It's Lonely at the Top

 Whoever coined the phrase, “It’s lonely at the top”, knew what they were saying.

Often, leaders are in a position of not being able to openly discuss critical issues, whether they involve privacy, or considering countless intended and unintended consequences of actions that a CEO alone is ultimately responsible for anticipating. There are areas that only executive committees of boards and God can be sought out for help.

On an after-Christmas morning, years ago, as I awaited the start of our belated gift exchange – now that all the “kids” were home – I sat on the couch with a load of issues weighing on me heavily. I picked up a book at random, hoping that mindless reading would chase some of these wearisome thoughts from my mind, if only for a few moments. But they hung there, and I closed my eyes not wishing them to betray the level of anguish I felt. As I sat there, not hardly breathing, music began to reach my heart; notes that my daughter had been playing on the piano, but somehow just started to reach me in the midst of this turmoil.

The soothing music began to draw the anguish away and the thoughts began evaporating from my mind. My heartbeat, which just moments before had been heavy and obvious, now softened and calmed. A deep breath arose within my chest and exhaled as if the music itself was reaching in and drawing out of me the tension and concerns that were binding me tightly.

As the weight rose from me I opened my eyes and watched out our living room window as a beautiful sloop slowly sailed across the bay. I recalled a day of sailing in San Diego bay some years ago and the feeling of being drawn along by the wind and only the slightest movement of the wheel guiding its direction; that effortless pressure to an unseen rudder aided by the invisible force of the wind took us across the bay and out the channel. That day was awesome – and I now felt as though I was out there on that sloop and nothing was holding me back.

The last notes dissipated, and another deep breath subsided within me. I asked Molly what that song was. Almost knowing what I was feeling, she silently arose and handed me the paper – an Order of Service from our church – and she pointed to the lines of the hymn:

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer’s ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear.
It makes the wounded spirit whole
And calms the troubled breast;
“Tis manna to the hungry soul, and to the weary, rest.
How Sweet the Name, John Newton & Thomas Hastings

Whoever coined the phrase, “It’s lonely at the top”, didn’t know what they were saying, and couldn't see Who was there all along.

Road to Better Health March 12, 2014

Dear Ministry Leader,

As you focus on God's plan and priorities for your life, have you considered how to protect your mind and body so that you can stay happy, healthy and remain in the ministry you love?

Ecclesiastes 12:6 calls the human brain the “Golden Bowl” and instructs us to serve God before it’s “broken.”

Recently the leader of a national ministry (who also teaches at a nearby Christian university) was terminated from both jobs due to poor judgement and mental confusion caused by "sudden" dementia. He and his wife are heartbroken because they intended to stay in ministry together for another 5-10 years. With what we know about neuroscience it’s very likely this devastation was avoidable and certainly postponable if together they had make diet and lifestyle changes at least 10 years before the disease was actually noticed.

FACT: Dementia actually starts developing during our 30s and 40s.

Accelerated by inflammatory diets, toxins, trauma, unhealthy lifestyle choices, un-managed stress and genetic factors—unhealthy brains become progressively diminished by Dementia. Just as concerning, however, are projections that the number of people with Alzheimer's will triple in the next few decades.

The Narramore Institute appreciates your ministry and cares deeply about your health, your happiness and your longevity of service. That’s why I created the Road to Better Health 2014 luncheon for RM leaders on March 12th in Pasadena.

You’re going to love this event because the content is so relevant:

 LIVE BETTER AND LONGER

 AVOID LEADER DERAILMENT

 ENJOY MORE PEACE OF MIND

 SAVE YOUR BRAIN

I’ve invited Christian psychologist and author Dr. Earl Henslin (“Brain on Joy”) to share the latest and best ways to deal with depression, anger and other damaging emotions. A friend and mentor to many Christian leaders, Earl is passionate about harmonizing the brain with the soul.

Then, I’ll be discussing the myriad of health benefits that occur when you lower chronic inflammation. In fact, you learn the secret to reducing your risk for sudden heart attack death by up to 90%.

FACT: Every 34 seconds an American has a coronary event.
1/3 to 1/2 of heart attacks occur in persons with "normal" cholesterol.

Our last speaker is veteran Rescue Mission executive Rev. Jim Lewis. Whether it’s waking up in the middle of the night wondering how to meet this week’s bills, a concern about the welfare of a troubled staff member or a family concern, Jim will share some invaluable insights on managing daily stress and avoiding derailment.

I know how hard you work and the sacrifices you make every day to save others. So please join us on March 12, 2014 for a wonderful time of fellowship, renewal, to hear Christian speakers while enjoying a healthy and delicious lunch.

See you in beautiful Pasadena!

Kevin Narramore, Ph.D.

Narramore Institute, 844 Colorado Blvd. Suite 202 Los Angeles, California 90041 949-874-8000

Please CLICK HERE to register because space is limited. 

The Sales Pitch

[One of our speaking modules from 1990]: Years ago friends of ours were lured to a sales presentation by the guarantee of winning a prize; either a microwave (that's what they wanted), T.V., refrigerator, etc. You've heard of those before.

