Back on the issue of what seems to have taken center stage in the Christian ministry world. By way of recap, there seems to be an inordinate amount of leadership gatherings, webinars, seminars, blog posts, etc., especially when compared to what's out there dealing with the area of living the life of a servant.
Sadly we live in a culture that has pretty much infiltrated the church, hence the allure to position, posture and stature. Of course every organization needs great leadership, but what seems to be happening is that we have developed a mentality within the Christian organizational world that says, if you're not a leader then your pretty much not anything at all.
It's kind of like freshman playing high school football - every kid wants to be the quarterback. The sad truth is, if 50 kids go out for the team there might be two or three that have the aptitude to play that particular position. But, quarterback is the glory position so everyone thinks that that's the position to play. Not unlike the church - most people see the person who speaks from the platform as the "key" person in the church, so many of the incoming staff have that position in their sights - everyone thinks that is the place to play.
All the while, any emphasis on promoting the important role of servant, is pretty much left on the sidelines. So what do we do if we continue down this path of glorifying leadership and ignoring the role of servant?
Hopefully I'll have more on this tomorrow - but for now, keep serving and keep bringing the Kingdom to the least of these.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Leadership or Servanthood . . . What's More Important
Trying to answer the question of whether leadership or servanthood is more important is a little like trying to decide which sense is most important, your ability to hear or your ability to see.
This nearly impossible to answer question started swirling around in my head when I began to take notice of all the emails I was receiving inviting me to take part in this "leadership" conference or that "leadership" webinar; and that was not all . . . then there were all the books on leadership, and the podcasts dedicated to building more effective leadership skills, especially in those who are leaders within the church. It seemed as if leadership were the clarion call and that anyone not participating was more or less the class nerd. Worst of all a class nerd with absolutely no leadership skills to speak of!
All of a sudden it seemed that no matter where I turned or tuned, there was someone or some organization selling the benefits of their leadership deal - Each group would roll out their "star" line-up of leaders; groups of people who most of us have heard of and sort of feel like we know. All of this effort in an attempt to capture our attention and our commitment to attend.
After what seemed like months rolling into years of being beckoned into the realm of would be leaders, I began to wonder whatever happened to the value that we once placed on living the life of the servant.
Now that I've set the stage . . . I will do my best to provide a daily contribution to this question of leadership or servanthood - where do we go from here.
This nearly impossible to answer question started swirling around in my head when I began to take notice of all the emails I was receiving inviting me to take part in this "leadership" conference or that "leadership" webinar; and that was not all . . . then there were all the books on leadership, and the podcasts dedicated to building more effective leadership skills, especially in those who are leaders within the church. It seemed as if leadership were the clarion call and that anyone not participating was more or less the class nerd. Worst of all a class nerd with absolutely no leadership skills to speak of!
All of a sudden it seemed that no matter where I turned or tuned, there was someone or some organization selling the benefits of their leadership deal - Each group would roll out their "star" line-up of leaders; groups of people who most of us have heard of and sort of feel like we know. All of this effort in an attempt to capture our attention and our commitment to attend.
After what seemed like months rolling into years of being beckoned into the realm of would be leaders, I began to wonder whatever happened to the value that we once placed on living the life of the servant.
Now that I've set the stage . . . I will do my best to provide a daily contribution to this question of leadership or servanthood - where do we go from here.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Miramar Theatre
Char and I had the chance to spend the afternoon with friends yesterday (Sunday), they are pastoring a relatively new church on the east-side of Milwaukee.
The church is meeting in the old Miramar theater. It's a perfect location for the younger crowd that is calling this new church "home." I really loved being part of the gathering that was already underway by the time we arrived. The honest, raw energy was great.
Michael is the pastor of the church and he brings an authenticity and challenge to his teaching that has largely been lost due to most churches being caught up in a desperate effort to be hip.
No frills at the Miramar theatre - but you don't really care. Seeing a room full of college students excited about their faith and the journey that lies ahead, is far better than a cushy environment brimming with multi-media overload.
The church is meeting in the old Miramar theater. It's a perfect location for the younger crowd that is calling this new church "home." I really loved being part of the gathering that was already underway by the time we arrived. The honest, raw energy was great.
Michael is the pastor of the church and he brings an authenticity and challenge to his teaching that has largely been lost due to most churches being caught up in a desperate effort to be hip.
