Quote; Unquote . . .

See more book notes at www.davidmays.org
	Leading Out of Who You Are Discovering the Secret of Undefended Leadership Simon P. Walker Piquant Editions, 2007, 161 pp. To purchase this book click here.

"Our primary task is to grow up. It is to learn, through the experiences we are given, who we are -- what it means to be courageous, what it is to serve, what it is to be loved and to love, what it is to be real, what it is to be fully human. True leadership is leadership of ourselves and others into this kind of life ... Leadership, therefore, is a task that occurs at every level of life and in every kind of sphere ... Leadership is a way of offering life to the world, in order to draw life out of the world. As such, it is a spiritual activity." (p. 154)

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SHARE ~ From Four Spiritual Laws to Four Circles

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From Four Spiritual Laws to Four Circles: An Interview with James Choung
by Andy Crouch for Christianity Today (6.27.08)

James Choung, author of True Story: A Christianity Worth Believing In has found a way to tell the old, old story to a new generation. In this interview, Andy Crouch, editorial director of Christianity Today’s Christian Vision Project, probes Choung in order to shed light on this “new” approach to evangelism—an approach that uses four circles to explain “the Big Story” of the gospel. Read the interview.


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PRAYER ~ Is Praying for the Lord, Last?

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“God rules the world and His church through the prayers of His people. That God should have made the expansion of His Kingdom to such a large extent dependent on the faithfulness of His people in prayer is a stupendous mystery and yet an absolute certainty. God calls for intercessors; in His grace He has made His work dependent on them. He waits for them.” Andrew Murray

Are you ready for the harvest? Every day are you preparing and positioning yourself for what God is getting us ready for all across the earth? Do you realize that God rules the world through the prayers of His people? Yesterday I prayed, “Lord, I am positioning myself for harvest and for Your second coming. Help me not to do anything that does not fit into what You are right now doing on earth - Take away the unnecessary - Make me faithful in prayer!”

When we pray, God prepares the hearts of men and women. When we don’t pray, it’s as if we must pick the fruit one at a time, slowly. But fervent prayer is like the machine that shakes the olive trees. The fruit becomes ready, and what once took such a long time to harvest now happens very quickly. Prayer is preparing the harvest, and the crops throughout the nations are going to be large. We must keep praying and at the same time get our nets ready to catch the large amount of souls that God is preparing everywhere through prayer.


How to Pray as You Reach Out to the Lost
(Suggestions for prayer from Mission America Coalition)

“What an unspeakable grace to be allowed to deal with God in intercession for the supply of other’s needs! To be able to take part in Christ’s great work as Intercessor is such a blessing. It is wonderful to be in close union with Him and to mingle my prayers with His! What an honor to have power with God in heaven over souls and to obtain for them what they do not even know or think!” Andrew Murray

* Pray for people by name, and ask God to minister to their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs - James 2:16.


* Ask God to use you to demonstrate His love and care - 1 John 4:10-12.


* Ask God for opportunities to get to know the lost people in your sphere of influence - Luke 19:10.


* Ask God to build the relationships - 1 Corinthians 9:22.


* Ask God to show you ways to meet real needs - Isaiah 61:1.


* Ask God for opportunities to witness - Colossians 4:3.


* Ask God for boldness to witness - Acts 4:29.


* Ask God to open their spiritual eyes - 2 Corinthians 4:4.


* Ask God to set them free from spiritual captivity - 2 Timothy 2:26.


* Ask God to give them ears to hear faith to believe and the will to respond - Matthew 13:15, Acts 20:21, Romans 10:9.


* Ask God to send people into their life to witness to them - Matthew 9:38.


* Ask God for opportunity to invite them to a local outreach event - Luke 14:23.

Together in the Harvest, Debbie Przybylski, Intercessors Arise
deb@intercessorsarise.org
www.intercessorsarise.org

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CARE ~ What to do while caring, which may lead to sharing

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Serving Prayer
… love in action meets conversation with God

Is it A or B?

• A: "Prayer is the art of doing nothing, while still appearing to care." (Geo. Carlin)
• 
  
• B: “Prayer is noticing God then people then following through on the invitation that stands before us.” (Geo. Elliot, Jr.)

