Leading Evangelism 3 - Easy Evangelism!

This year has been a very positive one in the life of the Aspley Salvation Army and continues to be so. This week we had a strange occurrence when a young lad phone up asking if he could join the Salvation Army. Taken aback I composed my self and said we should meet, so he came the next day with his mum to meet with me and chat through what it meant to be in the Salvation Army. I encouraged him to come for a few weeks before we go through our membership classes to see if it is right for him and help him understand what it means to be a follower of Jesus and a soldier in the SA. On Sunday, he turned up along with his mum to join us in worship and said once again how he wanted to be a soldier.

A couple of things struck me about this strange incident. The first is this; in the church we concentrate a lot of effort and thought in to clever, well intentioned and often expensive evangelistic strategies that we forget about the miraculous ministry of God. Evangelism is a lot easier if we place of faith in God's power and plan for our church. It's not to say we sit back and wait for people to phone us (that clearly is not God's intention for his church) yet we must be cautious in forcing the issues with God. Patience and faith need to off set our action and commitment. If we are not careful we can be caught up in our own succussflness rather that the Holy Spirit's power and promting.

The second is linked: Why should I be surprised that people want to become part of the church? Why should I find it "strange" that people are drawn to God? How limiting has my attitude to leading my church in evangelism if I am surprised when people want to be a follower of Jesus. It has really challenged me to lead a church that see's people make faith commitments. This is not about making our church bigger but growning the kingdom and changing peoples lives in and around the place we worship, live and serve. If this young lad can decide to be a soldier why cant the other people I know well do the same.

Evangelsim is easy, when God is leading us.

Matt

Leading Evangelism 2 - Leading it

As I mentioned in my last blog, when leading others in evangelism it must be backed up by the leader personally engaging in it but not because it a part of the job or programme. Evangelism is a fundamental response to our calling by God as His disciples and we must not hide behind structures or institutions to protect us from talk about Jesus. I don't think the church will survive for very long if those leading others in evangelism don't put themselves in a place where they can do it.

There are many reasons why the leader (The Corps Officer in my denomination) should be exposed to sharing there faith with people who do not know Christ. Here are a few thoughts:

1 - Practice what you preach. I have always been an advocate of mission and evangelism and on the whole been a good exponent of it. Yet there is a danger that I could end up talking about the "church" rather than the deep issues of faith. If I challenge my church fellowship on a Sunday to share their faith I should be ready to do the same at the next opportunity.

2 - You discover the reality - There are many people that do not find talking about faith easy and can end up feeling disheartened and discouraged because they feel they are not good enough to be evangelists. If the leader also experiences this reality then it can be an encouragement to their congregation to keep going. I am regularly praying for 2 people to become Christians but as yet haven't. This is my reality that I share with others. I still keep praying and believing.

3 - What works - If you are leading evangelism and personally engaging with it you are more likely to discover what works and share that with others. For example, I attended an excellent day with Carl Beech regarding men's ministries. He was able to share his own experience of success and failure in reaching men for God. Because he had the "T-Shirt" he could speak honesty and helpfully to us beginners.

4 - It is what we do - As I mention in my introduction, talking about my faith is not what I get paid to do, its what I am called to do and so must fulfill that call. It is only through my own personal willingness to introduce others to a life of faith that I will know how to lead others to do the same.

If I truly love God, why would I keep that to myself regardless of my role, job or appointment.

Matt

Leaders and Managers

I heard that Roy Keane was being approached to manage the Qatar national team. Roy Keane's first management job was getting Sunderland up and doing well with them, then to Ipswich where things didn't go well and now a lowly nation team. He has not had the best reports for his man management skills and ruled by fear rather than respect. Yet there is no doubting his unrivaled leadership qualities displayed during his years at Forest and Utd. You would not only want to follow him out of the tunnel but feel confident he would lead by example on the field.

I begun to wonder if good leaders make good managers? Is there a difference between the two?

