Category Archives: Leadership

Guaranteed Impact through Leadership (continued) #3 …

Courage is not the absence of fear but doing what is needed in spite of the fear or consequences. Courage is needed in leadership, without it there will be little impact. If those around you do not see your courage as you attempt to lead they will fall back instead of follow closely. We all want to know that our leaders are leading with courage, if not we assume they will disappear when things become difficult.

How does courage show up in leaders? It shows when …

-Courage is shown when … the leader is willing to take responsibility for the movement or lack thereof in the organization.

-Courage is shown when … the leader passes out praise generously and enthusiastically to people at all levels of the organization. This needs to be both privately and publically. Done publically it lifts those people in eyes of the whole organization. Done privately it shows the leader is aware of and cares about others and who they are as persons, not just as a part of the organization.

-Courage is shown when … the leader is willing to say “my bad” or “I am sorry” when they have made a poor decision or acted poorly. Apologies that are sincere go a long way in building strong connections with those to whom you have apologized. You have shown that you are know you are not perfect and are not pretending to be. You have given everyone permission to make honest mistakes. This will give great energy to the people around you in the organization.

-Courage is shown when … the leader is quick to say thank you. Thank you for your input, for your efforts, for your ideas, for your support, for your sacrifice and many more things. A thank you is one of the most cost effective things a leader can do in the organization. Everyone loves to be appreciated and to be acknowledged as having contributed. The cost is virtually nothing, but the benefit is tremendous.

-Courage is shown when … the leader makes decisions based on what is best for the organization and the people of the organization not just what makes him/her look best. In my first ministry position I was an Assistant Pastor to great mentor, Pastor Dave Engrecht, who consistently modeled this courage and urged me to make my decisions based on “What’s best for the body?” In other words, he was saying that we needed to always move forward with was best for the whole church/organization and with what matched our mission. People will work hard for a leader who consistently makes decisions in this manner.

Courage is needed to make an impact. This is not an exhaustive list, and many things on this list might seem trivial to some people, but they take courage and they reveal courage in those who will do them.

What would happen in your organization, your church, your family, or your friendships if you began to exercise these courageous actions? You can do them. Start with one. Then add another one a couple a of weeks later and so on. Then watch what happens. I know that you will begin to see great things taking place.

Here’s hoping you will take a next step in being courageous. Watch for more posts on making an impact through leadership coming soon.

Dennis

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Guaranteed Impact through your Leadership (continued) …

Compassion is defined in Webster’s dictionary as “sympathetic consciousness of other’s distress together with a desire to alleviate it”. What does compassion have to do with leadership? Leadership without compassion is nothing but a formula that might work in an organizational chart but will fail to create a desire to follow nor the desire to give the effort needed to make an impact.

It seems that we often neglect this part of leadership. If those you are attempting to lead do not sense compassion in you there will be little loyalty. Ask yourself if you have ever felt great loyalty to a person who seemed to be lacking compassion? This is especially true in churches and it is also true in any organization no matter their stated mission.

Some questions to ask in the area of Compassion …

-Does the language we use communicate about our organization indicate that we care for those we are trying to reach? Language is a powerful thing and the words or phrases you use in describing what your organization is about matters a great deal. If you are not communicating that you care about the people, or their perceived needs, you will fade away. Ask some people outside of your organization what they sense when they read, or hear, key words or phrases you use to promote your organization. Listen to what they tell you and take note of some words that may need to be changed. Then seek to change the word, or words to better reflect that you care.

-Ask internally if you are really seeking results that will make a difference in people’s lives? The flip side of that is, are we just seeking to build our organization? If you answer yes to the first and no to the second great! But if an honest evaluation indicates no to the first and yes to the second, you are in a crisis and you need to make some changes quickly.

-Ask if your intended desires, to help others, are truly being communicated? Then ask if your actions, and those of your organization, are reflecting your stated desires? Our actions tell the truth about what we intend.

