Team Dynamics

By Charles Scott
Leaders must build strong teams. The manner in which this is done will determine the success or failure of the organization and the leader.

Concepts about teams that are failing:

1. Those in leadership are shielded from the truth and the facts.
2. Fear rules the action.
3. Criticism is muffled.
4. Strong opinions are given without supporting data, evidence or solid facts.
5. Leaders avoid asking questions.
6. Unsupported opinions are allowed to control action.
7. Team members refuse to debate the issue as a team but rather talk about it after the fact.
8. Team members pledge support of the action but undermine it afterwards.

Concepts about teams moving forward:

1. Grim facts are openly discussed.
2. Leaders never criticize open debate and discussion.
3. Arguments are never based on opinion or emotion but facts.
4. The team leader uses a Socratic style.
5. Questions are used to push for deeper insight.
6. Team members unify behind the decision.
7. Team members give credit to others for the overall success of the team.
8. Team members are willing to debate in order to discover the best answers to support the organizational causes.
9. The team refuses to place blame but uses failures as opportunities to learn.
10. Team members are committed to excellence.

Managing a Stagnate Company/Church

By Charles Scott
A recent article in Business Week gave the reflections of two senior executives and the lessons they learned in managing companies who were stagnating. These comments have great insight for leaders, even leaders in the Church.

Daniel H. Mudd, CEO of Fannie Mae:
“I’ve learned to be more humble and try to distinguish problems that are fixable from those that are not.”

Some vital lessons from this quote:

• Leaders must constantly guard against pride.
• Success can become the worst enemy for leaders.
• Leaders have blind spots. Great leaders surround themselves with people who care enough about the mission to help leaders see these blind areas.
• Some things cannot be fixed or solved. Mature leaders accept this and put their energy where they can be the most effective.
• Leaders must learn to deal with failure. Failure is part of leadership.

“I regret the couple of cases where we started with the outcome we needed instead of starting with the principle.”

Some vital lessons from this quote:

• Leaders can focus so much on results they forget integrity.
• Leaders must identify the core principles before working on projects.
• If leaders do not understand the principle no one else will.
• The most important task for leaders is to keep the organization focused and operating on principles.

Gregory Q. Brown, Co-Chief Executive for Motorola:
“We thought we knew what was best for customers, as opposed to listening in an unfiltered and unemotional ways to what customers were telling us.” Some vital lessons from this quote:

• Leaders must not fall into the trap of believing they have all the answers.
• People will praise leaders when they are successful and this can provide a false sense of security.
• Emotions can be dangerous for leaders. Emotions can taint a leader’s view.
• Leaders must remain in contact with the true needs of the people.

“We have to be more vigilant about ensuring that there is a healthy level of candour and transparency throughout the organization.”

• A leaders’ work is never done.
• Free-flowing healthy communication is the most important asset for leaders.
• Communication must flow inward and outward, not in one dimension.
• Miscommunication is a form of communication.

Notes from the Family Research Council's Watchmen on the Wall Conference

By Charles Scott
This past week our family has been privileged to attend the Family Research Council conference in Washington D.C. While here we were also blessed to minister to our Eastern Division Hispanic churches under the leadership of Bishop Leo Tirado. Bishop Tirado also gave us the honor to minister to the local church he pastors in Hyattsville, Maryland. The spiritual health of PCG Hispanic churches in the East is strong and there is a great harvest field within the Hispanic community. Please join with our family and pray that the Lord will send workers into this area of ministry.

We took a day off to celebrate the 19th birthday of our daughter, Michelle and enjoyed the many tourist sites and opportunities in the area. Of course we also had to make time to take in a base-ball game and mark another park off the old bucket list!

The conference itself was a real time of hearing from the Holy Spirit. Being in DC increases the already heavy burden on my heart for our nation. We are in a battle for the very existence of our nation! The Church as a whole is absent from engaging in the war being fought in the culture for the soul of this nation.