Let's face it. The perception of the church-scene is colored by jargon that is chockfull of words like "prayer" and "evangelism." Church-ish people rarely agree on these terms, so just imagine the confusion of those watching from the outside. Wiseacre George Carlin (who recently passed) was a source of inspiration to point out the need to embrace the wisdom of skeptics. The challenge we face is to be relevant without our actions coming across as gimmicks like the Carlin character Cardinal Glick getting excited about "Buddy Jesus" improving the image of the church. There is a balance to be found when we blend authentic prayer and evangelism. Sometimes critics of the faith hold the mirror for us, revealing the weaknesses in our approach to loving others. As Carlin often declared, "Prayer is the art of doing nothing, while still appearing to care." This issue focuses on reversing that perception.

Serving prayer is the art of listening to God while actively caring for people.

There are many kinds of prayer. A quick scan of popular books shows that there are countless approaches to prayer. Unfortunately, most of these techniques seem passive. To understand prayer as merely a matter of being ‘Alone with God’ or ‘Locked away by myself’ is to miss the power of walking out that prayer.

Prayer that is always cloistered is an oxymoron.

Prayer requires action. As we respond to what God has called us to in any venture, especially loving others, it is imperative that we lean on God. Prayer without obedience is nonsensical. When we yield to a reliance upon God we begin to connect with God in prayer in a ‘new natural’ as we merely live out our lives in his presence.

How does this work?

Serving prayer is as natural as…

1. ‘Be there’

When we step into the path of availability, we step into the line of communication. The flow of God-talk becomes unmistakable when we are in the presence of those who are in desperation. Guess what? The entire planet is populated with people who are desperate. Each person is desperate at unique levels of desperation. As we walk through the open doors he provides, we engage in a new kind of dialog life with God that is amazing.

2. ‘Hear now’

Prayer and serving go together like ‘Peas and carrots’ as Forrest Gump says. You can’t have one without the other.

Serving encounters don't just stir the presence of God in the ones we notice. Often the very core of our being is impacted as we serve. In the course of bringing kindness to others, we begin to see with clarity for the first time in life! We see what we were previously blind to. (That is what contrasts the sheep from the goats as Jesus spoke of in Matt. 25 – the ability to notice and serve or ignore and pass on. All the ‘Livestock’ are in the same barnyard gathering.)

Prayer is always marbled with serving. To separate them is to disconnect any hope of effective serving

3. ‘Do hear’

Evangelism that is not increasingly aware of the spiritual nature of being outwardly focused is not maturing

Express ‘Availability prayers’ as the notion strikes you. ‘Here I am God – use me!’

Confess your inability to accomplish anything lasting, strong, worthwhile apart from him – frequently!

Access the opportunities he is opening for you today – maybe right now. These will come as you are slightly open. Flex and more encounters, more stories will follow.

For all of Jesus’ followers the best is always yet to be!

As we serve, we will notice the presence of God in the midst of our serving. Why so? Not because of any cleverness on our part. God’s kinetic, ministering presence tends to hover where people in need are met by those that seek to serve that need. Granted, as the servers we cannot make any of this just happen. I have often seen this dynamic when God’s people avail themselves to him as open hearts and hands with the simple prayer attitude of ‘Show me the pain around here, God.’ As John Wimber was fond of saying, "I am just spare change in God's pocket. He can spend me however he chooses."

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Best-selling author and speaker Steve Sjogren is not only the publisher of Serve!, he is also the senior leader of a cluster of churches launching on the east side of Tampa, FL, CoastlandTampa. For more information and resources from Steve Sjogren, visit his online resource site: PrettyGoodBooks.com.

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PRAYER ~ Ways to Pray for Others

Rediscover the Joy of Praying for Others



Have you ever felt overwhelmed, bored, or distracted when praying for someone else? These dilemmas can take the pleasure out of praying for others. The July/August issue of Discipleship Journal offers practical ways to help you rediscover the joy of intercessory prayer.

You'll read about:

• Praying creatively: Ways to make praying for others consistent and enjoyable
• Praying from a fresh perspective: When God shows up, He brings renewed enthusiasm to our prayers.
• Praying when it’s hard: What do you do when answers don’t come or life’s crises leave you too depleted for words?

