Leadership Relevance

The discussion of relevance is like looking at a piece of classic artwork. It's so subjective. There is much that is subjective, but ultimately everyone knows what's working and what isn't.

We try to package relevance and that never works. For example, I wear jeans and un-tuck my shirt. But trust me, that does not make me relevant. (My 16 year old granddaughter reminds me of that fact on a consistent basis.) You can't buy an iPhone and become a relevant leader.

Relevance is not a product. It's not about production. It's not about a certain way to design your Sunday morning service. If you start using a table for your notes instead of a podium while you teach, you are not instantly relevant. I know Billy Crystal said "Its better to look good (marvelous) than to feel good," (Saturday Night Live, Circa 1985). But remember Crystal is a comedian. Yeah, he's funny, that's his job. Some leaders would rather look good that to be good. And that's not funny.

Relevance isn't about program or systems. I stopped calling first time guests not because "no one does that anymore" but because of the size and scope of the church. We stopped because of new ways to contact people online that are more effective with people who are drawn to a large church. In smaller church environments, calling first time guests can be highly relevant. In the case of program and systems, quality is relevant. Doing what you do extremely well at the right time with the right people is relevant.

Irrelevant leadership means what you do doesn't matter. Irrelevance is when you work hard and just spin your wheels. Nothing changes. That's irrelevant. Church leader, please get this, if you are leading people to Jesus and their lives are being changed, you are relevant!

At its core relevance is about connection. There are some things that help you connect and therefore increase your relevance as a leader. There is so much that could be said here, but let me just get things started. You can increase the list of ideas on your own.

Embrace Technology

My mom died at age 86. That was in 2007. While going through some of my files recently, I found a note she has sent me before she died asking if she bought a computer, would I come by and teach her how to use it. When she first sharted her ministry in the 1940's, all she needed was a car, a guitar, and a Thompson Chain-Reference Bible. But somehow, even in her final years, she knew that to make a difference she had to become computer literate. It's not about the computer however, its what you do with it.

It's not about the iPhone. It's what you do with it. Leonard Sweet would say I'm an immigrant when it comes to technology. My kids are natives. I've learned how to use the tools, it's a way of life for my kids. You don't need an iPhone to Twitter. As an immigrant, I didn't jump on Twitter immediately, but when I saw how it helps me connect, I was in. (Follow me on Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DGBrock). I had to experience it to understand it. My grandkids were impressed. Although my daughter says, "Dad, you have to quit stalking me on Twitter!" Now that's funny, I don't care who you are!

Jump on Facebook and Twitter because it helps you connect with people. It helps you communicate. It helps you stay in touch. And you can do so at the speed of light with huge numbers of people. That's relevant.

Listen to Young Leaders

If you are a twenty-something, this goes for you too. You need to listen to your friends and peers.

I lead a small Bible-study group near my home. This is a sharp group of young people. We were there a few weeks ago, huddled in their living room after eating egg salad and tuna fish salad sandwiches. I taught on the topic of Spiritual Gifts at their request. We had a great time. All that was wonderful, but the highlight of my evening was talking and mostly listening before we started. Listening, learning. Getting and staying connected. That is relevant.

I recently wrote about listening to young leaders, especially those on your staff. Just because they are young doesn't make them relevant. In fact, young leaders can be very irrelevant. But young people are the closest natural link to relevance because they are the closest connection to the future. That is relevant.

Be Really Good at What You Do

I'm often asked if church choirs are relevant. Choir or no choir is not the issue. Whether or not the choir is good or bad is the issue. If the choir is bad, its irrelevant! It's irrelevant because it doesn't matter. It doesn't accomplish anything. No one's life is different. In fact, a bad choir can be worse than irrelevant, it can kill a worship service. If people cringe in your worship experience, praying for a power failure so the microphones quit working, that's irrelevant. On the other hand, I listen to hot choirs that truly inspire people and lives are transformed. People connect with that. That is relevant.

You can't do everything, so do what you do really well. Less is more. It's better to extend your global mission efforts to one country and make a difference than fifteen countries and barely make a dent. That's relevant. It's better to lead a children's ministry that the kids love and can't wait to be there than to have cool videos and have the kids be bored. Cool videos may be part of genuine connection and relevance for you, the point I'm making is that relevance isn't in the video, it is doing what you do well so that you connect.