A friend of mine commented on this question on Facebook. He said; "To be a good manager you must lead by example so id say yes...thinking of becoming a manager then???" (Chris Smith). Yet, I wonder how many other great footballing leaders have made bad/not great managers. Shearer, Bruce, Ince and Souness to name a few? All great leaders but not great managers (in my opinion). So what is missing, what do they lack. Not leadership, passion or respect but the ability to manage people and expectations, whilst at the same time trying to lead by example. It is my observation that these people got so far on there past reputation as leaders but were not cut out to manage.

Here is how the Guardian commented on Keane and his hero, Clough.

Brian Clough has long been his (Roy Keane's) hero but he needs to remember his mentor could be warm and human as well as angry and authoritarian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/jan/07/roy-keane-irish-mourinho-ipswich-town


To be a great leader you need the mind of a manager, the heart of a leader and the ability to use them at the right time and in the right way. Easy!


Matt

Leading Evangelism 1 - why?

One of the biggest impacts the Arrow Leadership process has had on me is my attitude towards leading evangelism in the church I am appointed to currently (and beyond). I have often seen ministers who can clearly lead others in evangelism but then opt out of doing it themselves. I would like to think I have always been open and willing in leading by example but know I have not always been effective or intentional about this. I know that I have a strong missional heart and am willing to go into situations that require me to show faith without necessary having or seeking the opportunity to speak about my faith.

However, I do wonder if I don't say enough! Evangelism is more than deed, it is about what we share verbally with others. As this point I acknowledge that the language we use is part of the issues but Evangelism isn't mission just very closely related and complementary too. People have become scared of the "e" word but it is crucial to our mission and purpose as the voice of God in our world. Maybe many of the issues surrounding the suppression of Christianity stem from the churches silence rather than supposedly being gagged. Whatever the cause, we are fearful of speaking about Jesus to our world today for fear of ridicule, losing friends or being seen as weird.

What I have discovered recently is that when you mention Jesus, people are intriged, respectful and open to knowing more. So lets tell them!

Matt

If your happy and you know it.

One of Katherine's favourite songs for us to sing is "if your happy and you know it." She can only do the clap your hands bit as she hasn't worked out the bit about nodding your head or stamping your feet but loves the song. I came across this article on the BBC news page about an organisation that is dedicated in spreading happiness.

"The world's first membership organisation dedicated to spreading happiness is being officially launched. Action for Happiness, which claims to have 4,500 members in more than 60 countries, says it prioritises healthy relationships and meaningful activities as a means to happier living."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13046148

It got me thinking about the role of the church in the general well being and happiness of our society/local communities. I don't believe the churches main role/purpose is to make people happy(ier) yet it's ministry should make people feel better about life, themselves and God. Any organisation can do something just to help people but the churches mandate is deeper, it is to bring about salvation and freedom in peoples lives. This should naturally, if we do it correctly, impact the physical and emotional aspects of peoples lives but can't be what we simply measure our success and effectiveness on. Numbers attending and accessing our programme must never be the sole source of justification to running them.

As it states in the article, Action for happiness focuses on "healthy relationships and meaningful activities", which poses the question; If we are to be the church God craves, why isn't the church addressing these needs already? This is not about providing programme to fill the gaps or having programme for programmes sake but the very nature of the church expressing the relational heart of God. We need to ensure that our mission doesn't become a service we provide that makes us look good or make/keep people happy but as a way of exposing people to the fulfilling love of God.

If your happy and you know it clap your hands.

If your happy and you know God, reach out your hands.

Matt

Risk and Loss (3) Pain

I am an avid House (the Sky Drama rather than the type of music) fan. It is a great example of good and bad leadership. House is a egotistical but brilliant diagnostician who feeds off the plight of others. Cutty, his boss, is responsible for House (they were in a relationship as well) antics but recognises his brilliance. During a recent episode, Cutty got ill and House responded in his one inevitable way. During one scene came this quote: "Pain happens when you care!" Cutty (House S7 Ep 15).

