|
The RevWriter Resource (ISSN 1545-939X)
A publication of RevWriter Resources, LLC
May 2009
Volume 8, Number 5
Susan M. Lang, Editor and Publisher
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Dear Friends:
At one of my previous congregations, a number of lay leaders frequently ran straight
from work to committee or council meetings. They'd arrive at church tired, hungry, and
sometimes out of sorts--contributing to conflict or indecisiveness. And, it wasn't
unusual for meetings to last several hours. It was only after the meeting that these
leaders would go home and eat dinner, then hop into bed for a few hours of sleep often
to repeat the pattern the next day. It was poor stewardship of body, mind, and spirit.
Many of us know, or may actually be, leaders like this who are burdened by an
overloaded schedule of committee meetings or church programs, in addition to the daily
stresses and strains of life. When we get to the point of being overwhelmed, not only
do we run the risk of burn-out, but we might find that we no longer have joy in serving
in Christ's name.
This month's article by Dave Daubert gives all of us some new perspectives to think
about. What would happen if our churches became places where we focused on mentoring
people for faith formation and daily living instead of places where they came to feel
burdened by more responsibilities? What might your congregation look like if people no
longer felt weighed down by their duties but instead celebrated the true joy of
Christian living? Hopefully, you'll find both Daubert's article and the reflection
piece by V. Neil Wyrick provocative. Consider using either or both of these with your
leadership team as your reflect upon the directions of your ministry.
Blessings upon your journey of life,
RevWriter Sue Lang
sue@revwriter.com
editor@revwriter.com
http://www.twitter.com/RevWriter
If you need a leadership or other retreat facilitator, contact Pastor Sue Lang at
sue@revwriter.com or call 215-453-8128. While Sue does have a list of previous workshop
topics, she can create a retreat or workshop to meet the needs of your congregational
leadership.
Sue can also develop group leadership/learning events for a cluster of congregations
that would like to increase the learning capacity by interacting with others and
discovering what they are doing in their ministries. Contact her to learn more about
congregational cluster workshops!
Additional information on Sue's consulting work is also located at:
http://www.revwriter.com/congregational/churchconsultant/index.shtml
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the New Revised
Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National
Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission.
All rights reserved.
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Theme: Mentoring in Ministry
Who would benefit from this issue? Pastors, church staff, witness and evangelism teams,
church communication teams, and all congregational lay leaders.
Table of Contents
1 - Devotion: John 15:1-5 by Susan M. Lang
2 - Investing in People for a Value-Centered Life by Dave Daubert
3 - Additional Resources
4- Reflecting on Ministry: Questions from a Veteran Pastor by V. Neil Wyrick
Questions for Lay and Clergy Leaders to Reflect Upon
5 - RevWriter News
A - Recent RevWriter Sightings
6 - Announcements
Financial Contributions Welcomed
7 - Publications Still Available
8 - Subscribe/Unsubscribe Info
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
1 - Devotion by Susan M. Lang
Read: John 15:1-5
"Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit." (v. 2b)
When I read this focus verse, it was as if my eyes were suddenly opened for the first
time. I literally fell back into my chair jolted into awareness. Maybe it was because
the day before a friend had pointed out to me that my plate is filled beyond capacity.
In addition to several pending long-term consulting projects in the works, I have an
upcoming leadership retreat, my service on the communications team at our annual synod
assembly and, several long-distance work-related trips, all to take place over the next
few months.
And then I read this verse. The vine-grower prunes back the already fruitful branches
to open up the possibility for new growth, for new fruit-bearing. A good thing is cut
back to make it even better. That's food for thought for anyone in leadership. Think
about it: What does this really mean for anyone serving in the church in a leadership
capacity? Could it mean that sometimes our leadership becomes gluttonous as we add more
and more onto already full plates? Do we become greedy living in the desire for more
and more responsibility, because, after all, only we can do it right? Or could the
bottom line really mean that for us to produce more and healthier fruits in ministry we
need to think about pruning our schedules and our lives?
