Category: Leadership

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Leadership

“Coach, are we talking about a Coach?”

With this week being NBA Finals week and my favorite team, the LA Lakers inching closer to a Championship, I thought I would talk a little basketball. Nearly twenty years ago, Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76ers was recorded by the media at a press conference as saying his now-famous “Practice” speech. I can still remember where I was when I heard this news for the first time. Things didn’t go viral back then, but this press conference was as close to going viral as one could get. It was played on ESPN every hour on the hour. You could just say that it was the press conference ‘heard round the world.’

What made the press conference so iconic was that it involved an All Star, an unmistakable voice, and a long-held belief and value being questioned at its core. When Allen Iverson (AI) said, “Practice, are we talking about practice?”, it came across to every listening ear that this star point guard thought of himself as above practice. AI is known as “The Truth” and the truth is Iverson didn’t become the all-star he is without practice. Iverson knows this is true and would tell you to this day that he regrets the press conference. AI has gone on record saying that everyone finds his quote funny, but himself. There were a lot of things coming together at one time that caused AI to blow up and go on a rant that echoes throughout time. To his credit, AI got to an NBA Finals. Unfortunately, he never won a ring. My Lakers beat him!

This all brings me to an NBA player today that plays the same position as AI and has a similar size, skillset, and game. Like AI, this player has made some questionable comments in the past, but none so questionable as the comments he made this past week. Brooklyn Nets Point Guard Kyrie Irving has gone on record saying “I don’t really see us having a head coach.” That comment would be fine if it were true, but the truth is Brooklyn just hired a new coach by the name of Steve Nash days before Kyrie made his comments.

To make matters worse, Kyrie’s all-star teammate Kevin Durant chimed in saying that Nash’s coaching was going to be a “collaborative effort.” In other words, the players and the coach will coach the team. In speaking of Kyrie and himself, Durant continues, “I think a lot of people may question our leadership, overall or just us two.”

Collaboration and leadership are great things, that is when they are properly understood. In next generation ministry, collaboration and leadership are vital. Coaches and players should always collaborate, but never to the point where the players become the coach. If and when this happens, why even hire a coach? I do question Kyrie and Durant’s leadership style. I see Kyrie and Durant as great players, but not as great leaders. The reason is because underneath all of the player quotes run a philosophy or a belief system called postmodernism.

Postmodernism isn’t all bad. There remains a mixture of truth within this system. For example, the coach who doesn’t listen to anything his players say shouldn’t be coaching at all. But postmodernism also produces a belief system that ultimately can’t be trusted. For example, Kyrie Irving is also on record saying that he believes the world is flat. Just because you believe something doesn’t mean that it is true, yet postmodernism would say that what’s true for you is true for you and what’s true for me is true for me. At that point, the standard of truth becomes subjective and not based on something objective, such as the Word of God.

Leadership matters. And so does authority. Postmodernism undermines authority. For this reason, I don’t see how Nash, Irving, and Durant will be able to co-exist long enough to produce an NBA Championship. You need more than great players to pull a championship off. You need a great culture and you need great leaders at every level. Bottom-up leadership is a great thing, but not at the expense of disallowing those up-top of the ability to lead. In this way, postmodernism operates upside-down as it doesn’t make any more sense than the sense it takes to believe the world is flat.

In life, the Holy Spirit is our coach. The Bible says that he is our comforter and counselor. We all need a teacher, a coach. What we don’t need to do is to say that coaches are a necessary evil. Coaches are in place to help players get to the next level, to their next stage of development. This type of philosophy works at the professional level as much as it does the middle school level. Once a player thinks he has arrived, his growth is stunted. Who better to coach Kyrie than a two-time NBA MVP? Last time I checked, Kyrie hasn’t won one of those awards.

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Leadership

Appreciation and Celebration!

On November 1, 2018 I began full-time ministry in next generation ministry! I must say I am loving it! For those of you have followed my blog, you know I have been writing about next generation ministry for over two years. You know I graduated with a doctoral degree in next generation ministry and you know I have a written a few small digital and print books on the subject. 

