leadership 101.3
Don't let the leadership vacuum suck the life out of you!
If you’re at a high level of leadership in a non-profit organization, you’ve probably experienced the leadership vacuum. What is the leadership vacuum? It’s can happen if more than one of the following happen at the same time:
1) You have more things to lead than you possibly can.
2) You don’t have enough resources to hire any more staff
3) A key leader leaves your organization.
4) A new major project needs to be accomplished
5) Your organization is in crisis, and needs the leader’s attention
As a leader, when you face these moments you will experience many thoughts and feelings. You may feel overwhelmed, burned out, contemplating quitting. You’ll definitely be tired. You may see anger, withdrawal, even addictive behavior rise up with in you. You will most likely not feel like yourself.
The worst thing about a leadership vacuum is that it sucks. As a leader it sucks to be you, and it begins to suck the life out of your organization, the people you lead, and you may even feel it sucking up your soul.
So what do you do about it? I recently experienced a key staff member leaving. And pretty much all his responsibilities landed on my already over full plate. The first thing I did was evaluate.
1) Act Quickly: What can you do right now to make things better? Then start doing them today. Don’t wait and wallow. Make sure you, or somebody in your organization covers the most urgent issues the vacuum has created.
2) Don’t Act too Quickly: Take time to evaluate what really needs to happen. Replacing someone’s position or doing things the same way may not be the solution. Take this moment to re-evaluate everything the vacuum is revealing. In my situation, the result was a 6-month process of re-organization that started about one month after the staff member left. The evaluation revealed that the task at hand needed multiple people, not just one. To replace that staff member with another person would have been disastrous. A complete re-organization allowed 6 leaders in the organization to step up, rewrite job descriptions and approach a major issue with new energy and direction. It also opened up the opportunity for another 25 volunteer leaders to help lead. It gave new energy, thought, and ideas. For now, the vacuum is plugged.
3) Continue Acting: For us, filling the huge vacuum has revealed more smaller vacuums where leadership or staff have inadequate resources or volunteers to accomplish their mission. For them, they are problem solving in a new way. Don’t be satisfied with quick fixes. Keep working on creating solutions that could keep you from experiencing the same vacuum.
4) Stop Acting: For this one I mean, the way you personally act. Don’t be Superman or Wonder Woman. If you’ve just experienced a leadership Vacuum you should take a break. Trust the people around you to make things happen. Do something that refreshes you. Be honest about being tired and needing a break. Trust me, everyone in your organization can see it on your face! Remember, don't let the leadership vacuum suck the life out of you! You’ll need your energy back, because before long, you’ll most likely discover a new leadership vacuum.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Three Questions to Ask if Your Church Isn't Growing
Church Growth 101.2
Why do you want to see your church grow? Most growing churches are criticized for growing for all the wrong reasons. Yet as I’ve met many pastors of growing churches and ask them about their story. I discover men who are very humble, have sacrificed greatly, endured many hardships, and lived out the great commission. I hear no pride in their accomplishments, growth, and buildings they’ve built, or things they have created. To most of these pastors, these are just by-products of a fruitful ministry to people. What I do hear is a passion to see people come to Christ, a love for their city, a desire to care for the disadvantage, and a belief that the church is the hope of the world.
So what if your church isn’t growing? There may be many reasons you are not seeing your numbers grow. Issues include lack of leadership, unclear vision, an undeveloped discipleship plan, inadequate facilities, loss of key people, or the wrong staff members. Some churches are in a difficult season, and relational issues become roadblocks for growth. And before you seek to grow, check your heart and make sure you have righteous motives.
1) Have you looked outside your walls? Yes, there is a hurting world out there. My friend in Pennsylvania asked, “what causes do the people in my community care about?” Then he joined in. This has led his church to be a source of inspiration, offering leadership development for non-profit and business leaders throughout his city. And people are coming to Christ. Our church partners with our city by tutoring refugee children, and serving in urban renewal projects. It’s a great way to serve our community, build our church community, and share the gospel.
