Context: Interview for a Church Elder
Date/Time: 7/9/08
Place: Christ's Community Church
Duration: 1.0 hour and 30 minutes
Descriptive Notes: Dr./Pastor Randy Wieland and Gina, the coordinator for a position we know as Serve Elder, were present to interview a candidate for an Elder position in the church. Randy led the conversation with a group of questions and allowed for participation from all at the table. I was able to explain my position to the candidate and she was OK with me participating. Some of the questions were as follows:
1. Tell us how your spiritual journey is going.
2. Tell us about your view of being a team player.
3. Share your ideas about being with, and investing in people.
4. A situational question about how to handle negative people and material that may be given that is anything but positive.
5. How are you after the difficult situations and conversations?
6. What is the mission of the church and how are you actively involved in the mission?
7. What concerns you most about your future role of an Elder?
8. Who do you feel you need to represent in your role of an Elder?
Reflective Notes: This situation reminded me of interviewing to find a good teacher or a team leader. During the meeting, Randy not only asked the questions, he also processed through the comments with the applicant and made certain that she heard his views on Eldership. Some vocabulary that Randy used also made connection to what we do in educating children. Our staff members do need to be called to the profession, they do need to be equipped to do the job, they need to be prepared for every day, they need to be able to discern and then make good decisions, and finally, they need to LOVE people. Other key words mentioned were Trust, Care, Thanks, and Celebrate. From this position, it seems that an Elder is like a teacher of sorts: helping others with their daily walks, keeping in touch with their "kids", and letting others know how they could help if needed.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Leadership - working with people and micromanaging
Email conversation from June 9, 08.
Time frame for communication back and forth, as well as reflection was approx. 1 hour and 20 minutes.
In light of me being close to finishing my leadership mentor program with Randy, I wanted to comment on the situation that I mentioned earlier on the loss and looking for our Youth Pastor(YP). During an email, Randy described the situation in which our YP decided to cancel all previously scheduled meetings with the high school kids as he transitioned out of his position. Dr. / Pastor Randy was not please with this as he has a background of working with youth and he was also working with our YP on a transition plan. As Randy put it, he was coaching our YP. Randy values his relationship with our YP, as well as the high school students and he knows that this transition is hard and an emotional time. Randy had to step up his game and continue to coach our YP in the development of the plan. Randy said that he didn't want to micromanage and I do understand his concern, but I am glad that he did so. His actions do tie directly to one of the posts I made in blackboard. Different situations require different leadership actions and styles. Unfortunately, there are times when a leader has to keep his or her hands in the pots.
Time frame for communication back and forth, as well as reflection was approx. 1 hour and 20 minutes.
In light of me being close to finishing my leadership mentor program with Randy, I wanted to comment on the situation that I mentioned earlier on the loss and looking for our Youth Pastor(YP). During an email, Randy described the situation in which our YP decided to cancel all previously scheduled meetings with the high school kids as he transitioned out of his position. Dr. / Pastor Randy was not please with this as he has a background of working with youth and he was also working with our YP on a transition plan. As Randy put it, he was coaching our YP. Randy values his relationship with our YP, as well as the high school students and he knows that this transition is hard and an emotional time. Randy had to step up his game and continue to coach our YP in the development of the plan. Randy said that he didn't want to micromanage and I do understand his concern, but I am glad that he did so. His actions do tie directly to one of the posts I made in blackboard. Different situations require different leadership actions and styles. Unfortunately, there are times when a leader has to keep his or her hands in the pots.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Response from PR on the Power Lab
No need to give much response here, other than it is easy to make a connection to what we do as educators and what Dr. / Pastor Randy is doing at Christ's Community Church. Enjoy the material below!
Approx time spent in email conversations = writing, reading, responding = 2 hours
Thanks Carter,
An interesting side note……
I was able to have numerous conversations with folks after the program. The guests I talked with were very affirming of our program. The interesting twist occurred when at some point in the conversation they “figured out” that my role here was larger than a crazy children’s program staff person. They would ask…..are you the pastor here? Somewhat incredulously. After I replied with a yes. They responded with a variation on “awesome, wow, that is really cool that you would do this for the kids’.
