by Clarence E. Stowers | Nov 26, 2008 | Christian, Christianity, Communication, Leadership, Preaching, Vision
What Would YOU Like To Hear Taught Next Year?
Each
year in November our team breaks away for our annual teaching calendar
planning retreat where we lay out a general idea of where we sense God
wants to take us over this next year in terms of teaching and subject
matter.
This week, we will be spending the next several hours focused on praying, planning, and brainstorming. So please pray for us!
But here's my BIG question for all of you….
What topics/subjects would YOU like to hear teaching on?
I'd
love to hear your ideas! So leave a comment! Maybe your feedback will
spark a great idea for Mars Hill or even others over this next year!
by Clarence E. Stowers | Nov 24, 2008 | Communication, Events, Other Stuff
When I counsel people, I often ask them, "What's keeping you up at night?" This question gets right to the heart of the issues that are critical to their life and their careers.
HERE'S A SUGGESTION:
In order to be more productive in life, leave a pen and paper by your bed. When the issues of the day start to nag at you, make a note. The payoff is immediate! Writing down your concerns will actually help you let go of them so you can sleep. Then take those pages with you to work. As you prepare for the day, look them over and sketch out how you can alleviate your concerns. The key is to identify the issue and determine how you will address. Create a time frame for carrying out your plan & hold yourself to it. Not only will you work more effectively, you'll sleep better too!
Go ahead & give it a try and let me know the results!
by Clarence E. Stowers | Nov 19, 2008 | Christian, Christianity, Church Issues, Communication, Conference/Workshops, Events, Leadership, Preaching, Travel
Wow, it's been at least three years since I've attended a conference. THREE YEARS!!!
I've made plans be part of Catalyst's newest offering: a One Day
leadership experience (glad someone figured it only took ONE DAY to say what they have to say) packed with teaching and insight from Andy
Stanley and Craig Groeschel, two leading voices in the Church today.
They say we're going to learn how to:
- Discover the key to creating and sustaining momentum in your organization
- Identify and break through the barriers to momentum and overcome personal leadership lids
- Leverage the three triggers which ignite organizational momentum
- Create a culture of continual improvement
- Embrace a new approach to leading organizational change
I really like these two guys & I'm pumped to hear what they have to say!
by Clarence E. Stowers | Nov 14, 2008 | Communication, Current Affairs, Empowerment, Leadership, Vision
Thankfully, the election is over. We now have clarity about who is going to lead our country for the next four years. I have never personally witnessed such excitement and hopefulness following an election (though I acknowledge that not everyone shared that sentiment).
However, the problems still remain. The stock market continues to remain volatile. I am not sure that this is so much a response to President-Elect Obama as it is a reflection of the fact that the economic environment is still enormously turbulent.
So is the glass half empty or half full? The truth is, both.
In times like these, leaders must do two things simultaneously:
- Confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they may be.
- Retain faith that you will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties.
This is what author Jim Collins refers to as “The Stockdale Paradox.” In his book, Good to Great, he tells the story of Admiral James Stockdale, who was a prisoner of war for eight years during the Vietnam War.
After his release, a reporter asked Admiral Stockdale, “How in the world did you survive eight years in a prisoner of war camp?”
He replied,
I never lost faith in the end of the story. I never doubted not only that we would get out, but also that I would prevail in the end and turn the experience into the defining event in my life, which, in retrospect, I would not trade.
The reporter then asked, “Who didn’t make it out?” Admiral Stockdale replied,
Oh, that’s easy, the optimists. They were the ones who said, “We’re going to be out by Christmas.” And Christmas would come and go. Then they’d say, “We’re going to be out by Easter.” And Easter would come, and Easter would go. And then Thanksgiving, and then it would be Christmas again. And they died of a broken heart.”
Collins then goes onto state that an attribute of truly great companies and great leaders is that they are able to embrace simultaneously these twin truths of their current reality and their ultimate triumph.
