Alright, so our apologies for not writing that much while we were at the actual conference. We had a full schedule and also made a point to spend time together so by the time we got back to our rooms at night, we were all too tired to type. But no fear, now we'll be back at it with some thoughts now that we've had time to process and recover from the busyness.
The conference opened up strong with Donald Miller, author of the book Blue Like Jazz as the first speaker. He talked about how leadership, community, and relationships all fit together. As leaders, we have this big dream and vision for the way things could be whether it's in the church, business world, or any other place. One of the essential things we need to do as leaders to to create a "with" type of leadership. "We can obtain this vision together" as opposed to "I'm simply going to tell you what to do." One of the things about leadership is it gets easy to simply look to fill holes. We don't take them time to get to know people and enter into relationships with them and simply try to plug people into holes that don't necessarily fit their gifts and passions. Instead, if we take the time to get to know them, to listen and be in a relationship with them, then we can truly invite them to work with us, to be a part of that vision, and get them involved in a deeper level. It is ultimately through this type of leadership that community can happen. You can't have community with out relationships, it's that simple.
I remember hearing a guest lecturer for one of my classes telling us to "love the people." That phrase kept on coming back to me throughout the speech. Love the people enough to get to know them. Love the people enough to enter into relationships. Love the people enough to get them involved in the vision. Love the people enough to invite them to share this big dream of yours. Love the people because God first loved us.
Take LeadNow, a national conference for ministry leaders who are dedicated to helping 20 & 30 somethings put their faith into action. Add three 20 & 30 somethings looking to learn more about what it means to lead their generation and are in the midst of launching a worship service, The Source, aimed at that generation. For results, see below.
2 comments:
"Love the People"!
Growing up in a different country I am amazed sometimes at the distant, personal and selfish people can be here in MN. I love the people here but at times its like they have no concept of hospitality. When someone just darts by you with a generic response as you try and say hello is no way of showing hospitality. So they are busy... so what? What is more important in life, the love we share with others or the fact that you have to make it to the next meeting or finish typing that text message you were in the middle of? But the saddest part of all of this, is that the future leaders of our church are just as bad if not worse at being hospitable to their neighbor (fellow seminarians) if they are not good friends with them. I have met many wonderful and caring seminarians, and I have met some who are so full of them selves that their grunting remarks as they acknowledge my salutations are insulting.
Life is more than being busy doing mundane things, life is about being busy doing God's work (granted that sometimes that is mundane)!
Post a Comment