Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 394

Another Outbreak of Tornadoes in Alabama, Another Opportunity to Serve

As many of you have by now seen, my home state of Alabama suffered another devastating outbreak of tornadoes early yesterday morning. We had similar weather here in the Nashville area but thankfully no major damage.

Unfortunately some communities of Alabama are once again picking up the pieces.

The small community of Clay, Ala., is mourning the loss of 16-year old Christina Nicole Heichelbech, a high-school student at Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School. She was thrown from her home in a subdivision which was left in rubble by the storms.

Just down the road, Ken and Kim Horton were trapped in their basement waiting on help to arrive, their house caved in above them. They made it out alive and unharmed thanks to a friend from church who heard about the damage to the subdivision and rushed to their aid.

These are just two of the stories that will be told about this out-of-character wintertime storm. There will be hundreds more. Hundreds of Alabamans have no home today. Hundreds more are temporarily displaced.

But there is help and hope on the ground in Clay, Ala., and the neighboring communities of Center Point, Trussville, Pinson, and Springville. Along with the Alabama State Board of Missions Disaster Relief team, local churches are already mobilizing members and taking donations of water, food, socks, and toiletries.

I'm thankful for local congregations in the area like CrossPoint, Deerfoot Baptist, NorthPark Baptist, Clearbranch United Methodist, Clay Ridge Baptist, FBC Trussville, First UMC Trussville, and others that are serving both their members and neighbors, offering hope of both a home in the future and a home for the future.

Please join me in praying for these churches, their communities, and those impacted by these storms. To help with disaster relief, please contact the Alabama State Board of Missions Disaster Relief Team.

How to Lead When Your Leader Is Not Leading Well

The scenario is common. A leader in an organization becomes frustrated by inept leadership at a higher level. Perhaps the frustrated leader is the number two person, reporting to the leader of the organization. The situation is indeed common and it is indeed frustrating.

In a previous article, I wrote about the "leadership lid." The principle states that is difficult, if not impossible, for an organization to rise any higher than the abilities of the leader of that organization. Those in second and third level positions feel the frustration as they see wasted potential throughout the organization. Their positions do not give them the authority to make those decisions they believe the leader should be making.

So what's a number two (or lower) leader to do? Allow me to offer a few suggestions.

Support your leader.
That is easier said than done, especially when your leader is inept, inactive, intolerable, or indifferent. But many number two leaders have the greatest opportunity to grow when they can demonstrate their willingness to be a servant-follower, even when their leader is not leading well. Also, be willing to pray for your leader. You might see an attitude change in him and you.
Consider that you may be wrong.
It is tough to lead, especially when you are the person ultimately responsible for the organization. You have not walked in your leader's shoes, so you may not comprehend the complexity and pressures of his or her job. Your leader may not be doing as badly as you think.
Lead as best you can in your area.
Try to be the best possible leader in your area of responsibility, even if your leader is an obstacle to some of your efforts. You cannot be responsible for the entire organization, but you are responsible for your area of authority. Spend more energy leading your area effectively than being frustrated at the problems you see in your leader.
If the relationship allows, ask non-threatening questions.
Perhaps you can get insights into why your leader does or does not do some of the things that bother you. Of course, you have to be confident your relationship is sufficiently healthy to have such a conversation. I once had a leader throw a stapler at me when I attempted to ask such "non-threatening" questions. I learned quickly that my approach was neither wise nor non-threatening.
Seek to affirm your leader whenever it is possible and genuine.
It will help your relationship. Perhaps it will motivate your leader to do more of the healthy actions and less of the unhealthy actions.
Leave.
There are times that the number two person will attempt a coup d'état to oust the leader. Perhaps there is a sense of justification in such a move. Frankly, I've never known such a move in an organization to turn out well. Even if the number two person is successful in the ouster, the organization is typically left weaker and divided. And most of the time, the new leadership does not last long either. If the situation is intolerable for you as you work with your leader, it is likely best if you leave and find another opportunity. You will demonstrate courage and integrity that will do you well in your next place of leadership.

Leading is difficult in general. It is particularly difficult if your own leader is not leading well. But it can be a time where you grow in your own skills and character. The end result is that you will be a better leader and a better person.

Friday is for Freebies (January 20, 2012)

My giveaway this Friday is the Life Essentials Study Bible. This Bible, a $60 value, includes Gene Getz's extensive study notes guiding readers to put 1,500 life principles within Scripture into daily action. Also included are personalized online video lessons--more than 250 hours of free coaching led by Getz--all made accessible through the use of QR codes.

