Weather vane leaders

There are unfortunately too many of them: leaders whose direction is determined by which way the wind is blowing rather than from an internal conviction. It is a posture of fear (I don't want to go where others are not going) and of perceived popularity (If I go where others are going I will be considered a good leader). Whatever the motivation, both are deeply harmful and confusing to the organization and staff.

Many church leaders are weather vanes. They seek to perceive where the people are and then advocate for that position. Of course this ignores the fact that most people will opt for the comfortable rather than the missional. The word for church leaders is often Shepherd. Shepherds don't follow the flock, they lead the flock. If all you do is follow the flock of sheep you will wander forever without a destination - the fate of many churches.

Weather vane leaders lead out of insecurity rather than personal conviction. This creates chaos for staff as the direction can change without waning. Those changes of direction can also be caused by leaders who chase the latest trend or strategy in the ministry world. It all adds up to confusion and unstable leadership.

We often confuse representative government with church leadership. Now certainly church leaders cannot move in directions that people will not follow. The definition of a leader is that they have people following. However, church leaders are tasked with helping their people move in directions that will fulfill God's plan for the church rather than our plans or our comfort zones. This is not always the popular direction and it is usually not the comfortable direction. Weather vane leaders are unable to do the hard or uncomfortable thing even when it is in the best interests of their people.

Reminder. My new book, Deep Influence: Unseen Practices That Will Revolutionize Your Leadership, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.

Four kinds of people that are helpful in meetings

Think about meetings that are highly effective. They probably have four kinds of people in them which make for robust dialogue, getting to solutions, clarifying issues and developing strategy. Here are four kinds of people that it is helpful to have in a productive meeting.

The Clarifier. 
Much of what is discussed in senior meetings is complex. The individual with a clarity gift is able to quickly synthesize the question at hand as well as potential solutions. They simplify complexity and clarify issues and solutions. Having a member with the gift of clarity can push through confusion and save significant meeting time.

The Questioner.
This individual asks a lot of questions. Not obnoxiously but they do so to get to the heart of the issue and ensure that everyone understands the nature of the issues under discussion. They may also ask contrarian questions - questioning conventional wisdom that is always conventional and often not wisdom.

The Processor.
This is the individual who has the ability to develop processes for potential solutions. It is one thing to know what you want to do, it is a different thing to know how to go about it. Those with the gift of process help the group quickly identify the necessary steps toward implementation.

The Strategist.
This individual has the gift of developing an overall strategy to achieve a certain goal. This is the gift of taking complexity and developing a workable strategy. This is the macro level plan while the processor helps develop the micro level process.

Meetings that seem to go nowhere, circle back to the same issues repeatedly, have trouble coming to decisions and are generally ineffective are probably lacking these four individuals necessary to move forward.

All of T.J. Addington's books including his latest, Deep Influence,  are available from the author for the lowest prices and a $2.00 per book discount on orders of ten or more.

Ebola update

Ebola has struck fear in the hearts of many in Africa leaving many victims helpless. But like the early church when outbreaks of the plague came, it is Christians who are often the ones caring for the sick, ministering to the families of those impacted and burying the dead. This includes partners of ReachGlobal and members of ReachAfrica who minister in Ebola infected regions.

As you hear Ebola updates I would encourage you to pray first that a treatment would be found, for the sick who are struggling for their lives and for the believers and medical staff who are faithfully ministering to the sick. Pray also for a receptiveness to the gospel by those being ministered to. Nothing happens in our world, good or bad, that does not first pass by the hand of God and which He does not use to build His church.

The following video update is instructive on the challenges of dealing with Ebola.

All of T.J. Addington's books including his latest, Deep Influence,  are available from the author for the lowest prices and a $2.00 per book discount on orders of ten or more.

Deep Influence is now available for pre-ordering on Amazon

My new book, Deep Influence: Unseen Practices that will Revolutionize Your Leadership, published by NavPress is now available for pre-order on Amazon.

Too much attention is paid to leadership techniques and far too little to the kind of heart and mind from which the best leadership emanates. The path to truly influential leadership is found in the discipline of practices hidden from the public eye that deeply inform our public leadership. Our convictions, our call, our understanding of ourselves and heart commitments are where it all begins. Character, courage, wisdom, integrity, humility, spiritual depth, endurance, perseverance, kindness, and vision all come from a place deep inside our hearts and souls—the hidden interior and recesses of our lives, whose channels lead to deep veins of God’s work and molding.

