Made with Xara Web Designer Requirements of Leadership Paul Aitken (the author of Developing Change Leaders) calls the following ten points the 'dynamic capabilities' needed by change leaders. 1. Dealing with ambivalence – having the capacities to “wait and see”, keep an open mind and be comfortable with contradiction; 2. Accessing the diverse range of capabilities across the leadership team; 3. Creating a learning environment; 4. Future sense-making combined with strategic thinking which requires a strong external focus; 5. “Total” or authentic leadership – i.e., an ability to continually walk the talk; 6. Trans-cultural competence – an awareness that one size doesn’t fit all; 7. Relational skills – the ability to coach; 8. Dialogue skills – or process consulting; 9. Emotional intelligence; 10. The ability to manage the high quality performance challenge, culture and dialogue. Aitken says, “If people can’t relate well or have quality conversations with people, then they’re not going to be leading anyone.” Church leaders, take note!” What I am reading      Colossians Remixed: Subverting the Empire  by Brian J. Walsh and Sylvia C. Keesmaat The First Christmas: What the Gospels Really Teach Us About Jesus' Birth by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan Finding Happiness: Monastic Steps For A Fulfilling Life by Christopher Jamison If You Meet George Herbert on the Road, Kill Him: Radically Re- thinking Priestly Ministry by Justin Lewis- Anthony     Shhh... Unknown “Do not speak  unless you can improve  upon the silence” To contact me:  Email: maccteamparish@googlemail.com  About me:  Since April 2005 I have been team rector of the Macclesfield Team Ministry, Cheshire, England.  The parish consists of half the market town and has four centres of worship.  If you want to know more about this, please click here. Prior to coming to Macclesfield I was vicar for 19 years of an inner-city parish in Birmingham, called Bordesley Green. This is a highly multi- cultural part of this large city and you can read something about the mission I was involved with by reading some of the papers on the articles page. Before all of this I trained as an electronic engineer in the aircraft industry.  I am married with two grown up children. My main concern is to keep my faith, spirituality, humanity and understanding developing, in the hope that I can also help others to do the same. I’m attempting to:           . . be human           . . be church           . . be contemplative           . . be transformative           . . be conscious           . . be alive           . . be free           . . be God's           . . be Letting Go of the Need to Change N. Gordon Cosby One of the most crucial dimensions of letting go is the recognition that there is no need to change an event or person. This is extremely rare and demands a respect and reverence beyond most of us.      But, we argue, shouldn't we want to change an undesirable happening, or to change a person who obviously needs changing? The answer is, no. We can be there, and God's presence can be there in us and through us, and that's all we can do. Whatever changes are appropriate will occur. But that is quite different from our struggling to change people and trying to change events.      There will be very little celebration and transcendence and lifting of another's burdens when we're hoping to change them and "clean them up."  I have discovered through the years that it is very heavy work to get another cleaned up. And it's even heavier to get a community cleaned up.      The task, I think, is to enjoy the other more. To experience the wonder of the person, to be more open, more attentive, to learn from the person or the community, and to revel in the surprises that are given. If the person or community changes, good. If not, you've celebrated who they are. You've lived in the Now. What We Do or Who We Are Meister Eckhart People should not worry as much about what they do but rather about what they are. If they and their ways are good, then their deeds are radiant. If you are righteous, then what you do will also be righteous. We should not think that holiness is based on what we do but rather on what we are, for it is not our works which sanctify us but we who sanctify our works. The Risky Life Anthony Mitchell We live in a time where Herod is in control.... If you stand up and do as John the Baptist did, say a few simple words--such as That is not right; this is not how it should be done; this is not how we should treat one another; this is not how we should live--you are risking death. Sometimes we forget that the Christian life is a risky life, a life that might cost you your own life.... This is the Gospel. This is where it is preached, in dangerous times. Recent talks: 1.  Lord, Teach us to pray Audio & Notes 2.  The Good Samaritan Audio & Notes 3.  Giving & Generosity Audio & Notes 4.  Quantum Theology & Trinity Audio & Notes 5.  Jenny & Sam’s Wedding    Notes      For Lent Course Notes click here  VIDEO:  Fr Laurence Freeman talking about Jesus and prayer