By Eddie Hammett at EHammett@TheColumbiaPartnership.org
Download: Layoff and Launching Creates New Opportunity
On a recent Thursday I received notice that after 19 years of service with a denominational organization my position was being eliminated due to a budget shortage. I really don’t feel like a victim of layoff as much as one being launched into new aspects of ministry to churches, leaders, conventions/conferences and judicatories of many denominations. I look forward to coaching opportunities to help others facing transition or to move beyond the tough times of economics to the innovation and opportunities these often bring.
In many ways this is a new opportunity for me. I look forward to what is just around the corner that I cannot yet fully understand. I am convinced that our God who goes before us has prepared some wonderful opportunities in ministry for me.
I am excited about the foundation I have built over the past four years with The Columbia Partnership. It is an important part of my launching. I will now be able to give full-time focus to the ministry of the Partnership, our clients, and various partnerships and affiliations we have or will create.
Topics I have passion for will be the focus of my speaking engagements, coaching opportunities, and opportunities for becoming a coach-in-residence for congregations, clusters of churches, denominational organizations, and judicatories who have downsized staff and yet continue to need short-term focused expert leadership to attain their goals. I believe this is a probable staffing model that saves time and money, provides focus and accountability and creates an environment for excellence and innovation even in tough economic times. I talk about this model in my book Spiritual Leadership in a Secular Age.
Here are some sample topics I am ready to address:
- Reaching People Under 40 While Keeping People Over 60
- Making Shifts Without Making Waves
- Outgrowing an Ingrown Church
- Moving from Maintenance to Mission
- Discipleship in an Unchurched Culture
- Deacon Ministry: Managers or Servants?
- Strengthening Deacon Ministry for the 21st Century
- Reframing Spiritual Formation
- The Transforming Impact of Christian Coaching
- Moving from Informational to Transformational Bible Study
- Bible Study for 21st Century Adults
If I can serve you let me know and we’ll customize something just for you! Check out not only The Columbia Partnership web site at www.TheColumbiaPartnership.org, but also my personal web site at www.TransformingSolutions.org.
By the way, have you experienced a layoff in recent days? What has been your experience? In what ways has it been a launching into the next phase of your life and ministry? As in my case, I am convinced God has prepared some great new opportunities for you. I would love to hear your story. Share them with me at EHammett@TheColumbiaPartnership.org.
Important Things to Know
Eddie Hammett is a Ministry Partner with The Columbia Partnership. He is a certified coach with the International Coach Federation. Recent books of which he is the author or co-author are Reaching People Under 40 While Keeping People Over 60, Spiritual Leadership in a Secular Age, and Making Shifts Without Making Waves. He is available to speaking and coaching with leaders, congregations, denominations, and parachurch organizations.
The Columbia Partnership is a non-profit Christian ministry organization focused on transforming the capacity of the North American Church to pursue and sustain Christ-centered ministry. Travel Free Learning is a leadership development emphasis of The Columbia Partnership. For more information about products and services check out the web site at www.TheColumbiaPartnership.org, send an e-mail to Client.Care@TheColumbiaPartnership.org, or call 803.622.0923.
