In Pursuit of Great AND Godly Leadership E-Book

Mike Bonem

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Serie: J-B Leadership Network Series
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2011

Seitenzahl: 485

Beschreibung

Is it possible for church leaders to use biblical and secular leadership concepts in a way that keeps Christ--not the marketplace--at the center of their mission? Drawing on biblical material and business wisdom, In Pursuit of Great AND Godly Leadership explores the critical leadership decisions and practices that shape the success of Christian organizations. These decisions are illustrated in compelling interviews with over forty leaders of churches, universities, denominational bodies, and international ministries. Mike Bonem leverages his background as an MBA-trained manager and an experienced church leader to bridge the gap between the analytical and structured world of business and the faith-driven approach that is essential for healthy churches. Written to offer practical solutions for senior pastors, executive pastors, key laypeople, and leaders of other Christian entities, In Pursuit of Great AND Godly Leadership clearly shows the ways that secular practices can be imported into their organizations. Bonem addresses a variety of topics such as planning, finances, personnel management, measurement, team dynamics, and organizational change. In doing so, he points to the AND that every spiritual organization should strive to achieve.

Leseprobe

Contents

Cover

Series

Title Page

Copyright

Leadership Network Titles

About the Jossey-Bass Leadership Network Series

Preface

Dedication

Chapter One: Is Great the Enemy of Godly?

STRADDLING THE FENCE OF SACRED-SECULAR LEADERSHIP

A BIBLICAL FOUNDATION

BUSINESS THINKING IS NOT THE ENEMY

A FALSE DICHOTOMY

WHAT ARE YOU PURSUING?

Chapter Two: Where Should You Begin?

TWO BARRIERS TO LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE

OVERCOMING A BIGGER BARRIER

WHAT ARE YOU PURSUING?

Part One: Tools for Great and Godly Leadership

Chapter Three: Is God in Your Plans?

SHOULD WE PLAN?

WHAT IS PLANNING?

ELEMENTS OF EFFECTIVE PLANNING

WHAT ARE YOU PURSUING?

Chapter Four: Are Your Plans Fruitful?

BOLD MOVES

WAITING ON GOD

WHEN GOD SURPRISES

FOCUSED ENERGY

REDEFINING FAILURE

WHAT ARE YOU PURSUING?

Chapter Five: Who Is on the Bus?

GRACE VERSUS STEWARDSHIP: DO WE HAVE TO CHOOSE?

“WE'RE NOT A BUSINESS”

PRACTICES THAT KEEP THE BUS ROLLING

WHAT ARE YOU PURSUING?

Chapter Six: Do You Measure What Matters?

GETTING CLEAR ON DEFINITIONS

OTHER MEASUREMENT CHALLENGES

DOES MEASUREMENT MATTER?

LESSONS LEARNED FROM OUTSIDE THE CHURCH

MEASUREMENT THAT WORKS

WHAT ARE YOU PURSUING?

Chapter Seven: How Will You Finance the Dream?

PHILOSOPHY DRIVES PRACTICE

FINDING THE RIGHT TOOLS

THE DONOR DILEMMA

WHAT ARE YOU PURSUING?

Chapter Eight: Are “All Systems Go”?

UNDERSTANDING SYSTEMS

A RELUCTANT INVESTMENT

SYSTEMS IN ACTION

WHAT ARE YOU PURSUING?

Part Two: Beyond the Tools

Chapter Nine: Is Everyone on the Same Page?

WE NEED EACH OTHER

THE FIRST STEPS

THE HARD STEPS

INFLUENCING MORE THAN MINISTRY

WHAT ARE YOU PURSUING?

Chapter Ten: Why Is Culture Important?

WHAT IS CULTURE?

WHY IS CULTURE IMPORTANT?

RESHAPING YOUR CULTURE

GLIMPSES OF CULTURE CHANGE

BEFORE YOU TURN THE FLYWHEEL

WHAT ARE YOU PURSUING?

Chapter Eleven: Are You Prepared to Change?

“THE HEART OF CHANGE”

DIAGNOSING HEART PROBLEMS

CHANGE IN THE CHURCH: IT JUST GETS MESSIER

A WORD FROM THE WORD

ONE CHURCH'S CHANGE JOURNEY

JOURNEY OR DESTINATION?

WHAT ARE YOU PURSUING?

Chapter Twelve: Are You Guarding Your Heart?

