LeadershipConneXtions

It's Official... Wants Triumph Needs

Whether you agree with him or not, Seth Godin is always provocative, always worth a conversation. Here is one that got me thinking (a lot) recently. 

 Marketing is now officially about wants, not needs. That's what your entire day should be about. Your church, your company, your restaurant, your blog, it doesn't matter. Give me what I want or I'm out of here.

I may not like this, but it is hard to disagree with it. I'm not sure when it happened. I mean, I'm not sure when we crossed the line from "wants" being more important than "needs." The fact it - it happened and it is the new reality.

Just like illiteracy or a-literacy is the new reality. I may protest to high heaven that people should read more books - but the reality is that they don't and they won't.

 I may protest that people should not focus on their wants but on their needs - but the reality is that wants have trumped needs.

I may write profound posts (I don't, but if I did) and believe that is well worth your time to read them, but if you are not interested, if they don't appeal to your interests, your wants, your desires - the reality is that you won't read my blogsite.

I may think you need to hear substantial theology that is carefully reasoned and explained in laborious detail on Sunday morning, but if that isn't what you want, there is another church that will give you what you do want - and you will be out of here and over there real soon.

It is just the NEW REALITY. And for all of us who are in the people influencing "business," or, (if you don't like that phrase) the people influencing vocation, we better come to terms with this NEW REALITY.

 What do you think about this?
And how are you personally on the wants vs. needs thing?

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

What Matters Now

Hey, this morning I had a GREAT post from Seth Godin. There is a free PDF document called:

What Matters Now.

It is about 85 pages of thoughts on a wide range of subjects, written by some of the smartest people there are. And, it is very readable and accessible.

Go to this Squidoo site to get it.  

And, if you scroll down, you are going to see a very impressive reading list. Here is what hits me about that reading list.

If that doesn't work, go here to Seth's blog. Find the paragraph that begins, "Here's the deal..." and there is a link to the download. 

The smartest leaders and thinkers of our day are reading... they are reading a lot... and they are reading a lot of good and varied books.

I think Christian leaders should be right up there with that group.

So, as you scroll down through that list, just observe if you have read ANY of those books listed. These are the influencers of our time. We need to be reading these things.

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

How To Lose an Argument on Line (from Seth Godin)

Here is an article that Seth Godin published on his site

In light of the discussion about church, I thought I'd post it.  Because I think we are losing a lot of arguments on line (and in real time as well). When it comes to talking about the church, civility is crucial, even when we have strong thoughts.  -bkr-

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How to lose an argument online

1. Have an argument. Once you start an argument, not a discussion, you've already lost. Think about it: have you ever changed your mind because someone online started yelling at you? They might get you to shut up, but it's unlikely they've actually changed your opinion.
2. Forget the pitfalls of Godwin's law. Any time you mention Hitler or even Communist China or Bill O'Reilly, you've lost.
3. Use faulty analogies. If someone is trying to make a point about, say, health care, try to make an analogy to something conceptually unrelated, like the space shuttle program, and you've lost.
4. Question motives. The best way to get someone annoyed and then have them ignore you is to bypass any thoughtful discussion of facts and instead question what's in it for the person on the other end. Make assumptions about their motivations and lose their respect.
5. Act anonymously. What are the chances that heckled comments from the bleachers will have an impact?
6. Threaten to take action in another venue. Insist that this will come back to haunt the other person. Guarantee you will spread the word or stop purchasing.
7. Bring up the slippery slope. Actually, the slope isn't that slippery. People don't end up marrying dogs, becoming cannibals or harvesting organs because of changes in organization, technology or law.
8. Go to the edges. This is a variant of the slippery slope, in which you bring up extremes at either end of whatever spectrum is being discussed.

So, what works?

Earn a reputation. Have a conversation. Ask questions. Describe possible outcomes of a point of view. Make connections. Give the other person the benefit of the doubt. Align objectives then describe a better outcome. Show up. Smile.

by Seth Godin.

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

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

Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters

This is a very important book by Timothy Keller, senior pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan.

There are few themes as significant as that of idolatry and Keller exposes the idols of our time in a way that few others are able to do. Keller begins his book by explaining why idolatry is not just an ancient religious problem, but is the essence of "life" today, in modern and post-modern culture. We live in a culture that is an idol-making factory and the heart of every human is an idol-making factory as well.

The four great idols of today that he explores are that of love (romance and sexuality, relational security), money, success, power and glory. A chapter is devoted to each of these idols.

   
Keller's book is so significant because Keller is able to do what many writers cannot. While some are able to do any of the particular things that follow very well, Keller's gift is to do them all quite well and weave them together in a synergistic way.

FIRST: He exegetes the Scripture and tells the great narrative story of the Gospel in simply magnificent ways. He opens up a major text for each chapter and I will never read several of those texts as I use to. He is a biblical theologian who is accessible to all readers.

SECOND: He exegetes our contemporary culture in profound and yet very understandable ways. Specifically, Keller lives in one of the greatest cities in the world and he understands that culture in depth. He is both apologist and missionary, prophet and pastor as he dissects that culture and explains its significance. He is one of the sons of Issachar who discerns the time.

THIRD: He exegetes the human heart with the skill of a master surgeon, wielding the sharpest scalpels. As I am reading Keller, I am reading my own heart. My own idols are being exposed to me. He takes me deep beneath the water line and helps me understand and discern the intricacies of my heart. That this is crucial is seen in Proverbs 4:23:

"Above all else guard the heart,
for it is the wellspring of life."

Keller knows the damage of idolatry as what is hidden in the heart erupts into one's life.

FOURTH: He constantly brings us to Christ and to grace, for only Christ can conquer the idols in our hearts and only through grace can we receive the power of a new and greater affection.

This book is pastoral, biblical, cultural, prophetic, apologetic, missional . . . AND it is accessible to everyone. I am just not aware of anything else like it.

To say it a slightly different way, Keller exegetes the Scripture, discerns the culture, interprets the heart and weaves it together in a way that is pastoral, apologetic and a touch prophetic. Every chapter I read, was my favorite chapter.

And here is where this book will become extraordiarily useful for you. Use it as a stepping stone for reflection and discernment about the idols in your life.

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

p.s.  And as a final thought, in light of the series I have been doing on the church, I wonder if (for some of us) we have made the Church an idol and when it has clay feet, we are devasted, hurt and angry?

Quitting Church: Why People Are and What To Do About It - It is a Lot More Complex Than Duin's Assessment

This is a long post with a more substantial reflection on the church, than what I normally do on this blogsite. There are a few times when this post begins to take on the quality of one of my Rant and Rave posts. No apologies. I am passionate about the church.

I also thought about doing a "re-write" to tone some stuff down. It is not my intention to hurt anyone. But I do want to speak strongly in the midst of a conversation where I experience the critics speaking very strongly.
 

Let me run a few questions by you.

MARRIAGE
Why is marriage in trouble in the USA today?
Why are people quitting marriage in such large numbers?
 

HEALTH CARE
What is wrong with the health care system?
What can we do about it...what should we do about it?

GOVERNMENT
Why are so many people so cynical and pessimistic about the government?
Why are so many people just giving up on expecting true change from great political leadership?
How can we change their viewpoint to they are excited once again about the government?
Or should we just bail and sit on the sidelines and gripe and complain?

For the three issues mentioned above - here are a few more questions.
How simple or how complex do you think those issues are?
How simple or how complex do you think the perspectives, answers, proposed solutions will be?

I think the issues are extremely complex and the answers are just as complex.


THE CHURCH...
Why are the Faithful Leaving?
What Can We Do About It?

These are the two big questions Julia Duin raises and answers. I am not satisfied with her assessment or her answers. 

What follows is a pretty strong criticism of Duin's highly critical book. 

Of her ten chapters, eight of them are focused on specific issues: Church is irrelevant, it is not providing community, it is not culturally engaged, singles are not welcome or helped, teaching is weak, the pastor is the problem, women don't have a true voice, and the Spirit of God is not showing up. In these eight chapters, you can find another 40 or so complaints listed.  (And I agree with many of our criticisms about the church. They are true for some churches at some times.)

