Lead

So, go get yourself a nice big Americano, with an extra shot of espresso and take a stroll through the “Leadership” section at your local Borders, Barnes & Noble, or Mom ‘n Pop (does anybody still have those?).

Take a look at what you’ll find: lots. Lots and lots.

There are a bunch of books on “getting groups of people to do what you want them to.”

Oh, I mean, “leadership.”

There are books on “how to get ahead in your company so that you land on top,” though usually a little more tactfully named, but always written by folks who have worked through their companies and landed on top.

There are reams of paper devoted to the nebulous and grainy concept of “vision.”

How does a person, a business, a church, decide the direction that it will go, or the desired future that it seeks to create?

Many times, churches have followed the world’s lead on the process of “vision.” We study, research, theorize and deduce. In the end, the pastor says “let’s do this,” or the leaders say, “this is the way,” and the job of vision selling begins.

Right now, I’m reading my way through three of those books on leadership and vision. I’m taking a course through the North Georgia Conference called, “The Academy for the Practice of Christian Ministry,” and this pre-course reading has been pretty enlightening.

In their book Spiritual Leadership, Henry and Richard Blackaby put forward a concept that should be the plain as the nose holding up the glasses on this pastor’s face.

Christian vision…Church Vision…comes from God, not us.

It’s really not a vision at all. It’s a revelation.

Nope, don’t get excited, I’m not talking about that last book of the Bible (Revelations, with an “s” if you grew up in the deep South like I did).

I mean revelation…God’s process of revealing himself to the world. What we know of God, we know because God has shown us. Scripture is the primary revelation source, which means it really is that “lamp to our feet” that it claims to be.

Of course, that’s a faith proposition, isn’t it?

Exactly.

God gives a vision to the people, consistent with scripture, and directs our way in the world.

Jesus said the last will be first, and vice-versa. In his world, real leaders have got to first become followers.

This week, SOTH had an open meeting with a pastor from our conference who works at the task of helping congregations listen. “It’s a powerful thing,” he said, “when someone says, I want to hear what you have to say.” In listening to each other, and seeking the voice of God, it’s just possible that the right path will be revealed.

Truly, that kind of leadership is powerful. That kind of ministry is always relevant. Even God likes to be heard.

At SOTH, we’re beginning a process of listening, and of “visioning,” but not in a traditional, worldly way. We believe that God will give the vision and the grace, and the tools and the strength to bring the vision into reality.

What a wonderful place for the work of leadership to begin. And a wonderful prayer to begin it with: “Reveal yourself, O Lord.”

Grace & Peace,

Adam

LIFE AT SOTH:

Envisioning Meeting Follow-Up: Thanks to all who attended Tuesday night’s “Envisioning” meeting with Rev. Jim Hollis of Proactive Evangelism Ministries. Jim led us through a great devotional and time of sharing about our hopes and dreams for SOTH. Church Council will evaluate the ministries offered by PEM and we may continue our process with them this fall through a “Discovery and Reflection” weekend. Keep this process in your prayers as SOTH seeks God’s will for its future.

Our summer lunch ministry to community kids in need of a helping hand has been a huge success! Thanks to MUST Ministries for its partnership, and to the many, many people of SOTH, St. Theresa and Trinity Anglican who have made this great work possible. We’ll continue the lunch route through the end of the first week of August when school gets back in session.

We’re currently collecting school supplies to fill backpacks for the school age kids of these neighborhoods to get them started back to school this year. Donations of supplies can be left at the church this Sunday and next.

Kids’ Day at SOTH was a huge success this week with over 20 kids taking part in arts and crafts. Next Wednesday, August 1^st, we’ll have our final Kids’ Day of the summer. It’s water day, so come out with your little ones and plan to get wet, 10 AM until Noon. Contact Kathryn@sothumc.net with any questions.

Our middle school youth trip to Lake Junaluska leaves this weekend. Thanks to Cindi Bartlett for making one more trip with the kids before her “retirement.”

Wednesday Night Suppers will begin again in August. Make sure to put Wed. night the 15^th on your calendar for a great night of food and friendship.

“The Staff,” SOTH’s newsletter, will come out early next week. We e-mail the letter to the congregation, but we’re glad to “snail mail” to any who prefer a paper copy. If you’d like to be added to either list, let Sandi know in our office, sothumc@bellsouth.net