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Creating Room for Your Leaders

Many of you know that I am an avid John Maxwell fan, and I am really resonating with his latest book entitled 5 Levels of Leadership.  In the discussion on Level 5: The Pinnacle, the highest level of leadership accomplishment is developing other leaders.  Maxwell goes on to discuss several different guidelines to consider on your quest for leadership development.  One particular topic peaked my interest and made me actually evaluate the leadership environment that we have created.  Consider what Maxwell says:

Create Room at the Top:  Take a look at your organizational chart.  Are there openings available for talented leaders who desire to move up?  Take a look at the leaders who are near the top of the chart.  Of what caliber are they?  How long have they been with the organization?  How long are they likely to stay?  Are they so firmly entrenched that the talented leaders below them in the organization have little hope of advancing?  If there are no openings and the leaders you have aren’t going anywhere, then there is no room at the top for other potential leaders.  How can you create some?  What new challenges can you give your existing top leaders to open up their current positions to others?  What kinds of expansion or types of initiatives could your organization tackle that would require additional leaders?  If you don’t create room at the top for developing leaders, you will waste much of your potential horse-power, and you will eventually start to lose your up-and-coming talent.

This section made me do a self-evaluation of the leadership development process in the Small Group Ministry.  So, here is our Leadership Development Plan for creating room at the top for our current leaders:

  • Host (Low-low commitment)  A Host is someone who commits to attend a New Host Orientation, open their homes for 4-6 weeks for new Small Group members, push play on the DVD player, and facilitate the discussion time.
  • Apprentice (Low-Medium Commitment)  An Apprentice is someone who is willing to follow or shadow a seasoned Small Group Leader.  The Apprentice will commit to attend a New Apprentice Orientation and attend their mentor’s group for at least 6 weeks-4 months.  In the group, the Apprentice will be given some leadership responsibilities such as facilitating the discussion, planning an outreach event, or even taking full leadership responsibility at the absence of the Leader.
  • Leader:  (High Commitment)  A Small Group Leader commits to attend a New Leader Orientation, meet the membership requirements (follower of Jesus, baptized, and has attended First Step), commits to future leadership trainings, and commits to the Small Group Leader Agreement.  The time commitment will include lesson preparation time, praying for their group members, meeting with their group members outside of group, recruit an Apprentice, and open their home to meet with their group 1x a week.  This commitment is for at least one Small Group Season. (9 months)
  • Senior Leader:  (High-High Commitment)  A Senior Leader commits to attend all Senior Leader gatherings and agrees to mentor at least 5-10 current Small Group Leaders.  The Senior Leader must attend a Senior Leader Orientation and must meet with their Small Group Pastor and their current leaders at least once a quarter.  The Senior Leader will visit groups, have one-on-ones, be available for advice, prayer, or help, and will be involved in their own personal Small Group on a weekly basis.
  • Spiritual Leader:  (Extremly-High Commitment)  A Spiritual Leader must meet the requirements of an elder.  No, we are not looking for perfection but we are serious about their commitment to follow Jesus in their daily lives.  The Spiritual Leader will commit to Spiritual Leader Orientation and all future Spiritual Leader Gatherings.  The Spiritual Leader is an extension of the Pastor and will commit to pray for the pastors, the people and will be available for prayer, communion, baptism, conflict-resolution, hospital visits, First Wednesday prayer and comforting the sick and grieving.  The Spiritual Leader must be active in a Small Group and be willing to serve as the need arises.  The initial commitment is for 1 year and the Spiritual Leader must be chosen by a ministry Pastor to serve in this specific role.
  • Ministry Partner:  (Extremely-High Commitment)  The Ministry Partner serves on our volunteer staff team and must go through the hiring/interview process.  The Ministry Partner is partnered with one of our staff leaders and mentors them in that particular area of ministry.  The MP will attend all staff meetings, team meetings, MP gatherings, and will commit to serve at least 4-40 hours a week for a period of at least 1 year.
  • Intern:  (Extremely-High Time Commitment)  The Intern serves on our volunteer staff team.  The Intern must be a person who feels the call to ministry and is willing to commit 20-40 hours per week for a period of 2 years.  The Intern will partner with a current staff leader in a particular area of ministry and will attend all staff meetings, team meetings, Intern gatherings and all Level One events.
  • Staff:  (Extremely-High Commitment)  Many of our Interns will eventually serve in full-time vocational ministry.  A ministry job at our church is NOT part of the Intern agreement and many of our Interns may eventually leave and serve the Kingdom in other parts of the world.  It is so exciting to be able to see our Interns grow in their leadership and take all that God has taught them at our ministry and see them leading others in the mission that God has called them too.

