Next Steps

Dear Servant Leaders,

“A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?” Proverbs 20:24

Thought I would use this entry to update you on where the Lord is guiding in my leadership journey. I have recently accepted the position of Interim Senior Pastor at the Ivy Heights First Church of God in Woodriver, Illinois (just north of St. Louis). This position is for three months and consists of normal pastoral duties (whatever those are) as well as leadership development and generally helping to position them for the future. I would really appreciate your prayers as I seek to be what the Lord needs me to be for this wonderful congregation. In addition I continue to serve as a consultant for Illinois Ministries of the Church of God. I count it such a privilege to facilitate seasons of prayer, visioning and planning and especially to be an encouragement to the state leaders and my fellow pastors. I love it!

Meanwhile, God’s Word reminds me that His will is something that often remains on a “need to know basis.” Of course, I would prefer to know that will in precise detail with ample lead time served with a hot, comforting Grande Soy Chai – shot of caramel, nutmeg and a smile. However, God is far from a heavenly “barista” and takes orders from no one. I am well-reminded that He is sovereign, all-knowing, and perfect in His love for me, my family and those I have and will yet have the privilege of partnering with in ministry. So, what is the leader lesson in all of this? I just don’t have one. Not today.

This time around I am simply asking for your prayers, and even more so for Elisabeth and Andrew as they wait on the Lord with me. One thing I have been discovering is that it is so easy as a spiritual leader, pastor, consultant, mentor, etc. to have all the answers and to readily dispense them with creative flare. Yeah… right. On most days (my best, anyway) this shroud of self-confidence is torn away and the Light of the Word reveals my deepest need for more faith, especially when what I really want are more quick, just-the-facts answers to my deepest questions about next steps. “What happens after this interim?” “What next, Lord?!” “Planting, more consulting, take another established church, something else?!” “Shouldn’t I already know?!” “Can you give me a hint… a clue?!” “C’mon! You can’t be serious?!? More waiting?!?” I yet have so much to learn and this is far more transparent than I normally care to be.

So, there you have it. Feel free to chime in and feel even more free to offer any words of wisdom and insight you may have into seasons of transition.

He leadeth me,

Tom

Logos Leader

Dear Servant Leader,

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

I love leadership stuff! I enjoy it in just about every known media – books, magazines, dvd’s, web-sites, blogs and especially anything with an iPhone application. Of course, this has translated into some creative leadership meetings, retreats, visioning sessions, etc over the years with my lead teams. Why do I like this stuff? I really don’t know. Perhaps I’m just hoping some of it will eventually rub off… that some of the characteristics of the great servant leaders I follow will actually become a part of my leadership DNA. Regardless, I just love leadership stuff. However, with my passion to equip, inform and inspire in the arena of Christian leadership, there exists a potential down-side. It is this down-side that is the leader lesson for today.

Be a Logos Leader. In other words, don’t forget the WORD! Now, I can’t actually recall seeking to lead my teams without referencing God’s Word. However, the temptation is to treat the Word as a supplement to whatever I am using otherwise to equip and inspire… that article, video, book, etc. If I’m not intentional, the Word of God becomes something held in reserve, just in case I need a little something extra to support my agenda. No, what I need to be reminded of is that it was, is and will forever be the Word of God that serves to awaken, empower, refresh, renew, correct, instruct and position all of us as servant leaders. Without it, its just more stuff in an ever increasing pile of mass media for the masses seeking to get ahead while collectively clamoring for the latest and greatest. Here’s my challenge to you as a servant leader:

1. Get back to basics. Show up to your next leadership meeting with just a Bible.
2. Select a passage and read it… slowly, deliberately.
3. Have prayer and ask for insight.
4. Spend a 1/2 hour or more just talking about what God’s Word is saying to you as a lead team.
5. Repeat at next meeting.

Have no fear. Later in the day or week you can send an email to your team with a host of attachments leading them to some of the most creative and innovative stuff out there, assuring them that you are still a cutting edge, hip, with it, cool, relevant, missional, professional, blah, blah, blah kind of leader. Until then, remember what God’s Word says about the power of God’s Word…

 ”For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing sould and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) Now that’s “cutting edge!”