One of the tensions in leadership is showing and sharing our pain (not just in leadership decisions but personal issues also). As previous discussed when we are prepared to risk something we may experience loss. With loss comes pain. It has been said that leaders in the church find it easier to make the hard decisions because it isn't there church and can move at any time. In the SA it can be easy to hide behind the fact that we are appointed to a place rather than choosing to be there. However, this is to the detriment of the church we are appointed to and to our own leadership development. I once had an officer mutter the words "don't take it personally" to me about a decisions that had been made effecting me.

Where ever I have been (which is limited to 2 communities) I have sought to embed my life in the community I serve. I really have cared about the people I have served along side and believe that it has to be personal to make my leadership effective and meaningful for me and the church I lead. Often, it is in the pain that leadership can be refined.

When Jesus came into our world, he demonstrate just how personnally God took the worlds plight. He became flesh, he became an equal and walked with us.

Matt

Loving my tradition.

Over the past year I have spent a lot of time with some great people from the Anglican Church (and a few other denominations) through my Arrow Leadership course and local ministers meetings. This has lead me to think more openly and clearly about the denomination I am part of. Things that I am still tying to get my head around about the SA include; Leadership, uniform, appointments, structure, mission, training, abstinence form alcohol, traditions, certain theological areas and what defines us as the SA. My main frustration is that the conversations regarding these areas usually, as a good friend said last week, happen around a coffee table and never get any further (whilst we were having coffee). I am inclined to agree. How do I work through these things if I feel I can't be honest that I may think differently to what has gone before. I don't have the answers or even think that I am right but would at least like to explore them in a productive way that will release me and ultimately enhance the wider SA. I guess I have a lot of questions and they don't seem to have anywhere to go. Yet, I am passionate about the Salvation Army's story from its early life in the East End of London to the way it responds to emergencies all around the world today. William Booth asked the right questions and responded with some innovative and exciting answers creating a culture of mission. We have a wonderful history that can serve to inform and energise our present. I have seen the SA at work in different countries and in different context, the diversity is beautiful. Embracing this is key to growth and developing our thinking around the issues mention. Many leaders form other denominations have such a high regard for the SA, I must not undermine that by simply moaning about the things I dislike or want to change. Churches are complex organisations but surely we need to find a way to embrace what has gone before without living there. All questions have answers. But we have to ask the questions to get the answers. Matt

Risk or Loss (2) How to make the tough calls.

In the last few days, I have been reflecting some more on the issue of taking risks and what it means as a leader. Whenever you are given that leaders position, you will inevitably upset someone or some people along the way. It is a normal state of being the one who has to make the tough calls. So how can you make those "calls" without harming yourself or the people you lead. I have learnt from my success's and failings in this area and want to share a few comments that may help you in making those "calls" in the future.

Is it personal?

When ever leading change you need to ask yourself is this change purely to suit me, make my life easier or is it for the long term gain of the organisation. This doesn't mean that you don't invest something of yourself in the change or that you take it personally but ultimately change can't be simple down to what the leader wants. In ever tough call you have to make, ask your self what will the effect be and who will it will effect and how. This may scare you but also help you in forward planning conversations, information and how you communicate. In a church setting a simple example of this is seen in the songs I choose may not always be the ones I like because I am not the only one singing them.

Does it really matter?

This may sound obvious but don't do it if it doesn't really matter! In some situations you may have bigger change on the horizon that will include the issue you are currently considering. Wait a while and do it all together. However if it needs to be done now then do it. The worst thing that you could do is leave it and the issue build up and then feel to big to change or address. Some things need to be challenged sooner rather than later.

Can you afford not too?

If you don't make the call, what will the impact be. Even if it doesn't work at least you can learn from it and make it better next time.

Matt

Risk or Loss

Tuesday afternoons are my designated “leadership time” when I spend the afternoon with some good coffee and find a place that isn’t the office or home to reflect on stuff that I am involved with currently. This week I got in to a brief conversation with a financial advisor regarding people’s perception of loss in the wake of the earth quake and Tsunami in Japan. He said this: “it is not the attitude of risk but the attitude of loss that people can’t get their heads around.”