One staff person overheard two guests talking….these were non church types from the community…..”Did you know that the crazy professor guy is the lead pastor of this church?” “Really?? That is righteous!” (as in way cool …not as in he must be really holy) And then ……”imagine what church services hear must be like….we gotta come sometime!”
Truth be told it isn’t about getting folks into church…..it is about valuing kids. There is something about a lead pastor….or principal…..engaging in out of the box behavior for the sake of kids that communicated to parents “kids really matter here”. And frankly they do! Kids are not the future of the church, they are the present. I don’t want kids….or adults…to ever think that “someday when they grow up these kids could be assets to this church. The reality is that they are assets NOW and they need to be treated as such….even if it means donning a lab coat and dying ones hair!
Approx time spent in email conversations = writing, reading, responding = 2 hours
Thanks Carter,
An interesting side note……
I was able to have numerous conversations with folks after the program. The guests I talked with were very affirming of our program. The interesting twist occurred when at some point in the conversation they “figured out” that my role here was larger than a crazy children’s program staff person. They would ask…..are you the pastor here? Somewhat incredulously. After I replied with a yes. They responded with a variation on “awesome, wow, that is really cool that you would do this for the kids’.
One staff person overheard two guests talking….these were non church types from the community…..”Did you know that the crazy professor guy is the lead pastor of this church?” “Really?? That is righteous!” (as in way cool …not as in he must be really holy) And then ……”imagine what church services hear must be like….we gotta come sometime!”
Truth be told it isn’t about getting folks into church…..it is about valuing kids. There is something about a lead pastor….or principal…..engaging in out of the box behavior for the sake of kids that communicated to parents “kids really matter here”. And frankly they do! Kids are not the future of the church, they are the present. I don’t want kids….or adults…to ever think that “someday when they grow up these kids could be assets to this church. The reality is that they are assets NOW and they need to be treated as such….even if it means donning a lab coat and dying ones hair!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Power Lab - Vacation Bible School / Just Another One of PR's Hats
Context: Vacation Bible School Culmination and Celebration Event
Date/Time: 6/29/08
Place: Christ's Community Church
Duration: 1.0 hour and 20 minutes
Descriptive Notes: Dr./Pastor Randy Wieland and his team of adults and students wrapped up their week of Vacation Bible School. Over the past week, up to 160 students and numerous adults participated in the Power Lab planned curriculum. Many different people came together to pull off the event. During tonight's activity, the church was filled to watch the children sing the songs that accompanied the Power Lab curriculum.
Reflective Notes: Per the title of this blog and in relationship to me making the connection between running a church and a school, I needed to comment on the "hat" that I witnessed my mentor wearing tonight (Actually all week long). I was only able to see Randy in his role as Pyro PR on Friday for a little bit of time. Randy spent at least half of the past work week in a role that required hair coloring, the wearing of a white lab coat, the displaying of his sinister laugh, and of course, sharing insight of the Bible. In relation to the running of a school or working within our educational leadership setting, I know that there are times when we are asked to do things that may be out of the norm or may cause us to take a turn in the normal operations of our daily life. We do the things we need to do in order to make our organization a better one. As I think about what Randy was doing during the week and during this culmination activity, I see him building relationships with kids and with parents from within the community in which the church is located. His role and his up front real connection with people, will bring more credibility to the church, ultimately allowing him to fulfill the mission of his job.
I can also apply some of the emails on leadership and change to this experience. Do you think this activity and VBS were strategically planned? OF COURSE! Look at the success. Nice job Dr. Wieland and thanks for giving me insight into how things turn out successful for Christ's Community Church.
Date/Time: 6/29/08
Place: Christ's Community Church
Duration: 1.0 hour and 20 minutes
Descriptive Notes: Dr./Pastor Randy Wieland and his team of adults and students wrapped up their week of Vacation Bible School. Over the past week, up to 160 students and numerous adults participated in the Power Lab planned curriculum. Many different people came together to pull off the event. During tonight's activity, the church was filled to watch the children sing the songs that accompanied the Power Lab curriculum.