Log on to the Logos,

Tom

Divine Data Mining

Dear Servant Leader,

“So the churches were strengthened in faith and grew daily in numbers.” Acts 16:5

Numbers matter. No, they shouldn’t be our primary concern - to pump up attendance at our churches or clients for our Christian businesses (health, depth, cultural influence might be better goals) at just about any cost. However, numbers do matter. By this I simply mean that numbers tell a story, they measure, they weigh, and they should motivate. Those that piously protest that Christian ministry is not about the numbers (especially attendance or $$$) haven’t taken a very in-depth look at the Christian ministry manual lately, otherwise known as the Bible. From the number of animals on the ark to the tribes of Israel… to the number of disciples, apostles, a host of numbers in prophetic literature from Daniel to Revelation and even the very number of hairs on our heads, etc, numbers mean something to God. So, if numbers don’t matter, then somebody better let the One who numbers our very days know that numbers, in fact, don’t matter. I digress. Let’s get to it… What do numbers mean to us as servant leaders? Here is a suggestion and some thoughts for your friendly neighborhood leader lesson today.

I would suggest you gather a team leader, a motivated and informed team, and task them with some divine data mining. You might even go the “extra mile” and hire those with expertise in this area. No doubt there are some in your region or that can be otherwise employed if you are willing to make the investment. “What is data mining?” I’m glad you asked. Simply put, it is the practice of gathering, analyzing and applying knowledge gained from numbers. As you begin, keep it simple:

• Start with the obvious and move to the obscure.
• Begin with basic attendance figures (include info concerning race, socio-economic status, geographical data, etc.) and be as specific as possible.
• Don’t be afraid to employ some old-fashioned strategies for a while such as sign-in, surveys, polls, either on-line or hard copy, etc.
• Use your findings to help develop new strategies or maybe to just get back to basics
• Whatever you do, DON’T IGNORE THE NUMBERS!

 Another good question may be, “Why don’t we do this more often?” Probably because, “Ignorance is bliss.” Mind you, no one is being fooled as the numbers continue to slump. However, as long as we can keep from facing reality and especially from asking dreaded questions such as, “Why?” and “Who’s responsible?”… we can all be tempted to continue floating down the “River Denial” or continue blaming anyone or anything else for the tanking stats. This is where the digging gets dirty. But for those willing to get a little down and dirty, the pay-off will be worth it when you hit find a good “vein” or even “hit the mother load!” Remember, some of the most priceless gems are found just another few inches deeper down than others stop digging.

Numbers matter. One of our ministry slogans has always been, “We count people because people count to Christ.” You see, these numbers aren’t just generic stats and faceless figures. They are priceless souls that have been formed and fashioned by our loving Lord and Savior. Nothing pleases Him more than to see the numbers of those on His official roster soar! So, roll up your sleeves and get ready for some serious mining. It will be hard work and, no, you may not like what you dig up at first. However, keep digging, remembering that God is the ultimate number cruncher. Ask for wisdom and seek to learn from every discovery and apply that knowledge in order to see the numbers start heading in the right direction… UP!

Digging with you,

Tom

Climate Control

Dear Servant Leader,

I remember growing up that Dad was the official keeper of the thermostat in the Pelt household. Actually, only half of the house was air conditioned back then. In the other half we used window fans in the summer and a cast-iron stove in the winter. Dad was in charge of this half of the house as well, although his preferred temperature just happened to coincide with Mom’s… coincidence, no doubt. Especially in the winter, my brother and I would help Dad maintain climate control by bringing in the fire wood from the pile each evening and stacking it next to the back door for the night and following morning. I remember hearing Dad early each morning, before anyone else was up, crumpling up old newspaper, putting in the kindling and a log or two. By the time we got up a while later, the family room was already getting nice and toasty. Especially on those cold Ohio mornings I was glad that Dad was the one in charge of climate control. So here’s the question and leader lesson… are you exercising climate control?

Climate control is a constant. It must be monitored and influenced on a daily basis. It is a combination of spirit, attitude, words and actions. As the servant leader of your organization, you are the official keeper of the thermostat. If it is getting a little too hot, too fast, its up to you to cool things off. If it is growing cold, you have to act to warm things up a bit. No, you can’t control or prevent all of the unseen atmospheric pressures influencing your leadership environment any more than you can control the weather. However, you can do some prayerful predicting and prognosticating, some forecasting, if you will. And, thus, you can maintain a sense of control over the climate in and around your lead team and organization. 

Here are a few practical apps as you exercise daily climate control:

1 – Set the thermostat on praise & thanksgiving. Begin meetings with some time for testimony of answered prayers and movings of God both small and great.

2 - Set the rules for your house as the keeper of the thermostat… no negative pressure fronts allowed to collide with the positive, producing unnecessary storms. 

3 – When a storm is brewing (and they will) and you hear thunder, grab the thermostat! Don’t complain about the temperature, just gather your lead team and prayerfully and purposefully expose the negative fronts that are colliding with your positive, praise-filled vision. Yes, some rain must fall. But you don’t have to let a little rain turn into the kind of storms that leave paths of destruction.

