Leadership Training

For several years I have been working on a training program to use within our ARC churches. The thought was to find a way to train young men and women in leadership while they stay in their locations and ministries. Following was the start.

Theology (possible using web conferencing)
Mentoring (using local pastor)
Seminars (using web conferencing)
Evaluation (written and verbal)
Individual Readings
Ministry Experience (in their local church/area)
Face to Face Intensive (two weeks each summer at Grace Fellowship)

Now I find myself registered for a training class on something called ConneXions. Check it out at www.leadersource.org. Pretty good stuff. They have sent two books and some other reading materials to consume BEFORE the training (I have too many books going right now!).

Having read some of the material, I'm beginning to re-think my plan, a little. Perhaps a one year regional session where the trainees could stay in touch with a local church and be involved in the church would be a good idea. Their training could revolve around the family of that church and the town (city) they live in for the year.

I guess I will keep reading and thinking and praying. The course has some good stuff - like the 5C's. Christ, Community, Call, Character, and Competency.

The Weekend

On Friday and Saturday 31 leaders from the ARC came together for a retreat. This was a mens only retreat. What a great time. Ages went from 16 to 80. We had a bunch in the twenties. It is so good to see young men picking up the mantle of leadership.

Friday night was more of a "get to know you time." We were in groups of 4 or 5 and shared on our greatest challenge of the year (definitely finances for me) and our greatest joy (I left out family because they are always joy and shared the joy of working with young pastors). We had a brief time of worship and then the games came out. Ping-Pong, Risk, and settlers of Catan. I crashed a little early while some went till 3-ish.

Saturday we focused on Rev 2:1-7 and three little words: remember, repent, and repeat. You ought to take some time and read that Scripture and consider it for awhile. What a great church Ephesus was and yet...they had fallen. They had left their first love. Ouch. Well we spent the day on these three words. Good day.

The retreat was at WideWater Retreat Center in Liberty OH and was very nice. The cap was steak and potatoes for dinner Saturday.

Now it is back to work and preparation for Findlay this weekend and MMC next weekend. Also have a class in Elkart, IN that just sent two books that have to be read before. Ah life. Have a great day.

Shall we dance?

I've been re-reading a series of books called THE WHEEL OF TIME by Robert Jordan. Jordan passed away before he finished the last (of 12) books. Having left enough notes it is being finished by someone else and is to be publish this month or next. In preparation of reading it I thought I would go back and read the 11 books that precede it--yes, I like to read. In the books one of the nations talks of battles as "dancing."

Because doing this blog has been a battle - that I have been losing - I thought I would title this one along those lines. I would like to begin to be more regular in posting on this site. Why?

I think I have a few things that might help some people on their journey of life. For 61 years I have enjoyed the adventure of being a follower of Jesus. As with any adventure, there have been some incredible painful times, wounded times, depressing times, and questioning times. However, it would all be meaningless if it were not balance by times of great confidence and joy. In the path I have chosen I have found a friend who has never left me (hence the title of the blog) and has always been faithful, even when I have wavered.

Jesus has ever been an encourager and a friend through these many years.