by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 9, 2012 | regular
Leadership Guru, John Maxwell is known for saying: “Everything rises & falls on leadership.” Even though I’ve been in various leadership roles for about 25 years now, I’m still learning what it takes to be a good leader. Because of that, I feel awkward trying to tell other leaders how to lead because I’m still trying to figure it out myself.
With that in mind, I’ve decided to take a different spin with this post. With the help of some friends, I’ve compiled a list of the “10 Dumbest Leadership Mistakes I’ve Made.”
In other words, rather than sharing all of the enlightening leadership principles I’ve discovered through the years, Over the few weeks, I’m going to confess all the dumb mistakes I’ve made.
If you are fascinated by grown men baring their souls and confessing their deepest, darkest secrets, then you may want to consider sharing some of your mistakes.
OK, HERE WE GO:
10. SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME ON THE DETAILS RATHER THAN THE DREAMS.
Check out Genesis 11:31-32. Terah intended to go to Canaan. Instead he stopped in Haran. He got stuck there for 205 years. Then he died. Why? Was it disobedience? Did he lose sight of God’s vision? Did he just get too comfortable? Did he settle for less than God’s best?
When I get too focused on responding to the urgent, I lose sight of the big picture. And, frankly, my tendency is to settle into a routine that’s very comfortable but doesn’t accomplish the full mission God has for my life and my ministry.
What mistakes come to mind after reading this post?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 5, 2012 | regular
It appears I hit the right nerve judging from your response to “Getting To The Next Level.” Thank you for sharing the articles with others via Facebook and Twitter. I’m humbled and happy that others are able to experience what you have. If you haven’t read Part 1 and Part 2, you can read them HERE and HERE.
Getting to the next level is a GOD-THING and not OUR-THING. He alone determines who’s prepared and elevates them at the appropriated time. No better person illustrates this important principle like Joshua.
According to The Book of Numbers, Moses and Aaron had disqualified themselves from entering the land of promise when they had failed to honor the Lord by striking the rock at Meribah in the Desert of Zin (Numbers 20:12). Aaron had already died (Numbers 20:27-29) but the Lord now allowed Moses a glimpse of Canaan from afar. Rather than lapsing into self-pity as a lesser man might have done, Moses expressed his concern that Israel have a good leader to take his place.
He implored the God of the spirits of all mankind to select this leader. This unusual title of God (occurring only here and in Num. 16:33) refers to God’s omniscient understanding of everyone, which guaranteed the wisdom of His choice. The leader, Moses said, should be like a shepherd who would lead Israel. The Lord’s response was immediate: Take Joshua son of Nun.
This Spirit-filled man, who had already demonstrated his qualities and capabilities, was an ideal successor to Moses. His appointment must be public, however, so the community would know Joshua was entitled to the same respect as Moses and was to have some of Moses’ authority. Joshua’s appointment answers the question: When is the right time for next level leadership.
When Is The Right Time for Next Level Leadership?
You may argue that Joshua was fortunate in that he knew his purpose on earth. Many of us spend a lifetime trying to figure that out. How do you know when it is time to step up into a next-level leadership role? The answer is to prepare yourself for next-level leadership but to wait for it to be assigned to you. In other words, don’t have an agenda of self promotion.
A good leader is focused on empowering others and they will see when you are ready for next-level leadership. In the meantime read up as much as you can on servant hearted leadership. Find a mentor to work with and encourage you. Spend time studying God’s word. These things will take your understanding of leadership to the next level.
Further Reading Inspiration and References:
Scripture verses:
- Wait for appointment to next-level leadership – Proverbs 25:6-7
- God appoints the next level of leadership– Numbers 27:15-19
- Tools for next-level leadership – Romans 12:9-13
- Fruit of next-level leadership – Galatians 5:22-24
Other Reading:
- Developing Leaders Around You – John C. Maxwell
- How the Mighty Fall. And Why Some Companies Never Give In – Jim Collins
- A Force for Change – John P. Kotter
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 4, 2012 | regular
Monday’s post on getting to the next level created a lot of interest. Although it’s not reflected in the comments section, I received several encouraging emails and text messages from people aspiring to get to the next level. If you missed it, you can read it HERE.
When mentioning next-level leadership you may have the image of climbing a ladder to the top. It may feel good to have a position of prominence. However, next- level leadership is not about promotion. It is about preparedness. Guess what: God alone decides who’s prepared and ready to go to the next level.
Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great. It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace. Just because you’ve seen something, (Proverbs 25:6-7 New Living Translation).