Also, please understand that Julia Duin is one who has quit the church. For Duin, the "leavers" are blameless "with very few exceptions." (pp. 177).  I am sure she includes herself as one of the blameless. She has left the church and it is the church's fault.  The church is just not meeting the needs of people or her own needs. That language recurs over and over through her book. 

I grew a little weary of this whining about "my needs aren't being met." I also grew a little skeptical about the "not my fault" mentality that was looking for the herd of "leave takers" to confirm her choice.

I almost despaired thinking about how to write a post(s) in response to the endless specifics with which I disagree. Then the next day I read a book by two authors who (in essence) did a far better job than I could do (although there are definitely things they say which I think are inadequate or misguided). The book is Why We Love the Church. I'll have a few comments about that in another post.  

Here is why I don't value Duin's contribution.

She quit, she complains, and she assesses blame as wholly elsewhere and on the other! I have been in enough counseling situations, enough church conflict situations, enough messy leadership scenarios to know -- there is always more than one side to the story... and that one person, one party, one position NEVER has all the blame. A little more self-awareness and humility on Duin's part would have been nice.
 

If you quit and bail -- you lose the right to criticize on what you've quit. Sorry, that is just the way it is. On anything. 

If you want to criticize, then hang in there. Do the hard work of love. Okay, so you've been hurt. WHO HASN"T BEEN HURT?  You've been disappointed and let down! Join the club called humanity. 

You think you can do church better. Than do it. Do it for about ten years and then tell us how you did it. But along the way, here is what I think you will find. You aren't going to do a very good job at it. You will hurt people. You'll disappoint them. You'll let them down. You won't meet their needs. And they will criticize you at every step. And they will QUIT on you. They will take their leave of you and they will put all the blame on you.

Please stop with the banal answers of - be more relevant. Be more loving. Have more community. Have better teaching. Do a better job of leading.  As if we don't know this already. As if thousands of us are not trying to do these very things. As if we haven't learned a few things along the way. And as if there are not multiple ways forward. 

Oh yes... one more thing. Please give up on the naive idea that the "House Church" is the answer. Lots of us know it isn't. It is just as hard as any other "form" or "method" or "style" of church.  Here is what we are going to see in about 5 years.  Books titled: 

Why I Quit My House Church:  My Needs Weren't Being Met.

Disillusioned with the House Church: Memoirs of a Post-Emergent Pagan.

Help for Those Hurt by Dysfunctional House Church Leaders

If You Thought Big Church Was Bad... Why I Left the House Church Movement

The house church already has problems with mission, teaching, community, and leadership. 

Imagine this scenario. Thousands of untrained leaders. Not trained in understanding the Bible. Not trained in teaching or facilitating. Not trained in processing relational conflict. Not trained in leadership. Not trained in missional outreach. Not trained in the spiritual disciplines. Not trained in much at all. And now they are a "new kind of leader for a new kind of church."  Where do I sign up?  (Sarcasm intended.)

Oh wait. We've already had that situation. It was/is known as the small group movement. 

Today the small group movement just got a lot sexier and edgier by taking the name "House Church." Wonderful! But a poorly led, poorly taught, poorly nurtured, poorly missional group is going to be a mess whether you call it a small group, a House Church, or Revolutionary Cell, or Christian Coven (sorry, more sarcasm playing around with those who play around with the idea of Pagan Christianity) or whatever you decide to name it. 

And this is only going to get worse, not better.  I can share some personal anecdotes of my own on this as well. Some from years ago and some from last month. I've heard plenty of anecdotes from people who have left a house church which they described as deeply dysfunctional, bad leadership, lousy teaching, ingrown, not missional, etc.  Hmmm. That sounds familiar.  I guess human nature erupts in small groups as well as large ones.

By the way, for the record, I have no problems with House Church as one more method, way, strategy for doing church in our time. I do have a problem with utopian views about the house church. I do have a problem thinking it is THE way to do church.

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

Okay, there are real issues in the church.  Lots of them. There are real problems. These issues and problems are very complex. We mess up a lot. We fall terribly short so often. There are many, many nuances in every issue. There are always multiple reasons for every problem. There are always about as many perspectives on an issue-problem as there are people involved. 

And we need to do something about the problems. 

Here is what I am left with. 

Jesus loved the church. I am pretty sure that Jesus still loves the church. Jesus has not Quit on the church. I am also pretty sure that Jesus wants us to love the church also. Jesus, because he doesn't quit on the church and because he sacrificially loves the church, has the right to criticize and rebuke his church (for an illustration of this read Revelation 2 and 3). I'd like to suggest that we be about the imitation of Christ on this. That means, do not Quit, Bail, Leave, Flee, or Abandon...  If it gets that bad, then you have the opportunity to practice loving your enemy.  Go for it and see what God does in you even if he does little around you.  (Note: In a later post, I'll address the fact that renewal of broken systems sometimes means going outside the system and starting something new.)

The New Testament church was a very messy affair. All you have to do is read Paul's letters and you see that it has always been this way. For Paul, the church was worth fighting for, praying for, suffering for, dying for.  And he did. He loved the church as did his Savior.  Paul was always committed to the imitation of Christ.

I have been tempted more than once to quit, to bail, to throw in the towel. I've been hurt too. I've been misunderstood, taken advantage of, criticized, not appreciated, not had my needs met... 

And in all of this, Jesus brings me back to the great goal and outcome of our faith, which has never ceased to be... 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and spirit. And love your neighbor as yourself. Some of those neighbors are church people.

Love one another. By this, all people will know you are my followers. I am pretty sure that no exegetical gymnastics is going to be able to translate the word love as Quit on one another.

Love is patient and kind... love always hopes and always perseveres. (i.e.  Love does not Quit.)

Love doesn't quit and complain from the sidelines. Love engages, love suffers, love sacrifices, love redeems...

So I've stayed the course, prayed for grace and healing. Recognized my own sin and shortcomings as well those of the "other." I've become a little more humble along the way. A bit more grateful. And certainly more dependent on mercy and forgiveness. (And still grumbled way too much... but tried to do it under my breath.)

The church that Jesus died for is not a church we want to Quit on.

And finally... (to mercifully end this way to long post on a semi-humorous note)

. . . here is one creative, marketing appeal for church...

The only problem is, when you join it, it may begin to...
Sorry... had to get that one in.

Brian "a very great sinner who needs the Church" Rice  
Leadership ConneXtions International  
www.lci.typepad.com

Dunbar's Law

Seth Godin recently reminded me of a "law" that church growth people have talked about for a long time.

Dunbar's Law basically says, you have the ability to know about 150 people. The human brain is wired to track and know about 150 people. That is the size of your Tribe. More than that, you just can't really know or relate to or connect with (sorry for the dangling preposition, but they are useful).

Some of the church growth stuff says that once a church reaches 120-150, dynamics change in a church and it must morph its structure and processes to make the transition to the next size level. This is one of the barriers that many churches never get past.

At Living Word, we are working with "mid-size learning communities" and we know that about 120 is the maximum size for these communities.

Seth Godin asks the question - are FACEBOOK and Twitter breaking the Dunbar Law. He does not think so and I agree with him. 

 

I have about 700 FB friends, but to be honest, most of them are FB acquaintances. There is more of an awareness of what is going on for some of them, but not a familiarity with them.

I have a growing network of people through Leadership ConneXtions and it becomes very hard to stay in meaningful contact with these collaborators and colleagues and partners.

It takes a lot of time and intentionality to do friendship and community.

So how are you doing with your Tribe these days?

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

Veggie Tales, Life Lessons and Leadership Learning

Anyone who has a child under twenty, has most likely watched a Veggie Tale video or two. I have to admit, that I have seen a lot of them. When Matt was little, he loved Veggie Tales and what a good thing, for I had to watch way too many other kids videos and shows that were (I'll be polite) a pain to watch.

But not Veggie Tales. They were great! The stories of the Bible and its core lessons, through the adventures of Bob and Larry and company (talking veggies).

Phil Vischer built an empire and watched it crumble. His book, Me, Myself and Bob is well worth reading (out in 2007). Here is a thought from Phil that many of us could claim (unfortunately) for our own.

