Cycles of Destruction

Posted on May 3, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, PhD

Many churches and ministries that are stagnant or in decline often follow a cycle of destruction to their death. It would be bad enough if the organization went through this cycle only once. However, beyond the realms of sanity, toxic groups seem to repeat this process time and again before facing oblivion.

The Eagle Leader will do their homework and investigate a ministry’s health and viability before attaching one’s self to it. The cycle of destruction begins with …

Unrealistic Expectations. Dying ministries have set the bar so high for the leader, that no matter what is done, it isn’t enough. Most of the complaints are simply ‘nit-picking’ by the perennially unsatisfied. Even the eagle leader fairs poorly in such a negative environment. This leads to …

Disparaging Gossip. Since these grumblers are ‘surprisingly’ upset, they think, ‘Why not share it with others, for prayer, of course.’ Each new morsel is seasoned with generous portions of fresh venom, lightly disguised. Such news needs to be shared with other ‘concerned’ members. As the negativity grows, the ministry suffers from …

Inevitable Disappointment. Whispers in the corners, phone calls and group meetings fan the flames of this downward spiral against the leader. People begin to form allegiances and soon the church or ministry reveals …

Fractious Divisions. People who love the new leader and like the new direction the ministry is taking push back. As word spreads, sides are taken. People begin to share their anger and divide the congregation even further. For the leader, this is a …

Discouraging Rejection. At the breaking point, the leader simply hands in their resignation and hopes for greener grass at the next ministry. With the leader’s departure comes the attending departure of those who had sided with him. Of course, at the ministry he has just left, this leads to …

Optimistic Restaffing. The toxic ministry takes this as a sign of hope and rapidly searches for a ‘better leader,’ someone that will understand and work to ‘grow’ the ministry, all the while not comprehending the poison of death lurks in the remaining members.

And once the new leader is chosen, it begins all over again … only to injure the new leader and the dying ministry even more. It would seem that after two or three such cycles, with the resultant shrinking of the ministry, someone – anyone – who is left would ask the really important question: “What is wrong with US?” Alas, this seldom happens. Instead, blame continues to be the medicine of choice. Soon the ministry ceases to function at all and the cause of Christ gains another black eye, since those in the local community see that Jesus was not able to keep it alive.

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A MUST Read: Money, Purpose, Joy by Matt Bell!

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Matt Bell has written a must read – must study book here! It’s subtitle, “The proven path to uncommon financial success,” explains the value of this book. Using time-tested principles from both the Bible and from secular writers, Bell shows us the importance of living out our values.

Starting from a very different location – our heart and soul – this book helps the reader answer the most important questions BEFORE they take the accounting journey one finds in almost every other resource. Harkening back to my days of elementary school, I can almost hear Matt asking us (the readers), ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ Using two very specific questions: ‘What truly matters?’ and ‘What matters most?’ Bell helps us focus on what’s really deep inside. And once these heart dreams are locked down, the rest is practical math and diligence!

Money, Purpose, Joy shows us how to reach our real desires, goals and values through practical, easy-to-understand steps. Once he helps us cement our real goals down, Bell then takes us through the process of achieving those dreams. Using humor and real life transparency, this is a book men will appreciate. Guys, don’t miss the story of Matt’s life traveling the world as a golfing magazine reporter.

Definitely a 5 out of 5 stars for this book! A MUST read and study.

You can order Matt’s book here!

You can learn more about Matt’s ministry and receive his free newsletters here!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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The Timeline of Transformation

Posted on April 26, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith


So you’ve decided to begin a new ministry in an established organization. You have high hopes that God will do wonderful things. As you unpack your things in your new office, it helps to know that in every new ministry there are five phases to the transformation process.

Phase 1: Enthusiasm and Trepidation. This is true of both the people you serve and in your heart as well. As a deacon once told me when I started at a new church as senior pastor; “Choosing a new pastor is like buying a sack of cats. You don’t know what you’re getting until you get to know them.”

As you connect to people, there are few big changes happening. Its a time of growing and learning for all involved.

Phase 2: Realization. As time passes, changes begin to appear. With each new change, individuals inside the ministry begin to make choices as well. Some will long to return to the past methods or question why you were chosen. A few will also suggest that a new leader be chosen.