I love The Book of Proverbs because it contains nuggets of wisdom applicable to all. Proverbs 25:6-7 tells us: Don’t push your way into a situation. Wait for the invitation. If you belong there, it will come. Go ahead and re-read that statement…If you belong there, God will make provisions for it to happen. In the meantime, the question remains unanswered: How a Next-Level approach affects your Leadership?
What is the next level of leadership? Once in a leadership position many leaders realize that what they know is minimal compared to what they need to know about leadership. There are so many different aspects that influence leadership. Unless a leader is working developing their skills on the next level they can easily be overwhelmed by the responsibilities of the day.
A leader is an integral part of any team. They provide direction and inspiration. It is also part of a leader’s task to raise up team players to the next level and help them grow into leadership roles. In the same way a leader needs to be looking up to the next level, seeing how they can improve their skills and knowledge so that they can better manage their team. To get to the next level a leader needs to seek out the right kind of inspiration.
Join me tomorrow as I share when is the right time for next level leadership?
Further Reading Inspiration and References:
Scripture verses:
Wait for appointment to next-level leadership – Proverbs 25:6-7
God appoints the next level of leadership– Numbers 27:15-19
Tools for next-level leadership – Romans 12:9-13
Fruit of next-level leadership – Galatians 5:22-24
Other Reading:
Developing Leaders Around You – John C. Maxwell
How the Mighty Fall. And Why Some Companies Never Give In – Jim Collins
A Force for Change – John P. Kotter
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 3, 2012 | regular
No matter what you’re doing, there comes a time when you are going to want to take things up a notch. Maybe it’s your career — even if things are going along fine right now, ultimately you’d like to get a promotion, increase your client base, or reach a larger audience. ”Getting started with anything can be a struggle, but once you reach a certain level of success, it can be hard to figure out how to make whatever it is you do truly remarkable,” according to Lifehack.
Leadership books, blogs, conferences, and websites mainly talk about getting to the next level. If you buy their book, read their blogs (including mine), attend their conferences, and peruse their websites – you’re well on your way to getting ‘there.’ Everyone desires to get to the next level, but many don’t know how. Unfortunately, there’s no silver bullet that works for everyone. Today I’d like to share what kind of leadership is required to get to the next level.
What is the Next Level of Leadership?
When mentioning next-level leadership you may have the image of climbing a ladder to the top. It may feel good to have a position of prominence. However, next- level leadership is not about promotion. It is about preparedness.
Yes you may be allocated more responsibility and in a way that may give you a greater leadership position in the organization. But remember that true leadership culture is more about serving those you lead and less about status. So preparing for next-level leadership is not about how to get promoted. It is about learning how you can better serve encourage and empower those that you lead.
Behind every successful and influential leader is a team, and within that team are potential leaders. Take for example my Savior Jesus. His ministry lasted only three years, yet it started with him putting together a team. During those three years he taught, mentored and served the disciples.
Then when he ascended literally to the next level, back into heaven, there were people capable of carrying on the mission. Jesus knew the importance of investing in others. He knew what he needed to do to raise them up to the next level to become leaders.
What are you doing to get to the next level?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 2, 2012 | regular
When I tell people the name of our church, People often look at me with a blank stare. That stare says: “Why in the world would you choose Mars Hill for the name of your church?” Scripture says:
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)
Out of all the Names Available, Why did we Choose “Mars Hill?”
Before we begin to understand where Mars Hill is going, we must first know where we originated. The Areopagus or Areios Pagos is the “Hill of Ares” or Mars Hill. It is located northwest of the Acropolis in Athens. The Areopagus (Mars Hill in Latin), like most city-state institutions, continued to function in Roman times, and it was there, the Apostle Paul delivered his famous speech about the identity of “the Unknown God.”
As a traveling apostle, Paul’s custom was to preach the gospel, first to the Jews, then to the Gentiles (Acts 17:1-4). Paul was smart enough to know the importance of relating the gospel to different people and when working with the Gentiles, he employed different methods and language to convey the same gospel. A good example of this, was in his approach on Mars Hill (Acts 17:16-34).
Athens had been the home to Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Alexander the Great; it possessed a proud heritage as one of the greatest cultural centers in the history of the world. As Paul first entered Athens, he was burdened by the great need of a people who had unparalleled philosophy, literature, art, and education; but lacked Jesus. As he made the five-mile walk into town, he was troubled by the numerous idols that littered the land. Upon seeing this, he longed for the transformation of Athens.
