world needs to lead and care for their employees.
Just a thought.
BG
He is 50 years old and has spent 22 and a half years of his life in prison.
She used to be a high school teacher but has only been out of prison about 18 months.
I have the privilege of teaching a nonprofit management course as an adjunct professor in the MBA program at Bethel College in Mishawaka, IN and the two people I mentioned above were guest speakers for my class last night.
He was an angry man with addictions that was dangerous to himself and others. Less than ten years ago, he returned to this area homeless and destitute. He is now a follower of Christ, married, father of a young son with another child on the way, working on his MBA, rising in leadership responsibilities at the large nonprofit where he works and he serves on several boards of organizations in the community. He said that he used to destroy communities but he is now in the business of rebuilding them. His countenance seems to shine with joy and purpose. I don’t know her story except that it possibly has to do with drugs, but she too has a countenance of someone who is grateful and enjoys serving others. She is now using her teaching skills to help those in need.
Two transformed people who are now making a difference in the lives of others – being instruments of transformation in the lives of others. All because of the transforming love of Jesus Christ and His people. People who looked past the label “felon” and saw broken human beings who needed and wanted help. People, who because of the love of Christ, took a chance on ex-felons and invested in their lives and gave them a hand up. People who looked on broken people with the love and compassion of Christ and allowed themselves to be instruments of restoration in the lives of others.
The impact of the transformation of these two people will be incredible as they touch the lives of others. When you look at people do you see labels (felon, criminal, troublemaker, drifter, vagabond, busybody, stuck up, and so on) or do you see broken human beings desperately in need of compassion shown in the love of Jesus Christ and His people?
Take a chance and give someone a “hand up”. Be part of the transforming of a human life. Make a difference.
BG
“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end, . . .”
Isaiah 9:6-7
Merry Christmas!
May you know deeply the love of Christ whom we celebrate and worship!
BG
Virtue – Honor – Courage – Compassion – Duty
Important words to me. Lately, I have been pondering what it means to do right – even to ones own hurt. Virtue and honor should drive us to do what is right regardless of the cost – especially to ourselves. Courage gives us the means to act when we know that by doing right it will cost us – sometimes dearly.
It especially takes courage to do what is right when doing so comes with a cost and not doing so would not even be noticed. That is when true character shines forth.
As leaders, we should always act with courage and honor. Our decisions should always be based on what is right and what serves others. We of all people should act with courage. As Christians we are held to an even higher standard and as Christians we have access to the means to do what is right in any circumstance.
Do what is right – in all things. Act with courage, honor and virtue. Make a difference.
BG
Hope your weekend is getting off to a great start. Today is the day we put up our Christmas tree – a big day in the Allen household!!
What do you look for in a new member of your team? In an earlier post, I discussed the three basic things you need to look for:
Character, Chemistry, and Competency.
However, in a ministry or a nonprofit, where most people sacrifice in order to serve there – you need one more thing: Calling.
Does the prospective team member have a “calling” to your cause? Are they passionate about the cause? Can they go without talking about the cause? Is it “in their blood”?
Serving in ministry or a nonprofit usually costs someone something – if they don’t have a calling on their life for the cause, they probably won’t last.
BG
Are you thriving in your leadership role? In your life?
There are several things that are necessary for you to do so. These past few days I have been reminded of one of the key ways to ensure that we thrive – deep relationships.
This past week I have been back in my hometown area for some meetings and have had the chance to visit again with some of our dear friends. I am somewhat of an introvert so I don’t have a huge number of relationships, but the ones I do have are deep. This time with those dear friends of many years has been life giving to me. It has brought alive what I have read in many, many books on spiritual growth and leadership and that is the necessity for deep relationships to thrive as we are not meant to live this Christian life in isolation.
Treasure and nurture your friendships – they are key to your growth as a Christian and as a leader. Be intentional this week and reconnect with one of your treasured friends – you will be blessed.
BG
Pastor Booby Moore and his precious wife are now with our Lord. Pastor Booby was one
of those gracious men whose walk with Jesus was so intimate that when you met him, you just felt the presence of Christ. He was a wise man who finished well – one of those men whose faith was growing ever more vibrant the closer he got to going home.
Pastor Bobby spoke at Life Action one time about Leadership Lessons Learned Along the Way. Following are a few of these lessons:
Some good lessons and advice.
Go encourage someone in the Lord today.
BG
Good morning – would you be interested in learning what is one of the most important traits of a leader? It has been found to be absolutely vital to effective leadership by both Christian and secular leadership “experts”.
Business authors such as Jim Collins (Good to Great), Patrick Lencioni (The Five Dysfunctions of a Team) and others agree on this point. Christian authors such Crawford Loritts and Oswald J Sanders also agree that this trait is vital.
The antithesis of this trait is also the cause of the downfall of most leaders.
Humility is key to success as a leader – pride is a sure path to a leader’s downfall.
Click here to read a powerful piece by Patrick Lencioni on this vital trait of leaders.
Remember, as leaders you are called to serve and shepherd – not command and dictate.
Blessings – BG
Good Friday morning to you!
In Crawford Lorritts’ book, Leadership as an Identity, the final and fourth trait of a leader is Radical, Immediate Obedience. Interesting – we are talking about leaders and yet he says obedience marks a leader. In many leadership books I have read, obedience is seldom discussed, but as they taught me in the Army, you can’t lead until you learn how to follow.
Of course, Dr. Lorritts is talking about radical, immediate obedience to the Lord. That is often a very difficult thing to do. Well, following are a few notes from that final section of his book:
Radical, Immediate Obedience
Staying In The Game:
“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24
Biblical leadership is characterized by radical, immediate obedience.
Obedience acknowledges the supremacy of God over all things.
Enduring The Challenge:
“They all wanted to frighten us, thinking, ‘Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.’ But now O God, strengthen my hands.” Nehemiah 6:9
See it through!
Courage is complete obedience in the face of opposition.
The Legacy of Faithfulness:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1
A long obedience in the same direction is sustained by the small choices we make each day. Be aware of the cumulative nature of our little choices.
Hardship and difficulties are part of the leader’s portfolio.
Well – that is the last of the book. I would recommend adding it to your toolkit as a key aspect of understanding true leadership in the Lord’s Kingdom.
Hope you have a great weekend and spend time iwth your family and treasure them!
BG