I had grown up drinking a dangerous cocktail – a mix of the gospel, the Protestant work ethic, and the American dream. . . . The Savior I was following seemed, in hindsight, equal parts Jesus, Ben Franklin and Henry Ford. My eternal value was rooted in what I could accomplish.  Phil Vischer

We are so rooted in our culture, that it is always hard to see our own SYNCRETISM. Syncretism is when Christianity is mixed and intermingled with an established cultural or religious faith. It makes a hybrid religion, a bastard mix which turns out to be an insipid, sterile, mulish faith.  In the quoted paragraph, Vischer names his syncretism very well.

To see and understand our own American Syncretistic Versions of faith, takes enormous self-awareness (and quite a bit of courage as well).

Sometimes we just need a good story to help us with this. Me Myself and Bob is one such story.

Me, Myself and Brian Rice
Leadership ConneXtions International
www.lci.typepad.com 

A Pretty Angry Commentator and how he views Conservative Christianity

I have a pretty provocative video clip for you on this post, sent to me from my friend Lisa... who got it from a friend... who heard it somewhere...

I want to set the stage for just a minute. 

(1)  This is a perfect illustration of what I talked about in my sermon last week. For the readers of this site outside LWCC, the theme was on the Subversive Jesus who broke all the rules by eating with tax-collectors and sinners.  I spent some time talking about the heart of the Pharisee (alas, it is our heart as well) that discriminates, separates, categorizes, ranks, judges, condemns and so on... and contrasted that with Jesus eating with the "sinners" of the world.

(2)  The "expert" being consulted is Frank Schaeffer, the son of the late Francis  Schaeffer, the famous apologist and founder of L'Abri. Frank, originally Franky, was much more right wing than his father in terms of politics and eventually enlisted his dad in some of the moral causes of the religious right. Eventually, Frank (the son) became disillusioned and angry with the religious right, as well as his own family and he has moved to an extreme position of a hostile critic of conservative Christianity.

(3)  I want you to notice a few things. First, notice the incredulity the TV host has about the issue under discussion and that is the percentage of conservatives who think Obama is the anti-Christ!  Then, notice the harshness of Frank Schaeffer as he can hardly be critical enough. One has the sense that if he could curse the people he despises - he would.

I'd love to hear your comments.  The video is about six minutes, but it goes quickly.

It kind of makes you wonder who the real crazy one is... doesn't it?
Can you imagine having such a person on insulting any other population segment in our country?
Interesting times... to put it mildly.

If you have time, visit this website to read an outstanding review by Os Guinness who is not only addressing the arguments Frank Schaeffer has, but addressing the heart behind the issues.

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

Woody Allen on Crossroads and Pessimism and Moses on a Better Way

I have always liked Woody Allen. His self-depracating humor, his ironic existentialism, his melancholy personality . . . his philosophy laden movies . . . (Some of his personal life choices are quite a different matter.)

Here is a quote from "My Speech to the Graduates" that Woody Allen gave, which was first published in the New York Times in 1979.

More than any other time in history, mankind faces a crossroads. One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness. The other, to total extinction. Let us pray we have the wisdom to choose correctly. I speak, by the way, not with any sense of futility but with a panicky conviction of the absolute meaninglessness of human existence, which could easily be misinterpreted as pessimism.  (Allen)

Isn't it striking how the average person manages to live life, pretty much ignoring the ultimate questions of purpose and meaning, of legacy and destiny. Many of us (most of us) are locked into modes of just trying to get by, keeping our head above the waters of daily hassles and urgencies . . .  Or stuck in ruts of endless acquisition of "stuff" which we think will make us happy. For many of us, personal happiness is the greatest good and the all important goal in life. 

So busyness or ignorance are our drugs of choice to numb us to the really BIG QUESTIONS.

Fortunately it is football season and all the new Fall TV programming has started up, so the available distractions are there for us.

You might want to pull out your Bible and read Psalm 90. It was written by Moses.  This one is worth several days of lectio divina reflection. Here are just two of the many powerful verses in that Psalm.

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heat of wisdom (vs. 12).

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; 
establish the work of our hands for us--
yes, establish the work of our hands.  (vs. 17).

There is another path Woody Allen doesn't mention. It is a life re-ordered and well-lived under the Lordship of the Living God, the recipient of His transforming grace and dedicated to His purposes.

May today be such a day for you. 

And while it is, remember that Thoreau agrees with Allen (or perhaps it is the other way around) when he says, "Most men live lives of quiet desperation." We can help them discover the way of Moses vs. the way of Allen.

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

Moralistic, Therapeutic Deism

Many years ago I ran across a "concept" from Parker Palmer. In a little booklet he did on leadership, he referred to the rampant problem of "Functional Atheism" among Christian leaders. A Functional Atheist is a Christian leader who talks a pretty game about God, but when you actually look at her or his life, it is quite apparent that the leader believes that if anything good is to happen, it is pretty much up to them to make it happen. 

I have been convicted about my own problem of Functional Atheism more than once.

A few days ago I came across another "concept" that is closely related to Palmer's. This time it is from Christian Smith who is a sociologist of religion at the University of Notre Dame. Smith spent five years researching the spiritual lives of American teens and concluded that for most of them there faith is MTD:

Moralistic, Therapeutic Deism

Here is how he describes MTD.

By moralistic I mean being good and nice . . . By therapeutic I mean being primarily concerned with one's own happiness in contrast to focusing on glorifying God, learning obedience, or serving others. Finally, by deism I mean a view of God as normally distant and not involved in one's life, except if one has a problem one needs God to solve. In other words, God functions as a combination divine butler and cosmic therapist.

Ouch again. Been there, done that, and can fall into that quite easily. I have actually used the phrase Evangelical Deists to describe a lot of what goes on in contemporary evangelical leadership these days. Maybe that is one step up from Functional Atheism, but it is not a very big step.

So, these words by Erwin McManus and Dallas Willard were very important for me as we talked about  them the other day at the Institute. I offer them to you for your own consideration and prayer.

The real issue facing the church is not essentially about methodology or even the preserving of the message; the real issue is why the church is so unaffected by the transforming presence of the living God. Erwin McManus

(and)

What has become of the ongoing walk with Jesus Christ and the integrity of soul that permits one to worship the FAther in Spirit and truth. The sad truth is that you can be an evangelical in excellent standing without these experiences . . . We haven't figured out what the spiritual life is really like, inside and out. We haven't dealt successfully with the challenge of transforming our characters into Christ-likeness . . . We haven't learned how to live in God's power in every aspect of our lives.  Dallas Willard

I believe one of the great leadership tasks we face is to help a new generation of leaders experience these realities and resist the temptation of Functional Atheism and Moralistic, Therapeutic Deism. Of course it will help if we do that first ourselves.

Brian "MTD all to often" Rice
Leadership ConneXtions International
www.lci.typepad.com

Consumption as a Way of Life (and Faith): Part Two

How many advertisements do you think you are exposed to every day? The New York Times reports that every day, every American is exposed to 3,500 "desire producing advertisements."

We live in a culture that seeks to stimulate our desire to have things we didn't know we needed or wanted. The world of advertising/marketing strives to stimulate your desire to buy, by stirring up our unhappiness and inciting dissatisfaction when we realize we don't have something.

And of course, tied with every product is the promise of enjoyment and happiness (when you own that product or experience).

Hand in hand with this cultural way, is an economic system of buying now what you can't afford through the use of credit cards and delayed payment. We delay payment so we do not have to delay gratification. This comes with an inflated cost due to compound interest and an eventual burden of debt that makes us unhappy which then fuels our need to buy something else to cheer us up. 

Jethani says, "Although lack of self-control has always plagued humanity, for the first time i history an economic system has been created that relies on it."

Consumption is a way of life.

After 9/11, we were encouraged not to let the terrorists win. They would win if we changed our spending, shopping habits. President Bush proclaimed to the terrorists that Americans would continue to "fly and buy."

In our current economic crisis, the last thing the powers that be (i.e. principalities of business and government) want us to do is cut back on our spending. Our economy needs jump-started with a new wave of spending.  (Excuse me - isn't that what got us in this bind in the first place?!?)

