February 2 2009

February 2, 2009

Ministry Tools
Bob Burroughs

Quote
"Want to be the best leader? Then be the one who has sense enough to pick good people--to do what needs to be done--and have enough self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it." Theodore Roosevelt

Scripture
Tend [nurture, guard, guide] the flock of God that is [your responsibility], not by coercion or constraint, but willingly; not dishonorably motivated by the advantages and profits [belonging to the office], but eagerly and cheerfully; not domineering [as arrogant, dictatorial, and overbearing] over those in your charge, but being examples [patterns and models of Christian living] to the flock [the congregation]. 1st Peter 5: 2-3 (Amplified Bible)
Prayer
Father, Counselor, Guide and Seeker of the Hearts of all, I fall before Your throne today--on my face in behalf of all who are serving You in difficult places, under difficult leadership, and/or in great stress. Bless also Your servants who are ministering in places outside the USA--and are walking Your walk in times of great tribulation. All those who are attempting to do God-inspired ministry in spite of leadership that is demeaning and hurtful, bless them this day. Wake up the congregations of Your Bride, the Church, to see real truth and help them take steps to see that their spiritual leadership is dedicated to You and honors You in all things. I beg You, Sir, come to our defense and help us restore Your Church to a status of spiritual power that will defeat the Lion, who is devouring people night and day. Grant us leadership to make this come to pass. I pray this prayer in the name of the One who modeled Godly Leadership in the first person, Jesus Christ. Amen.

What Think Ye?
Puppets On A String?

In recent days, I’ve been led to read/study the book of 1st Peter, and in my readings, have gathered insights into the concepts of ministry leadership as perhaps Jesus meant it to be--for those who are called according to His purposes.

In my 53 years in ministry, including the local church, university teaching and leading the Florida Baptist Church Music Department, and like many of you, I have seen concepts of ministry leadership that is so foreign to the basic teachings of Jesus and in process, many gifted and dedicated servants who were called into ministry have been forever wounded and carry the scars of arrogant, dictatorial, and overbearing leadership--from pastors as well as church leaders who have led from a perspective not at all related to the leadership patterns of Jesus—but seemingly dishonorably motivated by the advantages and profits belonging to the office, political power and seeking benefits and gains from the position. Pastors and church leaders are not totally to blame. You and I have seen this happen with other staff members as well—those who are in it for what ministry can do for them—not what they can do for others in their ministry.

1st Peter 5:8 says this: Be well-balanced [temperate, sober of mind], and be vigilant and cautious at all times; for the enemy of yours, the Devil, roams around like a lion roaring, seeing someone to seize upon and devour.

This, to me, is the glaring problem among church leaders today. If church leadership is to be well-balanced, temperate and sober of mind, then it falls to the responsibility of the congregation to hold the feet of their leadership to the fire and insure that all their leaders fall in line with basic and sound biblical teachings, as well as fair and balanced treatment of staff members—who are also called, according to His purposes.

This is where many churches congregations fail. Sometimes, the congregation is completely unaware of leadership decisions--until they are already done, completed and over. Some congregations readily accept the staff carousel that seems so prevalent today—meaning here one Sunday—gone the next—with no explanation or reason given to those who desire effective and spiritual leadership.

If the church of 2009—of all denominations—is to begin to make a difference in our world and defeat the roaring lion that is devouring those whom he chooses, we need to get back to the basics of inspired, honest, up-front and spiritual leadership that honors God, His people, staff members, and treats people like Divine creations and not puppets on a string.

What think ye?

Leadership
Building Church Leaders (Leadership Resources) Christianity Today-–2000

"Busy" is the word becoming more and more descriptive of our lives. We don't need to discuss all the destructive results of busyness. We've all been there!

Below are five signs of busy sickness. Any of these hit home?

1. Speeding up. The nagging feeling that you don't have enough time to do what needs to be done. Remember: what is on your desk now will be there tomorrow.

2. Multi-tasking. Psychologists call this activity doing-more-than-one-thing-at-a-time. Busy-sick people will text while driving, eat while driving, shave or put on makeup while driving, direct business on the car phone—and pray all at the same time. Is this working smart?

3. Clutter. Take a look at your desk. One study shows that the average worker has 36 hours worth of work on the desk, and spends 3 hours a week just sorting through it. A cluttered desk is the sign of __________. (Insert what you wish!)

4. Sunset-fatigue. We come home after work, and those nearest us end up getting our leftovers. You may find yourself irritable with family. You always promise things will get better in a month or two, but it doesn’t. It only multiplies!