A couple of weeks ago, I attended a gathering in which we heard that, in most cases,
for true change or transformation to occur, a rupture must happen in our lives. John
15:2 caused a rupture for me, no doubt because of my very busy schedule. Perhaps you
feel a bit "fractured" as well. These powerful words impel us to ask ourselves: What do
we need to prune to bear healthier fruit? Whatever our response, we can be reassured by
the fact that we never bear fruit on our own. In Christ's church it's never dependent
upon us. We bear fruits in ministry only because we are part of the true vine, Jesus
Christ, through whom we are nurtured and in whom we grow. May we trust the vine-grower
to guide us in how best we can bear fruit for and in Jesus.
O Lord, help me to examine my priorities in ministry and life so that I might more
fully abide in you. Amen.
Copyright © 2009 Susan M. Lang
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
2 - Investing in People for a Value-Centered Life by Dave Daubert
People today seem to be busier than ever. For church people, the demands of church
activities can add to this pressure. One change many congregations are making is the
move to LESS programming and more development of people. Yes, places remain where
programming is important. But there is a real trend toward less church programming. The
truth is that while church staff may be thankful for those people who come to the
church for meetings and activities four or five times a week, such involvement can
produce a ghetto affect where people live out their faith primarily inside a
congregational subculture. Replacing program development with people development may be
the most useful thing leaders can do!
Kingdom-Focused Ministry
The momentum is building for a different kind of church. Reggie McNeal makes the case
for a new metric of church effectiveness in his book "Missional Renaissance"
(Jossey-Bass, 2009). Brian McLaren points to "The Secret Message of Jesus" (Thomas
Nelson, Inc., 2007) centered on the in-breaking kingdom of God. Walter Brueggemann
calls the church to pursue the "Mandate to Difference" (Westminster John Knox Press,
2007) and for the church to stop just fitting in to the dominant culture. In each case
they point to the church reclaiming its role as an agent of the reign of God. Ministry
is measured not by participation in church programs, but by participation in God's
mission in the world.
Pressing the same issue from another angle is the increased desire by people to do what
matters. Rick Warren's "Purpose Driven Life" (Zondervan, 2007) is just one example of
many books written to help people lead lives that amount to something. There is no
greater spiritual need in our culture today than for people to feel like their life is
useful to God.
To help people find what matters, effective leaders are discovering new tactics that
can change everything about how they work with people. Leaders are giving more
relational attention to people. They are investing energy to help people better be who
they are, see what they have to work with, and to help them do what matters. And they
will do all this primarily by walking alongside as coaches and mentors, either
individually or in small groups. These simple practices can help shape people's values
and character in ways that translate across multiple environments. What is learned in
the church is lived out as the church in daily life. People get what they need to be
better at being who they are.
Mentoring for People Formation
Simple coaching and mentoring methods are grounded biblically in the work of people
like Barnabas. Barnabas (which means "son of encouragement") was actually a nickname.
His real name, Joseph, was mentioned only once in scripture (a great stump-the-pastor
trivia question!). So encouraging was Barnabas that his real name was virtually lost
beneath his gift. Without him, Paul would not have found an audience after his
conversion. A trusted ally was essential for Paul to even get started in mission!
Not long ago most people learned in mentor-apprentice relationships. But modern
education needed to provide for larger and larger numbers of people in more formal,
verifiable forms. Most education now happens in classroom settings and the twentieth
century church followed suit. Programs and classes became the basis for church
education. Success came from how many attended. And, as less and less attended, many
church leaders began to sense the fruits of their work were dwindling.
A key to changing this is relational development of people. Mentoring relationships
allow for one-on-one time and individualized attention. People do not so much "learn"
as they process things. A good coach or mentor can help someone sort through issues in
his or her life and spends more energy shaping the person than teaching specifically
how to do things. Mentoring connects people to each other--connecting youth to adults,
older adults to younger adults, and peer to peer based on gifts. The goal is to help
provide experience, wisdom and support to people as they work through things.
New approaches to confirmation now include providing an adult mentor for each youth in
many places. Many congregations that once had two pastors are now hiring lay staff
instead of a second pastor. This staff does gifts assessment, coaches laity, supervises
mentors, networks and connects people. And some congregations are investing in training
for adult members to learn mentoring and coaching skills. New members are linked to
longer-term members and are mentored into the congregation rather than being asked to
participate in a congregational program. This is especially true in some newer
congregations being developed with more post-modern models and values. In many of these
settings, the goal is strengthening discipleship in daily life, NOT more involvement in
the congregation. In some cases, church members are mentored in the church so they can
be mentors outside the church (in schools, agencies, etc.).