Remember, from yesterday, that I said it is not that being a consumer/customer is wrong. What is wrong is the way we are now engaging in those activities.
 

And the world of faith and church has not been immune.

Here is what every Christian leader knows (or should know:

(1)  Whether we like it or not, the person sitting in the pew is a customer/consumer and they expect the church (or para-church, or whatever) to provide what it is they are looking for.

(2)  We know that if we do not provide it, there are others who will. And as in most things, you can take your "spiritual business" elsewhere.

(3)  We also know you want and expect the latest and the best. We know the customer is naturally a critic.

(4)  And if we are really good at all this, we figure out how to "brand" our product so it is even more recognizable, marketable and profitable.

Our strategies may vary widely.

We may decide that we don't care what you think you want. We will give you what we think you need.

We may decide that we must work very hard to change you as the customer/consumer so that you come to want, what we are providing. 

Or we may just give in and cater to things the way they are and give you want you want.

There may be other options, but these are the ones that come to mind right now.

What I believe is that this reality is true for the church of modernity and post-modernity.  It is true for the evangelical church and the emerging church.

Rob Bell knows exactly what his customers want. So does Brian McLaren. So does Bill Hybels and Rick Warren and Andy Stanley and Joyce Meyers and John Maxwell and Benny Hinn . . .  And so do the people who market their products! You can also bet that each of those individuals gets regular reports on how well their products sell... how large the numbers of customers are at their events..

Every individual I mentioned, even though they each have strong personal convictions about what is right and true, also know their audiences have expectations and wants. And they design their offering to provide what is wanted. Then the world of Christian marketing and merchandizing kicks in to both promote and deliver that product, not to mention, make a profit off of it.

At what point do we lose our soul to the machine of Christian commerce?

By the way, it is more than a little ironic that SKye Jethani, who launched this conversation for me (and who had some profound things to say about it), is right in the center of the Christian marketing enterprise with his role at Christianity Today. For example, just click here to go a blog he does and see it surrounded with a plethora of advertising... all designed to appeal to (OR) stimulate your needs.

Hmmm.... this is starting to sound like a Rant and Rave, and I try to do those only occasionally.

As you can tell, I don't pretend to have good answers to this. I'm just glad if I can be one of those spreading a little more awareness of the situation/problem.

Hey, this is one issue I would love to hear some of your thoughts.

Is the church becoming too consumerist?
Are Christians becoming just like the culture around us?
How are you doing on these things?

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

Consumption as a Way of Life (and Faith): Part One

A few weeks ago, I followed and contributed to a discussion on consumerism in the American church. It was a fascinating discussion that Scott McKnight initiated on his blog, JesusCreed. Out of that discussion, I picked up  The Divine Commodity: Discovering a Faith Beyond Consumer Christianity by Skye Jethani.

I think the issue of consumerism and how it has fundamentally shaped how we understand and practice our Christian faith; and how it has done the same to how we "do church" is an important discussion that should be on the front burner.

Here is an old saying from Richard Halverson.

In the beginning the church was a fellowship of men and women centered on the living Christ. Then the church moved to Greece, where it became a philosophy. Then it moved to Rome, where it became an institution. Next it moved to Europe, where it became a culture. And finally, it moved to America, where it became an enterprise.

That quote is worth reading a few times and some good reflection as well.

For now, the point is, in America, church, faith, religion and all things associated with it - are an enterprise.  A business . . . with customers who are insatiable consumers and picky choosers, always asking - what is in this for me?

If you can understand just one fact, it is this: You and I are CUSTOMERS and CONSUMERS. This is an inescapable reality. We can protest all we want, but the reality remains unimpressed, unchanged and not at all threatened.

First I must say that there is nothing wrong with being a customer/consumer. It is a part of what it means to be a human being. We have needs and interests. We have longings of the heart. We want to satisfy them. We are fortunate when we have options to investigate and the freedom to choose one that is attractive to us.

However, our American culture is morphing us in some dangerous ways in this matter.

• We are becoming out of control customers and consumers.
  
• We are becoming obsessively self-centered customers and consumers.
  
• We are becoming pampered, "sense of entitlement" customers and consumers.
  
• We are becoming massively debt-ridden, incapable of delayed gratification customers and consumers.
  
• And this shows no sign of abating, even in our current economic climate.

So, while there is nothing wrong in being a customer/consumer, there is something very wrong and deadly in the kind of customer/consumer we have become.

And this problem/challenge is only going to get worse.

More on this theme tomorrow and especially, how it affects the church.

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

The World of Media is Changing - Are You Keeping Up?

Here is a YouTube video clip that shows us how rapidly the world of media is changing. If Christians and especially, leaders don't keep up with this change, we are going to miss out on where our culture is headed.

This is Did You Know 4.0, produced by XPLANE.

>

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

Rant and Rave: Michael Vick and an American Problem

Several days ago I posted a NOTE on Facebook about Michael Vick and the public reaction to him. Wehad quite a good discussion. I thought I would do a bit of editing of that NOTE and put it on the blogsite.

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

I have been REALLY struck by the public reaction to Michael Vick being picked up by the Eagles. Well, some of the public reaction. It is hard to know how many people really feel this way, or is the attention just being focused on the few who do, since it makes for good news and spicy sports commentary.

Here is what strikes me. We (at least some of us) are an angry people, an unforgiving people, and a judgmental people. 

I am not minimizing the crime Michael Vick committed. The dog fighting ring was not just wrong, it was a despicable evil. It deserves to be a crime. It deserves to be punished. Vick did the crime and he did the time. (Maybe he should have done more time, but that is for the court system to determine.)
 

Now - what and who is Michael Vick? (I'll explain this one below.)
And - how do we assess and treat Michael Vick?

What do we believe about forgiveness, grace, second chances, new beginnings, fresh starts, the possibility of redemption (or if that word is too strong) the possibility of change in those who have done wrong?

Here are a few thoughts that have been rumbling around in my mind over the last number of days as I have read the news and especially listened to the sports commentators on this issue.
 

ONE:  What/Who is Michael Vick? Is he still a criminal, an ex-criminal, a reformed criminal, a recovering criminal, a repentant criminal ... ?  We are characterizing Vick with our descriptive labels.

Is he a loser, a con, a cad, a fraud, a phony, a washed up human being?  Is he dirt, scum, filth ...?

Listening to some of the angry voice out there - he is everything I just mentioned in the previous sentence.

Who is Vick in the eyes of God? Should we have the same eyes to see Vick as God does?
 

TWO:  What do we believe about forgivenes, grace, redemption and other such things? Or maybe we no longer believe those things (or understand or experience them) in our post-Christian culture?

How does one become a truly "ex-con?"  
Is it possible for one to be a "former but no longer criminal?"
Do we believe Michael Vick does not deserve forgiveness and grace and redemption?
Or let me state this just slightly different, do we believe Vick is beyond the possibility of forgiveness, grace and redemption?

Is there a list of crimes/trespasses/sins that we say, cross this line and we as a society believe you are irremediably fallen and we want nothing to do with you?  If so - who came up with the list and on what basis?

Has anyone stopped to think that some of these angry critics seem an awlful lot like the "elder brother" of the Prodigal Son parable? 

Fortunately for Vick, Tony Dungy has opened his arms like the "waiting father."  And fortunately for Vick, Andy Reid knows something of the pain of a father who has his own prodigal son problems.
 

THREE:  How about this for some sheer hypocrisy on our part?  

If we are fallen, how do we want to be treated and received?  Do we really want to be treated and labeled by others in the way the critics are doing to Vick?  Do we even remember the Golden Rule any longer?

Are we really so confident that we are without sin and therefore fully qualified to be throwing the first stones at Vick? Where are the prophets who write in the sand and we the accusers walk away convicted and ashamed of our own evil?

 

 

FOUR: What do we really want for Vick? Do we want him to be endlessly punished and scorned and downgraded to a sub-person status? Does the spirit of vindictiveness sour us that much? Or do we really long for his transformation? Do we mourn over his (and our own) sin and pray for healing and transformation? Or do we gloat in how the mighty are fallen and how the evil get their just desserts (finally, it's about time)?  Do we really want to live with the eye for an eye way of life?  