REDEFINING SUCCESS

RENEWAL FOR LEADERS

COMING FULL CIRCLE

WHAT ARE YOU PURSUING?

Appendix A: The People Behind the Stories

Appendix B: Practical Tips for Managing People

Appendix C: Practical Ideas for Measurement

Notes

CHAPTER ONE: IS GREAT THE ENEMY OF GODLY?

CHAPTER TWO: WHERE SHOULD YOU BEGIN?

CHAPTER THREE: IS GOD IN YOUR PLANS?

CHAPTER FOUR: ARE YOUR PLANS FRUITFUL?

CHAPTER FIVE: WHO IS ON THE BUS?

CHAPTER SIX: DO YOU MEASURE WHAT MATTERS?

CHAPTER SEVEN: HOW WILL YOU FINANCE THE DREAM?

CHAPTER EIGHT: ARE “ALL SYSTEMS GO”?

CHAPTER NINE: IS EVERYONE ON THE SAME PAGE?

CHAPTER TEN: WHY IS CULTURE IMPORTANT?

CHAPTER ELEVEN: ARE YOU PREPARED TO CHANGE?

CHAPTER TWELVE: ARE YOU GUARDING YOUR HEART?

Annotated Bibliography

Acknowledgments

The Author

Index

Other Books by Mike Bonem

Leading from the Second Chair: Serving Your Church, Fulfilling Your Role, and Realizing Your Dreams (with Roger Patterson)

Leading Congregational Change: A Practical Guide for the Transformational Journey (with Jim Herrington and James H. Furr)

Leading Congregational Change Workbook (with James H. Furr and Jim Herrington)

Copyright © 2012 by Mike Bonem. All rights reserved.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Bonem, Mike, date. In pursuit of great and godly leadership : tapping the wisdom of the world for the kingdom of God / Mike Bonem. 1st ed. p. cm. (The Jossey-Bass leadership network series) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-470-94742-5 (hardback); 978-1-118-16259-0 (ebk); 978-1-118-16261-3 (ebk); 978-1-118-16262-0 (ebk) 1. Christian leadership. 2. Leadership–Religious aspects–Christianity. 3. Leadership. I. Title. BV652.1.B665 2012 262′.1–dc23 2011034755

FIRST EDITION

Leadership Network Titles

The Blogging Church: Sharing the Story of Your Church Through Blogs, Brian Bailey and Terry Storch

Church Turned Inside Out: A Guide for Designers, Refiners, and Re-Aligners, Linda Bergquist and Allan Karr

Leading from the Second Chair: Serving Your Church, Fulfilling Your Role, and Realizing Your Dreams, Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson

In Pursuit of Great AND Godly Leadership: Tapping the Wisdom of the World for the Kingdom of God, Mike Bonem

Hybrid Church: The Fusion of Intimacy and Impact, Dave Browning

The Way of Jesus: A Journey of Freedom for Pilgrims and Wanderers, Jonathan S. Campbell with Jennifer Campbell

Cracking Your Church's Culture Code: Seven Keys to Unleashing Vision and Inspiration, Samuel R. Chand

Leading the Team-Based Church: How Pastors and Church Staffs Can Grow Together into a Powerful Fellowship of Leaders, George Cladis

Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens, Neil Cole

Church 3.0: Upgrades for the Future of the Church, Neil Cole

Journeys to Significance: Charting a Leadership Course from the Life of Paul, Neil Cole

Off-Road Disciplines: Spiritual Adventures of Missional Leaders, Earl Creps

Reverse Mentoring: How Young Leaders Can Transform the Church and Why We Should Let Them, Earl Creps

Building a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church: Mandate, Commitments, and Practices of a Diverse Congregation, Mark DeYmaz

Leading Congregational Change Workbook, James H. Furr, Mike Bonem, and Jim Herrington

The Tangible Kingdom: Creating Incarnational Community, Hugh Halter and Matt Smay

Baby Boomers and Beyond: Tapping the Ministry Talents and Passions of Adults over Fifty, Amy Hanson

Leading Congregational Change: A Practical Guide for the Transformational Journey, Jim Herrington, Mike Bonem, and James H. Furr

The Leader's Journey: Accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation, Jim Herrington, Robert Creech, and Trisha Taylor

The Permanent Revolution: Apostolic Imagination and Practice for the 21st Century, Alan Hirsch and Tim Catchim

