For most of us, our paradigm of a learning environment has to do with what we have observed through the years. Usually a chalk or dry-erase board, overhead or computer projector, handouts, etc. This environment worked very well for most of us and those who proceeded us. For those we are serving today, these old techniques may not be as effective as we would like them to be. The people of today are “digital natives” and are accustomed to more interaction than those of us who are “digital immigrants”.

Some research shows that by the time today’s male reaches age 18 he has spent more than 10,000 hours playing video games. Females are slightly less. This means that social skills are impacted and they are comfortable living in an environment that “they” create.  They desire to not just observe or listen to a learning experience, they want to be part of it.

In my tens of thousands of hours of providing classroom instruction and through my interaction with professionals around the country, I have discovered a few tools that will take your teaching environment from analog (traditional) to interactive. Some are less expensive than others and some are free. Here are some that I have found effective.

1. Using “Clickers” to allow students to interact with content.  Imagine asking the question, “How many of you think that we are doing enough to help the homeless in our society?” in an open forum.  You can predict the outcome.  A percentage will raise their hands.  Another percentage will not.  Yet there is another percentage that just did not want to participate because they did not want to be seen raising their hands (or not) by others.  By using “clickers” you allow everyone to take part.  Now the question is rephrased. “How many of you think we need to do more to help the homeless, how many think we should do less, and how many think that our current effort is about right?”  Clickers or classroom response systems allow students to take part in the learning experience and their responses show up, typically in graph form, on the screen when you as the instructor choose to reveal them.  These response systems are available through a number of manufacturers.  E-instruction makes many different varieties that I am familiar with. One uses infrared technology (like your TV remote) and the others use RF or radio frequency technology, reducing the need to point the clicker at a certain location.  Doug Eaton of Nashville’s media services is the best I have ever experienced at helping you analyze your environment and choose the right tools for the job.

2. Using Cellphones or Smart Phones to interact with content.  If your environment is conducive to allowing the use of cellphones in the classroom, this may be the solution for you.  PollEverywhere offers free accounts for small polls (up to 32 people) and paid accounts for larger audiences.  The following video shows an educator’s view of how to use this tool with and without a cell phone.

3. The Laser Pointer Goes Pro – For years I have used pointing devices in classrooms of various types. Telescopic pointers, yardsticks, and other archaic devices.  Then I graduated to laser pointers.  I have tried about everything from those I bought at Myrtle Beach, SC for $10.00 to “professional” models from AV stores.  However, I now use what I consider to be the ultimate in laser pointers.  The Logitech Professional Presenter R800 was my choice when the last pointer was worn out.  I was amazed at the high price tag ($79 from Amazon) but incredibly impressed with the performance.  This pointer doubles as a remote mouse for presentation navigation from up to 100′ away,  along with providing a vibrating timer to remind people like me to allow the audience to take a break.  But the most incredible item is the laser pointer. The pointer is a brilliant green laser that is visible across any auditorium that I have been in and does not blend in like many of its red counterparts.  Understanding that in any audience, about 30% have a color deficiency (mostly males).  That means that low-light red pointers are many times invisible to them and they have no idea what you are trying to highlight.  This pointer leaves no doubt and it feels good in your hand.

I hope these tools have inspired you to look at your learning environment. Whether it is in a classroom, auditorium, worship center or others, your goal must be to engage your learners in the experience.  As one of my collegues put it, “There is a lot more to teaching than talking”.

If you have suggestions or questions that might help others to be better teachers, please leave them here or email us and we will post it.

I hope you have a great week.  Please let us know if we can assist you in the implementation of these or the development of a better learning environment for those you serve.

]]> http://euliss.com/emagine/?feed=rss2&p=921 0 http://euliss.com/emagine/?p=912 http://euliss.com/emagine/?p=912#comments Mon, 02 Aug 2010 11:23:31 +0000 Michael Euliss http://euliss.com/emagine/?p=912

This week, one of our colleagues from a recent Euliss Consulting leadership class sent me a link to this video. (Thanks Jason!)  When I watched it, I was quite moved.  This film illustrates well the concept that we are all called to lead in some way. This film is not produced by us but I would be interested in hearing your feedback as to its content.

I hope you have a great week!

-Michael

(To see the video, click here or click on the graphic above)

by Michael Euliss

Want a better  understanding of what the community thinks of your church?  Let us know.  We can help.

