Reflections on Leadership and Followership

The first words Jesus’ disciples heard?

“Follow me.” (Mt 9:9)

The first words Jesus spoke to Peter?

“Follow me.” (Mt 4:19)

The last words Jesus spoke to Peter?

“Follow me.” (Jn 21:22)[i]

Leonard Sweet’s new book, I am a Follower, is a provocative and challenging expose of the leadership culture that has changed the heading of the church in the later part of the 20^th century and now in the 21^st century. Sweet calls this:

“…the great tragedy of the church in the last fifty years: We have changed Paul’s words, “Follow me as I follow Christ,” to “Follow me as I lead for Christ.” Over and over we hear, “What the church needs is more and better leaders,” or “Training leaders is job one.”

Really?

Jesus said, “Go and make disciples.” We stopped and built worship warehouses.

Jesus said, “Follow me.” We heard, “Be a leader.”

Paul said, “Do the work of an evangelist.” We’ve done the work of a marketer (pp. 20-21).

I wish I could be a fly on the wall of your mind right now! I wish I could get a glimpse of what you are thinking. Perhaps you are like me and thinking to yourself, “Duh! We know this.” Indeed we know this but there is a huge chasm that separates knowing from believing and believing from doing. Christian leaders have grown up hearing the message that Christian leadership is different from worldly leadership. We know that we must be willing to be last in order to be first and that we serve in order to lead. But do we believe it? Sweet would argue that our behavior belies our beliefs. We may say yes we believe that we must be last and that we must serve but when push comes to shove what do we read or where do we turn in order to improve our churches? Can we be honest enough to admit that the first place we turn is to books on leadership? Sweet says, “Somewhere back in the past half century, we diagnosed the church’s problem as a crisis in leading, not a crisis of following. It’s as if we read Bonhoeffer’s Cost of Discipleship and decided we’d rather talk about something else entirely” (p. 21).

I urge you to consider how the big the chasm is between what you know and what you believe about leadership and followership. I was sitting in a class a few weeks ago and we were exploring websites of various churches. I was surfing the website of a large Kentucky church (no, not Southeast Christian) and was taken aback by the title of the guy who does the preaching. His title on the staff webpage was “lead follower.” Why? Initially I thought how cool. Here is a guy that gets it. He understands that his role is follower. Before reading Sweet’s book I had started thinking about leadership and followership. I was encouraged. But that was before I was challenged by Sweet’s analysis of the crisis facing the church. I am thinking (but can’t be sure) that Sweet would see a disconnection in the title Lead Follower. I think that he would prefer the term he uses in the book, first follower.

I want to encourage you to read this book. I have to admit that I have only completed the first 57 pages. I was not very far into the book before I saw the chasm between what I know and what I believe and what I do. I am a student of leadership, I am trying to build a leadership institute to help others explore how to be better leaders, I will shortly complete by Doctor of Ministry Degree in Leadership and I am doing all this while knowing that Christians are supposed to be Christ followers. When I have finished the book I will share if I am able to span the chasm that Sweet has exposed in me. But, I need to be honest; I don’t want to do this alone. I want you to explore what you know, what you believe, and what you do in regard to leadership and followership. How?

· Start by exploring which seems most important to you, being known as a follower or as a leader?

o Ask yourself why one seems more important?

o Do your reasons sound authentic to you?

o What does the evidence of your life show? When you scan the books on your shelf, your Kindle, or iPad which topic is better represented; leadership or discipleship?

· Next, wrestle with this from page 14 of Sweet’s book: why must we insist it be called leadership anyway? Can we not be satisfied with the portion the Lord gives us? Is it not enough to be followers of Christ?

· Finally, dialogue with me. Please share your thoughts and reactions to the book. When we have to wrestle with new paradigms it is easier when people do it together. Come dance with me (if you want an insight into what I mean that follow this link and then come and dance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW8amMCVAJQ).

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[i] Leonard Sweet. I am a follower. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2012) p. 19

How to Create a Smart Board on a Budget

Leaders must be flexible to be successful. That we have known for a long ti

me. Being a flexible leader also means being a problem solver and overcoming small budgets and other obstacles to ministry. Our guest blogger Jeremiah Monts is such a leader. He faced a vexing problem that many churches face. Schools are introducing new learning technologies that churches can’t keep up with due to limited budgets. One of the new learning technologies is called smart boards. Smart boards are interactive learning devices that serve multiple functions simultaneously such as projection screens and a multi-touch interactive white board. I can speak from experience that using this new learning technology captures attention and involves learners in active ways rather than passively watching a PowerPoint and making occasional comments.

Jeremiah works as the youth and children’s minister in a small southern Illinois church that operates on a tight budget. He wanted to provide a way of reaching his teens that was lost cost but was capable of gaining their attention and keeping it. He shares below how he created his own interactive whiteboard and how you can as well. Read on and see how easy it may be to become a technology do it yourselfer.