From Chapter One of Deep Influence

"I've been a fan of TJ Addington for a long time.  I'm a wiser and better leader because of his writings. But Deep Influence is his most important contribution yet. Every young leader will gain decades of leadership wisdom forged in the painful trenches of reality. Veteran leaders will be inspired to finish strong."

Gene Appel, Senior Pastor

Eastside Christian Church

Anaheim, CA

"We get formed from the outside-in,  but we lead from the inside-out.  Tim Addington explains this process with clarity and conviction.  In a age of superficiality, he'll will guide you to the deeper places of influence and change."

John Ortberg, Senior Pastor

Menlo Park Presbyterian Church

Menlo Park, CA

“My friend T.J. Addington is a wise leadership guru and Deep Influence is his profoundest book on the subject! A seasoned reflective-practitioner, TJ masterfully tackles the most challenging terrain of leadership – the inner life of the leader – along with the empowering practices he or she must cultivate. Few books effectively deal with leadership from the inside out. This is one of the best!”

Edmund Chan

Leadership Mentor, Covenant EFC

Founder, Global Alliance of Intentional Disciplemaking Churches

"Deep Influence draws an effective map for exploring the inner life so often neglected by today’s image conscious leader. TJ’s emphasis on personal integrity, authenticity and emotional intelligence offers a healthy antidote to the toxic influence of every leader’s shadow side. His practical, personal counsel encourages, challenges and inspires every leader to pursue the slower, more intentional, inside-out path to deeper, lasting impact in ministry." 

Russ Kinkade, Psy.D., Psychologist, Executive VP Shepherds Ministries

"If you are not yet convinced that the most difficult challenge you will face as a leader is in “self-leadership,” then read Deep Influence. My dear friend, T.J. Addington sharpened his ministry leadership out of the depths of life-experience even God granted and grew him into a major leadership role for the global church. Deepened by a vital spiritual relationship with God, he enriches fellow-leaders with practical wisdom towards deep influence for God’s purposes."

Ramesh Richard Th.D., Ph.D.,

President, RREACH/Professor, Dallas Seminary

Founder, Trainers of Pastors International 

"Deep Influence, every chapter, was a deep dive into my motives, methods, mind, mission calling, leadership style and relationships which brought me to a place of unexpected unconventional light, revealing a clear fresh exciting perspective to press forward. T.J. humbly said it well, “Depth matters” as he carefully and biblically aimed at my life through the person of Jesus Christ and hit my inner target - the sanctum of my heart.  This book is a transparent transformational leadership mirror which leads to intentional joy and freedom, where Ephesians 2:10 came alive - in me - and it will in you."

Doug Fagerstrom, D.Min, Senior Vice President of Converge and author of The Ministry Staff Member (Zondervan) and The Volunteer (BMH) 

This characteristic is a sign of those closely connected to Jesus

It is joy! One only has to check the use of words like joy, gladness and thanksgiving to realize that this is a mark of one close to Christ. It is an inner delight, satisfaction and happiness that is centered on our relationship with Jesus. In His High Priestly prayer in John 17:13, Jesus says this: “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them." Joy is also one of the fruits of the Spirit!

This is not a joy based on circumstances in our lives which change regularly. Rather it is a joy based on relationship with Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is an ongoing posture toward life grounded in the person of Christ who is the source of our joy. No circumstance can rob us of Him (Romans 8) and thus no situation can rob us of His joy.

Why do many believers not experience this ongoing joy in their lives? Simply, they do not stay close to the source of the joy - Jesus. The closer we stay to the source, the more joy we experience. It is also a matter of our focus. I can focus on all the challenges I face, or I can choose to focus on the blessings I have. Living with thanksgiving moves us toward joy, appreciation for the gifts God gives and most important of all gives us the faith that He will continue to be faithful in our lives. 

I desire to have the full measure of Christ's joy (John 17:13). Think about that statement - the full measure of His joy! What a way to live and what a gift from Him. We all choose our posture toward life. This choice changes the life equation.

All of T.J. Addington's books including his latest, Deep Influence,  are available from the author for the lowest prices and a $2.00 per book discount on orders of ten or more.