2) Is it time to re-evaluate your discipleship? Our church is Salt Lake is trying to overcome this hurdle. Nearly four years of conversations, and baby steps are now bearing spiritual fruit. We are plugging holes in our discipleship pathway, making efforts to train our leaders better, and reorganizing our staff to be prepared to make more and better disciples.
3) Is your facility adequate? Be honest, is your facility inviting? Is it easy to navigate? Does it give you the best use for the ministries you offer or want to offer? I’ve been on staff in 4 churches, and not a single one could answer that question “yes”. One church entrance had a long dark hallway between a Gym and the sanctuary, and always had puddles of water collecting in it. Yet each church did make efforts and strides to either update, or physically move into a better-use facility.
Check your heart and your motives on the “why” you want to grow. If you’re struggling, pray for God to give you wisdom. What you must remember is that God is on your side. He has created you in his image to be in the location, community, church and neighborhood at this time for this season. Take a look around for opportunities to meet the needs of your community, re-organize if you have to, and if you must, move!
Wherever you live, If I can be of any help, please contact me. Dave.elshaug@intentionalchurches.com
by church leaders //
for church leaders
intentionalchurches.com
Why do you want to see your church grow? Most growing churches are criticized for growing for all the wrong reasons. Yet as I’ve met many pastors of growing churches and ask them about their story. I discover men who are very humble, have sacrificed greatly, endured many hardships, and lived out the great commission. I hear no pride in their accomplishments, growth, and buildings they’ve built, or things they have created. To most of these pastors, these are just by-products of a fruitful ministry to people. What I do hear is a passion to see people come to Christ, a love for their city, a desire to care for the disadvantage, and a belief that the church is the hope of the world.
So what if your church isn’t growing? There may be many reasons you are not seeing your numbers grow. Issues include lack of leadership, unclear vision, an undeveloped discipleship plan, inadequate facilities, loss of key people, or the wrong staff members. Some churches are in a difficult season, and relational issues become roadblocks for growth. And before you seek to grow, check your heart and make sure you have righteous motives.
1) Have you looked outside your walls? Yes, there is a hurting world out there. My friend in Pennsylvania asked, “what causes do the people in my community care about?” Then he joined in. This has led his church to be a source of inspiration, offering leadership development for non-profit and business leaders throughout his city. And people are coming to Christ. Our church partners with our city by tutoring refugee children, and serving in urban renewal projects. It’s a great way to serve our community, build our church community, and share the gospel.
2) Is it time to re-evaluate your discipleship? Our church is Salt Lake is trying to overcome this hurdle. Nearly four years of conversations, and baby steps are now bearing spiritual fruit. We are plugging holes in our discipleship pathway, making efforts to train our leaders better, and reorganizing our staff to be prepared to make more and better disciples.
3) Is your facility adequate? Be honest, is your facility inviting? Is it easy to navigate? Does it give you the best use for the ministries you offer or want to offer? I’ve been on staff in 4 churches, and not a single one could answer that question “yes”. One church entrance had a long dark hallway between a Gym and the sanctuary, and always had puddles of water collecting in it. Yet each church did make efforts and strides to either update, or physically move into a better-use facility.
Check your heart and your motives on the “why” you want to grow. If you’re struggling, pray for God to give you wisdom. What you must remember is that God is on your side. He has created you in his image to be in the location, community, church and neighborhood at this time for this season. Take a look around for opportunities to meet the needs of your community, re-organize if you have to, and if you must, move!
