Nowleading

Paul and Dust discuss the history of the service of Licensed Lay Deacons in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, particularly in the Northwest District. They introduce a document that began as a dissent by the Board of Directors of the Northwest District (in order to follow LCMS protocol), but is now a “public document” provided for discussion in the whole church. This episode is a “fly-over” of the history that led to the creation of the “Workers For His Harvest” document, and encourages the listener to make time to read the document carefully. The document can be accessed at workersforhisharvest.com

A conversation about community needs, equipping teens, and how the two can go together. For eleven years, Idaho Servant Adventures (ISA) has brought over 6,000 servant leaders (90,000 volunteer hours) to serve the people of Shoshone County in the panhandle of Idaho. Clint Kunze, the director of ISA, shares his vision for consistent service in Shoshone County, what it's like being called to love a specific community, and how ISA equips teenagers for a lifetime of service and leadership. Also included in this conversation are heartwarming stories (awww) of people being changed, a description of ISA’s leadership training model, and Clint’s undeniable Wisconsin accent. [ISA is a service and leadership experience for youth groups from across the U.S.] ISA is based at Shoshone Mountain Retreat, a part of Lutherhaven Ministries. You can find out more at http://www.lutherhaven.com/idaho-servant-adventures/about-isa/].

These creative new starts should get your spark going for building a blessing bridge in your community! Paul and Dust introduce the four recipients for the 2018 NOW District Catalyst Grants: 1. An activity center providing respite care for elderly people with memory issues, 2. a mission training process for congregations in a circuit, 3. discipleship materials for a new church plant, and, 4. helping a congregation launch a “comfort dog” ministry to provide care in their community during times of emergency and loss. They close by sharing crucial information and deadlines for NOW District organizations to access the grant cycle in 2019.

Paul and Dust offer a key metaphor for understanding the relationship between institution and movement. The conversation recaps the NOW District Convention “Being a Blessing to A Changing Culture,” with important take-aways for the next three years. The NOW District announces a new toolkit for leader discussions (especially congregation councils, boards, and other leadership groups) on Lutheran identity, how the institution supports the missional movement, and how to get traction on being a blessing to a changing culture.

Dust and Paul share the news about a grant that the NOW District received from LCEF (The Kaleidoscope Grant) for the MAP-West Coast program. The grant provides funds to help “first-call pastors” to the Northwest District grow in ministry applied practice (hence the acronym MAP!). Dust and Paul discuss the MAP-West Coast components, designed to "help brand new pastors move from being a student to being a practitioner.” They close with a brief introduction to a new leadership offering, GPS-Northwest, a potential “next step” for pastors who exit MAP-West Coast.

"Reforming for a Changing Culture,” was the theme for the NOW District All Worker’s Conference in 2017. We are in a different culture than the one in which we were raised, certainly from the culture 500 years ago when the Reformation occurred. Dust and Paul discuss key learnings from the plenary speakers at the Conference, and what this means during a time of transition for the church at large. They also preview what is to come in June 2018 at the NOW District Convention.

Mike and Tabea share their favorite stories of the impact and influence of “Cross My Art” on their community. Dust Kunkel visits with Mike and Tabea of “Cross My Art” of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Spokane, a growing mission to the community using artistic mediums to introduce and enrich faith in Christ. Anyone interested in starting something new, or launching a ministry that builds relationships in community will love this podcast! This is an interview (in two parts) with leaders in the field in the Northwest (NOW) District. The purpose of these interviews is to lift up good news stories and focus on ways we strengthen and add value to our communities. If you laugh a little, learn a little, and get encouraged along the way, then we are meeting our goal for this NOWLeading Podcast segment.

Mike and Tabea share the incredible story of the vision and genesis for launching “Cross My Art.” Dust Kunkel visits with Mike and Tabea of “Cross My Art” of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Spokane, a growing mission to the community using artistic mediums to introduce and enrich faith in Christ. Anyone interested in starting something new, or launching a ministry that builds relationships in their community will love this podcast! This is an interview (in two parts) with leaders in the field in the Northwest (NOW) District. The purpose of these interviews is to lift up good news stories and focus on ways we strengthen and add value to our communities. If you laugh a little, learn a little, and get encouraged along the way, then we are meeting our goal for this NOWLeading Podcast segment.

“The Listening Leader: A Sign of Maturity" The difference between “what” and “how.” We know the “what:” the story has a good ending. The challenge is the “how:” what happens between now and then. We spend a lot of time telling people how things ought to be, instead, we should follow Him in the moment with each person. Sometimes, we use Easter as a way to dismiss people and how they feel in their suffering. Instead, let go of coercing, or manipulating people to the place we want them to be. God’s agenda is much more relaxed and open. Paul shares a story about Jesus meeting two men on the road to Emmaus, a model for the patient, listening posture. The listening leader brings openness and flexibility, with a destination in mind. Resurrection = Transformation. “Death couldn’t maintain its hold on Him.” Jesus is “known by the scars,” the marks of strength and victory. Baptism joins us to Him. Alone is not the way, healing and transformation happens with others. Question to Grow: “How has God used suffering

Dust and Paul have a conversation about suffering, on Wednesday of “Holy Week” (the week before Easter that includes Maunday Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday). Our leader knows the destination, but we don’t always see it clearly. The challenge is walking with Him and letting Him direct our walk. Paul shares a story from his youth about trying to avoid suffering. “If you could go back to that 15 year-old Paul, what would you say to him?” I would be there, listen, look for connections between faith and suffering, encourage him to “keep walking.” The mark of a real leader: Face your suffering, don’t go around it, go through it, with Him. Psalm 139 as a “way-sign” for the walk as a suffering leader. “God knows, and He still loves me.” Suffering can be like a scalpel in the hands of the Great Surgeon to help repair me. Question to Grow: “What is the suffering in my life today?"