You can purchase this issue at your local bookstore, or click here to order one or more copies. To become a subscriber, click here and save nearly 20% off the cover price when you subscribe for 2 years (12 issues) at only $41.97 or 1 year (6 issues) at $23.97. Click here to give the gift of Discipleship Journal at our special gift rate of one year (6 issues) for only $17.97.

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Culture Change. Why Your Church May Need A Culture Change

Eight signs of spiritually dead churches and six signs of resurrection

by Bill Easum

For much of the past three decades, denominational officials have been promoting seminars and programs aimed at revitalizing the church. I know because I have been the speaker or consultant to many of these groups. For many of these leaders, their goal was to breathe new life into churches experiencing declining memberships and lack of commitment. Yet after years of trying to revitalize these churches, the vast majority of them are still declining. What gives?

Reformation, renewal, and revitalization assume some preexisting foundation of faith from which to raise up a new church. But what if that assumption isn't correct? What if the assumption is part of our problem? What if being a member of a church for 40 years doesn't automatically guarantee any spiritual depth? What if holding every office in the church doesn't automatically mean someone is a disciple of Jesus Christ? Do we dare look deep enough into our souls to find answers to these questions?

Based on the conversations and actions of the thousands of Protestant leaders with whom I worked over the years, I have concluded that most of them are spiritually dead and their institutions have ceased being the church. They have the form but not the substance of what it means to be the church.

Let me define what I mean by spiritually dead churches. If your church spends most of its energy on itself and its members, it's spiritually dead.

Such churches are living corpses. They are physically alive; some may even be growing; but they are spiritually dead to the mission of the New Testament church—to make disciples of Jesus Christ. They've turned inward and exist solely for themselves. They look for ways to serve themselves, and the kingdom be damned.

They're like baby birds sitting in the nest with their mouths open waiting for momma bird (pastor) to feed them with no concept that Jesus intends them to feed others. Oh, they might collect money to send away to some distant mission field, but they're all thumbs when it comes to sharing the good news with their neighbor or community. What growth they might experience is not of their doing—it just happens because of the population growth around them.

Here are eight death clues. Spiritually dead churches:===>Click headline to access complete article . . .

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Coaching ~ Why We Ask Questions

Questioning Knowledge Knowledge is overrated. I used to think that if I knew the right things, I'd be set. After all, knowledge provides answers to solve problems, right? We live in a knowledge economy where we live off what we know instead of what we physically produce. The Internet has made that information widely available to millions of people, most of whom are hungrier and more clever than myself. Knowledge has a short shelf life. Change is everywhere and increasing. What used to be relevant and important isn't any longer. It's been replaced by new knowledge, that will be out-of-date tomorrow. Questions are change-proof. I'm struck by this statement: "Questions rather than answers fundamentally drive the future." Knowledge isn't key, questions are! Knowledge is past; Questions are future. Knowledge is rigid; Questions can learn. Knowledge is static; Questions are dynamic. Knowledge puffs up; Questions take humility. Knowledge limits options; Questions create possibilities. Knowledge requires adaption; Questions require innovation. Questions are a journey. Jesus said, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" (Luke 11:9). All three verbs - ask, seek, and knock - are a journey of discovery. Knowledge doesn't help me ask, seek, or knock, because I think I already know! Knowledge is a location; Questions are a journey. How would things change if we journeyed together through questions rather than persuading others to stand with us in our knowledge? Share your thoughts at our blog or ===>Click headline to access website . . .

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PRAYER ~ Community Impacting Prayer

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Praying for Cities

Pray!^®, Issue 67 - July/August 2008

by NavPress

Email this page

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Reaching out to our communities in prayer See Product Details See Customer Reviews

Special Theme Section—Praying for Cities

We know and expect God to change our personal lives when we pray, so how much more should we expect Him to respond to intercession for our cities? This issue will challenge, inspire, and equip you to turn your prayers toward the transformation of your city or community.

You'll Read About...

"Why Should I Care about Ninevah (or Nashville or Naples…)'"—The Lord’s question, “Should I not be concerned about that great city?” was intended to change Jonah’s heart to one of concern and compassion. Author and prayer leader (and soon to be Pray! columnist) Phil Miglioratti brings insight on how you can gain God’s heart for your community.

