by Clarence E. Stowers | Sep 15, 2008 | Christianity, Church Issues, Empowerment, Leadership
LEADERSHIP CAN BE FRUSTRATING!
Perhaps you've heard of the five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance). I wonder if a similar list could help define the stages a leader goes through when his or her organization fails to meet certain expectations.
In the past year at Mars Hill, we have been trying to get our minds and hearts around some of the data that points to unmet expectations. What do you do when not as many people are inviting their friends…not as many are growing in Christ…not as many are tithing…not as many are reading their Bible…not as many are attending…and not as many are being baptized?
These questions are very real for us right now, and the next few days I will share some of the stages of unmet expectations I have recently experienced…
- WHEN WE EXPERIENCE UNMET EXPECTATIONS, WE TEND TO JUSTIFY: Well, the attendance is down because of the weather. Everyone is at home entertaining, shopping, golfing, etc. People aren't reading their Bibles because we have so many who are exploring Christ. The economy is terrible so people aren't giving.
MY RESPONSE: Sometimes there are rational reasons for failure, but if you continue to explain it away over time, it begins to look like an excuse rather than a reason. You can justify a week or even an entire season…but it's difficult to justify trends that are happening over time.
One down…four more to go…
by Clarence E. Stowers | Sep 3, 2008 | Current Affairs, Empowerment, Family, Leadership, Money and Finance, Parenting, Politics
We will continue to push for superior schools for disadvantaged children until the problem is solved!
by Clarence E. Stowers | Aug 27, 2008 | Current Affairs, Empowerment, Events, Family, Politics
CHECK OUT "THE HILL" IN ACTION SUNDAY…THE PRESSURE IS ON!!!
NOTICE: MYTH REGARDING FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FUNDING…1ST DAY ATTENDANCE DOES NOT AFFECT A SCHOOL'S FUNDING…CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
Only 6 of 100 Black and Latino high school freshmen males will graduate from a four year college. Source: University of Chicago’s Consortium on Chicago School Research
Between 2003 and 2007, white students' reading scores went up while African American, Hispanic and low-incomes student's scores went down. (Chicago Sun-Times, October 31, 2007)
Money spent in Illinois on:
- Housing an adult prisoner: $21,000
- Educating a child in Chicago: $10,000
(Source: Illinois State Board of Education
Office of Governor Rod Blagojevich)
- Only 9% of African American 4th graders ranked proficient or above in reading, ranking Illinois 38 out of 41 states. (Chicago Sun-Times, November 2, 2006)
- Illinois has the largest unaddressed district-to-district funding gap in the nation. (Source: Education Trust)
2005-2006 School Year Graduation Rates in Chicago
- Black males – 37%
- White males – 62%
(Source: Schott Foundation)
- Illinois ranks 49 out of the 50 states when it comes to funding education from state funds. (Source: Education Trust)
Click Here for more FACTS about the SCHOOL FUNDING CRISIS
by Clarence E. Stowers | Aug 15, 2008 | Events, Music, Relationships, Sports, Travel
Now that I have your attention…
I'm proud to have attended & graduated from Jackson State University (a HBCU). At JSU, I learned the true meaning of struggle, brotherhood, and perseverance. Also, I had the chance to develop life-long relationships that continue today.
Personally, I chose to attend a HBCU to cultivate identity and community. Moreover, I wouldn't trade my HBCU experience for anything in the world.
After JSU, I attended PWI's (predominately White Institutions), but it was my JSU experience which shaped my life by strengthening the entrepreneur in me.
At JSU we were always encouraged to do our own thing, be strong, and trust God to grant you wisdom in all areas of life. Being in a place where educated Black people were the majority helped me to develop an "I can make it mentality."
Therefore, I will make my annual pilgrimage to Jackson, MS for a homecoming experience second to none. During this weekend, we will lay aside our titles, degrees, and become one. THIS IS SOMETHING THOSE WHO ATTENDED PWI's WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND…IT'S A BLACK THING…
Care to share?
View my page on JSU's Cyber Plaza