That is a little insight on how we recently began to create room for our leaders to grow.  I believe we need to be constantly looking for opportunities to allow our leaders to grow and serve in their leadership roles.  If we do not make the room, our leaders will eventually go somewhere else.  So, how are you doing in creating room for your leaders to grow?  As you think about that question, here are some things you can do today to help you begin the journey of creating room at the top:

  • Evaluate:  Give yourself and your ministry/organization an honest evaluation.  Am I allowing my leaders to lead?  Am I an insecure leader and micro-managing?  Am I sharing my leadership responsibilities?  Are great leaders constantly being cycled through my ministry/organization?
  • Have a Plan:  Whatever you do, have a plan!  Ask for advice from other leaders.  Maybe sit down with a Ministry Coach or a Church Consultant (Tony Morgan or Church Solutions Group are a few that I would recommend.)  A Coach or a Consultant will be well worth the investment to help you get a plan implemented this year.
  • Baby Steps:  Effective Leadership Development is more like a crock-pot; not a micro-wave.  Building great leaders takes TIME and it requires a comprehensive approach to create room for your current and your next generational leaders!

So, how are you creating room for your leaders or what ideas have you tried?

February 23, 2012 Posted by | leadership, Small Group Ideas, Internship Opportunities, Books | , , , , , | Leave a Comment

Leaders Are Readers: What Are You Reading?

Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.~

Harry S. Truman

This statement is so true.  If you are a leader you MUST be an avid reader! Here are some reasons why:

  • Exercises Your Mind:  Sir Richard Steele stated, Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.  When you read, it truly does exercise and stretch your thinking.  I find when I do not read, my mind will get sluggish and I don’t seem as creative or engaged.  But reading challenges the status quo, rejuvenates imagination and sparks thoughts of creative.  It gives you thoughts, opinions and ideas that maybe you have never thought.  So, as much as you exercise your body; don’t forget to exercise your mind.
  • Starts the Conversation:  Have you ever wished you could have a one-on-one conversation with some of the greatest minds in the universe?  Have you ever thought it would be nice to be able to pick their brains and know their thoughts.  Through reading this is made possible.  Rene Descartes says, “The reading of all good books is indeed a conversation with the noblest men of past centuries who were the authors of them, and a carefully  studied conversation, in which they reveal to us none but the best of their thoughts.”    This includes God’s Word!  The best of the conversation with Him, the God of the Universe is found by reading!
  • Relieves Stress:  Probably no better stress reliever than to get lost in a good book!  There are two groups of readers:  those who read to remember and those who read to forget!  Sometimes reading allows us to escape into another world and allows for a time of refreshing!
  • Inspires:  One time I found myself in a season of ministry where I was not reading anything.  I slowly slipped into not being as motivated and a feeling of being uninspired and less creative.  I picked up a leadership book by John Maxwell entitled  The 21 Most Powerful Minutes In A Leader’s Day.  It is a daily devotional book which intertwines Maxwell’s 21 Laws of Leadership with leaders mentioned in the Bible.  The goal was to take 21 minutes of your day and be recharged by the leadership principles presented in that day’s devotion.  As soon as I began to read again, I found myself being renewed, challenged, and inspired

Many of you know that I am focusing on being a “healthier” leader in 2012 so I thought I would share a few of the books that I am currently reading:

So, what are you reading or what book(s) have meant a lot to your leadership development?  If you are not currently reading, I hope this post encourages you as a leader to jump back into a good book and allow it to challenge and refresh you in your leadership journey.