After proclaiming the gospel to the Jews, in the synagogue, he continued his proclamation in the Agora marketplace; where vendors, farmers, healers, magicians, performers, and philosophers collected in the open courtyard, which served as the gathering place for the city. It was also the easiest place to draw a crowd.
Since the Athenians had never heard about the Jesus, whom Paul was preaching about, they brought him before the Areopagus (“Mars Hill” in Latin), which was the Athenian court of perhaps thirty philosophers, who sat as judges of Athens. The judges were entrusted with guarding Athenian philosophy by evaluating any new ideas brought into the city. Paul stood before the court in the same place where Socrates had defended his own teachings some 450 years earlier.
They asked Paul to explain his teachings, and a crowd gathered to hear the exchange. The scene, equivalent to how someone might be questioned on today’s “Oprah” television show. Courageously, Paul stood alone to proclaim the gospel, beginning by respectfully establishing common ground with his listeners, in an effort to work from their culture to the Scriptures. This method was the reverse of his approach, taken in the synagogue, where he worked from the Scriptures to the culture. He noted that the Athenians were a spiritual people, as was he. But, he also noted that their spirituality did not include an understanding of who God is.
Mars Hill Today – Our Church
Research today, shows how the emerging generation is very spiritual; believing in God, and committed to a life of prayer. However, when you ask them “what they think about God,” their answers are very Athenian. They study and believe in God and speak of Him, but have no idea who He is.
Today, we live in our own Mars Hill, as do all of God’s people. Surrounding us are multitudes of lost people, who hold false notions of spirituality, God, and salvation. Many of them, unfortunately, believe they are Christians.
The Mars Hill Church of Chicago continues the tradition of making Christ known to a world, who has no idea who God is.
We do this by leveraging the innovation and technology given to us by our Creator for the Glory of God. I’m proud of our name! What you call yourself and what you allow others to call you over and over will have a measurable impact on your life.
by Clarence E. Stowers | Dec 30, 2011 | regular
I have the privilege to serve with an incredible staff…a fired up group of people who love their church and have a “by any means necessary” mentality towards ministry.
However, in my ministry experience, both in the life of Mars Hill, working with other churches and conversations with many pastors and leaders I believe there are five phrases that we should NEVER hear from someone on staff.
#1 – “THAT’S NOT MY JOB.”
When a staff member is asked to do something and they reply, “That’s not my job,” then you can be assured that he/she does not have a heart that is fully devoted to the ministry.
The staff we have here at Mars Hill walk around with fire in their eyes…and when asked to do something they just make it happen. Now…I have seen this abused & do not think ANYONE should allow themselves to be ran over; however, when asked to do something that might not serve the person BUT WILL SERVE THE CHURCH…the answer should always be yes.
#2 – “THAT CAN’T BE DONE.”
I have noticed something about staff members that say something cannot be done…USUALLY the ones who say that are the ones who are going to be asked to do the particular project they are freaking out about…and it will require tons of work…SO, they just say it can’t be done. I have a confession to make…I don’t like hearing “it can’t be done.”
Here’s the kind of attitude I like:
Someone who’s realistic with me and says, “Now we CAN do that…but it will require such and such and we don’t have that–and if we want it then it is going to cost this…so what do you want to do?” I LOVE THIS ATTITUDE!
Trust me, when a staff member continually says that something cannot be done they either have a lazy work ethic OR a very small view of who God is…neither are beneficial for your team.
#3 – “ALL I NEED IS MORE STAFF & MONEY TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.”
When people begin to use resources as an excuse for a stagnant or failing ministry then you can be sure they are in trouble and have most likely became spoiled, thus forgetting the art of being innovative.
#4 – “RECOGNIZE ME!”
Beware of the staff member who is always telling you how much work they did, how many hours they put in and how tired they are.
HOLD ON
…as a leader it is our job to make sure that staff members are not sacrificed on the alter of ministry. We should pay them well and make sure they have adequate time off. BUT…when someone is always demanding attention for the work they’ve done then you can be sure that either pride or insecurity is coming out…and neither are good!
#5 – “MY MINISTRY NEEDS “BLANK” AND IF WE DON’T GET IT THEN…”
When a staff member begins to focus on his/her ministry more than the church as a whole…trust me, you have a HUGE problem. A good staff member does have passion and vision for their particular area of ministry; however, they have an even greater passion for the church as a whole and will gladly lay aside their plans if it means that it is best for the church.
The church will either operate as a loosely organized group of sub ministries…OR ONE BODY with many parts…and if a staff member cannot be a part of the body then they most likely do not have a kingdom mindset.
Did I miss anything? What statements would you add to this list?