Jeremiah is willing to help you through any of the steps described below. You can contact him at rjmonts@gmail.com. Enjoy. If you try it out let Jeremiah or I know about your experience. Now…

Here’s Jeremiah

Hello, my name is Jeremiah Monts, I am a youth and Children’s minister in Southern Illinois and one of the aspects of ministry I enjoy most might surprise you. I enjoy the lack of resources that accompanies ministry. I am often energized by ‘MacGyvering’ together solutions. It is the thrill of the hunt, the joy of creating, and the payoff of persevering through a do-it-yourself (DIY) project that gets me ready to face the challenges of ministry. It was the lack of a whiteboard in our high school Sunday school classroom that led me down the path of creating a DIY interactive whiteboard.

Here’s what you’ll need:

· Pentabulous (free)

· Classroom Presenter (free) OR

· ActivInspire (free personal version w/registration)

· Video Projector

· Computer

· Wii Remote Control (must be Nintendo brand)

· Bluetooth adapter ($5-$20 online)

· IR Pen (Instructions to build your own or $10 - $25 online)

Optional parts:

· White Peva Shower Curtain Liner

· PVC pipe (I used 8 three foot sections, 2 six inch, and 4 one foot sections. I also used 4 couples, two L joints, and 4 T joints.)

· Tabletop microphone stand

Here’s what to do:

1. Install your Bluetooth adapter

a. Just plug the adapter into an open USB port, Windows (XP/Vista/7) will automatically install the needed drivers.

2. Install Pentabulous

3. Change your monitor settings so that your displays are mirrored, or your only output is to the video projector.

a. If you don’t remember to do this your screen will not be calibrated correctly and your IR pen will not be accurate.

4. Run Pentabulous

5. A dialog box will appear and ask if the wiimote is already connected or if you want to connect wiimote. Choose connect wiimote.

a. Press the 1 and 2 buttons on the wiimote simultaneously; the indicator lights on the wiimote should begin blinking.

6. If the connection times out, move the wiimote closer to the Bluetooth adapter and repeat steps 4 through 6.

a. Sometimes the wiimote connects and Pentabulous crashes. If this happens, run Pentabulous again, but choose the wiimote already connected option in step 2. If Pentabulous crashes it will not disconnect the wiimote.

7. Position the wiimote so that the front of the wiimote is pointed at the surface or screen you will be projecting onto.

8. Press the A button on the wiimote, this will begin the calibration process.

a. If the screen does not read the pen, you will need to adjust the position of the wiimote. You will have to recalibrate the screen if you move the wiimote.

9. Open your preferred interactive whiteboard software.

Now what?

If you have the space available, then you can further improve your whiteboard by using a rear projection set up. A shower curtain liner is a cheap rear projection screen material, and a wooden or PVC frame is relatively easy to build and is also economical. This will improve your experience, because you will not need to hold your IR pen at an angle and you will not have to worry about blocking the screen. If you don’t have the space for a set up like this, then you can project your video against a standard screen or a wall but you will need to make sure that the tip of IR pen is in view of the wiimote camera.

Now you are only limited by the interactive whiteboard software that you use. Here are some ideas that I have done with both the classroom presenter software and the activinspire software.

· Students having problems remembering a key vocabulary word, like covenant? Add a new screen and play a quick game of hangman.

· Have a series of questions on the screen about a passage that you are reading. Tell students as they discover an answer in the text to go up and write the answer.

· Matching games! Match pictures to text, scriptures to scriptures, pictures to pictures, events on a timeline, etc.,

· All answers/questions/text can be edited on the fly, unlike PowerPoint, and can be corrected as necessary.

· Display a passage and teach basic Bible study skills, like identifying repetition of words, contrasts, comparisons, lists, cause and effect, etc.,

· Demonstrate how to use free online study tools (if you have internet access) like NET Bible or BibleWebApp.

The more you use an interactive whiteboard, the more comfortable you will become with the possibilities.

WINDOWS 7 USERS

When running pentabulous on a Windows 7 computer I encountered a simple to solve, but hard to understand problem. If you receive an error that says, no wiimote found in list, that does not mean that the wiimote is installed incorrectly. When pentabulous installs the wiimote, Windows 7 tries to go to the internet to find the appropriate drivers. This takes time which creates a timeout error code in pentabulous. There are two ways to solve this problem.

1. A dialogue box will appear in the lower right hand corner of the screen when connecting the wiimote. The dialog box will say that it is installing a new piece of hardware. Click the dialogue box. Once open find the link that says, skip obtaining drivers from windows online and click the link. The hardware should then install before the timeout error occurs. If the timeout does occur, wait for the dialogue box that says the hardware has been installed and then close the error message.

