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WANTED: FOCUSED LEADERS
Our NAD ministerial leadership team just spent four days offsite together focusing on what we do and why we serve. The outcomes of our focus were bathed in prayer, research, resourcing, and inspiration. I'll share some of our focused results next month.
Leaders who are focused have the ability to view their goals and purposes with a single eye. These are the kind of leaders that every organization wants and needs. But life is full of disruptions and distractions and sometimes it's hard to stay focused. But losing focus is perilous because without it leaders lose support and momentum. No one wants to follow leaders who aimlessly journey through their days without a purpose or goal.
Looking out the window of my home office, I often see red tail hawks swoop down off the high electrical towers nearby to catch rodents or snakes. Before swooping down, they study the ground with great interest and intensity looking for their prey. Their eyes and brains are tuned to detect the slightest movement.
For red tail hawks, being focused is a matter of life and death. If they lose their ability to see and focus they will eventually die of starvation. Their hunting requires keen eyesight. Unlike the hawk, if we as leaders lose our focus, it can be renewed! Elijah's experience demonstrates that even though a leader may be exposed to danger though spiritual and physical weakness, he or she can be renewed and restored. (Read 1 Kings 19)
If God has called you to a role of spiritual leadership in your church, He will certainly give you a specific mission and purpose to fulfill. Your job is to stay in tune with Him so He can help you stay focused.
Here are some suggestions (tips) for staying in touch with God's leadership call:
1. Pray for God's intervention - Prayer is the key component for staying focused. Much prayer can awaken our God-given sense of urgency for His biddings and keep us in tune with knowing His will and purpose.
2. Have a clear plan - A leader's focus can be blurred without the investment of preparation and planning for the task at hand. The great yield of accomplishment is only realized when the deposits of time and effort are made in the planning stage.
3. Remove the clutter and distractions - Focus is lost when the busyness of life drowns out the passion for leadership. To remain focused, leaders must set boundaries that enable them to keep the clutter of distractions out of their line of sight. This may require getting up earlier in the morning or turning off the phone.
The Apostle Paul is a prime example of one who was able to stay focused. At the end of his journey he declared, "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NIV)
Whatever challenges you face, please know that God is serious about helping you fulfill your leadership role. Perhaps you've been side tracked or have become discouraged. Be encouraged, you can find leadership renewal and restoration.
Please share your ideas and what you are currently doing in your conference on our Facebook page. |
Coaching is an essential approach to leading and mentoring pastors today. Many pastors have testified that they have never been mentored or coached in a formal way. NAD Ministerial would like to discuss the importance of the coaching model in future Best Practices.
According to the Complete Guide to Christian Coaching and Coach Training Programs, all coach training programs listed share the following common characteristics.
- They identify themselves as Christian.
- They confirm their alignment with three presented Christian
definitions of coaching and the International Coach Federation
definition of coaching. - Without necessarily having personal or organizational membership
in either Christian Coaches Network or International Coach Federation,
they confirm that the 'standards presented are represented in the
content of their training." - They believe and represented that their programs are teaching
'standard professional classic coaching skills" as set forth by
the International Coach Federation.
Below are some guides for Christian Coaching and Training Programs. Center for Coaching Excellence | Christian Coach Institute | Coaching4Clergy | Creative Results Management | Professional Christian Coaching Institute | Way of Life Coaching, LLC | Workplace Coach Institute, Inc. |
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INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
OR EMPLOYEE
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Locally funded employee conversion guidelines for the new policy entitled E 05 31 Denominational Employees, Classification and Accreditation
have required Conference Administrators and Ministerial Directors to re-dress or address for the first time, the categories of Lay Pastors and Part-time Pastors. Various State laws, workers rights updates, and the threat of litigation have given focus to this new policy. Some have reported the policy brings much needed clarity and worker advocacy to a broad denominational issue, while others declare it to be a unintended hardship to the current and potential population of workers and finances, and thus the mission.
The law of the land, however, requires a thorough review and implementation of current compliance regarding denominational workers. Independent contractors and/or employees usually are discussed with the following quick reference categories below.
Independent Contractor Employee
Sets own hours Uses employer's tools
Decides when/how to work Continuing relationship
Provides own tools Paid by the hour
Paid by the job Reimbursed for expenses
Works for many companies Can quit anytime
Risks losing money Gets paid "regardless"
Obligated by contract Works regular hours
Risk of Profit/Loss Follows instructions
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| News & Notes |
Meeting Resources for Ministerial Directors & Pastors
Web conferencing. Allows you to see attendees on your computer.
Schedule an event. Allows you to schedule a poll, gives invitations, and confirms a date & time.
Voicewave. Allows you send voice message to desired group or members.
Pacific Union Conference Constituency Meeting on August 19
For more answered questions, inquiries, and information on the Pacific Union Constituency meeting visit
http://session.adventistfaith.org/
Pastoral, Evangelism and Leadership Council
at Oakwood University
December 2-4, 2012
 
Ministry in Motion is a program where that explores best practices for your ministry in the 21st century. Wherever you serve on planet earth, in the United States or the United Kingdom, Austria or Australia, Zambia or Zimbabwe, God wants you to be a great Christian leader. Whether you're a full-time pastor or a lay leader of your Christian fellowship, God wants to use you to impact your world.
You can watch MINISTRY IN MOTION on DIRECTV 368, on your iPod, your iPad, or your computer. View the programs at www.ministryinmotion.tv
Webinar This Month
Nickolaus Satelmejer-Ministerial Ethics. Tuesday, August 21, 1:30pm e.s.t.
Follow our new "Best Practices Newsletter" on our own Ministerial Directors facebook page.
Please share with us what's happening in your conference or Union. We would love to share what you doing with other Ministerial Directors in our Division.
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| A Point to Make | |
"Righteousness is not a reward that God pays for faithful service or for obedience. Righteousness does not depend upon some meritorious act of human effort designed to achieve merit. Righteousness is something that God declares to be reckoned to Abraham" Gerhard F. Hasel Covenant in the Blood.
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| Calendar |
August 19, Pacific Union Conference Constituency Meeting, Woodland Hills, CA
August 21, Webinar. Nickolaus Satelmejer-Ministerial Ethics. Tuesday, 1:30pm e.s.t.
August 24, 25, North Pacific Union Ministerial Directors & Evangelism Coordinators Retreat, Gleneden Beach, Oregon
August 26-29, NAD Asian-Pacific Islander Conference, San Diego, CA
September 14, Ontario Conference, Festival of the Laity, Toronto, CAN
September 28, 29, Elders Retreat South Atlantic Conference, Orangeburg, SC
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