-How well do you know the people you are seeking to lead? To show compassion you must know the people in your organization. How well do you know the people you are seeking to reach through your organization? You must know the people in order to create ministries, or products, that will truly have an impact on them. I am often in awe (in a bad way) when I hear people in leadership who do not know, or know very little, of those they are seeking to lead or influence. Get to know the people and their needs.

It is true that you can have great compassion and not make a real impact. Especially if your leadership lacks clarity, courage or commitment. However, it is a fact, that without compassion you will have little lasting impact.

Here’s hoping that you are saying and showing compassion for those around you. Those in, and those out, of your organization need to know that you care. Here’s hoping that you are known as a compassionate leader. Here’s hoping that your leadership and your organization makes an impact that is felt.

Next week I will write a couple more follow-ups to this idea of Leadership Impact.

Dennis

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Guaranteed Impact through Your Leadership …

Impact – “to have a strong effect … on someone or something; to hit something with great force”. This is how Webster’s dictionary defines impact. The first part of the definition is what I am focusing on, though anyone in leadership has felt the urge to complete the second part. Last week I posted about “4 Keys to Guarantee that your Leadership has Impact”, this is the first follow-up to that post.

The first key to guaranteed impact in your leadership is Clarity:

-This means having a clear vision for your leadership, what to do and how to do it. It also means having a clear vision for their organization, group or church.

-This requires asking some simple, but not easy, questions. Such as, “Who are we as an organization?” and “What is our mission?” and “Who is really leading?”. The answers to these questions are something you must discover. Realize that you cannot have clarity until you have an answer to these questions.

-When you have an answer to the question of mission, begin to share it. Share in a raw form at first. That simply means begin to share it with your team even before you have it polished. In fact, if the mission is clear and resonates well your team can polish it. A huge mistake we leaders often make when it comes to sharing the mission is we wait to have it all polished up, and looking perfect, before we share it with anyone. That leads to getting bogged down in the polishing instead leading your organization into doing the mission. When we only working on polishing and not also on doing we become irrelevant in whatever we need to accomplish.

-In answering the question of “Who are we as an organization?” be sure to make this an honest evaluation. Measure your organization against the mission and get a hold of what you are and what you are not. Even if there are negatives discovered in this evaluation it can be a very positive experience. You are answering who you are so that you can lay out a clear path to get to where your vision is directing you. To lay out a path you must know where you are beginning as well as where you are headed.

-In leading for impact you must lead. This means being the leader, not the dictator or the pollster. It means to lead. Impactful leadership is never defined by position it is always defined by the influence and impact on the organization and the people around the organization. A person in a position of leadership that bosses people around from above or behind, pushing the people will never make an impact. They may inflict some pain, but they will not impact or influence the people around their organization. To influence and impact you must lead from among and in front.

-Some questions to ask in evaluating whether your leadership is influencing and impacting your organization and the people around it are … “Do the people around me get better?” “Do the people around me gain confidence in themselves and the organization as a result of my leadership?” (I don’t want people to only gain confidence in me as a leader, but I need them to gain confidence in themselves and our organization. If not then we will never get any further than I can carry them.) “Do people feel free to try new and innovative things without fearing loss of position?” “Are the people around me saying ‘we’ or ‘your’ when referring to our organization?”

Clarity is vital to any organization that is going to make an impact. This is especially true of churches.

Here’s hoping that you are seeing clearer than before you read this post. Here’s hoping that you will courageously lead with clarity. Here’s hoping that you will begin to see the impact of your leadership. Here’s hoping that if your evaluation was discouraging that you will find someone to talk with who will encourage you and help.

Watch for more posts on Impact Leadership coming soon.

Dennis

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4 Keys to Guarantee your Leadership has Impact …

4 Keys to Guarantee your Leadership has Impact …

Making an impact is a goal of those in leadership no matter what, or who, someone is leading. It could be a business, a church, a team, a small group or a family, whatever we are leading we all desire to make an impact. If you follow these keys and keep answering the questions you will have a great impact and so will your church or organization.

