Leadership
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Posted on January 3, 2012, 12:49 am | 1 comment
Topics: Leadership
Family and friendship ties may help us keep somewhat informed about life in other congregations, but these informal relationships are inadequate. The quality and depth of the relationships require deeper conversation and shared life. This happens by taking seriously the
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Posted on October 19, 2011, 3:57 pm | 5 comments
The title may seem a bit crass -- and actually it is -- but that is precisely the question that I am asked most often as a stated clerk by elders: "How do we get rid of our minister?" I vividly recall the conversation from the chair of council who actually began our phone conversation with that question. I quickly learned that he was the one having difficulty with his pastor and he simply wanted him 'gone'.
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Posted on September 26, 2011, 11:45 pm
Topics: Leadership
In our time there are many who participate in the life of the congregation but do not become members. Part of the ministry of the leadership needs to address the importance of membership covenants and relationships. This is about our life together in Christ.
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Posted on September 5, 2011, 9:15 pm | 3 comments
Topics: Leadership
According to David Lyle Jeffrey (Books & Culture - A Critique of All Religions), in the church in China “one may expect to find much higher levels of biblical literacy and theological clarity by three to five years post-conversion than amongst American counterparts after two or three decades in the church.” This got me thinking...
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Posted on August 15, 2011, 1:02 pm | 3 comments
Topics: Leadership
The question has been raised about the elder’s role in the governance of worship... It is important for council to establish some guidelines in the area of worship if they are delegating responsibly. In my experience, very little of this is written down in a policy manual. The guidance happens through conversation and, at times, complaint.
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Posted on June 27, 2011, 2:12 pm | 1 comment
Topics: Leadership
Fear needs to be rightly trained. Fear needs to be disciplined by the guidance of the triune God and experience of deep love. Much of what we fear displays a mistrust of God’s guidance and direction. Much of what we fear reveals the inadequacy of the love in community. This past synod (June 2011) reveals many conversations we need to have.
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Posted on May 10, 2011, 1:03 am | 1 comment
Topics: Leadership
Over and over again, I hear of elders – especially first time elders – struggling to get acquainted with the tasks before them. Not everything can be overcome through good planning. Some tasks simply have to be done the first time in order to learn the dynamics of the ministry. But there is no question that planning
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Posted on May 2, 2011, 11:32 pm | 1 comment
Topics: Leadership
As we head into May, we are approaching the end of the church year. Now is a good time to review the work of the past year. We usually like to gloss over this moment. After all, some are coming to the end of their terms of office and are fading out of the job. Others feel a little guilty about what they failed to do. Hopes and ambition
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Posted on April 12, 2011, 1:25 am | 1 comment
Topics: Leadership
Over the years I have noticed that many times the kind of supervisory conversations that take place on a council level, look more like feedback. Supervision requires guidance. Supervision suggests that there are standards to be met for which the supervisors are held accountable. But in council, supervision is often handicapped.
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Posted on March 14, 2011, 11:35 pm
Topics: Leadership
There will be times we are asked to rest, to be silent, to allow another voice to be heard. But if we don’t sing or play the part we have uniquely been given, someone else will miss their cue.
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Posted on February 28, 2011, 2:08 pm | 2 comments
Topics: Leadership
Having been part of many conversations on organizational structure, I know that each organization structure is a balancing of a variety of differing objectives and at times conflicting values. The changes that are adopted depend on levels of trust within the community and the levels of anxiety that live within the organization...
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Posted on February 7, 2011, 9:30 pm | 6 comments
Topics: Leadership
Why is it that members of the congregation are not clamoring to serve in the office of elder? If everyone said this was a fulfilling and rewarding ministry, would we not have at least a few more people ready to embrace the work?
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Posted on January 31, 2011, 4:08 pm | 2 comments
Topics: Leadership
Most of us are busy. We hardly have time to keep up with the relationships around us. That is not surprising. The simple math of relationships – family, friends, coworkers, church attendees and a host of other regular passing acquaintances – are enough. With these we fail to keep up. Most busy people are not looking for more.
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Posted on January 5, 2011, 4:12 pm | 6 comments
Topics: Leadership
According to the church order, “The sacraments shall be administered upon the authority of the consistory in the public worship service…” and “The Lord’s Supper shall be administered at least once every three months in a manner conducive to building up the body of Christ and in keeping with the teachings of God’s Word.” While not providing details, there is some direction...
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Posted on December 14, 2010, 3:29 pm | 1 comment
Topics: Leadership
Thinking before you speak is harder than it appears. Conversation is by nature reflexive: you speak and I reply. It is dialogue. But how is it possible that as soon as you finish speaking, I can begin replying...
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