4 – Make sure the storm brewing isn’t coming from you. Again, what kind of influence are you having on your environment? Are you setting the example from the inside-out with thoughts, attitudes, words and actions? Don’t rain on your own parade. Make sure you are allowing the ultimate Weatherman to control your thermostat and set it to His preferred temperature. Sure, some will always complain that it is too hot while others are insisting it is a little cold. However, don’t let this affect your internal temperature or that of your lead team.

Climate change is constant, generally cyclical and still, completely unpredictable. Remember that as a servant leader in Christ you have been empowered to exercise climate control. You are the keeper of the thermostat.

Lovin’ this cool, crisp day!

Tom

Lead Empty

Dear Servant Leader,

“He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30

To say that your plate is full would likely be a gross understatement. I just spoke with a great young leader today who in just one week has a funeral, a wedding, hospital visits, team meetings, counseling sessions, is leading the Student Ministries on Wednesdays and, in his spare time, has to prepare to inspire the masses again come Sunday as Lead Pastor! Been there. Done that. Needed therapy. More importantly he is a devoted husband and father of two. Wow! Most of you reading this have similar schedules in your field of spiritual leadership. My advice to all of you who are over committed as you fulfill your callings is this, Lead Empty.

To Lead Empty means to unclutter your mind, your heart. Make it a priority to get away (literally and figuratively) and detox from the cares that threaten to crush you and all you hold dear. Find an accountability partner/group and unload some of the stress, fears, resentment or bitterness that may be accumulating. You can be sure that by the time you recognize these things in yourself, your spouse kids and just about everyone else has known you were losing it for some time. And, please, as much as we all love the limitless supply of cutting edge leadership blogs, downloads, etc, etc, etc… just give it a rest. Besides, your knowledge probably far exceeds your ability to apply most of it in your present leadership context anyway. Do you want to feel full again, full of life and an abiding sense of God’s presence? Then seek to empty yourself of the clutter and competition for your soul. Make room for a quiet encounter with Jesus, His Word, His Holy Spirit. And don’t just make it a one and done deal, seek to make it an integral and normal (whatever that is!) part of your life. I’ll leave you with this thought from a ministry veteran -

“The only thing that hinders the abundance of fullness is the absence of emptiness.”     – Pastor Horace Shepherd Jr.

Lead Empty,

Tom

Fire Fighting

Dear Servant Leaders,

“Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.” James 3:5

While attending our son Andrew’s college orientation weekend we found ourselves in the midst of national headlines. As we turned into the Azusa Pacific University campus we couldn’t help but notice the huge clouds of smoke rising only one mountain range behind the school (not the most comforting thing for already nervous parent’s to see!).  The Azusa fire (see actual picture at left taken outside a Target store a couple miles from APU!) was massive and required some 1,600 firefighters from around the nation and Canada and was actually one of the smaller of the five Los Angeles area fires. As the investigations continued it was revealed that arson was the cause of most of these blazes. Worse than any of the damage done to the environment or developments, etc., two lives were lost just in the few days we were there in the battle to contain and extinguish these massive blazes. Servant Leader, you are a firefighter. Just as there is a fire season each and every year that must be prepared for and subsequent fires that must be battled in the southwest and pacific coast, fighting fires in your ministry is simply not an option. The only question is, what size fire will you battle and how will you battle them?

Here’s what I would suggest:

1 – Create “fire breaks” intentionally and frequently. This means creating some margin in your ministry in a consistent way so that, even if a fire gets going, it can only go so far without facing a wide open space where it is difficult to “jump” and spread any further. Purposed times just sharing your hearts and some probing Q/A can go a long way. Create a safe, confidential environment where leaders are affirmed, encouraged and prayed for. Do this often.

2 – Burn the under-brush. This means purposefully identifying and  removing excess brush (dead under-growth) that can serve as “fuel for the fire.” This might come in the form of small attitudes and/or areas of stress and tension among your lead team. Find it out, burn it out, plow it under, pull it up and otherwise deal with it before it gets the chance to set anything else on fire.

3 – Stomp it out. Stomping out flying embers can be a pain when you would otherwise rather be enjoying the warm glow of the fire that the Spirit has set in and through your ministry. As you have no doubt discovered, fire can be your ally or enemy. If not contained, it can quickly become an almost uncontrollable and unstoppable force. So, when a rogue spark gets out of hand (a bad attitude, inappropriate comment, disagreeable disagreement, test of authority, etc), STOMP IT OUT while you can. Be proactive in confronting what could very quickly “spread like wildfire!” No, you won’t feel like making the call or making that appointment for coffee, calling an accountability partner to join you and otherwise confronting the source of what may seem like merely “smoke.” You will be tempted to think you are overreacting and may even be accused of doing so. However, remember the old adage, “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” Don’t let a little spark turn into the kind of blazes that destroy everything in their paths and, tragically, even claim lives. Be vigilant. Be proactive. Be a firefighter.