If they bought a life-time supply, $2500 worth of soap – that would clean everything from the car to the dog – they would also get the prizes free. What a sales pitch! Someone went to great lengths to sell soap.

Back in 1978 after we were married my wife and I read Shadow of the Almighty by Elizabeth Elliot. You may know of it – the story of her husband, Jim Elliot, and four other men who were speared to death by the "Auca" Indians in Ecuador. They were martyred in 1956 while trying to take the Gospel to this unreached group. 

The actual reassembled remains of Nate Saint's Piper on
display at  MAF's headquarters in Nampa, ID

This story has been the initial motivation for thousands of people over the years to get involved in missionary service. And so it was with us. The death of committed missionaries led to our choice of a mid-life career change with Wycliffe Bible Translators.

Later, while attending a class at Wycliffe's support center in North Carolina, we all shared about how we were led into missions work. All ten of us had read Shadow of the Almighty. No promise of a washer, dryer or microwave . . . nothing to keep the dog clean. But we wanted to be involved in giving the Word of God, whose message received in faith, will cleanse the souls of those who have, as yet, never heard that Christ died for them.

That's how we were introduced to missions. We didn't know what that commitment would lead to, but we made it. If we'd known what we would go through later, I hope we would have had the fortitude to stay with it.

2013: Well, we did stick through it and continued to serve - and have since in various ministries. Now I found myself back at the origin of our missionary quest. As I arrived for an interview at MAF's headquarters today, I came face to face with an element of that story of 1978 when we read that book, and others since. What an emotional moment as I stood in front of what has been for thousands a call to give our lives in Kingdom service. 

Some good quotes for me to embrace today:

Push aside the expectations of others and instead focus on the appreciation of what you've accomplished. If you believe in it, then that's all the truly matters. - unknown

Don't judge me on the basis of what you heard from others. Judge me on the basis of what YOU know about me, or else try knowing me. - Ashish Basumatary

There's people that are just in awe of what you do, and then there are people who just think it's garbage. And I think there are people who are just uncomfortable seeing someone have fun with their job. - Todd Barry

With fame, you can't trust everybody. You can't depend on them being there for you as a person. They will only be there because of what you've got and what you can bring to their life. It's not a relationship - it's a leech. - Chris Brown

The ultimate victory in competition is derived from the inner satisfaction of knowing that you have done your best and that you have gotten the most out of what you had to give. - Howard Cosell

Believe half of what you see and only some of what you hear, unless you hear it from me. - Chris Daughtry

Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control over what you don't. - Steve Maraboli

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart . . ."

Community Renewal as Incarnational Mission

Missonal, Incarnational, and Stewardship are terms that are too easily tossed about these days. In order for the people of God to bring about flourishing in our communities we need real definitions and concrete manifestations, rather than vague illusions of what they mean.   

Urban Homeless Shelter

I believe to be, or take part in something missional is to become part of what we recognize God is already doing in the community (missio Dei). This requires examination of the sociological, historical, and political conditions in which the Church—and our ministry—must become the visible expression of God to the world. When these realities are properly merged we see truly incarnational mission at work – through which we become stewards of God’s grace, justice, and resources of the Kingdom.

An incarnational mission involves our “real and abiding presence” in the community that bears fruit for both the local church and the urban environment. One cannot become part of the organism of community unless he or she becomes intimate with its “cultural rhythms, life, and geography” (2003a, 39); as Ronald Sider shares, “Holistic ministry is incarnational ministry . . . it’s God fleshing out the truth of the Gospel.” It is not only helping others in the community, but inspiring the church member and stretching themselves outside their traditional sphere of influence (2002, 27). Are we bold enough to commit to an incarnational model as sufficient to match the changes in culture and polity we face in this new millennium?

When efforts are not incarnational, little of lasting note gets done – this can lead to negative issues . . . and those seeing themselves in the “crosshairs” of perceived do-gooders begin to see themselves as “targets” rather than in community (2003b, 108). Becoming part of our community through assimilating its culture and recognizing context takes time and effort, which is necessary in order to build a missional bridge of any permanence. 

Fresno Rescue Mission's new Save the Children Home

This integration will take visionary church leaders who are able to assess the needs of the community, as well as considering the strengths within a congregation, and to build individual team leaders who can lay the groundwork for a safe and appropriate missional outreach (2006b, 32). I mention “safe” as there is danger in not considering the full impact of an urban environment when developing programs. This type of missional outreach can allow people to step beyond the “soup-kitchener” experience and into a more personal and contextual missional expression of their faith and lifestyle. 

Such change can only come through a concerted effort of our church leaders, ministries and community agencies in creating a bias for action through educating congregants in missional stewardship of all that they control – time, treasure, and talents.

Frost, Michael, and Alan Hirsch. 2003a. The Shaping of Things to Come: Innovation and Mission for the 21st Century Church. Peabody: Hendrickson.