The Bottom Line
This relational approach to people formation is as much about cultivating character and
values as it is about particular skill development or teaching knowledge. And that is
perhaps the best fruit of this work. Rather than involve people in church activity,
relationally investing in people through coaching and mentoring shapes people for life.
These values are shaped in the church and by the church. But they are lived out as the
church in more than church activity. In fact, they are lived out routinely in daily
life. Generous people are sent into work places. Faithful people are sent back to
homes. Loving people bear witness to next-door neighbors. Compassionate people
volunteer in hospitals and shelters. In all of these activities, the fruit of mentoring
is seen. Most do not happen with simple connections to the institutional church but all
are carried out by the church as it is sent out into the world God loves. The reign of
God is glimpsed "out there" and God smiles.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
One way to begin this work is to do some real reflection on how much programming you
are doing for people, how much ministry provides service for people, and how much
ministry invests relationally to strengthen people for work that is not in the
congregation. You may want to gather some key leaders to discuss this and to assess the
following questions:
1. List all of the programs that your congregation provides with a goal of getting
people active in the program (choirs, youth groups, classes, committees, etc.).
2. List all of the things your congregation does to provide services FOR its members
and potential members.
3. List the names of all the members of your congregation who you think are involved in
church activity (as a volunteer or in a program/group) three or more times in a typical
week.
4. List all of the people you think are intentionally mentoring someone within the
congregation and who you think they are mentoring.
5. How does your congregation track what people do in their daily lives and how do you
support them in the work they do and the decisions they make there?
Then discuss the following:
1. How can you begin to reduce programming and put more energy into developing people?
2. How can you raise up more people to do relational work like mentoring and coaching
from within your membership?
3. What support would you and other leaders need to provide to make this shift happen?
4. What do you need to do with the people who are there three or more times each week
to get them LESS involved in church activity so they are free to spend more time
serving in some other places and ways?
5. How can you restore added relational attention to people in ways that help them
reflect on Christ's call in their lives, the values they hold, and the value they
provide as they work in the world?
The above questions will provide the basis for long-term change. Do not take on
changing them all at once but be intentional about working with leadership to choose an
entry point for change. And in many cases the first person to start with is you. You
may want to spend more time finding a coach or meeting with your own mentor!
Copyright © 2009 Dave Daubert
Dave Daubert is pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Elgin, Illinois, where he serves on
the staff in partnership with his wife Marlene, a diaconal minister. He is also a
founding and managing partner of A Renewal Enterprise, Inc (A.R.E.) which he helped
start in 2007. A.R.E., has staff throughout the United States and Canada to work with
congregations, judicatories, nonprofit organizations, and businesses to help them
become "Renewable Organizations for a renewable world." Dave has a new book coming out
this summer from Augsburg Fortress called "Reclaiming the V Word: Renewing Life at its
Vocational Core. "
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
3 - Additional Resources
Logan, Bob. Coaching 101 (book and workbook). (St. Charles, Illinois: ChurchSmart
Resources, 2003. ISBN 978-1889638379)
Maxwell, John. Mentoring 101. (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2008. ISBN
978-1400280223)
Melander, Rochelle. A Generous Presence: Spiritual Leadership and the Art of Coaching.
(Herndon, Virginia: Alban Institute, 2006. ISBN 1-56699-325-3)
Reese, Randy and Keith Anderson. Spiritual Mentoring. (Downers Grove, Illinois:
InterVarsity Press, 1999. ISBN 978-0830822102)
Zachary, Lois. The Mentor's Guide: Facilitating Effective Relationships. (San
Francisco, California: Jossey-Bass 2000. ISBN 0-7879-4742-3)
Zachary, Lois. Creating a Mentoring Culture: The Organization's Guide. (New York, New
York: Jossey-Bass, 2005. ISBN 978-0787964016)
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
4 - Reflecting on Ministry: Questions from a Veteran Pastor by V. Neil Wyrick
Questions for Lay and Clergy Leaders to Reflect Upon
For over fifty years of ministry I have continued to ask the questions below many
times. I have not always arrived at the same answers, which is proof that you can teach
an old dog new tricks.
