Barnabas File

Holy God, we acknowledge our need for your presence in our lives daily. We share our concerns, place them in your hands, and listen for Your Voice.   For those who have lost loved ones in recent days and still feel an emptiness in their lives. . . Lord, hear our prayer. For the homeless, the jobless, and those who barely survive on the margins of society . . . Lord, hear our prayer. For refugees, immigrants, and those who are misplaced . . . Lord, hear our prayer. For those whose lives are threatened by mindless war and violence each day . . . Lord, hear our prayer. For political, charitable, and ministry leaders who confront the problems of our world. . . Lord, hear our prayer. For the family and friends who love and support us . . . Lord, hear our prayer. For the People of God who are called to be light and salt in this needy world . . . Lord, hear our prayer.   And we thank you, God, for the reminders of your presence in the ordinary things of life.   For the touch of a loved one’s

Wespath, the benefits and investment entity of United Methodists, published a report in 2019 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 for congregations and denominational sys

“See,   I   am   doing   a   new   thing ! Now   i t springs up; do you not perceive   i t?   I   am   making   a   way   i n the wilderness   a nd streams   i n the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:19, NIV) ≈   Our God is a living God who continues to show us new ways through challenging times.  Women and men throughout the history of the church have listened for the voice of God, receiving inspiration to attempt new and innovative ways to share the gospel and serve humankind.  We need leaders today who will not only embrace innovation but encourage others to do so as well.     In a recent webinar, Jay Campbell with the Blanchard Companies shared some practices that nurture innovation in an organization.  Several of these are certainly applicable to the church.   First, make innovation a clear priority.  As Christians, we must first set aside the time to listen to the voice of God through retreat and sabbath.  Leaders should offer team members and disciples the freedom to experiment and take ri

“My job is to find that spark of innovation and water it.”    This mixed metaphor may be the best description of how leaders in congregations deal with innovation. Innovation may be needed in today’s churches, but it is often met with doubt and suspicion.   There is a difference between creativity and innovation.  Creativity is coming up with a good idea; innovation is making it work.  Great ideas are not enough.  We must be able to put them into action.   In a recent webinar, Jay Campbell with the Blanchard Companies cited the statistic that “48% of executives believe innovation is risky” and should be avoided. What do you think that percentage would be among church leaders?   Campbell’s ideas resonant with the challenge facing anyone who would attempt to implement innovation in a congregation.  He cites two key innovation killers: fear of failure and a risk-averse culture.  This resistance is found both in leadership and in the way that teams or committees operate.   Leaders kills in

The authors of this book begin by paraphrasing Frederick Buechner: “being an innovator means being called to where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”    They develop the argument that developers get stuck, and innovation fails often “because innovators pay too much attention to their deep gladness and not enough to the world’s deep hunger.”   At the heart of innovation is the focus on authentic demand, people buying and using something because it becomes part of their lives.  For example, no one knew they needed a phone that could do everything until Steve Jobs led Apple to create one.  Now no one can live without such a device. It has become part of our lives.    They identify three forms of innovation:  Informative, Transformative, and Formative. Informative innovations provide more of the same with incremental change and some increased value.  Transformative innovations change the user’s perception and the scope of usage.  Formative innovations provide something

At some point, I discovered that you learn more by teaching than by being a student in a course.  For three 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.    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?” 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. You are not a “fixer.”  Many of us who are coaches come from backgrounds where we were problem-solvers—counselors, educators, clergy, leaders.  As coaches, “fixing” someone else or providin