1. Clarity – it is impossible to make an intentional impact for anything without having clarity. This requires a clear vision, which leads to clear direction and will create clear leadership. Getting clarity requires you to answer some questions such as: Who are we are? What is our real mission? Where are we headed? How will we know when we get there? Who is leading? (The answer to this last question is not as simple as a job title)

2. Compassion – this is genuine concern and tangible care for others. There needs to be compassion for the city, region, state, area or country where you are leading/serving. There needs to be compassion for those in need around you. (Remember, true compassion is not just a feeling but follows up with actions) If you are leading/serving a church you must have compassion for those who do not have a relationship with Christ. This compassion must include showing compassion for those who oppose you. There must be compassion in all areas of your leadership.

3. Courage – we were all meant to be courageous. We need courage to lead, but we need some very specific courage if you are in leadership. If you are leading a church: You must be courageous in discipling others to follow Christ. Not to just sign a card, raise a hand, say a prayer or give money, but to actually follow Christ in a breath by breath manner. You must be courageous in your mission and your missions outreach. The needs are too great and the call too awesome for us to wimp out and only lead/serve those who already have been reached. We must be courageous enough to lead people beyond their own abilities and into places and things that only God can do. In other words, into places and ministries where if God doesn’t show up and do his thing we will fail miserably. Courage is not the absence of fear it is believing in the one who created us, called us and was crucified for us and following him wherever he leads.

4. Commitment – without commitment to the vision, mission and direction of Christ we will shrink back. We must be committed to Christ first and foremost. There must be a personal commitment to him. We must be committed to the cause of Christ – reaching the lost, discipling the found and changing the world. We must be committed to the church, the overall church, the kingdom of Christ not just our kingdom. We must be committed to leading/serving. Without this commitment we will wimp out when faced with adversity and opposition.

Do you want to make an impact? Or, do you just want to be known? Do you desire to change your world and influence others for Christ? Or, do you simply desire to put in your time and then retire comfortably? It is your choice and your choice has eternal consequences.

In some future posts I will go further into Impact Leadership/Impact Churches and Organizations.

Dennis

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Fan the Flame …

Fire is often associated with the Holy Spirit and with revival. Tonight is our last night of scheduled Revival/Renewal services. Rev. Alan Dicer has done a wonderful job of challenging us, bring the Word and speaking truth. We have seen some great things take place. But my greatest prayer has not been for these services but for a real fire of revival to begin in our church and our city.

I mentioned to my people that we are near the end of our scheduled Revival/Renewal services but not the end of revival. Because we need this to be the beginning not the end. My prayer will change in couple of hours. My prayer will then be for us to keep fanning the flames of revival until there is a roaring fire.

This fanning the flames will require us to continue in earnest prayer. We will need to continue to encourage and challenge one another. We will need to continue to invite people to join us in following Christ and in worship. We cannot coast until the next “big thing”.

Also, we have been praying for revival to sweep into our city and into every church. We have just begun and as my good friend Pastor Dave Engbrecht is fond of saying “Our greatest days are just ahead”. I believe this wholeheartedly. I am more convinced than ever that God is up to something good in Canton. Not just our church, but our city and beyond.

The key will be when we walk out of the last service tonight. We must recognize that this is just a beginning. That the flame has been lit, but we must make sure it spreads and grows. We must keep fanning the flame in our personal walk with Christ and in our church.

So here’s to seeing the fire grow. Grab a fan and join us.

Dennis

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Movers and Shakers …

The term “movers and shakers” is usually used to describe people who have influence and impact in an area of culture. We often put business people, entertainers or sports figures in this group. This week I got a whole new perspective on the idea of “movers and shakers”.

Twice in this past week I was in the presence of a group of “movers and shakers”. They were not in the normal places you would imagine for people of influence. In both instances these people were in a church. They were not doing what our culture normally views as influential.
In both instances the groups, and they were not the same group but I was privileged to be present at both times.

The activity taking place was a prayer meeting. What? That’s correct, I was in the presence of some moving and shaking, some influencing of culture and it was in two different churches, with two different groups and both times the focus was prayer.