This week demonstrated an unprecedented series of events  with the departure of basketball superstar LeBron James from the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers to the Miami Heat. James’ contract was complete at the end of the 2009-2010 season, making him a free agent. This means he was able to choose another team or continue to play in Cleveland. His decision was so anticipated that he worked with ESPN to make the announcement in a prime-time special called “The Decision”. Why does the decision of one player warrant so much attention?  James’ is one of the best players to ever play professional basketball. At 6-8, 250 he is virtually unstoppable by one defender.

The year before he came to Cleveland, their record was 17 wins, 65 losses and they finished 8th in their division. Since that time, their record has improved each year and they have been in the playoffs for the last five years. Much of this success can be attributed to the talent of Lebron James. However, Lebron chose to leave Cleveland to play in Miami for the next six years. This article is not about Lebron, however. It is about the way the Cleveland ownership handled his departure.

Cavilers owner Dan Gilbert issued an open letter to Lebron, publicly stating his disapproval of the decision.  Cavalier fans began to burn replicas of Lebron James’ jersey in the streets of Cleveland. While being upset and disappointed with the “decision” is a normal reaction, this behavior places an unneeded stress on those who are to replace James as well as setting a poor example for others.

One thing is certain in life, and that is change. Changes in the economy, changes in organizations, and changes in our personnel. In leadership, change is one of the most mishandled dynamics. In my first week as a formal leader in a professional environment, I thought I had it made. Finally I could dictate the changes. I could decide what was to happen. That was not the case. Two days into my new role, a 6-year employee was injured on the job, placing him out of work for 3-6 weeks. While dealing with that, another employee has a traffic accident in a company-owned car. As I received this news, a 5-year employee was saying he needed to talk. I kept putting him off because of all the other chaos. Finally, when things had calmed down a bit, I asked him what he needed. He said that he was resigning and that it was effective immediately. The best part of that day was when the resigning employee told me that it was not personal and that he had accepted a position with another company some weeks ago but forgot to turn in his resignation.

Change is something that is inevitable in every leaders life. Personnel changes are one of those that you must learn to handle with grace.  Friend and fellow ministry partner, Beth Crissman writes in her book, “Longing to Belong” that whether or not the separation is from necessity or disagreement, we must find a way to handle it in a healthy manner, being cautious not to sever the relationship with the departing person nor to sever ourselves from our own value system in the process. If we do not do that we set ourselves up for failure.

By now, most of you know that I am a huge fan of the Andy Griffith Show. I find it very easy to draw analogies about core values from episodes of that show. As I was writing this, I was reminded of the first episode ever aired of the series called “The New Housekeeper”.  In this episode, Andy and Opie are being cared for by a housekeeper, Rose, who is getting married and is moving away. The new housekeeper is “Aunt Bea”, the character who we all know and love.  Upon Aunt Bea’s arrival, Opie will have nothing to do with her because she is not like Rose. (Keep in mind that Opie is about 7 a the time) Over time, Opie recognizes that while Aunt Bea can’t fish or playball like Rose, she does have a very unique quality. She can cook like nobody else – something he benefits from the rest of his life. (at least on the show)

When transitions take place we as leaders must set the example that we want others to follow.  The secret to that, according to Crissman are:

• A clean departure – Properly acknowledging a person’s contributions to your organization and not tearing them down for leaving
• A careful fitting and attachment of the new member – Not holding the new person to a comparison of the former, whether good or bad.  Looking for the value within.
• Protection for all parts (or parties) involved – Being sure that we demonstrate care in all directions

With January and July being the most popular months for major change, be prepared.  As Crissman says, “There is honor in leaving and honor in staying as long as we leave or stay honorably” and we as leaders must learn to handle change…honorably. Remember – others are watching.

I hope you have a great week.

I hope this finds you enjoying a great holiday and remembering the importance of this Independence Day celebration. So many have given so much so that we could enjoy the freedoms that we tend to take for granted here, 200+ years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the conclusion of the Revolutionary War. Unfortunately,  it seems, we the people, have struggled with passing on the historical significance of those days. Our nation seems to be standing by idling,  allowing a small amount of people rewrite history and restate our values  Remember John Adam’s words that he penned to his wife Abigail on July 4, 1776 after congress voted to become independent from England on July 2.

“The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

-John Adams

As Christian leaders our first response must be to ask ourselves, “What part of this problem do I own?”

I know that the LORD is always on the side of the right. But it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this nation should be on the LORDS side.  – Abraham Lincoln

In order to do that we need to seek wisdom from the LORD to discern the proper response. How do we do that?

