PRACTICAL WISDOM FOR LEADING CONGREGATIONS

Gideon Tsang on taking risks, failing and starting again

AN AUSTIN PASTOR REFLECTS ON THE CHALLENGES OF A NEW CHURCH PLANT

What do you do when you don't know where God is leading you?

The Rev. Gideon Tsang's tale is one of risk and reward -- but it isn't just a success story. The pastor of Vox Veniae shares some painful failures and struggles he and his congregation experienced as they planted a church and then tried to figure out how it could serve the changing city of Austin.

In his conversation with co-host Laura Everett, he also talks about self-reflection, creating a learning community and moving forward without a grand vision.

Listen to this episode of "Can These Bones" Â»

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A NEW OPPORTUNITY FROM LILLY ENDOWMENT INC.

Lilly Endowment is pleased to announce its Thriving in Ministry Initiative 2018, a competitive grant program open to any charitable organization committed to the support of pastoral leaders in congregations and located in the United States.

Charitable organizations are invited to submit proposals for up to $1 million that may be used for up to a five-year period to develop new or strengthen existing programs that help pastors build relationships with other clergy who can serve as role models and exemplars and guide them through key leadership challenges at critical moments in their ministerial careers.

While the Endowment is interested in supporting a variety of approaches, it is especially interested in supporting efforts that: 1) attend to key professional transitions in a pastor's career and/or 2) focus on challenges posed by particular ministry contexts and settings.

IDEAS THAT IMPACT: NEW CHURCH STARTS

'Divergent churches' are exploring innovative ways of congregational life

Across the country, creative, alternative congregations are doing church in unconventional ways, the co-author of 'Divergent Church' says in this interview. They may look different, but they are deeply rooted in tried-and-true practices of the faith.

Read more about the church Â»

FROM THE ALBAN LIBRARY

Humble Leadership: Being Radically Open to God's Guidance and Grace

by N. Graham Standish

There comes a point at which leadership can break down precisely because of our success as leaders. When confidence turns to pride and arrogance, we lose sight of the people that we have been called to serve and become consumed with following our own vision.

Graham Standish offers a way forward that moves us through this paradox by seeking to humbly follow God's plans rather than our own. Humble leadership, grounded in the teachings of Jesus, means recognizing that what we have and who we are is a gift from God, and our lives should reflect our gratitude for this gift. It requires us to be radically and creatively open to God's guidance, grace, and presence in everything. When we lead out of such openness, God's power and grace flow through us.

The path Standish proposes is not easy. Humble leadership can be personally dangerous, exposing our weakness, powerlessness, fear, and anxiety. Our cultural need for strength infects Christian leaders with a pride that causes them to ignore biblical teachings on humility. But a humble leader says to God, "I'm yours, no matter where you call me to go, what you call me to do, and how you call me to be. I will seek your will and way as I lead others to do the same."

Learn more and order the book Â»

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