LeadershipConneXtions

Books I've Recently Read on Emerging Paradigms and Our Changing World

I teach this course about once a year and every time I teach it, I do another round of reading to refresh my thinking and get psyched for teaching these themes once more.

Here are the books I read in preparation for this time around with super brief comments. You may be interested in them. 

 

Missional: Joining God in the Neighborhood by Alan Roxburgh. Roxburgh is one of the fiercest critics of the established way of doing church. He is a missiologist, a futurist, an entrepreneur... and he is fundamentally concerned with the future of the church in our post-Christendom world... for which we are ill-prepared. This is a nice, accessible recommendation for how we can move away from attractional models of church to incarnational models.



 
 

Missional Map Making: Skills for Leading in Times of
Transition by Roxburgh. This is the third book Roxburgh has done on missional leadership. But it is not a retread of previous topics, although there is great congruence. Here Roxburgh makes his best case (to date) that a radical new way of leadership is necessary for those who lead the church... and that the existing models are in disastrous shape.




 

A Whole New Mind by Pink. This is a left brain, right brain book where the author says that left brain thinking will not be sufficient to move us through these challenging times and into the emerging world. It is a very easy book to read, and loaded with insight and tons of practical guidance. This is not just for leader. It is for everyone. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.



 

 

Age of the Unthinkable by Joshua Ramo. This was probably the most "in your face" book I read, but at the same time, it was delightfully challenging, great stories, a major critique of the failure of our current leadership models, political models, economic models (and again, those who are leading the way in this). In one sense, Ramo is giving us painful examples of how the old ways of thinking are disastrous and showing that new ways of thinking (A Whole New Mind) are vital if we are to survive the coming crises. I find myself wishing we had more Christians who were thinking and leading like Ramo is providing for the world of politics and economics. Brilliant. Readable. Provocative. Must Reading... but you will have to "work a little to do this."  Worth it... Get it...



 

Culture Making by Andy Crouch. I re-read this book in preparation for Emerging Paradigms. I don't think this is the best book on the subject of culture and the role of the Christian (and the church) as agents of culture... but it is a good one. Crouch is a good writer and a story teller. If you have never read anything about your vocation as a creative and an artisan and a cultivator of God's world - this is worth reading. And then figuring out how to make your way in the God's work of building culture.



 

Viral by Len Sweet. Sweet has long been one of my favorite authors. I read everything he writes. This is his attempt to explain what the emerging world is like in terms of its radical, social networked, internet-essential, googled citizens. And they are indeed differnet from their Gutenberg generation before them. Sweet is good, funny, clever, creative... but not quite as persuasive in this offering as he is on other things. Still, for the emerging world, those who are citizens of the Age of the Book are strangers in a new land of the Internet World. Life is becoming fundamentally different. New strategies and skills are needed for survival, much less "thrival."

 

 

 

Brian K. Rice  
Leadership ConneXtions International  
www.lci.typepad.com

Missional Thinking for Tomorrow's Leaders

 

Seminary prepared me to do ministry
using models that no longer worked
in a church that was no longer relevant
for a world that no longer existed. 

I first heard a version of that quote almost ten years ago, from a good friend and former colleague, John Stringer. I use that quote every time I begin the course I am about to teach.

In just a few weeks, I will be teaching one of the Core Courses we provide for our friends in Latin America, through REG's masters program in church leadership. That course is: 

Emerging Paradigms of Leadership
in a Post-Modern World.

It is one of my favorite courses and it ranges over a wide terrain of territory. While I do constant reading on this subject, I ramp up my reading of new books every time I prepare to teach the course.

Two of the books I am reading are by Alan Roxburgh of the Missional Network. He is an important voice in this conversation. He is not always a pleasant voice, and in fact, he is often an irritating one. I find I disagree with him on numerous points, but deeply appreciate him on others.

Brief Detour: Just two of the points of disagreement I have:

(1)  I think he fundamentally misreads the nature of spirituality that is both biblical and of great interest to postmoderns. His misreading is mainly one of being inadequate, lacking both breadth and depth of understanding. But that is not his interest. He is a missiologist and church planting specialist. 

(2)  I also think he is too modern is his thinking and falls in to the either/or thinking of modernity. And when it comes to his model, he is very either/or. His model is the only way in to the future. All the other ways of doing church are wrong. I believe Phyllis Tickle and her Great Emergent approach is better. She sees a multiplicity of models that will be viable.

I finished reading Missional: Joining God in the Neighborhood, which is the easier of the two and most accessible for most readers who are interested in the state of the North American church and "whither the future?"

I am almost finished reading Missional Map-Making: Skills for Leading in Times of Transition, which is a more challenging read, and I think mainly suitable for leaders. But it is very worthwhile. If you have read his two previous books written for leades, it is sufficiently different to warrant a reading.

His audience is a North American and European one. Here is a basic premise underlying both books, and for that matter, all the books which Roxburgh writes.

The times in which we (see above) are living are a fundamental time of change and transition. We are truly Post-Christendom. But, the church is still stuck in a Christendom model. That model no longer works. It can't be tweaked or morphed or salvaged. It is time to let go of it and move in to a new way of being and doing church.

Whether you agree or disagree with him, he throws down a necessary gauntlet of provocative stories, statistics and perspective (mapping a way forward).