Linthicum, Robert. 2003b. Transforming Power: Biblical Strategies for Making a Difference in Your Community. Downers Grove: IVP.

Roxburgh, Alan J. and Fred Romanuk. 2006b. The Missional Leader: Equipping Your Church to Reach a Changing World. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Sider, Ronald J., Philip N. Olson, and Heidi Rolland Unruh. 2002. Churches That Make a Difference: Reaching Your Community with Good News and Good Works. Grand Rapids: Baker.

A Case for a New Leadership Paradigm

We are in a world of change as paradigms are being challenged. Gone are the days of the broad community acceptance of the Christian service provider. Postmodernism is taking its toll . . . leadership is changing, urban demographics are changing, legal regulations are changing, staff and boards are changing, donors are changing, and ministry core services are changing. Change is as certain as the sun rising.

In this day and age, faith-based service providers and their staff need to be on the cutting edge to keep up with an ever-changing environment that challenges the sustainability of the mission and vision of an organization. In order to meet these challenges there needs to be a constant – and two critical constants are proper stewardship and increasing core competencies through accreditation.

Stewardship of the organization, program curriculum, staff resources, liabilities, finances, and board governance are paramount – and most importantly, is stewardship of the physical and spiritual health of the leader.
Artios Institute provides collaborative accreditation through coursework designed with stewardship as the focus. Through a peer cohort of fellow leaders, development staff and board members, your knowledge, skills, and capacity for change is strengthened and profound impacts are cultivated. In this two-year course, meeting two and a half days every other month for the first year and three times the second year, we will explore four foundational pillars:

1. An Understanding of Biblical Stewardship, Fund Development & Advancement 
2. The Keys to Balanced Personal & Professional Growth of the Leader 
3. The Core Components of Building Boards & Effective Teams
4. The Role of Strategy in Determining Vision & Direction 

Whether you are a seasoned executive or development leader, or just starting in ministry, this course of study will challenge and strengthen you and your organization – and prepare both for the challenges of today and years to come. This is an investment in stewardship you can’t afford not to explore. Examine the course elements and consider Artios Institute for yourself and your team.

  Review the Four Pillars               Examine the CCNL Credential

Leveraging the Passion of our Emerging Leadership in Philanthropy

Just a year ago in an article discussing the changing culture of nonprofits and the failing economy, I examined the decline of the nonprofit sector due to its failure of facing the realities of a changing market and demographic.* Following this marked decline, in just a few years we have seen an increasing flow of new blood in the sector . . . young leaders (I dislike tagging them “millennial”) are bringing a new passion and desire to impact their society.  

To this aging Boomer, having served most of my vocation in nonprofits, this brings a surprising feeling of promise and a desire to see them become empowered in a way my generation failed to realize through our efforts in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

This upwelling of philanthropic youth is more than evident here at the 50th International Conference of Fundraising in San Diego. The San Diego Convention Center is teeming with young people, wherein such a conference a decade ago would have witnessed an older attendee. In a review class for the CFRE – a certification for those with fundraising experience – there were quite a few young people who obviously did not bring experience of the level normally expected to such a class. I propose that not a few of them thought some of the material and processes discussed a bit mechanistic and antiquated. Additionally, the crowd was standing room only and overflowing the room of the First Timers orientation meeting.  This leads me to wonder what is the impetus of these new fundraisers? 

For those of us who have long been involved in nonprofit fund development, we may recognize the surge of funds now flowing from our generation’s estates, and how best to help divert them from the government and invest in charitable efforts. I sense, however, that the new conference attendees are not so much interested in investing these funds, but rather investing themselves in the empowerment of others. They recognize the weakness of government and institutions to meet the growing gap in services and bring a new paradigm to the task.

While wanting to encourage and empower this new generation, we need to sensitively guide them and their enthusiasm into this sector. Just as the ‘90s saw a growth of nonprofits that was impossible to properly fund, we can allow them to be change agents within existing organizations, as well as lead collaborations, acquisitions, and mergers which will increase capacity, reduce duplications, and bring a new face and paradigm to, not just the nonprofit sector, but to the for-profit sector and world-wide commerce as well.

How we assist, educate, encourage and empower this emerging leadership will be the fulcrum on which their impact is leveraged.  

http://ym.christianleadershipalliance.org/?CriticalShift

Unexpected Inspiration

It was March 1999. I was nursing a failing business, going to school at night, working part-time for FedEx, and driving a limousine. I was pretty low.

After our furlough in Palm Desert, CA from a three-year missionary term with Wycliffe Bible Translators in the Philippines, we were unable to obtain a new assignment there. I completed a Management course at Summer Institute of Linguistics in Dallas, and was referred to International Relations work, but the director of staffing in Manila office would not allow my wife’s position as a teacher to be our primary assignment so I could intern in the Government Affairs office. Likewise, stateside opportunities were being thwarted by a personnel director refusing to allow me to serve JAARS (our technical service arm) in a field representative position as I had for six years at Eastman Kodak. I was at a stalemate; and so, we resigned a 10 year tenure as technical support missionaries.

