By Casey Ross, Director of Ministry Services, Browns Bridge Community Church
I have a long way to go as a husband, dad, leader, coworker, boss, friend . . . you name it. That’s why I have to take my development seriously. Over the years, I’ve used different methods to try to become better. I’ve read books and blogs and articles, attended conferences, met with others, taken classes, and listened to podcasts (and even cassette tapes back in the day). All of those can be very valuable.
For the most part, though, those things involved hearing, writing, memorizing, thinking, and/or discussing. While all were worthwhile, something was missing. In my case, my development was usually slower and did not stick long-term when I was lacking this one piece.
Several years ago, I learned a valuable lesson when it comes to accomplishing lasting development. As I noticed some growth and received feedback from others about areas of my life in which I was becoming consistently better, I realized it was in those areas that I had added this missing piece.
So, for the last few years I’ve read less, attended fewer conferences, met with fewer people, and listened to fewer podcasts (and zero cassette tapes). It’s not that I’ve stopped doing these things; I’m just doing less of them. It helps me focus.
What have I started doing more of?
Raising my hand. Signing up. Taking risks. Attempting more. Bottom line: I’m doing more. I’m experiencing more—all in an effort to grow. And it’s working. No, I haven’t reached the finish line. I never will. So I will keep raising my hand and doing more.
Look around. What can you raise your hand to do that will cause you to grow?
December 8th, 2009 at 12:48 am
Our family vision is to “love to the third power to influence kingdoms and nations to love to the third power”. We started saying yes to any opportunity to influence. In 30 days I found myself on television interviews 4 times. The experience was quickly an opportunity to see God’s love and grace in a whole new light.
December 13th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
could you let me know where John Osborne is and what He is doing now?
thanks so much.
January 16th, 2010 at 10:36 am
I am a Sunday school teacher @ Shiloh Baptist Church. I teach married couples, I need help with content for our class. Our son goes to Ga. Tech and attends your church.We have visited several times and are very impressed. Any suggestions for my class?
March 10th, 2010 at 8:42 am
Casey,
Nice testimony and great encouragement. Just a couple of scriptures that lend support: John 4 and the woman at the well. When the disciples returned from town they had an exchange with Jesus about food. He said, “I have food to eat that you don’t know anything about. My food is to do the will of my Father.” Then he pointed out the harvest at hand. A bit later in the book of John Jesus was rebuked by religious leaders for working on the Sabbath. He answered, “My Father is always working, and I am too.” I have always found God’s work to be very satisfying. I think encouraging those around us to work hard for God’s purposes is one of the best things we can do for them.
Thank you for your thoughts. And thank you for all that Northpoint does to help others be succussful.
March 27th, 2010 at 10:12 am
Thank you for taking time to read my request. We are a church of about 350 and are prayerful searching for wisdom on how to develop leaders in our body.
My question is two fold:
At North Point how do you
1. identify those gifted in leadership abilities?
2. pour into and develop those leadership skills?
I know that there are seminars and books on leadership and these are some of the things we are looking at. My question would be; what is it that you do on a practical level at North Point to continue to identify and develop leaders that have a heart longing to serve God and see people come to His saving grace? How do you pour into those that raise there hand, sign up, are willing to take risks and attempt more? We don’t want them looking for a door to knock on in a quest to find a way to lead, we want to create a culture that empowers them to lead.
Again thank you for your time,
Bob Read
1 Peter 4:10-11
April 20th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Hey Bob! So sorry to take this long to reply. You ask great questions. Regardless of the size of your church, these are questions we all should be asking about ourselves.
How do we identify existing and potential leaders?
Basically, we observe people at work. Volunteers and staff, we observe them in action. You can only tell so much about a person through conversations and interviews. You can tell a whole lot watching someone perform their role and interact with people.
We look for high capacity people. People who can handle their current level of responsibility very well and take on more responsibility without the work suffering.
We looks for people who buy into our mission. A great leader who does not buy into our mission is less valuable than a good leader who buys into our mission.
Also, each ministry environment looks for traits they know are needed in their environments.
How do we pour into and develop leaders?
We have multiple layers of development in our organization. At the individual level, we tend to hire people who take responsibility for their own development. At the team level, the leaders of those teams should be pouring into their team. We read books together, provide ongoing feedback, discuss leadership, etc. At the campus level, there are regular meetings where stories are shared and we pray for each other. My campus, Browns Bridge, is going through a year long very intentional plan of developing our entire staff. At the organizational level, Andy pours into the staff at our all-staff meetings. We also hear from other leaders at these meetings.