While you meet some resistance, you also need to know that the reason God placed you in this new position is to bring about the transformation He so longs to see in the people you now serve. Some of your opposition will be satanic. Review Solomon’s assumption of power (1 Kings 1-2) for an understanding of the principle of consolidating your leadership quickly.  These can be difficult days unless you focus on the new leaders that God is raising up and the new excitement in the established leaders around you.

Phase 3: New Core Forms. Through your faithfulness and God’s favor, a new core of leaders begins to form. This will include the excited established leadership as well as those men and women whom God has touched and gifted to follow your vision.

The transformation of your ministry comes because some people are ‘promoted’ to glory while others leave because your vision and theirs don’t mesh. Momentum begins to happen as more people are attracted to the fresh dream of God and more trained leaders step up. This is actually the ‘tipping point’ in your ministry. It leads to the next phase.

Phase 4: Fresh Growth. Each new leader brings new spheres of activity, touching new people. With those new people come new directions. Each direction adds new excitement. This type of excitement brings new challenges … and with each new challenge comes fresh faces and new lives touched by the Spirit of God.

Such growth is electrifying. God seems to be working in so many places. Problems are overcome with more victories. Each victory brings new hope. The harvest of your faithfulness begins to overflow. Trust in your leadership continues to grow and you experience …

Phase 5: Greater Growth. Ultimately, the steps which you took to start this ministry harvest have been continued and refined, yielding even greater results. Your leadership team has grown and changed, procedures have been adapted and adopted, all resulting in valuable experience. This translates into further possibilities.

Transformation is a process of hard work and faithfulness. The eagle leader enjoys the harvest of their strategic leadership through the phases of transformation.

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Transformed Interviews Dr. W. Mark Elliott – Part 2

Posted on April 23, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

We welcome Dr. W. Mark Elliott back to Transformed today. Mark is the author of Confessions of an Insignificant Pastor. He is a veteran pastor of twenty-seven years and has served churches as small as three and as large as six thousand. Mark has ministered in twelve countries and enjoys speaking to gatherings of pastors.

Being a pastor these days is difficult. Look at these statistics:

  • Fifteen hundred pastors leave the ministry each month!
  • 80% of ministers feel unqualified and discouraged in their role as pastors.
  • 80% of new pastors will leave the ministry within their first five years!
  • 80% of pastors’ spouses wish their spouse would choose another profession and feel their ministry spouse is overworked.
  • 70% of pastors constantly battle with depression!
  • 50% of ministers would leave the ministry if they had another way of earning an income!
  • 85-90% of pastors said their greatest problem is dealing with problem people and disgruntled people.

Dr. Elliott has two Masters Degrees and an earned Doctor of Ministry from Grace Theological Seminary. Mark grew up in the rolling hills and cave country of southern Indiana and is a self-confessed sports maniac! Mark and Claudette have four children and reside inn Oshkosh, WI. You can learn more about Mark, order the book and contact him here: at his website.

You can order your copy of Confessions of an Insignificant Pastor here. We know you will want to get some copies of this book for your church leaders and ministry people.

“Risky business is writing a book like this one! If you think a prophet speaking truth to power is high-risk, listen here to a prophet who, by telling the truth to a church in power-failure, speaks power to truth. I loved this book!”

~ Dr. Leonard Sweet, Drew University, George Fox University, http://www.Sermons.com

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Transformed Interviews Dr. W. Mark Elliott – Part 1

Posted on April 16, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

We welcome Dr. W. Mark Elliott to Transformed today. Mark is the author of Confessions of an Insignificant Pastor. He is a veteran pastor of twenty-seven years and has served churches as small as three and as large as six thousand. Mark has ministered in twelve countries and enjoys speaking to gatherings of pastors.

Being a pastor these days is difficult. Look at these statistics:

  • Fifteen hundred pastors leave the ministry each month!
  • 80% of ministers feel unqualified and discouraged in their role as pastors.
  • 80% of new pastors will leave the ministry within their first five years!
  • 80% of pastors’ spouses wish their spouse would choose another profession and feel their ministry spouse is overworked.
  • 70% of pastors constantly battle with depression!
  • 50% of ministers would leave the ministry if they had another way of earning an income!
  • 85-90% of pastors said their greatest problem is dealing with problem people and disgruntled people.