1. Do I work at remembering where visitors sit so that if they return the next Sunday
or several Sundays later I can comment, "Last time you were in the front pew. This time
you sat in the back. I'm just glad you returned and you'll consider doing so on a
regular basis."
2. Do I only talk to visitors as they leave after the worship service or do I seek them
out ahead of time? A great part of pastoring is making everyone who visits feel as if
you care enough about them, even to walking among the pews before the service to shake
their hands and briefly find out something about them. Some may argue that this is
overly aggressive. Most of the time, those who are greeted in such a manner will have a
positive response rather than a negative one.
3. Am I so comfortable with prayer I don't just say, "I'll remember you in my prayers,"
but actually immediately pray with the person in need?
4. When making hospital calls, do I overstay my welcome so that my visit is no longer
therapeutic but instead has the patient wishing I'd just go away?
5. Am I comfortable with people from all ethnic backgrounds or do I need to prayerfully
consider my own prejudices that keep getting in the way?
6. Is my forte notes, either e-mail or snail mail? How many members and
friends-of-the-church do not have computers or find such communication impersonal?
7. Telephone calls vs. house calls: Is it better to make fewer house calls and in the
same time frame make many more phone calls?
8. Do I know my church members well enough to know who really appreciates pastoral
calls and who finds them an inconvenience?
9. Do I coordinate my pastoral calls to homes and hospitals so my time is used wisely?
10. Do I find children in the Sunday morning congregation a distraction?
11. Am I uncomfortable around people of any specific age--either the very young or old?
12. Do I feel that the poor or homeless are a nuisance?
13. Should I personally pray more private prayers?
14. Do I read books that give new insights that require I change some old habits?
15. Do I just close my eyes and hope that whatever the problem is, it will just go
away?
16. Do I work hard at remembering names of visitors so that when they leave I can greet
them by name?
17. Do I glean some bits of information from our short conversation as a beginning of a
relationship?
Again, the questions should remain the same but produce better answers because of
experience.
Copyright © 2008 V. Neil Wyrick
Neil Wyrick is a syndicated columnist and the author of The Spiritual Abraham Lincoln.
He has a blog titled: Wyrick's Writings at http://www.wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
5 - RevWriter News
A - Recent RevWriter Sightings:
+Sue is returning from the annual National Workshop for Christian Unity
+in Phoenix, AZ where she served as the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod
+representative to the Lutheran Ecumenical Representatives
Network.
+Sue will serve on the Synod Assembly Communications Team of the
+Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, May 8 - 9, 2009.
+Sue is scheduled to conduct a day-long leadership retreat for a
+congregation in Pennsylvania, May 16, 2009.
+This month Sue will attend the Region 7 Lifelong Learning Network in
+Highland Lake, NY and a gathering of the Coordinating Council of the
+Faith-Based Ecumenical Resource Network in Nashville, TN.
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
6 - Announcements
Financial Contributions Welcomed
Costs to produce and manage The RevWriter Resource will increase for me this year as
the subscriber base continues to grow. Writers of devotions and main articles have
always been, and will continue to be, paid. In the past, this has come out of my personal writing income, but as this
ministry continues to grow, the cost to me will also continue to increase.
In the effort to maintain the ministry provided through the publication of The
RevWriter Resource without requiring a subscriber's fee, I am now welcoming
contributions from subscribers.
Contributions may be sent to:
RevWriter Resources, LLC
P.O. Box 81
Perkasie, PA 18944
Or through Paypal to sue@revwriter.com
Most importantly, I appreciate your prayers as this ministry continues to grow during
its seventh year in publication.
Blessings,
Sue
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
7 - Publications Still Available:
+Our Community: Dealing with Conflict in Our Congregation by Susan M.
+Lang (Augsburg Fortress Congregational Leader Series, 2002, ISBN
+0-8066-4411-7).
+Welcome Forward: A Field Guide for Global Travelers by Susan M. Lang
+and Rochelle Y. Melander (Division for Congregational Ministries -
+Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 2005, ISBN6-0002-0186-9) A CD of original music by composer Tim Hansen accompanies the book.
+Who Is My Neighbor? The Stories of Ruth and Jonah by Susan M. Lang
+(Augsburg Fortress Intersections Small Group Series, 2003, ISBN
+0-8066-4564-4)
+Pastor and People: Making Mutual Ministry Work (Augsburg Fortress
+Congregational Leader Series, 2003, ISBN 0-8066-4651-9). Sue wrote the
+chapter entitled "Pastoral Ministry Support."