Losing something is a painful experience and one that can take a great amount of time and effort to work through. It also means that we things/we will never be the same as a result; life will be different forever. It’s no wonder we don’t want to take risks, why would we put ourselves in a position to lose. If we risk nothing we lose nothing. Yet can we afford to live a live without taking risks? Can we walk in this world just taking the easy option? If we lose nothing will we ever learn anything new?

In these last few weeks I have been thinking a lot about how I seek to take risks both in my own life and in my role within the church. It would be easy to step back and just let things happen around me and keep things maintained well but at the same time not wanting to develop things that are unsustainable. Either of these elements does not reflect the creative and sustaining nature of God and responsibility he places on me as his follower and as a Salvation Army Officer.
Taking risks doesn’t mean doing stuff alone or that it has to be big stuff either.

One of the great joys in my life currently is watching Katherine leaning to walk and climb. There is no fear in her eyes when she sets of just hope and joy as she tries to get from the chair to her dolly. Learning to walk is a risk! Things can and will go wrong. In the same way as we are learning to walk with God and take risks things will go wrong but God never leaves us or change. When we take a risk we witness the sustaining nature of God and His love for His people.

Matt

Character

This quote is taken from Phil McNulty's article on the BBC website regarding the reinstatement of John Terry as England Captain:

Terry is a natural leader and still remains a serviceable, if more vulnerable, England defender, so Capello's desire to employ him in an influential role is understandable.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnulty/2011/03/capello_wrong_to_reinstate_ter.html

I love my football and admire what they can do with a ball at their feet (hands if they are Goal Keepers) but can't help think that they have been elevated or elevated themselves to a place that is out of step with the reality most of us live in. Phil McNulty's comments that Capello's decision to reinstate him as England Captain is because he is a good defender and a leader. I agree he is still good enough at the centre of England defense but not an appropriate leader for such a role. His conduct and attitude, from what we know, doesn't seem to warrant such honour as leading out the England team. He may get the job done and done well but to be a great leader you must also display your leadership in all aspects of your character. I have nothing against Terry and have a degree of sympathy for him regarding the media frenzy that sounds players like him. Yet in contrast, look at the example of Ryan Giggs who has conducted himself with a great deal of maturity even from a young age. Who would you follow? Who is the best leader?

Leadership demands that we are examples to others in all aspects of our lives. We will make mistakes but we must learn from them and develop the character that can admit mistakes, learn from them and be better because of it. I have made mistakes, made wrong decisions and maybe dealt with issues wrongly during my leadership but I am learning all the time that they only serve as a base for growth. I don't claim to be better than John Terry, I am only seeking to be better than I am currently as a person in leadership. It is tough being in the public eye constantly and that is why our character has to be challenged and developed constantly.

We maybe good at leading but is our conduct good enough when doing so?

Matt

Leaving a legacy

It light of the past week, I have spent a lot of time reflecting on the legacy that Verz (see previous blog) has had upon peoples lives. It is amazing to think that one man can impact, for the better, so many people's lives and leave a legacy that will continue to help the church share the good news of Jesus. As someone who got to share a lot of time with him, it's easy to see how. Apart form the odd Norwich fan, I can't think of anyone who would have a bad word to say about Verz, he had no enemies, only saw the best in people and was the most humble person I have ever met.

I have been challenged, as I am sure others have, as to the legacy that I will leave both in my current appointment but in all aspects of my life. Has my life been a force for good and left people with a positive experience of the God whom I seek to proclaim and follow. If I am to leave a true legacy it must be one that God has ordained and that I seek to fulfill in and through my obedience as a husband, father, friend and leader. It isn't my Officers commission that defines my ministry and life, it is found in the one whose commission I seek to carry out.

I don't think Verz truly realised the depth of the legacy that he has left and that will continue to impact our world. Knowing Verz, he would be embarrassed by all the attention and praise that has been on facebook, in conversations and that will undoubtedly come in the weeks and months to come. He deserves all the praise that comes his way but he would simple deflect that praise to one who called him in the first place.

The question is, what will my legacy be, what will your legacy be?

