by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 20, 2012 | regular
2. PUTTING PROJECTS BEFORE PEOPLE.
Ecclesiastes 7:18 says, “The man who fears God will avoid all extremes.”
This is one of those areas where we need to embrace the tension between relating with people and accomplishing the mission/getting the job done.
Ask specifically: “Is there anything I can do for you?”
You communicate how much you value someone by simply asking the question. Sometimes it’s nice to do something for another person without them asking or surprising them. But if you’re not a good guesser and you don’t have psychic abilities, just ask.
Often, when I get home from work, I know there are two things I can say that will encourage my wife:
1) I’d really like to hear about your day,
2) Is there anything I can do for you?
Have you made this mistake lately?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 19, 2012 | regular
3. TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM RATHER THAN THE PROCESS.
A problem is an obstacle which makes it difficult to achieve a desired goal, objective or purpose. Furthermore, it refers to a situation, condition, or issue that is yet unresolved. In a broad sense, a problem exists when an individual becomes aware of a significant difference between what actually is and what is desired.
Although pastoring has many positives, problems run parallel on twin tracks. Trying to fix the problem rather than the process is like continuing to change diapers instead of potty-training your children.
May I offer you a piece of unsolicited advice:
You can either continue to react to the problem, or you can fix the process. Ninety percent of the time it’s a systems-problem rather than a people-problem.
What’s your problem-solving method?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 18, 2012 | regular
4. DELEGATING TASKS INSTEAD OF RESPONSIBILITY.
In my humble opinion, the most overused and overrated buzzword in ministry today is “excellence.” As a pastor of a thriving urban church, I am committed to excellence in my life and the life of Mars Hill.
Because of my commitment to excellence, I can become obsessed about every detail. I’ve noticed how I’ve made my expectations clear to our team and now they tend to obsess about every detail. However, it didn’t take long for the team to realize that their interpretation of excellence might not be the same as mine.
Consequently, the team began to bring every decision about every detail to me, their leader. They didn’t want to run the risk that they might not “get it right.” Over time, I found myself in a challenging predicament. I became overwhelmed because I had to touch everything. Furthermore, what’s frustrating is how I became responsible for generating every new idea.
“If you try to control things, that’s self-limiting,” said Michael Dell, chief executive officer of Dell. “The easiest way to think about this is that if all the decisions inside an organization had to roll up to the center of the company or to one person, it’s a massive bottleneck to progress.” (Check out the rest of the interview.)
In the end, I learned that sometimes values collide. My commitment to excellence wasn’t the problem. Control was the problem. My obsession with getting it right became a roadblock to progress. I discovered the need to empower the team with broad responsibilities to fulfill Mars Hill’s mission while still holding them accountable to the overall vision and values. I needed to let the team take risks…and sometimes fail.
What do you delegate?
What do you tend to hold on to?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 17, 2012 | regular
5. ASSUMING THINGS ARE EITHER BLACK OR WHITE.
According to Wikipedia, ”a grey area is a term for a border in-between two or more things that is unclearly defined, a border that is hard to define or even impossible to define, or a definition where the distinction border tends to move.”
Wow, that’s a mouthful isn’t it!
I often say when I’m preaching, “let me give you the Stowers translation:” A grey area is a subject or problem that people do not know how to deal with because there are no clear rules.
Yea, I like that definition!!!
For those involved ministry, experience has taught us that grey areas exist! Following rules is easier than the messiness of relationships. Following rules is easier than discerning God’s will. The policies or guidelines we establish should actually remove barriers and allow more freedom within our organizations.
Moreover, innovative organizations don’t value the rules over relationships, they don’t value rules over people, and they don’t value rules over the mission. As we seek to minister to God’s people, remember black and white are not the only colors in the box.
What do you do when you encounter a grey area?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 13, 2012 | regular
6. NOT FOLLOWING THE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
The Spirit’s presence within us enables us to understand and interpret the Word. Jesus told His disciples “when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).
He reveals to our minds the whole counsel of God as it relates to worship, doctrine, and Christian living. He is the ultimate guide, going before, leading the way, removing obstructions, opening the understanding, and making all things plain and clear. He leads in the way we should go in all spiritual things. Without such a guide, we would be apt to fall into error.
Sometimes when I’m facing a big decision, I try to acquire more information rather than seek God’s direction. Here’s a fundamental principle to ponder: When we stop listening to God, He stops talking to us. God stopped talking to Abraham for 13 years between the last verse of Genesis 16 and the first chapter of 17. Sometimes, God requires us to take a step, in faith, before he reveals his plan. Check out Joshua 3.
What happened in your life when you decided to yield to the Holy Spirit?