Figure Out Who You Really Are

It's important for you personally, and for your church corporately to be self-aware, but let's just talk about you. Know yourself. Be yourself. Get comfortable with that. When people sense a genuine spirit about you they can connect with you. That is relevant. You may not be the best leader, but if people like you that's a start. Not everyone will like you, but people will like you best when you are yourself.

I'm not suggesting that you don't have to grow, change and improve. We all do. I'm suggesting that it's very difficult to grow, change and improve if you have not given yourself permission to be you. You only have so much energy. Don't burn it all up trying to please everyone and replicate "stuff" you think is relevant.

I'm not suggesting that everything you currently do is relevant. I am saying that one of the first key steps is to get freed-up so you don't lose sleep worrying about what people think. Just be yourself and do your best. If you do the things that matter, and people's lives are changed by the power of Jesus Christ in your ministry, you are relevant.

[Based on an article by Dan Reiland]

Today's Humor

Today's Quote

“There are many circumstances in life that hold no choices for us, but one of the choices we can make is to be personally accountable. We can take responsibility for our own actions. We accept responsibility for our own lifetime learning program, and we choose not to deprive others of a level of accountability that for most of us is natural.” -- Max DePree from Leadership Is An Art

Youth Ministry

I humbly encourage you as an influential leader to consider this three-step approach to youth ministry:

• Pray with youth
• Get out of God's way
• Support His call on their life

Today's Quote

"I want to encourage other people, that when you're faced with an issue ... don't ever compromise. Your goal should be to please God, not please man." — Miss California USA Carrie Prejean

Free NT in PDF

On August 11, 2009, Thomas Nelson will release a new product especially designed for our customer. Developed by a trusted team of Bible scholars The Expanded Bible New Testament gives the reader help to reach their goal of hearing God’s message to them directly from the Scriptures.

For your free copy of the NT Expanded Bible in PDF, click on the link above.

For more information, CLICK HERE.

Church Security

Safety and security at churches and other houses of worship has become an increasingly important issue in recent years. There have been a number of examples of church security incidents and shootings in the last year that underscore the importance of security while at a house of worship.

"Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought withhis own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be onyour guard!" (Acts 20:28-31)

No White House Observance for National Day of Prayer

There was no White House observance for the National Day of Prayer this year, breaking tradition with many past years.

"We are disappointed in the lack of participation by the Obama administration," said Shirley Dobson, chairman of the NDP Task Force. "At this time in our country's history, we would hope our president would recognize more fully the importance of prayer."

The White House did eventually release a generic proclamation late in the day Thursday recognizing the National Day of Prayer.

[www.CitizenLink.com]

Christian Exercise DVD

Get into Worship Therapy by incorporating your Spirit, Soul, and Body as you listen to uplifting worship music and get your body into shape. Buy the entire DVD. It includes warm-up, cool down, leg and stomach work, weights, and special exercise for sciatica issues. All ages, males and females. This is what you have been waiting for. Take care of your devotion, workout and renew your mind with the assistance of a professional trainer and many other porfessionals.

[Worship Therapy Workout Warmup with Dr. Janis Smith]

Pastor Brian Sutton Responds to Church Loss

Why People Leave the Church

(Click on image to enlarge it.)

Pat Robertson to Retire as Regent University President

Charismatic televangelist Pat Robertson plans to retire as president of the university he founded, according to an announcement Tuesday.

Robertson informed Regent University’s Board of Trustees that he plans to retire effective July 1, 2010, but that he will continue to serve as the university’s chancellor and member of the board.

"Serving as Regent University's president has been an honor and a joy," said Robertson, who also had a hand in the founding of several other organizations , including the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), and the Christian Coalition.

"The accomplishments of our faculty, staff, students and alumni are truly remarkable and I am so delighted by the achievements of our rapidly growing school,” he added. “As chancellor and a trustee, I will now focus on helping guide the university toward the next level of strategic growth and the implementation of our master plan."

