Leadership Development 2007
Mick Daly (Elder, Purpose Leader: Leader Development)
February 2007

Pastor Doug and I want to invite you to join us for a year-long adventure designed to develop the leader in you – yes, YOU!

Bill Hull (pastor and author) who led the recent C@C Elder Retreat, in his book Choose The Life, says the true gospel of Jesus Christ calls “every person to believe what Jesus believed, live as he lived, love as he loved, serve as he served and lead as he led.”

This year we are committed as a church to developing people to believe, live, love, serve and lead like Jesus… and it won’t end on December 31st.

Starting February 6th and continuing for the rest of the year on the 1st Tuesday of each month, we will hold a Small Group session in the Ministry Center to develop servant leaders … for the benefit of our homes, our families, our workplaces, our community and our church.

Each 1st Tuesday we will start at 5:30pm with dinner, then follow with 30 minutes of mostly DVD-based training and 60 minutes of small group discussion, facilitated by volunteer leaders.

Who is this for? If you are currently a Ministry leader, a Small Group leader, or are otherwise involved as a leader at C@C, this is a must. If you are in a leadership role outside the church, this will prove enormously valuable to you and those you lead. If you feel called into leadership in some form, but are not there yet, then this is for you too. If you are just intrigued, come along – you won’t be disappointed! And, finally, if you have a friend, family member (eg High Schooler), or co-worker who you think might benefit (even if they don’t attend C@C), invite them along.

Using the “Lead Like Jesus” curriculum, we will be developing 4 key elements of self-awareness of your character and behavior, allowing God to transform you in the process:

 ~ Heart (Psalm 19:14) The heart is the magnet that governs each person. A born-again believer has a new heart, which, as it is being transformed, is the magnet that keeps him/her aligned to true north, Jesus Christ. God has given each of us passions, a personality, spiritual gifts and talents which are part of our heart DNA. Our ‘heart’ defines our leadership character – who we follow, who we lead and how we lead. We are to love as Jesus loved - Transformed Relationships.

 ~ Head (Romans 12:2) The head is the belief system compass that must point to true north: Jesus. A clear vision (an image of what it will look like in the future) is a vital influence on our thinking; what did God create me to be, what is he calling me to do, what is his purpose for my life? Everyone has deeply held ideas, thought patterns and beliefs (which are anchored in our heart). Sometimes these don’t serve our or God’s best intentions. God can change an incorrect belief; awareness is the first step. We are to believe as Jesus believed - Transformed Mind.

 ~ Hands (James 1:22) Our hands will perform God’s work, bearing fruit with good intentions (heart), and right thinking (head). This is where real discipleship is tested. When under stress our behavior gives away the true state of our heart (character magnet) and our head (values compass). This is where we can clearly be seen as a servant leader or a self-serving leader. Self-awareness of a problem here should drive us prayerfully back to our heart and our head, which need God’s work. We are to serve as Jesus served - Transformed Service.

 ~ Habits (Psalm 46:10) The best habits of a Christian leader are daily spiritual disciplines. These daily habits will influence our “natural” habits – wired behavior patterns that lead us to respond to stimuli in predictable ways. Often we are unaware of our “natural” habits and are therefore unable to recognize the impact they have on others. Servant leaders are open to feedback about their behavior and to God’s transforming power. Change requires serious unlearning, the elimination of bad habits and the acquisition of good ones. We are to live as Jesus lived - Transformed Character.

As leaders, when we invest time to become aware of our heart, head, hands and habits, and when we purposefully yield and let God transform them, we can be more intentional in our choices, and act in ways that are principled and deliberate. We are to lead as Jesus led (Transformed Influence).

Effective leaders do more than just master technical and organizational knowledge; they also demonstrate personal integrity, inspire and motivate others, and develop environments of trust. These qualities are the result of a high degree of self-awareness and the development of emotional and spiritual maturity.

We are committed to helping you to become this kind of servant leader. Are you willing to give up one evening a month, and put in the time and effort in between to become the person God has called you to be? If so, we are ready, willing and able to guide you through that process.

"Do what you love in the service of people who love what you do."

More next month ...                                          ~ Leadership ~