What would love ask of us concerning Michael Vick? 

Here is an interesting one mentioned earlier, repeated with a slight twist:   What do you think Christ thinks of Michael Vick? What do you think Jesus wants for Vick? And why would we not want the same for him?
 

FIVE:  And finally -what if we are wrong in giving grace? What if Vick is only playing the well orchestrated, publicity game? What if there is no change at all in him? What if he remains a really bad person? What then? What have we lost by being gracious people?

And what has happened to us when we are critical, condemning, angry, bitter, unforgiving, self-righteous, vindictive . . . ?  I know what these things do to my soul. It isn't pretty. 

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

Your thoughts and observations and arguments are desired?
 

Brian "a recovering stone thrower" Rice
Leadership ConneXtions International
www.lci.typepad.com

Culture: Our Context and Our Conversation Partner

We are always rooted, located and formed in a cultural context. 

We always live out our faith (follow Jesus) in a cultural context.

We always read the Bible, theologize, practice our spirituality and experience Jesus in a cultural context.

Fundamentalism was that Christian approach (and it is found in other religions as well, especially Islam) that believed the cultural context was unimportant, if not evil. Fundamentalism preferred separation from culture and went the route of isolation. 

Carry this to an extreme and you begin to look, sound and act like an Amish person who takes this approach to its extreme. Ironically, the Amish are finding ways to be a part of culture when it suits their purposes.

Fundamentalism was naive and just wrong in thinking they were above being influenced by culture.  (That is another post sometime.) Nevertheless, their approach made them pretty irrelevant when it came to mission and transformation (not to mention the arts, academics, etc.).

It is pretty obvious that our culture influences us and that we are called to influence the culture. The way to do this is to admit we are all situated in a context and that context has an influence on us. And to engage in a conversation with that culture.

Sometimes, our culture will set the agenda for our theology. By this, I mean our culture will raise the questions, put forward the issues, provide the situations and experiences . . . and we will have to address this.

Right now, for example:

(1)  Our economic times are a situation that should lead us to meaningful consideration of issues of wealth and poverty, what is enough, why are we always wanting more than what we need and can afford, and so on.

(2)  With the incredible rise in social networking (think FACEBOOK), what does this say to us about community, friendship and how should we respond as the people of God to this?

(3)  The church is in slow decline in North America. Evangelism as it use to be practiced is rarely fruitful today. How do we function missionally as God's people? 

And this list could go on.

The best theology and the best spirituality is not practiced in an ivory tower of academia, nor in a ghetto/fortress of religiosity. They are done in the challenging but necessary context of our culture.

Two conclusions:

(1)  Engage your culture, keep your Eyes Wide Open and observe, pay attention, notice and understand the signs of our times.

(2)  Have conversations with the culture. Speak and listen. Raise questions, offer tentative answers. Keep the conversation going.

Brian Rice

Leadership ConneXtions International

A Millennial's Guide to Millennial Guides

I just read this article and thought you may find it of interest.

It's short.

Here is a Fast Company article on the millenials and some books about them.

Brian Rice

Leadership ConneXtions International

University Mottos

I'm always interested in mottos. Recently I read some interesting mottos for colleges and universities and I did a little searching to find more. I came across the Wikipedia List of Mottos which has lots of them. You'll have to scroll down to see them if you are interested. (The Wiki source has mottos for lots of different groups and not just colleges.)

What is striking is how many educational institutions had at their very core, a deeply religious or spiritual impulse. They were established to support and to promote the Christian faith and the life of the spirit. Of course, that impulse has long since, been abandoned.

It is a long list, so scroll down as you want. 

Do you have a favorite?

The Ogontz School building which was home for Living Word Community Church for many years had an interesting motto that was inscribed above the two front entry ways into the building. Over the left side front entrance it said:  "Enter to Learn."  Over the right side front entrance it said:  "Exit to Serve."

Brian Rice

Leadership ConneXtions International

American University: Pro deo et patria (For God and Country)

Amherst College: Terras Irradient (Latin: Let them give light to the world)

Anglo-Chinese School: The Best Is Yet To Be (adapted from poem by Robert Browning)

Athabasca University: Learning for life

Australian National University: Naturam primum cognoscere rerum (Latin: First, to learn the nature of things)

Banting Memorial High School: Quaecumque Optima ([Latin]: "Whatsoever Things Are Best")

Bates College: Amore Ac Studio ([Latin]): "Love of Learning" - Charles Sumner

Bedford School: Floreat schola Bedfordiensis

Benedict College: VERITAS ET VERTUS (Truth and Virtue)

Bilkent University: Veritas (Latin: Truth)

Bishop Cotton Boys School: Nec Dextrorsum Nec Sinistrorsum (Latin: "Neither to the right nor to the left" - Book of Joshua)

Bishop Cotton Girls School: Nec Dextrorsum Nec Sinistrorsum (Latin: "Neither to the right nor to the left" - Book of Joshua)

Bishop Timon HS: fortes in fide (strong in faith)

Blue Coat School, Oldham: Semper Quaereamus Virtutem (Latin: Always let us seek virtue)

Bob Jones University: Petimus Credimus (Latin: We seek, we trust)

Boston College: Aien Aristeuein/αιεν αριστευειν(Greek: Ever to excel); Religioni et bonis artibus (Latin: For religion and the good arts)

Brown University: In deo speramus (Latin: In God we hope)

California Institute of Technology: The truth shall make you free

California State University, Fresno: Lucem Accipe Ut Reddas (Latin: Receive the light that you may give it forth)

Carleton University: Ours the Task Eternal

Carnegie-Mellon University: My Heart Is In The Work

Catholic Junior College: In veritate et caritate (Latin: In truth and love)

Caulfield Grammar School: Labora Ut Requiescas (Latin: "Work hard so that ye will rest")

Centro de Estudios en Ciencias de la Comunicacion (Mexico): Ad Astra Per Aspera (To the stars with effort)

Chalmers University of Technology: Avancez (French: "Advance")

Christ's College, Cambridge: Souvent me Souvient (French: "I often remember")

Churchill College, Cambridge: Forward

Clark Atlanta University: "I'll Find a Way or Make One" & "Culture for Service"

Clifton College: Spiritus Intus Alit("The Spirit enters us all")

Columbia University: In lumine Tuo videbimus lumen [Psalm 36:10], (Latin: "In thy light shall we see light")

Cornell University: "I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study"

Crossley Heath Grammar School: Omne Bonum Ab Alto (All good things come from above)

Culford School: Viriliter Agite Estote Fortes (Latin: "Quit Ye Like Men, Be Strong")

Dalhousie University: Ora et labora (Latin: Pray and work)

Dartmouth College: Vox clamantis in deserto [Luke 3:4], (Latin: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness")

Devonport High School for Boys: Prorsum Semper Honeste (Latin: "Forwards always proud")

Downing College, Cambridge: Quaerere Verum (Latin: "Seek the truth")

Dulwich College: Detur Gloria Soli Deo (Latin: Let Glory Be Given To God Alone)

Eastern Nazarene College: Via, Veritas, Vita (Latin: The Way, the Truth, and the Life)

École Polytechnique de Montréal: Ut tensio sic vis (Latin: "The power depends on the tension")

École Polytechnique de Paris: Pour la Patrie, les Sciences et la Gloire (French: "For the Country, the Sciences and Glory")

Edinburgh Napier University: Nisi sapientia frustra (Without knowledge all is in vain)

Emanuel School: Pour Bien Desirer (The Noble Aim)

Epping Boys High School: Strive to Achieve

Eton College: Floreat Etona (Latin: "May Eton Flourish")

The Evergreen State College: Omnia Extares (Latin: "Let it all hang out")

Finchley Catholic High School: Da nobis recta sapere (Latin: "Grant that we may be truly wise")

Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge: Ex antiquis et novissimis optima (Latin: "the best out of the old and the new")