Both times there was a definite realization of something powerful taking place and there was some life change. I would call that moving and shaking and certainly influential.

One group was in my church as we 14 of us gathered to pray for revival and our upcoming Revival/Renewal services. The other group is some pastors from 5 different denominations who gather every other week to pray for each other and for revival in our community.

The power that was present in both places was palatable and the impact was noticeable on all who participated. I was humbled and moved during both times. Sadly it has been a while since I was present when this type of movement and influence took place.

We give too much attention to the kind of moving and shaking that makes headlines in the media and not enough to what makes headlines with God. I am hungry for more and more of this moving and shaking. I am excited to see, and experience, all that God has for in store in our community.

I have been saying ever since I moved here that God is up to something good in our community. The reality is that I have been saying this more in faith and hope than with real conviction. I am now saying with great conviction that God is up to something good in our community.

I believe the other “movers and shakers” would agree. I for one don’t want to miss any of what God has in mind for us. I am praying that you will be moved and shaken by God’s love, grace, forgiveness and power. How about it, are you ready for some moving and shaking in your life?

Dennis

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What do Empty Seats Say to You?

This week I am spending time sitting in all of the seats in our sanctuary and praying for whoever will be sitting in that seat during our Revival/Renewal services that begin soon. I often walk up and down the rows and pray for people during the week. But I felt led to sit in each seat and spend some time praying. I have never done that before, at least not for every seat.

As I have been sitting in the seats and praying I have been struck by how many empty seats we have on any given Sunday. I see the empty seats when I am preaching, but sitting in them and realizing how many of them rarely have anyone sitting in them is really getting to me. It is increasing my burden and encouraging me that we can reach many more people.

I have sat and prayed in half of the seats at this point. There have been a few times already in I was overcome with a burden for whoever is going to sit in that spot. In some of the cases I could picture the person because there is someone who usually sits in that seat. After all, many people sit in the exact same place each Sunday. (You know who you are.) There have also been some moments of burden while praying in a seat that doesn’t have a regular resident. I am anxious to see who sits there and what God has in store.

I believe I will look at these seats differently from now on. I am confident this will not be the last time I do this prayer exercise. I can sense a growing burden to see the seats filled with people. Not just for the attendance but for the impact on people’s lives. Another part of my learning this week has been what each seat could represent. There is just one person who sits in that seat during any given service. But that person represents more than one. All of us have multiple people in our sphere of influence. This week I am getting a picture of the growing reach we can have in our community. Not just from those who attend a given service but in the witness they can have in their world.

I am looking at the empty seats this week and feeling a renewed call to my community. I am seeing the empty seats and expanding my dream for our church. I have a growing burden for the empty seats in my church.

What do you see when you look at the empty seats around you?

Dennis

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What do your hands say about you?

When I am approaching any store my first question is, “Are they open, or closed?” The answer to that question greatly determines my expectations. If they are closed, I don’t expect much of anything from them. If they are open, I expect to be welcomed and the possibility of an exchange of resources. This makes it easy when approaching a store, but what about people? Don’t you wish people wore a sign that indicated if they are open or closed?

I think I have discovered one of those signs. Watch their hands. Are their hands open, or closed? If they have open hands they are approachable, they will likely welcome you and there is a good chance of interaction with them. However, if their hands are closed, then it will be difficult to have positive interaction with them.

In defense of having closed hands, if your hands are closed around what you have then you appear unlikely to lose any of it. You could certainly be seen as defending what you have, after all a closed fist is a universal sign of anger. But the problem with closed hands is that it prevents you from receiving anything else. You cannot bless anyone else with closed hands. When was the last time you saw anyone give a hug with clenched fists? You may have seen someone with clenched fists get hugged by someone else. But notice that the hands of the “hugger” were open as they embraced the person. You can’t welcome anyone or anything with closed hands. You cannot provide, give or bless anyone else with closed hands.

Open, or closed? Take a look, what are you communicating with your hands?