No frills at the Miramar theatre - but you don't really care. Seeing a room full of college students excited about their faith and the journey that lies ahead, is far better than a cushy environment brimming with multi-media overload.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Don Miller
I was fortunate tonight to have checked my Twitter account right at the time Don Miller was doing a little interactive web event. I so appreciate Don's genuine personality and how he answers questions in a way that convinces the listener that he is saying what he believes rather that what he thinks you might want to hear.
Don is like a breath of fresh air - if you haven't had a chance to read one of Don's wonderful books, go to Amazon and have a look at his offerings, they are all very good.
Don is like a breath of fresh air - if you haven't had a chance to read one of Don's wonderful books, go to Amazon and have a look at his offerings, they are all very good.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Worlds Worst Blogger
Without a doubt I am one of the world's worst bloggers - not necessarily from a content point of view but from a consistency standpoint. I love to write, but as much as I love to write I love to have first-person human interest stories to write about.
One exciting piece of news that came my way this week was that I found out "for sure" that our ministry, Pastors Retreat Network, was confirmed as an exhibitor at the upcoming Catalyst conference in Atlanta this October. If you are unfamiliar with Catalyst and all that they have going on here is a link to their site.
From now on I will do my best to keep up with my responsibility as a blogger. I will try to post something meaningful everyday - let's see how I do! Peace and Blessings to All
Monday, August 10, 2009
Headlines
Do you ever read USA Today, the online version specifically? I have USA Today set as my homepage in my Safari browser. I like to get my day started by taking a quick look at the headlines as they relate to news, both national and international, what's going on in the world of finance, sports and all the other major areas covered within USA Today online.
One of my favorite stops is the news subsection covering religion. I this section because it deals with a broad range of issues that are important to the church, or should be important to the church.
Today one of the articles dealt with the "hot" topic of homosexuality. In the work that I do I have the great privilege of talking with people who might be considered "professional" Christians. In other words they get paid to work for the church or para-church ministries.
Within these groups of professional Christians, there are as many opinions as there are people when it comes to topics like homosexuality. Because the church has made homosexuality one of their "acid test" issues, I thought there might be interest in reading what some psychologists are saying about how best to deal with the issue of homosexuality within the confines of the counseling area.
Here is the link to that article
One of my favorite stops is the news subsection covering religion. I this section because it deals with a broad range of issues that are important to the church, or should be important to the church.
Today one of the articles dealt with the "hot" topic of homosexuality. In the work that I do I have the great privilege of talking with people who might be considered "professional" Christians. In other words they get paid to work for the church or para-church ministries.
Within these groups of professional Christians, there are as many opinions as there are people when it comes to topics like homosexuality. Because the church has made homosexuality one of their "acid test" issues, I thought there might be interest in reading what some psychologists are saying about how best to deal with the issue of homosexuality within the confines of the counseling area.
Here is the link to that article
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Funding Secured
Yesterday I learned that the grant request proposal I submitted to a Wisconsin-based Foundation was approved. I have never given birth so I have no idea how painful that experience is for new moms, but I can tell you for sure that writing a detailed grant request is like having your hand slammed in the door repeatedly.
It is funny how all the pain seems to fade away once you have the grant approval letter in your hot little hand.
I am really thankful that this approval came when it did, this has ben a tough year fundraising-wise; the economy has not been helpful, but we still believe we will raise everything we need to keep the ministry fully funded.
Needless to say, the grant that we've received will be very helpful. Now on to the next funding project! We have to keep the retreat space available for all the pastors and spouses that have been requesting this much needed time away.
Monday, July 20, 2009
So Many Words . . . So Little Communication
Being a writer and communicator, I spend a lot of time reading and listening to other people. I especially enjoy learning from others as I read their work and listen to their oration.
One thing I've noticed that runs contrary to the desires of most people who find themselves in a conversational exchange is that the majority of people would rather talk than listen. It's such a simple rule of great conversation, yet it's so often disregarded . . . listen more than you talk.
I have made a living by being willing to listen far more than I speak. The dividends of being patient enough to be an interested listener are huge. Not only do you learn far more than you ever dreamed possible, but you also win the goodwill of the people to whom you were willing to listen.
If you ever take time to read through the Book of Proverbs (Bible) - you will be amazed at how often, and how pointed, the references to speech, to conversation and to attitude within conversational exhanges are.