In closing, I remember watching Smokey the Bear service announcements as a kid and can still remember him saying … “Only you can prevent forest fires.” Thanks, Smokie!

Firefighting with you,

Tom

Closer Than You Think

Dear Servant Leader,

“And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the earth…” Acts 1:8

We loaded up the truck and headed into the wild country. The spot we were hunting was known for being a great place to find Gambel’s Quail. We were manly men on a manly mission. There was little doubt we would harvest our limit and celebrate the hunt over a hot grill. Of course, by the end of the day the only thing that got hot was us. We covered what seemed like endless miles of canyon country and saw doves, coyotes, lizards, hawks, rabbits… you name it, but no quail. Not one. Of course, we did the only thing we could do before heading home empty-handed… take our frustrations out on some bottles and cans. The guns were finally blazin’! Turns out the quail may not have been in too much danger even if we had managed to scare some up.

The next day I am heading out the front door and what do you think was running out of the bushes and across my lawn? Yeah, a whole covey of Gambel’s Quail. I went hiking in the hills just down the street a day or two later and, you guessed it, they were everywhere! I called my faithful hunting companions and we had a good laugh… sort of. Score it Quail 1, mighty hunters, 0. The Leader Lesson is this – what you are hunting for may be closer than you think.

As leaders we spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to expand our reach for Christ. This is a good thing! However, I wonder if we don’t get too far-sighted? We have great vision for and are willing to travel far and wide in our quest to fulfill the Great Commission. Again, this is good. Supporting state, national and international outreach and missions efforts should be an important part of our overall ministry strategy. However, too often we forget that who we are looking for may just be in our own back (and front!) yards! We many have lost some of our vision for those nearest to us. Let’s get practical…

Gather your lead team and ask – “Are we making a difference in our own neighborhood?” “If we went away, would those under the shadow of our “steeple” miss us at all?” “How much of our ministry resources are dedicated to developing relationships with and serving those closest to us?” “Are we doing as much for our ‘Jerusalem’ as we are ‘Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the earth…?’” It doesn’t have to be an either/or proposition. No, this is a yes/and calling. 

Remember, the Great Commission starts at home. So get out there and start by checking the bushes in your own front yard!

Tom

The Drag Effect

Dear Servant Leader,

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders…” Hebrews 12:1

While watching some golf on TV recently I saw a commercial for golf balls. The selling point had to do with the science of aerodynamics. In particular, what is know as the “drag effect” or coefficient. Golf ball manufacturers are going to great lengths including the hiring of scientists utilizing such tools as wind tunnels and the latest in computer models that plot ball flight from every conceivable angle. The point of the commercial was, in simple terms, the less “drag” on the ball, the farther it will go. Rather than adding to the overall make-up, the “less is more” principle seems to be the order of the day. Of course, the science of it all is far more complex. The space-age composite materials used and the intricate dimple design of the ball’s cover are just a couple components of a more complicated equation designed to minimize friction, maximize velocity and thus, distance. But for the average golfer, we just want to tee it high and hit it long (actually hitting it straight being a luxury and more a product of pure luck)! 

The Leader Lesson is this - Fd = cd 1/2 ρ v2 A. Get it? Me, neither. Evidently this is one of the equations used to actually determine drag effect. Our take-a-way is simply to apply this same concept to our lives and ministries. Why? Because our tendency is towards complexity. The fact is, most of us are “Rocket Scientists” when it comes to adding programs, systems and levels of organization. However, in doing so we only increase drag personally, on our families, our lead teams and overall ministries. Here’s what I suggest…

Gather your lead team and determine to streamline things just a bit. Ask some questions like, “What can we do to reduce the ‘drag’ on our teams spiritually, emotionally, relationally?” “What could we trim away (think procedures and programs) that will help us maximize velocity and distance?” “Could some of our present designs for ministry actually be creating friction?”

Remember, sometimes the next level of health and influence comes not as a result of addition, but subtraction. Take the time, do the math, and summon the courage to “…throw off everything that hinders…” and reduce the drag in your life and ministry.

Tee’em high and let’em ride!