Whole Church: Leading from Fragmentation to Engagement, Mel Lawrenz

Culture Shift: Transforming Your Church from the Inside Out, Robert Lewis and Wayne Cordeiro, with Warren Bird

Church Unique: How Missional Leaders Cast Vision, Capture Culture, and Create Movement, Will Mancini

A New Kind of Christian: A Tale of Two Friends on a Spiritual Journey, Brian D. McLaren

The Story We Find Ourselves In: Further Adventures of a New Kind of Christian, Brian D. McLaren

Missional Communities: The Rise of the Post-Congregational Church, Reggie McNeal

Missional Renaissance: Changing the Scorecard for the Church, Reggie McNeal

Practicing Greatness: 7 Disciplines of Extraordinary Spiritual Leaders, Reggie McNeal

The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church, Reggie McNeal

A Work of Heart: Understanding How God Shapes Spiritual Leaders, Reggie McNeal

The Millennium Matrix: Reclaiming the Past, Reframing the Future of the Church, M. Rex Miller

Your Church in Rhythm: The Forgotten Dimensions of Seasons and Cycles, Bruce B. Miller

Shaped by God's Heart: The Passion and Practices of Missional Churches, Milfred Minatrea

The Missional Leader: Equipping Your Church to Reach a Changing World, Alan J. Roxburgh and Fred Romanuk

Missional Map-Making: Skills for Leading in Times of Transition, Alan J. Roxburgh

Relational Intelligence: How Leaders Can Expand Their Influence Through a New Way of Being Smart, Steve Saccone

Viral Churches: Helping Church Planters Become Movement Makers, Ed Stetzer and Warren Bird

The Externally Focused Quest: Becoming the Best Church for the Community, Eric Swanson and Rick Rusaw

The Ascent of a Leader: How Ordinary Relationships Develop Extraordinary Character and Influence, Bill Thrall, Bruce McNicol, and Ken McElrath

Beyond Megachurch Myths: What We Can Learn from America's Largest Churches, Scott Thumma and Dave Travis

The Other 80 Percent: Turning Your Church's Spectators into Active Participants, Scott Thumma and Warren Bird

Better Together: Making Church Mergers Work, Jim Tomberlin and Warren Bird

The Elephant in the Boardroom: Speaking the Unspoken About Pastoral Transitions, Carolyn Weese and J. Russell Crabtree

ABOUT THE JOSSEY-BASS LEADERSHIP NETWORK SERIES

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Preface

Less than a year after I completed my M.B.A. in the 1980s, Mark McCormack wrote What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School: Notes from a Street Smart Executive. It was a hot topic in my business circles, and since he was talking about my alma mater, I decided that I should read it. In essence, McCormack made the argument that business schools were not teaching the practical leadership lessons that up-and-coming executives needed to learn in order to be successful. It wasn't a slap at Harvard specifically but a more general critique of the things that weren't being taught in most M.B.A. programs. That was no surprise to me.

Fast-forward about five years to a time when I became aware that churches across the country were facing a growing leadership crisis. That's when I began to realize that a parallel book could have been written: What They Don't Teach You at ______ Seminary. I won't name a specific seminary because this title could have applied to almost any seminary at that time. Today, many seminaries have gradually incorporated leadership training into their programs and pastors have more nonseminary options for developing their skills, but the average spiritual leader still falls far short of the mark in terms of leadership training and effectiveness.

So is this a book to teach M.B.A. principles to pastors? Not really. My journey has taken me from the corporate world into vocational ministry. I have spent the past ten years serving on the staff of a local church and more than two decades as a coach and consultant to congregations and their leaders. In my own church and others, I have seen the dangers of becoming too corporatized. I have observed the struggles and missteps that can occur when marketplace leaders insist on using “best practices” from business in the church. I have experienced the tension that often exists between clergy and lay leaders because each sees the world through such different lenses.

What I have learned in my journey is that we need a diverse mix of talents and perspectives for our churches and Christian organizations to thrive. The M.B.A.'s and other businesspeople have an important contribution to make. So do the seminary-trained leaders and other clergy. Too often, though, they struggle to find a common ground for effective, enduring leadership.

