by Clarence E. Stowers | Apr 2, 2009 | Christian, Christianity, Church Issues, Current Affairs, Leadership, President Obama, Race, Relationships
Racism still exists (even in the church)
That’s right, I said it!
Americans may be poised to elect an African-American as president, but it’s segregation as usual in U.S. churches, according to the scholars. Only about 5 percent of the nation’s churches are racially integrated, and half of them are in the process of becoming all-black or all-white, says Curtiss Paul DeYoung, co-author of United by Faith, a book that examines interracial churches in the United States.
Personally, I do not believe integrated churches work.
(when they are led by Black pastors)
(more…)
by Clarence E. Stowers | Mar 30, 2009 | Christian, Christianity, Church Issues, Politics, Race, Relationships, Worship
In 1991, Spike Lee released his fifth feature-length film Jungle Fever. The plot centers on the interracial romance between a successfully married Black, played by Wesley Snipes, and an Italian woman played by Anabella Sciorra. The lovers come under intense pressure from their friends and family as a result of their interracial relationship. It’s no secret that even today, interracial relationships are still under intense scrutiny – even when it comes to attending church.
For most of white America, the black church is an alien segment of the nation’s culture, hidden behind the plain facades of large brick churches, the rude clapboard of country chapels, the salvation-emblazoned windows of tattered storefronts. It is a montage of impressions, some real, some misleading the low-moaning spirituals, the clapping and the shouted amens; the phenomenon of a Bishop TD Jakes and the curious charisma once possessed the Rev. Adam Clayton Powell; the prophetic, nation-shaking philosophy of a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the pragmatic, neighborhood-building politics of a Rev. Jesse Jackson.
(more…)
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 14, 2009 | Communication, Empowerment, Leadership, Networking, Relationships, Success
Build Bridges – Not Walls
When you leave a job, church, organization, for whatever reason, be sure to leave on good terms; you never know when you will need to contact or utilize former employers or co-workers for recommendations or networking purposes.
If you leave with an attitude of "good riddance," others will not be inclined to maintain a relationship with you. Wishing other well, providing your personal contact information, and making every effort to stay in touch are great ways to leave lines of communication open.
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 13, 2009 | Communication, Current Affairs, Empowerment, Leadership, Networking, Relationships, Success
Anthropologists have found that for one person, a genuine social network – one in which you know the members and they know you is limited to about 150 people. In fact, Malcolm Gladwell, author of The Tipping Point found there is a "'cognitive limit to the number of individuals with whom any one person can maintain stable relationships."
So what does all of this mean to you: DON'T NETWORK JUST TO NETWORK! Whittle down your contacts to the most fruitful ones. Then rank them according to their importance until you've created 1st, 2nd, & 3rd tier networks.
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 7, 2009 | Communication, Empowerment, Leadership, Networking, Relationships
While attending grad school @ The University of Missouri I joined
Toastmasters (great networking opportunity & our church has a
chapter). While there, I ran across fellow
Toastmaster Jim Nudelman’s 4-step process for writing an Elevator Pitch.
The Pitch is a 10-15 second focused introduction of your “value proposition” that
can be given in an elevator when someone asks, “tell me about yourself.”
Here’s his process:
Step 1 — Begin with an ACTION PHRASE that is NOT a noun. (”I am a
__________” but don’t use a “label” in the blank. You don’t want
people to put you in a box.)
Step 2 — Add a one sentence statement about what you DO. (”I do _____________” What do you help people or businesses do?)
Step 3 — Give a statement of the SPECIFIC IMPACT. (”People who utilize my
process find _________” list one or two things from the perspective of your
potential employer.)
Step 4 — End with a CALL TO ACTION. (”I am looking to be introduced to
_______________” be specific! If you ask for something non-specific you
are likely to get it. What good it that?)
Here’s my pitch:
“My name is Clarence Stowers. I am a master of empowering people &
growing leaders. I teach people how to how to trust God and believe in themselves to accomplish great things. People who attend our church live empowered
lives and pursue excellence in every area of their lives. Please introduce me to people who you believe
are living beneath their potential.”
Thanks!
Let me hear your pitch…
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 6, 2009 | Empowerment, Leadership, Networking, Relationships, Success
Think of your goal to become successful as a house you plan to build. You know that you cannot build an entire house by yourself, so you will need to enlist the help of others. This is where networking comes in. If you are the architect of your house, then the people with whom you network are the electricians, plumbers, decorators, and painters. In order to accomplish something as grand as being successful in all areas of life, going at it alone is not only difficult and unnecessary – IT'S FOOLISH!
1ST STEP:
TAP YOUR CURRENT NETWORK
Without even realizing it, it is likely that you already know many people who can help you reach your goals. Make a list of your contacts. First, list personal contacts and divide this list into family, friends, & neighbors.
Next, list other personal contacts – include your doctor, dentist, lawyer, accountant, fraternities, sororities, & other social clubs.
Then, list professional contacts such as people you have worked with, worked through, worked for, or given work to. List customers, clients, consultants, and even competitors. Tally up the names of the people in all the different categories. You will likely be surprised by the extent of your network.
For the record: I have 3256 contacts in my network…how many do you have?