• Pray.  Pray for our country. Pray for our Leaders. Pray for our churches. Pray for our pastors. Ask God to give us wisdom and discernment as to the proper actions to take, who to speak with, what to say, etc.
• Listen. Listen to God’s promptings. Listen to God’s direction. Listen for the subtle messages that are being shared in our communities, on our televisions, and in our governments.
• Educate. Educate this generation about God, scripture, heroes, and our history.  Not just the history that begins in 1492 but all of history so that this generation understands the importance of their roots.  The illumination of ignorance starts with you.
• Act. Begin today to take God-guided action within your communities.  James 2:17 tells us, “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Discern where God is calling you to act and do it. When our nation sees the power of God reflected by the actions of its people, it will begin to re-acknowledge its own roots.
• Share. Share information. Share scripture. Share your story. Acts 2:42-45 speaks of sharing.    “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.” They shared.
• Encourage. 1Thessalonians 5:14 tells us, “And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone”.  Encourage your brothers and sisters, encourage your elected officials, encourage your pastor. Encourage all those you come in contact with to make wise decisions and to do nothing that would reflect anything but His message.

Notice that these suggestions use the acronym, PLEASE.  Please do something to stop ignorance and apathy today.

PLEASE Share with us any ideas you may have.

Several years ago, as a child, I remember watching the Red Skelton show.  I also remember the episode when he explained the Pledge of Allegiance as it was explained by his principle. Now through the beauty of YouTube, we are able to bring you that clip and its wisdom.

From Fast Company Magazine:

Marcel Melanson didn’t have it easy growing up in Inglewood, California. His father was in and out of his life, his mom struggled with drug abuse, and his brother died at an early age. “I wanted a sense of belonging, a sense of family,” he says. “The streets were an easy place to turn.” But rather than join a gang, he found a different surrogate clan: firefighters. “A lot of people say they joined the fire department to help people,” Melanson says. “I joined to help myself.”

Today, he’s also helping others, thanks in part to a unique platform. As battalion chief of the Compton Fire Department, Melanson became a star of First In, a 10-episode reality show about the department that aired last fall on BET. A tech lover who constantly finds himself battling budgetary constraints — “It’s just like at home,” says the father of two young sons. “You wish there was a blank checkbook, but there’s not” — Melanson has found in the show a springboard for his creative problem solving. It has brought major corporate partners to the department, including Motorola and Cisco, the latter of which is building a wireless mesh network linked up to a citywide camera system. “Imagine an earthquake,” he says. “We could get a virtual look at the entire city and understand where damage is worst before putting boots on the ground.” Even more important, the show has given him a megaphone for his ultimate quest: to improve the national standard of public safety.

At just 32, Melanson is one of the country’s youngest battalion chiefs and one of the few African-Americans in such a position. His heavily tattooed body — something frowned upon in fire service — shouts untraditional. “People see him on TV and they’re appalled; they can’t see past his tattoos,” says Michael Greene, a firefighter paramedic who has worked with Melanson for six years. “But you hear him speak and you see how bright he is, how much he knows, and you’re just in awe.”

Melanson and his department turned to technology long before cameras started rolling (his team calls him the “propeller” because of his change-inspiring thinking). They created a Facebook page and a Twitter account (@cptkid) to improve communication with a community that has almost as many known gangs (75) as it does fire-department employees (100). He also made sure every fire-fighter has a two-way radio, letting them alert others if they encounter trouble on-site. Previously, on-location communication was virtually nonexistent. “It was insulting,” Melanson says. “Most fifth graders have cells. But you have a firefighter on the ground and we can’t communicate.” He’s also working to outfit team members with tracking devices.

At a time when municipal budgets are being crunched, most departments aren’t quick to adopt new technologies — but Melanson insists that the fixes are affordable. “We’re a small department, but we’re large in that we respond to 10,000 calls a year,” he says. “If it’s cost-effective for us, it can be cost-effective for anyone.”

Producers decide this summer if First In will return for a second season, and though Melanson was displeased with the show’s stereotypical depiction of Compton, he hopes they’ll be back, furthering his opportunity to help organizations nationwide. “It heightened the awareness of our department and of the industry,” he says. “A lot of people wouldn’t think of public-safety professionals as people in business. But we are, and we’re trying to improve.”

Click to see more.

Happy Father’s Day!   The first observance of Father’s Day is believed to have been held on June 13, 1910 through the efforts of Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington. After listening to a church sermon at Spokane’s Central Methodist Episcopal Church in 1909 about the newly recognized Mother’s Day, Dodd felt strongly that fatherhood needed recognition, as well. She wanted a celebration that honored fathers like her own father, William Smart, a Civil War veteran who was left to raise his family alone when his wife died giving birth to their sixth child.