Matt

Faith First - Man of faith

Since my last blog, I received the devastating news that my best mate and life long golf buddy, Mark Versey died suddenly. I am finding it hard to talk about it, and am lost for words to express my sorrow and pain. He was a great man, who loved life, would do anything for anyone and was a brilliant friend. I have so much to be thankful for during the times we spent together and I know that so many others feel the same.

If ever you needed an example of what faith looks like in human flesh, then Verz was as good example of it as you would ever get. Ever since I have known him, I have been inspired and encouraged by his great faith. In fact it was Verz that suggested I apply to become a minister within the Salvation Army. This led to a journey that continues today. He was more than a friend, more than our best man, he was a brother in faith. When Lizzy and I had a miscarriage a couple of years ago, he was there on the other end of a computer via Skype, telling us he was committed to pray for us everyday until we conceived again. Katherine was born a year later.

In essence, Verz lived out what he believed. In 2003, he came into contact with Ambassadors in Sport and from that moment he sought to live out his faith through the medium of Football. Verz, right up to his passing, never lost sight of the power of a living Jesus and how that could be translated through football. I don't think anyone could comprehend the impact he has made on the lives of people in many parts of the world, the impact on the running of AIS, the legacy in South Africa as over 500 coaches were trained by AIS and his friendship to so many people. These few words do not do justice to legacy he leaves behind.

Verz was a true ambassador of hope and a man of great faith.

Well done my friend.

Matt

An Tribute from Ambassadors in Sport.

Faith first 4 (Dealing with doubt)

There have been many times in the past where despite my optimism and faith I have wondered whether I have done the right thing or if I have miss read God intentions for me and my leadership. It can seem a little irreverent to doubt God and His plan's but every time I doubt the more I discover about the God I am doubting. I don't think God is at all worried if we doubt in Him, His power and authority because we are acknowledging that he is involved with what is going on. In my experience, doubt usually leads to a reigniting faith.


In leadership it is easy to doubt so much you do nothing or have no doubt and only do what you want to do. There needs to be a balance struck between faith and dealing with the doubt when it comes your way. By doubting our faith in God's plan we are more likely to ask the questions that will lead us and help lead others to a deeper understanding and more authentic experience of who God is and what he has in store. It would be easy to put our doubts down to personal weakness rather than an opportunity to see God work in and through us.

There are always going to be moments where we doubt first rather than have faith first but in these moments we are allowing God to be placed first. We maybe shaken but he will always be unshakable (Psalm 62:2).

Matt

Faith first 3 (Risk Assessent)

Don't worry I am not about to blog on the vital part that assessing the risk of activities plays in the life of a church ministry. They can be boring and laborious to undertake but are crucial to ensuring that we keep people as safe as possible whilst in our buildings, partaking in activities and involved in various mission projects. Yet I worry that this has had an untold impact on the life of the church. Not only have we assessed the physical risk but the spiritual ones too. There are two core elements to faith, they are risk and fear. We need these to bring in to focus our own faith and the faith of the church.

Over the past couple of weeks Katherine has discovered the wonderful world of stairs. This has brought a couple of bumps, a few tears but mainly great excitement and adventure. As her dad, I worry she will hurt herself but also rejoice that she is discovering all life has to offer for a one year old. The stairs probably fell like a mountain and provide much enjoyment despite the danger(which she seems to be oblivious too). It would be easy for us to put a stair gate on the bottom step and stop her even starting the climb.


Fear is emotion we experience in the presence of a potential risk. Once we begin to face the risk and work through it fear turns to other emotions such as excitement, joy or feeling scared. If we don't risk anything we will never fear and experience these and other such emotions. The church seems to have lost its appetite for risk in its ministry. If we as churches "play it safe" then how will we experience the protection and goodness of God. Didn't God risk everything by giving us His Son?

If we risk nothing we lack faith. I believe in a God who is faithful and is well worth risking everything for.

Matt

Faith first (2)

Whenever I have taken a spiritual gifts questionnaire I have always had the gift of faith in my top 3. And yet as a result, I have struggled with are the issues of pride and arrogance in my life and leadership. This is a danger that I have been (and still am) working on a lot over the past couple of years. I know that I can be over confident, which has meant being under prepared for meetings, worship, conversations and life in general. The danger is that these issues and character flaws can be detrimental to both my leadership and God's plan for my life and the church I lead.