Allow the error message to stay open while Windows locates drivers from the internet. You may have to push the 1 and 2 buttons on the wiimote if the lights quit blinking, but eventually the driver will install and you can close the error message.

The Value of Social Media

Guest Blogger

Our guest blogger today is Rick Champ. Rick is the Director of Partnership Development for Illini Christian Ministries. Many of our readers are familiar with Rick’s many Facebook posts of pictures from the road and his tweets from the road. Rick is a natural networker and so I am not surprised at all that he is advocate of social media. Below Rick is going to share what he has learned along the way. Rick has left contact information at the end of the blog so that you can contact him directly with questions or comments.

Next month we will have another guest blogger talking about how he created a smart board (interactive teaching device) with an old video projector, a laptop, and Wii Remote. We will have that posted on Oct 1. If you have ideas for future blog topics email me at bmonts@lincolnchristian.edu and we will get right on it. The Hargrove Leadership Institute sight wants to a resource that you will want to utilize; so input is needed.

Now here is Rick…

A Few Lessons Learned Along The Way…

Let me begin with a confession (always good to start with a confession, right?). I am not an early adopter of technology. Last century I was among the last of my friends to start using email regularly. I was also among one of the last of my friends to start using a cell phone, and I was late upgrading to a smart phone. So it may not surprise you when I say I was a late adopter of any social media—Facebook, Twitter, et al. Though I’m a bona fide late adopter, I have come to fully embrace the potential of social media for helping leaders connect, communicate, and form collaborations. Here are a few lessons that I have learned (and still learning) along the way as I explore the use social media to strengthen connections and relationships.

is another way of doing what we have always done—Let’s clear up one thing right off. Social networking existed long before anyone dreamed up the first platform for what became social media. Social networking is what we do, what people have always done, every day as we interact with each other, build relationships, and share life. It began the moment God said, “Let us make human beings in our image.” (Gensis 1:26). God is a relational being (think Trinity) and part of the imago dei in us is being relational beings. So you have always been social networking. All leadership, and all ministry, requires networking. So when you think about using social media, think of it as another way of doing what you have always done—getting to know people, sharing ideas, finding common interests, learning from each other. So the question is how will we use social media to continue doing what we have always done, just a little differently?

It’s not all about me…it’s about we—Wasn’t sure if I needed to say this, but thought I better state the obvious. I mean, it is called social media, right? But just as some people only talk about themselves, their ideas, what they are doing, the same happens in the realm. Do share what is going on in your life. It is a great way for people to get a glimpse into your life and know you better, to discover what you care about and what is important to you. But also take time to learn about others and what is going on in their lives. Be sure and comment and respond to what others are posting. This give and take is how relationships are built and a great way of giving encouragement.

Another thing I like about social media is how it is also a great way to share ideas, resources, and connections. I have discovered some great authors and artists and interesting leaders by reading articles and listening to music that my friends have shared. I may never have discovered them on my own. This is why I post/tweet as many links as I do. If I find it interesting, I hope that some of my friends will, as well. It also gives me the opportunity to highlight what other leaders are doing in their life and community. This allows friends in my network to discover a new idea, or a new resource, or a new contact to learn from and connect with. Likewise, I am now friends with people because another friend connected us via social media. That’s why I also look for ways to connect my friends together from different parts of my life. I look for those who have a common interest or who I think will benefit from knowing each other, and I connect them. What are you sharing with those in your network? Who are you connecting?

It takes time, but you have the time (if you want)—Anyone reading this is already busy. So I get to the point—to use social media to strengthen connections and build relationships takes time. But probably not as much time as you think. And, quite honestly, you have the time if you choose to have the time. Leaders choose everyday where to give their time. If social media is an effective tool for connecting, and more and more people are using it, I think you will find time to engage it at some level. Would a leader say, “I just don’t have time to use the telephone.” Or, “I just don’t have time to use email.” Social media is another form of communication, and one that allows you to connect with more people in less time. Just as the telephone, and email, altered the method of how we communicate, social media is altering it once again. Be intentional about finding time, and you will find the time.

It is a tool, an effective tool, for social networking but just a tool—Social media is a great tool for getting to know people, sharing ideas, connecting people together. But it is just a tool. Think of how it was used so dramatically during the recent Arab Spring to organize and share ideas. But without the ideas to share, without the common cause to rally around, without the relational network to build, what difference would it have made? As leader you have a ideas, you are a part of a cause, you are a part of a network of people and groups that need to be connected and organized. Social media is a great tool for this. But don’t confuse the tool and your use of it for what is most important.

One final lesson—This will be short. Always let it bring you together face-to-face. For those I first meet on Twitter or Facebook, I usually joke that it is always good to finally meet in 3-D. Whether the meeting is between you and another person, or a meet-up with a group, social media is best when we allow it to be a tool that brings us together in person. As powerful as online communication and connection can be, it will never replace the face-to-face encounter.

