The LeaderSHOP

My Name Is James

"My name is James", was all that he said to me! It took a good number of seconds before I got it! His name was James and he was a Christian and no he would not be celebrating the up and coming Devalli festival this Monday, October the 27th!

Devalli is the most festive of the Hindu festivals here in India. lots of family time, lots of sweets, lots of crackers, and of course the visit to the temple.

James was his name and he was a Christian and he would not be participating....why did I not get it the first time he said his name? He looked just like most of the other staff at the front desk of the hotel and yet his name made it clear to him that he was different and I did not get it!

This reminded me of one of the few movies that I saw as a teenager. It was a grade nine English class film is the cafeteria and of course there was a 16mm film projector set up for the event. (one of those projectors where the bulb always blew out half way through the story) We were just going to start reading Robert Bolt's play, a man for all seasons. It was my first introduction to Sir Thomas More. Somewhere about the middle of that film and likewise in the printed script, someone asked Thomas: who are you? His response is quite short: I am a Christian! That was a powerful moment in that film which still impacts me to this day!

It is too bad that we have to state who we are…but when we do, it would be great if it could always be short and clear to those we meet along the way.

I would like James to meet Thomas...they are made of the same bent.

Sir Thomas More, Lord Chancellor of England (1529–1532)
burned at the stake for heresy, (1535)

By Denis Bell

Getting Your Feet Wet

   My 20 month old son absolutely loves the snow...except for the fact that he hates it!  The other day, as enormous flakes of white powder descended on our neighborhood, Rykan stood on a chair at our dining room window transfixed by the display.  He pressed his face and hands against the pane in order to get the best glimpse of what was going down outside.  Then as if propelled by some strange force of winterial pandemonium he began to jump up and down in exhilaration and exclaim, "Mommy!  It's snow!  It's snow!  SNOW!"  Even when the snow stopped falling, Rykes continued to crawl up to his window vantage and indentify with excitement what had now blanketed our community.
   Wanting to expose my kiddo to cool experiences and be a stellar momma, I asked him if he would like to go outside and play in the snow.  An immediate, enthusiastic "Yeah, yeah, yeah!", accompanied by running around in dizzying circles clued me in that the wee-man was down with that suggestion.  I labored through the cumbersome task of properly bundling the boy for the trek out of doors. 
   Finally the moment arrived and we ventured into the wintery wonderland of our front yard. 

Breathing

I went for a walk the other day in the conservation area close to our home. Amazing trails there wind along the Beaver River….in and out of trees, up and down small hills, sometimes finding their way close to the river.

I’ve always loved the water – big lakes, small streams, the ocean, ponds, even puddles (one of the great things about being a mother of young children has been the chance to keep jumping in puddles even though I’m really probably too old to). There’s something relaxing and refreshing for me about being close to the water. I find I’m able to be quiet there…inside and out....I feel like I’m able to breathe, able to think in a different way when I’m there...

Everyday Leadershop Experience...

It was a cold and stormy November night, Lisa, Megan, Shayne, Leah, Mike and I had been driving most of the night to arrive in Cincinnati for the National Youth Workers Convention…
5000 leaders in one room.
How much better could it get?
Five days and nights of seeing leaders in action!

Two days into the event and the escalators were jammed. There were two levels to go up and we were heading for the late evening comedy hour…it’s what younger youth leaders get into…but the up escalators were backed up, I was tired, it was late, and the down escalators were empty, so what is a follower to do? Are there really any leaders here? A summons deep within aroused my spirit and with one clear call, I shouted out, Follow me!...

Xcelerate Student Leadership Retreat

We are excited to host the 4th annual Xcelerate Leadership Retreat for students in grades 11 and 12 on March 9-11. This weekend is packed full of formational experiences, teaching and interaction with other leaders. Xcelerate began in 2003 out of a desire to see students more aware of their leadership potential and to help fulfill a need to provide intentional training for upper high school age students.

The retreat is packed out this year but email or call us for more details about Xcelerate 2008.

Assimilation

"Resistance is futile.  You will be assimilated."  The terrifying mantra echoed through my thoughts as I was prepped for a sleep study last night.  The technician glued wires to my scalp, wires to my chest as well as my legs, and taped monitoring devices all over my face.  With each new mechanical addition, I felt my humanity slipping away.  My assimilation into the Borg Collective would soon be complete...

Effective Leaders?

Once again...another foot of snow fell. Wow! I love it! Winter is simply not real without piles of snow...and this year is no exception. I can't get enough of the stuff! And the best part of all is blasting it off the driveway with our 1965 Massey Ferguson tractor with a beefy 5-foot blower. It's old but mighty! However, its mightiness was definitely challenged this morning.

I could hear all of the forty-year-old parts straining and stressing. It was during a deep portion near the end of the driveway that time seemed to stand still. You know those moments when everything is in slow motion and certain minor details become paramount. It was as if the snow firing out of the blower chute hovered in a suspended fashion over the glistening snow on the yard. My eyes lifted from their concentrated stare on the driveway edge to catch a glimpse of something green and beautiful cruising by the entrance to our driveway. Immediately my brain registered what it was...yes...a new John Deere tractor with a blade and blower...and best of all was that it had a cab that kept its driver warm and snuggly no matter how bad the weather wailed. I tried to resist the jealousy that gripped my body like a pair of spandex biker pants. I couldn't show any sign of discontentedness with my current work horse or in some weird mystical way my Massey might have decided that today was its last day to push any snow at all...

The Shopping Trip

I have confession to make. I am a woman who absolutley hates to shop! I know that it betrays the very estrogen that flows deep within me, but it is true none the less. However, necesity dictates that every now and again I summon from the depths of my courage the will to go on a shopping trip. Recently, it was the irrepairable rips and tears in my denim that propelled me to the land that sanity has forgotten. Where self-esteem is crushed in every advertising window. I consider it my own personal hell on earth. I am refering, of course, to the mall!

You may be wondering why a collective smattering of fantastic department stores is the location where my joy goes to kill itself...

The Apprentice

Before starting my journey of working with students I was an apprentice mechanic. It was in this context that I really learned what it meant to experience knowledge. Over a five year period I progressed from a tire repair joe boy to the brakes and exhaust king and then graduated to the complete engine overhale genius. Okay...I wasn't a genius...but I could diagnose and repair pretty much any problem that rolled my way.

How did I learn this you ask? In the shop of course. A semi-controlled environment of teacher and student, mechanic and apprentice. A place where real problems are evaluated, diagnosed and solved. A place where one on one instruction was critical, tools were provided and space to get your hands dirty was necessary. In this place, in this holy sanctuary of dirt, grease and fumes...I really learned what it was to be a mechanic.

It is in this same type of environment that we need to learn how to lead. The place where one on one instruction is foundational, the tools are provided and the space to interact and build credibility with people is experienced.

The word apprentice comes from the old french word "apprentis" which means "learn" and the latin word "apprehendere" which means "apprehend". An apprentice is one that seeks to understand, perceive and learn. Developing as leaders requires us to become apprentice leaders.

What environment are you learning to lead in?
Is it teaching you to put knowledge into action?

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