"Keys to the City: How to Pray for Community Transformation"—Perhaps you long to see the resurrection power of Jesus change your city, but you wonder where to begin. You’ll find helpful what author and former pastor Tom White has learned about praying and working toward city renewal.

Also in this issue...

"A Day with God: Do-It-Yourself Prayer Retreats"—Making time for a prayer retreat with God can be one of the best gifts you can give yourself. Author Letitia Suk shows how to design a personal prayer retreat to provide much-needed focus, renewal, and rest in the Lord.

"Learning by Example: What Praying Churches Can Teach Us"—Christian leaders can learn from churches that have created an effective prayer culture. Daniel Henderson provides motivation for any church that wants to go to the next level in prayer.

"Stormy Weather: How to Pray in Poor Visibility"—We know God answers our prayers. So why do we sometimes feel like we experience more shipwrecks in prayer than happy cruises? Author Joann Hawkins points out that we don’t need to despair; our Lord is in the boat with us during the storm, and He’s promised to take us all the way across.

For larger discounts on purchases of 25 or more back-issue copies of Pray!^®, please call 1-800-366-7788 (7am-6pm M-F, MST) to place your order.

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"LC2Cities" to meet @ the MAC Annual Gathering

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From Generation to Generation Communicating Christ in Our Changing Cultures

Oct. 7-9, Minneapolis Each year the partners and friends of the Mission America Coalition come together for an annual meeting to reconnect, encourage each other, and hear what God is doing in partner ministries around the country. We hope you will join us this year as we face a critical issue and focus on bridging the gaps between generations. Be at the table as we interact on how the prayer-care- share lifestyle is being lived out in each generation and how we can impact our culture with the love and power of Christ. The Mission America Coalition: Uniting the Body of Christ for effective and innovative evangelism. Speakers include Miles McPherson, Kara Powell, Dave Olson, and more. Partnership 101 and Partnership 201 classes will be held as well as an array of interactive ministry tracks for breakout sessions.

Bring someone you are mentoring and their discounted registration will include a free year of Mission America Coalition membership. Register now online or download the meeting brochure. More info.

Note>>> The Loving Cur Communities to Christ Learning Community of coaches and leadership team members meets Tuesday @ 1pm and continues in the LC2C Track . . .

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SHARE ~ Ordinary Church Evangelism

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Evangelism for the Ordinary Church
Just because your people don't like to evangelize doesn't mean they can't share their faith.
by Steve R. Bierly

A few years ago while candidating, I looked at a number of profiles sent to me by congregations searching for a pastor. One question my denomination asks churches to answer on such profiles is, "Name two or three specific things you have done to evangelize your area in the past year."

My heart sank as I read responses such as, "We let the local Rotary Club use our fellowship hall once a month for its dinner meetings," and "Our Christmas Eve service is always advertised in the local paper." It seemed few congregations were excited and intentional about reaching their world for Jesus Christ.

I eventually found a congregation that said it was ready to evangelize, but I was in for a shock.

Click to continue.

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LC2City - Fresno, CA: A Biblical vision for transforming the church to transform our city and Valley

Loving God and Others

A Biblical vision for transforming the church to transform our city and Valley

Alan Doswald / Affirmed by the ESA Board of Directors

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Jesus, (Mark 12:30-31)

A foundation of prayer

• Focused and ongoing prayer would undergird everything that happens. “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.” (James 5:16b, NLT)

The need for love

• Among God’s people there would be renewed worship and love for the Lord, which would result in greater obedience to the Lord out of gratitude for His great love for us. “If you love Me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15)

• The culture of the Church would be transformed in order for the Church to transform our city and our valley. Jesus said to “love our neighbors as we love ourselves.” Although many churches are doing this, there is much room for improvement. Some churches will need to move from a self-serving, self-focused mentality to a “missional culture” which focuses more on “others”. They would need to expect believers to also be disciples and followers of Jesus to actually follow Jesus by doing what He did on earth. Jesus mostly walked down the street, touched others at their point of need and showed God’s love to them in word and deed which brought healing to their lives. As followers of Jesus, we must do the same. “Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.” (I John 2:6)