These are just a few lessons I’m learning. What lessons are you learning as you embrace and engage social media where you lead? I would be interested in hearing about them. Look forward to connecting with you, whether online or in person.

partner@icmfamily.org ~ Twitter: @rjchamp ~ Facebook: rickchamp

The Hargrove Leadership Blog is Back

The Hargrove Leadership Blog is Back

That is right, my sabbatical is over and the Hargrove Leadership Institute website will be active with new blogs, podcasts, discussion, and book reviews, as well as much more. Where in the world has Bob gone? I spent January through July reading, going to classes, and driving around the state of Illinois with my friend Rick Champ on what I called the 2011 Listening Tour. Part of what I wanted to accomplish on the sabbatical was a better understanding on Hargrove Leadership Institute might respond to the continuing education and professional development needs of those in church-based ministry and those serving in nonprofit para-church ministries. I got an earful to say the least. I truly enjoyed the tour and reconnecting with dozens and dozens of ministry partners. Perhaps one of my favorite trips was to Moonshine, IL (pictured) where several preaching ministers, a youth minister, a business consultant, a youth counselor, and others had a discussion on leadership issues. It was a great discussion and the Moonshine cheeseburgers lived up to their hype.

What did we discover on the listening tour?

The one topic on which there was the most agreement was help with church leadership development. Hargrove Leadership Institute (HLI) is taking this as its number one priority in the coming year. I am gathering a group together to prepare various development strategies that you and your leadership can take advantage of. One strategy is regional or local leadership development seminars in which we will match you up with a resource leader who has experience in church leadership development. To take advantage of this opportunity requires just an email or phone call and we will get the ball rolling. You can email me at bmonts@lincolnchristian.edu or you can call me at 888-522-5228 and ask for HLI. We will work with you to provide a seminar that is best suited to your particular leadership needs. If you are leading a parachurch ministry and would like a seminar on developing and strengthening your board of directors we have several individuals that we can put you in touch with in order to schedule a seminar.

A second topic that came up was ministerial coaching. Executive coaching is a fast growing service in the business sector and several participants in our discussion indicated that they would benefit from a short-term coach to aid them during a particular task or season of difficulty. Based upon these discussions we will be working to establish a network of coaches that can be called upon to for mentoring, advise, a sympathetic ear, or other needs that you may have. The HLI goal is to facilitate possible relationships and provide a list of possible coaches that have expertise to help you with whatever issue you may be facing.

A third topic raised was the possibility of online self-paced mini courses that could be used for teacher training purposes and online self-paced courses on biblical topics taught by some of the best faculty of our colleges and universities. Work has begun on identifying topics to be covered, instructors, and the best way to deliver the material. Efforts will be made to created delivery methods that will be compatible on a variety of platforms. Technology is a wonderful thing and we want to be good stewards of the technology and develop courses that best serve the needs of churches and para-church organizations. You can get in on the ground floor by emailing or calling me about topics that you think might be helpful to you and your church or organization.

What is currently going on?

We continue to partner with our friends at Illini Christian Ministries to provide CEU training for licensed counselors. We are planning a CEU seminar in November on campus. An announcement about this coming up on Sept 15^th. We are also getting ready to offer a seminar in managing church conflict with a transformative mindset. Be on the lookout for information on this. Planning is well on the way for the 5^th annual Intentional Church conference held in Decatur. Mark your calendar for April 21. Bob Russell will be the keynote speaker. Final plans on the theme and breakout sessions are being finalized now. November 1^st we will be announcing on the HLI website the particulars of the 2012 conference. The Intentional Church conference focuses on providing encouragement and training for volunteers in each ministry area of a local church. The focus has been on helping churches identify ways that can be intentional in their programming and ministries to the church and community. The conference has grown every year and is an excellent opportunity for churches to provide low cost training for their volunteers.

What is coming to the blogosphere?

Each month on the 1^st and 15^th we will publish a new blog. Coming up is a blog by Rick Champ on the value of social media in ministry. Rick is Director of Partnership Development with Illini Christian Ministries. Rick is an extensive user and firm believer in social media. Rick is going to share lessons he has learned and how best to use social media to strengthen connections and relationships. This blog will be posted on September 15^th. Coming the first of October is a blog on how to create your own smart board using a video projector, a Wii remote, and less than $50 worth of supplies. Jeremiah Monts, children’s and youth minister at the Elkville Christian Church will share how he created his own interactive smart board using the supplies mentioned above. I use a smart board on campus and it is an expensive piece of equipment. Jeremiah has discovered and created the poor-man’s version and uses it each week with the youth at his church. Learn how you can create your own and all the possible uses it may have for you in teaching youth and adults.