Where to begin? These sorts of events tend to be information overload places and today was no exception. Our plenary speaker this morning was Dr. Jerry White, retired Major General in the US Air Force, Ph. D in Aeronautics, former 19 year president of The Navigators ministry and current chair of the board for the same organization. In short – Jerry White has loads of life experience in leadership in both the secular and Christian contexts.

 

The title of White’s speech was – What I Would Do Differently In Life & Leadership, which is an expression of humility in and of itself. There were many brilliant nuggets but the cream of the crop (IMHO) is the following list of priorities for leaders in order of importance:

 

1. Study (soak yourself) in Scripture

2. Have a REALISTIC view of everyone. Everyone disappoints. We are all broken vessels. 2 Cor. 2:4

3. Value/Develop contribution NOT position aka leaders need to be humble

4. Learn & Grow

5. Clarify a personal vision and calling

6. Have a HIGH view of other ministries & churches. NEVER speak poorly of another ministry. (My personal favorite)

7. Allow suffering and difficulties to develop your character (Jerry’s son Steven was violently murdered at the age of 30)

8. Ministry MUST be the overflow of your life and walk with God

9. Treat EVERY person with respect, dignity and honour

10. Never quit. Never retire. Always work somehow. The Navigators’ oldest current paid staff member is 96.

 

Jerry White was inspiring.

 

The next seminar I attended was The Toughest Issues of Leadership: Leading in Changing Times which also happened to be led by Jerry White. Some of that content included:

 

The Toughest Issues

 

A. The Biggest Probles: People & Money (no surprise there)

B. The Most Important Issues: Vision & Strategy

C. Most Neglected Issues: Training & Caring

D. Least Understood Isse: Biblical Motivation

 

That is a brief sketch of what was talked about. The seminar was incredibly informative.

 

After lunch I attended 360 Degree Leadership Reviews presented by Al Lopus founder of the Best Christian Workplace Institute (they do the annual lists in US and Canada). The seminar talked about the need for staff and leader evaluations to involve all of the stakeholders of an organization. For instance in a church a pastoral staff member’s evaluation would be based upon feedback from the boss (Sr. Pastor), co-workers, any direct reports and volunteers within their ministry.

 

I think the concept is quite good and almost like a personal version of Natural Church Development (if you know what I’m talking about). Obviously such a process requires a level of humility and courage on the part of te one being reviewed but the potential benefit is huge both personally and corporately.

 

Two quotes that I will call Quotesof the Day. Both come from Christian leadership guru Ken Blanchard:

 

 

 

This evening we will be listening to Merrie Eizenga’s talk entitled The Big Picture. Looking forward to it. More info to follow.