Leadership Communities, Part 2

Last week I shared four of the eight ‘differences’ in George Bullard’s article “Abandon Committees, Skip Teams, and Embrace Communities” (www.bullardjournal.org).

Remember, the unspoken premise is that culture, relationships and systems of organizing have changed drastically in the last few decades. These affect the way ‘church’ is ‘done,’ and our exploring the differences may help us minister more effectively to the world around us. Here are the last of the eight differences…

Difference Five—Recruitment: Committees look for people of position who can bring to the committee influence to get the work of the committee respected by people of power in the congregation. Teams look for people of expertise who have the gifts, skills and preferences to complete a certain task or set of tasks. Communities look for people of passion who want to have fun helping to bring exciting experiences to congregational participants, and a spiritual strategic journey to the congregation.

Difference Six—Benefits: Committees benefit congregations by building ownership and loyalty for the mission of the congregation. Teams benefit congregations by providing more effective action more quickly than committees. Communities benefit congregations by providing more enthusiasm and meaningful relationships within congregations.

Difference Seven—Style of Work: Committees focus on making decisions that are lasting and manage the resources of the congregation efficiently at the best price. Teams focus on debating the strengths and weaknesses of the various choices to complete a task, and typically end up with the highest quality product or outcome. Communities dialogue, engage in discernment activities, and arrive at the best solutions for a particular opportunity or challenge.

Difference Eight—Organizational Model: Committees work best in centralized organizations. Teams work best in decentralized organizations. Communities work best in distributed organizations. Distributed organizations are those with no true center, but a network that empowers the grassroots and diversity.

Blessings,
JON

Leadership Communities, Part 1

I recently happened upon an article by George Bullard provocatively entitled, “Abandon Committees, Skip Teams, and Embrace Communities” (www.bullardjournal.org). It certainly caught my attention, and I read through the article, which I find helpful in explaining what’s going on in the wider Church.

The unspoken premise is that culture, relationships and systems of organizing have changed drastically in the last few decades. These affect the way ‘church’ is ‘done,’ and our exploring the differences may help us minister more effectively to the world around us. Here are four of the eight differences…

Difference One—Formation: Committees tend to be elected or appointed in keeping with the bylaws, policies, or polity of congregations. Teams are recruited or drafted to work on a specific task or set of tasks. Communities are voluntarily connected in search of genuine and meaningful experiences.

Difference Two—Focus: Committees focus on making decisions or setting policies. Teams focus on maturing to the point that they become high task performance groups. Communities add qualitative relationships, meaning, and experiences to the organizations, organisms, or movements to which they are connected.

Difference Three—Membership: Committees tend to have a fixed term of membership. Teams may have a defined term of membership, or may serve until a certain set of tasks is completed. Communities have no bounded membership and people tend to come and go based on their continuing interest in the journey.

Difference Four—Outside Assistance: Committees seek high quality training events or consultants if they need outside assistance. Teams partner with respected practitioners or coaches. Communities align with champions or advocates who come alongside them in long-term relationships.

Blessings,
JON

For Good Friday

Good Friday is upon us. And every year I re-read Christina Rossetti’s poem For Good Friday. May Christina’s words be our guiding prayer as we reflect on the crucifixion of Christ and his journey to the cross. This is our invitation to reconnect with God. Encounter Renewal. Encounter Passion. Encounter God.

Am I a stone, and not a sheep,
That I can stand, O Christ, beneath Thy cross,
To number drop by drop Thy Blood's slow loss,
And yet not weep?

Not so those women loved
Who with exceeding grief lamented Thee;
Not so fallen Peter weeping bitterly;
Not so the thief was moved;

Not so the Sun and Moon
Which hid their faces in a starless sky,
A horror of great darkness at broad noon-
I, only I.

Yet give not o'er,
But seek Thy sheep, true Shepherd of the flock;
Greater than Moses, turn and look once more
And smite a rock.

Another sheep of the fold,
JON

Jon's Appointment

Every year in preparation for the Annual Conference’s appointment of pastors in June, the local church and its ministers evaluate the ministry of its ordained pastors. During this process, the church and the ministers have an opportunity to continue or discontinue their appointment of ministers at the church. After much prayer and deliberation, and having consulted Greg Kennedy and Ava Berry (District Superintendent), I submitted my name as a candidate for reappointment. Since then, I have been offered a church and have accepted. As of June 13, 2007 I will be appointed as pastor of Westover Fellowship in Amarillo.

This has been a very difficult decision for Heather and me. I feel that my gifts and graces are a good fit for St. Paul, and I know they have been used here to make a difference for the Kingdom of God. At the same time, in order to develop as a minister, I need to be stretching and maturing my gifts in ways the role of Associate Pastor does not allow. Please know our departure is not a reflection of the people of St. Paul. We grieve the thought of leaving St. Paul. Since our first days here, we have been warmly welcomed and have felt at home. We have grown to love each of you very much, and we feel that our ministry and significant relationships are just beginning to burgeon. All of this makes our decision personally painful, and we cherish your prayers.

However, I truly believe God is working through this to make St. Paul and me healthier and more fit to fulfill the call of God for His church. For me it means applying the gifts God has given me and maturing them to strengthen the depth and integrity of the Church. For St. Paul it means greater opportunities for growth, fuller experiences in discipleship, and exploring more unique avenues of fulfilling the church’s mission. It means growing in and sharing the love of God in new and amazing ways. I prayerfully anticipate the variegated and powerful work of the Holy Spirit as St. Paul is enriched to reach new heights in God’s Kingdom.

Walking through the next two months together may bring some fear and trepidation, especially as we approach unknown and different circumstances. But I am aware of your integrity before God and take confidence in your faithfulness. As the Spirit continues to empower your steps of faith, God will sustain you, not just to get by, but to approach the transition with elated anticipation and certain victory.

“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” Psalm 31:24

Your friend in Christ,
JON