January 30, 2012 Posted by | Books, Central Christian Church Las Vegas, leadership | , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Small Group Vital Signs: Michael Mack

Have you ever wondered how healthy your Small Group is?  Now you can know!  Michael Mack’s latest book Small Group Vital Signs points out seven important characteristics to help you diagnose how healthy your small group really is!  It not only guides leaders through the seven vital signs but it also allows the leader to utilize a practical assessment tool:  Healthy Small Group Evaluation, and as many of us already know…

Healthy Small Groups lead to a Healthy Church!

Here is a little sneak peek into this new book:

“Why do many small groups settle for average or ‘just good-­‐enough’ meetings led by ordinary leaders who have a listless spiritual life? I can only imagine you understand what I’m referring to here. These are groups that have a typical Bible study on comfy couches, while the members engage in the usual and expected conversations about the text. Truth be told, many small groups have drifted  into mediocrity and have settled in as a “nice  little group” for armchair Christians.

I have to say I have read several books on small groups and I am not exaggerating when I say this is the best small group book yet!  Mike nails it when he gives his personal observations concerning the state of so many small group ministries that make up the church today.  His insights point us back to what is most important and foundational to the health of not only our small groups but also our church. So, if you are ready to get off that “comfy couch” we call small groups and become the “healthy” small group that God has intended, then pre-order your copy of Small Group Vital Signs TODAY!  Small Group Vital Signs is a must read for every Small Group Pastor and leader!

Michael Mack is Life Groups Minister at Northeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY.  Go by and “LIKE” the new Small Group Vital Signs Facebook page.

January 26, 2012 Posted by | Books, Michael Mack, Missional Communities, Small Group Leadership Books | , , , | 2 Comments

Newly Released: TORN Small Group Curriculum

Small Group Pastors are continually on the look out for the latest and best Small Group Curriculum. Here is Central’s latest Church-Wide Small Group Campaign Curriculum.  Church-Wide Campaigns are some of the greatest avenues to connect several people to your Small Group communities and see people grow in their relationship with God and with others.  I have included the video that we used to launch TORN for our church family.  Here is a little more information about TORN:  Trusting God When Life Leaves You In Pieces:

When your world comes crashing down, it doesn’t just steal your peace. It rips your insides and leaves you broken, wrecked - TORNWhy does this happen? And where is God when it hurts so much?Torn is a 30-day experience that explores your questions and God’s answers for rediscovering joy, committing your life to Christ and trusting Him alone; when life leaves you in pieces.

If you need more information about any of our previous campaigns or would like some information on our Connection Events, please connect with me by phone (702) 440-8347, email (tracey.smith@centralchristian.com), Facebook or Twitter or if you would like to purchase a TORN Kit, please click here.  I would love to know what your church is doing or if you have any ideas you would like to share.


October 3, 2011 Posted by | Books, Central Christian Church LV, leadership, Small Group Campaign, Small Group Curriculum, Small Group Ideas, Small Group Pastors | , , , , | 1 Comment

Recipe For Contentment

This weekend at Central, Jud continued in the Ten Ten Eighty Series and he mentioned something called the Recipe for Contentment.  This recipe is listed in a great book titled, Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow.  In the book, Linda Dillow, introduces us to a woman named Ella:
“Ella worked as a missionary with
the pygmies in Africa for 52 years.  She had left her country, her family, and all that was familiar.  Primitive doesn’t begin to describe her living conditions in the scorching heat and humidity of  the African bush.  But Ella found no relief because electricity, air conditioning and other modern conveniences were only a dream.”
Linda Dillow became friends with Ella’s daughter who had found an old diary of her mother’s, and in the diary she discovered Ella’s prescription for contentment.  Here it is:
  • Never allow yourself to complain about anything–not even the weather.
  • Never picture yourself in any other circumstances or someplace else.
  • Never compare your lot with another’s.
  • Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise.
  • Never dwell on tomorrow–remember that is God’s and not ours.

Some pretty good principles to live by as we start out this new year.  What are some things that you may have used to help stay content?  Happy Small Grouping!

