A Lesson in Leadership
It's hard to put today into perspective. I was part of a group of five pastors that met with Dr. George Wood, General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God. We spent the better part of fourteen hours together including dinner at his house. I can only describe it as a thoroughly enjoyable day that leaves me hopeful about things to come.
Here are a few of my unfiltered impressions:
I love George Wood's leadership style. He focuses on ends not means which gives churches the freedom to innovate. That's huge! Really love the way he appreciates the past but focuses on the future. He makes me think. He speaks a new language, not tired words. And I feel like he hears me when I talk. So much of leadership is creating culture and setting tone. Great tone being established at headquarters!
I honestly feel like I got a lesson in leadership today.
Here are a few of my unfiltered impressions:
I love George Wood's leadership style. He focuses on ends not means which gives churches the freedom to innovate. That's huge! Really love the way he appreciates the past but focuses on the future. He makes me think. He speaks a new language, not tired words. And I feel like he hears me when I talk. So much of leadership is creating culture and setting tone. Great tone being established at headquarters!
I honestly feel like I got a lesson in leadership today.
10 Comments:
Very good news.
I'm confused by Mark's words "Great tone being established at headquarters!" Is NCC part of the Assembly of God denomination? I thought we were non-denominational? Or are we a hidden brand, like how Ford owns Mazda or GM owns Saturn?
Not that it matters, I love NCC either way, I'm just curious :-).
Ahh...Dr. Wood. When I was in high school I was part of a maintenance team that cleaned the HQ's and all of the offices. While I was in Dr. Wood's office one day I hit a statue on his desk which promptly broke into pieces. Calling him a few days later and telling him was nerve wracking. His response: He laughed and said he had broke it a few weeks prior and had super glued it back together. Nothing like leadership to help realize we all make mistakes. I'll never forget that. Or getting caught in Dr. Trask's (then superintendent) office spinning round and round in his chair by the man himself. He just laughed and asked if he could try.
Fond memories of great leaders!
Terry
To the deuce...as a youth pastor's wife in an AG church, your comments produce a hilarious mental picture!
I found the answer to my own question. Apparently NCC is an Assembly of God church. Must be a hidden affiliation. I grew up PCA and now I'm AG... who knew?
Here's NCC on the AG website:
http://ag.org/top/church_directory/index.cfm?Display=Yes&churchdetail=bf2e210d-196e-43c9-a732-48b0a9f50c59
Hey-- thought I would pipe in on the NCC affiliation thing. We are interdenominational in makeup with people from a wide range of theological and denominational backgrounds. The highest percentage of NCCers are actually from unchurched and dechurched backgrounds. We are affiliated with three different networks of churches. The Assemblies of God is our theological affiliation, while the Willow Creek Association and Mosaic Alliance are our methodological affiliations.
We certainly don't try to hide any of that; it just usually doesn't come up in the day to day ministry that we do! :)
two comments:
1. glad to hear our such a great conversation with dr. wood. i think he has the unique mix of wisdom, life experience and coastal living (yea i have a california bias) for the role as GS for the AG. i look forward to what the next few years bring.
2. i appreciated heather's description of a church having unique theological affiliations and methodological affiliations. that's really an apt description of many churches today, that we don't want to abandon our denominations (our theo roots) but we find fresh air through involvement in other organizations (our methods). thx for phrasing in a way that helps me understand me better!
Melissa,
My dad was a pastor for awhile with the Assemblies and my stories here are "tame" compared to what I used to get in trouble doing, especially while he was preaching. Scariest time of my life was when my dad stopped preaching and came out of the pulpit. I still wake up with cold sweats from that one.....Haha!
Terry
Hey all,
I may post my thoughts on all things denominational at some point. I'm actually a denominational mutt--went to about seven different denominational churches growing up. Landed with the AG in college. I almost jumped ship during seminary, but I'm glad I stayed the course. Sometimes I feel like I'm on the theological and methodological fringe, but the AG helped get NCC off the ground and for that I'm eternally grateful and loyal. Most of my relationships and networks are outside the AG, but I'm grateful for an opportunity to be part of a fellowship.
Mark
I was encouraged by Dr. Wood's vision for the future and the focus he has on investing in the next generation... Sounds like we are finally having a voice.
Post a Comment
<< Home