Sometimes those whom you lead need very specific tasks to help them understand how to accomplish a particular role or responsibility. Those who are considering leadership need to know what specific actions they would be doing from you, because most often their assumptions differ dramatically from what’s expected.

This job description from the 37Signals team, a software company, perfectly illustrated this. This is for the role of Office Manager/Executive Assistant. Instantly if I was thinking about applying I would know what a typical day and probably a typical week would look like.

So often in ministry I’ve seen specific tactics substituted for vague and semi-inspiring spiritual language. When that person fails to execute because they did not know what was expected of them they often see it as a lack of spirituality on their part, when in fact it was more a result of poor communication.

Bible Study leader is one of the most misunderstood role in ministry–potential leaders often hear this as showing up a...

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Sometimes those whom you lead need very specific tasks to help them understand how to accomplish a particular role or responsibility. Those who are considering leadership need to know what specific actions they would be doing from you, because most often their assumptions differ dramatically from what’s expected.

This job description from the 37Signals team, a software company, perfectly illustrated this. This is for the role of Office Manager/Executive Assistant. Instantly if I was thinking about applying I would know what a typical day and probably a typical week would look like.

So often in ministry I’ve seen specific tactics substituted for vague and semi-inspiring spiritual language. When that person fails to execute because they did not know what was expected of them they often see it as a lack of spirituality on their part, when in fact it was more a result of poor communication.

Bible Study leader is one of the most misunderstood role in ministry–potential leaders often hear this as showing up a...

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Personal Development that’s provided by your ministry or organization offers the least resistance but often short circuits what’s actually needed to become more effective as a ministry leader.

a simple chart:

On the Y-axis is developmental experiences, which I define as experiences that increase both your skill and capacity in some leadership related area–giving speeches to large groups of people, working through conflict with someone, training another person are a few examples.

On the X-axis is developmental information, which over time when applied correctly and appropriately will increase skill and capacity–seminary classes and informational seminars are two examples.

Although I value developmental experiences more than information I do not think experiences are better than information. I do believe many ministry leaders miss out on the fruit of intentionally facilitating developmental experiences to enhance their effectiveness. It seems often that these leaders expect the fruit of developmental exper...

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How do you know when someone is ready to be apart of the change you seek to make?

I’ve been around my kids a lot more in the last two months and the one word that comes to mind when I watch them is TOLERANCE–there is a clear point when they either receive too much (TV, Music) or too little stimulation (alone time) and instantly behave in a manner to change their situation.

A great question to ask as you think about leading change around you is: Who can tolerate the changes I’m trusting God to make?

A helpful way to understand tolerance is the combination of knowledge and experiences.

Here’s my quick and dirty tolerance chart:

Point A describes the “Brute Beast” that has experiences that have prepared him/her for being apart of change, but not a lot of skill to execute that change well.

Point B describes the “Philosopher” who because of a vast amount of experiences can intellectually grasp where you need to go, but lacks the character and internal fortitude to lead with you.

Point C describes the “Change A...

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“Braddock changed when the world started to change”

The way the townspeople spoke about the past deeply struck me. I’ve heard those same sentiments in the church and in Campus Crusade–a desire for the good ole days, and a resistance toward newness or renewal.

I’m excited about the young entrepreneurs I see in the church and in Campus Crusade, eager to renovate and transform people and systems. I’m afraid of getting left behind not to be the tool for school Christian but because there are so many opportunities to lead redemptive change. Social media has provided an unprecedented set of tools for getting it done than now–we can get help from people across the street, state, and globe.

I’m committed to leading change. You?

Thanks to Chris Brogan for drawing attention to a significant effort.

Can’t see the video? Click here to watch it.

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