The Columbia Partnership

The Crisis of Leadership: Implications for Congregational Leadership

A Travel Free Learning Article

By Suzanne Goebel, Ministry Colleague with The Columbia Partnership

Voice: 404.663.4208, E-mail: SGoebel@TheColumbiaPartnership.org, Web Site: www.TheColumbiaPartnership.org,

Download Goebel, The Crisis of Leadership, 9.27.11 Edition

Listen to the Travel Free Learning Dialogue with Suzanne Talking about Her Ariticle:

TFL Dialogue, Suzanne Goebel on The Crisis of Leadership

James MacGregor Burns in the book Leadership (1978), addresses several elements of leadership, providing specific definition around the distinctive but often confused constructs of power, authority, leadership [both transactional and transformational], moral leadership, and the relationship between all of these.

 

In context, these are discussed in terms of their relationship to each other and in relationship to the term “leadership”. For purposes of clarification, they are treated as separate but related elements. Supporting the need for a treatment of the subject in general, the claim around a crisis of leadership is based on mediocrity, irresponsibility, and a gap with regard to meeting the urgent need for authentic leadership.

Serious enquiry into the subject has failed in that the literature on leadership often deals with historical figures—called leaders—and the related assumption that fame or position is equal to importance. Further, literature around followership reflects anti-elitist or populist ideology, also lacking a comprehensive construct. This article attempts to bridge the two entities by looking at leaders as well as followers. The implications for congregational leadership are significant.

The Annual Stewardship Letter

A Travel Free Learning Article

By Ruben Swint, Ministry Colleague with The Columbia Partnership

Voice: 404.314.7273, E-mail: RSwint@TheColumbiaPartnership.org, Web Site: www.TheColumbiaPartnership.org

Download Swint, The Annual Stewardship Letter, 9.20.11 Edition

It's stewardship time again. In many churches the stewardship theme is being chosen along with perhaps an appropriate logo. Stewardship supplies are being prepared or ordered and they include letterhead, envelopes, response (pledge, commitment) cards, and perhaps a devotional guide and Bible study lessons.

The target Sunday is set for receiving the response cards back from the members and the pastor is still working on how he or she will again preach on stewardship. How will all this be introduced? Most likely a letter announcing stewardship time will be mailed to the entire congregation and once again they're off in the hunt for a green October.

Beginning this mostly institutional exercise well is highly important. That first letter sets the tone for what will follow and for what can be expected in response. How well will your stewardship letter accomplish its purpose? Can it be missional as well as institutional?

Discerning a Ministerial Yearning

Helping Parse the Feelings of a Sincere Volunteer

A Travel Free Learning Article

By Norman Jameson

Voice: 919.607.4991, E-mail: NJameson@TheColumbiaPartnership.org, Web Site: www.TheColumbiaPartnership.org

Download Jameson, Discerning a Ministerial Yearning, 9.13.11 Edition

In my most recent contribution to The Columbia Partnership’s Travel Free Learning articles, I raised the issue ministers face with the yearnings of well meaning, spiritually minded disciples who confide that they are considering entering the professional ministry—and the minister suspects they do not possess the tools for success.

In other words, I wrote, how do you best help people define that spiritual yearning in their lives that they interpret as a call to ministry when you see no evidence that they have what it takes to be a minister? [Check out this previous article, Dispensing Advice to the Clueless on the TCP web site.]

Watch Out for Blind Spots!

A Travel Free Learning Article

by Ken Kessler, Ministry Partner with The Columbia Partnership

Voice: 804.338.5058, E-mail: KKessler@TheColumbiaPartnership.org, Web Site: www.TheColumbiaPartnership.org

Download Kessler, Watch Out for That Blind Spots, 9.6.11 Edition

Listen to the Travel Free Learning Dialogue with Ken Talking About This Article:

TFL Dialogue, Ken Kessler on Watch Out for Blind Shots

While driving the other day, I was talking with my son who is almost 16 years oldand will be getting his driver’s license soon. My fatherly sense of responsibility took over, and I was talking with him about how important it is to drive defensively and watch out for the other guy. As I was talking, I decided to change lanes on the interstate on which we were traveling. The car in front of me was just going too slow. I checked my rear view mirror and checked my side view mirror, and saw nothing. As I got ready to change lanes, a car horn loudly went off next to me. I quickly veered back over to my lane. Over in the lane next to me, the driver looked at me with one of those what-are-you-doing stares. (I think there may have even been a raised fist if I remember correctly.)

After my heart recovered and slowed down from the surprise appearance of that car in the left lane, my son then gave me a lecture about the importance of remembering the blind spots. He, with a smile on his face, reminded me that you must always be careful of those spots you cannot see from your rearview mirror or your side view mirror. Every car has blind spots!