January 17, 2011 Posted by | Books, leadership, life, New Year, Recipe for Contentment, Small Group Ideas | , , , , , | 1 Comment

Christmas Book List

If some of you are like me, I love to read.  I will read anything from fiction to non-fiction, but most of my reading is leadership books.  I am always trying to improve and learn from other great leaders.  But sometimes I run across a book that peaks my interest and I can’t put it down.  Jud Wilhite, our Senior Pastor here at Central Christian Church has a passion for reaching broken people and that passion shows up in every book that he writes.  So this Christmas, I am adding a new book to my list that is a must read during the Christmas break.  The title is Throw It Down.  Here is a little summary of what the book is about:

THROW IT DOWN
A NEW BOOK BY SENIOR PASTOR JUD WILHITE

Throw It Down doesn’t pull punches. It’s straight talk to people who know they have habits and behaviors that are keeping them from being who God made them to be. Just as God commanded Moses in Exodus to ‘throw down’ his staff, God asks us to throw down the things that we hold tight, so we are free to accept all the blessings he has in store. Readers will receive the practical help and encouragement they need to throw down their hurts, habits and dependencies and to reclaim health, happiness and God’s blessings.

In our line of work, we deal with broken people all the time so I want to recommend this book to you and also if you know of someone who is struggling through their difficult season or an addiction, put this book in their stocking this year.  They will be thankful you did! Throw It Down is now available in the two42 café and bookstore or by visiting our online store at centralchristian.com.  Also, let me know what book(s) you are reading during this Christmas break?

December 17, 2010 Posted by | Books, Central Christian Church LV, Holiday ideas, leadership, Small Group Ideas | , , , , | Leave a Comment

New Release: Uncensored Truth

NEW RELEASE:

Uncensored Truth: A No-Spin Guide to the

Christian Faith

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY NOW! SHIPS ON OR BEFORE APRIL 1

Click HERE to place your order for Uncensored Truth  which will include a coupon code to download both the eBook and audio book for free!

In Uncensored Truth: A No-Spin Guide to the Christian Faith, Jud Wilhite offers a straightforward guide to the core beliefs of Christianity and shows why they matter and how they apply to life. Jud leads a no-holds-barred discussion about everything from God and Jesus to the Bible’s teaching on end times, heaven and hell. He shows how discovering God’s uncensored truth leads one to rediscover God’s uncensored grace in a fresh way.  This is a great resource for your own personal study or maybe your next Small Group study.  After you read it, please stop back by and let us know your thoughts. 

March 23, 2010 Posted by | Books, Central Christian Church LV, christianity, Curriculum, discipleship | , , , , , | 1 Comment

Spiritual Leadership

41xq%2BvaYgEL__SS500_I took the challenge of reading a Leadership book.  The book I chose to read was Spiritual Leadership by J Oswald Sanders.  This book is very helpful for anyone who is interested in leading.  It gave practical insights on the leadership principles of Moses, Nehemiah, Paul, and others in Scripture.  It can be used as a Small Group Study for your staff or volunteer teams.  One of the things that I really enjoyed was the Rules for Life given by Archbishop Benson:

  • Eagerly start the days’ main work
  • Do not murmur at your busyness or the shortness of time, but buy up the time around you
  • Never murmur when correspondence is brought in
  • Never exaggerate duties by seeming to suffer under the load, but treat all responsibilities as liberty and gladness
  • Never call attention to crowded work or trivial experiences
  • Before confrontation or censure, obtain from God a real love for the one fault.  Know the facts; be generous in your judgment.  Otherwise. How ineffective, how unintelligible or perhaps provocative your well-intentioned censure may be
  • Do not believe everything you hear; do not spread gossip
  • Do not seek praise, gratitude, respect or regard for past service
  • Avoid complaining when your advice or opinion is not consulted, or having been consulted, set aside
  • Never allow yourself to be placed in favorable contrast with anyone
  • Do not press conversation to your own needs and concerns
  • Seek no favors, nor sympathies; do not ask for tenderness, but receive what comes
  • Bear the blame; do not share or transfer it
  • Give thanks when credit for your work or ideas is given to another

Another statement I resonated with was by Archbishop Mowll,

“The frontiers of the kingdom of God were never advanced by men and women of caution.”

Great book and I would definitely recommend it to others!  What is a Leadership book that you have read that you would recommend to other leaders?

August 19, 2009 Posted by | Books, leadership, Small Group Leaders, Small Group Studies | , , , | 2 Comments

   

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