Who's afraid ...

...of the big, bad wolf? Well, if you're a leader, you can't afford such fear. There may be times when fear is appropriate, but it's not in the face of those things which huff and puff. The wolves may blow lots of air, it may even be powerful air, but it will not knock you down, especially if you lean into it like a Chicagoan does on a windy winter day.

Continuing with the animal metaphors, often our fear of the elephant in the room causes us to behave suspiciously, deceptively, untruthfully. It is exactly at those moments, however, when what we need to demonstrate above all else is integrity. Integrity in this moment, when confronted with a wolf that resembles an elephant, is honest, unapologetic, realistic, compassionate, and direct.

Apparently such integrity is not very common.

At an event this past weekend I stood before a gathering of folks which included one of those elephants. I acknowledged the elephant, welcomed the wolf, and moved on. I felt like I did it with integrity. Others seemed to think so as well.

What surprised and saddened me, though, was the number of people who thanked me for being honest, unapologetic, realistic, compassionate, and direct. They didn't all agree with me and some were angry about how the elephant ended up in the room in the first place, but they thanked me for addressing it forthrightly, and then several of them finished their sentence with something like, "... because we don't hear that from our leaders."

I don't raise this encounter to highlight my own leadership, but rather to remind others who lead how important it is to lead with integrity. There are many dimensions to integrity, some which have to do with ethics and others which have to do with transparency and honesty. Doing what's required and doing what's right may not always be the same thing. I may have been required only to make a basic presentation. But what was right was to truthfully acknowledge in public the difficult elephant which sat in the room. You don't HAVE to name the elephants, especially those that you have a hand in creating, at least not technically. But in terms of integrity, what other choice is there?

That's the part that mystifies me: what other choice is there? At least if you're a leader. Don't be afraid of the big, "bad" wolf. Lean into the wind. Point out the elephant. Lead.

Art of Movements

Today was day one of Exponential09, an energizing gathering of church planters from all around the U.S. This year's theme is the Art of Movements. Here are just a few quick take aways from today's presenters.

"How difficult it is to find a place to belong." Erwin McManus cited the difficulty that many in the church and our culture have with the difference between proximity and intimacy. He said that we have learned "how to sit next to a stranger and make sure that they stay a stranger." He used lots of illustrations from riding in airplanes, something I can relate to!! There is a need in our world for real intimacy. McManus ended his remarks by challenging us to "stop trying to get popular in the Christian world and start doing something that matters."

Dave Ferguson outlined five keys to movements. Apostolic leadership. Shared dream. Gospel of Jesus (Good News). Genuine community. Rapid reproduction.

Communitas was the focus of a teaching by Alan Hirsch. He reminded us of the significance of liminal spaces for learning new things and gaining new perspectives, what he described as "learning in context, out of our comfort zone." Hirsch provided a harsh critique of the established church, declaring that "it doesn't like risk, and it avoids taking risks in the name of the safety of our children." This self-preservation actually produces the opposite of the desired results according to Hirsch. He urged leadership to understand part of its role as to introduce disequilibrium, to regulate stress, and to consider the skills that Ron Heifetz describes as adaptive leadership. He reminded us that one of the disciplines of leadership is to cast vision.

There is lots to think about at the end of this day, and another day and a half to go. One of the best parts of this year's event is that ten other Brethren are here, and we're having good sidebar conversations with one another, and building trust through relationships, another key to movements that we heard described.

Easter-tide

The uncompromising leap of faith for me is the resurrection. Nothing else in my knowledge about, experience of, and relationship with God has real significance without Easter. I deeply appreciate the role of the sacrificial cross. I seek to emulate the ministry practices of Jesus. The historical and personal interaction of God with the people of Israel is a key framework for the holy story. The emergence of a new body of Christ, the church, is inspiring and hopeful. But none of it means anything to me without resurrection.

For me, the element of faith that makes the primary difference in life and ministry is this audacious victory over death. While admirable, giving oneself up for the good of others is not wholly unique. Recently we witnessed a ship's captain, Richard Phillips of the Maersk Alabama, give himself up to Somalian pirates to save his crew and cargo. In the tradition of the Brethren of which I'm a part, we look to Ted Studebaker as a person who put his own life on the line to provide ministry to those in Vietnam during war time. I imagine there are hundreds if not thousands of stories where selfless people have been killed or severely wounded while looking out for the best interests of others. Such behavior is exceptional, admirable, and even amazing. But it is readily believable because we see it repeated throughout history.

What we do not see repeated throughout history is the resurrection. There is only one decisive victory over death that stands for all of humanity. It is the declaration, "He is not here, but has risen" (Luke 24:5) that signals the once-for-all, mind-blowing defeat of death. More than just living out the improbable, God's insistence on life overcomes the impossible. In this moment we know definitively that for God nothing is impossible.

Realizing that death never claims the victory gives me the courage and perspective to go on in ministry and mission. In seasons of difficulty, resurrection reality provides a backdrop which keeps things in right relationship with God, with the world, with the church, with me. When leadership results in persecution or struggle, Easter life supercedes the actions and the reactions, empowering the freedom to make difficult decisions.

I am grateful for this Eastertide that washes through our church and through my life. To God be the glory. He is not here. He has risen.