However, I also have witnessed God use me in amazing ways because of my faith. I believe that God can do anything. I have prayer for people who have been healed, prayed for situations that seem impossible and yet have become reality. Faith in what God can do, must never never be underestimated but similarly never taken for granted or used to personal promotion. I have learnt a lot during my time at Aspley about ensuring that God gets the credit when he uses my faith.

My faith must be place in God first, then and only then will God honour my faith.



Matt

Open book

One of the great tensions as a leader is how much you give of your true self to the cause, how much you are yourself in public and how much you keep well hidden.

It is easy for a leader to reveal a fraction of themselves and be themselves to those they lead. A good example of this was when Gordon Brown, on his departure speech from office, revealed more about himself than in his entire premiership. As he spoke the words " I know go to do the most important job of all as a husband and as a father." Part of me was encouraged at his acknowledgement of the importance of family but was annoyed that it took a general election defeat to see that element of his character. I wonder what difference it would have made to his reign had he said that as he became the PM.

There is a need in leadership to be real, honest and as open as possible. This is difficult in many circumstance where there is a need for confidentiality for legal or personal reasons. However, I am always drawn to those leaders I know more about, regardless of what I know about them. In my experience, people will not like you any less if they know the truth about you. Being an open book does not mean you tell everyone everything but you are willing to be yourself in all situations and honest enough to admit your failings and flaws.

Over the years I have found this difficult and frustrating within the Salvation Army, whether as a member of the congregation or in a position of leadership. Trying to be yourself in an organisation that expects certain things creates a predicament that I have pondered about a lot. How can I be myself as well as fulfill the expectations as a Salvation Army Officer (minister) which sometimes I may have different views about? Yet

At the heart of a good leader should be a willingness to be open and honest in all situations. God created us as he desired, why would we want to hide who we are from him or anyone else?

Matt

Faith first.

Over the past few months in our church we have witnessed some incredible moments of joy, fun and hope. One of the great blessing of leading the church is that I have seen people step out in faith and trust that God knows what he is doing. Whether in the small conversations,willingness to be a leader or believe that God's plan will be worked out, people have stepped out in faith.

One example of this is seen in our churches willingness to take on an allotment as a way of connecting with our community. We have no idea what were doing but it was offered to us free and was to good an opportunity to turn down. We set about weeding, digging, removing baths, pulling down a couple of trees and avoiding wasps from a nest we found and in the new year we placed a shed (the size of a small house) on the plot. It was time to get planting but without someone with the expertise to co-ordinate it were would we start. However, God had a plan. Last week David had a conversation with an old work colleague that was looking for an allotment but was unable to find one. David invited him to come and have a look at ours on Saturday and he has agreed to help us out. He knows what he is doing, talking about and is already planning the crops. Thank you God!

Faith always comes first when we are seeking to follow God's plan for our lives. Our church had the faith to take on something it wasn't skilled for but God has provided us with the person who does have the skill. Our church's theme for this year is "preparing to grow" and now we have a place to do it, a person to help do it and a church willing to see it become a reality.

Faith cannot be taught it must be learnt and the church must always be willing to learn.

Matt

Busy Busy Busy (how to beat the busyness)

After raising the issue of being busy, I thought I would share some thoughts on how to deal with it. The reality for me has been that saying you'll make time for your family, be more organised and create more time for the tasks you don't like has and is still a difficult thing to work out. But I have improved the rhythm of my week to give appropriate/quality time for my family (not only on my day off), spending time in preparing my self for the coming week/month/year and managing my time efficiently so that I do what needs to be done. It is still a work in progress but here are some suggestions:


1: Put it in the diary - If you are going to have an afternoon off (on top of you day off), out it in the diary as an item, just like any other appointment. Put some time in you diary that is for an emergency. Obviously, the emergency will not happen at that point but you have space to catch up or benefit from. If you have an open diary system in an office then put it in code and stick to it! If an emergency crops up, reschedule your time immediately, don't say "I'll do it later."

