Barnabas File

In this VUCA--volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous--moment, we are rediscovering that what we crave most is relationship, and we are discovering new ways to relate to family, friends, co-workers, and fellow disciples.       THNK recently posted a blog suggesting how we can take advantage of this opportunity, and we can apply their insights to the church. First, lead with humanity and empathy. The key word I am hearing both from business and spiritual leaders is connection.  In this time of shelter-in-place and social distancing even the introverts among us desire human contact.  Even those who have families with whom to interact are feeling vulnerable.  Church leaders have created or rediscovered many ways to keep in touch with their flocks--not just Zoom and Facetime but cards, letters, and telephone calls--and remind each person that they are loved and valued.  No matter their age, status, or level of church involvement...

The current pandemic is only one example of the VUCA--volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous--world in which we live.     We have experienced other wrenching moments in our lives, but this one has come with rapidity, power, and breadth that hits us like a bucket of cold water.     These are the moments that challenge, stretch, and remold us.     Even the church and its leaders can learn from this experience and find ways to strengthen its mission during this turbulent time. THNK recently posted a blog suggesting how organizations can take advantage of this crucible moment.  This is an opportunity for personal growth, reforging relationships, and reimagining our work.  In this blog, I will address the first topic as it applies to the church. You would think that personal growth--both personal and communal-- would always be at the top of the agenda for Christian leaders, but this emphasis often losses out to more mundane conce...

A rule of life provides a framework or pattern for a group of believers to walk alongside and encourage each other to pursue those practices that lead to spiritual health and faithful service.    Here are few things to consider as your faith community works together to articulate a rule of life. First, the process requires spiritual preparation and discernment.  Believers become more focused and aligned as they spend time in prayer individually and corporately.  One approach would be to ask those who are developing a rule of life to set aside a specific time every day to pray using Romans 12:1-2 as a guide: I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters,   by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual   worship.     Do not be conformed to this world,   but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of Go...

You can always count on your students to bring you back down to earth!     In the seminary class I teach on Missional Imagination, we challenge students “to think, imagine, innovate, and lead in ways that foster ministry startups and nurture established ministries that are missional in nature.”     At least that is what the course description says.     Another way of describing our goal is helping students to reimagine Christian ministry as part of the   missio Dei --the mission God given to the people of God and empowered by the Holy Spirit.     Of course, it takes a whole semester to unpack this concept, but eventually someone will ask a question or write a paper that includes a statement like this:  “Although missional ministry is often slow and may not have quantifiable results, the truth of the matter is those who are funding the ministry will always want to have a visible and measurable outcome as proof that their dolla...

“The brave   person   is not   the one  who does not feel afraid but   the one   who conquers that fear.”                          --Nelson Mandela (adapted) In interactions with a number of clergy leaders in the last two months, I have encountered a wide variety of emotions.  Some are challenged by this opportunity to try new ways to connect with parishioners, lead in worship, and care for those in need even if it means they are actually working harder and putting in more hours.  Others are struggling to keep up with the changes and doing the best they can under the circumstances.  No one I have encountered has given up, but they have felt the stress of so many unprecedented changes.  Added to this, many now face the stress of working with their congregations to identify a way forward.   I believe that we are going to see a lot of...

Coaching in various forms is increasing, so it is getting more attention.  This means that change is at hand.  In a blog ,  Edmée Schalkx  addressed “Trends in Coaching 2017-2022” and specifically noted what this means for users and coaches. As one who believes both in the effectiveness of coaching and its usefulness in religious settings, I suggest what these changes in coaching means for those of us who work with churches. First, faith communities will recognize that they need trained coaches.  Churches, judicatories, and other faith-based institutions will discover that coaching promotes retention, provides focus, and maximizes use of resources.  With less to work with, coaching will increase the impact of the work of faith-based organizations in all areas of ministry. Second, seminaries will give more attention to teaching coaching skills and integrating coaching into the curriculum. Seminaries and church related col...

Wespath, the benefits and investment entity of United Methodists, published a report titled, “Clergy Health Factors--What Matters Most.”    The report states, “Healthy churches and congregations foster healthy clergy and church leaders--and vice-versa.” The report identified 13 factors that influence clergy health.  Some are specific to the Methodist system--“stressors of the appointment process” and “appointment changes and relocation” --but might be translated into similar challenges in other denominational contexts.  Some deal with issues that might be addressed through formal counseling--“personal centeredness” and “marital and family satisfaction.” The rest of the list reflects the concerns that I often see articulated by pastors in coaching conversations. For example, “relationship with congregation,” “work/life balance,” “existential burdens of ministry,” and “outside interests and social life.”   The study stresses the need ...

I attended an all-male military school for 12 years.  This was not a residential school; we all lived at our homes in the community.  When I told people I went to a military school, one frequent response was, “Oh, have you been in trouble?”  No, I entered the school in first grade not because I was an incorrigible offender but because my parents wanted me to have a good education and were willing to sacrifice for me to go to a private school. Fast forward to the present day.  As I work with churches and other organizations, I sometimes hear this statement: “This person has a problem. They probably need a coach.”  I am not sure of the source of this perspective, but it misses the real reason that a person should have a coach. The present coaching movement was birthed through businesses where rising executives were (and are) provided coaches so that they could build on their strengths.  They were already doing well a...

As I talk with potential coaching clients, the unspoken question is often, “Can I afford this?”  In conversations with other coaches, someone will comment, “This person really would benefit from having a coach, but they don’t want to pay for it.” Christian folks don’t like to talk about money either in the church or as individuals, but let’s set aside our anxiety for a minute and think about this.  We can look at this concern from a couple of angles--from that of the coach and from that of the client. First, most of the coaches that I know are very competent individuals.  They bring their own personal experience in working with people to the coaching relationship.  The majority have invested time and money in training to practice their craft as skilled professionals.  They have invested in being professionally credentialed.  Many could be doing other types of work, but they set aside the time to do this specific mini...

I have been doing professional life coaching for over ten years and I find that I still have a number of opportunities to introduce and explain the concept to people.  Just about everyone understands athletic coaching either from observing a sports coach in action or serving as a volunteer coach.  Life coaching is a bit different.  Three basic ideas will help you understand how life coaching works.   First, the person being coached is the focus of coaching.  The coach is thoroughly engaged in the coaching conversation, but the conversation is all about the client.  When we engage in a normal conversation with a friend or colleague, we expect that each person will have their fair share of the time—not simply reacting but sharing their own ideas and experiences and carrying their part of the conversation.  In coaching, it is all about the client.  The coach is there to serve the client’s agenda—to lis...