This book is simply an attempt to establish that common ground by examining biblical and marketplace leadership concepts and asking how best to lead any organization that places Christ at the center of its mission. It is a book that will help pastors grow in their leadership and better understand the businesspeople in their congregations. It will help the leaders of denominational bodies and parachurch organizations relate to their boards in more productive ways. It will give a fresh perspective for those who struggle as they make career transitions from business into ministry. And it will give lay leaders, those gifted men and women who are vital to thriving congregations, a new awareness of how they can use their gifts for greater Kingdom impact.

The church in North America still has a long way to go to achieve this impact. My deep desire is for the church and other Christian organizations to be transformed so that they can transform the world. Realizing this kind of God-honoring, Kingdom-expanding potential will require leaders from a variety of backgrounds to come together and courageously follow God using all the tools that are available to them. My knowledge of these tools comes from my own experience and a variety of business experts. Jim Collins, author of several books including Good to Great, is one of the most prominent sources, but you will also be introduced to Patrick Lencioni, Robert Quinn, John Kotter, James Kouzes, Barry Posner, and many others. (Some of my favorite resources are listed in the annotated bibliography at the back of the book.)

Having knowledge of secular leadership concepts is only half the battle. The other half is understanding when and how to apply these tools in Christian organizations. In that effort, I have turned to a number of outstanding Christian authors. I have also been helped by personal interviews with more than forty successful leaders who live in the midst of these tensions, and I am deeply grateful that they shared their stories and insights to enrich this book. In the pages that follow, you'll meet men and women who are pastors of a wide variety of congregations. You'll meet people who lead parachurch ministries, denominational bodies, and Christian universities. You'll hear from seminary faculty who teach on leadership. And you'll be introduced to successful Christian businesspeople who are committed to using their gifts for the Kingdom. (See Appendix A for a list of the leaders I interviewed.)

As I have reflected on all that I have learned from experts, practitioners, and my own experiences, I have developed several central convictions that underlie the rest of this book.

The Bible provides the core foundation, but not all the answers, on how to be an effective leader. In the pages that follow, you will be presented with a number of business concepts, but my starting point is Scripture. Our leadership should be shaped by God's Word and should never violate its teachings. My conviction, however, is that the Bible is more descriptive of leadership principles than it is prescriptive of specific leadership models or actions. For example, it is a clear biblical principle that God often calls leaders to take bold steps. In the specific case of a church that is considering a major expansion of its facilities, what does the Bible say? Does it tell the pastor the best way to involve other leaders in the decision, how to raise the funds, whether to use debt, or what to do if an unexpected roadblock arises? We may find additional principles that relate to these questions, but we will find few concrete answers. That is why we start with, but are not limited to, Scripture as the source for leadership wisdom.

Secular leadership principles are not inherently evil or contrary to Scripture. Given my business background, it's probably no surprise that I say this. This conviction, however, is not based solely on my training. As you will see in the following chapters, it is based on biblical teaching, the perspectives of other noted Christian leaders, and the ways in which God seems to be working in many congregations. In fact, you'll find that a number of “business principles” are very consistent with the teachings of Scripture.

Unwillingness to use solid business principles can limit a church's potential. If an anonymous donor calls your church and offers a gift of $100,000, how long will it take you to say yes? As long as the money was obtained legally and does not have strings attached (and sometimes even if there are strings), you will accept in a hurry. But if a faith-filled, highly successful business leader offers to share his or her leadership gifts, many churches are hesitant. The same congregation that accepts a financial gift can take big steps forward if it accepts help with vision-setting, implementation of plans, financial management, personnel practices, or other areas where business leaders can contribute. I am not saying that churches should practice wholesale or unfiltered adoption of business principles. Nor am I saying that this is the solution to everything wrong with the church in America. I am simply saying that ineffective leadership is poor stewardship when great leadership resources are within arm's reach.

Overreliance on business principles can also limit a church's potential. It cuts both ways. Some churches have become so corporatized that it is hard to figure out where the Holy Spirit is moving in their midst. If all directional decisions are driven by logic and analysis, all financial decisions are driven by accounting calculations of affordability, all difficult personnel decisions are driven by a performance evaluation matrix, and all congregational decisions are made by a majority vote, then all you have is a nonprofit corporation with “church” in its name. One successful leader confided to me that he is haunted by the thought that his church could drift to the point where it doesn't rely on God. It is a thought that should haunt all of us. We must recognize that the tools of business are just that—tools—and that our only source of transforming power is the Lord.