Most “next generation pastors” are in name only. It’s not that they or their ministry to the next generation is unimportant. To the contrary, I believe their work and ministry should take some of the highest priority in church. What I mean “in name only” is that most pastors with the title “Next Generation Pastor” are simply glorified youth pastors. They are most often pastors doing the same old model of children and youth ministry, only this time wearing a different or cooler name tag.

Now, if you are doing any ministering in any capacity to and for the next generation, I can see how you would call that next generation ministry. However, that is not how I define next generation ministry. In fact, I find there are few and far between who are doing true next gen ministry. I write this not to degrade anyone involved in ministry to the next generation. If you still find yourself confused at this point, I would point you toward my first book, Next Generation Ministry and Discipleship, where I spell out what I consider true next generation ministry to be. A good follow-up is my second book, The Student Ministry Time Machine, where I move from mere next gen ministry theory to practice thereof. 

Believe it or not, the intent of this post is not for me to sell more  of my books. Being on the frontier of true next generation ministry, my intent is to journal my findings for you so far of full-time next generation ministry in a small church environment.

First, don’t expect to pull off next generation ministry in any sized-church unless you have a slew of leaders ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work. I am most blessed to have preschool, children, youth, and college leaders leading a team of leaders to plan, coordinate, and evaluate all ministry-related activities.

As a Next Generation Pastor, I am not expected to be at every next gen ministry event nor would it be possible for me to do so. To lead leaders who lead leaders, you must first serve! This is what Jesus did. My first order of business has not been to come in and change anything. My church’s preschool, children, youth, and college teams were already leading effective ministries. Your situation may be different and I understand. Context will differ for each us. I found it my job to add to or enhance my church’s current ministries to the next generation. My church’s ministries to the next generation have now been unified in the form of next generation ministry (“cradle to college”). Before suggesting and discussing a program or event here or there to my leaders that I think might enhance our current level of ministry activity, I thought it best to first honor all of our next gen workers and volunteers by giving them a Christmas present for all they have done this past year. Appreciation is important but so is Celebration! Thus, the next item on my agenda is to celebrate all of my next gen teams and leaders by taking them out to eat. Appreciation and Celebration are small tokens when you consider how much time the rest of the year leaders, volunteers, and workers give of themselves to the ministry.

I will keep you updated on my journey! In the meantime, how are you treating those in your church who value and invest in the next generation? 

 

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Leadership Legacy

Faith, Family, and Football

Fall is one of my favorite seasons of the year. Not only do the temperatures drop, but college football and hunting seasons begin! You can always tell Fall is around the corner when the NFL Hall of Fame game comes on. Now, the NFL itself is in a mess.  I’m not a big fan, but one thing the NFL always gets right is its Hall of Fame induction ceremony. I always enjoy watching speeches from legendary players because the speeches are unfiltered!

The speeches are always heartfelt and awe-inspiring because most of the players come from single-mother homes and poverty-stricken areas. Many of these players have never met their dad and should have just been another statistic. But, they overcame! Jesus Christ, God, came through for them and their families through all the trials and tribulations. A common word spoken among the Hall of Famers’ was, “Football is what I do, not who I am.” Football was a way out, a job, something fun to do, but the sport didn’t define the man. “Faith, Family, and Football in that order.” Through all the fame and fortune, these players didn’t forget where they came from. They stay humbled and their speeches are real!

I love good speeches. They motivate me. I’ve heard many good speeches in my lifetime and I have my favorites. But, ranking right up there with the best of them is now Baltimore Ravens Linebacker Ray Lewis Hall of Fame speech! If you have not heard Ray’s speech, I would challenge you to listen! Ray has been a perennial leader on and off the football field for many years. But, hearing his life story and how he arrived at this point is amazing!

What I love about Ray’s speech, besides his life story, is how he uses his platform to inspire the next generation. Rather than talk about all his accolades and accomplishments, Ray tells his audience (which includes you and me) to overcome the ills of today by loving and by serving. Ray takes a page from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s playbook and uses his platform to talk about loving people. Reminds me of Jesus. Want to stop school shootings? The suggestion is to start loving your neighbor. I think I’ve heard that line before!