In the Life Essentials Study Bible, renowned Bible teacher Gene Getz complements the full text of the popular HCSB translation by elaborating on 1,500 principles in Scripture that are as relevant today as when the sixty- six books of the Bible were written. Distilling these truths into principles, Getz helps the reader more easily remember and effectively apply the Bible's wisdom to everyday life. He explains how each of these principles represents a supracultural truth - one that can and should be applied at any moment in history and in every cultural situation.

To be eligible to win, tell us which book of the Bible you would suggest a new believer begin reading first and why.

The deadline to enter is midnight CST this Saturday. We will select one winner from the entries on Monday morning.

Seven Reasons Leaders Fail

I recently conducted a fascinating exercise. I looked at the stories and records of leaders who have failed. While there is some subjectivity to the definition of failure, I think most would agree with my choices. There seems to be near unanimity that the leaders I researched did not fare well in their roles.

Some of my choices were historical figures for whom much has been written. Others were virtual unknowns in the annals of leadership history. Little, if nothing, has been written on them. But I have followed their lives, and they fall into the same patterns of the more publicized leadership failures. Others who know these lesser-known persons agree with my assessment without exception.

What then are the common characteristics of leaders who fail? I have no expectation that my list is exhaustive, but it was amazing to me to see some of these traits repeated several times.

They feel they are invincible.
Good leadership requires a level of confidence. But when that confidence moves toward arrogance and a sense of invincibility, there are certainly troubles ahead. These leaders shy away from accountability. They are often involved in moral and marital failures. They always see themselves as the smartest person in the room.
They are paralyzed by fear.
On the other extreme, some leaders have almost no confidence. They are unwilling to make decisions because they don't want to be wrong. They are more likely to move decision making to multiple levels of committees and groups so they don't have to be responsible for the decision.
They fail to grow.
Some of these leaders were great – in the past. But they fail to change and failed to grow. They are leaders from another era that is no longer relevant. They are analog leaders functioning in a digital world.
They are not passionate about their area of leadership.
They often see their work as no more than a paycheck. They will do the minimal work to get the job done so that they can keep their job. These leaders inspire no one, including themselves.
They fail to dream.
Leaders who fail often fail to dream. Their world is the immediate task at hand. They do not take time to dream the impossible, nor to see what can be. They don't let others inspire them through books or podcasts or conferences or mentoring. They only deal with today and never dream about tomorrow.
They have a sense of entitlement.
Don't you wonder how some leaders got to the place where they are? Perhaps you know the reason. Some of these leaders act as if their position of leadership is totally secure regardless of their performance. These leaders treat others in the organization like means to an end. It's all about them because they feel they deserve special treatment.
They have a sense of victimization.
Other leaders fail because they see themselves as victims. Perhaps they were passed over for a promotion some time ago, but they still carry chips on their shoulders today. They cannot function as true leaders because they spend so much of their mental and emotional energy feeling sorry for themselves. Every leader will receive bad news at some point in his or her career. The key test is how that leader will respond.

The opportunity to lead is one of the great gifts given to us. Life is too short to be miserable or ineffective in our roles. I hope leaders today can learn powerful lessons from leaders who have failed.

I know I have.

Notable Voices (January 19, 2012)

5 Things to Avoid at Your Next Conference - Chad Hall

Conferences can be good, as they meet real needs in the life of the attendees. They provide inspiration, information, and refreshment. So what's wrong with going to conferences? While there is nothing inherently wrong with attending conferences, some cautions are in order. Here are five things to avoid when you head to your next conference:

5 Ways to Be a More Influential Church Leader - Joel Garfinkle

The economically and spiritually troubling times our society faces today have resulted in significant challenges for many congregations. It is through these difficult times that church leadership is critical. It's easy to lead your congregation when things are going well and people are generally happy; however, when your followers are plagued with social and professional strife, this is when church leaders really need to shine. Here are five tips for managing and improving your reputation as a leader so you can develop your influence within the church and lead your congregation into the next era of prosperity.

40 Great Leadership Books to Read - Brad Lomenick

I love leadership. And I read a lot. So I wanted to provide you with a list of some of the books I recommend. These are not the only leadership books you should read. There are hundreds of others that are great. But these are just simply 40 of my favorites. So here you go. And please share this list with your friends, team, and other leaders who might benefit.

