Leadership Journey With Bill Search: Recent Episodes
Bill Search | Lumivoz
Take your leadership to the next level with Bill Search. Looking at real world problems and offering practical solutions, Bill brings a biblical approach to leadership for a new generation.
Leadership Journey is a Lumivoz podcast.
For more information on Ruth Haley Barton check out her website at https://www.ruthhaleybarton.com/ and learn more about the Transforming Center at https://transformingcenter.org/
Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest: From Sabbath to Sabbatical and Back Again
Early Release from IV Press: https://www.ivpress.com/embracing-rhythms-of-work-and-rest
Amazon (Oct 11): https://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Rhythms-Work-Rest-Sabbatical/dp/1514002639
This episode really just took a surface level look at Sabbath and barely even introduced the topic of sabbatical. If you want to go deeper, check out Ruth Haley Barton's book, Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest by winning a copy from us or by purchasing an early release copy directly from Intervarsity Press. Or you can wait for the regular release in October and buy it from Amazon.
We will be giving out a pair of the books and their are two different ways to enter. We will choose the winners via a random drawing on September 7th. The first method of entering is to leave a review for this podcast on your podcast player of choice. It doesn't even have to be a good review, it can be any review. Just take a screenshot of your review and send it to me at info@lumivoz.com
The second method is to find lumivoz on Facebook and leave a comment on the contest post with your favorite or best sabbath tip.
You can enter both ways and as many times as you link in order to win. Good luck! I can't wait to talk with you on the next 5th Wednesday!
Join Bill Search as he digs into Leadership Lessons with John Ortberg. They cover a lot of ground including:
- John Ortberg's legacy
- The difference between being a mentor and a mentee
- Advice that John has received from some of the best leaders of our generation
Check it out and don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!
Show Notes:
The Art of Gathering: How we meet and why it matters by Priya Parker
The Essential Guide for Small Group Leaders by Bill Search
Why does a group get tired?
•Leader begins to coast
•Meeting becomes routine
•Relationships hit a plateau
•Purpose is lost
#1 Leader Coasting
Am I practicing “Generous Authority”?
– [Priya Parker]
“’Chill’ is selfishness disguised as kindness.”
- Priya Parker
Generous Authority Serves others by:
1.Protecting group members
2.Equalizing group members
3.Inter-Connecting group members
We practice Generous Authority by:1.Practicing good MANNERS in the group
2.Reminding all of the “RULES”
3.Encourage “Sprout” Speeches not “Stump” Speeches
Now What?
1. Re-affirm Covenant
- Have tough conversations
- Re-up as the leader or get out
- Share Leadership
#2 Meeting Routine
“The room is doing 80% of the job” – Jerry Seinfeld
Venue Matters
1.The space should be a symbol of reason for meeting
2.The space should bring out desired behaviors and discourage those you don’t
3.Consider density
Format Matters
1.Mix it up
2.Curtail the dull parts
3.Try different curriculum
Now What?
1. Rotate Hosting
- Share testimony
- Serve together
- Choose an unlikely meeting place
#3 Relationships Plateaued
Why does this happen?
1.We stop being curious about others
2.We decide how far we will go relationally
3.Potential conflict zones are avoided
4.We don’t feel safe
What can you do about it?
1.Don’t avoid the awkward – embrace it
2.Utilize GOOD ice-breakers
3.Encourage people to share what no one in the group would guess/ know about them
4.Talk about the forbidden subjects of politics, sex, and religion
5.Don’t stop conflict but guide it
6.Navigate underlying conflicts
Now What?
1. Split by gender
- Subgroup for prayer
- Retreat
- Day trip, local restaurants, or local tourism
#4 Lost Purpose
“A good gathering purpose should be ‘disputable’”
– The Art of Gathering by Parker
Start by asking “WHY are we meeting?”
1.First, ask the church leadership
2.Reverse engineer current meeting
and compare to stated goal
3.Who is this for?
Second ask “Why are WE meeting?”
1.Is our goal the same as the leadership’s goal?
2.Do we have a different goal?
Third, re-state and re-affirm your purpose
1.Discuss the purpose as a group
2.Arrive at consensus
3.Everyone has to re-up
That didn’t work. Now what?
How to End Your Group
(Page 87, Essential Guide for Small Group Leaders)
1.Understand all groups come to a natural end
2.Get input from group members
3.Ask everyone to make a personal plan
4.Plan a final meeting and put it on the calendar
5.End the group in a prayer circle
6.Don’t forget to tell your pastor or small group coach that your group has ended
Recommended Resources:
Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
The Art of Gathering By Parker
Essential Guide for Small Group Leaders by Search Questions?
Show Notes:
The Art of Gathering: How we meet and why it matters by Priya Parker
The Essential Guide for Small Group Leaders by Bill Search
Why does a group get tired?
•Leader begins to coast
•Meeting becomes routine
•Relationships hit a plateau
•Purpose is lost
#1 Leader Coasting
Am I practicing “Generous Authority”?
– [Priya Parker]
“’Chill’ is selfishness disguised as kindness.”
- Priya Parker
Generous Authority Serves others by:
1.Protecting group members
2.Equalizing group members
3.Inter-Connecting group members
We practice Generous Authority by:1.Practicing good MANNERS in the group
2.Reminding all of the “RULES”
3.Encourage “Sprout” Speeches not “Stump” Speeches
Now What?
1. Re-affirm Covenant
- Have tough conversations
- Re-up as the leader or get out
- Share Leadership
#2 Meeting Routine
“The room is doing 80% of the job” – Jerry Seinfeld
Venue Matters
1.The space should be a symbol of reason for meeting
2.The space should bring out desired behaviors and discourage those you don’t
3.Consider density
Format Matters
1.Mix it up
2.Curtail the dull parts
3.Try different curriculum
Now What?
1. Rotate Hosting
- Share testimony
- Serve together
- Choose an unlikely meeting place
#3 Relationships Plateaued
Why does this happen?
1.We stop being curious about others
2.We decide how far we will go relationally
3.Potential conflict zones are avoided
4.We don’t feel safe
What can you do about it?
1.Don’t avoid the awkward – embrace it
2.Utilize GOOD ice-breakers
3.Encourage people to share what no one in the group would guess/ know about them
4.Talk about the forbidden subjects of politics, sex, and religion
5.Don’t stop conflict but guide it
6.Navigate underlying conflicts
Now What?
1. Split by gender
- Subgroup for prayer
- Retreat
- Day trip, local restaurants, or local tourism
#4 Lost Purpose
“A good gathering purpose should be ‘disputable’”
– The Art of Gathering by Parker
Start by asking “WHY are we meeting?”
1.First, ask the church leadership
2.Reverse engineer current meeting
and compare to stated goal
3.Who is this for?
Second ask “Why are WE meeting?”
1.Is our goal the same as the leadership’s goal?
2.Do we have a different goal?
Third, re-state and re-affirm your purpose
1.Discuss the purpose as a group
2.Arrive at consensus
3.Everyone has to re-up
That didn’t work. Now what?
How to End Your Group
(Page 87, Essential Guide for Small Group Leaders)
1.Understand all groups come to a natural end
2.Get input from group members
3.Ask everyone to make a personal plan
4.Plan a final meeting and put it on the calendar
5.End the group in a prayer circle
6.Don’t forget to tell your pastor or small group coach that your group has ended
Recommended Resources:
Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
The Art of Gathering By Parker
Essential Guide for Small Group Leaders by Search Questions?
Bill Search goes into the basics on small group ministry and leading groups, churches, and more from a personal and biblical perspective. This is a commonsense reminder episode on what it takes to connect in a meaningful way with your people.