One of the things I am totally looking forward to in 2009 is The Idea Camp hosted by Charles Lee and company. This event has been conceived as an “open source hybrid conference designed to help people move from the realm of ideas to implementation.”
We are gathering some of the most innovative [...]
Archive for the 'Leadership' Category
The Idea Camp - February 27th -28th Irvine Ca.
Published by December 3rd, 2008 in Global Christianity, Global Issues, Leadership, Poverty, Social Issues, Spiritual Dynamics, Spiritual Practices and mission. 1 CommentiFeedReaders
Telling God’s Story: Narrative Preaching for Christian Formation
Published by October 8th, 2007 in Church, Leadership, Scripture and Spiritual Practices. 1 CommentiFeedReaders
Book review from a new book by Dr. John W. Wright, called Telling God’s Story: Narrative Preaching for Christian Formation. Excerpt:
Drawing on Robert Bellah, Wright offers a diagnosis of recent trends which has left pastors in a situation such that the managerial demands of a pastor are contrasted with the therapeutic needs of those [...]
Helen Barrett Montgomery - The Bible and Missions
Published by October 2nd, 2007 in Bible, Books, Church, Faith and Politics, History, Leadership, Missiology, Politics and Theology. 1 CommentiFeedReaders
INTRODUCTION
Helen Barrett Montgomery may be on of the most influential Christians you have never heard of. Her groundbreaking text The Bible and Missions was required reading for one of my Fuller classes (review follows) but her life is more an inspiration than any of her individual writtings.
Montgomery (1861-1934) was a social reformer, [...]
Book Review: LeadershipNext: Changing Leaders in a Changing Culture by Eddie Gibbs -Part 4
Published by July 31st, 2007 in Books, Church, Leadership and Western Christianity. 1 CommentiFeedReaders
What are some of the unique strengths and weaknesses of younger leaders?
As a relatively young leader in an emerging church context who desires to be more effective, I paid special attention to Gibbs assessment of characteristic strengths and weaknesses in younger church leaders. According to Gibbs, younger leaders have a distinct advantage over older [...]
Book Review: LeadershipNext: Changing Leaders in a Changing Culture by Eddie Gibbs -Part 3
Published by July 29th, 2007 in Books, Church, Leadership and Western Christianity. 0 CommentsiFeedReaders
What cultural changes are occurring that require a change in our understanding of leadership?
Through my experiences as the pastor of an emerging church, I have felt that tremendous cultural change is rendering previous modes of leadership largely ineffective in many church contexts. I noted that Gibbs shares this view and I was interested to [...]
Book Review: LeadershipNext: Changing Leaders in a Changing Culture by Eddie Gibbs -Part 2
Published by July 27th, 2007 in Books, Church and Leadership. 1 CommentiFeedReaders
How does leadership need to be redefined if the church is to accomplish its’ mission?
Approaching this book, I was interested in how Gibbs rooted the need for a change in leadership traits, attitudes and styles to the success of the mission of the church. Beginning with generic descriptions of leadership, Gibbs quickly moves toward [...]
Book Review: LeadershipNext: Changing Leaders in a Changing Culture by Eddie Gibbs -Part 1
Published by July 25th, 2007 in Books, Church, Leadership and Western Christianity. 5 CommentsiFeedReaders
Rapid cultural change is occurring globally, especially in developed nations and cities where technological innovation is taking place. The church finds itself in the midst of this change, struggling to maintain any kind of influence and rapidly losing its connection to people ages thirty-five and younger. For church leaders to engage the emerging [...]
“The L Word,” and my anxiety over it
Published by June 26th, 2007 in Leadership, Spiritual Dynamics and Western Christianity. 8 CommentsiFeedReaders
“Leadership.” Through the lenses of my own personal history with various expressions of Christianty, this word has picked up good deal of baggage and has become something of a source of anxiety to me.
The worst images that come to mind have to do with authoritarian males who exhibit cultish tendencies while claiming [...]
A Theology as big as the City - Part 3 - A Surprising Source of Urban Leaders
Published by June 8th, 2007 in Books, Kingdom and Leadership. 1 CommentiFeedReaders
Bakke reflects on the life of Moses and his emergence as the leader in God’s liberation of Israel from slavery.
“…the great Exodus movement began with poor urban women who broke the law by having illegal babies. The law, genocidal and totally unjust, made this a case of civil disobedience. Moses mother [...]
“The Death of the Pastor” - Taking Paulo Freire to Church
Published by May 12th, 2007 in Leadership and Western Christianity. 2 CommentsiFeedReaders
Through the writtings of Jane Vella, I have been introduced to Paulo Freire, influential educational theorist from Brazil perhaps best known for his “Pedagogy of the Oppressed.” Freire, who was a Christian socialist heavily influenced by liberation theology, deconstructed traditional educational paradigms and student teacher relationships:
Freire is best-known for his attack on what he [...]