7 Tips for Talking with Your Neighbors about Jesus - Tim Gaydos

For whatever reason, it's easy for Christians to clam up and get weird when talking about their faith in the day-to-day. Here are a few tips to make bridge those inhibitions and get the conversation going:

The Post-Program Church: Which Programs to Cut? - Bobby Jamieson

If churches shouldn't rely wholly on programs to do the work of ministry, this raises some questions: First, should churches ditch all their programs? Not necessarily. Second, if not, how should churches decide which programs to keep or cut? Certainly churches should view all "programs" that aren't biblically prescribed as optional, and so they should hold them with a relatively open hand.

But this doesn't mean that all programs are bad, or that they are inherently bureaucratic and counterproductive of real ministry. Some programs, like Sunday school, can be excellent tools for teaching the Bible, equipping Christians with a biblical worldview, and changing the culture of a church.

How then should churches decide which programs to keep or cut? Obviously this is a complicated question that each church will answer slightly differently. Here are three principles for thinking it through. These principles, I should add, are relevant not just for deciding whether to keep a program or cut it, but for thinking through how to reform and improve existing programs as well.

Huge win for religious liberty at the Supreme Court -- CNN Belief Blog

Wednesday's Supreme Court decision holding that ministers cannot sue their churches for employment discrimination was a huge win for religious liberty. It defined "ministers" broadly, to include priests and rabbis and imams and persons with mixed religious and secular duties. And it said that the church need not explain its decision, because the reasons are none of the court's business.

The selection and retention of ministers is entirely the responsibility of the churches. Some churches will exercise this authority wisely; some may not. Denominations and associations of churches would do well to establish grievance procedures that really work. But whatever the ratio of wise decisions to bad decisions, it is far better for the American tradition of religious liberty for the selection of ministers to be entrusted to the churches those ministers serve.

The Transforming Power of God's Word

For the past two weeks, Tim Tebow has dominated sports talk shows, magazines, and water cooler talk. While much of the talk has been centered around his athletic skills (or, depending on who you talk to, the lack thereof), a great deal of this discussion has been focused on matters of faith—In particular, John 3:16.

The Huffington Post ran an article about the phenomena. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's peacewithGod.net website is keyed to searches for "John 3:16." They documented more than 150 professions of faith in Christ as a result people searching the verse during and after the Broncos win over Pittsburgh. Focus on the Family even recorded a last-minute, and extremely well-done, commercial featuring the verse which aired during Denver's game against the Patriots this past Saturday night.

Some will mock the claims by the BGEA. Some will scorn Focus on the Family for their religious commercial during a sporting event. Neither is justified nor appropriate. While the vitriol may be aimed at Tebow, the BGEA, or Focus, we must realize (as we see in 1 Corinthians 1:18) "the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing." But the verse does not end there. It also reminds us this very same "message of the cross" (revealed in God's Word, the Bible) is "God's power to us who are being saved." God's Word does not return in vain; no matter what social or sports commentators may say.

When I hear stories like this of people coming to Christ just by reading or hearing the word, I can't help but remember a conversation Nellie Jo and I had in 2004 with a former Mormon couple from Utah while preparing to write my book The Unexpected Journey. We met with Rauni and Dennis Higley to hear their faith story. Rauni told us of how she heard the gospel for the first time through a set of commentary tapes given to her by a friend. Then Dennis told us of the powerful effect the Scriptures had on him.

"She (Rauni) listened to all twenty-two tapes in no time. Yep, she started asking me to listen to the tapes. I told her no."

Dennis may have lost the battle, but he would still show his stubbornness. "I sat down to listen to the first tape, and I literally turned my back to the recorder. The man on the tape then began to explain John 1:1. For forty-five minutes he explained one verse and who Jesus is. Who the Word is. Forty years of my life, and I had never heard this explained." Dennis paused. The moment was one of deep emotion. "There it was. This was incredible. I turned the chair around and asked Rauni, 'What's on the second one?' I started taking notes, writing in my Bible for the first time. We finished the second tape."

Dennis explained his next step. "I told Rauni we ought to start the study over with our daughters. For the next year and a half, we studied the Bible together on Sunday as a family. It was incredible."

"All of this was so very incredible," Rauni offered. "I realized that I had found through the Gospel of John that Jesus is God; He is God with us; He really is God." Rauni was no longer able to hold her tears. "I finally just fell down on my face," she said, weeping. "I said, 'Lord, come into my life, take over my life.' I was so convicted that Jesus is God…"

Rauni and Dennis were transformed through power of the Word of God. His power and His truth spoke through a set of commentary tapes to two former Mormons and radically reshaped their lives. So when I hear scoffers rebuke or mock evangelistic efforts like those of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association or Focus on the Family, or even the faith of Tim Tebow, I rest in this: I've seen God's Word transform lives. Dozens and dozens of lives. Mine included.