+The Lutheran Handbook: A Field Guide to Church Stuff, Everyday Stuff
+and the Bible (Augsburg Fortress, 2005, ISBN 0-8066-5179-2). Sue was a
+contributor to this project.
+The Christian Handbook: An Indispensable Guide to All Things Christian
+(Augsburg Fortress, 2005, ISBN 0-8066-5259-4). Sue was a contributor to
+this project.
+The Christian Handbook for Pastors (Augsburg Fortress, 2006, ISBN
+0-8066-5297-7). Sue was a contributor to this project.
+Christian Handbook on Marriage (Augsburg Fortress, 2006, ISBN
+0-8066-5295-0). Sue was a contributor to this project.
+The Lutheran Handbook for Pastors (Augsburg Fortress, 2006, ISBN
+0-8066-5296-9). Sue was a contributor to this project.
+Lutheran Handbook on Marriage (Augsburg Fortress, 2006, ISBN
+0-8066-5294-2). Sue was a contributor to this project.
+Akaloo Guidebook (Augsburg Fortress, 2006, ISBN 10-0-8066-537-5). Sue
+was a contributor to this project.
+The Lutheran Marriage Course (Augsburg Fortress, 2006)
http://www.augsburgfortress.org/store/searchresults.asp?searchType=all&searchstring=Lut
heran+Marriage+Course&classificationID=-1&x=17&y=11. Sue was a contributor to this
project and both she and her husband, Tom, present "Maintaining Your Marriage as You and Your Spouse Change" on the course DVD. See the links at http://www.revwriter.com to order or go to
http://www.augsburgfortress.org
+The Abingdon Children's Sermon Library, Volume 2 (Abingdon Press, 2007,
+ISBN 10-0687333970). Sue was a contributor to this project. (For more info go to:
http://www.abingdonpress.com//search.aspx?scope=all&query=Abingdon%20Children's%20Sermo
n%20Library)
+The Abingdon Children's Sermon Library, Volume 3 (Abingdon Press, 2008,
+ISBN-13: 978-0-687-65152-8). Sue was a contributor to this project.
+(For more info go to:
http://www.abingdonpress.com/search.aspx?scope=all&query=Abingdon%20Children's%20Sermon
%20Library&pid=9780687651528)
+The Lutheran Handbook II (Augsburg Fortress, 2007, ISBN 9780806670379).
+Sue was a contributor to this project.
+Questions for Life: Luke's View, an Akaloo Handbook (Augsburg Fortress,
+2007, ISBN 978-0-8066-6063-9). Sue was a contributor to this project.
+Questions for Life: John's View, an Akaloo Handbook (Augsburg Fortress,
+2007, ISBN 978-0-8066-6064-6). Sue was a contributor to this project.
+Sue has contributed to the online Here We Stand confirmation resources
+(http://www.herewestandconfirmation.org/) and the Akaloo lifelong faith
+formation materials (http://www.akaloo.org/) both published
by Augsburg Fortress.
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
8 - Subscribe/Unsubscribe Info
I maintain a strict privacy policy and will not sell or share my subscription list.
The RevWriter Resource is sent to you at no cost. If you know of someone who might be
interested in receiving The RevWriter Resource, you are welcome to forward it. Please
do so only in its entirety, including my copyright information.
If someone has forwarded The RevWriter Resource to you, I invite you to subscribe. To
do so, visit my website at:
http://www.revwriter.com/congregational/resource.shtml#signup
Copyright 2002-2009 RevWriter Susan M. Lang. All rights reserved. For permission to
quote or reprint, please contact me for written consent at sue@revwriter.com or
The Rev. Sue Lang
RevWriter Resources, LLC
P.O. Box 81
Perkasie, PA 18944
www.revwriter.com
You received this email because you subscribed to "The RevWriter Resource ISSN
1545-939X"
Unsubscribe: https://member.ezezine.com/sub.ez?e=259_2.16853.940
Subscriber settings: https://member.ezezine.com/sub.ez?c=259_2.16853.940
Report abuse: https://member.ezezine.com/abuse.ez?e=259_2.16853.940
|
