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Dangerous Calling Email – Arrival Danger

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Here’s the email I wrote our elders and deacons today, 7/31/13:

In chapter 11 of Dangerous Calling, “Between the Already and the Not Yet,” Paul Tripp wrestles with the concept of arrival.  Specifically, as we saw last time, he warns of the carnival mirrors of ministry that can distort the true reality of our souls.  Related to that, Tripp gives some clear Results of Thinking You’ve Arrived:
1) You will think that you don’t need what you preach (or teach or study).
2) You will not be open to the ministry of the body of Christ.
3) You will expect of others the perfection that you think you’ve achieved.
4) You will feel qualified to have more control than you have.
5) You won’t feel the need for daily meditative communion with Christ.
6) You will take credit for successes that only grace can produce.
7) You will feel entitled to what you could never earn or achieve.
8) You will be less than watchful and protective when it comes to temptation and sin.
9) You will load more on your ministry than you can responsibly handle.
Again, all of this flows from distortion.  As Tripp closes, he reminds us “that you and I are still a bit of a mess.  Yes, by grace we often get it right, but we also often get it completely wrong.  There are times when we are the exuberant celebrants of the Lord, and there are other times when we are just full of ourselves.  There are times when we are deeply grateful, but there are other times when we feel entitled and demanding…  All of this is to say that the great spiritual war doesn’t rage only outside of us; there is ample evidence every day that it still rages inside of us.” 
What’s the remedy?  “Gospel-driven, Christ-centered ministry, one that gives grace to those who hear, doesn’t start with theological knowledge; no, it starts with a humble heart.  It starts with the recognition of your own need and the acknowledgement that you and I are more like than unlike the people to whom God has called us to minister.”

With you in this dangerous calling…

LRC Email – Takeaways on Failure

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Here’s the email I wrote to Leadership Reno County alumni on 7/29/13AM, highlighting some areas of failure that we learned from recently.  Here’s my email:

Well, the Summer 2013 issue of the Journal of the Kansas Leadership Center arrived in my snail mailbox on Friday.  I didn’t get a chance to dig in to it until Sunday afternoon and a quick skim helped me notice something that might interest us Reno County people…
The article is entitled, “Fail, Why We Must Be Prepared To Fall Short In Civic Leadership (And what to do about it when it happens)” by Chris Green.  What’s of interest to us are the reflections of Randy Henderson, Reno County Sheriff, on the new jail (with some quotes from Dan Deming) as well as Dan Stiffler’s Buhler bond issue ruminations. 
The article concludes with some “Lessons From The Field (How Might One Respond To Failure in Civic Leadership?):”
1) Take the time to diagnose the situation thoroughly.
– Treat failure as a data-gathering opportunity
– Use it to dig even deeper into understanding the different points of view around your issue and more fully explore tough interpretations about why you’ve failed.
2) Put additional effort into managing yourself.
– Closely assess your part of the mess.  Are there behaviors or values you’re holding on to that are getting in the way?
– You’re going to have to be very aware of the stories that others are telling about you.
– Understand that failure is often a reality of exercising leadership on tough issues – there are no easy paths to lasting change.
3) Keep trying new approaches by designing and executing carefully thought-out, skillful interventions.  But accept that the outcome won’t be under your control.
– Don’t lose sight of your deepest purpose.  Hold to it.
– You’re going to have to try something new and act experimentally.
4) Look for others to energize around addressing the situation.
– You will have to engage more stakeholders in the problem, particularly those who haven’t been involved previously.
– Recognize and speak to losses that might be incurred by stakeholders in the problem.

So, there it is.  Reno County’s failures front and center, but great lessons learned.  Read through this article (pp.26-37) and see if reviewing this doesn’t help us catapult out of the failures into progress for the future.  With you in this…

Dangerous Calling Email – Simple Question

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My 6/25/13 email based on Paul Tripp’s Dangerous Calling book to elders and deacons of Crestview Bible Church:

We continue to work through Dangerous Calling thoughts this year.  Specifically, we’re following up on chapters that were recommended to read following up on Sessions 5-6 of the DVD.  Chapters 5, 6, and 11 are encouraged to be some follow up on these sessions. 
There’s a profound question at the beginning of chapter 5 that I would encourage you to consider: “Who am I and what do I spiritually need?”  When was the last time you considered this?  Why not today?  I’d like you take some time and spend 5 minutes honestly considering this question.  Journal some thoughts or write a reflection and then act accordingly.  Maybe there’s a cry out for help you need to make.  Maybe there’s some sort of follow up you need to pursue.  Whatever God stirs in you, consider this question, then avail yourself to the body of Christ. 