Wherever you live, If I can be of any help, please contact me. Dave.elshaug@intentionalchurches.com
for church leaders
intentionalchurches.com
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Three E’s of Great Leadership: Encourage, Equip & Empower
Leadership 101.2
If you are reaching spiritually lost people with the Gospel, then your staff is in the spiritual fight of their lives. And you better be aware. Recently our staff has been engaging this subject intensely and upping our commitment to prayer, and care for one another. We live in a state where only 2% of the population attends a gospel-centered evangelical church. There is both a spirit of religion and anti-religion that pervades our culture. Our staff has experienced spiritual attacks in many ways, but the most devious of all is the lie of the enemy, telling each of them that they have no business leading in the kingdom. As we’ve been authentic and acknowledged it to each other in staff meetings, the enemies schemes are being rendered powerless.
What are you doing for your leaders to help them fight spiritual battles?
There’s three words people throw around in leadership development that I’ve seen in a new light recently: Encourage, Equip, and Empower.
Encourage your leaders: Don’t just pat them on the back, tell them they’re doing a good job. Although these are great things, they are weak in comparison to the the enemy who stabs them in the back at the end of the day and tells them they are a loser. EnCOURAGE by giving your staff Courage! Tell them you are with them, stop in their office and pray for them, ask them how they are doing, and then listen. Give them time, give them courage!
Equip your leaders: I’ve been guilty of needing a staff position, hiring someone and telling them, “here’s your job description, now good luck!” Often times this has left individuals feeling ill equipped to do their jobs. Remember when Saul gave David the shepherd boy his armor. Sure, it was great for Saul, but too big and encumbering for David. Find ways to give your leaders the EQUIPment they need do the job. Get them to read the best books and discuss them in small groups of peers. Find a local ministry training, or online course that will give them the right weapons to fight with.
Empower your leaders: I have also been guilty of delegating jobs to people without empowering them. to empower really means to give POWER. Our ultimate source of power comes from the Holy Spirit. So as a leadership team, pray with and for each other – often! Don’t let that slip. Then when you give someone a task or job, give them authority to do it! Stand by them in the beginning, have their back always, and be ready to invest time giving feedback in truth and grace. Show respect. Don’t trump their decision. Coach them to learn from mistakes, and re-empower them when they feel like failures.
In doing all these things, you will have a team that is strong in the Lord, and in his mighty power.
dave.elshaug@intentionalchurches.comby church leaders //
for church leaders
If you are reaching spiritually lost people with the Gospel, then your staff is in the spiritual fight of their lives. And you better be aware. Recently our staff has been engaging this subject intensely and upping our commitment to prayer, and care for one another. We live in a state where only 2% of the population attends a gospel-centered evangelical church. There is both a spirit of religion and anti-religion that pervades our culture. Our staff has experienced spiritual attacks in many ways, but the most devious of all is the lie of the enemy, telling each of them that they have no business leading in the kingdom. As we’ve been authentic and acknowledged it to each other in staff meetings, the enemies schemes are being rendered powerless.
What are you doing for your leaders to help them fight spiritual battles?
There’s three words people throw around in leadership development that I’ve seen in a new light recently: Encourage, Equip, and Empower.
Encourage your leaders: Don’t just pat them on the back, tell them they’re doing a good job. Although these are great things, they are weak in comparison to the the enemy who stabs them in the back at the end of the day and tells them they are a loser. EnCOURAGE by giving your staff Courage! Tell them you are with them, stop in their office and pray for them, ask them how they are doing, and then listen. Give them time, give them courage!
Equip your leaders: I’ve been guilty of needing a staff position, hiring someone and telling them, “here’s your job description, now good luck!” Often times this has left individuals feeling ill equipped to do their jobs. Remember when Saul gave David the shepherd boy his armor. Sure, it was great for Saul, but too big and encumbering for David. Find ways to give your leaders the EQUIPment they need do the job. Get them to read the best books and discuss them in small groups of peers. Find a local ministry training, or online course that will give them the right weapons to fight with.
