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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