Dodd was the first to solicit the idea of having an official Father’s Day observance to honor all fathers. Enlisting help from the Spokane Ministerial Association in 1909, she arranged for the celebration of fatherhood in Spokane. On June 19, 1910, young members of the YMCA went to church wearing roses: a red rose to honor a living father, and a white rose to honor a deceased one. Dodd traveled through the city in a horse-drawn carriage, carrying gifts to shut-in fathers. It was not until 1966 that it became an “official holiday” singed into legislation by President Lyndon Johnson.

Traditionally this is a day we give gifts to our fathers not because it is a “Hallmark Holiday” and not out of guilt but in remembrance of everything your father gave to you.

I can remember many gifts from my Dad.  A bicycle, a pocket knife, an air rifle, and a car. Yes, shortly after I turned 16 he bought me a “car”. I think it was mostly out of convenience to him so I would not be driving the “nice” vehicles. It was a 1971 Toyota Corolla station wagon with about 150,000 miles on it.  The carpet was dry-rotted and it burned more oil than it did gas. But, it was mine. I think the thing that puzzled me most was one of the gifts he gave me when I graduated High School It was a plaque with my last name that read:

“This is your name.
You got it from your father
It was all he had to give
So it’s yours to use and cherish
For as long as you may live

If you lost the watch he gave you
It can always be replaced;
But a black mark on your name
Can never be erased

It was clean the day you took it
And a worthy name to bear
When he got it from his father
There was no dishonor there

So make sure you guard it wisely
After all is said and done
You’ll be glad the name is spotless
When you give it to your son”

I did not think much of it at the time but for some reason, I never forgot it.  You see, when we do not take time to remember and celebrate who we are, Whose we are, and what we stand for, we tend to forget and those beliefs and standards like everything else gets blended into the business of life. Then, generations pass and before long we have no clue of why we possessed that name in the first place.

In my work with thousands of churches around the country, I sadly see this becoming the rule and not the exception. Many churches are plagued with a disease I call I & A Syndrome.  “I & A” stands for ignorance and apathy. You know the old joke, what’s the difference between ignorance and apathy? The answer is “I don’t know and I don’t care”.  Sadly church attendance in many areas has become more of tradition than of worship. And when we lose site of the reason we are here then we allow the CAVE dwellers to take over.  You know them.  We all know them.  CAVE is an acronym for Constantly Against Virtually Everything. When that takes place, the church becomes a battleground for paradigms and egos and ceases to be a place for worship and a refuge to the lost.

If you look to scripture and history you find that our Heavenly Father as well as our forefathers have given us gifts of a name that we should never forget.

If you are Methodist, you will find this quite interesting. The name “Methodist” comes from the founder of Methodism, John Wesley. This name was given to him by friends at Oxford in England where Wesley had formed a “Holy Club”.  This club was for John, Charles, and some others who were dedicated to praying, discussing the scriptures, ministering to the jail inmates, as well as other “Holy” activities and doing so on a regular basis. The holy club was so methodical in their practices the other people at Oxford began to tease them by calling them “Methodists”, a name that stuck.  They were also seen as being overly “pious” or self-righteous.

In the 1730’s when Wesley and the other “Methodists” were coming to America, more specifically, the Georgia Colony, the trip took 4 months. On that voyage, not only were there the Methodists, but there were a group of Moravians as well.  At one point in the trip, a huge storm came up. During the storm, Wesley and the other Englishmen were crying and frightened. He noticed something very interesting about the Moravians, however.  They did not seem frightened at all.  They calmly sang hymns and prayed. Wesley was receiving a gift from the Father.  No matter how many routines he had or how well-versed he was in the scripture, God was demonstrating one of the elements to their relationship that Wesley was lacking…faith.

In Hebrews 11:8-10 ESV Paul tells us:

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.  And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.  By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

Wesley’s gift of faith from the Father on that trip helped him be prepared for what lay ahead.  You see he had great visions of not only pastoring a church but having the opportunity to evangelize to the Indians as well. His picture was that of high church, the same paradigm he left in England.  He may of even had the “Field of Dreams” mentality. That is, if I build it, they will come.  Upon landing he understood that reaching the natives would require more than high church strategy and that he had to adapt. Reaching out to the natives may have even been the first “Methodist contemporary service”.  Rather than lean on his own understanding, he began to allow his faith in God to direct him. He even became a student of the Moravians so he could learn more about faith.

The gift of faith is one that we many times take for granted. It is most likely because we live in a world of absolutes. “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it” is what we hear leaders of today say.  In churches it is…

•    How many people are here this week as compared to last week?
•    How much money did we collect this week vs. last week?
•    Is our building as big as that other one down the street?