2: Get a mentor - You need someone to hold you to account of your time. They can help you ensure that you are not in danger of either burning out or becoming lethargic and lazy. This must be someone you trust, respect and will listen to, even if it hurts.

3: Get active - No one can work productivity for long without an outlet. For me, I need to do something physical (running, football, digging at the allotment, walking to the office etc). It helps release stress, it keeps you body health and you get to meet people that you wouldn't necessary connect with. This is something I still need to work on and place higher on the agenda during my week.

4: Chill Out - You are allowed to stop and do nothing. Do not feel guilty about having you day off, taking all your holiday and making the most of quiet periods. These are God given moments when you can relax. Use your time to chill out as preparation before an event/busy period rather than recuperation after it because as soon as you feel you have caught up and feeling ready to go, you will be word out again. I have tried to think of my day off (usually Saturday) as preparing for Sunday and the week ahead rather than rest after a busy/long/pressured week.

The thing I am trying to do is be more silent (for those that know me this will probably make you smile) in my life. It is a lot easier to speak than to listen to God but how will I hear if I don't keep quiet.

Matt

Leading

Last week the Salvation Army (SA) elected a new General (World Leader). Linda Bond will take up her appointment on the 2nd April 2011, following Shaw Clifton who retires on the 1st April 2011. I must admit that I was intrigued by the process more than the outcome. The body that makes the decision (The High Council) is made up of leaders of a certain position within the SA world. In theory any SA Officer (minister) can become the General of the SA but must be nominated by at least 3 members of the HC. This has never happened. See following link for more details: http://www2.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/www_uki.nsf/vw-search/0DA2C1DB392DE343802570EB0057542A?opendocument

It got me thinking about the process of leadership and how we raise new leaders within the SA at all levels. Does our position/appointment mean we are good leaders? Are the best leaders in the best places?

Of course, I have little say on the big issues regarding the Generals election process but I do have a opportunity to ensure that we are a movement that keeps raising leaders at local church level. In my experience, this is where leaders are born and should be develop and grown. The reality is if local leaders are not present, nothings grows. I am convinced that the local church should be like a chemistry lab where people are involved in experiments. It will mean that some work out well, some will make a mess, some discovering little, some discovering lots and some changing the way we think. This will allow people the freedom and opportunity to experiment in leadership and ultimately learn how to lead better.

I must add that being a leader doesn't mean having an official role or responsibility but the gift and ability to lead others in faith and vision. God doesn't have a standard mould that he uses to make leaders but he certainly can mould people in to leaders.

My hope is that as an Officer people look to me as a leader not because of my rank, status, or even experience but because I lead with integrity, honesty and a desire to release others to lead. If I get this wrong it will time for me to step aside!

Matt

Busy Busy Busy

Having been thinking a lot in the last few weeks and months about the whole issues of Busyness. It is a frequently used word in all walks of life but especially by church leaders/ministers. On the BBC website last week was this article about Nick Clegg finishing at 3pm because of his family.

"Nick Clegg denies reports he stops work at 3pm each day. Nick Clegg has laughed off "silly" reports he is finishing work early after reports that he did not want to get any government papers after 3pm. The deputy prime minister said he might have many flaws "but not working hard enough is not one of them". He told BBC Breakfast his team had set the mid-afternoon submission deadline for Whitehall departments so they could add advice on documents before he left." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12343136

My response to this was: "A father that wants to spend more time with his family, what a great example." In my experience, many church leaders do not spend enough time with their families. I know I have been guilty of it in the past. It is easy to think that as the leader we must be busy, all the time. This was highlighted to me this week when talking with a fellow SA officer, who said "We are both very busy, the reality is we don't see much of each other." That saddened my heart, what makes they feel they have to live in that vain. Why are leaders in the church made to feel that they have to work all the hours God sends. Even God rested on the 7th day, and so should we.

I recognise that there will be periods in ministry will be busy but these should only be after times of preparation. We can't keep going at full pace all the time. Something will have to give.

As leaders, we are the only ones can work out what needs to give and what, like family, must be a priority.

Matt