Now what to do? Leslie was already teaching in public school, which left me seeking a technical management position in the Coachella Valley where few tech jobs existed. My lack of an undergraduate degree kept me from several promising positions, even though I was told I was overqualified. After the rejection of Wycliffe and these interviewers, I was a bit desperate.

My wife suggested I start a business, as I knew a lot about radios; so I did. I developed a business plan that thoroughly impressed a business loan manager. With an SBA loan and my retirement funds I dove into self-employment. Setting up shop, a sprinkling of sales, repairing CBs for truckers, and developing a tracking system for the local transit company was a great challenge for me. Ultimately, my small draw against a meager net profit slowly drained the business. When the transit manager gave the contract to a relative rather than putting it up for bid, and a ruptured appendix put me in the hospital, I was down for the count.

Having moved the business into my garage, I started a three-quarter load at the community college at night and found three part-time jobs to help keep the family afloat. I was now determined to complete my BS degree so that I could advance in management. In addition to school, and fixing radio and data equipment for two FedEx stations, I started driving a limousine. Although the clients were often glamorous, the level of my self-worth was not.

I picked up the Lincoln Town Car and the client order and headed west on the 2 ½ hour trip to Claremont to pick up a Mr. Drucker. As the elderly gentleman settled into the front seat and we began some small talk, it occurred to me who he was. Wait a minute, I exclaimed . . . “You are THE, Dr. Peter Drucker!” He smiled and said, “Ja, that is me.” I almost wrecked the car.

I am sitting with the worldwide guru of management captive in my limo for two and a half hours . . . as the commercial says – Priceless! He asked about me and I poured out my story, leaving out no detail or the current state of my frustration. He was a most gracious counselor and mentor to me during that drive back to the desert as the keynote speaker at some conference. He put off those interviewers as the loser, not me; the unethical practice of the transit manager; and shortsightedness of the Wycliffe personnel managers. Quoting Teddy Roosevelt, he said, “Failure is the backdoor to success.” Experience is much more valuable than the degree, he said; the piece of paper says nothing of your actual abilities to succeed in business. However, he did encourage me to finish my studies, promising that they would complement my experience.

Of course I told the dispatcher that I would drive Dr. Drucker back the next day. A tired Dr Drucker slept most the way back, but took the time to further encourage me in my endeavors, telling me that he saw great promise in someone with the courage and fortitude to keep up such a load to provide for his family.

Within months I became Administer for a commercial business, then General Manager of two RV Resorts, and subsequently CEO of two ministries in need of restoration. After completing a graduate-level certificate in Nonprofit Organization Management at UC Riverside, two years ago [now 7 years ago] I took a shortcut into an MA in Global Leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary.

Thank you, Dr. Peter Drucker, for your inspiration during a limo ride.

“All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Rom 8:28.

PS: On June 11, 2011 I walked across the stage and received my MA in Inter-cultural Studies: Global Leadership from Fuller.

Failing at Ethics can be good if . . .

Teddy Roosevelt is known for the quote, "Failure is the backdoor to success."  I'm fond of such quotes – perhaps due to the fact that I'm pretty good at failing . . . and sometimes just as good at finding the silver lining through failure.  One of my "crash-and-burn" experiences led to one of those rare, unexpected blessings. 

After "hitting the wall" and not completing a paper in what should have been my last MA course at Fuller Theological Seminary ("Ethics of Bonhoeffer" - I'm really sorry Dr. Stassen), in order to make up for the failed credits I took "Advocacy for Social Justice."  

This was providential, as it challenged me to consider more deeply the sociological, historical, and political conditions in which the Church—and our ministry—must be the visible expression of God to the world.  It painted a picture of the manner in which our incarnational ministry should appear – as we provide both justice and salvation – intertwined in a way that they cannot be separated; one is dependent on the other.

So, although failing one of my favorite courses still stings almost two years later, I have realized once more that God can indeed make all things work to the good.

It’s true: Failure is the back door to success . . .

Telling your story in freedom

When you share a past failure do you feel the bile creep back up your throat and your heart constrict...you begin to relive it? Telling your story from the pain indicates you haven't yet dealt with it and have yet to realize healing.

Henri Nouwen wrote a journal during the most difficult period in his life. He was encouraged to publish it, which he did (at least some of it).*  In it he mentions addressing his past failures and pains in such a manner that they come to no longer revive the pain and hold onto him. His personal testimony has helped me get past much of a lifetime of hurt involving past abandonment, injustice, false accusation, and apparent failure.

Through the Holy Spirit we can come to a new place wherein we can tell our story from the other side of the pain and failure . . . and "the need to tell the story becomes less pressing."

If you are free from that past, and no longer depending upon it for identity, you can then share your story in freedom and from a new perspective. Its weight is gone and your story may release others from their pain, and get to the other side of their story.

Seek that release and freedom to tell your story from a place of reconciliation.