What we should be measuring is our spiritual growth. When we do that, those tangible things tend to handle themselves.

Jesus anticipated this even 2000 years ago. The book of Matthew gives the account of Jesus casting out a demon:

And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.”

And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly.

Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”  Matthew 17:14-20 ESV

In addition to the gift of faith, we were also given the ultimate gift. The gift of His son, Jesus Christ. And the front of our building also bears His name. The church is the bride of Christ and He loves us beyond any measurement.  Many times when we see someone in need, we get up, walk over to them, and help.  It does not matter whether we know them personally or not, most of us naturally want to help others. This is an instinct placed into our very souls by the example that God the Father set for us by sending His Son as a gift to mankind. Providing the conduit to the Creator of the Universe and removing the veil between us and the “Holy of Holies”.   God gave us the ultimate gift of love…Himself.

And somehow, we the church, the bride of Christ, forget the importance of those gifts. Many churches have become more of a club than the refuges of hope as they were originally intended to be.  It is sort of like the life-saving stations of the North Atlantic.

On the Northern Atlantic Coast where shipwrecks often occur, there was once a crude little life-saving station. The building was just a hut, and there was only one boat, but the few devoted members kept a constant watch over the sea, and with no thought for themselves, went out day and night tirelessly searching for the lost. Some of those who were saved and various others in the surrounding area wanted to become associated with the station and gave of their time and money and effort for the support of its work. New boats were bought and new crews trained. The little life-saving station grew.

Some of the members of the life-saving station were unhappy that the building was so crude and poorly equipped. They felt that a more comfortable place should be provided as the first refuge of those saved from the sea. They replaced the emergency cots with beds and put better furniture in the enlarged building. Now the life-saving station became a popular gathering place for its members, and they decorated it beautifully because they used it as a sort of club. Fewer members were now interested in going to sea on life-saving missions, so they  hired lifeboat crews to do this work. The life-saving motif still prevailed in the club’s decorations, and there was a symbolic life-boat in the room where the club’s initiations were held.

About this time a large ship wrecked off the coast, and the hired crews brought in boat loads of cold, wet and half-drowned people. They were dirty and sick. The beautiful new club was in chaos. So the property committee immediately had a shower house built outside the club where victims of shipwrecks could be cleaned up before coming inside.

At the next meeting, there was a split among the club membership. Most of the members wanted to stop the club’s life-saving activities as being unpleasant and a hindrance to the normal social life of the club. Some members insisted upon life-saving as their primary purpose and pointed out that they were still called a life-saving station. But they were finally voted down and told that if they wanted to save lives of all the various kinds of people who were shipwrecked in those waters, they could begin their own life-saving station. So they did.

As the years went by, the new station experienced the same changes that had occurred in the old. It evolved into a club, and yet another life-saving station was founded. History continued to repeat itself, and if you visit that sea coast today, you will find a number of exclusive clubs along that shore. Shipwrecks are frequent in those waters, but most of the people drown.

We, the church,  have a responsibility to share those gifts with other as He has commanded. That is, to be ready to give and answer to anyone who asks about Him.

As 1 Peter 15 tells us,

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

In order to do that we must be willing to do whatever it takes to reach the lost.  We must strengthen our faith in Him who gives us life. We must break out of our paradigms of how “Church is supposed to be” and discover what it takes to bring Christ to others. We must be in the world but not of it.  Wesley learned this lesson on the ship and grew from it each day.  He learned it upon reaching Georgia and realizing his views of church were not going to touch those he was reaching out to, so he changed.  We must never forget that Jesus not only walked across water, courtyards, and other areas to help people in biblical times but He walked across the cosmos to save all of mankind in a broken and hurting world.

This month, many United Methodist congregations are about to receive another gift, a new pastor. As your church transitions from one spiritual leader to the next, be assured that this new pastor (like the Moravians did for Wesley) has what’s needed to take you to the next step in your journey with Christ.  If you are observant, God will reveal through this pastor, things you need to have in order to strengthen your relationship with Him.  These are uncertain days.  What the future holds is hard to discern. But rest assured – if you remember those very special Father’s day gifts, you will have nothing to fear.

A song written by Bill Gaither at a time of uncertainty in his ministry says it all. It is called “Because He Lives” and it goes like this:

God sent His Son – they called Him Jesus,

He came to love, heal and forgive;

He lived and died to buy my pardon,

An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Chorus:

Because He lives I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future

And life is worth the living just because He lives.

