Month: October 2018

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Rank – Talk – Write

My experience has been that skill development among pastors is typically presented as leadership theory, budget management and organizational development. Kathleen A. Cahalan’s article Integrative Knowing and Practical Wisdom (2017) presents instead the reminder that pastors are practitioners who must grow toward practical wisdom.

Cahalan’s central question is presented at the end of her introduction after giving sketches of funerals led by two different pastors, one fumbling and rigid and one compassionate and merciful.  “How did this priest learn to be this kind of minister?” (Cahalan, 2017, p. 116)

Broken down by headings within the article, I found five main ideas presented:

The Intelligence of Practice
Skills can be learned in different ways which, over time, have the potential to be acted on together becoming practical wisdom.

In the Beginning
The beginning of practice acknowledges that a novice practitioner requires education, mentors, peers and opportunity to help them grow in skill and understanding.

Advancing in Practice
As practitioners advance they grow in their ability and also by internalizing the ethos of their area of skill.

Competence in Practice
As practitioners, and pastors specifically, grow in competence they develop additional skills such as foresight, empathy and seeing the bigger picture which help move them closer to practical wisdom.

Another Kind of Competence: Expertise or Unknowing?
Practitioners in many skill areas are focused on expertise while the focus for pastors is the truth that the knowledge and understanding of God will never be fully known.

Cahalan’s article (2017) is a strong reminder of the importance of “eight ways of knowing that are essential to wise practice” (p. 117). Yet the summary remains that for ministers the expression of practical wisdom is different from skill areas where “the virtues of practice are related to speed, efficiency, accuracy, and often individual effort” (p. 121). For priests and pastors to truly minister to the families they are serving, practical wisdom goes beyond skill development or increased knowledge. “Ministers who are expert practitioners require something very different: the ability to slow down and contemplate what God is doing” (p. 121).

Reference
Cahalan, K. A., Foley, E., & Mikoski, G. S. (2017). Integrating Work in Theological Education. Eugene, Oregon: Pickwick Publications. Retrieved from https://ezproxy.student.twu.ca/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=1500058&site=eds-live

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Response to B121: Light From Many Lamps – Part 1

Light From Many Lamps – Part 1

B, I really appreciated your reflection and I can appreciate your current challenges.

“This story served as a reminder that a leader does not lose hope.” Thank you for sharing this great reminder. I needed it today!

Hope is a priceless resource which can’t be bought but needs to be a reality for leaders and needs to be instilled in those we lead. Your post led me to think about how I am instilling hope in those around me as I lead and whether I am adding currency to the hope account or making withdrawals.

And even when hope is not abundant, the most reassuring truth for me is that the presence of God and His faithfulness means we can always find hope in every situation. Even when we are hopeless, we have the opportunity to hope in God and put our trust in Him.

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Light from Many Lamps – Unit 2

Taking time to read these stories, reflect on their significance and, with encouragement from the assignment instructions, to savour the content of the first two sections of Lillian Eichler Watson’s Light from Many Lamps (1951) has been a sweet, serene, refreshing experience. The ability of stories to help us see beyond our current situation is often undervalued. I am quite happy to be reading these stories as part of the work for this course but also as a significant time for my own heart and soul.

The story of Sarah Flower Adams (Watson, 1951, p. 45) was particularly meaningful for me to remember we all have the opportunity to turn the negative of our own suffering into an enduring positive for the world around us. “Weaving the pattern of her own life story into a familiar scriptural background, Sarah Flower Adams produced a hymn of enduring beauty – a hymn of hope and faith – an inspiring source of comfort to millions” (p. 48).

Adams is best known and remembered for her work as the author of the lyrics to Nearer, my God, to Thee, inspired by her own failing health and the suffering she experienced. “She would write a poem about it, showing how our very suffering and afflictions may be steps bringing us nearer to heaven . . . nearer to God” (p.46). The words of this particular hymn have been sung around the world by generations of people needing to find comfort and reassurance in their own suffering.

No life, including my own, is exempt from suffering. The reminder from this story is that nothing is wasted, even suffering! Illness inspired these words which now have brought peace and comfort to millions of people, even those aboard the Titanic as it sank (p. 48).

The other reminder is for me as a leader. Those around me who are enduring suffering have value and significance to add to the larger community. They are more than their illness or their bankruptcy or their divorce. Even as people are going through hard times and difficult circumstances, they are valuable, loved, cherished members of the community and have so much good to offer the world.

Reference
Watson, L.E. (1951). Light from Many Lamps. New York: Simon and Schuster.

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Response to Monica Grace: Follow the Leader

Follow the Leader

Great choice in Carey Nieuwhof as a leader to follow. He would definitely fit in the opinion leader category and you’ve outlined some of the impact of that style of leadership.

I’ve heard Carey say that if he simply talked about what the Bible says about leadership or 10 verses on being a pastor (rather than the opinion- and experience-driven writing he tends to do) that every article would be the same, every blog post would essentially say the same thing.

Carey’s ability to clearly identify trends, success factors and struggles which are common to pastors, churches and even business leaders is impressive!

Monica, I really appreciate your reminder that the value you find in Carey’s writing is how it is helping you overcome obstacles and executing strategy. Leaders inspiring other leaders to lead better is an incredible thing to see!

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Response to Daniel Rowe: Assignment 1 – Follow The Leader

Assignment 1 – Follow The Leader

I’m really grateful for Danielle Strickland’s voice and the opportunities she is receiving to speak on a national and global scale. Daniel, I agree 100% with your conclusion that male leaders like you and I need to change our mindset around what is possible through the voice, life and leadership of women.

The power of a single voice like Danielle’s giving strength and courage to thousands of others should never be underestimated. While leaders may feel small and weak there is great potential in seeing lives changed and the world impacted if our message is focused and empowering, as you’ve shown Danielle’s to be.

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LDRS 500 – Unit 2, Learning Activity 3

Seeing results of leadership assessments is like hearing your own voice recorded on video. I hear my own leadership voice all the time but reading these assessments lets me hear it presented back to me in a way that gives an opportunity for reflection, critique, development and change.

Overall, it is no surprise that I score higher on task style and conceptual skill in the Style Questionnaire and Leadership Theory and Practice. Results from the Leadership Trait Questionnaire are the most examined since they come from people who know me well and are impacted daily by my leadership.

I’m motivated in my desire to focus on the relational side of my own leadership while not neglecting the good impact which comes from strength areas. My hope in taking on this program in leadership is to see my leadership tool belt grow.

At the same time, I’m encouraged that those I asked to give feedback through the Leadership Trait Questionnaire were more generous in rating my strengths and less critical of my weaknesses. Healthy critique of one’s own strengths and weakness is a good reminder that those we lead are usually more generous and gracious with us than we are of ourselves!