Dr. Elliott has two Masters Degrees and an earned Doctor of Ministry from Grace Theological Seminary. Mark grew up in the rolling hills and cave country of southern Indiana and is a self-confessed sports maniac! Mark and Claudette have four children and reside inn Oshkosh, WI. You can learn more about Mark, order the book and contact him here: at his website.

You can order your copy of Confessions of an Insignificant Pastor here. We know you will want to get some copies of this book for your church leaders and ministry people.

“Risky business is writing a book like this one! If you think a prophet speaking truth to power is high-risk, listen here to a prophet who, by telling the truth to a church in power-failure, speaks power to truth. I loved this book!”

~ Dr. Leonard Sweet, Drew University, George Fox University, http://www.Sermons.com

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Free Book! How to Survive the Economic Meltdown

Posted on April 13, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Patrick Morley, a former Florida real estate developer whose company was one of Florida’s 100 largest privately held companies, spent years fighting off a multimillion dollar bankruptcy after the Tax Reform Act of 1986. He has since become a best-selling Christian author and head of an international ministry to men (Man in the Mirror).

Pat’s new book, How to Survive the Economic Meltdown features 35 hard earned spiritual, practical and financial survival strategies based on lessons learned during his own personal financial crisis. Every day for seven long years he woke up not knowing whether or not he would be forced into bankruptcy. By God’s grace, he was able to avoid bankruptcy and not only survive, but experience extraordinary spiritual growth. Ultimately, our prayer is that what Pat learned during a nightmarish season of his life will help others to get through their tough times today.

Pat’s passionate about getting a copy of this book into the hands of every person who wants one—even if it’s for free (click here to download a free PDF copy). We’re also making the book available at huge discounts (as low as $1.95) so leaders can distribute them through their churches, businesses, and ministries.

Leaders are sometimes at a loss about exactly how to serve the tens of millions of people trying to make sense of this meltdown. On this site you’ll find dozens of resources to help – including videos, message transcripts, message ideas, speaker notes, graphics, and promotional materials.

We believe this current crisis may be one of the greatest spiritual opportunities of our lifetimes, and we’re praying that millions of men and women would come back to God in weeks and months ahead.

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Ministry is About Shepherding!

Posted on April 12, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Mary Kay is purported to have said, “There is an invisible sign hanging around every person’s neck and it says, ‘Encourage Me!’” Over the years I have discovered that the people who speak encouragement into my life and seek me out to lift me up are the people I call ‘friends.’

The old hymn talks of Jesus by saying, “He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.” We all know someone, or a group of people, who lifts us up. Like a plant that reaches out toward the sunlight for nourishment, we all lean in the direction of such affection!

Ministry is about encouragement, lifting burdens and expressing affection. In short, this is called ‘shepherding’ in the Bible. As we seek to minister to people we can show them our care in four ways …

C – Contact them: We call / text / post / email the people we care about. In fact, we can determine which people are in our inner circle by counting the number of times we ‘touch’ another person through our contacts. All things being equal, our genuine love for the people we reach out to will draw them closer to us, allowing us access to their lives.

A – Accept them: People come with baggage. Some things will drive us crazy. Others things will just seem different. But people are a whole package – not something you can dissect or perform surgery on to remove the unwanted parts. If we are to build into another’s life, we have to take them as they are … quirks and foibles included.

R – Respond to them: We are all on a journey through life. Some of us are further, some not so far. Others of us have made dreadful mistakes that have caused all sorts of pain and problems. And then there are those who seem to have glided through life unscathed. No matter where a person is, when they reach out to you, they are inviting you in. Effective shepherds respond to these invitations and enter into the lives of those around them. This allows for connection, and eventually, life transformation.

E – Encourage them: And once near to another, lift them up. Speak words of encouragement and life into them. The world knows how to drain and strain any soul these days with their constant barrage of gloom and doom. Shepherds are known for the life and courage they bring to others. Intentional inspiration seems to be a hallmark of a true shepherd.