Reading Proverbs would be a very good starting point for anyone who is seriously interested in becoming a great interpersonal communicator - take a few hours and have a look - I guarantee you won't be disappointed
One thing I've noticed that runs contrary to the desires of most people who find themselves in a conversational exchange is that the majority of people would rather talk than listen. It's such a simple rule of great conversation, yet it's so often disregarded . . . listen more than you talk.
I have made a living by being willing to listen far more than I speak. The dividends of being patient enough to be an interested listener are huge. Not only do you learn far more than you ever dreamed possible, but you also win the goodwill of the people to whom you were willing to listen.
If you ever take time to read through the Book of Proverbs (Bible) - you will be amazed at how often, and how pointed, the references to speech, to conversation and to attitude within conversational exhanges are.
Reading Proverbs would be a very good starting point for anyone who is seriously interested in becoming a great interpersonal communicator - take a few hours and have a look - I guarantee you won't be disappointed
Saturday, July 11, 2009
The Art Fair
This afternoon my wife and I went a few miles to the west to join in the festivities at the Lake Country Art Festival in Delafield, WI. I have to say the one thing that stood out to me the most was the collection of people that make up the artist community. It was somewhat humorous for someone like me who sees things through a cartoon imagination most of the time.
It was probably just me, but I could have sworn that the artists and the art that they were displaying started to look like one another. Sort of like the old notion that people and their pets begin looking like one another after a time.
As I turned my attention from the artist community, I began noticing the other people around the festival grounds - the people who were there just like me, simply to see the show. I couldn't help but notice how the faces of the people passing by so clearly reflected the affect of their body language and the conversation or lack thereof with the people in their company.
The entire exercise in observation was entirely unscientific and purely subjective, but even an untrained eye can tell the difference between overt joy and barley able to hang-on to the day.
The sad summation of this whole experience is that even within a festive event, there are so many people that look like the last thing they really want to do is to cope with another day of what it is that life keeps bringing their way.
So herein is my question to the church. How many people walk through our churches with the same look of desperation that I saw today at the art fair? What do we do to speak life and hope into their lives? Or, do we let them walk through the church just like the fair goers walked through the festival grounds - they came and they left with same feeling of discouragement and despondency that they have been carrying around for . . . who knows how long.
I just know that there is something wrong with me when I see someone that needs a friend and I make no attempt whatsoever to become that friend. I guess I have a long way to go in the quest to be like Jesus.
It was probably just me, but I could have sworn that the artists and the art that they were displaying started to look like one another. Sort of like the old notion that people and their pets begin looking like one another after a time.
As I turned my attention from the artist community, I began noticing the other people around the festival grounds - the people who were there just like me, simply to see the show. I couldn't help but notice how the faces of the people passing by so clearly reflected the affect of their body language and the conversation or lack thereof with the people in their company.
The entire exercise in observation was entirely unscientific and purely subjective, but even an untrained eye can tell the difference between overt joy and barley able to hang-on to the day.
The sad summation of this whole experience is that even within a festive event, there are so many people that look like the last thing they really want to do is to cope with another day of what it is that life keeps bringing their way.
So herein is my question to the church. How many people walk through our churches with the same look of desperation that I saw today at the art fair? What do we do to speak life and hope into their lives? Or, do we let them walk through the church just like the fair goers walked through the festival grounds - they came and they left with same feeling of discouragement and despondency that they have been carrying around for . . . who knows how long.
I just know that there is something wrong with me when I see someone that needs a friend and I make no attempt whatsoever to become that friend. I guess I have a long way to go in the quest to be like Jesus.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Organic Church
If you haven't stopped by the Organic Church website, you really owe it to yourself to have a look. I mention this site because of its great content but also because of the increasing number of people that I am talking with that have an interest in learning more about non-traditional expressions of church.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Dictionary of Emerging Terms and Phrases
First off let me set the record straight - I love what is happening in certain sectors of the church world. I am a true fan of what is happening through Catalyst even though I don't fit the age demographic that makes up the majority of Catalyst devotees. I love what is happening in certain segments of what is commonly called the emergent church; and I can't help but love what is coming out of the missional church movement.
I have the unique advantage of working on behalf of the church here in the US by working with a ministry that provides week-long, self-directed retreats for pastors and their spouses. Having this position allows me to meet with pastors from all across the country either in-person or via email.
Regardless of how I become acquainted with pastors or parachurch ministries that support the church, the one thing that I have found bordering on the edge of hilarity is the buzz words that we have adopted and use in much of our communication with one another.