Book Review: Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders
Published by April 19th, 2007 in Books, Leadership, Prayer, Spiritual Dynamics and Western Christianity. 0 CommentsiFeedReaders
As a part of my academic journey with Fuller Seminary, I will be doing a lot of additional reading. Since I need to review each of these books anyway, I thought I would post my reviews here for the benefit of readers who are interested in my synopsis of these resources. This weeks [...]
Characteristics of “Missional” Churches
Published by January 12th, 2007 in Leadership, Spiritual Practices and Western Christianity. 1 CommentiFeedReaders
At the Leadership Journal Blog, Out of Ur, Tim Conder has posted a great short article offering insight into the characteristics of “missional” churches. The word “missional” gets thrown around alot. (Case and point, just look over to your right and you will see it in the description of this blog!) I [...]
Who really cares? Conservatives give much more than liberals, people of faith much more than athiests…
Published by December 8th, 2006 in Foursquare, Global Issues, Leadership, Politics, Pop Culture, Social Issues, Spiritual Dynamics, Spiritual Practices and Western Christianity. 5 CommentsiFeedReaders
Saw a fascinating news special on T.V. the other about giving in America. Who really Cares? Apparently its, conservatives more than liberals, Souix Falls more than San Fransisco, people of faith more than atheists.
Leaders, sin and confession, changing the Evangelical Environment
Published by November 15th, 2006 in Leadership and Western Christianity. 1 CommentiFeedReaders
This post follows conversation that has emerged our of previous posts/conversations about Ted Haggard, sin, confession, leadership and the evangelical environment in general. First of all, I want to share honestly my thoughts about the Haggard situation and where I find myself with my reflections. Second some discussion statements/questions for your consideration. [...]
To whom can the pastor confess?
Published by November 8th, 2006 in Leadership, Spiritual Dynamics, Spiritual Practices and Western Christianity. 7 CommentsiFeedReaders
This post is a continuation of the previous conversation about the “Evangelical Environment” by Scot McKnight and the great comments made by readers here about the Ted Haggard situation.
Here are a few observations
Scot McKnigt on Ted Haggard and the Evangelical Environment
Published by November 6th, 2006 in Leadership, Spiritual Dynamics and Spiritual Practices. 9 CommentsiFeedReaders
Jesus Creed » Ted Haggard and the Evangelical Environment
In my opinion, Scot has nailed the issue here. I am all too in tune with this environment McKnight speaks of…
Read a great post by Don Johnsonasking about whether people involved in emerging church conversations consider our church histories are a burden or a gift. Shortly afterward, I read Dan Kimball’s post where he celebrates the influence in his life of past leaders saying:
I hope as emerging churches mature and grow, even [...]
Leadership Interview Part 7 –Management/Leadership Style
Published by June 21st, 2006 in Leadership. 0 CommentsiFeedReaders
Ry: In order to keep teams, staff or programs running, what is your approach? Are you high-touch, low-touch, somewhere in the middle?
Me: I am trying to not let my personal sense of comfort with my own “management style” determine that as much as adapting to those I am leading. I am trying to develop [...]
Leadership Interview Part 6 –Management and Motivation…
Published by June 20th, 2006 in Leadership. 0 CommentsiFeedReaders
Ry: ok…just a couple quick questions on management
Me: cool
Ry: As a manager of teams, staff or programs, how do you keep people motivated?
Me: Good question…, ha, This actually was the topic of my final research project undergrad. To discover what factors contribute to volunteer retention in the context of a local faith community.
Ry: [...]
Leadership Interview Part 4 –Can Leaders be Friends with Those they Lead?
Published by June 17th, 2006 in Leadership. 0 CommentsiFeedReaders
Ry: What is your philosophy regarding the line between leadership and friendship?
Me: Hmmmm….
I think that ultimately this question goes back to the issue I raised earlier about the internal force within a leader. Specifically, a leader is consistently a leader because of an internal quality or orientation that posesses them and mobilizes them. [...]
Leadership Interview Part 3 –Use of Power
Published by June 15th, 2006 in Leadership. 0 CommentsiFeedReaders
Ry: What is your view on the use of power by leadership? & How do you use your leadership power? and remember this is leadership as pertaining to to christian communities of faith…
Me: My ideas of the use of power lie theoritically in the teaching of Jesus to his early disciples. Essentially, he [...]
Leadership Interview Part 2 –Characteristics of Effective Leaders
Published by June 14th, 2006 in Leadership. 0 CommentsiFeedReaders
Ry: What do you feel are good characteristics of effective leaders?
Me: I would say that an important characteristic of leadership is conviction, passion or a sense of meaning or calling toward what you are engaged in.
I think that effective leaders bring more than abstract leadership skill to the table in the context in which they [...]
