During my summer sabbatical I really try to look at myself and NCC through a wide-angled lens and regain some perspective. It helps me refocus on what's important. It also helps me remember why I'm doing what I'm doing.
I'm not sure how to say this so it comes across the right away. I've noticed that the more articles I write and the more conferences I speak at the more people perceive you as some sort of "expert." But I often joke with our staff that the farther away from home you are the more of an expert you are :) So all the churches on the west coast are experts to those of us on the east coast :) The truth is that I don't feel like an expert on anything :) I honestly believe that anytime you think you have something figured out it is the beginning of the end.
I think one key to leadership is cultivating a culture of humility and teachability where people realize that you never have it completely figured out. I think another key is cultivating a culture of experimention where people have the freedom to try new things and fail.
Here are some of the issues I feel like we're wrestling with as a church right now.
One of the big ones is assimilation. We've always been good at getting people in the front door. But we have a hard time getting them into the living room :) I think our efforts to really allow people to retain their anonymity while they explore Christianity has caused us to not be as assertive as we could be or should be in following-up with people.
One of the other things I'm really wrestling with is how do we help people cross the line of faith in more creative and concrete ways. It's almost embarrassing to admit that we're still trying to figure this one out. We don't do traditional altar calls where people come forward. Ocassionally we'll have people raise hands in a prayer or we'll invite them to celebrate communion. We've had alot of people cross the line in Alpha. And, of course, baptism is the ultimate public confession. But I'm concerned that we aren't doing a good enough job in helping people take their first few steps following Christ.
That's the tip of the iceberg.
We certainly have a dozen other weaknesses. But hopefully we have the discernment to know what they are, the wisdom to know what to do, and the courage to actually do something about them. That doesn't mean we don't play to our strengths. But I think we'll wrestle with issues like these as long as we're doing ministry.
You never have it completely figured out :)
I'm not sure how to say this so it comes across the right away. I've noticed that the more articles I write and the more conferences I speak at the more people perceive you as some sort of "expert." But I often joke with our staff that the farther away from home you are the more of an expert you are :) So all the churches on the west coast are experts to those of us on the east coast :) The truth is that I don't feel like an expert on anything :) I honestly believe that anytime you think you have something figured out it is the beginning of the end.
I think one key to leadership is cultivating a culture of humility and teachability where people realize that you never have it completely figured out. I think another key is cultivating a culture of experimention where people have the freedom to try new things and fail.
Here are some of the issues I feel like we're wrestling with as a church right now.
One of the big ones is assimilation. We've always been good at getting people in the front door. But we have a hard time getting them into the living room :) I think our efforts to really allow people to retain their anonymity while they explore Christianity has caused us to not be as assertive as we could be or should be in following-up with people.
One of the other things I'm really wrestling with is how do we help people cross the line of faith in more creative and concrete ways. It's almost embarrassing to admit that we're still trying to figure this one out. We don't do traditional altar calls where people come forward. Ocassionally we'll have people raise hands in a prayer or we'll invite them to celebrate communion. We've had alot of people cross the line in Alpha. And, of course, baptism is the ultimate public confession. But I'm concerned that we aren't doing a good enough job in helping people take their first few steps following Christ.
That's the tip of the iceberg.
We certainly have a dozen other weaknesses. But hopefully we have the discernment to know what they are, the wisdom to know what to do, and the courage to actually do something about them. That doesn't mean we don't play to our strengths. But I think we'll wrestle with issues like these as long as we're doing ministry.
You never have it completely figured out :)
1 Comments:
Wow this is so honest and good.
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