Interestingly, because I work with all flavors of pastors and denominations, I have to be very careful when communicating with these various individuals and groups. For instance, when meeting with a pastor from the GARBC (General Association of Regular Baptist Churhes) I probably would not talk about Body Prayer.
Conversely when meeting with pastors from newly planted urban churches that are committed to community life and missional living, I probably wouldn't ask about who they were planning to choose as their choir robe vendor.
So . . . all that to say, I've learned a lot by listening to these wonderful and highly diverse friends, so much so that I feel compelled to create a Dictionary of Christian Terms and Phrases. I see this dictionary being of great help to newly minted Christian who venture out beyond the borders of one or two church expressions. I can also see a dictionary of this sort being invaluable for parachurch fundraisers who are charged with the responsibility of calling on as many churches as possible to present their ministry offerings. Talk about walking through a mine field.
Let me know what you think about such an idea - either leave a comment here or email me directly at jhwatters@gmail.com
I have the unique advantage of working on behalf of the church here in the US by working with a ministry that provides week-long, self-directed retreats for pastors and their spouses. Having this position allows me to meet with pastors from all across the country either in-person or via email.
Regardless of how I become acquainted with pastors or parachurch ministries that support the church, the one thing that I have found bordering on the edge of hilarity is the buzz words that we have adopted and use in much of our communication with one another.
Interestingly, because I work with all flavors of pastors and denominations, I have to be very careful when communicating with these various individuals and groups. For instance, when meeting with a pastor from the GARBC (General Association of Regular Baptist Churhes) I probably would not talk about Body Prayer.
Conversely when meeting with pastors from newly planted urban churches that are committed to community life and missional living, I probably wouldn't ask about who they were planning to choose as their choir robe vendor.
So . . . all that to say, I've learned a lot by listening to these wonderful and highly diverse friends, so much so that I feel compelled to create a Dictionary of Christian Terms and Phrases. I see this dictionary being of great help to newly minted Christian who venture out beyond the borders of one or two church expressions. I can also see a dictionary of this sort being invaluable for parachurch fundraisers who are charged with the responsibility of calling on as many churches as possible to present their ministry offerings. Talk about walking through a mine field.
Let me know what you think about such an idea - either leave a comment here or email me directly at jhwatters@gmail.com
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Why Pastors Quit
HB London, a pastor who ministers to pastors recently gave his take on the top 5 reasons why pastors leave the ministry. Here they are:
1. "I can't see any progress being made."
2. "I'm not able to use my gifts." (I can't do what I do best most often.)
3. "I'm facing some difficult members."
4. "I need affirmation that I'm not getting."
5. "I need rest and refreshment."
If you have thoughts or comments, please feel free to post!
1. "I can't see any progress being made."
2. "I'm not able to use my gifts." (I can't do what I do best most often.)
3. "I'm facing some difficult members."
4. "I need affirmation that I'm not getting."
5. "I need rest and refreshment."
If you have thoughts or comments, please feel free to post!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
How Religious is Your State?
Interesting survey was posted on Gallup's site today. The survey speaks to the level of importance that "religion" holds in a persons life within and by state. You can find the complete article here.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Mad Church Disease
If you are someone that is deeply involved ministry on a day-to-day basis, you need to know about a new book written by Anne Jackson titled, Mad Church Disease. Anne's book is a refreshing treatise on the subject of burnout, breakdown and madness of schedule within the ministry context.
Many texts treat the subject of ministry burnout academically and somewhat formulaic. Anne on the other hand, approaches the subject with a first hand, personal experience credibility. Not only is Anne's book credible from an experiential point of view, but it's credible as a product that dispenses spot-on recommendations. Here is a link to one of Anne's websites. That should help you on your way. Enjoy
Many texts treat the subject of ministry burnout academically and somewhat formulaic. Anne on the other hand, approaches the subject with a first hand, personal experience credibility. Not only is Anne's book credible from an experiential point of view, but it's credible as a product that dispenses spot-on recommendations. Here is a link to one of Anne's websites. That should help you on your way. Enjoy
Fresh Start
I have had two other blogs that I've chosen to abandon. I wanted a fresh start on a more focused venue. There is so much to cover when considering the church and all those who consider themselves part of the church, I just couldn't resist creating this new blog.
I work with the church and its' pastors for a living. I love what I do and hope through this blog to provide information to those who stop by that will be helpful to them in their journey as a Christ Follower.
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