Empower your leaders: I have also been guilty of delegating jobs to people without empowering them. to empower really means to give POWER. Our ultimate source of power comes from the Holy Spirit. So as a leadership team, pray with and for each other – often! Don’t let that slip. Then when you give someone a task or job, give them authority to do it! Stand by them in the beginning, have their back always, and be ready to invest time giving feedback in truth and grace. Show respect. Don’t trump their decision. Coach them to learn from mistakes, and re-empower them when they feel like failures.
In doing all these things, you will have a team that is strong in the Lord, and in his mighty power.
dave.elshaug@intentionalchurches.com
for church leaders
Friday, July 11, 2014
Leaders Under Your Nose
Leadership 101.1
If you ask any church staff member what their greatest need is, one of the answers you’ll likely get is, “I need more leaders”. Believe it or not, there are all kinds of leaders right under your nose. If you don’t look for them you may never see them. And if you don’t identify them in the next few years, they may be gone. Don't miss this opportunity to find the leaders you desperately need.
A couple years ago our children’s ministry staff shared their concern over lack of leaders. I told them to follow me on a Sunday, and I’d show them where they could find a bunch of leaders. I walked them to the 5th and 6th Grade class and said, “In four years, these kids will be 15 & 16 years old. In 6 years they’ll be adults. Train them to lead now, and you’ll have leaders for the long haul.
To their credit, they latched on to the idea, and LIT was born: Leaders In Training. Teens and pre-teens are trained to lead a small group, lead worship, lead children and teens in prayer, and share the salvation message. They are learning lessons they are applying right now, and leadership and spiritual care for others is part of their character. They receive continued training and leadership from dedicated adults who believe in them.
You may be missing a great opportunity to fill your church with leaders for years to come. So take a look under your nose, and see the leaders of today and tomorrow. Remember how God surprised the adult Bible leaders all the time. As a boy, Samuel heard God’s voice. Jesus taught the temple leaders at the age of 12. Josiah was a king before he was a teenager. David killed a giant. A young Jewish slave led her Assyrian master, Naaman, to the healer.
Recently in Salt Lake City we graduated 21 new Leaders in Training and we have over 80 leaders (grades 6-12) serving all over our church. Watch this video and be inspired. And then on Sunday, stop by your 5th and 6th Grade Sunday school classroom and see them with different eyes.
dave.elshaug@intentionalchurches.comby church leaders //
for church leaders
If you ask any church staff member what their greatest need is, one of the answers you’ll likely get is, “I need more leaders”. Believe it or not, there are all kinds of leaders right under your nose. If you don’t look for them you may never see them. And if you don’t identify them in the next few years, they may be gone. Don't miss this opportunity to find the leaders you desperately need.
A couple years ago our children’s ministry staff shared their concern over lack of leaders. I told them to follow me on a Sunday, and I’d show them where they could find a bunch of leaders. I walked them to the 5th and 6th Grade class and said, “In four years, these kids will be 15 & 16 years old. In 6 years they’ll be adults. Train them to lead now, and you’ll have leaders for the long haul.
To their credit, they latched on to the idea, and LIT was born: Leaders In Training. Teens and pre-teens are trained to lead a small group, lead worship, lead children and teens in prayer, and share the salvation message. They are learning lessons they are applying right now, and leadership and spiritual care for others is part of their character. They receive continued training and leadership from dedicated adults who believe in them.
You may be missing a great opportunity to fill your church with leaders for years to come. So take a look under your nose, and see the leaders of today and tomorrow. Remember how God surprised the adult Bible leaders all the time. As a boy, Samuel heard God’s voice. Jesus taught the temple leaders at the age of 12. Josiah was a king before he was a teenager. David killed a giant. A young Jewish slave led her Assyrian master, Naaman, to the healer.
Recently in Salt Lake City we graduated 21 new Leaders in Training and we have over 80 leaders (grades 6-12) serving all over our church. Watch this video and be inspired. And then on Sunday, stop by your 5th and 6th Grade Sunday school classroom and see them with different eyes.
dave.elshaug@intentionalchurches.com
for church leaders
Leading When You're Tanked
Leadership 101.1
Are you tanked? Do you ever feel like you’ve lost your strength to do ministry? Are you exhausted by the burden? Tired? Burned out? Even thinking about quitting? You are not alone. Thousands of pastors leave the ministry annually. Thousands of Christians give up on leadership, volunteering, and sometimes give up on the church altogether.