 

Brian K. Rice  
Leadership ConneXtions International  
www.lci.typepad.com

The Future of the Global Church

A week or so ago I was having a morning cup of coffee with a misisonal friend who thinks a lot about the world, the mission, the church, the educational institutions that serve both... it was a great conversation.

He mentioned to me a book that he highly recommended. I got it. More expensive than I wish - $40.00, but it is a TREASURE TROVE of insights about the world. It is:

 

The Future of the Global Church: History, Trends and Possibilities by Patrick Jonstone.

For anyone who is seriously interested in global Christianity, what has happened, what is happening, and what might happen - this is MUST READING.

It is loaded with maps, charts, diagrams and well written briefs. 

As I work through it, I feel deeply connected with missional friends who are serving around the world for the sake of Christ, His  Gospel and the world He loves.

Get a copy.

Work through it slowly and prayerfully.

Soak in it, absorb its lessons, sense the emerging world around us, discern what God is up to and respond as you believe He calls you.

Brian K. Rice  
Leadership ConneXtions International  
www.lci.typepad.com 

The Exercises, Volume Two: Invitations Workbook Available

Click here for the eCommerce Site.
Volume Two: Invitations NOW available.

Volume Three:  The Foucsed LIfe available sometime in May.
Volume Four:  What's Gone Wrong available late April 

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT - Volume Two: Invitations is Published

Even though it is
Volume Two: Invitations
It is the FIRST volume now available for purchase!

Click the link below to go to the eCommerce Site to purchase a copy. 

The Exercises: Secure eCommerce Site

Many of you know that I have been writing (and field testing) a Five Volume spiritual formation for leaders curriculum. Many of you have used draft copies and given great feedback on the material and your experiences. It is now available for purchase and can be shipped anywhere in the U.S.A.

For that matter, if you want a hard copy anywhere in the world, it can be shipped overseas, it is just that the price of shipping internationally will be high.

We are working on the eBook format that will be available for Kindle and anyone using a Kindle app. That is a financial investment and it takes some time. So for those who are overseas and want this, you'll have to wait a little longer. These will be available at Amazon.com. 

We are using a professional publisher/printer who manages all printing and sales and they have a secure website. The link takes you to their website.

Once you fill out the required information (takes a minute or so) then the information is saved and will be there when you want to return to purchase future volumes.
 

You can help us by spreading the word to others who may be interested in their own spiritual formation. We are so grateful for the stories of people going through them as they tell us of the life transformation that is taking place. 


 

The Exercises seek to create a learning experience that:

1.  Engages the great biblical and spiritual themes that matter the most.
 

2.  Uses a process of formation that uses the best insights and tools of spirituality and learning.
 

3.  Moves toward the desired outcome of loving God more deeply, knowing  God more intimately, following God more nearly, and serving His missional purposes in the world He loves with greater faithfulness and fruitfulness.
 

4.  And, if you can do this journey with a few friends, you add to all this, the relational, community component where spiritual formation is meant to take place.

And please be aware that it is a challenging process that leads you into a deep engagement with Jesus and a full embracing of spiritual formation. This developmental tool is designed for mature followers of Christ who want to go a lot deeper and further on the journey.





And An Update About the Other Volumes


Volume Four:  What's Gone Wrong  will be available on this same eCommerce site within a few weeks. It will not be available as a Kindle book until we are able to recover costs from the Volume Two eBook.  (It has been an education learning about the publishing of eBooks.)


Volume Three:   The Focused Life  should be available early May. 


Volume One:  Conversations  has been a looonnnggg time in writing. I am making good progress on it. My desire is that it will be available mid-summer.  This volume will have so many of the insights on spirituality, the spiritual disciplines, the growth processes and biblical/theological themes that shape how we seek after God. I know many of you have been waiting patiently for this volume. (I am just helping you learn to persevere...)


And finally . . .

We are making good progress on our new website which will have so much more to offer you than what I am able to provide through this blog. When it is ready, I'll let you know.


Brian K. Rice  
Leadership ConneXtions International  
www.lci.typepad.com


 

Only the Paranoid Survive

 

 

I don't always know how I should think about some things. Andrew Grove's book and thesis:

Only the Paranoid Survive

falls into this category

 

Before you dismiss this thought by Andrew Grove (read a brief bio of his remarkable life here) consider the political and economic conditions of the world in which we live.

Everything has changed and everything is changing.

Change
Rapid Change
Massive Change
Painful Change
is now business as usual.

And paradoxically, that is probably NOT going to change.

In this book Grove talks about Inflection Points which constantly erupt and insert themselves in to life. These Inflection Points are the things that happen outside of us, in our surrounding environments.
 

Here is what we can say about these Inflection Points.

They are quite beyond our control. 

They will keep coming our way, perhaps with greater speed and intensity than ever.

They will DRAMATICALLY impact us.

And only the "paranoid" are going to survive those times of Inflection Impact.
 

In a simple but massive way, the computer and the Internet are Inflection Points which have changed everything, for those in . . .

• the music industry
• the book industry
• any industry involved in printing texts (newspapers, magazines)
• movies and DVDs
• TV
• anything involving entertainment
• university education
• the postal service
• shopping for goods
• advertising
• searching for jobs
• viral ideas spreading
• fostering revolution in dictatorial countries
• etc. to infinity and beyond

And new internet technologies are constantly emerging and evolving and changing everything.

The paranoid are simply those people who know the unexpected is always going to happen.