*Henri Nouwen, The Inner Voice of Love

Seeking Counsel From Failure

Do you follow any thought leaders* for counsel and insight?  What happens if he or she has failed in their leadership?  Can that person still speak into your issues, or do you turn elsewhere?

For some that may depend on their sector and the type of failure . . . and what affect the failure is considered to have on the leader.  For example, in Christian circles, failure is often the “kiss of death” for a leader; in the financial world an ethical violation or fiscal misrepresentation will end any respect.

Less often, I fear, do people perceive the benefit of failure that results in even more reason to seek that leader’s counsel.  Where am I going with this?

An example may be seen in the repentant embezzler who speaks out on the lack of ethical oversight in his industry that allowed his actions.  Another may be the pastor who has gone through reconciliation from an affair who now counsels men on strengthening their marriage.  

Many are the quotes of leaders who state that failure strengthens leadership – even tempers it; making it stand the test of time and providing learning moments from which others can profit.  One such quote I embrace is Teddy Roosevelt’s, “Failure is the backdoor to success” . . . apparently his success came on the shoulders of his failures.  

We won’t accept pharmaceuticals without thorough R&D and lengthy testing, so why would we accept leadership ideas or direction from someone who has never been through the trials and fire of failure?  

Perhaps next time you interview someone for a position or a project, see if they’ve been tried by fire – and ask them to share their most beneficial failure.

Has your thought leader failed?  It may be even more reason to seek them out . . .

*See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thought_leader

Criticism of Leaders

Criticism is likely the most devastating issue facing all leaders (not just the church) . . . and how leaders face criticism will make or break them. Seeing and accepting what we need to change can help us move through it to successfully deal with hidden issues - or what we might be blind to.

Thom Rainer's blog post helps identify critics and our response to them:

First, realize that criticism is inevitable. Anyone in a position of leadership will face criticism. Deal with it prayerfully and courageously, but accept it as a part of your leadership that it will never go away . . . All criticisms sting, at least for most of us. But not all criticisms are bad for us. Indeed, in many cases our leadership and ministry can be more effective if we deal with critics in more redemptive ways. 

http://www.thomrainer.com/2012/09/five-types-of-critics-in-the-church.php

Starting a nonprofit revisited

Once again a recent question from someone starting a nonprofit brings me back to this topic. I will share an edited version of an e-mail response to some serious questions someone asked on seeking help getting funding, for what he sees as unique and critical services.

Bob:

Blessings to you! You are attempting daunting tasks.

First, be careful of making claims of exclusivity... other local providers do similar, if not identical work that you share here. Sometimes under the radar as you are. You may unintentionally alienate yourself from other providers you will need to work with.

Ensuring accountability is a first step for funding requests. To whom are you accountable? Who is working to assist you (church, board, committee)? Do you have a clear, well written case for support? In trying to understand all the areas you are attempting to serve I would ask if you aren't biting off too much and are at risk of choking on your own good works. Start with one thing, get good at it so you are sustaining it before adding an additional service.

It also brings up legal issues to ensure you are covering...to protect yourself and those you serve. For example: Are you a registered sober living home in order to be under the protection of state regs (so local codes don't apply)? Do you have appropriate program documentation to protect against federal fair housing laws and claims of discrimination? Funders will need assurance you have legal oversight as well.

"Tentmaking" (funding through outside income) is still a viable method of starting and funding a ministry, but the above questions are still relevant. God's clear leading should/will be accompanied with like-minded people wanting to help.

Quite a few people ask me about starting a nonprofit, and I always state, "DON'T"!

First couple yourself with a local or nearby similar organization and work under and with them -- and learn. (When my son wanted to get a horse, he spent a year volunteering at a horse ranch before buying his own) Oft times, after proving yourself, they will be open to suggestions in serving your area of interest. Then, and only IF that organization's goals do not match what you see as a clear leading from God, should you strike out on your own...hopefully with their blessing and support. I never endorse a new work too similar and too close to another viable current work unless the goals are significantly different. Dilution of your community's support and donor funding, along with a potential competitive spirit and confusion to the public serves to harm the ministry. This happens far too often.

These are just a few items for discussion. Let's meet at our fall conference and talk more about it. 

Blessings!  Read my article: Critical Shift

we're expecting from the world what we're not doing

While I am shocked that American's spent $1.5 billion this past week at an infinitesimal chance at winning a lottery, I hold more disappointment for the Church. Why? A mere tithe of that amount could have put a huge dent in the issue of homelessness. However, the issue is rooted in a lack of stewardship.

Recent news stories are evidence of the Church’s failure to provide needed steward leadership. Faith leaders decry the recent GOP budget proposal, citing its oppression of the poor. Critics charge that it balances the budget on the back of the poor while not sufficiently taxing the wealthy. Members of the Faithful Budget Campaign demand more aid supported by increased taxation – calling on national leaders to: “act with mercy and justice by serving the common good, robustly funding support for poor and vulnerable people, both at home and abroad, and exercising proper care and keeping of the earth.” The incongruity for this writer is these leaders want the government to do what they are not doing – at least not to the extent that the historical Christian Church has done on its own.

