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 | Dec 27, 2011 | regular
As a pastor, my mission is to help people achieve positive change in behavior: for themselves, their family, and their teams. Research shows that successful people have a strong need for self-determination. Simply put, this means, “I am doing, what I am doing because I choose to, not “I am doing what I am doing because I have to.”
People who are doing what they choose to do are committed professionals. They proactively apply their talents to make a greater contribution. People who are doing what they have to do are compliant employees. They are putting in time for money.
How much of our lives have been wasted in trying to change the behavior of people who have no interest in changing? What is our return on this investment?
WARNING – THIS IS A CONTROVERSIAL STATEMENT…READ ON AT YOUR OWN RISK
In my work as pastor, I finally decided to only work with people who care and who are willing to try. You should do the same thing. It is hard to make people change what they don’t choose to change.
Have you ever tried to change the behavior of someone who had absolutely no interest in changing? Have you ever tried to change the behavior of a spouse, partner or significant other who had no interest in changing?
How much luck did you have there? After a few days (or maybe even a few minutes) you can tell if the person whom you are trying to coach is willing to try. If they are willing to try, do whatever you can to help them. If they are not willing to try, either “live with it” (let it go) or find someone else to do the job (let him or her go).
Think of it this way: The time we waste on the people who don’t care is time that is stolen from the people who do care. My guess is that you have little time to waste. You are as busy today as you have ever been in your life.
SO, HERE’S A TIP I WON’T EVEN CHARGE YOU FOR:
Only invest your time where you are going to get a return on your investment. Don’t waste your time on a road to nowhere.
Experience has taught me that successful people are committed. Normally this sense of commitment leads to even more success. Committed people have a drive that comes from the inside, not from the outside. They don’t give up when times are tough. They try even harder.
Who or what are you willing to let go in 2012?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Dec 14, 2011 | regular
I often hear pastors and church leaders say: “Leading a church would be great if it weren’t for church people.” That may or may not be true, but, there is no such thing as leadership void of people. The challenge most church leaders face is that we’re pulled in so many directions by so many people and since we’re human, we’re bound to disappoint someone.
Here’s a truth that will keep you sane as a spiritual leader:
We have responsibility to people,
not for people.
Mark Waltz, in his book Lasting Impressions, does a nice job describing the difference:
- When I’m responsible to people, I understand they have a choice. When I’m responsible for people, I think I should decide for them.
- When I’m responsible to people, I know they must figure out their next step. When I’m responsible for people, I try to tell them what their next step is.
- When I’m responsible to people, I allow them to bear the brunt of the consequences for their own chosen actions. When I’m responsible for people, I assume the guilt, or worse the shame, for them.
- When I’m responsible to people, I engage in their journey, offering encouragement and teaching. When I’m responsible for people I try to direct their journey, never allowing them to wrestle, mess up or make a wrong turn.
- When I’m responsible to people, I talk to God on their behalf. When I’m responsible for people, I talk to people a lot on God’s behalf.
One of the most basic boundaries we can maintain is our skin. I am responsible for everything inside my skin. You are responsible for everything inside your skin. It is a fundamental demarcation between “me” and “you.” Sometimes pastors feel like they have to have all the answers, solve all the problems and make everything right…for everyone. If you fall into this category, my heart goes out to you today. It is a very frustrating thing to feel responsible for the thoughts and actions of other people. It is quite liberating to know that I only have a responsibility to other people – to love them, to be honest with them, to be a friend and support. What’s going on inside them is “all theirs.”
by Clarence E. Stowers | Dec 13, 2011 | regular
The iPhone 4S (my preferred device) and a host of other smartphones all promise to help us accomplish more. Unfortunately, we live in an age where we’re encouraged to purchase gadgets that allow us to do many things at the same time.
It’s called multitasking and, in my opinion, it’s overrated and may be the greatest leadership lie ever told! That’s right, I said it!
Multitasking is the ability of a person to perform more than one task at the same time.
