Barnabas File

I was first introduced to Celtic Christianity over thirty years ago when I heard Professor George Hunter make a presentation based on his book, The Celtic Way of Evangelism.     Hunter argued that the Celtic church converted Ireland from paganism to Christianity in a remarkably short period, and then proceeded to send missionaries throughout Europe.    He observed that its strengths provide a basis of effective evangelism in our time.   Celtic Christianity is a fascinating blend of early Christian beliefs and practices with the indigenous spiritual traditions of the Celtic peoples of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Cornwall. There are some key elements of the strategy that resonate with our contemporary culture and churches might consider as they seek to impact individuals, affinity groups, and communities with the Christian message.   First, the emphasis on monasticism.  Monasteries were the heart of Celtic Christianity. They were not just pla...

What does leadership mean to you?     Leadership is more than articulating and pursuing a healthy vision for your congregation or organization.     Effective leadership is based on understanding yourself and others, then exercising the appropriate actions based on that knowledge.   In recent years, we have labeled this constellation of competencies Social and Emotional Intelligence.  So, what is Social and Emotional Intelligence?   It’s being aware of our own emotions, and the emotions of others, IN THE MOMENT, and then using that information to manage ourselves and manage our relationships.    The four components of Social and Emotional Intelligence are:   ·        Self-Awareness--Being aware of what’s going on within us, in the moment. ·        Other Awareness--Being aware of what might be going on within others and responding with care and consideration. ·  ...

Have you worked with a leader who just did not “get it”?     They were not aware of the impact that their behavior had on others or were unaware of the emotions of other individuals.     These skills comprise what we term “social and emotional intelligence.” Leaders with high social and emotional intelligence can understand, empathize with, and motivate others. This fosters trust, loyalty, and open communication within teams.    Social and emotional intelligence is a broad term encompassing our ability to understand and manage our own emotions, as well as the emotions of others, and utilize that understanding to navigate social situations effectively. It's not just about being "nice" or good at reading minds, but rather a set of skills that can significantly impact various aspects of our lives, including: Personal well-being: SEI skills like self-awareness and emotional regulation help us cope with stress, make sound decisions, and build healthy relat...

In our coaching classes, someone will bring up the question, “How do I discover my coaching niche?”     A niche is defined as “a specialized segment of the market for which you are best fitted.” This is an area in which someone might focus their attention as a coach.     Although we believe that a competent coach can use her or his skills to coach persons in any vocation, there are a couple of reasons someone identifies a niche.    First, when you work with someone in a vocation with which you are familiar, you are more comfortable initiating the conversation with that person.  You are more confident.  This does not mean that you expect to share your expertise or experiences with the client, but your background helps you to understand the playing field and provide a mental framework to ask good questions.   Second, as you begin to develop your coaching practice, the natural strategy is to pursue contacts within your network—people y...

At some point, I discovered that you learn more by teaching than by being a student in a course. For four years, colleague Beth Kennett and I have taught an Introduction to Coaching class as part of Summit Coach Training from Pinnacle .  In teaching, I have rediscovered at least ten concepts that I think every coach should remember.   1.   1.  The client is central.     Coaching is really all about the client. The client sets the agenda, and the coach provides the process.     If you have any concerns about what to ask or how to proceed, ask yourself, “Does this serve the client?” 2.       Coaching is really a partnership.     It is a collaborative activity.     Bob Dale spoke about coach and client as “thought partners.”     It is a partnership that fosters creativity on the part of client and learning on the part of the coach. 3.       You are not a “fixer.” ...

As we begin a new year, perhaps it is a good time to reflect on what we are about and what difference it makes in the coming year. Do you consider your profession a job, a career, or a calling?   In  Tomorrowmind: Thriving at Work with Resilience, Creativity, and Connection , the authors [i] cite a 1997 study of workplace attitudes by psychologists Amy Wrzesniewski, Clark McCauley, Paul Rozin, and Barry Schwartz that showed that people view their work as either a job, a career, or a calling.   A job is focused on financial rewards and necessity. Jobs are means to the end of enjoying life outside of work. You quit when you find better pay.    A career is focused on professional advancement. Those of us with careers feel pride in our professional accomplishments and elevated social standing. You quit when the promotions stop, or you retire.    A calling is focused on fulfilling work. You feel called to do socially or morally valuable work. You keep at it...