They’ve forgotten that subsequent to Christianity becoming the accepted religion of Constantine’s empire, “government” resources supplanted the Church’s role as provider of public assistance. It was during this period that the response to needs became institutionalized as social service. What had been considered personal hospitality became separated and distant from the church and the home. Charity became so far removed from the church that in the fourth and fifth centuries John Chrysostom challenged that “hospitality remained a personal, individual responsibility as well,” urging Christians to make a place for the needy in their homes to serve “the maimed, the beggars, and the homeless.”

Even Emperor Julian (a.d. 362) provides historical evidence of Christian charity as the sole responsibility of the Church, and directed those of his own religion to “imitate Christian concern for strangers,”

“For it is disgraceful that, when no Jew ever has to beg, and the impious Galileans [Christians] support not only their own poor but ours as well, all men see that our people lack aid from us. Teach those of the Hellenic faith to contribute to public service of this sort.”

Later, John Calvin admonished the Church, for the “demise of ancient hospitality,” toward those in need:

“This office of humanity has . . . nearly ceased to be properly observed among men; for the ancient hospitality celebrated in histories, in unknown to us, and [public] inns now supply the place of accommodations for strangers.”

He warned that the increasing dependence on inns rather than on personal hospitality was an expression of human depravity.

I don’t see the Church giving nor serving as it should; many merely call for more government action. While current church-based giving has reportedly dropped by $1.2 billion last year, it’s still a reality that if Christians tithed, the resulting funding available to God’s work would be nearly 2/3rds of recent stimulus spending. But it’s not just the lack of funds at issue; it’s what ministry leaders are misspending. Currently the families of Trinity Broadcasting Network and Chrystal Cathedral are fighting over millions of assets and control of their empires. The public is treated to weekly reports of misuse of charitable donations and the breakdown of relationships in various ministries. It’s no wonder Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle are considering capping charitable deductions – to both secular and religious organizations.

If that isn’t enough, nonprofit postage rates are at risk, as well as the definition of what constitutes a “religious” organization. Non-sectarian religious nonprofits may face raising funds without such exemptions and tax-deductible benefits; likely crushing many under fiscal collapse and dissolution.

The Church needs to do what it is supposed to do . . . without the assistance of taxpayers. I find no directive to love one’s neighbor after first raising taxes. On the contrary, we are to give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s. To expect of the world what is our responsibility is falling short of steward leadership. To fail at stewardship is to fail in our faith.

Noble Development vs. Toxic Charity

Food coops that donate to needy individuals who are not personally involved in the process can deter from the long-term goal of self-sustaining development. To be more effectively developmental charitable coops should invite underprivileged families to come and be involved in the process from scratch . . . Thereby cultivating their pride as well as their sustenance. They could then sell or trade the excess in a farmers market to buy other needed food items -- or donate to a shelter that provides for emergency shelter and meals. To do so for people beyond their emergency need unfortunately turns the noble effort into "Toxic Charity".

http://fcsministries.org/books/toxic-charity/

"Churches and charities have fallen into the bad habit of creating programs to help the poor when in reality the only people they are helping are themselves, creating a toxic charity that needs to be reexamined and fixed. In this groundbreaking book, Lupton shows how good-intentioned people are actually hurting the very people they’re trying to help. The poor end up feeling judged, looked down upon, only worthy of charity and handouts that end up making them more dependent instead of learning skills to help themselves. Churches and charitable organizations, though good-intentioned, have missed the mark when it comes to serving the poor, creating a toxic form of charity. Lupton says that a better system would be to treat the poor as business partners, empowering them to start businesses, build houses, plan communities, etc. He offers specific organizations as examples of this healthier model of charity and gives practical ideas for how to get involved in service projects that truly help. Together, we can serve our world in a way that actually effects life-altering change."

Kodak's failure was in their contentment with the status quo

Eastman Kodak was one of the best for-profit companies I have ever worked for. It was first to develop digital imaging capture techniques . . . but that was at the height of the film business and they were fat and happy, sitting on top of their bankroll and the industry. Failing to grab an opportunity was their downfall. At the core was the limited vision of the leadership.

Successful companies act strategically in down times in preparation for the upswing - lest they lose their edge and miss an opportunity. A good blog from David Curry on this: http://t.co/gYcpCluJ

A lesson for nonprofits: If you have reserves to expand and lay the groundwork for additional services - especially when the need is great, and your programs are successful - don't hesitate to use those resources. Perhaps that's why God provided them in the first place.

Considering My MAGL Experience at Fuller Seminary

Since walking across the stage at Lake Avenue Congregational Church on June 11, 2011 and “graduating” from Fuller Theological Seminary, I have been thinking of writing about my experience. However, building pressures of ministry and various professional and personal issues compounded against me that last spring semester as I doubled up classes, and I “hit the wall” in my studies. I could not get through that one last paper on the Ethics of Bonhoeffer – an outstanding course that stretched me in many ways. That failure required me to make up four units . . . and set me back emotionally and financially. It also provided a dose of needed humility as I was looking to add to my long string of hard-earned A’s and end with a high GPA (one of my dysfunctions of focusing on my accomplishments was seriously dealt with). Having made up for that misstep by struggling through another rather stretching course, I finally earned a Masters of Arts in Intercultural Studies: Global Leadership.