Getting Involved:

• We would share this vision with key pastors, ministry leaders, government leaders and business people, across racial and denominational lines. We would ask them to work together to help transform our community. “…Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.” (II Timothy 2:2b, NLT)

• Churches would unite in a citywide/valley wide vision of transforming lives and communities in the name of Christ, with the purpose of their congregation having vision and a mission to follow Jesus. “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent me and have loved them even as You have loved me.” (John 17:23b)

• The task is so great that every Christian would be challenged to love their neighbors on their street by praying, caring and sharing the Gospel with them as the Lord leads. This would also include their family and those at their school or workplace. We need to love them and lead them to Jesus Christ and His family, the Church. This step alone could transform our city/valley. “The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Galatians 5:14)

• An army of thousands of Church volunteers would be organized to make their gifts and abilities available to serve people in need. With over 500 congregations, the Church is by far the largest group in the city. Churches would name Love INC Contact Persons, to be trained by Love INC to enlist these volunteers. They would respond to needs that arise, including those in their church and those in the community screened by Love INC. They would be encouraged to serve others in a relational, loving way as Jesus did and to help them get back on their feet if needed. With God’s help, there is no need the church can’t meet. “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” (I Peter 4:10)

Making Connections:

• Churches that have “more” in our city/valley would be connected with churches that have “less” in order for them to work together for the transformation of both the churches and their communities. “As it is written, he who gathered much did not have too much and he that gathered little did not have too little.” (II Cor. 8:15)
  

• Churches would be connected to serve in several key areas including:
• Schools
• Neighborhoods
• Low income apartments
• Mentoring youth
• Valley communities
• The many outreach ministries in our city/valley

“You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:13a, 14a)

• Christians would join with local ministries, be trained and begin to serve others that they normally would have never come into contact with. About 60 local parachurch ministries have been asked how many church volunteers they need to accomplish their mission. They have identified about 3000 opportunities for Christian volunteers to serve in our community. As we serve, our compassion will grow. “Then he said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.’” (Matthew 9:37-38)

• Most churches would allow regular opportunities in their services for sharing testimonies of how God is transforming and using their people so that others are stirred to love and good works. Jesus said, “‘Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.’ So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.” (Mark 5:19-20)

Following Jesus by serving others:

• In time, most Christians in our community would follow Jesus in service to others, most churches would be involved in serving others, and most Christians would love their neighbors in word and deed. Following Jesus, by serving others, would become normal for Christians and not serving others would be seen as abnormal for followers of Jesus. If not, most of those around us will perish, but if so it will transform our city and our valley. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

Evangelicals for Social Action/Fresno

Fresno, CA

3/10/2008

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Coaching ~ Learn the 30% Rule

See more book notes at www.davidmays.org
	Becoming a Coaching Leader The Proven Strategy for Building a Team of Champions Daniel Harkavy Thomas Nelson, 2007, 210 pp., ISBN 0-7852-1982-X To purchase this book click here.

[ Daniel Harkavy is the founder of Building Champions, an executive coaching company. The core of success consists of a life plan, a business vision, a business plan, and priority management - in this order. ]

"Truly great leaders walk alongside their followers and help them to become more on this journey." (5)

"Coaching others intentionally is one of a leader's highest payoff activities." (16)

"Heart is the difference maker in great leaders. You cannot be a great coach without heart." (22) "Heart is the home to both convictions and courage; it is the fuel of all exceptional leaders." (23)

"The level of character, care, and discipline they see in us will determine the level of coaching they will invite and accept from us." (28)

"Before we can help clients to succeed, we must first help them to clearly and succinctly define what success looks like for them." (33)

"The mission of a coaching leader is to meet his teammates where they are in order to move them forward by helping them to improve the skills, disciplines, and knowledge they need to succeed. He does this by helping his teammates to clearly see the right action steps to take, and then by holding them accountable as they complete each step." (36)

"The way to enjoy success yourself is to focus on the success of those around you, by making their success your mission." (36)

Eight Core Competencies of a Coaching Leader (39-48)

1. Discernment (the ability to see what is not visible and understand what is not being said. To ask effective questions to get to the root of an issues)