A synopsis is provided below of the highlights of this conference and relevant speaking points to the PCG. The greatest explanation that can be given to the overall experience is found in this question, “What is it going to take to wake up Christians and mobilize the Church to be the salt and light for this generation?” Jesus said in Matthew 5:13 and 14 that we are the salt and the light. He also said that salt can become good for nothing and light can be hidden. It is time for the PCG to shake up, speak out and shine forth. We must choose to act now while we have the opportunity. It could be our last.

Family Research Council
Watchmen on the Wall
The following is a summary of the recent “Watchmen on the Wall” conference held in Washington DC May 20 – 22.

May 20:

Capital Tour – Janice and I experienced a wonderful evening at the Nation’s Capital with a tour that emphasized the Christian heritage of our founding fathers. It is breath-taking to stand in the Capital and reflect on the history and legacy of our nation. Our guide told of how that during Thomas Jefferson’ tenure as President, every Sunday there were three worship services occurring simultaneously in the Capital. Our founding fathers did not advocate the separation of Church and State as the media reports today; the founding fathers advocated that the government did not have the authority to control or restrict religious freedom in any manner whatsoever. This is a major difference from the interpretation of the Supreme Court and the modern education system teachings.

Family Research Council – We were treated to a tour of FRC’s headquarters which is located just a few blocks from the Capital.

May 21:

Prayer and Worship – The morning began early with prayer followed by the melodic voice of Charles Billingsley leading the conference in worship. Billingsley is the worship leader at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Senator Jim Dement – The first speaker for the day was Dement, the Republican Senator from South Carolina. His remarks were brief and pointed toward the need for Christian involvement in government. He took a stand for his Christian values and cited how prayer guides his life.

Panel Discussion – A panel discussion followed which addressed the ethics in our society regarding family values and religion.

Dr. Ergun Caner – A seminary professor at Liberty Theological Seminary, Caner was a highlight of the conference. His remarks centered on how radical Islam uses threats to silence the Body of Christ. A converted Muslim, Caner displayed a passion for Jesus Christ and boldly challenged the pastors and leaders to refuse to cower to the intimidating threats of Islam. Caner also boldly compared the devotion of Muslims to the passive Christianity he sees in the United States.

Wellington Boone – Boone is a pastor from Norcross, Georgia. His presentation centered on the dire need for pastors to address the culture in their sermons. Boone spoke on the difference between instructors and fathers. He also said, “Until your money is spent for the cause of Christ, it has no redemptive value.”

Congressman Roy Blunt – Janice, Michelle and I had the privilege to meet Representative Roy Blunt from Missouri. Congressman Blunt is a devoted Christian leader and former president of Southwest Baptist University. He showed real interest in the PCG and treated us royally. He spoke to us on the urgency to activate Christians on the frontlines of the cultural issues in America. He said, “Make no mistake that our nation is at war and the war is a cultural war.”

Prayer Walk – The remainder of the afternoon was spent in a prayer walk as attendees were strategically placed around the city to pray for our nation, our leaders and an awakening in America.

Bishop Harry Jackson – Our spirits were enriched by the ministry of Bishop Jackson as he ministered on the thought, “The Church: United and Unstoppable.” His thought centered on the loss of the prophetic voice of the Church in this culture.

May 22:

Dr. Ken Ham – Perhaps the highlight of the conference was Dr. Ham as he pointed out that the Church has mistakenly focused its’ efforts on the symptoms of the cultural issues instead of the root cause. Ham explained that such things as same sex marriage, abortion, stem cell research and right-to-life issues are important; they are only symptoms of the problem and not the problem itself. Ham reminded us that the problem is the heart of man is wicked and must be regenerated and that is the role of the Church.

Robert Stearns – Robert has become a dear friend to our family and he touched the hearts of all present as he ministered on prayer. He related three stories from his life that exemplified how the Church is called by Jesus a “House of prayer.” The challenge was strongly declared that Church is not entertainment, not preaching, not worship: it is a House of Prayer.