I never thought I could complete an MA program . . . you see, I never finished my undergraduate degree. My daughter Molly (who earned a BA at Wheaton and MSc at the University of Edinburgh) used to playfully chide me, saying I was cheating by skipping the BS. I think she understands what a feat this was for her old dad. Perhaps it was the underlying competitive nature of our family of four MAs that egged me on . . . or was it my own stubbornness?

In any case, this effort was one I chose to enroll in almost six years earlier, after earning a graduate certificate in Nonprofit Organization Management from UC Riverside. That really got things rolling, as I had already desired to complete my BS in Business Management at University of Redlands, but several close peers challenged me in that desire (with its cost and effort), saying that I had already attained that level of education through a lot of seat-of-the-pants management experience in several positions – culminating in turning around a nonprofit organization from embezzlement and closure. Although I saw their point, I still felt that I lacked something . . . I wanted to do better in the leadership role I found myself. As I struggled with my own dysfunctions and weaknesses, I sensed there was something I should do to provide a more solid basis for my leadership; I wanted to be a better leader.

My program director at that time suggested I look into Fuller Seminary, which has a special student classification – allowing those lacking their undergraduate degree to compile their accumulated studies and ministry leadership experience into an MA degree. I did apply, and started a program in Christian Leadership (SOT), and several years later transferred to Global Leadership (SIS) when I realized I needed the MAGL’s cohort structure to be disciplined enough to push through the busyness of ministry and complete my studies. The content of the MAGL was very compelling and related directly to my ministry and leadership focus.

The MAGL provided exactly what I needed to grow personally and professionally . . . being able to recognize my dysfunctions and potential through what Robert Clinton examines as Leadership Emergence. Being stretched in my theology and social understanding, I have been able to more fully establish what I believe and desire to accomplish through my faith and practice. I think understanding what is meant by “community” has provided foundation for truly being missional in thought and deed. Exploring it all with likeminded and similarly focused students from around the globe was an extraordinary experience.

There is so much more to share that is appropriate for this brief blog posting, I will have to expound on it further in additional posts . . .

I will just say that for those seeking to explore their own faith and leadership, I can’t recommend highly enough the learning experience you will find through Fuller’s MAGL program. If you are in a position of leadership in a church or nonprofit organization, and expect more from yourself, and desire to build into others, you need to consider this program of study.

Drop me a note or invite me for a cup of coffee if you want to explore if the MAGL is right for you . . .

Re-Post in Memory of Peter Drucker ~ Inspiration Comes in Unexpected Ways

On the occasion of the anniversary of Peter Drucker's passing, I re-post this blog in his memory:

It was March 1999. I was nursing a failing business, going to school at night, working part-time for FedEx, and driving a limousine. I was pretty low.

After our furlough in Palm Desert, CA from a three-year missionary term with Wycliffe Bible Translators in the Philippines, we were unable to obtain a new assignment there. I completed a Management course at Summer Institute of Linguistics in Dallas, and was referred to International Relations work, but the director of staffing in Manila office would not allow my wife’s position as a teacher to be our primary assignment so I could intern in the Government Affairs office. Likewise, stateside opportunities were being thwarted by a personnel director refusing to allow me to serve in a field representative position as I had for six years at Eastman Kodak. I was at a stalemate; and so, we resigned a 10 year tenure as technical support missionaries.

Now what to do? Leslie was already teaching in public school, which left me seeking a technical management position in the Coachella Valley where few tech jobs existed. My lack of an undergraduate degree kept me from several promising positions, even though I was told I was overqualified. After the rejection of Wycliffe and these interviewers, I was a bit desperate.

My wife suggested I start a business, as I knew a lot about radios; so I did. I developed a business plan that thoroughly impressed a business loan manager. With an SBA loan and my retirement funds I dove into self-employment. Setting up shop, a sprinkling of sales, repairing CBs for truckers, and developing a tracking system for the local transit company was a great challenge for me. Ultimately, my small draw against a meager net profit slowly drained the business. When the transit manager gave the contract to a relative rather than putting it up for bid, and a ruptured appendix put me in the hospital, I was down for the count.

Having moved the business into my garage, I started a three-quarter load at the community college at night and found three part-time jobs to help keep the family afloat. I was now determined to complete my BS degree so that I could advance in management. In addition to school, and fixing radio and data equipment for two FedEx stations, I started driving a limousine. Although the clients were often glamorous, the level of my self-worth was not.