With you in this journey…

Dangerous Calling Email – Chapter 5

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For today’s email to Crestview’s leadership on Paul Tripp’s Dangerous Calling book, I had one of our deacons, Benjamin Oard, write some reflections on chapter 5.  Here’s what he writes:

The most interesting part of each chapter for me have been personal stories and experiences Paul Tripp shares. I've been able to identify with each of those stories on some level. The story in Chapter 5 of Joe and his life being totally consumed by the stress of circumstance, ministry, and family. This stress transformed his daily mindset into a "survival" mode. I remember reading that particular story and immediately identifying with Joe. More importantly, I remember reading the terrifying response of Joe's wife..."I can't stand what it has done to Joe and our family, I just can't do it anymore." 

Survival is the mindset I easily drift towards. My energy is exhausted by the stress at work, craziness with three small children at home, and helping lead ministry. I've use the "can do" attitude in the past, and believe me that isn't enough. Going through the motions and putting on a good face will not get it done. Personal devotions and reading books won't revitalize me towards the father, husband, and employee I'm called to be. 

Paul Tripp gives us eight essential means of grace that can help minister to each of us. I'm just going to highlight two that I've benefited from:
1) Seek out a spiritually mature person to mentor you at all times. Bob Guthrie and I have met for a few years now. He never tells me what I want to hear (makes you wonder why I keep going back?) The Spirit works through others to minister to each of us. I get great encouragement sharing and asking for wisdom in the seemingly overwhelming circumstances I face. The question is, "Will we take advantage of that means of grace?"

2) Make there is someone regularly mentoring your wife . This is just as important. Jandee did this without me encouraging her to do so. This is such a great tool for young mothers. I'm not sure there is a more draining job than a stay at home mom.  She needs community and takes advantage of this much better than I do.

I hope your encouraged by chapter 5 and were able to benefit from the material Paul Tripp illustrated so well.

LRC Email – Catch Valve and Voices

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Here’s the email I sent to Leadership Reno County alums today on engaging unusual voices:

Recently had some plumbing problems and had to put in a catch valve in our sump pump pipe.  Now, I’m not the handiest person when it comes to this, but I do understand the thought here.  The catch valve insures the sump keeps making progress.
In a sense, that’s what engaging unusual voices is all about.  It’s helping all kinds of people make progress on things they care about.
So, if this such a great concept, why don’t we engage unusual voices more often?
– We don’t set high enough standards for ourselves in how we connect with people and build relationships.
– It’s risky.  Usual voices fear losing their status or influence.
– Fear.  We gravitate toward what’s comfortable.
– Time. Engaging unusual voices requires time people are unwilling to give.
– Assumptions.  Those without influence are often assumed to lack expertise.
Anytime and every time is a good time to engage unusual voices.
(taken from a Kansas Leadership Center Conference Call summary)

Today, then, engage in an act of leadership by going after the unusual voices so that you make progress on the issue you care about.

Dangerous Calling – Isolation Review

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Our church leadership is meeting regularly to work through Paul Tripp’s book Dangerous Calling.  Each week, I send an email reminding them of things we’re learning.  Here’s this week’s installment:

Gents,
Want to keep building on the momentum from our May 21st meeting.  In that meeting (have you gotten together with Bob Guthrie yet if you missed it?), we watched sessions 5 and 6.  I’m going to summarize session 6 in this email and press for some application. 
The high points:
·         When you begin to believe that you have arrived, you will be unprepared for the violence of grace.  God will bring the grace of refinement and rescue to reclaim your heart.
·         God wants you.
·         Ministry can lead to the temptation of isolation.
·         Sin blinds, and therefore, we will have an inaccurate view of ourselves and will not be able to repent of sins.
We were encouraged to pursue these applications:
·         Have you isolated yourself from or above the body of Christ?
·         Have you been using your position as a leader to justify not revealing your struggles and temptations to others?
·         Do you tell yourself that, as a leader, you must set a good example and, therefore, not confess sin?
·         Have you told yourself that you must not show weaknesses in order to be an effective leader?
·         Have you improperly judged others in ministry or placed unreachable expectations upon them?  If so, perhaps you need to confess this to them.
·         Are you prepared to show compassion, mercy and grace to others in ministry?  Have you made yourself approachable should anyone want to share or confess their struggles to you?
·         Are you prepared to speak the truth in love to those in the body who need to hear difficult truths spoken in love?