The paranoid are those who know life will never be simple or easy.

The paranoid are those who choose not to hide or retreat or lament.

The paranoid are those who will be thoughtful, innovative, courageous, faithful and hopeful, prepared and preparing, learned and learning . . .

Welcome to the Future.

I hope you are sufficiently paranoid to survive.
 

Brian K. Rice  
Leadership ConneXtions International  
www.lci.typepad.com

 

 

Stories That Transform

 

 Read Any
Great Stories Lately?

The vital guides to moral wisdom
and life transformation.

 

How does a leader (or for that matter, anyone) build their character?

How do we grow in virtue?

How is a moral way of living fashioned?

There are many parts to that answer? Here I'll only offer one small part (but it is an important part).

Stories have a great power to illustrate and imprint us with the way of virtue. Which is one of the reason why the old stories were told. They weren't told to entertain their listeners. They weren't even taught to educate listeners (in the sense of only giving them ideas). They were told to form the lives of those who listened to them.

Think of Aesop's Fables for one thing. The same is true for most of the mythologies of the ancient world. They were laden with moral guidance and formation.

The great literature of the world are the stories that help us peer inside us, to make sense out of what is there, and to be guided toward becoming better people. Every time I read Lord of the Rings, I am motivated toward virtue.

This is why reading the classics of literature is so significant... and its loss to most of us so lamentable.  If you are looking for a place to get started, check out this site for one blogger's suggestions (as well as this beautiful image he uses on his site).

 

The best movies tell profound stories of morality, and do for a non-literaray culture, what the classics of literature once did. We watch them and we are guided and inspired to become better people.
 

• Amazing Grace
• Mr. Holland's Opus
• Shawshank Redemption
• Chariots of Fire
• Lord of the Rings
• The Mission
• Luther
• Remember the Titans
• Finding Forrester
• Of Gods and Men 

Now, finding and listening to these BEST stories is not all that is needed for the growth of virtue and the forming of a life of moral substance... but it is a start.

The work of God, the power of Scripture, the need for repentance, and much more is crucial for lasting change, still . . .

Perhaps this year is a time to read some of the great stories and watch (again) some of the great movies . . . and let the power of narrative inspire you on the journey of inner formation.
 

Check out:  Premier Magazine as a way to start connecting with great literature and the ides of great literature. (Also the source of the above image.)

Brian K. Rice  
Leadership ConneXtions International  
www.lci.typepad.com

 

 

 

Renovation of the Church (A Significant Book for Leaders) and a Few Other Recommendations for You

Here is a book that I highly recommend to all leaders who are interested in spiritually forming congregations (and other organizations). It is the story and wisdom of two co-pastors, who lead their church into a new paradigm of spiritual renewal and formation.

It resonates deeply with me. My story is similar. They tell their story with grace and insight. 

It is hard work - spiritually forming congregations.

I feel we have done major, good work in this at Living Word Community Church, which has always graciously been a "guinea pig" (okay, guinea sheep") but wide open and seeking on these things for the last (now almost) ten years.

**************

There are other good resources that you should read for your own stimulation and formation.

For example . . .

There was an outstanding follow up discussion to Renovation of the Church that took the form of a symposium recorded in the Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, Fall 2011.  By the way, if you are a leader or teacher involved in the ministry of spiritual formation and direction, there are two journals I really recommend to you. They are different in makeup, but they are wonerful complements to each other.

The Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care is one of them. It is robustly evangelial, biblical and theological (but always accessible). It provides food for mind and heart as those of us who do this important work must be alert, wise and always grounded in the Scriptures.  It is published twice a year.

Here is the link for the website where you can subscribe to this journal on Spiritual Formation and Soul Care.

Another resource is Conversations: A Forum for Authentic Transformation, also published twice a year. This journal is written for a broader audience, although it is generally agreeable for evangelicals. Although there are a number of leading non-evangelicals who write for this journal and they are authors who would be pretty critical of evangelicalism. Still, it is generally a good journel. And since it is a conversation, simply converse (critically) back with all these authors.

Here is the link for Conversations.
 

*************

I have a second blogsite where I post once a week on matters of spirituality, especially as they connect with Ignatius, the Jesuits and the Spiritual Exercises. It is:

Evangelicals on the Ignatian Way and every Monday morning I have a reflection/essay about spiritual formation.

I think we would all agree that the spiritual formation of congregations, so they experience the transforming presence of Christ and join with him in missional service to the surrounding world, is of paramount importance. To do tht work well, we need to be doing all we can to be dreaming, praying, learning, growing, reforming leaders and teachers.

So at the start of this new year - be highly intentional, wisely strategic and deeply surrendered as a learner/leader.

In the grace of the Risen Lord Jesus . . .
 

Brian K. Rice  
Leadership ConneXtions International  
www.lci.typepad.com

The Grateful Dead (Learning Leadership From Unlikely Sources)

One of the books I read while on vacation at Cape May (the beach) was:

Marketing Lessons From the Grateful Dead: What Every Business Can Learn From the Most Iconic Band in History.

Hey, this was a fun book and a good one.

It was loaded with business (and leadership) insights.

This band did everything wrong (intentionally) and it worked. 

They were completely counter-intuitive by all the standards of the industry and they made a fortune and gained, not just fans, not just raving fans, but a global tribe of raving fans who are unlike just about any other followers of any other rock band.