It is our challenge as Christians, those who bear His Name, not to be so apathetic that we allow the things of this world, egos, paradigms and bitterness to run amuck in our churches.  We need to be students of the scriptures so we can be sure that we are not ignorant of the very values we claim to represent.  Remember, true discipleship is not a class; it is a life-long journey of balancing scriptural knowledge, faith, and action.  If we place our trust in Him, refrain from leaning on our own understanding, recognize that there are some things we won’t comprehend in this life on earth, and acknowledge Him in every way; He will never let that mission fail.

OOPs we goofed.

If you are looking for the article from June 21, 2010 – Click here or go to

http://euliss.com/emagine/?p=840

I hope you followed this week’s baseball drama.  Even if you are not a baseball fan, this was such an interesting story as well as a test of character and leadership.  To recap, on Wednesday the Detroit Tigers were playing the Cleveland Indians. Detroit pitcher Armando Galarraga was having a remarkable game. He was on his way to a “perfect” game. A perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher (or combination of pitchers) pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. That means no hits or walks.

At the time of this game only 20 perfect games had ever been pitched in the history of baseball. Galarraga was pitching in the 9th inning with one out. He pitched to the next batter, Jason Donald who hit the ball to the infield. The ball was fielded cleanly and the throw to first was in time, seemingly providing the second out.  However the umpire, Jim Joyce called the runner “safe” ending the bid for a perfect game. The game ended with only one “hit” and Detroit winning 3-0.

This is where the real story begins. Almost immediately, fans were outraged.  They booded the call in the stadium but the fans at home were a little more unruly. Some fans made threats to the umpire’s family and vandalized the umpire’s Wikipedia page. However, the player, manager, and umpire demonstrated a level of class and grace that we could all learn from.  Upon reviewing the replay after the game, umpire Jim Joyce immediately said that he was sorry that he made a mistake and made the wrong call.  Armando Galarraga, the pitcher, handled it well by saying “Everyone makes mistakes”.

Everyone makes mistakes?  This is what a pitcher that was just removed from the history books says?  Everyone makes mistakes?  He was right.  I wish all of us could demonstrate the same amount of grace when someone does something to us that hurts us. What is not being talked about is the way Detroit manager Jim Leyland handled the incident.  He did go out to the umpire and discuss the incident.  He did not “charge” out onto the field like some news outlets reported.  He kept his cool while disagreeing with the umpire’s call.  Then, he went to the dugout and locker room and coached his team to do the same.

Not only that, Leyland made the highly unusual move of having a player bring out the lineup card to the umpiring crew (including Joyce) at home plate before the following game. He wanted Galarraga to do it so that he could shake hands with Joyce in public view, and hopefully soften fan sentiment towards Joyce.

Galarraga shook Joyce’s hand. Joyce gave him a pat on the back before Galarraga headed back to the dugout.

“That was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen,” said Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge, who watched from the dugout. “What sets that apart from anything that’s probably happened in a long time in our sport is the absolute sportsmanship of it. I’ll tell you what, Galarraga and Joyce are two true gentlemen, period, in the way that they handled themselves. People will always remember that. I’ll never forget it.”

Joyce, Galarraga, and Leyland…three great examples of what it means to be a great leader under fire in an incident that wasn’t “perfect” nor fair.

This week look for opportunities that are not “perfect” to demonstrate grace and leadership under fire. Remember everything you do teaches someone else.  Did you see any examples of leadership grace this week?

Video Link

This weekend many of us will be grilling our favorite foods, having people over to visit, and taking the day off. As we do so it is important to understand why we celebrate Memorial Day. Many of us see it as the beginning of summer. However Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who died while serving in the American military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.

Since the Revolutionary War, over 1,000,000 service men and women have been killed as a result of defending our nation and preserving our rights for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This statement, located in our Declaration of Independence is many times reserved for history class or an occasional trip to Washington DC. What does it really mean to us as Americans? It means that these men and women died so that we could be safe, free to make responsible choices, and pursue a high quality of life not micro-managed by the government.

Interestingly enough, recent events have shown contempt to their sacrifice.

• Morgan Hill, CA – Students at Live Oak High School were disciplined for wearing American flag t-shirts on Cinco De Mayo. The school official said the flag was incendiary and could offend others.  Ironically, the holiday of Cinco De Mayo, The 5th Of May, commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. It is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla, with some limited recognition in other parts of Mexico, and especially in U.S. cities with a significant Mexican population. It is not, as many people think, Mexico’s Independence Day, which is actually September 16.
• Winston-Salem, NC – Students at a local high school were disciplined for wearing Christian t-shirts and told they “may be offensive” to others.
• Reno, NV – Owner of a bar flies a Mexican flag above the American flag in violation of US law.  The American flag was rescued by a Vietnam vet.
• Maywood, CA – Protesters pull down an American flag and hoist a Mexican flag above a US Post Office.