Florida A&M University: Head, heart, hand, field

Florida Atlantic University: Where Tomorrow Begins

Florida State University: Vires, artes, mores (Latin: Strength, skill, customs)

Fordham University: Sapientia et doctrina (Latin: Wisdom and learning)

Framlingham College, Suffolk: Studio sapientia crescit (Latin: Wisdom grows with study)

Franklin Pierce Law Center: Inspiring Excellence

Free University of Brussels: Scientia vincere tenebras (Conquering darkness by science)

Gateshead Grammar School: Toil No Soil (toil (work)is no disgrace from the poem Works and Days by Hesiod)

Georgetown University: Utraque unum (Latin: "Both and one")

GITAM University,Visakhapatnam,India : "STRIVE SERVE THRIVE"

Gothenburg University: Tradita innovare innovata tradere ("A Tradition of Invention, an Inventor of Tradition")

Grant Medical College ,Mumbai,India :Mens Sana in Corpore Sano (Latin : Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body)

Gresham's School: All Worship Be to God Only

Hampshire College: Non Satis Scire (Latin: "To Know Is Not Enough")

Harrow School: Stet Fortuna domus (Latin: "Let fortune of the House stand")

Harbord Collegiate Institute: Virtus et Doctrina

Harvard University: Veritas (Latin: "Truth")

High School of Dundee: Prestante Domino (Latin: "Under the leadership of God)

Homerton College, Cambridge: Respice Finem (Latin: "Look to the end")

Imperial College London: Scientia imperii decus et tutamen (Latin "Knowledge is the adornment and protection of the state")

National Polytechnic Institute (IPN): La técnica al servicio de la patria (Spanish "Tech to the service of the State")

Indiana University: Lux et Veritas (Latin: "Light and Truth")

Indian Institute of Technology:Dnyanam Paramam Dhyeyam (Sanskrit: "Knowledge is the ultimate goal")

Iowa State University: Science with practice

Ipswich School: Semper eadem (Latin: "Always the same")

Jagiellonian University: Plus ratio quam vis (Latin: "Reason means more than power")

Johns Hopkins University: Veritas vos liberabit [John 8:32], (Latin: "The truth will set you free")

Karachi University - Pakistan: رَبِّ زدْنيِ علماً (Arabic: O my Lord! Advance me in Knowledge)

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven: Sedes sapientiae (Latin: "Seat of wisdom")

Karlstad University: Sapere aude (Have courage to be wise)

King's College, Cambridge: Veritas et utilitas (Latin: "Truth and usefulness")

La Trobe University: Qui cherche trouve [Matthew 7:7], (French: "Seek and ye shall find")

Liverpool College: Non solum ingenii, verum etiam virtutis (Latin: "Not only intelligence, but also virtue")

London School of Economics and Political Science: Rerum Cognoscere Causas (Latin: "To understand the causes of things")

Lund University: Ad utrumque ("Prepared for all")

Macquarie University: And Gladly Teche (Middle English: "And gladly teach"—from The Canterbury Tales)

Magdalene College, Cambridge: Garde ta Foy (Keep your Faith)

Manchester Grammar School: Sapere aude (Have courage to be wise)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Mens et Manus (mind and hand)

McGill University: Grandescunt Aucta Labore (By work all things increase and grow)

McMaster University: Ta panta en Christoi synesteken ("In Christ all things hold together" or "All things cohere in Christ")

Melbourne High School: Honour the Work

Memorial University of Newfoundland: Provehito in altum (Launch forth into the deep)

Modern School Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, India: Naymatma Balaheen Labhya (Hindi: "Perfection cannot be achieved by the weak")

Monash University: Ancora imparo (I am still learning)

Morehouse College: To Uplift the Human Race Through Responsible Citizenship

National University of the Littoral: Lux Indeficiens (Inextinguishable Light)

National Taiwan University: Cultivate your virtue; advance your intellect; love your country; love your people

Neil Thomas Christian University: Be Holy as I Am Holy (1Pe 1:16)

New York University: Perstare et praestare (to persevere and to excel)

Northwestern University: Quaecumque Sunt Vera (Latin: Whatsoever things are true)

Oglethorpe University: Nescit cedere (He does not know how to give up)

Ohio Wesleyan University: In lumine tuo videbimus lumen (In Your Light We Shall See the Light)

Perse School: Qui facit per alium facit per se (he who does things for others does things for himself)

Pitzer College: Provida Futuri (Mindful of the Future)

Plymouth State University: Ut Prosim (that I may serve)

Portland State University: Doctrina urbi serviat (Let Knowledge Serve the City)

Purdue University: Education, Research, Service

Princeton University: Dei sub numine viget (Latin: "Under God's power she flourishes")

Polytechnic Institute of New York University, Brooklyn, NY

Virtus victrix fortunae (courage is the conqueror of fortune)

Homo et hominis opera partes naturae (both man and the works of man are part of nature)

Queens' College, Cambridge: Floreat Domus (May this House Flourish)

Queen's University, Kingston: Sapientia et Doctrina Stabilitas (Wisdom and Knowledge Shall be the Stability of Thy Times)

Queen Mary's Grammar School: Quas Dederis Solas Semper Habebes Opes (Latin [rough translation]: You only get out what you put in)

Queensland University of Technology: A university for the real world

Raffles Institution: Auspicium Melioris Aevi (Bird-omen of a better age)

Rangitoto College, Auckland: Circumspice (Latin: Look around you)

Ravenscroft School: Audi et Aude (Latin: Learn and dare)

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Knowledge and Thoroughness[2]; Slogans: "Why not change the world?", "One word changes everything. Rensselaer." [3].

Rhodes College: Truth, Loyalty, Service

Robert College of Istanbul: Post Tenebras Lux (Light After Darkness) and Dominus Illuminatio Mea (The Lord is my Light)

Royal College Colombo : Disce aut Discede (Latin "Learn or Depart")

Royal Institute of Technology: Vetenskap och Konst (Science and Art)

Royal Military Academy Sandhurst: Serve to Lead

Royal Military College Duntroon in Australia: Doctrina vim Promovet (Learning promotes Strength)

Royal Military College of Canada: Truth, Duty, Valor

Royal Wolverhampton School: Nisi Dominus frustra

Rugby School: Orando Laborando

Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg: Semper apertus

Rutgers University: Sol iustitiae et occidentem illustra (Sun of righteousness, shine upon the West also)

Saint Joseph's College, Hong Kong: Labore et Virtute

Saint Joseph's Institution (SJI): Ora et Labora

School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London: Knowledge is Power

Scotch College, Melbourne: Deo Patriae litteris ('for God, for country, and for learning')

Scripps College: Incipit vita nova (here begins new life)

Shimer College: Not to be served, but to serve

Selwyn College, Cambridge: ΑΝΔΡΙΖΕΣΘΕ (quit ye like men)

Seton Hall University: Hazard Zet Forward (In spite of all hazards, go forward) - Taken from the Seton family's Coat of Arms (Scotland)

Seoul National University: Veritas lux mea (The truth is my light)

Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge: Dieu me garde de calomnie (God preserve me from calumny)

Simon Fraser University: Nous Sommes Prêts (We are Ready)

Sir William Borlase's Grammar School: Te Digna Sequere (follow things worthy of thyself)

Stanford University: Die Luft der Freiheit weht (The wind of freedom blows)

Stamford School: Christ me spede (Christ be with me)

Stetson University: Pro Deo et Veritate (For God and Truth)

Stevens Institute of Technology: Per aspera ad astra (Through adversity to the stars)

St Albans School (Herts, England): Non nobis nati (Born not for ourselves alone)

St Edward's Roman Catholic Church of England School (Poole, Dorset): Learning together

St. Francis Xavier University: Quaecumque Sunt Vera (Latin: Whatsoever things are true)

St. George's Grammar School (Hyderabad) : Perseverance Conquers All Things

St. Mary's High School (Calgary): Mente Manuque (With mind and hand)

Supélec:La science en action

Synge Street CBS : Viriliter Age

Syracuse University: Suos Cultores Scientia Coronat (Knowledge crowns those who seek her)

Taylor's University College: Wisdom, Integrity, Excellence

The Catholic University of America: Deus Lux Mea Est (Latin: God is my light)