Reflective Notes: Per the title of this blog and in relationship to me making the connection between running a church and a school, I needed to comment on the "hat" that I witnessed my mentor wearing tonight (Actually all week long). I was only able to see Randy in his role as Pyro PR on Friday for a little bit of time. Randy spent at least half of the past work week in a role that required hair coloring, the wearing of a white lab coat, the displaying of his sinister laugh, and of course, sharing insight of the Bible. In relation to the running of a school or working within our educational leadership setting, I know that there are times when we are asked to do things that may be out of the norm or may cause us to take a turn in the normal operations of our daily life. We do the things we need to do in order to make our organization a better one. As I think about what Randy was doing during the week and during this culmination activity, I see him building relationships with kids and with parents from within the community in which the church is located. His role and his up front real connection with people, will bring more credibility to the church, ultimately allowing him to fulfill the mission of his job.
I can also apply some of the emails on leadership and change to this experience. Do you think this activity and VBS were strategically planned? OF COURSE! Look at the success. Nice job Dr. Wieland and thanks for giving me insight into how things turn out successful for Christ's Community Church.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Celebration and Saying Goodbye
Time spent in celebration and in watching Dr. / Pastor Randy Wieland bid farewell to a much loved Youth Pastor. The 2 hour (5:30 - 7:30) night went as follows:
1. P.R. welcoming the group, saying a few words about Jay's celebration, giving recognition to the small group who organized the food, and then dismissing certain tables to get their food.
2. Time for eating.
3. A "Blues Brothers" skit was done with a little review and fun on Jay's life.
4. Randy took the stage again and brought up a person from a variety of ministries that Jay touched. Those people said a few words and reflected on how Jay has touched them or parts of other's lives.
5. Celebration ended with Randy and the team saying a prayer for safe travels and many blessing upon Jay's new job opportunity.
Leadership essentials from Dr. / Pastor Wieland include:
1. The honoring and recognition of key staff members.
2. Letting those that have significant relationships have a sense of closure in a positive manner.
3. Being real and showing emotion in front of his congregation.
4. Getting all team members involved = delegation.
1. P.R. welcoming the group, saying a few words about Jay's celebration, giving recognition to the small group who organized the food, and then dismissing certain tables to get their food.
2. Time for eating.
3. A "Blues Brothers" skit was done with a little review and fun on Jay's life.
4. Randy took the stage again and brought up a person from a variety of ministries that Jay touched. Those people said a few words and reflected on how Jay has touched them or parts of other's lives.
5. Celebration ended with Randy and the team saying a prayer for safe travels and many blessing upon Jay's new job opportunity.
Leadership essentials from Dr. / Pastor Wieland include:
1. The honoring and recognition of key staff members.
2. Letting those that have significant relationships have a sense of closure in a positive manner.
3. Being real and showing emotion in front of his congregation.
4. Getting all team members involved = delegation.
Face to Face with Destiny - Super Hero series
Context: Message being presented to congregation
Date/Time: 6/22/08
Place: Christ's Community Church
Duration: Approx. 2 hours
Descriptive Notes: The message was given by Dr. / Pastor Wieland and lasted near 1 hour and 45 minutes. Some significant points that were brought about were:
1. Conversation on Membership versus Partnership
2. Superheroes are ordinary people with an extraordinary calling.
3. List of five excuses for not doing what you are asked of by GOD (Who me, Who are you, What if, I don't speak well, NO, not me)
4. Blessings are withdrawn from those who wine and ultimately, don't do what is asked of them.
Reflective Notes:1. Dr. / Pastor Wieland made a nice connection with two superheroes that we can all relate to, Spiderman and Moses. Both characters came from within the ranks and needed some type of intervention to begin their leadership stories. Not only were they given a charge, they both had their own reasons for not wanting to participate and came up with excuses (See five excuses above which were used by Moses in conversation with God). As I listened to the message and tried to relate it to the public education system, I began to think about staff members that have used each of those five excuses with me. (I sure hope I don't use them with my supervisor.) One that particularly stood out was the "What If". Some people are really good about seeing the negatives, compared to the potential and power behind certain initiatives. I guess that is the power behind good leadership; being able to bring those people along with you so that they get to experience all of the blessings that come with the intervention, program, change. Another piece that Randy brought out was that we are all given certain gifts, talents, and tools. Basically, we have been given all that we need in order to positively influence our world, workplace, situation. In Dr. / Pastor Wieland's message, we are to influence others for God's kingdom. Again, another good message and a lot of things to relate to the public education setting.
