Spiritual Arrythmia

Ministry can be so fast-paced, so demanding, that your heart gets to the point that it beats out of control. Why is it that the hearts of many ministers are in a racing mode?

People in our culture have grown accustomed to an endless parade of choices. Needless to say, we are living in a culture of gratification and fulfillment.

"What's in it for me?" This is the question that the consumer asks routinely. The Church can get caught up in the market-driven mentality of the free enterprise system, just like a secular business. Once this happens, the law of supply-and-demand becomes the governing principle.

As a result, church leaders find themselves shopping for competitive answers and cutting-edge innovative technology that will improve their product. Pastors begin to spend inordinate amounts of time comparing, contrasting and following the latest church-growth guru in their quest for a newer and more successful formula.

We add more programs, more marketing techniques,more staff-demands, and more of ourselves in the process. In an attempt to market themselves in an ever-changing society, leaders embrace a corporate mentality.

My question is, what sort of impact does this relentless blitz of activity have on the rhythm of the pastor's heart?

My other concern is that-like anything else-our frenzied activity can become an idol in itself.. a substitute for the living God. A wearying pace is hardly the source of any minister's power.

"Power belongs to God" (Ps. 62:11

Dead or Alive Preaching

In a recent article by Dave McCellan in Leadership magazine he writes about sermon preparation.

One of the more recent trends is to preach without notes. I like what he had to say at the end of his article:

"When a sermon is properly prepared and delivered, it is likely that its preacher will not be fixated on the issue of notes: either their presence or their absence. The goal becomes to be so consumed by an urgent message that we forget ourselves and our methods for a short while to concentrate on communicating with those in the room.

When that happens, we probably won't be looking down to find the next phrase. Something much more alive will be happening. Newman refers to this as well: Nothing that is anonymous will preach; nothing that is dead and gone; nothing that is of yesterday, however religious in itself and useful. Thought and word are one in the Eternal Logos, and must not be separate in those who are his shadows on earth. they must issue fresh, as from the preacher's mouth, so from his breast, if they are to be 'spirit and life' to the hearts of his hearers.

Whether we use or don't use notes, I trust every preacher's desire is that our sermons reflect the kind of personal acquaintance with the sacred text that can't help but reanimate it for the pe0ple of God." David McClellan @ Preaching Today.com

Good words!

Who Are the Wrong People on the Bus?

In my last blog I gave some thoughts of how to approach the person who needs to get off the bus. As I contemplated that, the next question that came to my mind is: How do you know if they are the wrong person on the bus? We can be a lot more courageous and confident if we know. So let me give you some thoughts.

1. Wrong people usually have a self serving agenda. They fail to see the big picture.

2. Wrong people do not possess the skill sets to meet the demands of the task.

3. Wrong people may be competent but may have a prideful spirit or flaw that destroys the

chemistry of the team.

4. Wrong people show a pattern of not being teachable.

5. Wrong people are those who sabotage a decision made by the team. This often shows itself

when a decision is made by the team in session, and outside of the session the team

member will disagree openly.

6. Wrong people are those who love to be a Monday morning quarterback. These are people

who love to criticize the leader with 20/20 hindsight.

7. Wrong people are those who want to be a decision maker but who don't model

servanthood.

8. Wrong people are those who have a pattern of resistance to any kind of change.

9. Wrong people can be "yes" men. These people are the opposite of those who have agendas.

A bus full of compliant people can dangerously empower the leader to be too controlling.

Are there any wrong people on your bus?

Getting the Wrong People Off the Bus

Jim Collins in his book "Good to Great" has challenged us to make sure we get the right people on the bus. But what if it is too late, and now we are stuck with the wrong people on the bus? Let me give you some things to think about as you face this challenge:

1. Have you tried everything to clarify your expectations? Some people under perform because they don't know what you expect.

2. At what capacity is this person performing to your expectations? I have had an 80% rule.

If they are functioning at an 80% effectiveness then I am willing to be patient and work with that person.

3. Chemistry and character should trump competency. Does this person get along well with the other team members and do they demonstrate humility and teachability? I would rather have a person who is functioning at 80% with good character instead of 100% and out of control.

4. There is no substitute for speaking the truth in love. If it is not working then it is not working. There should be no blindsiding when the time comes to ask somebody to get off the bus.

5. The bus driver must be courageous in making the decision. Indecisiveness can frustrate the rest of the team when one of the members is being dispensed with too much grace.

Until next time.... Safe Driving!