As we move forward in our ministries we need to remember that we all lean in the direction of the affection. If we want people to follow us, we will have to be caring shepherds!

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Free Audiobook Download of the Month

Posted on April 6, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Each month christianaudio gives away a premium audiobook download for free. How does it work? Well, we give away one audiobook download (that we have published or that a partner has allowed us to give away) absolutely free; available only during that month and only once, ever.

Christianaudio, Zondervan, and Jon Acuff have partnered together for the month of April 2010 to bring you the audiobook download of Stuff Christians Like for FREE! 100% funnier than The Shack and 100% freer than Amazon!

Instructions: Add the download to your cart and use the coupon code APR2010 when prompted to receive this month’s free download! You must use the code to receive the download for free.

Download Here!

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Do People TRUST you?

Posted on April 5, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Our conversation turned to the issue of trust. We had been talking about why my friend was struggling in his current ministry. Things had been going well for a while, and then, out of no where, people seemed to slow down. It wasn’t that they weren’t serving the Lord. It was more like they had lost their enthusiasm for ministry.

As we talked, I heard myself ask,  “Do people trust you and your leadership?” There was no meanness or accusation in the question. It just seemed natural as we talked. We broke down the word into the following 5 key areas. I am sure there are more, but here’s our list …

T – Transparency: Do I allow people to get close to me – in all types of situations? When they are there, do I put on a show for their benefit, or am I real?

R – Responsibility: Am I holding up my load? Do I delegate things that only I should be doing? Do people see me as someone they can count on?

U – Unselfishness: When people think about it, do they feel like they are working for ME or do they see we are all sacrificing to accomplish God’s will here? Do I purposely put others first whenever possible?

S – Sacrifice: What have I given up as a leader? What attitude(s) do I reflect when I give up something of value? Who do I give things to? Does God have to pry things from my heart and hands?

T – Tenacity: Do I go the extra mile? Am I persistent? Is my reputation one that says, ‘He doesn’t quit!’?

Over the course of our conversation my friend realized that he had some work to do to regain some trust he had lost. He had to go to a few people and ask forgiveness. To another he decided to make himself accountable in some areas.

Trust is the glue that holds teams together. A periodic check up with a trusted friend can go along way in sticking together!

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Win a FREE Copy of "Start Here!" by Alex and Brett Harris

Posted on April 3, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Practical, encouraging, personal and inspiring describes Alex and Brett Harris’ new book, Start Here. Making the most of your teen years is what this book is all about! As a teen, watching God start a two-decade long revival in my little town in Wisconsin, I can only say, Start Here! provides so many helps so that any teen can accomplish all that God desires them to do – especially the hard things!

Having been a part of the home-school revolution and receiving incredibly Biblical and practical guidance from Alex and Brett’s parents, Gregg and Sono Harris, one can see the fruit of this godly family tree fleshed out in the mission of God for the next generation throughout every page of this vital book.

Mixing practical steps with biblical wisdom, Start Here lifts the heart and opens the eyes so that hope is birthed and nourished. Each chapter unfolds not only the ‘how to’ but also the ‘have done’ hard things stories of teens and college age adults.

This is a book every teen should read and use as a guide for this season of their lives. (Hint: Many adults could benefit from the wise words found within the cover of this easy to read book.) Buy a dozen or more copies and hand them out to teens, college age adults, youth leaders and pastors and watch the amazing things God does through the next generation for Christ!

For more information and to order the book from Random House, or from Amazon

Would you like to receive a FREE copy of the book, Start Here?

To celebrate the launch of Start Here, we’re offering you an opportunity to win a FREE copy of the book. One lucky reader will win a copy of Start Here!

Main Entry: (you must complete this entry in order to participate, otherwise all other entries will be disqualified)

Contest closes April 9th, 2010

Entries:

1. Tweet this review using the text below with your Twitter handle or on your Facebook page:

Win a FREE copy of ‘Start Here’ by Alex & Brett Harris at http://EaglesinLeadership.org from Waterbrook: http://bit.ly/s7nKJ

Leave a comment on our site with your twitter handle.

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