September 2010 was perhaps the most exciting time in our church’s history. We were a 6-year-old church plant hitting 1600+ in attendance in Salt Lake City of all places, and we were on the verge of starting a second campus, fulfilling the first part of our dream to be a multiplying church. At the time I was the Children’s Director.
As a guy who wants to see churches grow, I could not be more thrilled to be a part of this team. But the following 24 months were about as painful as anything I have ever experienced. After one month, the campus pastor went on a leave of absence and never came back. I ended up co-leading the campus with the worship leader. Then three months later my legs went numb. I had Gillian-Barres syndrome, a rare neurological disease that demyelinated my nerves. The pain was excruciating. But I still have to lead. Every week there was a 4 AM Sunday start time. I was barely able to stand, but went in with the team to set up four trailers worth of equipment, then run two services, and tear it all down. By God's grace, people were coming to know Christ! But before our new campus hit our two year mark, some key staff members resigned, and we ended up closing the campus when the 2012 economy tanked.
Tanked. A great word to describe how I felt during that season. During those two years, my physical pain was so intense that I had a hard time concentrating. Not good for a leader. But somehow, by God’s grace, I survived, and our church has survived. I have never more resonated with the words of the Apostle Paul: “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10
We are now in a season of rebuilding, reorganizing, and are ready to move to a new facility. I am physically regaining my strength, but still have where I fill drained and suffer pain. Our church is beginning to regain it’s strength with renewed vision, but still have many hurdles to overcome. John Maxwell once said, “Failure isn’t final.” James said, “the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:3-4)
If you’re going through tough times in your church now, remember, God is on your side. You may be tanked. You may feel drained of strength, lacking focus, or physically diminished. Your church may not have gone as planned. You may even be ready to give up. But remember, when you are working for Christ’s sake: “when you are weak, then you are strong.” I would encourage you to gather around yourselves a couple people who you can share your weakness with. Ask for prayer, admit your human frailty, ask for help. Let God’s grace abound, and even save the very ministry He is calling you to.
dave.elshaug@intentionalchurches.comby church leaders //
for church leaders
Are you tanked? Do you ever feel like you’ve lost your strength to do ministry? Are you exhausted by the burden? Tired? Burned out? Even thinking about quitting? You are not alone. Thousands of pastors leave the ministry annually. Thousands of Christians give up on leadership, volunteering, and sometimes give up on the church altogether.
September 2010 was perhaps the most exciting time in our church’s history. We were a 6-year-old church plant hitting 1600+ in attendance in Salt Lake City of all places, and we were on the verge of starting a second campus, fulfilling the first part of our dream to be a multiplying church. At the time I was the Children’s Director.
As a guy who wants to see churches grow, I could not be more thrilled to be a part of this team. But the following 24 months were about as painful as anything I have ever experienced. After one month, the campus pastor went on a leave of absence and never came back. I ended up co-leading the campus with the worship leader. Then three months later my legs went numb. I had Gillian-Barres syndrome, a rare neurological disease that demyelinated my nerves. The pain was excruciating. But I still have to lead. Every week there was a 4 AM Sunday start time. I was barely able to stand, but went in with the team to set up four trailers worth of equipment, then run two services, and tear it all down. By God's grace, people were coming to know Christ! But before our new campus hit our two year mark, some key staff members resigned, and we ended up closing the campus when the 2012 economy tanked.