Dust Kunkel sits down with Clint, Chris and Kaeshawn, some of the staff at Xrossway Fitness and Life Center, and learns how ball-room dancing is strengthening community in Twin Falls, Idaho. Also, according to the Xrossway staff, it is fun! This is the first interview (with more to come) with “real-live” leaders in the field in the Northwest (NOW) District. The purpose of these interviews is to lift up good-news stories, and focus on ways we can strengthen our communities. If you laugh a little, learn a little, and maybe get encouraged a little along the way, then we’ve met our goal.

Dr. Bob Newton and Author/Researcher Gabe Lyons are introduced as the plenary speakers for the 2017 All-Workers Conference for the NOW District. Paul and Dust have a brief conversation on the question: “Why these guys?"

Paul and Dust take a side-journey into Joy, and its more than fun! Joy is transcendent. We were made for Joy. A conversation about having joy like a child. The opposite of Joy is fear. Joy is independent of circumstance. Happiness and Joy are not synonyms. We don’t have to be happy about something to be joyful about it. Experiencing Joy is being a “participant-observer” instead of being the “actor.” Time-lapse photography and Joy. Connecting the dots in the painting to find a heart-shaped reality. “A foretaste of the feast to come”—experiencing the aroma that leads us home. Joy shows us we are made for something more, and we are. For leaders: “Come and See!” we don’t manufacture Joy, but we can help people experience it.

Truth can be used as a weapon to break people, but it is given for healing people. Paul shares a moving family story—restoring someone with a simple question. Healing truth is not passive, it “calls the question” We have a responsibility to pursue the truth, but it requires a humble spirit. Jesus is never surprised, this is your greatest strength because He is in the room with you. Why this family story is so emotional for Paul. Trust God to be the One to draw near and be the Truth. All three things go together in Jesus: Way, Truth, Life.

Truth is a gift from God, Wisdom applies it in a way that seeks to be a blessing. Counting sheep at night and truth! Truth can be applied in a destructive way that can cripple people Surgery as a metaphor: its all about circumstance and skill. Examples in scripture about wisdom: Nathan and David, 1. Cor. 13 Love is taking on another person’s perspective Dust and Paul leave the 30,000 foot level and come down to the ground: empathy Empathy is hard, it takes practice. Wisdom is not optional for leaders, it is critical. The “sweet spot” in knowing someone and knowing what is right, comes down to love.

Being a leader who does not have all the answers. The first task of servant leadership: listen. Listening behind the question for what is behind it. The journey is mutual, authority comes from the grassroots. The wise leader listens first and speaks later. The second task of servant leadership: be teachable. An example from Paul’s own life illustrates his point. The importance of leading people into discovery. Every group has the capacity to discover God’s purpose for them — a servant leader joins the Spirit in pointing people to Jesus. Question: “How is the Lord leading you to point away from yourself?"

Who would have thought that “thank you” was so powerful?! Saying “thank you:” how often do I do it? The experience of hearing “thank you” from someone. What “thank you” does to you and me, what it does to the relationship. Dust and Paul take a dive into the deep waters of “thank you” and its transformative power. Practical influences, relational changes, and connection to the Spirit. Even Jesus has feelings about being thanked. Question: “Who are the people you need to say thank you to for the grace they give you from the Lord?"

A 3-part series diving into the deep end on leadership Max Depree: “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say ‘thank you.’ In between the leader is a servant." Defining reality: we live in a "post-church world" God’s fingerprints: crucial moments in life lead people to connect spiritually. We know that “spiritual influence” has a name and a personality — Jesus. A good leader helps his/her faith group discern their unique community realities Tell the truth to ourselves about what’s really going on in our neighborhoods! A conversation about resources available for demographic and vision planning Question: “How has my reality changed in the last few years

Who starts their day wanting to be in conflict?! Fight or flight? There is a third way. The leadership of being present, being engaged, and communicating. Practicing confession and forgiveness in an 8th-grade classroom. “How have I contributed to this situation?” — go around the circle. A leader answers the question first! A leader models vulnerability. “Empty piety” does not heal relationships, facing sin together and inviting Jesus into the relationship heals it. The Spirit helps us be vulnerable, offer forgiveness, and brings healing. It is a practice and a behavior, not just something we talk about. Not you or me, but we. Let a younger generation and the Spirit teach you new things. Question: “What is it that God is trying to teach me through the people I serve today?"

Arguing with God — Why authoritarian behavior as a leader is counterproductive. Dealing with expectations—the “internal noise” in myself and from others. Leading with an “empty hand” Ministry is not my identity or my role, it's a gift, and it's for a season. Healthy leadership starts with identity and my need for a Savior: Jesus calls me by my name. Jesus sees me, rather than my titles, tags, and expectations. “School’s out for the summer!”: a childlike appreciation for the gift of ministry. Take-home question: “How can I increase my level of influence with the people God has placed around me?"