The Chafford School, Rainham Essex: Achievement for all through the pursuit of excellence

The John Lyon School: Stet Fortuna domus (Latin: "Let fortune of the House stand")

Thompson Rivers University: Quansem Ilep (Chinook: to strive ahead)

Trinity College, Cambridge: Virtus vera nobilitas (Virtue is the True Nobility)

Trinity Grammar School, Victoria: Viriliter Agite (Act Manfully)

Tsinghua University: Ziqiang buxi, houde zaiwu (Self Discipline and Social Commitment)

Twynham School: Ut Prosim (Latin: that I may serve)

United Negro College Fund: A mind is a terrible thing to waste

West Point: Duty, Honor, Country

University College London: Cuncti adsint meritaeque expectent praemia palmae (Let all come who by merit deserve the most reward)

University of Aarhus: Solidum petit in profundis

University of Aberdeen: Initium sapientiae Timor Domini (Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom)

University of Alberta: Quaecumque Vera (Latin: Whatsoever things are true)

University of Auckland: Ingenio et labore (Latin: (By natural ability and hard work)

University of Baltimore: Knowledge that Works

University of Birmingham: Per ardua ad alta (through hard work, to the heights)

University of Bradford: Give Invention Light

University of British Columbia: Tuum est ("It is yours")

University of Calgary: Mo shuile togam suas (I will lift up my eyes)

University of California: Fiat Lux (Latin: Let there be light.)

University of Cambridge: Hinc lucem et pocula sacra ([From] here [the university] [we receive] light and sacred draughts [knowledge])

University of Central Florida: Reach for the Stars

University of Chester: Qui docet in doctrina (Latin: he that teacheth, on teaching)

University of Chicago: Crescat scientia; vita excolatur (Latin: Let knowledge grow from more to more; and so be human life enriched)

University of Copenhagen: Adspicit lucem in cælestis (Latin: Seeking light in the heavens)

University of Dundee: Magnificat anima mea dominum (My soul magnifies the Lord)

University of East Anglia: Do different

University of Florida: The welfare of the state depends upon the morals of its citizens

University of Georgia: Et docere et rerum exquirere causas (Latin: To teach and to inquire into the nature of things)

University of Glasgow: Via, Veritas, Vita (the Way, the Truth, the Life)

University of Guelph: Rerum cognoscere causas (Latin: To learn the meaning of reality)

University of Hawaii: Maluna a'e o na lahui a pau ke ola ke kanaka (Hawaiian: Above all nations is humanity)

University of Hong Kong: Sapientia et Virtus (Latin: Wisdom and Virtue)

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Learning and Labor

University of Leicester: Ut Vitam Habeant (so that they may have life)

University of Leiden: Praesidium Libertatis

University of Limerick: Eagna chun gnímh (Wisdom in action)

University of Lincoln: Excellentia per studium (Excellence through study)

University of Liverpool: Haec otia studia fovent (These days of peace foster learning)

University of Malta: Ut Fructificemus Deo

University of Manchester: Cognitio Sapientia Humanitas (Knowledge, wisdom, humanity)

University of Massachusetts - Amherst: Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem (By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty, the same motto as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts)

University of Melbourne: Postera crescam laude (I shall grow in the esteem of future generations)

University of Minnesota: Omnibus Artibus Commune Vinculum (A Common bond for all the Arts and Sciences)

Université de Montréal: Fide splendet et scientia (Latin: May it shine with truth and knowledge)

University of Mumbai : Sheel Vrutphalam vidya (Sanskrit:“The Fruit of Learning is Character and Righteous Conduct.” )

University of Newcastle, Australia: I look ahead

University of New South Wales: Scientia Manu et Mente (Knowledge by Hand and Mind)

University of New Zealand: Sapere aude (Have courage to be wise)

University of Northern British Columbia: 'En Cha Huná

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Lux libertas (Latin: Light [and] liberty)

University of Notre Dame: Vita, Dulcedo, Spes: [(Mary, our) life, sweetness, and hope]

University of Nottingham: Sapientia Urbs Conditur (A city is founded on wisdom.)

University of Oregon: Mens agitat molem. (Latin: Mind moves matter.)

University of Otago: Sapere aude (Have courage to be wise)

University of Ottawa: Deus est scientarium dominus (Latin: God is the master of knowledge)

University of Oxford: Dominus Illuminatio Mea [Psalm 27:10], (The Lord is my Light)

University of Pennsylvania: Leges sine moribus vanae (Laws without morals are useless)

University of the Philippines: Honor Excellence

University of Pittsburgh: Veritas et Virtus (Truth and Virtue)

University of Pune: Yah Kriyaawaan Sa Panditaha. (Learned is one who is ceaselessly active)

University of Queensland: Scientia ad Labore (knowledge through hard work)

University of Regina: As One Who Serves

University of Rochester: Meliora

University of São Paulo: Scientia Vinces (Through Knowledge You Conquer)

University of St Andrews: Aien Aristeuein (Ever to be the Best)

University of Saskatchewan: Deo et Patriae (For God and Country)

University of Sheffield: Rerum cognoscere causas (To discover the causes of things)

University of South Florida: Truth and Wisdom

University of Southern California: Palmam qui meruit ferat. (Latin: Let him who earns the palm bear it.)

University of Stirling: Innovation and excellence

University of Strathclyde: Place of Useful Learning

University of Sydney: Sidere mens eadem mutato (The stars change, [but] the mind [remains] the same)

University of the West Indies: Oriens Ex Occidente Lux (Light Rising From the West)

University of Toronto: Vel ut arbor aevo (Like as a tree with the passage of time)

University of Trinity College: Μετ’ Ἀγῶνα Στέφανος (Met' agona stephanos, After Struggle, There is a Crown)

University of Victoria, British Columbia: Multitudo sapientium sanitas orbis (A multitude of the wise is the health of the world)

University of Warwick: Mens agitat molem (Latin: Mind over Matter)

University of Washington: Lux sit (Latin: Light, let it be)

University of Waterloo: Concordia cum veritate (Latin: In harmony with truth)

University of Western Ontario: Veritas et Utilitas (Latin: Truth and usefulness)

University of York: Tentanda via (Latin: The way must be tried)

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University: Ut Prosim (That I may serve)

Vrije Universiteit Brussel: Scientia vincere tenebras (Conquering darkness by science)

Wilfrid Laurier University: Veritas omnia vincit (Latin: Truth Conquers all)

Uppsala University: Gratiae veritas naturae

Utrecht University: Sol Iustitiae Illustra Nos (Latin: Sun of Justice, shine upon us)

Washington and Lee University: Non Incautus Futuri (Not unmindful of the Future)

Washington School (Mississippi): Exitus Acta Probat (Action produces results)

Wellesley College: Non Ministrari sed Ministrare (Not to be served, but to serve. Or: Not to be ministered unto, but to minister.)

Wesley College: Audendo, Atque, Agendo (By daring and by doing)

Westminster School: Dat Deus Incrementum

Willamette University: Not Unto Ourselves Alone are we Born

Wofford College: Intaminatis fulget honoribus (Untarnished, she shines with honor)

Wolfson College, Cambridge: Ring True

Wolfson College, Oxford: Humani nil alienum ("Mankind is not unknown [to me]").

Yale University: Lux et veritas (Latin: Light and truth)

 

Some Statistics on Literacy

Here are some troubling statistics:

50% of those who are unemployed in America are functionally illiterate.  (U.S. Dept. of Labor).  By the way, this stat was before the current economic crisis.

The average kindergarten student has already seen more than 5000 hours of TV. That is more time than is needed to earn a bachelor's degree.

27% of army soldiers can't read the training manuals which are written at a 7th grade reading level.

One study (Laubach Literacy Action Council) of 21-25 year olds found:

• 80% could not read a bus schedule.
• 73% could not understand a newspaper story.
• 63% could not follow written map directions.
• 23% could not locate the gross pay to date, on their check stub.

Is this an issue?

Is this a problem?

Should we be concerned about the rise in illiteracy (those who can't read) and aliteracy (those who can read but choose not to)?