They created one of the most memorable and sustaining BRANDS in the music industry.

Do you need to break out of some ruts.

Read this book and enjoy.

If's best if you can do it on the beach, but if not, read it anywhere.

And remember, leadership is almost always a long, strange trip . . .

Brian K. Rice  
Leadership ConneXtions International  
www.lci.typepad.com
 

The Bossypants Guide to Getting Ready for Sunday – The Gospel Coalition Blog

Here is a fun article on leadership via the BossyPants Way of Tina Fey. I haven't read her book, but I enjoyed this focus on what she says about leadership.

Brian Rice  
LCI

From the Gospel Coalition.org site.
Click on the link after the intro paragraph. 

Tina Fey’s book Bossypants is somewhat like an episode of her TV show, 30 Rock. The show defies genres, sometimes driven by romantic comedy, sometimes by classic sitcom ensemble dynamics, and sometimes by seventh-grade bathroom humor. Her book, in similar form, ranges from a poignant memoir to absurd comedy. It’s foul-mouthed, honest, and a touch insecure, which is probably also true of Fey.

via thegospelcoalition.org

 

Leadership the Augustine Way

Augustine is one of the towering figures in the history of the church. His contribution to Christianity is incalculable. He strides across the long centuries with his influence.  (Born 354 --  Died 430)
 

Pagan philosopher turned towering theologian; self-centered indulgent narcissist turned sacrificial servant. He became a pastor, bishop, teacher and author whose influence endures today. His conversion changed the world.  (This Wiki Article is good.)
 

Richard Foster gives us a really short list of Augustine's key qualities. These are the three most distinguishing features of his life. ANY ONE OF THEM is worthy, but put the three of them together in synergistic energy and you know why Augustine continues to challenge the followers of Christ today as he did in his own day.

Augustine was a leader of:

• Eloquent communication,
• Brilliant intelligence,
• Passionate spirituality.

 

That's it. Oh sure, he had other things going for him as well… but this was his essence.

I know I would follow that kind of leader!

I think I'd like to be that kind of leader. I did some self-assessment recently, asking - how am I doing on these three qualities? What can I do to grow in each area? 

I recommend this same consideration to you.
 

Brian K. Rice 
Leadership ConneXtions International 
www.lci.typepad.com

 p.s. The Confessions of Augustine is a class of spiritual devotion.

This is well worth your time to work through the dated language, but eternal ideas and themes of faith.

Rob Bell Love Wins Reviews Worth Reading

Well, due to the enormous popularity of Rob Bell;  and due to Bell's off the charts communication gift which makes him so popular; and due to the subject under consideration; and due to the cultural climate of our day:

This book is going to occupy the blogosphere for some time.

I want to emphasize that eternal destiny and what one thinks about it is extremely important. And it is linked/interwoven with many other theological themes.

Traditional Christian teaching on hell is a "hard sell" in today's climate. I read somewhere that Bell should be commended for his courage on writing about this issue in the way he did. Actually, I think it takes as much (if not more) courage to write about hell from a historic stance of orthodoxy. And it certainly takes enormous wisdom and sensitivity to write about it in a way that is full of pathos and love, concern and sorrow. 

I vote for Tim Keller to write that book.

Be that as it may . . .

Here are two reviews of Bell's book.

The first one is by  strongly Reformed pastor Kevin deYoung. It is a strong critique of Bell. And like most of deYoung's writing - it is long.

The second one is from Mark Galli of Christianity Today. It also sees problems but tends to be more inclusive in positions on the subject. You can read it here. It is also available as a pdf at that site.

This is an important issue. Rob Bell obviously thinks it is since he wrote a book about it... and is out of that theological closet (somewhat) on what he thinks.

If you want to read a one chapter restatement of historic, orthodox, and evangelical belief on hell - you can check out:

Don't Stop Believing: Why Living LIke Jesus is Not Enough by Michael Wittmer, chapter 9, "Is Hell Real and Forever."

Brian K. Rice  
Leadership ConneXtions International  
www.lci.typepad.com

The Quotidian Mysteries: Laundry, Liturgy and "Women's Work"

A few weeks ago I read an excerpt from this book and was intrigued by what I read.

Then, last weekend at our Summit on Vocation, Hearts and Minds Bookstore had it on display and I snatched up a copy... and I began reading it this week while on my Sabbatical. I finished it this morning.

I spent about an hour reading and over three hours writing, with thoughts spilling over on to the pages of my journal

I highly commend this little book of 88 pages to you. Kathleen Norris is a wonderful author of well known  and award winning books... 

This little one is brief reflections, a conversational essay,  on the very nature of life as ordinary, full of routines, mundane and the amphitheater of God's presence and glory.

Homespun wisdom from long years of living, reading, writing, immersed in the texts of Scripture adn the contexts of life. Warmly illustrated with stories of our own journey.

Women Leaders - this little book could launch weeks of reflections for you.

Men - I picked this up because from time to time, I need to give more time and energy to understanding the female soul and experience. The unexpected surprise is that I came away understanding my own soul (a little better) as well.

Brian K. Rice  
Leadership ConneXtions International  
www.lci.typepad.com

The Gutenberg Elegies and Curious Learners

Since I love learning and since reading is a primary pathway for me to learn; and since books are what I most love to read; and because I have a few Sabbatical days devoted to reading and writing, I was intrigued by some insightful words from the delightful book, The Gutenberg Elegies: The Fate of Reading in an Electronic Age by Sven Birkerts.