Rather than quote the whole speech, why don’t you listen to it yourself! Just click on “Watch on YouTube” after you see the message pop up that the NFL has blocked it on this site.

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Leadership

Whose NXT?

In case you are wondering, I did not spell “Next” wrong. NXT is just another way of saying “Next” or “Next Generation.” The Titleist NXT golf ball “is a high-performance ball delivering low driver and long iron spin for outstanding distance along with excellent shot-stopping control.” Perhaps you watched the amazing show put on by golf pro Jordan Spieth this past weekend at the British Open. Spieth, who used Titleist clubs and balls in his most recent win, is the closest thing we have seen to Tiger Woods since well . . . Tiger Woods.

Golf, like every other sport, is always on the lookout for their next great superstar. We know that golf’s young stars of today include names such as Dustin Johnson, Zach Johnson, Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson, Justin Rose, Hunter Mahan, Bubba Watson, Patrick Cantlay, and Rory McIlroy. But no one is labeled a major star of golf until they well . . . win a major.

Some of the names above have won a major and some have not. If you don’t know anything about golf, there are only four majors and they include the US Open, the British Open, the Masters, and the PGA Championship. Iseekgolf.com recently conducted a reader’s poll asking who would be golf’s next major star. In other words, what golfer would be next to win their first major. Names included Justin Thomas, Matt Kuchar, and Jon Rahm. But none of those names won the vote. Who did? None other than the golfer I would have voted for myself (pictured below).

Rickie Fowler

Golf is not the only industry looking down the pipeline for the next great star. All business sectors are constantly looking to see who is on the rise. Talent is easy to spot.

I think we should have the same mindset for the ministry, while also understanding that God’s way aren’t always ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). If you are in Christ, you are already great because he has made you that way! What I am talking about is spotting young leaders and developing them and their gifts. I agree with Aubrey Malphurs and Will Manchini that one of the church’s glaring weaknesses in today’s world is leadership development. As they argue in Building Leaders, the church has many potential leaders, but the church is not developing “the next generation of Christ-like leadership.”

So next generation parents and leaders—who are you developing? Pastors and church staff—who are you developing? Who and where are the next great preachers, evangelists, missionaries, worship leaders, artists, etc.? Are you not only developing these next great Christian leaders, but sharing your platform with them? Are you letting go or holding on? I know it’s a delicate balance, and that our young stars are going to slip and slide along the way. But at some point, we have to let go of the reigns and step aside. We don’t have to worry about when that time might be. God is in control. But we do need to do everything we can to develop our ministry leaders of tomorrow today!

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Leadership

NGM Leadership 101

Leadership is vital in any enterprise, team, or ministry. Much ink has been spilled as many books have been written about leadership. The maxim, “everything rises or falls on leadership” is true. I want to share with you some invaluable lessons on leadership that I have learned and personally experienced in the course of teaching, coaching, and ministering in the 21st century.

Leaders set the tone: I learned this lesson as a first year varsity boys soccer coach. I gathered my new team in a classroom, laid down realistic expectations for the season, and received buy-in from everyone. In my case, the soccer team was the school’s first. Setting the tone on any new venture becomes that much more of a necessity.

Leaders eat last: This saying is a title of a book written by business guru Simon Sinek. Sinek’s book chronicles how senior Marine leaders are served their food last because the “true price of leadership is the willingness to place the needs of others above your own.” Christ put our need for forgiveness above his very own life.

Leaders take the high road: WorldCom, Enron, and other business scandals have taught us the importance of learning this lesson. Morals, ethics, and virtue still matter. There are no substitutes for integrity of character.

Leaders are often misunderstood: This has forever been the case but is even more so in the information age. Even the best form of communication, face to face, has through the ages brought about misreads and misunderstandings. However, today’s form of communication via email, texting, social media, etc. has only complicated the way individuals understand the intention of others. Leaders, being human, also have the capacity to misunderstand. Leaders understand this principle and forgive those who are misguided.

