Another great point that came from the conference on Saturday was on planning a meeting. Russ was able to share from his experience on the importance of planning on what you want to accomplish in each meeting. He broke it down to four categories:
Head: What do I want my group to know?
Heart: What do I want my group to feel?
Hands: What do I want my group to do?
Homework: What do I want my group to plan?
In thinking about these four targets, I really took a hard look at how I lead. I think most of the leaders at First Baptist Weston are the same: we do a great job on informing people about what they should know. We are content based and hit the know part well.
Personally, I get the heart stuff many times in my Sunday morning group, but I don't do as well with my men's group. Connecting the head and the heart are essential to transformation.
I was able to put these into practice on Sunday. I was able to take a passage that was about someone else doing evangelism and give us a homework assignment for the week. This assignment has caused me to reflect on this passage several times over the last 3 days.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Small Groups Conference Reflections: Your thoughts
Here is your chance! Let the world know what you think.
What was the most significant point you heard at the conference on Saturday?
Feel free to add to people's thoughts.
What was the most significant point you heard at the conference on Saturday?
Feel free to add to people's thoughts.
Reflections on Small Groups Conference
For those of you who were at the Small Groups Conference, you heard four of the best presentations I have ever heard given at any small groups conference. I will spend the rest of this week giving some of my thoughts on what we heard on Saturday.
I want to start on the personal level. I had the opportunity to eat dinner with Russ and Lynne on Friday night before the event. My number one takeaway from the weekend is the authenticity exhibited in Russ's life. Based on what I heard him say over the weekend and what I know from his books, he is a "tent-making" minister who lives what he teaches. He is the type of person that you leave energized after speaking with him.
The first session is the one that spoke to me most significantly. God is a community unto Himself. He has never been alone. Since we are made in the image of God, we must be made for community. It is so simple, yet so easily overlooked.
The implication is you and I are helping people to become more conformed to the image of Christ by leading them in a small group. This is accomplished by creating a safe environment for community and fellowship to take place. This is a foundation upon which our small groups must be built. Bible study without community is folly.
On my next posting, I will make it very brief and give you the opportunity to opine about what you liked about the conference and ask questions.
I want to start on the personal level. I had the opportunity to eat dinner with Russ and Lynne on Friday night before the event. My number one takeaway from the weekend is the authenticity exhibited in Russ's life. Based on what I heard him say over the weekend and what I know from his books, he is a "tent-making" minister who lives what he teaches. He is the type of person that you leave energized after speaking with him.
The first session is the one that spoke to me most significantly. God is a community unto Himself. He has never been alone. Since we are made in the image of God, we must be made for community. It is so simple, yet so easily overlooked.
The implication is you and I are helping people to become more conformed to the image of Christ by leading them in a small group. This is accomplished by creating a safe environment for community and fellowship to take place. This is a foundation upon which our small groups must be built. Bible study without community is folly.
On my next posting, I will make it very brief and give you the opportunity to opine about what you liked about the conference and ask questions.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Preview of Russ Robinson on Saturday
As I have been praying about the upcoming Small Groups Leadership Conference, I realized that the speaker, Russ Robinson, will be very new to many of you. Russ has co-written three books on small groups and will be releasing a new book soon. For many years, Russ was the executive director of small groups at Willow Creek before returning to his private law practice. What makes Russ such a great resource is that he comes from trenches of leading a group, so he knows a leader's struggles first-hand.
As I reviewed the handouts for the event on Saturday, I got a sense for the direction he will be taking us on Saturday. One of the topics of discussion is on creating community. Here is some information to help you better understand what it takes to create community within a small group. This is based on the book Building A Church Of Small Groups.
Spend some time this week praying and thinking about how "authentic" the fellowship within your group is today. Feel free to post comments on one or more of these characteristics and how your encourage their practice in your group.
As I reviewed the handouts for the event on Saturday, I got a sense for the direction he will be taking us on Saturday. One of the topics of discussion is on creating community. Here is some information to help you better understand what it takes to create community within a small group. This is based on the book Building A Church Of Small Groups.
Creating Authentic CommunityAs you can tell, the five characteristics listed above are not easy, natural practices found in our lives. They each require an intentional effort on the part of small group leaders to provide the environment for authentic community.
Self-Disclosure: To know and be known
Care Giving: To love and be loved
Humility: To serve and be served
Truth-Telling: To admonish and be admonished
Affirmation: To celebrate and be celebrated
"Spiritual growth cannot take place apart from community, and the fruit of such growth can only be expressed in community."