". . . knowledge was less a means to an end than a matter of self-cultivation, a way of transforming the experience of the daily. To be curious, to study, to find out - this was the path to the world. Knowledge exposed connections, imparted significance to the incidental" (pp. 60).

Birkerts is writing his assessment (and lament) for what the electronic age has done to reading and learning. It is a collection of essays by a writer who has a brilliant way with words. I find every page of his prose to provoke by imagination. 

Curiosity and learning . . . may you be touched by the Muses.

Brian K. Rice  
Leadership ConneXtions International  
www.lci.typepad.com

Books about Books and the Importance of Reading (Hearts & Minds Books)

Here is a great post on book and the importance of reading from Byron Borger of Hearts and Minds Books. 

Since life long learning and good reading is a core values for LCI, I wanted to share his thoughts with you. Click on the link and go read his post about BOOKS and Reading.

Brian Rice

Books about Books and the Importance of ReadingNew books arrive even this week...great reads not to be missed.Revelation of the Magi: The Lost Tale of the Wise Men's Journey to BethlehemMake Your Own Gift Certificate: Last Minute Gift IdeaBonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric MetaxasFive great recent books on businessAcademic titles: a gift giving guide for the inquisitive, scholarly, curious, and intellectualChristmas season gift-giving guide: some great books for childrenHearts & Minds gift giving guide---for moms, dads, sports fans, film buffs and those with interests from science to artC.S. Lewis books and DVDs: monthly review column describes great new resources

via www.heartsandmindsbooks.com

Generous Justice... an Incredible Book: Run Out and Buy it Immediately

Tim Keller has done it again with his most recent book, Generous Justice: How God's Grace Makes us Just. Keller's book is

very readable,
thoroughly biblical (of course),
nuanced and careful as well as fair and balanced, 
prophetic in its critique,
pastoral in its love and concern for those who need justice and those who should be just,
sure to irritate those stuck in political ideologies (on both sides),
and a breath of fresh air from a leader in the Reformed movement in North America.

I've always been puzzled by how many of those with a Calvinist theology are so wed to a conservative political position and almost "anti-justice." I know that is a bit hard. I use to subscribe to a blog by one of the young Calvinist pastors (I won't mention his name, although Keller addresses him very circumspectly) who is a good author. I use to, because he did a series of posts on the Old Testament texts that speak of justice and shalom, and he did such a poor job on them, it was hard to see him as credible any longer. He didn't even struggle with them. It really seemed that he used his theological exegesis to legitimize his political/economic commitments.

Keller is sure to be criticized by many of his fellow Reformed Travelers. There is going to be a lot of heat flying through the blogosphere on this book.

When I read Keller's Generous Justice, I believe Keller somehow rises above partisan politics/economics and listens to the Scriptures critique all our positions. But he is certainly willing to speak boldly and pastorally to that group of Christians who tend toward a considerable right wing stance, just like he spoke in that way toward the "elder brother Christianity" that is in so many of our churches in The Prodigal God.

Here are a few of the challenging things Keller says in his book:

A true experience of the grace of Jesus Christ inevitably motivates a man or woman to seek justice in the world. (pp. ix)

The biblical attitude toward wealth and possessions does not fit into (either) of the categories of democratic capitalism . . . or of state socialism. (pp. 32)

(After discussing a number of Gospel texts , Keller asks, "What is Jesus point in these exhortations? It must at least be this - that his believers should no see any of their money as their own, and they should be profoundly involved with and generous to the poor." (pp. 40)

Keller quotes Joel Green who says, "The dispositions of one's possessions signifies the disposition of one's heart." (pp. 51)

One's heart toward the poor reveals one's heart toward Christ.  (pp. 53)

The churches of America are often more controlled by the surrounding political culture then by the Spirit of Jesus and the prophets.  (pp. 55).

These brief quotes do not do much justice to Keller's Generous Justice. I really encourage you to get this book and work through it during this Christmas season. Look up the many biblical texts he uses.

Brian K. Rice
Leadership ConneXtions International  
www.lci.typepad.com

 

The Million Dollar Question, and in the End, She Has No Good Answer . . .

I finished Barbara Kellerman's very nice book, Bad Leadership a few weeks ago. I jotted down a number of draft blog ideas and I decided there are two posts I want to do. Today and tomorrow are those posts.

I really liked her book. One way to describe it, is as a series of case studies on bad leadership, arranged according to her seven types of bad leadership. Therefore, the book is mainly one that is descriptive of bad leadership (and bad followership) with some analysis added in to the description. The final two chapters of her book were preliminary suggestions and comments for how we can move from bad leadership to good leadership.

Kellerman begins her final chapter describing the growing numbers of bad leaders and how hard it is to do something about bad leadership. Then she asks: "What is to be done? How can we all, leaders and followers alike begin truly to correct for and prevent bad leadership?"

Of course, this is the million dollar question and she gives her very first core assumption right away.

"First, we cannot stop of slow bad leadership by changing human nature. No amount of preaching or sermonizing, no exhortation to virtuous conduct, uplifting thoughts, or wholesome habits will obviate teh fact that even though our behaviors may change, our nature is constant."

!!!???!!!???!!!???!!!