Has it transformed yours?

When the Pastor is a Curator

Most pastors will inevitably face three common criticisms. The most common of the three is the issue of worship style and music. Though worship wars have abated a bit over the past few years, every pastor can be assured that there will be a few people in the congregation who don't like something about the worship services.

A second common criticism of pastors comes from congregants who feel they aren't getting sufficient pastoral attention. Indeed, even the pastor who gives extraordinary attention to pastoral care can't be omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient. I remember well one angry critic of a church where I served as pastor. She yelled at me for over 10 minutes on the phone because I did not visit her when she was in the hospital. When I tried calmly to explain that I didn't know she was in the hospital, she shouted even louder, "Well, you should have!"

The Third Common Criticism

It is the third common criticism that I wish to address in this article. It fits within the broad category of physical facilities. Some or several church members have deep emotional ties to, for example, a certain building, a Sunday school classroom, a parlor, stained glass windows, or pews. When the pastor attempts to suggest any changes related to these items of great fondness, he might meet a wave of unexpected criticism.

I spend a lot of time conversing with pastors. Almost every month I hear from a pastor who has been wounded by critics after he attempted to make some change that affected the church's facilities. Many pastors are caught off guard by the depth of emotions they encounter. Others lament that they feel like they are curators of a museum, protecting physical items when they should be sharing the gospel in the community.

Understanding the Hurt Behind the Criticisms

When I served as a pastor of four churches, I was too insensitive to these critics. I often perceived them as unreasonable people with a misplaced focus. As I have aged (and hopefully matured), I now see that there were real reasons for the hurt.

Some of the congregants saw their loved ones married in a worship center, and the thought of abandoning that space for a newer and bigger facility can be deeply painful. Others recall their grandparents sacrificing hard-earned dollars to acquire those stained-glass windows. Those windows have a much deeper meaning that just some beautiful pieces of colored glass.

The bottom line is that many of these congregants have deep attachment to these items. There is a deep and real hurt when significant change takes place that affects those things that stir deep emotions in their hearts.

Responding Pastorally to the Criticisms

So what is a pastor to do when he receives intense criticism for removing the big, bulky pulpit in favor of a more contemporary lectern? How does he respond when he is shocked by the negative feedback when he suggests that the bridal parlor could also be used for Bible study space? May I suggest a fourfold plan of action?

Respond to the criticisms pastorally. The critics often are hurt. Even though they lash out at their pastor, he needs to respond in love and deal with the hurt they are feeling. Keep the congregation focused on the missional objective of the church. Local congregations are to be taking the gospel to the community and to the world. As that mandate is repeatedly emphasized before the congregation, more and more members will grasp that they cannot focus on the "things" of the church when they have been called to a much greater purpose. Use great discernment to know if the change is really necessary. Are there other alternatives that could engender less pain? Conflicts and fights over physical facilities and items in the church can drain the congregation emotionally and spiritually, and cause the church to lose her focus. Do not take the criticisms personally. I know. It's easier said than done when you're the target getting the arrows. But if you can hear the hurt objectively, you can respond with a greater pastoral heart.

Many pastors express surprise that their call to ministry includes being the curator of a museum. But the critics who hurt us the most are in the same group we find ourselves: sinners saved by the grace of God. God loves them and us unconditionally. We should do likewise.

Friday is for Freebies (January 13, 2012)

My giveaway this week is the Seven Daily Sins DVD Leader's Kit. The package includes a copy of the workbook with the leader's guide and the DVD small-group videos. The DVD kit is valued at $50 and would make a great small-group study for any adult class.

The so-called "seven deadly sins" – lust, greed, envy, sloth, pride, gluttony, wrath – are not merely things we "do" with our behavior, but as Jesus reveals, conditions of our heart. Even if we don't act on them, we carry these desires around with us every day. How does the gospel address the needs at the root of these sins and empower us to break patterns of bondage to them? Seven Daily Sins reveals from Scripture how Christians can stop managing their sin and start experiencing freedom in Christ. As Tim Keller tells us, "We are more wicked than we dared believe." But also: "We are more loved than we dared hope." There is good news for Christians struggling with these appetites – for that's what they are, deep down – and it comes by and from the redemptive power of the gospel of Jesus.

To be eligible to win, share with us your New Year's resolution, if you made one, and what steps you're taking to accomplish your goal in 2012.