Questions: Are you embracing the Stockdale Paradox in your leadership? If so, how?
© 2008, Michael S. Hyatt. Used by Permission. Originally posted at www.michaelhyatt.com.
by Clarence E. Stowers | Oct 15, 2008 | Communication, Relationships
Well, I put it out there & the ladies have spoken…check out their comments!
"This post is the truth! I think I
may be the epitome of an independent woman. idk. I have my own crib, my
own car, I'm educated, and pursuing a second degree (May 09!). I'm
involved in my church, and there's nothing I CAN'T do for myself. I
change light bulbs, I assemble furniture, I do the handy work around
the house, and I know how to change a tire. Yeah, I can do all those
things, but there's nothing like a real gentleman – confident,
charming, and charismatic. Glue that all together with some real
Christianity, seal it with "relationship" and you've got my recipe for
a God Man (as opposed to a "good" man)."
"Pastor,
This is real talk. I hope the brothers are listening to your words of wisdom."
Thanks ladies for sharing!
by Clarence E. Stowers | Oct 14, 2008 | Christianity, Church Issues, Communication
One of the lessons I’ve learned while being in the ministry for the
past 16 years is sometimes what people say isn’t exactly true…things
such as…
WARNING…
(you will probably only like this post if you are a pastor or a staff member of a church!)
What They Say: “I’m looking for a church that preaches the Word!”
What They Mean: “I’m looking for a church that
preaches MY view of the Word. I think the King James Version translation should be
used…I think BLANK should be talked about a lot while BLANK should be
ignored. And if you ever stop preaching my view of the Word I will
leave and tell others that you don’t preach the Word!”
What They Say: “Lot’s of people have been coming to me and saying they don’t like is…”
What They Mean: “I basically only have three
friends…and all of them think exactly like me. The other night we were
enjoying a time of self righteousness because, after all, we are right
about everything…and were also slandering you (in the form of prayer
requests) and thought it would be wise to approach you with our pet
peeve. We’ve actually talked to no one else about this but said “lots”
because we wanted to validate our dysfunction.”
What They Say: “I’m leaving the church.”
What They Mean: “Beg me to stay. If you will just
ask me I will share with you several ways you can compromise God’s
vision that He’s given you, thus becoming nothing more than a people
pleasing pastor who is more interested in popularity than obedience.
If you don’t bow to my demands I will remind you that I tithe and that
the church needs my money, reducing you to an ineffective preacher…one
who is paid for a service for the pleasure of another person.”
What They Say: “I want a church that is more focused on discipleship.”
What They Mean: “I want a church where everyone
knows me and how important I am! I don’t want to reach people who are
different from me, be it economic class or race or even musical
preference. I already know WAY more than I do…but I somehow equate
spirituality with knowledge rather than application and I rather enjoy
feeling intellectually superior to those who don’t know as much as me.”
What They Say: “Don’t take this personally…but…”
What They Mean: “I am about to lower the BOOM on
you…but you can’t get angry because I told you not to take it
personally. Even though you have dedicated your life to this and
pretty much invest every ounce of energy you have to this cause…and I
think about it once or twice a week…you need to receive my attacks,
even when they are personal…and you cannot retaliate because, remember,
it’s not personal.”
OKAY, that was fun! I typed it all with a smile. Trust me…I’m not
mad or frustrated with anyone…I just thought a pastor or two MIGHT get
a smile out of this. 🙂
"…your comments/thoughts on "What do Women Really Want" is right on point
and very good, I might add. As for me, a man who is sensitive and not
demeaning is a plus. Thank you for being an example to the young and older men!"
"…as being a strong, independent
black woman I enjoy someone who can take the lead and is very confident
in his manhood. Someone who is still the traditional gentlemen and is
definitely not intimidated by the new millennium woman. Someone that
can put me in my place (so to speak…because I can be "off the chain"
sometimes) without disrespecting me nor mentally, physically or
emotionally abusing me…now that takes a real man with true
skills…LOL!"