I don't know exactly what I was expecting her to say, but it sure wan't that!  WOW!!!

And for the rest of the chapter she gives a behavioral change program. She gives twelve behavioral principles for bad leaders that would help them become good leaders. But this "begs" another obvious question.

Why would a bad leader want to do those behavioral changes. She or he doesn't want to do those things. There is a reason they are bad leaders. They want to be that kind of leader! Or, they don't want enough, to be a better kind of leader!

The best Kellerman can offer is maybe they will change when they calculate that it is in their best self-interest to become a better leader! For all her descriptive acumen (which was considerable), in the end Kellerman turns out to be a leadership technician of modernity who just doesn't know how to navigate the "soft" inner world of the heart and soul of the leader.

On this matter, Leadership ConneXtions charts out an entirely different path. To borrow her first assumption, I would say it like this:

First, we cannot stop or slow bad leadership
UNLESS/UNTIL we change human nature...

Far from this human nature change being impossible, it is essential.

Theology, philosophy, spirituality, psychology, poetry, arts, novels and more - here are rich veins of centuries (indeed, millenium) long reflections by those who have experienced deep change and who have helped others have the same experiences. They provide guidance and resources for the inner journey... the dive below the water line to the depths of the heart... for soul shaping...

The essential approach of Leadership ConneXtions is to offer leaders, processes of deep change through the ways of spiritual formation that deeply connect them with the life of God and how they can respond through metanoia, palingenesis (over and over, deeper and deeper) and the imitation of Christ.

As Jim Collins noted in his reflections on Level Five Leadership, often a crisis experience of suffering, sickness, failure and loss is needed to launch this process. For those who are willing to walk this road, deep change is possible.

 

Brian K. Rice
Leadership ConneXtions International  
www.lci.typepad.com

 

Wicked Problems Revisited

So on my trip back from Austria in September, I learned about "wicked problems" for the first time. Then, a few days ago, as I am reading a great book - Visual Meetings, on page 139, the author talked about Wicked Problem Solving and provided a bullet list to define a wicked problem. Here is that list:

Wicked Problems are Ones Where . . .

• The problem is ill defined.
• Conditions impacting the problem are dynamic and changing.
• Different stakeholders with different interests enter the process as it unfolds.
• Solutions for one part affect and change other parts.
• There are different and changing criteria for success.
• There is no defined solution.

More and more, we are facing seriously complex Wicked Problems that are extremely difficult to understand, much less engage and solve!

What "wicked problems" are you facing?

I always suggest we consider the definition of insanity:  "Continuing to do the same thing and expecting different results." When it comes to wicked problems, it is not only insane to do the same thing, it is deadly.

By the way, the book, Visual Meetings: How Graphics, Sticky Notes and Idea Mapping Can Transform Group Productivity, is a great book. I discovered I have a new skill set to learn...

Brian K. Rice  
Leadership ConneXtions International  
www.lci.typepad.com

 

The Singer (no not the wedding one, the Calvin Miller one)

I want to recommend to you a very wonderful book. In fact, it is the first of a trilogy and the entire trilogy is very good.

It is The Singer by Calvin Miller. The copy I am holding in my hand was first published in 1975 by IVP. I got it when I was a sophomore in college and I loved it. I don't know how many times I have read this book... but it has been many years since I last read it.

It is a narrative, prose, artistic, creative, it reads like comfortable poetry (don't let that word scare you). It is an extended metaphor, an allegory of the incarnation and redemptive work of Jesus.

I guarantee, you will love it. It will stir your heart and your soul, the affections of the heart and mind. Especially since the Christmas season is getting closer, get this book and read it early December to prepare your heart for the Advent Season. If you do, let me know what you think.

Brian K. Rice
Leadership ConneXtions International  
www.lci.typepad.com

 

Staying Current About the Best Books

My friend Byron Borger, of HEARTS AND MINDS BOOKSTORE provides a weekly (or just about) labor of love for all of us.

Byron has an encyclopedic knowledge of books, both past and brand new. He sends out his BookNotes blogs  that are treasures to read. Each booknote gathers some of the classics of the past and the best of the new, gives you the big picture understanding of the theme of these books, as well as the particulars of each author.

Byron's comments and insights on each book, help you navigate which ones may be of most interest and usefulness for you. Just to read his comments is an education.

I highly recommend you subscribe to his Booknotes so they arrive in your inbox on a weekly basis. Enjoy the learning experience and as your interest is piqued, buy a book and dive into a rich journey of discovery and growth.

Here's to life long learning through the companion of good books.

This wonderful image can be found on this site.

Brian K. Rice  
Leadership ConneXtions International  
www.lci.typepad.com

Loving God With Your Mind (or The Intellect on Fire for Christ)

Chapter six in John Piper's THINK was a very moving chapter for me. It was his explanation on what it means to love God with all your mind.
 

Here is the biblical text:

Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heat and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment."  Matthew 22:37-38
 

Here are a few of John Piper's comments, pretty verbatim, but a few times with a little bit of paraphrase. I encourage you to read them carefully, for some of them will probably surprise you. 