Although isolated, incidents like these are becoming more common across our country.  As leaders we should see these as teaching opportunities for future generations.  If we do not celebrate and sustain our belief systems then the world will try and take them away. We must begin now to remind  each other and future generations why we celebrate Memorial Day and other holidays.  We risk  the meaning and importance  being lost or open for interpretation by whoever comes along placing the American way of life these people died for in jeopardy.

Other than the obvious, why is it important for us as leaders to clearly understand sustaining and celebrating belief systems? It is because what a person believes and embodies has a huge impact on how that person performs.  Remember our two top leadership concerns are how well our people get along and how productive they are.  Remarkably, the seemingly intangible factor of belief is one of the most influential in increasing performance. The other remarkable condition is that if we do not sustain and celebrate that for which we stand, apathetic individuals will step in and create a belief system in its place.

Apathy.  It seems sometimes we are surrounded by it. Apathy is defined as a state of indifference, or the suppression of emotions such as concern, excitement, motivation  and passion.  It is derived from the Greek word, ἀπάθεια (apatheia) which means the “absence of passion”.  Left alone, it can kill an organization or a country. However, celebrating beliefs are one of the greatest ways to combat it.

Others would argue that it is not apathy, but ignorance we are combating. Ignorance of history, values,  and the very beliefs that we defend today. As the old joke goes, “What’s the difference between apathy and ignorance?  Answer: I don’t know and I don’t care.” (think about it) Sometimes, it really is  hard to tell the difference but fortunately these conditions are treated with the same medicine…celebrating and sustaining beliefs.

I challenge you this week to take time to look at our United States history.  Remember what rights others have died for, why the founding of America was so important, and what the United States means to the global community.  Review the documents of our founders and carefully examine their wording.  This language was debated upon and carefully chosen so that it would transcend generations.

I have attached excerpts of some of those documents here for your review.

Beginning with the Declaration of Independence, let’s look at what we are trying to protect:

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

And the Declaration concludes with this paragraph:

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States;

that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Then we look to our constitution and the Bill of Rights. These are the rights these people were protecting as they gave the ultimate sacrifice:

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

---

Amendment IIA well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

---

Amendment IIINo Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

---

Amendment IVThe right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

---

Amendment VNo person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

---

Amendment VIIn all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

---

Amendment VIIIn Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

---

Amendment VIIIExcessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

---

Amendment IXThe enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

---

Amendment XThe powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

The Flag Code

UNITED STATES CODE
TITLE 36
CHAPTER 10

§170. National anthem; Star-Spangled Banner
The composition consisting of the words and music known as The Star-Spangled Banner is designated the national anthem of the United States of America.

§171. Conduct during playing
During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.

§172. Pledge of allegiance to the flag; manner of delivery
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, ‘I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.’, should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.

§173. Display and use of flag by civilians; codification of rules and customs; definition
The following codification of existing rules and customs pertaining to the display and use of the flag of the United States of America is established for the use of such civilians or civilian groups or organizations as may not be required to conform with regulations promulgated by one or more executive departments of the Government of the United States. The flag of the United States for the purpose of this chapter shall be defined according to sections 1 and 2 of title 4 and Executive Order 10834 issued pursuant thereto.

§174. Time and occasions for display

* (a) Display on buildings and stationary flagstaffs in open; night display

It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
* (b) Manner of hoisting

The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
* (c) Inclement weather

The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all weather flag is displayed.
* (d) Particular days of display

The flag should be displayed on all days, especially on New Year’s Day, January 1; Inauguration Day, January 20; Lincoln’s Birthday, February 12; Washington’s Birthday, third Monday in February; Easter Sunday (variable); Mother’s Day, second Sunday in May; Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May; Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), the last Monday in May; Flag Day, June 14; Independence Day, July 4; Labor Day, first Monday in September; Constitution Day, September 17; Columbus Day, second Monday in October; Navy Day, October 27; Veterans Day, November 11; Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November; Christmas Day, December 25; and such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States; the birthdays of States (date of admission); and on State holidays.
* (e) Display on or near administration building of public institutions

The flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration building of every public institution.
* (f) Display in or near polling places

The flag should be displayed in or near every polling place on election days.
* (g) Display in or near schoolhouses

The flag should be displayed during school days in or near every schoolhouse.

§175. Position and manner of display
The flag, when carried in a procession with another flag or flags, should be either on the marching right; that is, the flag’s own right, or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line.