2. Conviction-Driven (In layers, they act as sieves sort opportunities)

3. Accountability (How are you progressing on your promises?)

4. Effective use of Systems (for follow-up and encouragement)

5. Communication (including questioning and listening)

6. Self-Discipline (not just at work)

7. Vision-Orientation (including helping others see a vision for their lives)

8. Leadership (helping people work together synergistically)

The author prefers "convictions" to "values." Convictions represent a much higher level of commitment and intensity. "Your convictions help to spell out who you are. And when you bring yourself to the company, you bring your convictions along with you. Over time, these convictions define the infrastructure and the framework of your company." (83)

"The clearer you are on what you and your organization stand for, the easier it will be for you to make good decisions." (84)

Vision is but 10%. "The other 90 percent is in execution, and it must be directed by a business plan that aligns your highest priority near term deliverables with the big picture vision." (88)

"A good Business Plan tells you

· What you will accomplish,

· Where you need to make improvements or adjustments in order to reach your stated goals,

· How you will behave in order to accomplish those goals, and

· When designated aspects of the plan need to be completed." (103)

A good Business Plan identifies and details, in this order,

· Step One: The Outcomes (what you measure)

· Step Two: The Disciplines (what you must do on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis), and

· Step Three: The Improvements (the top projects most important to execute in the year ahead) (107-08)

Review your plan weekly. Make decisions by it. Organize time, resources, and schedules by it. Use it for direction, for team development, and for tracking everything critical. (109)

The Skills of a Coaching Leader: The Necessary Abilities

"Questions have a power all their own, and the best way to show others that we care about them is to truly listen to what they say." (158) "A coach attempts to draw out the meaning behind a team member's words…." "Active listening is all about asking questions that cause the player to peel back the onion, to get to the heart of performance issues, or to reveal limiting beliefs." (158)

"Powerful questioning enables you to go from head to heart. Habits chance only when convictions change or are clarified." "They won't make a change until they have hurt enough, heard enough, or had enough--all heart-level experiences." (160)

Take a special interest in what motivates and inspires your team members. (160)

"We coach most effectively when we do no more than 30 percent of the talking." (161)

"Learn to take good notes." "Give clear, appropriate, and concise direction. "The coach helps them develop a game plan so that they can see what's required for them to improve." (163)

Some people excel at vision, others in execution. Therefore some need coaching to improve their vision and others to improve their execution through identifying specific steps and time frames. (164-65)

Tell the truth and value accountability. "Accountability is the friend of top performers." (169)

Perspective is often a limiting factor. Help them to see by telling stories and using word pictures. (171)

Stay on track. Stay on time. Good communication is essential. (172-173)

The Disciplines of a Coaching Leader

"Everyone on your team watches you. They really do! They take note of all your actions, all your reactions, and all your behaviors." "They mentally record what you identify as important, then watch to see if you live out your words." "Most often, the most influential leaders are those who tirelessly live out their convictions." "Your regular disciplines are the outward manifestation of your true convictions." (178)

Create your "Gap List," the knowledge, skills, and disciplines you must develop. Then focus on these areas and strengthen them. (179-80)

"If you truly want to have the most influence possible over your team, you cannot overlook any aspect of who you are." (182)

"The best coaching leaders encourage in advance, consistently follow up, then celebrate noteworthy accomplishments with their team members." (185) "…follow-up is the difference maker in building a team of champions." "So discipline yourself to follow up. It's crucial for your success as a coaching leader." (186)

"If your teammates know that you genuinely care about them (and not just about increasing revenue or meeting quotas), they will respond in amazing ways." (187)
- - - - - - - -

To purchase this book click here.

David

David Mays, The MissionExchange (formerly EFMA)

DMays@TheMissionExchange.org

www.TheMissionExchange.org

www.davidmays.org

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CARE ~ More Than Comfortable?

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Our works are impotent
if at the end of the day we have merely made men more comfortable on the road to hell.

We must not only couple our good works with faith,
but also go in the resurrection power of Christ.

The goodness of God paves the way to persuade men to repentance (Romans 2:4)
while the message of the gospel alone, holds the keys to eternity.

Quoted in Sentinel Group report on Flood of Blessings in Brazil

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The way to have the community @ church is to have ...

