The statistics vary- some painting a picture of the church disappearing in the next generation, and others showing increasing numbers of conversions. But most church leaders would agree that their churches are not as effective as they could be in helping their communities and congregations experience spiritual transformation.
Only God can change a human heart but there are things that leaders can do in their church culture, in their strategies, and in their own lives that can improve effectiveness in transformation.
As Bishop TD Jakes said at the Summit, ‘I need a me.’ It’s not uncommon for Church leaders to unintentionally neglect the health of their own souls in their attempts to care for the souls of others -- but a leader's own soul health has a significant impact on the spiritual transformation of those they lead.
What happened the past days has us thinking. Lots. What if there was a new expression of the WCA’s commitment to inspire, challenge, and equip church leaders year-round? What if you took your Summit learning deeper and spent time building into your own soul?
As Bishop TD Jakes said at the Summit, ‘I need a me.’ It’s not uncommon for Church leaders to unintentionally neglect the health of their own souls in their attempts to care for the souls of others -- but a leader's own soul health has a significant impact on the spiritual transformation of those they lead.
What happened the past days has us thinking. Lots. What if there was a new expression of the WCA’s commitment to inspire, challenge, and equip church leaders year-round? What if you took your Summit learning deeper and spent time building into your own soul?
Two beta e-learning courses (A Leader’s Soul and Leading for Transformation) are already being planned for this fall but will only be offered to a limited number of participants. Interested? (These self-paced multi-media courses involve online videos, audio clips, discussion forums, live webcasts, assignments, and downloads.)
Even if it’s not an 8-week course, what are the things that you’re doing to ensure you don’t loose your leadership momentum from the Summit? How are you taking time to care for your soul and digest what you heard?
By: Mindy Caliguire (@MindyCaliguire)
Transformation Ministry Team, WCA
Even if it’s not an 8-week course, what are the things that you’re doing to ensure you don’t loose your leadership momentum from the Summit? How are you taking time to care for your soul and digest what you heard?
By: Mindy Caliguire (@MindyCaliguire)
Transformation Ministry Team, WCA
This is a very important point for leaders, and is the at the heart of matter: leadership skills are catalyzed through a parallel process in spiritual formation. As for me, I follow my rule for life - a process that begins the minute I open my eyes in morning, and takes through a series of spiritual exercises until I retire for the night. It's not some kind of rigid thing - it's for soul sanity in the midst of a world of rogue waves. Love to chat more about it! Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteI love how you've said that... Soul Sanity in the midst of a world of rogue waves! Thanks for your comment--We'd love to keep in touch with you as it unfolds.
ReplyDeletePeace,
Mindy
Mindy,
ReplyDeleteA very good post. You are so right regarding the critical importance of spiritual leaders tending their own souls. I have found that my own transformation is the greatest investment that I can make in our congregation. (It is very difficult if not impossible to lead a church beyond one's own spiritual transformation.) For me this means that I have to attentive to my habits--time for prayer, journaling, reading books that feed my soul, etc.
(Was glad to see some soul feeding resources on the Summit resource list this year.)
Hey Jim, Thanks for your comment! I love hearing your passion around this topic and the strength of your statement, "my own transformation is the greatest investment that I can make in our congregation." So true.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing what that looks like in your own life these days.
If you or anyone in your network would be interested in these new e-learning courses on this topic, please let us know. We are still in Beta mode, but are so excited to expand our ability to serve leaders in this vitally important area.
Peace,
Mindy
great post, mindy. given that my job title at the church is graphic design and communications, it's too easy to begin thinking that maintaining my creativity is the most important thing i can do. the reality is that when i am closely connected to my Creator, only then am i most creative and can best do what i've been called to. along with the usuals, Bible reading, journaling, i am most recently trying to incorporate praying the daily office into my life, using Phyllis Tickle's book 'The Divine Hours'. i cannot say that i'm fully there yet, but i'm working on it...
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing this resource mindy. i look forward to learning more about the e-courses! my soul tending includes relationships, practices and rhythms in a rule of life and yet i really identified with td jakes about needing a me, someone who is willing to go "soul spelunking" with me (i love that image and phrase from your resources on spiritual friendships!). and while i have a spiritual director (i am walking through the ignatian spiritual exercises this year) and a few sacred friendships, i think the missing piece for me is a ministry peer or mentor (my friendships don't quite understand the depth of some ministry and leadership challenges and celebrations). and so i am also interested in learning how these e-courses might help make some more meaningful connections or provide some focused content for conversation with friends.
ReplyDeleteHi Mindy, It is great to hear that you are developing some materials to help support leadership growth. Please note that I am not a pastor but I am a church member, teach Sunday school, a husband and a father, a business owner as well as an employee in a leadership role. I have several thoughts / comments.
ReplyDeleteMy wife always reminds me to remember what they say on an airplane flight, “Put your oxygen mask on first before helping others around you!” We cannot help others if we are passed out but I seem to attend to others first. The challenge is that you must develop yourself while attending to others. I find this to be harder than it sounds.
Jim refers to what John Maxwell calls the “Law of the Lid.” You cannot develop people beyond your own capabilities. I believe this is especially true concerning spiritual transformation and making disciples. While there are some great resources on these topics they are not second nature to most of us and can be difficult to put into practice.
My final comment and observation is that there are a lot of great resources and tools available but it is the personal accountability and support that is often lacking. I own several diet books, have a wellness coach through my employer, have access to healthy food, and even a membership to the YMCA but I remain overweight. It is not a knowledge or desire issue, it is an accountability and priority issue.
I think the e-learning would be great but partner it with discussion / accountability groups that form relationships were people can kick around ideas and discuss the hard topics with people that are not directly involved with the situation and can safely ask the question, “How are you doing with or at…..?”
SEems like we could have a great book of just these posts~! Thanks, everyone for your comments. I hope we'll catch you online with the coucrses... and for CoreValues10, I want to reassure you that the courses are ideal for these kinds of interactions! Not the same as a conversation at Starbucks, for sure, but still the accountability and safety can be developed within the course. You're right... that's the most powerful element.
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone!
Peace,
mindy
I can identify with TD Jakes comment, "I need a me." I take better care of others soul nourishment than I do my own. Big mistake. When I'm taking the load of the ministry on my back and not sharing the joys/burdens with my teammates, I am robbing them of their own spiritual awakenings. In essence, I become God.
ReplyDeleteAs God leads me into this new era I am reminded to be attentive to His leading, not my yearning. For if I go off His path, well, it's not good.
I am eager to learn. It is a good time in my life when I can take in and apply all He has in store for me. One lesson at a time.