Our thinking should be wholly engaged to do all it can to awaken and express the heartfelt fullness of treasuring God above all things.  pp. 83

I define loving God mainly as treasuring God. That is, it is an experience of cherishing, delighting, admiring and valuing . . . pp. 84

Love for God is an affair of the affections.  pp. 84

Love for God is most essentially an experience of the affections, not mere thought or behavior.  pp. 86

(To love God means that He has become) compelling attractive. His glory, his beauty - compels your admiration and delight. He becomes your supreme treasure.  pp. 87
 

Now for a few of my observations:

Piper does not neglect or minimize the importance of strong, logical, careful thinking or obedient, faithful living. What he does is to elevate the centrality of the HEART and its AFFECTIONS to the place it deserves. He provides the biblical study to support his position. I won't reproduce that here.

I think our evangelical culture of late modernity has seriously misunderstood, neglected and downplayed the significance of the affections. We rarely comment on the emotional life unless we are reprimanding those who seem dependent on them, or criticizing the charismatics for displaying them. 

John Piper follows in the footsteps of American theologian Jonathan Edwards (pictured) who thought very well about the affections of the heart. I am currently reading materials by Edwards on this.

Just listen to this language used by Piper and this is what it means to love God with the mind in an "affective way."

Treasure God... cherish... delight... admire... value... find compelling attractive... glory... beauty... supreme treasure...

May we all love God with all of our mind, think carefully, read widely, speak clearly and live wisely;  and in the words of the Apostle Paul, "may the eyes of your heart be enlightened" (Ephesians 1:18).

Brian K. Rice  
Leadership ConneXtions International  
www.lci.typepad.com

 

 

 

 

Guess what 40th Anniversary we are Celebrating?

Wow!  Do I ever feel old. 

Does anyone remember when the ground-breaking, breath-taking, anxiety-making book - Future Shock by Alvin and Heidi Toffler came out?  It was 1970 when this book came out. It is the 40th anniversary of THIS BOOK!

I pulled mine off the shelf and the pages are yellow with age.  This was one of the early books in the genre of books produced by futurists. Other best sellers in that genre was Mega-Trends by John Naisbitt and The Emerging Order by Jeremy Rifkin.

There was a special, by invite only 40th anniversary celebration of this book and its authors. At that celebration, the Tofflers talked about "new" future shock that is already here and coming our way. They have coined two words that I found interesting. They use these words concerning the problems of national security, but I think they have a much broader usage.
 

The first word is "Cyberdust." Cyberdust is what data gathers while it sits on the military and intelligence agency servers, but is unanalyzed. It is not analyzed because there is such a glut of data. That's the broader application. We are inundated, overwhelmed, flooded with a GLUT of DATA. So much of the information we have - is just ignored by us.  

How many messages do you have in your in-box?

How many messages do you have filed away?

How many blogsites do you have marked as a favorite?

How many unread pages?

How many unvisited sites are kept in your browser folder?
 

The second word is even more significant.  It is "Obsoledge."  The Tofflers describe obsoledge as knowledge that is obsolete and say this is a growing reality and problem as the pace of life accelerates. 

We know now, that change itself has changed. Change has changed in intensity, frequency, rapidity and extent. So, what you know today is out of date tomorrow.

Of course this begs the question… how do I overcome the problem of my obsoledge when I can't begin to handle the cyberdust, or more general "data-dust" that fills my life?

Brian K. Rice  
Leadership ConneXtions International  
www.lci.typepad.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Do Sam Gamgee and John Piper have in common?

Very near the end of the Fellowship of the Ring, Book Two, Chapter Ten, the fellowship was attacked by the orcs of Isengard. Boromir was slain, Pippin and Merry were captured, Frodo fled and  Sam cannot find him. He is running aimlessly, his emotions flooded with desperate adrenaline. Suddenly he stops and says,

"Steady Gamgee," he said, "think if you can."

Think if you can.

The need to think . . . to think carefully, wisely and well.

To think and then to understand and then to know what to do with your understanding.

THINK.

This is the new book from Bible teacher, John Piper. John Piper certainly knows how to think. I have just started the book and already - I am hooked.

For several reasons:

ONE: I love to think and I know the dangers of thinking. For me, the greatest dangers are pride in one's thinking, obstinacy concerning one's theology, and dryness (deadness) concerning one's orthodoxy.  These are very real dangers to which I have fallen and without vigilance, I will succumb in the future.

TWO: A theme that is on the front burner for me is that of AFFECTIONS. Religious affections... the affections of the heart... affective orientations that are deeply ingrained patterns of being. I am thinking about affections all the time as I continue to work on the LCI Exercises Workbooks.

THREE:  I think most of us get this wrong, this delicate dance of heart and mind, of emotion and thought, and I would like to be reasonably, ballpark close to getting it right. For when we get it wrong, no matter which way we distort it, there are serious problems.

More than a year ago I read Feel: The Power of Listening to Your Heart by Matthew Elliott.  For a post on that book and the subject of emotions, click here. It was a powerful, well written book and one that I highly recommend. You can visit his website here.

So now I am reading Think with anticipation.

Maybe next year someone will have written Act and eventually someone will write Be (or not).







 

Brian K. Rice  
Leadership ConneXtions International  
www.lci.typepad.com

Sound Bytes

We live in the time of massive information overload.

We are vastly overstimulated on all sensory fronts.

We are inundated with data that never stops streaming into our consciousness.

We are breathlessly preoccupied, disturbed and pulled in myriad directions as we try to respond…

Life is inexorably moving toward smaller and smaller "bytes" of information.