Tanked. A great word to describe how I felt during that season. During those two years, my physical pain was so intense that I had a hard time concentrating. Not good for a leader. But somehow, by God’s grace, I survived, and our church has survived. I have never more resonated with the words of the Apostle Paul: “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10
We are now in a season of rebuilding, reorganizing, and are ready to move to a new facility. I am physically regaining my strength, but still have where I fill drained and suffer pain. Our church is beginning to regain it’s strength with renewed vision, but still have many hurdles to overcome. John Maxwell once said, “Failure isn’t final.” James said, “the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:3-4)
If you’re going through tough times in your church now, remember, God is on your side. You may be tanked. You may feel drained of strength, lacking focus, or physically diminished. Your church may not have gone as planned. You may even be ready to give up. But remember, when you are working for Christ’s sake: “when you are weak, then you are strong.” I would encourage you to gather around yourselves a couple people who you can share your weakness with. Ask for prayer, admit your human frailty, ask for help. Let God’s grace abound, and even save the very ministry He is calling you to.
dave.elshaug@intentionalchurches.com
for church leaders
Saturday, July 5, 2014
3 Ways to Grow Your Church
I joined the staff of K2 The Church in Salt Lake City 8 years ago, just a few months before their 2nd Anniversary. The church had already grown to 800 people, and would double in size over the next few years. Below are three principles we lived by that brought growth. I’ve also asked some questions you can ask yourself and your staff if you are serious about seeing your church grow.
1. Be different. What makes your church unique? If you were to ask a lost person in your town, “What makes our church different from other churches?” What would they say? When we planted our church, there was nothing else like it in Salt Lake City. We started a hybrid weekend service, which I can best describe as Seeker Church meet Believer’s service all wrapped up with a bow on top. To those believers bogged down bunker mentality churches, this was a breath of fresh air. To the unreligious, it was intriguing enough to give it a shot. To the Mormons it was culture shock.
2. Go after those nobody else is reaching. Have you ever looked at the demographics near your church and asked, “is there people no other church is reaching?” Have you ever made a list of the types of lost people in your community? Nearly every church plant in the history of Salt Lake City came to reach the Mormons, or create an outpost for their denomination. But there was an entire population in the city of people fleeing from religion, not interested in God, or so burned by religion, they’d never darken the door of a church. That was our target, and by God’s grace over 10,000 individuals have attended one of our services in 10 years.
3. Lead with Reckless Faith. Do you believe you are called to reach your city? Or are you just holding Christian services? What’s the most reckless thing you’ve done out of faith in the last year? At our church, we just believe that Jesus will change lives, and that we are called to reach them. We’ll do whatever it takes to reach one more. And we continue to be flooded with people who are far from the God who loves them dearly.
If you want to grow, pose the questions above to your staff or elder board. Ask them to be truthful. See what they think. Then ask them if they are satisfied with the answers, or not.
If I can be of any help, please contact me. Dave.elshaug@intentionalchurches.com
for church leaders
intentionalchurches.com
Friday, June 27, 2014
Helping Churches Grow
If you're a pastor or Christian leader, I'm sure you’d agree with me that every church is designed by God to grow. It is a living spiritual organism that is to bring the life-giving gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and broken world. Yet, it is no secret that every church, no matter the size, has growth challenges. When attendance plateaus or declines, we become concerned. When attendance grows too quickly, there are organizational and leadership challenges that arise.
Intentional Churches helps pastors discover a strategic growth plan around how God designed your church to reach your community. IC’s team is made up of dedicated church leaders who want to see your church succeed. intentionalchurches.com
As a member of the IC Team, and would like to talk with you about helping your church discover a fresh strategy for growth. I have a passion for the seeing the local church reach it’s full potential. I am dedicated to helping churches reach and disciple more people for Christ. I would like to offer myself, as an Intentional Churches Facilitator to help create or revive a strategic growth plan for your church.
If you would like to discover how Intentional Churches could partner with your church please contact me. I’d be glad to answer any questions you may have.
dave.elshaug@intentionalchurches.com
reach your potential - overcome barriers - grow your church and leaders - deploy your team – work together – reach your community
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