Spend some time this week praying and thinking about how "authentic" the fellowship within your group is today. Feel free to post comments on one or more of these characteristics and how your encourage their practice in your group.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Leadership In A Small Group
I read a great article on leadership of small groups by Rod Dempsey at Smallgroups.com that is a great summation of the task you and I have as leaders. The article was very brief, yet he hit the big issues that all leaders need to wrestle with in their small group.
The four components of leadership are as follows:
Vision: The leader is the one who sees the desired future for the group. This vision keeps the group on task and going in the right direction. Habakkuk wrote "write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run that reads it."
For our small groups, the vision is simple: people will experience spiritual transformation, develop meaningful relationships, and care for others.
Influence: A leader must influence others to work toward achieving the vision. Influence is gained by using words, knowledge, skills, and examples to guide others towards vision fulfillment. The main tool for influence in your group is the Bible. Properly taught and applied, the vision for small groups will be fulfilled.
Development: Leaders must be preparing the next generation of leaders. By developing other leaders, you are multiplying your influence. 2 Timothy 2:2 is Paul's charge to Timothy to do just that: develop leaders. This means you must identify and train an apprentice in your group.
God's priorities: A leader recognizes that it is not about his or her own agenda but God's agenda. We get our marching orders from God, not from ourselves, the latest trend, or the world. Stay diligent in your personal Bible study and preparation. In so doing, you will stay connected to the power needed for leadership.
To foster some discussion, "Which of these is the hardest for you to implement?"
The four components of leadership are as follows:
Vision: The leader is the one who sees the desired future for the group. This vision keeps the group on task and going in the right direction. Habakkuk wrote "write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run that reads it."
For our small groups, the vision is simple: people will experience spiritual transformation, develop meaningful relationships, and care for others.
Influence: A leader must influence others to work toward achieving the vision. Influence is gained by using words, knowledge, skills, and examples to guide others towards vision fulfillment. The main tool for influence in your group is the Bible. Properly taught and applied, the vision for small groups will be fulfilled.
Development: Leaders must be preparing the next generation of leaders. By developing other leaders, you are multiplying your influence. 2 Timothy 2:2 is Paul's charge to Timothy to do just that: develop leaders. This means you must identify and train an apprentice in your group.
God's priorities: A leader recognizes that it is not about his or her own agenda but God's agenda. We get our marching orders from God, not from ourselves, the latest trend, or the world. Stay diligent in your personal Bible study and preparation. In so doing, you will stay connected to the power needed for leadership.
To foster some discussion, "Which of these is the hardest for you to implement?"
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Growing as a Leader
I was reading a book last night, which I will review later, and the author mentioned an article that intrigued me. The article is Seven Transformations of Leadership found in the April 2005 Harvard Business Review.
The premise of the article is stated in the summation on the cover of the article, "Leaders are made, not born, and how they develop is critical for organizational change." Three critical points jump off the page in that brief statement. Leadership is learned. Development of leadership skills is possible. The growth of every organization is tied to the development of its leaders.
I don't know that I want to tackle all three of those issues, but I do want to touch on the issue of development as a leader. The authors David Rooke and William Torbert identify seven "action logics" that reveal seven leadership styles that a person can develop. The way I understand "action logics" is that the actions a person uses to lead reveal the way he or she thinks and views leadership.
The seven logics are the Opportunist, Diplomat, Expert, Achiever, Individualist, Strategist, or Alchemist. These logics function as the leader's dominant way of thinking and influence the actions they take to lead others. These seven are on a scale from the Opportunist, who is the autocratic selfish leader, to the Alchemist, who not only leads effectively in the moment but is able to transform himself and others to have a more significant impact in the organization and the world.
The bottom line for me and you is found in these two questions we should be asking of ourselves, "What kind of leader am I right now, and what steps do I take to develop into a more effective leader?" Developing into a better leader requires intentionality, purpose, and work. We should take time to evaluate how we are currently leading, make sure we are "aiming the gun" in the right direction, and put into practice those things needed to improve our leadership.
I hope you will read the article, which is eleven pages long, and let it challenge you. I must admit I was not pleased with my self-evaluation. I saw a less that flattering view of myself in light of this article. However, the great news contained in the article is that leaders can and should grow and develop.
The premise of the article is stated in the summation on the cover of the article, "Leaders are made, not born, and how they develop is critical for organizational change." Three critical points jump off the page in that brief statement. Leadership is learned. Development of leadership skills is possible. The growth of every organization is tied to the development of its leaders.
I don't know that I want to tackle all three of those issues, but I do want to touch on the issue of development as a leader. The authors David Rooke and William Torbert identify seven "action logics" that reveal seven leadership styles that a person can develop. The way I understand "action logics" is that the actions a person uses to lead reveal the way he or she thinks and views leadership.
