leadership

It has been a wonderful week, and a very full week.

The last two weeks have been my first attempt at living the new rhythm of life I prayed into during sabbatical. It has also been two weeks of catching back up with my congregation. I have been doing a lot of visitation. Also, I have begun the next tour of our DLT (Doing life together) groups to begin the journey of discovering God’s word for our congregation in 2025.

HERE IS ANOTHER WORD I GOT FROM THE GROUP I WAS WITH LAST NIGHT, THE DLT BOOK CLUB

Get rid of the old, that which does not look good on your spirit anymore and don’t be afraid to put on the new thing. Clean out the closet of your life to make room for what is coming.

Today I returned to leadership training. This is an opportunity for the leadership (deacons, staff, DLT group leaders, and new and aspiring leaders) to come together to sharpen the saw.

Today’s discussion was around leadership style. We are using the Assessme.org program to help our leaders learn their giftings and leadership styles. We had an incredible conversation about what it means to work as a team and about how God is the one who chooses the team of people….the family of people….the platoon of people that is each church.

It was a great morning followed by the moving of furniture to my son’s house. Today we moved a couple of side tables and a dresser. My son just left with several items including my grandson’s bed frame. It is almost complete!

HOW DOES YOUR CHURCH OR CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION DO LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT?

THIS POST IS WRITTEN IN RESPONSE TO PENSITIVITY’S SHARE YOUR WORLD CHALLENGE.

You can read all the responses to this challenge by clicking the link above. My answers to this week’s questions are below.

What is/has been your favourite job/occupation? I am really enjoying the work I am doing now. I have been ministering in churches since 1991 in all kinds of different capacities. I have been a youth pastor, organist, choir director, worship leader, children’s minister/ director, fellowship and visitation director and assistant to the pastor. Up until three years ago I had avoided the work of being a lead pastor because there were aspects of the job I was afraid of. Then the call came three years ago to step into this role. I am not good at all of it, but I am enjoying every bit of it even those parts where I am on a big learning curve.

Is there a job you would never consider doing? There are lots of jobs I would never consider doing: Astronaut, Marine biologist, Mountain rescue, Fireman, Policeman, Physics teacher, Airplane pilot, Circus acrobat, lion tamer and the list goes on. I admire those who can and do all of these jobs. I know they are beyond me.

Did your family own a business and expect you to join the ranks when you got older? My family did own a business. I did join the ranks, but I was never forced to it. I settled into it. Then my father passed away and then I realized I was not suited to the business and moved back into the field I was created for.

Did/do you have a career requiring qualifications or did you learn on the job and work your way up? This job of ministry has both educational requirements and on the job training that is necessary. Bible college is absolutely necessary, but I have never met a Bible college graduate that was “ready” to minister to a congregation on the day they got their diploma or certification. There are so many non-tangibles to this work that cannot be taught only caught. I would recommend to anyone considering this work to enter this ministry as an assistant first before trying to take or build their own church.

GRATITUDE: I was so blessed by this incredible weekend of ministry.It was a great weekend of adventure.

Notes From the Vicarage

A minister's family living in a micro forest garden

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