I picked up the Lincoln Town Car and the client order and headed west on the 2 ½ hour trip to Claremont to pick up a Mr. Drucker. As the elderly gentleman settled into the front seat and we began some small talk, it occurred to me who he was. Wait a minute, I exclaimed . . . “You are THE, Dr. Peter Drucker!” He smiled and said, “Ja, that is me.” I almost wrecked the car.

I am sitting with the worldwide guru of management captive in my limo for two and a half hours . . . as the commercial says – Priceless! He asked about me and I poured out my story, leaving out no detail or the current state of my frustration. He was a most gracious counselor and mentor to me during that drive back to the desert as the keynote speaker at some conference. He put off those interviewers as the loser, not me; the unethical practice of the transit manager; and shortsightedness of the Wycliffe personnel managers. Quoting Teddy Roosevelt, he said, “Failure is the backdoor to success.” Experience is much more valuable than the degree, he said; the piece of paper says nothing of your actual abilities to succeed in business. However, he did encourage me to finish my studies, promising that they would complement my experience.

Of course I told the dispatcher that I would drive Dr. Drucker back the next day. A tired Dr Drucker slept most the way back, but took the time to further encourage me in my endeavors, telling me that he saw great promise in someone with the courage and fortitude to keep up such a load to provide for his family.

Within months I became Administer for a commercial business, then General Manager of two RV Resorts, and subsequently CEO of two ministries in need of restoration. After completing a graduate-level certificate in Nonprofit Organization Management at UC Riverside, two years ago [now 5 1/2 years ago] I took a shortcut into an MA in Global Leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary.

Thank you, Dr. Peter Drucker, for your inspiration during a limo ride.

“All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Rom 8:28.

PS: On June 11, 2011 I walked across the stage and recieved my MA in Inter-cultural Studies: Global Leadership from Fuller.

Changing Oneself is Critical as Change is Created

As I study Adizes' work on Organizational Lifecycles*, it makes me consider how leaders must change in order to change their organization . . . it is critical for them to change with the organization. That is, once they have created the desired change, they must themselves change – or leave the organization.

If they are not growing with the organization, they are merely preparing it for the next leader.

In light of this truth, I found some great quotes to help me keep changing . . .

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. ~Mary Engelbreit

When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. ~Victor Frankl

God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know it's me. ~Author Unknown

Stubbornness does have its helpful features. You always know what you are going to be thinking tomorrow. ~Glen Beaman

Things do not change; we change. ~Henry David Thoreau

We would rather be ruined than changed;
We would rather die in our dread
Than climb the cross of the moment
And let our illusions die.
~W.H. Auden

What you have become is the price you paid to get what you used to want. ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960

Those who expect moments of change to be comfortable and free of conflict have not learned their history. ~Joan Wallach Scott

Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights. ~Pauline R. Kezer

The only man I know who behaves sensibly is my tailor; he takes my measurements anew each time he sees me. The rest go on with their old measurements and expect me to fit them. ~George Bernard Shaw

It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change. ~Author unknown

* Adizes, Ichak. Managing Corporate Lifecycles. Prentice Hall, 1999
link: http://adizes.com/corporate_lifecycle.html

Forced Downtime

An unattended-to reoccurring sore throat and headache has morphed into an earache and overall lethargic feeling that says, “Stay in bed, do nothing, and get well.” If only that was an option. With multiple projects in progress; community prayer breakfast plans to finalize; my son coming home on leave; a new seminary course starting; schedule invites taking over an upcoming planned desert retreat week; and a budget crisis looming, a leader has no time for an illness laying him or her up – even for a day. Who will take care of “The To Do List,” take the calls, answer the questions, and ensure that all runs smoothly?

As I grumbled all the above thoughts, I shuffled out of bed and found the Airborne Nighttime® hoping that it would calm me down enough to get some additional rest. Breaking the tablet in half (so it would dissolve faster, of course) and pouring the hot water into my Grumpy coffee cup (a gift from my wife and kids – who know me all too well), I watched as the tablet halves, fizzing and spinning wildly, rapidly diminish in size – spending themselves – dissolved into the water. Such heroic sacrifice for my sore, achy body . . .

I thought of all my running around and spending myself on that which I allow to pack my calendar, thinking that I have to be the one to act, to ensure all goes well. All too often I am just like that tablet – although unaware of my actions that cause serious diminishing of my strength and ability to lead appropriately. Spending ourselves for the sake of the organization and unending needs will not necessarily lead to success; at least the type of success we desire. Not every leader can match the harried pace of some who seem to have limitless energy and stamina to work and run at a breakneck speed (my board chairman comes to mind). Sometimes, it is the measured foward movement of the leader, orchestrating rather than driving the organization, who accomplishes the most.

An end-product, big-picture, visionary leader often has the most problem, as he or she strives to slog through the processes to the point of realizing the goal. It’s the forced downtime that frustrates them the most. I am that person . . . who hopes that this fizzled out concoction does its magic and I get some needed rest and healing . . . who needs to learn to trust more when he lacks control and doesn’t see all the answers. Don’t let your organization’s mission, or other attractive activities, spend you wildly. Get some rest, and trust The Leader of all.