There are a several opinion leaders I admire and in doing this assignment, I realized I actually do not follow many of them on social media, which is something that I would like to do after finishing this assignment!
When it comes to social media, I am mostly on Instagram and Facebook, but there is one blog I follow by a Canadian pastor, Carey Nieuwhof, that I have found helpful in my context of leading a Christian ministry. I follow him on his instagram and on his blog, which I subscribe to and receive directly to my email account.
The reason I was drawn to Nieuwhof’s material, was because it was super helpful, practical, strategic and tailored to ministry leaders. I appreciate the way he writes, because it is usually: “5 keys to X” or “10 lessons on Y.” I like this kind of structure and writing as it is easy to read and take in. Also the titles tend to draw me in out of curiosity. His aim that he articulates on his website is to help ministry leaders “thrive in life and leadership” (Nieuwhof, n.d.). I really appreciated how he opened up about his experience with burnout and other issues he has had as a Christian leader in some of his blogs. There were also some really helpful blogs he wrote on time management and he occasionally offers online seminars.
Two significant ideas that this leader espouses are:
1) Helping leaders overcome obstacles (internal and external).
2) The importance of strategy as a ministry leader.
Helping Leaders Overcome Obstacles
In regards to overcoming obstacles, I relate to these as a ministry leader and in my personality. I often see potential in people and organizations and can sometimes identify what the barriers are to growth. Therefore, I relate to the way Nieuwhof thinks and I want to grow my skills in identifying barriers and communicating them. I find from some of his blogs I am learning to be sharper in this skill.
Personally, overcoming obstacles, is something that I seek to do in my own life. I am aware that there are still things that hinder me from growth in my relationship with God and as a leader. I find Nieuwhof’s blogs sometimes help identify those areas, so I can become aware, confess, pray, obey and invite the Holy Spirit to transform me. One example, is one of his blogs on pride, which I found enlightening, challenging and convicting.
Importance of Strategy as a Ministry Leader
Nieuwhof seems to get a lot of flak for this aspect of his writing, as I think some ministry leaders struggle with his focus on quality, growth, numbers and size. I understand their struggle, but personally, when I read his blogs on strategy, I see his heart being that he wants churches and ministries to improve in quality, so more people can know Jesus. I think he believes that God works in powerful ways and does not need us, but he is also aware of the reality that churches and ministries tend to be unattractive to the unchurched. I also appreciate and have learned from this focus on quality and relating to the culture, especially when it comes to his blogs on better communication in preaching or on social media.
The advice I would give Nieuwhof, is to be careful of his wording and tone at times. Occasionally in his blogs, there can be harshness, an edge or a slight tone of arrogance that could cause reactions from people. Personally, I sometimes get put-off by it, but I still think there is value to the things he writes. I have also noticed on some of his recent blogs that his frustrations seem to be coming out towards his critics. I cannot imagine how tough it must be to have critics and we are human, so no judgement. I have just noticed some subtle shots fired at critics in some recent blogs. I appreciate his vulnerability in some of those posts though, showing that he is human and criticism is not easy.
I appreciate Niewhof’s values, ethics and principles in the area of helping leaders and ministries grow and thrive and how he shares some of his own journey as a Christian leader. Personally, God is leading me into a season, where he wants me to learn more skills in the area of ministry strategy and growth, so I think Niewhof is a good resource. I do not agree with everything he writes and I make sure to discern the things I question, which I think everyone should do with every leader! Putting leaders on a pedestal can be a very dangerous thing to do and it is important to never stop thinking critically about what your pastor or leaders says. Leaders are human and they do not always have it right. I think Niewhof is succeeding in what he is aiming to do, which is providing resources to Christian leaders to help them thrive and grow.
Monica
References
Nieuwhof, Carey. (n.d). Carey Nieuwhof. Retrieved from https://careynieuwhof.com/.
Nieuwhof, Carey. (n.d). 5 habits that reveal you’re a prideful leader (and 5 keys to humility). Retrieved from https://careynieuwhof.com/5-habits-that-reveal-youre-a-prideful-leader-5-keys-to-humility/.
Header photo: pexels.com by jeshoots.com shared under Pexels (BY) license.
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