Leadership Interview Part 1 –Mission
Published by June 13th, 2006 in Leadership and Western Christianity. ClosediFeedReaders
A couple of weeks ago, Ryan interviewed me as well as a few other church leaders/pastors for a project he was working on regarding leadership philosophy in the church. The goal was to get a sense of the leadership styles and philosophies of church leaders in different contexts. Being the smart guy [...]
Scot Mcknight on Emerging Evangelism…
Published by May 1st, 2006 in Leadership, Spiritual Practices and Western Christianity. 1 CommentiFeedReaders
Excellent short post asking important questions about current notions of “evangelism.” Thanks Scot. Full Post: Jesus Creed » Emerging Evangelism: Critical Beginnings Teaser:
First, there is the issue of reducing the gospel to a marketable simplicity. Many are concerned that the gospel is so profound, so comprehensively transforming, and identity-forming that reducing [...]
Newbigin on Leadership
Published by April 30th, 2006 in Kingdom, Leadership and Western Christianity. 0 CommentsiFeedReaders
What, then, will be the relation of the minister to this community? I have used such words as “enabling,” “sustaining,” and “nourishing” to describe his role in mobilizing the congregation for its mission. But how shall this be done? Once again, I think, we have to look at alternative images. The typical [...]
‘Kiss this!’ Lessons on Spiritual Leadership from Johnny Rotten and the Sex Pistols
Published by March 14th, 2006 in Leadership and Music. 1 CommentiFeedReaders
When I first read this article CNN.com - Sex Pistol to Rock Hall: ‘Kiss this!’ - Mar 13, 2006 I seriously laughed out loud thinking: “Wow, that is so punk rock.” Nearly a generation ago, Johnny Rotten and the Sex Pistols and a few other bands defined both the sound and the attitude of [...]
Living Supernaturally
Published by March 13th, 2006 in Leadership and Spiritual Dynamics. 2 CommentsiFeedReaders
The Lord calls us to do more than just accept a doctrine of supernatural ministry–He calls us to the risks of its dynamic– to live in constant availability to His miracle presence. I object to the pious but misguided idea that God expects us to believe He will sprinkle miracles like diamonds everywhere we [...]
Hard Leadership Issues: Raising Support; A Letter to an Urban Missionary in the United States
Published by March 7th, 2006 in Leadership. 1 CommentiFeedReaders
Following is an excerpt from a letter I wrote to a friend who is raising support to begin a ministry in an urban context in an American City. My friend is not thinking in terms of the language of the institution, what we would traditional characterize as the role of a pastor. Raising [...]
Time Magazine, Barna’s Revolution and the House Church Movement
Published by February 28th, 2006 in Kingdom, Leadership, Western Christianity and Worship. 0 CommentsiFeedReaders
I have been aware of Barna’s research for some time and I am familier with different voices in the house church movement. I am always interested however when mainstream media (Time Magizine in this case) pick up on the magnitude of these trends. TIME.com: There’s No Pulpit Like Home — Mar. 06, 2006 [...]
Thoughts on Leadership
Published by August 12th, 2005 in Kingdom, Leadership and Western Christianity. 3 CommentsiFeedReaders
Having been a student for the last 14 months, most of the writting I have done recently has been in an academic context. At the risk of totally boring the three of you who actually visit this blog in the vain hope of finding new content, I thought I could post a few things [...]
The Problem with “Preaching”
Published by January 13th, 2005 in Kingdom, Leadership and Spiritual Practices. 1 CommentiFeedReaders
There is a serious difference between a well-planned communication of ideas and a Life giving spiritual transmission. As a pastor, the oddness of the weekly preaching responsibility never escapes me. Lately as I make an attempt to outline my thoughts and or ideas for a “message,” I am possessed with a stark sense [...]
Influence
Published by December 6th, 2004 in Kingdom, Leadership, Spiritual Practices and Western Christianity. 0 CommentsiFeedReaders
Anyone who is willing to follow Christ can become a mighty influence on the world, providing, of course, this person has the proper training. Here is where we must begin just like Jesus. It will be slow, tedious, painful, and probably unnoticed by people at first, but the end result will be glorious, [...]
Thanksgiving
Published by November 29th, 2004 in Family and Friends, Kingdom, Leadership and Spiritual Practices. 0 CommentsiFeedReaders
Last week on Thanksgiving day Kristin and I packed up the kids in the minivan and drove north to Santa Maria to spend the day with my family. In addition to the usual feast, we were able to enjoy catching up with family members we have not seen in a while and meet some [...]
title: treasure teller
topic: gratitude, joy, mission
text: Ephesians 3:8
“Just think! Though I did nothing to deserve it, and though I am the least deserving Christian there is, I was chosen for this special joy of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ.”
Paul talks in this passage about his level of [...]
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