I hope some of these resonate with you and result in lots of ministry application out of our lives.  Have a great week.

LRC Email – You’re Needed

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Here’s the email I sent to Leadership Reno County Alumni on 6/3/13:

I recognize that many of you have plenty on your plate.  Having said that, though, I also realize that some of you are looking for the right opportunity in which to engage.  The Alumni Association was recently approached by the city for help in dealing with board vacancies.  Here’s the low-down:
The City has many advisory boards, commissions and committee, and we are constantly seeking out volunteers who can give the time to participate in their local government.  The City’s web link below provides access to a description of each board, a listing of current board members and upcoming vacancies, an Application for Board Appointment, an Applicant Bank form, and information about our appointment policies.  [They] respectfully request that [we] share the City’s web link with [you].
So, consider if this might be for you and follow up accordingly.  If we really believe that engaging in acts of leadership helps us make progress on our most daunting challenges, joining a board might be a way to engage in an act of leadership and pursue change, while seeking to work for the good of our community. 

With you in this…

LRC Email – Negatives Can Be Positives

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Here’s the email I wrote Leadership Reno County alums today:

We’ve been thinking this month about the temperature and raising the heat, using KLC’s Raising the Heat resource.  Today, the simple reminder I have gets at something we often fail to remember.  We tend to think of raising heat as negative and risky (and, at times, it is).  However, sometimes apparent negative things can actually be positive. 
Consider: WHAT ARE THE POSITIVE CONSEQUENCES OF RAISING THE HEAT?
■ You provide an example for others and create a culture that raises the heat when necessary.
■ The result is always better than you imagine. It’s always easier than you imagined, too.
■ It can reveal what is on people’s minds and put others things to rest.
■ It creates new energy and the opportunity for alliances.
■ It can catalyze self-discovery
So there are many benefits to be found in raising the heat.  What are you waiting for?

Have a great day…

LRC Email — LRCPlexVipr3D Radar

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Here’s the email I sent out to Leadership Reno County alums on 5/20/13:

Don’t you love those snazzy names that meteorologists have for their radar systems?  The subject line of this email is my attempt at coming up with something for our group.  We need some sort of radar that helps us in diagnosing the situation when raising the heat, or, as KLC’s Raise the Heat resource asks, “How do you know when to raise the heat?”
Some answers:
■ If you are the only one doing the work and things are going slowly.
■ When time pressures are requiring action.
■ When people are bringing “elephant in the room” type issues to your attention outside the main group meeting time.
■ When you aren’t feeling satisfied with the amount of progress.
■ If you aren’t doing any of the work.
■ When you feel burning questions inside of you that aren’t being addressed.
(It was noted that it may NOT be time to raise the heat when you have severely entrenched opposing views.)
So, again, as the weather warms, let it be a reminder to you that you may very well need to engage in an act of leadership and raise the heat.  And see if it doesn’t help us make progress on issues in our community we care about deeply.  To that end…

LRC Email – Hopin’ for a Heat Wave

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Here’s the email I wrote to leaders in Reno County this AM:

Yup, we’re back on the weather again.  While last week, I spoke of taking the temperature as a way to diagnose the situation, today, I want to encourage you to raise the heat.  Now, raising the heat affects things (even here in KS where we bemoan the cold weather and hope for warmer temperatures knowing that it will inevitably produce those tornadic May storm cells).  Raising the heat in our civic environs may be a risky adventure.  That’s why our raising of the heat must be purposeful and skillful.
Here’s one installment and simply a portion of the KLC’s Raise The Heat resource which gets at how we can raise the heat:
■ Use silence. Don’t jump in and answer the question for others. Let them do the work.
■ Allow more time. Tough issues will surface and progress will be made if you allocate enough time to let a group stew.
■ Grab the bull by the horns and declare a way forward after receiving input from others. Movement often raises the heat and gets people to engage more fully.
■ Lay out the consequences of inaction.
■ Define the roles of individuals and organizations, thus formally placing responsibility where it is needed most.
■ Use humor.
■ Provide an external reality check on the situation.
■ Identify the elephant in the room.
■ Ask open-ended questions.
So, as you consider how you might engage in an act of leadership by raising the heat, do it skillfully, purposefully and creatively so that we can make progress on those areas we care about deeply.
Hopin’ for a heat wave…