Robertson’s announcement comes as more leaders from his generation are stepping down or stepping aside and making room for the next generation to step in and step up.

In February, conservative evangelical leader James Dobson resigned as chairman of Focus on the Family, and just this month, the historic megachurch of the late D. James Kennedy installed the Rev. Tullian Tchividjian as its second minister in five decades.

Robertson, furthermore, had already announced in 2007 that he was passing on his duties as chief executive officer of the Christian Broadcasting Network to his son, Gordon.

"It was important to pass down the line especially to somebody a little bit more adept at figuring out the new technologies coming at such a bewildering speed to all of us," Robertson had said. According to the announcement Tuesday, Regent’s Board of Trustees has appointed a search committee that will name a new president, who is expected to join the university no later than fall 2010.

Amid the search, Robertson will oversee a new campus master plan that he developed for Regent, with specific attention to the continued growth of the university's undergraduate and graduate online and on-campus programs, and the university's overall global impact.

"Our mission remains steadfast: to train Christian leaders who serve with excellence in every area of their lives. I have seen that excellence firsthand and I know that we have only just begun to see the fruits of our labor," he said.

Robertson founded Regent in 1978 and became its sixth president in 2000. In 2008, the Chronicle of Higher Education's survey of Great Colleges to Work For ranked Regent among the top five small colleges to work for in several categories.

[By Aaron J. Leichman - Christian Post Reporter]

Today's Quote

“When you create something great you will create conflict.” – G Kawasaki

Church of God of Prophecy

As some of you have figured out by now, I serve on the Church of God of Prophecy Corporate Board of Directors (Administrative Committee). As a pastor consultant, I attempt to represent pastors. I am always open to input from pastors everywhere.

Some of the business conducted is confidential out of necessity. But, for some time now we have been discussing the launch of a web page at http://www.cogop.org/ to announce news and actions of the Board. I have been waiting for the launch of that page to talk about the business being conducted, but I do feel at liberty to share the following information which is already public knowledge.

1. White Wing Christian Bookstore. Not long ago, the decision was made to revert the bookstore to the business model of a regular Christian Bookstore instead of a "Resource" Center. This has been a good move and sales continue to increase, and there is rarely a time you can go into the bookstore without seeing shoppers there. A part of this increase has been caused by the closing of a competitor in Cleveland, but as the White Wing Christian Bookstore continues to evolve, we anticipate a future of "the customer comes first" attitude by the staff.

2. The Leadership Development Institute was a great success, with people from all over the United States and many of the nations of the world in attendance. Although Tennessee had the largest registered attendance, I am certain we can have a better representation for future events like this one.

3. International Assembly Committees have been in town (Finance and Stewardship, Bible Doctrine and Polity Committee, Administrative Committee) for meetings, as have the General Presbyters from around the world.

4. Work is still underway on our project at Fields of the Wood to upgrade the pavilion, and we are anticipating completion/and a dedication service of the newly upgraded site, and will invite all of you to join us for a dedication of the pavilion.

5. The new fiscal year is just around the corner (June 1, 2009) and everyone is looking forward to anticipated projections as our church continues to grow, now at over 1.4 million members.

Finally, I want to remind you that you are a part of something much greater than the local area where you serve. You are a part of a great team of ministers and laity dedicated to prayer, leadership development and the harvest, and I am humbled to be a part of such a great leadership team! God bless you!

[Some verbage by Bishop E.C. McKinley]

Historical Society Meeting Upcoming

The 8th Annual Meeting of the Historical Society of Church of God Movements is scheduled for 9:30 AM Thursday, May 28, 2009. It will be held at the Lupton Library on the campus of The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in Chattanooga, Tennessee. We hope you will be able to join us.

Membership is open.

This year's theme focuses on a discussion of serpent handling in the southern Appalachia region, and Dr. Ralph Hood from UTC will be our guest speaker. Dr. Hood has co-authored a book on the subject with Dr. Paul Williamson.

Current officers are:
Adrian Varlack Sr., President
Dr. Jerald Daffe, First Vice President
Dr. Louis F. Morgan, Second Vice President
Marie Spurling Crook, Executive Secretary and Treasurer

For more information: lmorgan@leeuniversity.edu