Edging Towards a Course on Leadership

I just finished reading John Dickson's new-ish book on leadership, Humilitas. True to form, it reads as easily as an article in Dolly. But--I should be quick to make the contrast--Humilitas actually has substance.

Loved it. I reckon I'll make it the 'set text' for a course on leadership that I'm developing at the moment.

Incidentally, it's not one of those 'Christian books', either. Dickson's self-awareness shines through even as he points to Jesus (among many, many others) as exemplar of humility. I'd recommend it for anyone looking to review their own role and character as a leader.

The other contender for a 'set text': Carson's The Cross and Christian Ministry.

Searching for the 'Standard 10'

Recently I had the chance to set a ten-part reading curriculum-of-sorts for an eager friend. I chose 10 articles/readings that I thought would help them along. But it's now got me thinking about what my 'Standard 10' might look like. That is, if I had the chance to get keen-beans at Crossroads reading 10 'set readings', what would they be?

Here's the ten that I set (and please note, I tailored it to the individual):

1. 'Atonement' by Leon Morris, in the New Bible Dictionary
2. The discussion on John 17:1-5 in Don Carson's Pillar John Commentary
3. 'Biblical Theology' by Brian Rosner, in the New Dictionary of Biblical Theology
4. Paul's Letter to the Romans - from the Bible, I mean!
5. 'The Natural Ethic' by Oliver O'Donovan
6. 'Baptism' by J D G Dunn, in the New Bible Dictionary
7. 'The Natural State of Fallen Man' a section of Robert Reymond's A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith (450-58)
8. Joined Up Life by Andrew Cameron (just start reading it)
9. Joined Up Life (contd)
   
10. Joined Up Life (contd)

I reckon I'd keep 1-5 and 7 if I were making a Standard 10.

Thoughts?

Snobs, Meritocracy, and the Art of Tragedy

I just re-listened to this TED talk by Alain de Botton. I can't remember if I raved about it the first time around, so let me do so again: it's fantastic. Incisive, funny, and includes several piercing critiques of some deeply-ingrained thinking on success.

Listen. Now. I dare you.

On a related note, I'm really looking forward to the (English!) release of his new book, Religion for Atheists. Perhaps it'll bring the 'beauty' angle to the current atheist vision? Dunno. Its release is still several months away.

On the Scrounge for Leadership Materials

Yesterday I gave my ol' friend and beloved mentor, Dave Thurston, a call. I mentioned that I'm working on a training course on leadership, and asked for his advice on resources to consult or use. From the top of his head, these were his picks:

• Sticky Teams
• Sticky Church
• The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
• 7 Practices of Effective Ministry - this was his #1.

I'm also looking forward to sinking my teeth into John Dickson's recent book, Humilitas, which a close mate gave me recently.

Wouldn't it be nice if our churches ran leadership training that was *so* good that we attracted non-church people along to learn to lead after the pattern of the servant-King? That's my dream.

When the Genius is in None of the Details

The other day a good mate of mine was outlining the basics of GTD to a bunch of students. My hunch is, 80% of the people present needed to hear it, need to remember it. The tragedy is, less than 20% of his audience were taking notes. *sigh*

But here's the thing: the genius of GTD is in none of its details.

The genius of it is in the whole. With pencil poised to take notes, you'd often find yourself considering any individual detail, "Should I take this down? Is it important enough?... Nah. I'll wait for the gold."

So here's my hunch: when you're outlining something where the gold is in the whole, rather than the parts, I reckon you have to put out the call:

Use a mindmap, write a flow chart, take down skeletal bullet-points--I don't care--but make sure that you take notes solidly for the next ten minutes, 'cause the genius of this thing is in the whole. It is in none of its details, alone.

Let's hope I remember my own advice :)

Lunch. And all I can do with it.

I find it incredibly difficult to take a proper lunch break, especially when I'm in the office. My mind is usually racing, and I'm usually in checklisty-documenty-brainstormy kinda mode. I find it hard to just relax and take the time.

So here's my new thing: when it's lunchtime at the office, use it as a chance to do the checklisty-documenty-brainstormy kinda stuff for my home projects.

Today I brainstormed how to rejuvenate our family devotional life.

Ah, lunch times. I feel we're at peace again.

Keller's Reason for God, for cheap

I just noticed that Fishpond is selling Tim Keller's The Reason for God cheap, and with free shipping.

I recommend it. Buy it. Read it yourself (if you haven't already). Give it to every person you meet.

The Basics - Part 1

Right now I'm finishing off a short course that's designed to establish a kinda baseline for every person involved in ministry at my church.

The first component of it is about the gospel itself. And it looks at:

• Go-to passages in Scripture for explaining the gospel (in discussion)
  
• Two Ways to Live (Matthias)
• Our own Intro to Christianity course
• Prayer and evangelism (in discussion)

There are also a couple of recommendations at the end:

• The Reason for God (book by Keller)
• The Life of Jesus (DVD by CPX)

If you could take every single person in ministry at your church through material on evangelism, what would you choose?