I guess my assumption is that a well educated people is vital for the surviving and thriving of a culture (or an organization). 

Christianity has been a religion of the book and has almost required that its followers be literate.

Sometimes I wonder if the church needs to be in the work of remedial reading for our people?

Brian Rice

Leadership ConneXtions International

Goggle Zeitgeist

Zeitgeist is a German word that has Latin roots.

It comes from the Latin: 

Genius - which means, guardian spirit 

and 

Seculi - which means, of the century.

So Zeitgeist literally means - spirit of the century.

It is used to describe the intellectual and cultural ethos or climate of a time (not necessarily as long as 100 years).

Google Zeitgeist is Google's track of the search requests and in doing so, it tracks what we are interested in. The information they have is really insightful to help us see the spirit of our times.

(By the way, they don't include pornography searches in this list.)

Leaders are those who discern the times, understand the times, sense the spirit of the times. 

Go to the link below and start searching. They have been collecting data since 2001 and I enjoyed going back and looking at the top searches for each of the years since then.

Goggle Zeitgeist - click here.

By the way, do an Internet search for images of Zeitgeist and you get the Movie DVD Zeitgeist and also the Smashing Pumpkins CD.

Have fun.

Brian Rice

Leadership ConneXtions International

Celebrities

I'm sure you have heard the definition of a celebrity. 

A celebrity is someone who is mainly famous for being famous!

At one time, people were well known and honored because they were heroic/courageous, they were good, they did worthy things that were needed, and in some cases, made sacrifices for the good of others.

The celebrity is mainly known for being entertaining.

The hero, or perhaps we should use the biblical language of saint (holy one) was such because of the substantial inner character that produced a good outward life of work and service. They were, above all, good in their inner world.

The celebrity is known for image and appearance. They are pretty people, they are attractive.  (Although photoshop helps a lot!  And even attractive people look pretty normal when caught off guard.)

I have two questions or concerns . . .

First - why are we so endlessly and hopelessly fixated on celebrities? Why has the celebrity become the new hero for us? And what does that say about who we are?

Second - why has this secular (and pretty trite) reality moved in to the church the way it has? Perhaps not to the extent it is in the secular world, but we are pretty smitten by our own celebrity superstars. Pull your bible out and take a look at 1 Corinthians 26-31 and think about what it says. 

Third - how has this subtly affected us personally. I wonder (I am only asking the question) if many of us would prefer to look good than to be good, especially if to be good requires rigorous, hard work, suffering and sacrifice.  (Bob - can I see what is behind door number two?) Let's face it. We live in a world where image is everything and substance is less than it use to be.

Just some thoughts . . .

I think I'll go hit the gym for awhile and then sit outside and get some tan. 

Brian Rice

Leadership ConneXtions International

Lower Your Adrenaline and Lower Your Stress

I remember when I first read Hart's book, Adrenaline and Stress, several years ago. I thought, "I'm in big trouble." High adrenaline means high stress. High stress that is sustained over long periods of time means more health problems. Here are some suggestions from Hart to help lower your adrenaline levels.

ONE:  Deliberately choose to slow down when you feel rushed. Just go slower. Drive slower, walk slower, talk slower. Slow down.

TWO:  Plan ahead for those times that are "peak demand" times. When you fail to plan, "pseudo" emergencies are much more frequent.  When you are busy, pseudo emergencies seem to be more frequent.

THREE:  Plan some down time, power down time every day.

FOUR:  As soon as you are aware that you are angry, calm down and let it go.  The negative emotion of anger boosts adrenaline.

FIVE:  Develop conflict resolution skills to lower adrenaline. 

SIX:  Avoid angry people. Their anger is contagious. 

SEVEN:  Learn healthy assertiveness. If you can't assert yourself in healthy ways, you will start to feel the adrenaline surge of fight or flight in times of conflict.

EIGHT:  Plan for recovery time after periods of intense activity.

NINE:  Practice slow breathing several times a day.

Hart believes that our high adrenaline lifestyle works against the experience and enjoyment of happiness. Odd isn't it. We think the adrenaline rush of thrilling activities is how we will be happy. Even though it seems counter-intuitive, the exact opposite is true. Lower adrenaline levels are the way to happiness.

Brian Rice

Leadership ConneXtions International

The Future of Work (May 25, 2009 Time, Cover Article)

Hey, it may be too late to get this at the newstands, but this was a good article. Here are the top ten changes (without much explanation) that are already taking place that do and will affect how you do work.

1. High tech jobs and high touch jobs are where the job growth will be. 

2. There will be renewed focus on ethical, moral management and leadership. Management is going to have to learn how to behave with integrity.

3. Perks are changing . . . they are going to be less and less and the worker will bear more and more of the burden of cost.

4. The concept of climbing the corporate ladder is morphing. The Time article used the language of lattice work. Moving sideways and not just moving upward.

5. The baby boomers ARE NOT going to retire the way they thought they would. The boomers are going to have to work longer and harder than they thought. But the presence of older workers in the workforce will have positive benefits.

6. Woman are going to have a growing role in the world of business and they will not lead as men do, but will have the ability to lead with their own voice.  And the Time article spoke very positively about the leadership tendencies of woman as opposed to men. 

7. Green jobs are going to increase.

8. Gen X is going to be running the show  . . . and the Boomers are going to have to figure out what to do about it.  In 2019 the Gen X generation will be in charge.

9. Yes, America will still make stuff. Projections see a 15% increase in manufacturing jobs in the USA in the next five years.

10. Cubicle Nation is coming to an end (what will Dilbert become, not to mention the Office?). Outsourcing will become a way of life.

Here is the lead in paragraph from the Time Article that sums up much of the top ten list.

Ten years ago, Facebook didn't exist. Ten years before that, we didn't have the Web. So who knows what jobs will be born a decade from now? Though unemployment is at a 25-year high, work will eventually return. But it won't look the same. No one is going to pay you just to show up.  We will see a more flexible, more freelance, more collaborative and far less secure work world. It will be run by a generation with new values -- and women will increasingly be at the controls.

And the top five growth states for jobs are, in order:  Texas, New Mexico, Florida, Nevada and Georgia. 

The bottom five are:  Michigan, Ohio, Vermont, Connecticut, and Wisconsin.

It will be real interesting to discover what this means for the church and those who work for the church and mission.

Brian Rice

Leadership ConneXtions International

The 1%

In the book, Citizen Marketers by McConnell and Huba they talk about the 1% "rule" that is indicative of how the world of the internet is working.

In just about every internet community, only 1% of the people are the givers.  For example:

Wikipedia - 1% of the users write and edit articles . . . the 99% just read them.

Microsoft Channel 9 Website has 4.5 million visitors per month. Only 1% make comments.

The same percentage holds true for Digg, Reddit and YouTube.

1% of all blog readers are also blog writers.

1% of the audience who listens to talk show hosts ever make a call.

Hmmm...  talk about a spectator world.

Are you in the 1%?

Brian Rice

Leadership ConneXtions International

Influence (Some More Resources)

Influence is in the news.

Time Magazine just published their list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

And I just got my Fast Company issue which has their list of the 100 most creative influencers in the world of business.  This is a great issue to get. I assume it is at the newstands now.  Or check out their website. It may not be posted yet.

And here is a PDF resource from Ravi Zacharias International Ministry. I received it as a Slice of Infinity. It was so good, I wanted to make it available for you to read.

Download Influence Slice of Infinity

Leadership is certainly more than influence, but it is never less than influence.

Brian Rice

Leadership ConneXtions International

Slowly (or not so slowly) losing ground in the USA

The decline and drift and deterioration of the Christian faith in America continues. It is not a landslide, all at once thing. But the gradual creep continues.

Here is chart/graph to help you see what is going on in American Christianity.

Pew Forum: Graphs of Faith in Flux.

And here is a link to an older post from sometime back that has a chart. When you go there, click on the link to see the graph that is relevant.

Here is a post from some time back on the decline of the Christian faith in America.

Obviously, this post is not analyzing why the decline/drift is taking place, just providing some of the statistical summaries that show it is happening.

Brian Rice

Leadership ConneXtions international