We have descended from: Books (to) Articles/Essays (to) Blog posts (to) Emails (to) Text messaging (to) twittering tweets.


We surf over the top, we skim, we dip into, we rummage through life.

Substantial engagement, sustained reflection, lingering attentiveness… these things are disappearing.

Decades ago I read a book my Neil Postman -  Amusing Ourselves to Death:  Public Discourse in the Age of Show Bueiness. In that book, Postman talked about the decline in literacy an substantial thought processes. He asked - what will leaders do in light of the overwhelming cultural tide that is sweeping in upon us?

(By the way, this book is as timely and relevant today as when it was first published and eminently readable.) 

Here is a VERY GOOD QUOTE from Postman... well worth reading and your sustained reflection... and then responsible action.
 

What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one.

Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information. Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and egoism.

Orwell feared that the truth would be concealed from us. Huxley feared the truth would be drowned in a sea of irrelevance.

Orwell feared we would become a captive culture. Huxley feared we would become a trivial culture, preoccupied with some equivalent of the feelies, the orgy porgy, and the centrifugal bumblepuppy. As Huxley remarked in Brave New World Revisited, the civil libertarians and rationalists who are ever on the alert to oppose tyranny "failed to take into account man's almost infinite appetite for distractions". In 1984, Huxley added, people are controlled by inflicting pain. In Brave New World, they are controlled by inflicting pleasure.

In short, Orwell feared that what we hate will ruin us. Huxley feared that what we love will ruin us.  

This book is about the possibility that Huxley, not Orwell, was right.  (Postman)

Huxley to the left and Orwell on the right.
  
   
  

Today, these same issues must be faced.  What are leaders to do in a Sound-Byte world where what we love is ruining us?

Do we allow it to defeat us.
This image is found here.

 

 

  

Do we ignore it.

Protest it.

Begrudging flow with it

Accept it.

Use it.

Redeem it (can it be redeemed)?

I believe we need to take a vigorous stance against these cultural shifts. Superlative leadership and outstanding communication is the need of this hour. Leaders who learn and think and reflect and discern and pray AND THEN boldly act . . . 

Will you and I be such leaders? 

Brian K. Rice 
Leadership ConneXtions International 
www.lci.typepad.com

Simplicity and Downward Mobility (Part Five): Brian and Miriam

Here is a final post (for now) on our theme of Simplicity and  Downsizing.

First is a scripture reflection (from me).

Then Miriam Phillips provides a few more resources and reflections for those who want to think about these issues in greater depth and live more fully into them.

Here is the Scripture Reflection:

In Luke 12;15, Jesus says, "Beware. Guard yourself against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own."

On the subject of Simplicity and Downsizing, I do think that every follower of Christ needs to wrestle with these matters.

I also believe that we cannot approach this as a science of rules and policies; it is more the art of the heart praying and considering what Christ wants you to do.

On the other hand, I don' want to soften what is strong medicine from Jesus. His words are concise, clear, maybe a little blunt, certainly direct.

BEWARE. GUARD YOURSELF…

We do this in the face of an enemy, in light of a threat.

EVER KIND OF GREED…

The threat/enemy is greed. The spirit that wants more. The spirit that is not satisfied with what is possessed. The spirit of accumulation and acquisition.  This attitude, mindset, perspective, way of life is the enemy/threat.

LIVE IS NOT MEASURED BY HOW MUCH YOU OWN…

This is why greed is a threat. It gives us fundamentally wrong metrics we use to calibrate the quality of life. It sets us on the wrong path, a dangerous one with implications, not only for the greedy person, but for others who are affected by our greed.

Tim Keller says he has rarely met a Christian in North America who thinks they have a problem with greed. Yet, it is a problem for most of us. And we don't see it. We rationalize it by comparing ourselves, always with those who we see as having more than we do.

Okay, this devotional is turning sermonic... so I'll stop and hope it is...just an encouragement for reflection and prayer.

Brian

And now from Miriam . . .

More Books stimulating Thinking about Simpler Living

Economy of “Enough”

Hope in Troubled Times by Bob Goudwaard (a well-respected Dutch Christian economist who was speaking biblical wisdom about economics even before the current financial crisis), with co-authors Mark Vander Vennen, and David Van Heemst, is a brilliant analysis of the economic symptoms of the idolatry of our time, bringing hope and calling us to an "economy of enough".

Already around 1995 I found an article in which wrote that economic prognosticators are calculating from “equations that have put all their eggs in the basket of a progressively expanding economy and a rising standard of living. But these calculations no longer appear to add up.” (http://gvanv.com/compass/arch/v1405/goudzwrd.html)

Reviews about Hope in Troubled Times:

http://www.freewebs.com/goudzwaard/
 

Buying only What Increases the Quality of Life

Many years ago Doris Janzen Longacre in Living More with Less challenged us to ask before making a purchase whether this acquisition would truly increase the quality of our lives—and the quality of the lives of others.  Over the years that has led us to buy musical instruments and books, in addition to basics of life, but has helped us be happy with second-hand instruments, books and many other things we use.

And if you are looking for a bargain, for books that are out of print or if you want to participate in recycling books, you might want to try www.abebooks.com for connection to hundreds of secondhand bookstores in various countries. 

We live richer than most of the people of the world and more modestly than some.  But the ‘economy of enough’ idea and “only buying what adds value” principle continues to challenge us. 

Miriam Phillips  
The Netherlands