Soul of Leadership

At Northern's Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, Ruth Haley Barton was our speaker. A graduate of the seminary, she is the founding president of the Transforming Center (www.transformingcenter.org). She gave a very challenging address called: "Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership" based upon the experiences of Moses. With great freedom of delivery she stepped out from behind the podium (though she lost some sound!) and developed the story of Moses primarily in terms of his learning about solitude - about his 40 years in the wilderness seeking God in solitude and (only then) doing what God tells him to do. As she said, his leadership before this solitude was raw, unrefined and disastrous as he stands up for his people by murdering the oppressor! But in the silence and brokenness of his subsequent time with God, he learned to let go these old (dangerous) coping strategies because his soul was strengthened in new ways. Old coping strategies are replaced by qualities of soul.

I cannot do justice to her 40 minute address in this brief post but as she told the story she concluded with Exodus 33:12-23. As she challenged us that "there is no promised land worth going to unless God goes with you" she pointed out what she regards as one of the great leadership verses in Scripture, Exod 33: 21: "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock." Of course, it needs to be set in context as Moses asks to see God's glory, but I confess this was the first time I had noticed this verse. That, coupled with the challenge to develop greater solitude with God, has really stuck with me.

Chinese Language Traditional Script Edition

I was thrilled yesterday to receive a package from Baker Books containing three copies of the just translated 360degree Preaching in Chinese. It says it is in the "traditional script" - I am not sure what this means as compared with non-traditional! But it gives me yet another bizarre experience of holding copies of a book which I wrote, yet each page is utterly intelligible.

China is an extraordinary country with powerful economics and inspiring signs of spiritual growth in the Christian church. When the Chinese editor last wrote to me she spoke of her prayers that this book will be greatly used to help a new generation of preachers in China. Of course, I echo her prayers but I have only the vaguest notions of what it might mean! Over here there are seminaries, conferences and amazon. However things may work out over there (and I guess they have all three!), I have now put China on my prayer agenda that my little effort might bear fruit along the way. What a privilege even if it influences just one preacher for good! Bizzarely wonderful! Thank you, Lord, for an unexpected sphere of influence for you.

To most people it's phooey!

Over lunch with my academic colleagues today I happened to mention the comment in my last post from that critic of preaching who claimed preaching could not be transformational. "Well, " responded one of my friends: 'He is speaking for many people in our churches. Ask them honestly what they think about preaching and they'll say it is phooey! All phooey! Because, frankly much preaching has no impact at all on the church. He has read the situation better than you Michael! "

This brought me up with a jolt. It's one thing to claim what great possibilities preaching should/might have. This is a favority ploy especially by preaching professors whose lives are (too) bound up high thoughts about preaching. But this critic does give a painful reality check. In too many places preaching has fallen into dull, generic blah! Indeed, a couple of stories followed where recent preaching experiences not only failed to be positive, nor were even neutral, but were actually negative in impact. They actually made matters worse. Help!

I felt challenged about slick claims. Sometimes critics do read the situation better. It doesn't mean dropping expectations but it explains skepticism and resistance.

Seeking Excellence (3)

Returning from the conference at Green Lake I have many thoughts. They were a great group of pastors and their graduation banquet on Thursday night was inspiring as they reflected on their two year program together. They were all grouped in sixes or sevens, each group with a coach who had kept them closely together in their studies. One of these coaches said to me: "This is all about connectedness. Ministry goes wrong when you drift off on your own - then it's difficult to stay close to Christ. But the closer you stay connected to the other pastors in the group, the more likely it is to stay close to Jesus Christ." Certainly, I have never seen such honest and joyful connections among pastors.

About my part I am still reflecting. Two contrasting comments say much.

• At my first meal I was introduced to one of the other main speakers at the conference over breakfast. Straight off he said: "I see you are talking about "transformational preaching." Those two words don't belong together!' Taken aback I asked why. ' Because preaching is something that comes top-down and transformation only happens from bottom-up. I do not believe preaching changes anything! John Wesley didn't change Britain by his preaching but by his methods of organization." I was surprised by the suddenness and strength of his challenge. I realized yet again how disillusioned many (able & thoughtful) Christians are about whether God can use preaching to build community for mission. It was a wake-up call.


• At the end a pastor saw me in the parking lot. "Thank you for ruining my preaching," he said. "Your teaching really pulled some of my practices apart and made me think again." However, he did smile! I had mentioned in one session that effective preachers are always keen to learn more about preaching. I did sense that he was seeking to be more effective as he returned to his church.

We rarely know the outcome of events like this. I was grateful to share my passion for preaching and leadership, but I return even more aware of the mountain of skepticism and resistance that has to be climbed.

Seeking Excellence (2)

I have been pondering which Scripture passage to use for some practical work at the upcoming conference. I plan to give each person a copy of the text from my NIV Study Bible so that they see not only the passage but some basic commentary underneath. Various choices have come to mind.

I have decided to use Ephesians 4: 1-16. Titled: Unity in the Body of Christ, I know this will be well-known (which will be an advantage). Since I shall be speaking about the task of preaching/leading, this key passage on the purpose of the church seems highly appropriate. Each pastor will be given opportunity to work on the exegesis and interpretation of this passage and I am planning to give a twist to the exercise. At the end of the morning session I shall preach a (short) sermon on part of this text. But, in the afternoon session I shall invite the conference to critique this sermon on the basis of its preaching/leading qualities.

I know this is a risk! When she heard my idea, Carol was disturbed: "Are you going to preach deliberately poorly in the morning so that there's plenty to discuss later?" No, I don 't intend doing that! That does seem perverse and artificial. But I shall leave certain things unsaid and see whether the conference identifes them. And yes, I am prepared for all sorts of critique I had not anticipated! Thanks for your prayers....and I will let you know what happens.

Seeking Excellence

I was delighted with the posting to my last question about what I should tell Senior Pastors at this upcoming conference (Center of Excellence in Congregational Leadership ). I was urged to ensure these "battle worn scar satuated pastors" receive some JOY rather than academic lectures. I resonate with that!

Another suggestion has been made to me that I include time to talk about "preaching without notes." Apparently this person had heard me speak on this subject some time ago and it transformed his subsequent preaching. I am always concerned that "preaching without notes" can be deemed merely a clever technique for improving communication skills. Certainly it is a technique and developing the primary (short term) memory is something I encourage all my students to do. But, of course, no amount of skilful presentation can compensate if there is no faithful exegesis and sound interpretation of Scripture and sheer zing of the Spirit blowing through the whole process.

However, since I have seven hours for teaching I think I will include a challenge about preaching without notes. I need to do it joyfully though! I am also deciding on a Scripture text for practical work during the day. More on that shortly.

Senior Pastors seeking Excellence

I remember asking readers a couple of years ago to help me prepare to speak at the Moody Pastors' Conference. I asked: "What should I tell these pastors?" Several really helpful suggestions came from non-preachers who spoke from the heart! I used some of them in my address.

Shortly (on May 18) I face another opportunity. The Center for Excellence in Congregational Leadership is a two year program for Senior Pastors (at Green Lake, Wisconsin). It goal is summed up: "By the winds of the Holy Spirit to help pastors increase joy in ministry and help churches reach communities for Christ through health and outward focus." I have been given a whole day for teaching about preaching.

Of course, they will be experienced preachers. Conference organizers have asked them to read my books on preaching so (perhaps) they will be aware of what I might say! I am really praying about which few vitally significant things deserve maximum attention. I want to encourage lively participation and be open to the winds of the Holy Spirit breathing fresh enthusiasm.

I should so value prayer as this develops. I shall let you know and, as always, your insights are welcome.