Unfortunately, many in the church want the community to come to the church without the church coming to the community.

Jesus knew that the natural man does not understand the things of the Spirit. Why would we expect them to? Jesus knew that men need a man that they can see, touch, hear, feel and experience. So, the Son of God became the Son of man. The Word became flesh and pitched His tent in earth’s neighborhood. Jesus had first contact. He made the first move. He knew there would be no community transformation without a heavenly incarnation. The way to have the community @ church is to have the church @ community….first!

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Community by Community Transformation

TRANSFORMING NATIONS COMMUNITY BY COMMUNITY

Are you interested in establishing a Community-Based Health Care Program which integrates the physical and the spiritual? LifeWind International's (formerly Medical Ambassadors International) Training of Trainers (TOT) introduces people to Community Health Evangelism (CHE). This strategy teaches concepts, gives vision and practical How Tos for implementing and managing CHE in your ministry. Train in the USA June 15-20, 2008. Additional information can be found at http://www.lifewind.org/display.asp?Page=TrainingDescribed or email Kristin (at)lifewind(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for ourcontributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at)with @ and (dot) with . then reassemble the address back onto one line.]

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COPYRIGHT -- This issue of _Brigada Today_ is Copyrighted 2008. "For a free subscription to Brigada's weekly missions publication, write brigada-today-subscribe@googlegroups.com and/or visit Brigada on the web at www.brigada.org."

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Unity Decays

UNITY MAINTENANCE

Doug Clark Director of Field Ministries National Network of Youth Ministries

Unity in a relationship tends to deteriorate without deliberate, focused attention.

Ephesians 4:2-3

...with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

What Paul is telling us is that unity is already there, but it takes an investment to preserve it; it does not remain strong without a commitment of time and energy.

This caught my attention recently when I was reading Warren Wiersbe's book, On Being a Servant of God. In a chapter on the joys (and challenges) of working with people, he wrote:

You and I don't have to manufacture unity in the church because it's already there. We're all one in Christ (Gal. 3:28), and the spiritual oneness of the body is a miracle of God's grace (Eph. 4:1-6). No, we don't have to manufacture unity; but we do have an obligation to maintain unity that Jesus died to create.

I read that...then read it again. There was something new to me in it. I thought that biblical unity is something we create. Paul's words brought me up short; I had it wrong. Unity is already there; it just needs to be preserved.

Like the deterioration that occurs if you are gone from your closest relationships too long, unity in the church suffers without invested effort. It can't be preserved by inaction.

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CARE ~ Servant Evangelism Articles & Ideas

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Serve! with Steve Sjogren - June, 2008, Issue 18

Steve's Notes On This Issue

Issue Credits

Living In The Outflow

Serving -- Without Much Expense
By Steve Sjogren
In keeping with this month's theme of doing much with less, consider a few serving projects that don't require much financing and leave a big impression on folks.

New Feature

FREE PDF! Why Kindness - It's Naturally Supernatural
By Steve Sjogren
Download this free PDF today! This is a sample of what's to come from KindnessResources.com and Steve Sjogren.

Recession - ReSchmession

By Steve Sjogren

Perfect conditions are not necessary for progress to continue!
Ask Dr. Savant

The Balance of Serving and Speaking
By Dr. Savant
I've been wondering, when is a person to speak when serving? Or is serving when doing serving projects an end in itself?

Connect Card Ideas

New Connect Cards Available!
By Rebekah Sjogren
PrettyGoodBooks has released a slew of new connect card designs for SE/Outflow projects.

Practical Insights

The Fine Art of Handlepanning
By Ken Glassmeyer
Looking for a new idea to add energy into your outreach activities? Here is a simple one. It is low maintenance and low cost, but big fun!

Futurocity

We Have Amazing Opportunities To Invest
By Georgie Washington
When funds are tight, this is the perfect time to divest ourselves of what appears to be limited funds.

Servant Evangelism

Hang In There Faithfully For The Long Haul
By Mr. Greenjeans
"Yeah, but do I get free HBO with this?" Serving isn't like the latest trial offer from a satelite or cable company. It is the dynamic interaction of noticing people and then helping them notice God. . .