5. Love impairment. The most serious sign of hurry-sickness is a diminished capacity to love. Love—real love--takes time, and that's the one thing hurried people don't have. When people get hurried, they become a nuisance. When we get hurried, we start thinking about people in strictly utilitarian terms. We tend to use them instead of love them.
Marriage & Family

Offset the Pollution of the Family Car

Here are ten easy ways your family can reduce CO2 emissions in 2009! Get the kids involved in this!
Recycle half your household waste--2,400
Adjust your thermostat two degrees--2,000
Turn off electronic devices at night--2,000
One less quarter-pounder burger a month--1,800
Reduce packaging garbage by 10%--1,200
Switch 6 light bulbs to energy efficient ones--900
Install two water efficient showerheads--700
Wash clothes in cold or warm water--500
Check tire pressure regularly--250
Drive two miles less each week--100
Total Carbon Savings in Pounds--11,850
11,850 pounds CO2 = 5.9 tons CO2
5.9 tons CO2 = tasks one midsize SUV off the road!

Inspirational Corner
Ken Medema

Ken Medema has been my friend for over 30 years! We first met when my wife, Esther, was Campus Minister at Samford University, Birmingham, AL, and Ken came for a series of concerts in the years she served in this position. We have eaten together many times, shared our lives and had some remarkable worship experiences. I never hear his "signature work," Moses, without tearing up a bit when he sings these lines: "What do you hold in your hand today? To what, or to whom are you bound? Are you willing to give it up right now? Let it go. Give it up. Throw it down." For our MME readers who do not know, Ken has been blind from birth--yet he sees more than most of us who have two good eyes! His concepts of life and ministry, good vs. evil have always impacted my heart and life. Enjoy his Inspirational Column. (Photo by Glenn Riegel.)

Give Me Time

“To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.”

That’s how the song begins. It continues like this:

“Time to sit by a lazy lake and watch the waves
making love to the shore, I want time;
Time to stand in the jet-black night and watch the
stars as they dance across the sky, I want time;
Time to watch a tiny baby sleeping, time to hold a
little girl who’s weeping.
Time to sit with the old man who is dying, or watch
the young birds learn the art of flying;
I don’t want much. I just want time, this time.”

That’s the first verse. By the time the song is done, the room is perfectly quiet. I don’t remember any song I have ever sung, except Moses, that has had such a strong reaction among audience members. After the concert is over, people come to me and say things like, “That was a good show, but that 'time song' really hit me in the heart”.

This little song began as the last movement of a choral suite called “Let There Be Time.” I could never get it out of my mind and knew I had to make it a solo piece.

“Why this strong reaction,” I wonder. Of course, I know the answer.

The song touches us at the level of some of our deepest longings. Who wants to be ruled by a schedule of activities, which, though useful, are often not deeply satisfying? Who does not wish for more time with children playing, traveling, in silence, learning, knowing and being known by those we love?

We can cover these longings and needs very effectively for a long time but sooner or later, they find their way to the surface; and then we realize we are burned out.

How can this change come? It will come only by a great act of will that will frustrate some people, and cause some to call us less than responsible and sometimes, get us in trouble with the schedule Nazis in our lives.

We are already well into a new year and perhaps the fresh resolve we knew last month is already gone. But it is not too late. If we dare, we can begin to reorder our time so that there is more time for love, play, sorrow, laughter, friendship, silence, and…holiness.

“Lord Teach us to number our days that we may get us a heart of wisdom.”

You may wish to go to Ken’s website, www.kenmedema.com, and download the song mentioned above, “Time”--for free! The choral version is part of the “Let There Be Time" Suite, which is also available on his website. If you would like to contact Ken via email, his address is ken@kenmedema.com and you can sign up for his newsletter.

This Idea Will Work

Five Thoughts Concerning Choir/Orchestra Members
Choir or Orchestra members are willing to pray or bring a short devotional--if asked in advance.
Life is too short to be involved in dull and uninspired rehearsals!
Changing seating often is a good to keep members from "settling in" to “their” place.
Refreshments are ALWAYS nice and--not just for special occasions.
Once a quarter, place a clean sheet of paper in each ensemble member's chair--and let the write the director a note--no holds barred. Signing the name is optional. The Director will learn volumes!
This Idea Will Work!
Tips for the Smaller Choir
5 Tips Toward Creativity
(Robert J. Sternberg and Todd Lubart)
Reward creativity and leadership to those who display and display it. Keep thinking this thought: “I can’t do it all myself!’
Be willing to take sensible risks--but don't take too many giant steps at one time.
Overcome obstacles and work to fix those problems that continually become problems.
Think about the long term. You won’t be around forever. Great leadership builds good leaders.
Keep growing, learning, training--and never be content with your present skills.
Wisdom
As in nature and in the arts, so in grace: it is rough treatment that gives souls, as well as stones, their luster. The more the diamond is cut, the brighter it sparkles, and in what seems for now to be hard dealings, God has no end in view but to perfect our graces. Thomas Guthrie (1803-1873)

Humor
Argument to Beethoven's 5th
No cue cards! No teleprompters! No second takes! Legendary funnyman, Sid Caesar, pioneered live television sketch comedy with his 1950s sitcoms Your Show of Shows. This classic sketch is "Argument to Beethoven's 5th," Sid Caesar and Nanette Fabray play a married couple--in a argument with pantomimed action and the dialogue is classic music for the eyes. MME thought our readers would enjoy this. It is worth the time. www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEhF-7suDsM&feature=email
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