When you’re going back and forth between complicated projects, it is impossible to focus properly on each one. “Researches call this task switching, an action, that, itself, requires time and energy. Depending on how many tasks you’re juggling, you could be losing 20 to 40 percent of your time, because you have to reengage your focus and thoughts.” (“Executive Control of Cognitive Processes in Task Switching,” Joshua S. Rubinstein, U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, Atlantic City, NJ; Journal of Experimental Psychology – Human Perception and Performance, Vol. 27, No. 4).
I’ve discovered both life and ministry require a certain amount of juggling. Few days play out in an orderly, linear sequence. Speaking on the phone to a member, client, or colleague while you’re reading a report or typing an e-mail might not cost you that much. But, doing so while you’re preparing a report or message might. At the very least, it will slow you down and result in sub par work. To increase your focus and performance when concentration is critical, cut down on multitasking.
A few suggestions:
- Turn off your e-mail alarm (who needs to be alerted to spam or useless facebook updates). Check it regularly when it’s convenient for you – not when it interrupts you.
- Block out time for projects that require intense focus such as sermon preparation, budget forecasting, vision/planning, writing, drafting a presentation, or conducting analysis.
- Forward your calls to voice mail and close your door if necessary. Let people know that you’re working on a project. If you don’t have a door, put up a sign.
- When possible, schedule important phone conversations when you know you’ll have no distractions.
- Never work on something else while you’re on the phone. The person on the other end knows when you’re writing an email while you talk, and it’s probably irritating him or her.
Organize your work so that you can do ONE THING at a time and do it well. The payoff will be substantial!
by Clarence E. Stowers | Dec 7, 2011 | regular
Consider this statement:
It doesn’t have to be perfect for God to bless it.
As I read Scripture, I can’t find any instance where conditions were perfect before God blessed it. Abraham didn’t have all the answers when asked to sacrifice his son Isaac…he proceeded anyway. Moses had a speech problem and was insecure about his leadership abilities…he proceeded anyway. Nehemiah certainly didn’t know how the building project would turn out, but he proceeded anyway. Are you noticing a pattern here?
Why The Big Push For Excellence?
Every generation is quick to point out the hypocrisy of the one that preceded it. The generation born just after WWII began rejecting the values of their parents during the ’60s. Now it’s their kids’ turn. Today’s young adults see a generation of baby-boomer Christians that has striven for “excellence” in every part of church life. Boomers proclaimed in the 1980s that image is everything, and their churches have reflected that cultural trend.
The nurseries have got to be sparkling clean, the church buildings are marvelously functional as opposed to artistic, the music is as close to FM radio quality as possible (even if they must hire a band), the Sunday services are seamless with perfect transitions (just like television), the preaching is entertaining and informative (but not so deep as to offend visitors), and the plants on stage are beautiful (but artificial).
As a result, according to Dieter Zander, the next generation has concluded that “everything is image,” and therefore nothing can be trusted. Church is too slick, too good, too polished to be real. And the twenty-something hunger for raw authenticity just doesn’t fit in (Source: Out of Ur Blog).
Let me repeat: It doesn’t have to be perfect for God to bless it.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to do your best. But striving for perfection/excellence when “good enough is good enough” is a waste of time. Consider the way new technologies come to market. Major software and electronics companies cut down on time and costs by putting products on the market before they’ve been completely tested. Remember the original iPhone & all the bugs it had? These companies know that consumers will offer feedback that teaches them more in a month than they’d discover through years of in-house training.
Google is one of the most admired and innovative companies in the world and they release MOSTLY EVERYTHING in beta. In other words, they knowingly release products that are incomplete and gather feedback from their customers on how to improve them. Churches, companies, ministries, & people should learn from Google and others. You should know when your work is “good enough.” At Mars Hill, we don’t have the best facilities, slick marketing, it’s over-crowded, and located in the inner-city. Conditions are FAR from perfect, but God’s blessing and adding to our numbers daily.
Alexander Hamilton said, “I never expect to see a perfect work from an imperfect man.” Don’t let unhealthy perfectionism keep you from pursuing God’s best.
Question: What do you think? Is excellence overrated?