The seven logics are the Opportunist, Diplomat, Expert, Achiever, Individualist, Strategist, or Alchemist. These logics function as the leader's dominant way of thinking and influence the actions they take to lead others. These seven are on a scale from the Opportunist, who is the autocratic selfish leader, to the Alchemist, who not only leads effectively in the moment but is able to transform himself and others to have a more significant impact in the organization and the world.
The bottom line for me and you is found in these two questions we should be asking of ourselves, "What kind of leader am I right now, and what steps do I take to develop into a more effective leader?" Developing into a better leader requires intentionality, purpose, and work. We should take time to evaluate how we are currently leading, make sure we are "aiming the gun" in the right direction, and put into practice those things needed to improve our leadership.
I hope you will read the article, which is eleven pages long, and let it challenge you. I must admit I was not pleased with my self-evaluation. I saw a less that flattering view of myself in light of this article. However, the great news contained in the article is that leaders can and should grow and develop.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
George Washington's Leadership Lessons
If there was a set of character traits and qualities our world desperately needs today, it is the qualities of leadership displayed by George Washington. James Rees makes the case that George Washington can serve as an example of the type of leadership needed today. George Washington's Leadership Lessons is a very quick paced, entertaining read.
The "meat" of the book is fifteen leadership lessons that can learned from observing the life of Washington from his youth to his death at Mount Vernon. Though it would be difficult to pinpoint only a couple of highlights, it was striking to look at the traits of "Takes personal responsibility," "Humble," and "Heartfelt faith" in light of our national leaders today. Any organization would benefit from leaders who exhibit the qualities described of Washington.
Although the book was a very sympathetic work toward Washington, the author acknowledges some of Washington's failings. It is important to note that these failings should not lesson our admiration of his positive qualities, nor should it diminish our desire to mimic his positive leadership traits.
An interesting addition to the leadership lessons is a listing of 11o Rules of Civility that Washington hand copied as a young man. Although some of these rules seem very dated due to the changes in culture, the intent behind them are very much needed today. I found myself checking my own application of these rules in my life.
Overall, I would recommend this book to those who may fall into two categories. For those who are seeking to learn about leadership, this is a great primer into the leadership traits of our greatest Founding Father. The second group of readers would be those who want to gain an additional perspective on the life of Washington. The book takes brief snapshots of various points of Washington's life and views them through the prism of leadership.
Great group fellowship
We had a great fellowship time in our Parent's with Preschooler's small group on Saturday. Our group has been meeting for a year, but this was our first fellowship without kids being present.
Here is what really stood out to me about the evening: no amount of Bible study can build fellowship like spending time with people. Don't get me wrong, Bible study is important. However, spending time with people is how real friendships are developed.
We had intended to eat and play games, but we ended up just talking with one another after the meal was finished. There is something about being around people that you like and can be yourself with them. Of course, that's the "pastor" in me talking. The reality is we had fun with one another.
If you are in a small group, encourage your group to get together and share a meal with one another. It is a great way to deepen your friendships. Plus, it adds so much to your small group Bible study because of the time you spend with one another outside of group time.
The other thing we do as a "group" is have a "guy's night out" and "girl's night out" about every month. This is just another way to have some fun and build friendships.
Here is what really stood out to me about the evening: no amount of Bible study can build fellowship like spending time with people. Don't get me wrong, Bible study is important. However, spending time with people is how real friendships are developed.
We had intended to eat and play games, but we ended up just talking with one another after the meal was finished. There is something about being around people that you like and can be yourself with them. Of course, that's the "pastor" in me talking. The reality is we had fun with one another.
If you are in a small group, encourage your group to get together and share a meal with one another. It is a great way to deepen your friendships. Plus, it adds so much to your small group Bible study because of the time you spend with one another outside of group time.
The other thing we do as a "group" is have a "guy's night out" and "girl's night out" about every month. This is just another way to have some fun and build friendships.
Start of something new
The goal of my blog is to add another layer of communication from myself to small group leaders and small group participants at First Baptist Church at Weston. Some of the topics that will be covered will be mundane items like upcoming events in the life of the church, curriculum choices, etc. At other times, I will share my thoughts on issues facing small groups and leaders, things I am studying, and books I am reading.
Like any new endeavor, this will require some learning on my part. I hope you view this as a tool to help you stay up-to-date on what is going on within our small groups ministry at FBC Weston.
Be sure to share your thoughts.
Pastor Scott
Like any new endeavor, this will require some learning on my part. I hope you view this as a tool to help you stay up-to-date on what is going on within our small groups ministry at FBC Weston.
Be sure to share your thoughts.
Pastor Scott
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