Outward Focused Living

A Well Invested Life. . .
By David Wheeler
A father's outreach legacy leaves an indelible mark on not only the people in his community, but even more on his son.

Video Spotlight

In Times Like These
By Steve Sjogren and Tracy Larson
Steve and Tracy share their thoughts on cost-effective ways to serve those around us.

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Quote; Unquote . . .

Ray Bakke at City Impact Roundtable in Boston, April, 2008

• "You are never more like God than when you are working in partnership."

• "Listen your way into relationships."

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RESOURCE ~ Ten Tools for Coaching

Using the 10 Tools

When you buy a computer there are two kinds of software bundled with it, system software and application software. Recently released Windows Vista is system software, as is Apple’s OS X and Linux. These programs, known as the operating system (or OS for short), provide the platform for all other programs to run on your computer. Application software is different. Application software allows you to do specific tasks, like creating documents, designing spreadsheets, surfing the Internet, or listening to music. These applications are what make your computer so incredibly useful, but they depend on the operating system to run effectively.

The purpose of this book is not to provide you with an operating system for coaching. There are great coaching schools for internal and external coaches, managers, and executives alike to learn the fundamentals of coaching. The purpose of this book is to provide the business coach and coaching leader powerful application tools. Each of the applications presented here allows you to take your core coaching skills and use them to get certain jobs done: building teams, casting vision, mastering priorities, receiving feedback. Use this Toolkit like you use your computer. With the operating system firmly in place, ask, “What am I trying to accomplish?” and select the application that will work best for the end in mind.

A few weeks ago, however, I took my computer into the shop. My programs were running slowly and it wasn’t working as well as I wanted it to. The technician gave my computer a tune-up, which cleaned out a lot of useless stuff that was slowing down my operating system. Anyone who has read the dreaded words on their monitor, FATAL ERROR, knows how important it is to clean up the operating system so applications can run as effectively as possible. So here are, from our perspective, six coaching essentials that form its operating system.

Review these six items, and the self-scoring survey, as a way to tune up your practice so that the tools presented in this book will operate as effectively as possible.

ASKING QUESTIONS
The operating system of coaching begins by asking great questions. Sir John Whitmore, one of the founding fathers of the current coaching movement, began his work in the sports world as a tennis instructor. Frustrated with repeatedly urging his students to “keep their eye on the ball” with little effect, he developed a set of questions like, “Which way is the ball spinning as it comes toward you?” and “How high is the ball as it crosses the net?” (Whitmore, 2002, page 45) To answer these questions a player must have his eye on the ball, but much more than that. These questions force a player to think more completely about the situation and to embrace the game of tennis at a more fundamental level. In the end you have a better player and better results.

Effective, purposeful questions in the arena of life and leadership achieve the same results. They awaken our awareness and create an environment of self-directed learning. They force us to think for ourselves and take responsibility for our actions. This is the central skill of coaching and its first, fundamental objective: to facilitate self-discovery. “The skill of the coach,” states Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done, “is the art of questioning. Asking incisive questions forces people to think, to discover, to search for themselves.” (Bossidy and Charan, 2002, page 74)

On a scale of 1–10, as a coach, I ask powerful, thought-provoking questions that allow my clients to truly think for themselves:
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10

ACTIVE LISTENING
It is not enough to ask good questions; the answers to those questions must be listened to and heard. Great coaches actively listen with their entire being: ears, eyes, mind, and heart, feeling what a client feels in the circumstances in which they find themselves. So many of our conversations are a collection of disconnected monologues void of any real understanding. Effective coaches, however, set their monologue aside and truly and deeply seek first to understand. “It is impossible to overemphasize the immense need humans have to be really listened to, to be taken seriously, to be understood. Listen to all the conversations of our world, between nations as well as those between couples. They are for the most part dialogues of the deaf,” declares Swiss psychiatrist Dr. Paul Tournier.

Listening then takes an extra step of reflecting back what has been heard. It is one thing to think something, and another to say it. And quite another to have someone repeat it back to you. My wife occasionally repeats back to me something I thought I said to her and I am amazed. “I really said that?” I’ll ask. Bringing a person’s thoughts and words full circle so they may be fully considered is part of the listening process and a fundamental element of a coac