Sunday, July 01, 2012

5 Steps for Tackling Your Role as a New Leader

 A huge first step for a new interim/transitional pastor is to enter the congregational system in a positive and helpful manner.  Here's a few ideas from the corporate world that are just as important for the faith community.

5 Steps for Tackling Your Role as a New Leader


Summer Introduction to Leadership Coaching for Ministry Professionals - 30/30/3- that translates to a "no strings" program of 30 minute coaching for $30 for 3 months (2x//month).  This includes a free DiSC style inventory to use as a baseline for you to use to establish your coaching priorities for growth. Coach is becoming the best that you are from God's work within you -it is not about another professional (me) telling you how to do ministry better! Call me: 412-926-5106 or bob@breakthroughlifecoach.org


Bob Anderson
Interim Ministry Specialist
Toledo, OH
412-926-5106


Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Developing Charisma - Career Development from MindTools.com

This article may be about "charisma" but it is also  about mindfulness and being self aware.  Check it out as you consider your leadership growing edges...

Developing Charisma - Career Development from MindTools.com

Bob Anderson

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Grace for the Journey Practices and Possibilities for In-between Times Beverly A. Thompson George B. Thompson, Alban Institute



A few months ago I loaded this book to my Kindle and began reading with interest. The Thompsons use the theological frame of "grace" to examine transitions in congregations and in one's life.  A transition is an in-between-time that is "grace filled".  Their take on the need for community during transitions is awesome.

It's available from Alban Institute or use the link to go to Amazon.com.
 
Bob Anderson
Interim Ministry Specialist
Life Coach for Ministry Professionals
                                                                               Toledo, OH






Interim Ministry as a "Short Stop"



ShortStop – 
 
These pages concern intentional interim ministry which is a “short stop” for the interim/transition pastor.  It is also a “short stop” in the life of the congregation – the interim pastor arrives, assists the congregation as they transition to a new pastor leader and then exits.  

The intentional interim/transition pastor does come with experience, specialized education, and a “tool box” that will help the congregation.  The skilled interim knows how to use the “short stop” to leverage the opportunities of the transition for a healthy future. 

I discovered that in the game of baseball, the position of shortstop (between third and second base) is one of the most important and demanding positions on the field.  Many balls are hit in the direction of the shortstop and requires the player to be one of the best defensive players on the field.  A good arm, skill with ground balls and athletic flexibility – a tough combination.  A player in that position must be one who continually hones his skills in fielding and throwing the ball.  Many a game is won by a quick thinking shortstop who creates a double or triple play. 

Intentional interim ministry requires that same attention to skill building, flexibility and quick thinking.  Fielding fast infield hits during a Session, Council, or Vestry meeting will come at the most surprising times. Keeping the ball in play (keeping the members engaged) is an art.  

I will be keeping these pages updated with ideas, resources and links to articles that may be helpful to the interim leader.  Feel free to forward me your own ideas and they will show up here!  

Be sure to check out my interim transition lectionary blog as you plan worship.  My Coaching for Ministry Professionals is also on line and a regular email update is available if you send me your email address using the reply function on this site. 



                         Bob Anderson
                                 Interim Ministry Specialist
                                 Life Coach for Ministry Professionals
                                 Toledo, OH




Tuesday, October 20, 2009

On Friendship with Pastors...
But my pastor can't leave... she (he) is my best friend!" Interim practicioners in congregations run into this from time to time. The entire topic is usually an "eggshell" walking contest because pastors and families need a social life and with the congregation is the natural place to develop that. I won't debate that. Been there, done that.

However, it does create fuzzy boundaries when less differentiated pastors begin to create "friendships" instead of relationships. I'll go out on the limb and say that "friendships" benefit me and relationships (though "friendly") benefit the whole.. the congregational system.

I've been in two interim congregations where friendship boundary busting became a detriment that bled over into the interim transition (transitional dynamics: history, identity, power). In one setting the stories of "parties with the pastor" were abundant. Lots of friendship networks were created but no discipleship networks and spiritual needs were filled elsewhere, outside that particular church. The topic came up at a Session meeting and one of the Elders noted with chagrin that when he became "friends" with the pastor, he "gained a friend but lost a pastor".

The other account emerged in an interim start up retreat that I do. As we talked, it became clear that friendship led to less accountability, unwillingness to talk about difficult issues, and then a subtle leadership lethargy.

My strategy in brief has several components and they are "no-brainers" for experienced pastoral leaders:
1. Refresh the "role" of the pastor. Tend the professional role of "minister" in worship leadership, how people address you, ways you deal with appointments, etc. These may seem still and more formal at the beginning but it is a way to remind people (and ourselves) about the role of Minister of Word and Sacrament.

2. I do my best to find my friendship needs filled outside the congregation - usually with interim colleagues. I am friendly and fairly "laid back", but I am learning where the boundary lines are so that we are all focused on mission not club.

3. Pastor dependency is a symptom of the fuzzy boundaries. Equipping and developing new leadership and empowering them is key.

In the meantime, I love being friendly with a very warm and hospitable congregation!

Blessings,
Bob Anderson
Interim Minister
Collingwood Presbyterian Church
Toledo, OH

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Resiliency: Bouncing Back from Change

Resiliency is still our theme in ShortStop and tonight I found a very cool web site that addresses some of the issues that will help the tranistional minister develop resilency skills....


Resiliency: Bouncing Back from Change

Sunday, May 24, 2009

CoolChurches - Resources for the Missional Church

Why Use Stories?

Six Stories Pastors Need to be Able to Tell.... check it out at the link below...

Bob Anderson

CoolChurches - Resources for the Missional Church

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Interim Ministry Puzzles

Transitional leaders in congregations present a variety of puzzles that put energy into our inquisitive nature. Kevin Eikenberry writes about doing puzzles and some leadership lessons he learned. Check it out at the link below.....

Bob

Unleashing Your Leadership Potential - Puzzling Your Leadership Puzzles