Tom

Desert Praise

Dear Servant Leaders,

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19

The Saguaro Cactus is an amazing creation. Thriving in the northeastern portion of the Sonora desert, it stands as a symbol of steadfastness, even stubbornness. It seizes the rare dessert rains, soaking in as much as 200 gallons during a single shower from it’s wide network of roots. Some live to be as old as 200 years. Its bloom is a beautiful creamy white flower with a golden pollen center and is the state flower of Arizona. You have probably seen them in pictures, but they are even more awe inspiring when seen in the context of their native habitat. It is a climate most would consider inhospitable. What I love about them is the inspiring images they conjure up in my heart and mind.

To me they symbolize determined praise. With arms stretched to the heavens through the scorching heat of the days and the stark chill of the nights, they simply stand. Drawing from the reservoir within stored during the briefest of rains, they are more than persistent. They are defiant, refusing to shrivel up and die even as other forms of vegetation become tumbleweeds in the wind. In time, the Saguaro will not only survive, but thrive… even bloom, playing an essential role in the health of the entire regions ecosystem.

The servant leader lesson is this – be the Saguaro. True, you may be going through the longest, dryest, hottest season of your life and ministry. And, yes, you may want to uproot and seek out greener pastures. Perhaps God is truly calling you to step up and out on faith? Fine. Discern this thoroughly in prayer, the Word, wise counsel and give it plenty of time. Then, go if God says, “Go!” And, stay if God says, “Stay!” Regardless, determine to give God glory and praise through it all. Store up God’s Word and allow that Word to become a reservoir of faith you can draw from in the desert seasons that come to all servant leaders.

Know this. By faith in Jesus Christ, you will survive. You will thrive. You may not know it in the heat of this moment, but you are essential to the greater spiritual ecosystem that God is cultivating around you and you will bloom again in due season, bringing even greater praise to the One who both created and called you.  

Be the Saguaro,

Tom

Taking Care of Business

Dear Servant Leaders,

“All the believers were together and had everything in common.” Acts 2:44

Many consider Acts 2:42-47 a “snapshot” of what it means to be the New Testament Body of Christ. Its hard to argue with this. All of the elements are there… discipleship, outreach, benevolence, evangelism, etc, all in the context of compassionate community. Of course, it seems each of our ministries gravitate toward one or two of these more than the others, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing as God places us in His greater body to accomplish His will. Still, would it be too much of a stretch to say that we aren’t quite getting the whole picture? As a servant leader creating community in and among our lead teams, and thus our church families, is often sacrificed on the altars of just about anything and everything else, all in the Name of Jesus and this thing we call church. I wonder if in doing so we aren’t neglecting to truly have “everything in common?”

Here’s the leadership lesson – have “everything in common.” By this I mean the things that can’t be measured in the kinds of tangible stats we are most prone to track such as attendance and giving. Yes, these are necessary and even essential to keep on many levels. However, I’m talking about intangibles like unifying around common interests, common hurts, fears, faults, failures, temptations, even sins in a safe, accountable, caring context. Let’s get practical. Allow me to do so by putting one of my many masterful leadership mistakes on display…

I wish I could have back any number of chats at Starbucks (make mine Grande Chai Soy Latte with a shot of caramel), lunches at Moe’s, retreats, and meetings of all kinds with those God has blessed to put on my teams over the years. Inevitably I have let my “Type A” get the best of me. In no time I and the rest of the gang were visioning, planning, stratagizing, problem-solving and generally, “Taking care of business.” If I could go back I would take at least 50% of that time and just focus on creating community among the leadership family… just connecting. How would I do this? I would listen more. I would ask more questions and provide fewer easy answers. We would laugh more… cry more. We would get less done. We would have no agenda. We would talk about nothing remotely related to how we were going to inspire and influence the masses and just once have nothing to report to the Board except that we love being a leadership family and spent too much of our leadership development budget on chocolate chip scones. We would just hang out and do something crazy like really get to know the person behind the title and role. We might even try to get spouses and kids in on it with a few more cookouts or hikes. Something tells me that if this were more of a priority, that all would have been both more inspirational and influential in the long run because… well, who cares why? Besides, we would have been healthier and could have modeled and spread the same among God’s people. This is a little more in line with Acts 2 by creating uncommon community in today’s driven leadership culture. 

These days I am still compelled to vision, plan, stratagize and generally take care of the Lord’s business as much as ever. However, now I see just how important it is to create the kind of leadership community that truly models having “everything in common,” and not just the tangible stats that looks good on the web-site, worship folder, etc. Sure, some may question from time to time if we are doing enough as leaders. My answer now is, “Probably not. But we are becoming more in Christ than we ever thought possible.” Now thats, “Taking care of business.”

Let’s do coffee,

Tom