Miles McPherson – McPherson is a former NFL player who pastors in the San Diego area. He testified of how his congregation has been active in the recent debate in California over same-sex marriage. His thesis was on the consideration of how the pastor impacts public policy through preaching. He mentioned Ezekiel spent a large number of days with the people before he began his ministry as did Nehemiah. He explained that much preaching is not relevant because the pastor has not spent enough time among the people to fully understand their needs and challenges.

Larry Stockstill – Stockstill taught on team building and processes surrounding teamwork. He stressed how strong churches must have leaders who can commit them-selves to building strong teams. His points were:

• Leaders must multiply themselves.
• Leaders should only select people who are pursuing them.
• Let them bring someone to the team with them.
• Leaders minister to their team.
• Look for deep inner character not necessarily a success track record.
• Leaders rely on the Holy Spirit for their team; a team is a miracle.

Anne Graham Lotz – The daughter of Billy Graham, Lotz spoke on “A Wake-up Call for Your Heart.” She asked, “How much longer is the American Church going to ignore the alarms?” She also emphasized that the results are not up to us but it is our duty to faithfully proclaim the truth regardless of popularity. She used the prophets as examples of those who were faithful to the truth even when Israel (or Judah) did not repent. She declared that America may not repent but the Church must speak the truth.

Henry Blackaby – I personally missed Blackaby due to an urgent matter but Janice’s notes showed that he closed the conference on issuing a commission that those present, “Be the shepherd and the spokesman of God to the people.” The message we share must focus on four points: The power of the Cross, The power of the Resurrection, The power of Pentecost and The power of Prayer.

We are very grateful for the privilege to represent you at this very important meeting.

What Do You Think About Discipleship Ministries?

By Charles Scott
For a number of years, our Discipleship Ministries department has had little to no significant impact on our districts and churches. It has mostly existed to produce Sunday School literature.

At the same time, the PCG has had no effective discipleship strategy.

It's time for a change.

I believe discipleship is not just a department. Discipleship is the Great Commission. It is every believer’s mission.

We must get back to the task of winning people to Jesus and making disciples.

This June, the Discipleship Ministries Board will be asked to develop a sound spiritual strategy for this vital mission that must be communicated and resourced throughout the PCG.

The Discipleship Ministries board and I would appreciate your thoughts and input. Please post comments to this blog article, and then check back from time to time to see what others are saying.

Here are some starter questions:

1. What should discipleship in the PCG look like?
   
   
2. What should be the role of the national office for discipleship?
   
   
3. How can the national office resource discipleship at both the district and local levels?
   
   
4. How can this board assist the local church to become a missional church?
   
   
5. How can this board serve the PCG to establish a mentoring and coaching network in the PCG?

Judging Prophecy

By Ken Row
Paul told the Corinthians to "Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. (1 Cor 14:29)," but I've always wondered how to do that.

How can one prophet judge another's prophecy without hurting their feelings or undermining their authority?

I gained insight through a story David Cartledge included in his book The Apostolic Revolution. Cartledge repeated a story originally told by Barney Coombs:

"I was sitting with a group of men in a council meeting. The evangelist with us brought a word of prophecy. The prophet turned to me and said, 'Barney, are we allowed to judge that prophecy?' Now we were like family around this table but you could have cut the atmosphere with a knife. I said, 'Be my guest.' He said, 'I don't think it was from God.' I turned to another man who is wise and also a prophet and said, 'John, what do you feel?' 'No,' he said, 'I don't think it was from God.' Then the man who was in charge of the business and also prophetic said, 'The prophecy we have heard is not from God, but the Spirit says that so and so did not share all he saw, and when he shares all he saw, it will be from God.' I felt goosebumps up and down my spine! I turned to the evangelist and said, 'Is that true?' And he said, 'Yes.' When he shared all that he had seen, all the men said, 'This is from God.' It changed everything."