Date/Time: 6/22/08
Place: Christ's Community Church
Duration: Approx. 2 hours
Descriptive Notes: The message was given by Dr. / Pastor Wieland and lasted near 1 hour and 45 minutes. Some significant points that were brought about were:
1. Conversation on Membership versus Partnership
2. Superheroes are ordinary people with an extraordinary calling.
3. List of five excuses for not doing what you are asked of by GOD (Who me, Who are you, What if, I don't speak well, NO, not me)
4. Blessings are withdrawn from those who wine and ultimately, don't do what is asked of them.
Reflective Notes:1. Dr. / Pastor Wieland made a nice connection with two superheroes that we can all relate to, Spiderman and Moses. Both characters came from within the ranks and needed some type of intervention to begin their leadership stories. Not only were they given a charge, they both had their own reasons for not wanting to participate and came up with excuses (See five excuses above which were used by Moses in conversation with God). As I listened to the message and tried to relate it to the public education system, I began to think about staff members that have used each of those five excuses with me. (I sure hope I don't use them with my supervisor.) One that particularly stood out was the "What If". Some people are really good about seeing the negatives, compared to the potential and power behind certain initiatives. I guess that is the power behind good leadership; being able to bring those people along with you so that they get to experience all of the blessings that come with the intervention, program, change. Another piece that Randy brought out was that we are all given certain gifts, talents, and tools. Basically, we have been given all that we need in order to positively influence our world, workplace, situation. In Dr. / Pastor Wieland's message, we are to influence others for God's kingdom. Again, another good message and a lot of things to relate to the public education setting.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Admin. meeting on June 16, 2008
Context: Administrative meeting with Randy, Fred, and CD
Date/Time: 6/ 16/ 08
Place: Randy's Office at CCC
Duration: 1.0 hour and 45 minutes
Descriptive Notes: This meeting was run by Pastor Randy. Using an agenda, Randy led all of the participants in quite time, prayer, reflection, and conversation on a variety of topics:
Devotion on Leadership - Getting Along Together
Structure Review and Reports - Deacons / Elders = Future and past Deacons / Elders have expressed interested in participating in gifts based ministries.
Pastoral Care and Accountability - PR is very busy this summer and hopes in summers to come that he is not responsible or as involved (As a direct participant) in so many areas and activities.
Finances - Moving forward on some additions/changes in the church. Costs about $25,000.00
Visioning for the future - Alternative Income streams = redc.com / Ebay store
Upcoming events - Celebrations for partners in church who will be leaving our congregation and a Community Movie Night put together in July by Fred.
Reflective Notes:
A basic reflection from this meeting is to note how many things that Randy is involved with. All of the items are to also continually reflect the Vision/Mission of the church. I find that piece key as I believe that we need to always match our actions with our vision for our schools. As a Principal, I used our school improvement plan to serve as the guiding document for the actions and expenditures of our staff.
Date/Time: 6/ 16/ 08
Place: Randy's Office at CCC
Duration: 1.0 hour and 45 minutes
Descriptive Notes: This meeting was run by Pastor Randy. Using an agenda, Randy led all of the participants in quite time, prayer, reflection, and conversation on a variety of topics:
Devotion on Leadership - Getting Along Together
Structure Review and Reports - Deacons / Elders = Future and past Deacons / Elders have expressed interested in participating in gifts based ministries.
Pastoral Care and Accountability - PR is very busy this summer and hopes in summers to come that he is not responsible or as involved (As a direct participant) in so many areas and activities.
Finances - Moving forward on some additions/changes in the church. Costs about $25,000.00
Visioning for the future - Alternative Income streams = redc.com / Ebay store
Upcoming events - Celebrations for partners in church who will be leaving our congregation and a Community Movie Night put together in July by Fred.
Reflective Notes:
A basic reflection from this meeting is to note how many things that Randy is involved with. All of the items are to also continually reflect the Vision/Mission of the church. I find that piece key as I believe that we need to always match our actions with our vision for our schools. As a Principal, I used our school improvement plan to serve as the guiding document for the actions and expenditures of our staff.
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