We have a tremendous stewardship responsibility and leadership opportunity. We are all called to be stewards of the gifts that God has entrusted to us. As leaders, we feel the weight of responsibility like the man who was given five talents (Matthew 25:15). We have an opportunity to earn a greater return than those who have been given less, but we also have a greater responsibility. Further, the gifts that we have been given extend beyond ourselves. If you are in a position of leadership, whether first chair or some other key role, you have the opportunity to draw out gifts that God has given to others. That includes the leadership talents and the spiritual discernment that sit in the pews of your church every weekend. Leadership is hard work, but God does not give us the option to walk away because of the difficulty or a bruised ego. He calls us to lead with all diligence.

The space in which we lead offers few easy answers. One classic leadership book from the secular arena is Ron Heifitz's Leadership Without Easy Answers, a title that certainly describes congregational leadership. Scripture gives us a number of principles and boundaries that must inform our leadership. We are to seek God in all things, treat others with kindness and compassion, not be guided by other people's praise, and be good stewards. Even if we compile a complete list of all these imperatives, we will find plenty of room for interpretation in how we lead our organizations. Business gives us many practical tools, some that conflict with each other and some that contradict Scripture, but many that seem quite applicable. Spiritual leaders spend their lives in the midst of this ambiguity, trying to determine how best to lead. The most effective leaders don't look for simple answers and don't become paralyzed by uncertainty. They sift through as much as they can from spiritual and secular sources and then prayerfully and confidently put into practice whatever fits their circumstances.

This book explores a number of secular and spiritual resources so that you can choose what fits your leadership needs. The first two chapters look further at the philosophical framework and the personal issues every spiritual leader must face. Then Part One turns to a number of practical topics such as planning, personnel management, finance, and measurement. Addressing these matters is important, but it is not enough, so the second part looks at deeper, foundational matters related to team dynamics, culture, and organizational change.

On many of these topics, I was surprised by the variety of opinions expressed in my interviews. In fact, this diversity is what makes spiritual leadership so challenging and interesting. Every person with whom I spoke is deeply committed to loving and serving the Lord with his or her whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. But exercising the gift of leadership looks different for each of them. Some of those differences are driven by the contexts in which they serve, but many of the differences reflect their understanding of what it means to be a Christian leader and how much to tap the wisdom of the corporate world. Be willing to hear the differing perspectives, and as you do so, reflect on how you can be a more effective leader in your own setting.

Several years ago, I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take a guided rafting trip through the Grand Canyon with my only uncle and one of my sons. It was an incredible week. (It was also the most unplugged I have ever been in my career—there's no cell phone service at the bottom of the canyon!)

Part of what made the week so amazing was our guides. They were experts at steering the rafts through the still waters and the powerful rapids of the Colorado River. That by itself was an impressive feat, but they did much more than that. Throughout the long days of floating on the river and hiking the side trails, they educated us on the geology of the canyon, its plant and animal life, its unique weather patterns, and the historical explorers and older civilizations that had been there. Interestingly, the men and women who led us were not scientists—they were river guides who had learned from others.

That is a lot like the study of leadership and this book. Leadership is a rich topic with myriad dimensions, and my goal is to be a guide who shares what I have learned from experts and personal experience. Of course, such a rich and complex subject cannot be mastered in one book. At the end of my week in the Grand Canyon, my life had been enriched tremendously, but I also thought, “I want to come back. There's so much more to see and learn and experience.” I hope you will feel the same about leadership when you get to the last page.

Another reason my trip was so memorable is that I got to spend the week with two people I love dearly. The best leadership is a journey with friends, not a solo venture. So as you reflect on the concepts that follow, I hope you will engage in a broader discussion with your leadership team or with peers. As you do so, my prayer is that God will use my efforts as a guide to enhance your leadership, strengthen your church, and multiply His Kingdom.

To our children—David, Matthew, Jonathan, and Hope. You have been given the gift of leadership. I pray you will use it to bless others and glorify God.

CHAPTER ONE

IS GREAT THE ENEMY OF GODLY?

“Good is the enemy of great,” according to Jim Collins in the well-known opening line of Good to Great.1 Collins's best-selling book has been a favorite guide for business leaders and has been equally influential for many leaders outside of business, including those in the church.

I am one of those leaders who have been greatly influenced by Collins. Having started my career in business, I readily recognized the relevance of Good to Great and similar resources for Christian organizations. But over time, I also realized that leaders in these organizations need to consider another question: “Is great the enemy of godly?”