I realize that the germ-a-phobics among us are cringing at the thought of the things that may get passed from one to another with open hands. However, I still get to determine what I will pass on to others, by how I prepare my hands and what I place in them. I am a chaplain one day a week at our local hospital. As a part of my orientation for this ministry I was given more information than I really wanted to know about things that can get spread from one to another. What I loved about the training was that the emphasis was on preparing yourself, and especially your hands, for that possibility. The focus was not stay away from everything and everyone, but rather prepare yourself for whatever you may encounter.

So take a few minutes to look at your hands. Are you approaching life with them open, or closed? Are you ready to receive and give, or are you closed and unapproachable? Next time you are trying to figure someone out, watch their hands.

Dennis

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5 Ways to Make Your Pastor’s Sermons Better …

I was joking with my congregation recently and told them that I preach better when they sing passionately during our worship service. I went on to tell them that the quality of my preaching that day was completely dependent on them. We laughed together. But it got me thinking about ways in which a congregation can really help their pastor’s preaching.

1) Pray for your pastor and his message – this means praying for him/her at times during the week as they study and prepare. Then praying for them on Sunday as they begin the message as well. When you invest in the message ahead of time through prayer you are more likely to view the message positively. It is always good to pray for your pastor, but praying for their sermon prep is vital.

2) Look interested and engaged during the message – While your pastor is speaking look up and be engaged in what is being said. Look at your bible or notes, but there is a lot of time to be looking up. Looking up lets your pastor know you are listening and it encourages him. When your pastor is encouraged he/she preaches better.

3) Inform your pastor that you pray for his/her preparation – we all appreciate knowing that people are praying for us. Be specific and let your pastor know you are praying for their study and preparation. Even ask if there is something in particular you can pray for as they prepare this week. Knowing that people are praying as I study gives me strength throughout the week.

4) Be a participant in the whole worship service – when you sing during the music, when you pray during prayer time and when you give during the offering you are fully invested in the worship service. When you are invested and engaged in the whole service you are prepared to hear, receive and respond to your pastor’s sermon.

5) Speak positively about your pastor, and his/her preaching, during the week – this will give you a positive outlook as you enter on Sunday and it will help others to approach the message positively. Even if your pastor is not a great orator, speak positively about them and you may be surprised at how much better the sermons become.

It is always easier to preach to a group that is supportive, expectant, positive, prayerful and engaged. Try some of these things and see what happens. You may discover that your pastor is preaching better. At the very least you will know that you have done your best to support and encourage your pastor.

Here’s hoping that the message you receive this week is outstanding.

Dennis

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What’s Behind the Message?

As I have been studying, reading, praying and attempting to prepare my sermon for this Sunday I can’t stop crying. This morning as I was weeping over what I want so desperately to communicate with the congregation God has trusted me with, I am struggling because I know I am so inadequate.

This is not a self-pity, or woe is me, moment. This is simply a time of being overwhelmed by the burden of communicating the message of God’s word to the people who will attend this Sunday. I am crying because I need this message. I am crying because I know my limitations in communicating. I am crying because I so passionately want people to know this truth. I am crying because I have names and faces passing through my mind as I study. I am crying because I can be a bit of a crier. I am crying because Jesus has done so much for us and has so much more for us if we will embrace him and his will for us. I am crying.

Simple fact, it is difficult to type when your eyes are full of tears.

I am not seeking any “atta boy” compliments, I am just sharing the burden.

Sometimes I have wished that people could have some peek into the emotional investment that their pastor has in each message. Or at least the investment we should have in each message. The burden to communicate God’s word to a group of people in a way that connects, convicts and encourages them to respond in living obedience to the word. That is an enormous burden. I am not preparing a speech. I am preparing to open and share God’s word.

I have stated many times that I still get nervous (and I have been doing this for 30 years) every time before I share God’s word. Why? For all of the reasons I shared in the above paragraph. So if I ever walk up to share the word of God and am not nervous, then that needs to be my last message.

What’s behind the message? There is time spent reading, studying, praying, planning, listening, practicing and often times weeping.

I just thought you should know and I pray that you will listen to your pastor’s sermon with this understanding this Sunday.

Dennis

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