The deadline to enter is midnight CST this Saturday. We will select one winner from the entries on Monday morning.

Ten Lessons in Organizational Leadership from Steve Jobs

After I completed reading the magnificent biography of Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson, I found myself paradoxically saddened and greatly enthused. My sadness came as I learned about Job's never-ending spiritual quest. He knew something was missing in his life, but he never found the Truth that could fill the void. He experimented with forms of Eastern religions and mind-altering drugs, but he remained uncertain and unfulfilled. Near the end of his life, he lamented that life should be like an Apple product with no on/off switch.

I was further saddened by his family struggles, particularly with his children. To his credit, Jobs did make attempts at reconciling with an estranged child (his first, out of wedlock), and to spend time with his other children. But he never seemed to arrive at a peace about being a father. Work was just too important.

But I have learned much about leadership from Steve Jobs, particularly organizational leadership. I recently shared 25 lessons I learned with my leadership team. Allow me in this article to distill those lessons to ten key issues.

The leadership team of an organization must include nothing but all-stars. The key leaders of the organization set the tone and the level of expectations for everyone else. Never stop asking "Why?" or "Why Not?" Jobs was relentless in insisting that the "impossible" could be accomplished. Discover your top employees and cultivate them. Don't assume that the best are always the highest-ranking employees. Jobs often discovered incredible people who were at entry-level positions. Continuously ask questions of young leaders. They have much to offer, but are often overlooked because of their age. The key brand issue is trust. If customers or constituents lose trust in your services or products or the organization as a whole, nothing good can follow. Be a part of an organization that can change the world. As a leader, you must be able to articulate why and how your organization can change the world. Too many organizations cut costs and quality. That is short-term thinking that leads to disaster. Use meetings exclusively for strategy and brainstorming. Too many meetings include information that can be shared in emails. Also, Jobs hated the use of PowerPoint (or Keynote) in meetings, which he saw as a mental crutch that avoided talking about the important and strategic matters. Intuitive decisions have a better track record than extensive approval processes. Jobs noted how many organizations take "forever" to make a decision as they go through several layers of bureaucracy. He saw this process as one that engendered slowness, lack of accountability, and ultimately, bad decisions. To his credit, Jobs' intuitive and quick decisions were often right decisions. Hire only passionate employees. The workers at Apple were not to see their work as mere jobs and a paycheck. They were part of the process to change the world. Jobs was quick to hire passionate employees and just as quick to fire those who weren't.

Steve Jobs was an incredibly fascinating man. I think history will judge him with the same favor as Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Edison. Much of his genius is evident in the products he helped create and in the patents filed in his name. But Jobs will also be remembered as an organizational genius. Despite his personal shortcomings and condescending treatment of some employees, he did create and grow two (Apple and Pixar) incredible and lasting organizations.

Yes, Steve Jobs was far from perfect. But I have found myself learning from both his weaknesses and strengths. He was one incredible man indeed.

Notable Voices (January 11, 2012)

The Elephant Room as a Snapshot of Contemporary Evangelicalism - Trevin Wax

James MacDonald's Elephant Room conference has stirred up celebration and consternation among evangelicals – and no wonder! MacDonald envisions a place where pastors and church leaders can bring private disagreements into the public eye, where leaders with varying theological viewpoints and ministry philosophies can come together and hash out their differences in light of the Scriptures. No easy feat.

How Should We Talk About Sex? - Ed Stetzer

Books are good and necessary, but pastors ought to accompany their bibliography with a pastoral word in pre-marital counseling. Christians should be asking questions, and we should be prepared to answer them. So, let's begin with the idea that talking more about sex and answering people's questions are good things, and God is pro-sex. When we start there, evaluating those who have done so is much easier.

Let My People Go: Human Trafficking Awareness Day - Dan Darling

The term "human trafficking" or "trafficking in persons" (TIP) often draws raised eyebrows and skeptical expressions—until statistics are laid out to show that approximately 27 million people are enslaved today, whether for the purposes of slave labor, prostitution, or involuntary organ "donations."

7 Reasons to Remember an Unborn Life - Paul Tautges

Much has been made in the media of the decision Republican Presidential candidate Rick Santorum and his family made to spend time with their deceased infant after it was born. Paul Tautges provides seven biblical reasons why it is a good thing to have a memorial service for an unborn or stillborn child.

Launch of The Gospel Project - The Gospel Project

LifeWay has launched the website for our new gospel-centered curriculum line that debuts this fall. Below is a video with Matt Chandler that touches on how to view the Bible in light of the Gospel.