At the end of this post, learn how you can win a free copy of "Steering through Chaos" just by posting on the blog and tweeting/Facebooking a link to it.
In Scott Wilson's new book, "Steering through Chaos", he not only addresses the focus and discipline of the key leader, but also that of the rest of the team. Let's face it, the team works hands on with his/her own team regularly to instill the vision God has given the key leader. We, as team members/staff need to know that leadership understands "our chaos". Stress and dysfunction is just as rampant in those who have a calling to a specific group as in pastoral leadership. If the calling came from the same place (God), and carries the same goal (reaching the lost, equipping the believer) why would we expect less resistance and stress from our efforts.
Scott Wilson seems to have a firm grasp on the importance of decisive leadership and communication of vision. In most of the stops in ministry in my life, I could not convey the vision of the leader I was to serve. Ministries have operated in survival mode and fear of failure for far to long. We no longer dream big enough (which would be evidence of one way communication during prayer), risk enough, or challenge our people. Chaos will find you either way. Play it safe, you will just have a different set of problems...but they are still problems.
In my time in his book, Scott has given me perspective. It's not about the problems, but how I navigate them. These stories of navigation will be the leadership lessons we pass on to the next generation and will be the core of our mentoring process. (Scott has a great section on storytelling) This was made vividly clear to me in a recent ministry event, when a student re-told one of my stories. During a service one night, I told a story about my 6 year old son and his soft heart for a hurting family. I listened, as any proud mentor would, as she told the story that happened in my family. I must admit, I re-tell stories that hear from my ministry mentors! (there is also a great chapter on finding a life coach in Scott's book)
Having known some of Scott's staff, I know the quality and excellence that has been produced in that team. I hope that my team will be as creative, insightful, and dedicated as I grow in leading them. I certainly know, I must stretch myself to improve to support my pastor and the team that I serve. The effectiveness of our church and ministries depend on it.
Also, I will be selecting a post from the comments on this blog and twitter/facebook to win a free copy of Scott's book. Help promote Scott's new book and share the word about JamieVarnell.com and pjpro.org to win. The winner will be selected March 27.
Enough information to know that I NEED THIS BOOK! Never been part of a staff in ministry but as you know, my husband was a deacon for 12 years. I shared a little of my not so great experiences with your wife durning Coltons surgery. Speaking for me,..it was literally CHAOS in my spirit for 12 years that I never knew how to deal with and maybe was not spiritually mature enough to handle many situations. It was not long that I became a stumbeling block for him to continue in what God had called him to do. Born into that church and raised and taught my whole life the Word....He had only been in church a few years and learning what we would call basics...and Im the one who could not survive the CHAOS! What does that say and what does that mean......
ReplyDeleteAfter several years of bitterness from that season in my life,...I have let it go,..turned my heart back to Jesus and he is showing me what I have learned by going through that desert in my life. There is no doubt that Im not the only one and in my healing process believe this book will bring understanding and revelation to my spirit and allow the healing to continue so that me and my family will find the ministry God may have for us..and allow me to used to help the vision come to pass...
Thanks for sharing....
Samantha Henard