Leadership and forgiveness

The ability to forgive and not hold grudges is one of the fundamental requirements of leaders. Leaders are targets of ready criticism, of those who dislike their style or in the case of pastors take issue with their theology, preaching or decisions made. There is no shortage of opportunities for leaders to need to forgive.

When we don't, we often become cynical of people, develop inner mistrust, hold anger beneath the surface and categorize people according to how they treat us. None of which are healthy responses. And if we think we are victims of too much criticism think of Paul or Jesus. They had need to forgive regularly.

Ironically, in a leadership role, the more we forgive the happier we are and the more free we are with people. They target us, we keep close accounts and are able to move on. They may hold their hostility or issues but we must not. This is not about ignoring  bad behavior but it is about not living in the prison of unforgiveness.

Thus forgiveness is a necessary skill for every good leader. It's exercise leads to humility while its absence leads to a hard arrogance. Something for all leaders to consider.

All of T.J. Addington's books including his latest, Deep Influence,  are available from the author for the lowest prices and a $2.00 per book discount on orders of ten or more.

Signs of a toxic ministry leader

Yes, they do exist, and in too many places. Ministry is a place where almost anyone who has some skill can set themselves up for leadership in some manner. And in ministry, we often seem to give toxic leaders a pass because they preach well or because in the name of "grace" we are afraid to call them on what is candidly just bad behavior.

Here are some signs of toxicity in ministry leaders. Toxicity is about an ongoing pattern of behavior that is abusive, disempowering, and violates the Biblical standards of those who are called into Christian leadership (elders and deacons). 

• A pattern of treating people poorly, using them for their own purposes and marginalizing or demonizing those who disagree with them. Toxic leaders leave a trail of bodies in their wake - hurt and wounded.
• An inability to apologize or wrongs committed, an inability to admit poor behavior and an unwillingness to ask forgiveness or seek reconciliation. In conflict, it is always the other person who was in the wrong.
• A pattern of anger, abusive words or threats that create a culture of fear and intimidation where people are afraid to speak their minds and when they do are marginalized.
• A pattern of narcissistic behavior where the leader needs to be right, does not like when people challenge him, is defensive and demeans those who disagree with him. Arrogance rather than humility is the operative word and attitude.
• A pattern of skating ethical edges.
• A pattern of unaccountability. They insist that people are accountable to them but are essentially unaccountable themselves. Often this means living by different rules and standards than are demanded of others.
• A lack of grace in dealing with those around them, especially staff.
• A pattern where words (and messages) do not match the leaders behavior behind the scenes. 
• A pattern of dishonesty which is necessary for toxic leaders who either lie about what happened when confronted or skew the truth significantly (untruth) to make them appear to be in the right and the other in the wrong.
• When confronted, they portray themselves as the victim rather as one who needs to take responsibility. Even apologies, when given are skewed to paint themselves as the one aggrieved.
• There is a lack of personal and ministry transparency.

I was once in a meeting with a pastor who exhibited many of these behaviors. We were attempting a reconciliation with a staff member he had mistreated and then fired. When I suggested that his behaviors would not have been tolerated in the organization I lead he said, "I didn't do to him anything that he didn't do to me." As if that was justification. 

In another instance I spent two hours with a ministry leader whose behaviors fit these patterns and he spent the entire evening recounting how every issue his leaders had talked to him about were someone else's problem. Not once in two hours did he take any personal responsibility for any of his own behavior. It was all about him.

Grace does not give leaders a pass for behavior that is outside the biblical norms for what is expected of a Christian leader. In my experience in church consulting the harm that is done by toxic leaders is very great and leaves a terrific amount of pain and anguish in its wake. 

It is one thing for people to suffer pain from those who don't know Jesus but when the perpetrator is a Christian leader it is even more deeply painful and disillusioning.  I have interviewed many such individuals and it will be years before they are whole again. After all they suffered from one who represented himself as an undershepherd of Jesus. 

I don't care how good a preacher one is, how brilliant a strategist or how big an organization one can grow. If our behaviors are not consistent with our message and the One we serve, we should not be leading - or allow others who are toxic to lead. This is a significant blind spot in the church today.

All of T.J. Addington's books including his latest, Deep Influence,  are available from the author for the lowest prices and a $2.00 per book discount on orders of ten or more.