Leaders are not always liked: Due to misunderstandings, jealousy, greed, and a host of other misgivings, leaders are minutely scrutinized and take the brunt of the criticism. Making decisions that are unpopular and that unsettle the status quo can lead to a populace who dislike more than just the resolutions made or the change created.

Leaders possess knowledge that others don’t have access to and make critical decisions based off of that knowledge: Leaders are always first to know and sometimes the only contingent that ever knows. Leaders take the knowledge they are handed and make the best determinations they can. There is no better example than the President, who often has to make quick decisions which carry monumental weight with longstanding implications.

Leaders don’t take criticism personally: My favorite leadership lesson comes from the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 4:3-4. Paul wasn’t terribly disturbed by criticism. “I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.” New England Patriot QB Tom Brady modeled this principle as he maintained focus and won the Super Bowl this season by not seeking revenge against the NFL or President Roger Godell. The air may have been let out of the ball in Deflategate but Tom kept his cool and won the day.

Leaders live a life of love: Finally, leaders love everyone, including their haters. “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mat 5:44). Ultimately, Jesus died for us, his enemy at the cross and reconciled us to him. There has never been a greater act of love.

Leadership lessons abound and I am only scratching the surface. These just happen to be tidbits I have learned along the way. I hope they will help you to be a better next generation leader.

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Leadership Next Generation Ministry

Possible Pitfalls in NGM

pitfalls

The strengths of the next generation ministry (NGM) model are many. I do not just promote NGM because I have studied it.  I promote NGM because I do it and because I believe in it!

There are other ministry models that are worthwhile.  I have much respect for various family ministry models, particularly Timothy Paul Jones “family-equipping” ministry model.  I have dabbled some in the “intergenerational ministry” model espoused by Holly Allen and Christine Ross and Genonministries.org.   I would prefer any of the above mentioned ministry models over traditional children and youth ministry models.

But to be an honest salesman, I need to warn you that NGM is not all peaches and cream.  I need to help you take off any glasses with rose-colored lenses you may be eying NGM through in order to warn you of possible pitfalls.

If left unguarded, NGM can divide a church.  Constant care, attention, and supervision of NGM must be supplied by Next generation leaders.  Words matter.  NGM must always be viewed in the context of the whole church.  The vision of NGM begins and end with a church’s pastor. Though he is not the Next Generation Pastor, he must fully back NGM and promote its value to the congregation.

Next Generation leaders must then be careful not to ostracize any church members from other generations.  Generations nor generational ministries are to be compared to as better or worse than each other.  A senior adult ministry is just as valuable to the church as next generation ministry is.

As a next generation ministry practitioner and pastor in a small rural church context, I email my next generation parents and leaders every week, but my email goes to the entire church.  When next generation events are held, I make sure that everyone in the church knows they are invited and encouraged to attend.

The church is a community.  In the past, various age-graded ministries within what I now call NGM acted as silos and operated unto themselves.  NGM must be just as careful not to isolate itself (though more unified than traditional ministry models) of making the same mistake by separating or distancing itself (birth through young adult) from or against the rest of the church (middle-aged adult and up).  If this happens, a church will still be divided, though the fractions be less (1/2 as compared to 1/4 or 1/5).

In large churches or megachurches, next generation ministry can pose problems if the Next Generation Pastor is not able to work hip to hip with the church’s Discipleship or Adult Education Pastor.  The relationship between these staff members must be a marriage of cooperation and service.

No matter the size of the church, NGM, like any ministry model, will suffer if leaders are not held accountable.  Next generation leaders must be faithful to lead their age-graded ministries and or small groups (life groups, transformation groups, mission groups, etc.).  Next generation leaders who do not show up can stifle the ministry and make life hard on the Next Generation Pastor.

In my small church context, I “float” in between next generation student groups to check up on next generation leaders and or to help when needed.  If one of my leaders do not show up, I can no longer float because I am then required to teach.  In a small church, a Next Generation Pastor is a floater who oversees volunteer preschool, children, and student leaders.