* (a) The flag should not be displayed on a float in a parade except from a staff, or as provided in subsection (i) of this section.
* (b) The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat. When the flag is displayed on a motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.
* (c) No other flag or pennant should be placed above or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States of America, except during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea, when the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for the personnel of the Navy. No person shall display the flag of the United Nations or any other national or international flag equal, above, or in a position of superior prominence or honor to, or in place of, the flag of the United States at any place within the United States or any Territory or possession thereof: Provided, That nothing in this section shall make unlawful the continuance of the practice heretofore followed of displaying the flag of the United Nations in a position of superior prominence or honor, and other national flags in positions of equal prominence or honor, with that of the flag of the United States at the headquarters of the United Nations.
* (d) The flag of the United States of America, when it is displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right, the flag’s own right, and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.
* (e) The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.
* (f) When flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter should always be at the peak. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the United States flag’s right.
* (g) When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace.
* (h) When the flag of the United States is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of a building, the union of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff. When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk from a rope extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted out, union first, from the building.
* (i) When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag’s own right, that is, to the observer’s left. When displayed in a window, the flag should be displayed in the same way, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street.
* (j) When the flag is displayed over the middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street.
* (k) When used on a speaker’s platform, the flag, if displayed flat, should be displayed above and behind the speaker. When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman’s or speaker’s right as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker or to the right of the audience.
* (l) The flag should form a distinctive feature of the ceremony of unveiling a statue or monument, but it should never be used as the covering for the statue or monument.
* (m) The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, territory, or possession of the United States, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff. The flag shall be flown at half-staff thirty days from the death of the President or a former President; ten days from the day of death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives; from the day of death until interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor of a State, territory, or possession; and on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress. As used in this subsection -
o (1) the term ‘half-staff’ means the position of the flag when it is one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff;
o (2) the term ‘executive or military department’ means any agency listed under sections 101 and 102 of title 5; and
o (3) the term ‘Member of Congress’ means a Senator, a Representative, a Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico.
* (n) When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.
* (o) When the flag is suspended across a corridor or lobby in a building with only one main entrance, it should be suspended vertically with the union of the flag to the observer’s left upon entering. If the building has more than one main entrance, the flag should be suspended vertically near the center of the corridor or lobby with the union to the north, when entrances are to the east and west or to the east when entrances are to the north and south. If there are entrances in more than two directions, the union should be to the east.

§176. Respect for flag
No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.

* (a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
* (b) The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
* (c) The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
* (d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker’s desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.
* (e) The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
* (f) The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
* (g) The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
* (h) The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
* (i) The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
* (j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
* (k) The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.

§177. Conduct during hoisting, lowering or passing of flag
During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present except those in uniform should face the flag and stand at attention with the right hand over the heart. Those present in uniform should render the military salute. When not in uniform, men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Aliens should stand at attention. The salute to the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes.

§178. Modification of rules and customs by President
Any rule or custom pertaining to the display of the flag of the United States of America, set forth herein, may be altered, modified, or repealed, or additional rules with respect thereto may be prescribed, by the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, whenever he deems it to be appropriate or desirable; and any such alteration or additional rule shall be set forth in a proclamation.

§179. Design for service flag; persons entitled to display flag
The Secretary of Defense is authorized and directed to approve a design for a service flag, which flag may be displayed in a window of the place of residence of persons who are members of the immediate family of a person serving in the armed forces of the United States during any period of war or hostilities in which the Armed Forces of the United States may be engaged.

§180. Design for service lapel button; persons entitled to wear button
The Secretary of Defense is also authorized and directed to approve a design for a service lapel button, which button may be worn by members of the immediate family of a person serving in the armed forces of the United States during any period of war or hostilities in which the Armed Forces of the United States may be engaged.

§181. Approval of designs by Secretary of Defense; license to manufacture and sell; penalties
Upon the approval by the Secretary of Defense of the design for such service flag and service lapel button, he shall cause notice thereof, together with a description of the approved flag and button, to be published in the Federal Register. Thereafter any person may apply to the Secretary of Defense for a license to manufacture and sell the approved service flag, or the approved service lapel button, or both. Any person, firm, or corporation who manufactures any such service flag or service lapel button without having first obtained such a license, or otherwise violates sections 179 to 182 of this title, shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than $1,000.

§182. Rules and regulations
The Secretary of Defense is authorized to make such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of sections 179 to 182 of this title.

§182a to 182d. Repealed. Pub. L. 89-534, § 2, Aug. 11, 1966, 80 Stat. 345

§183, 184. Repealed. Pub. L. 85-857, § 14(84), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1272

§185. Transferred

§186. National motto
The national motto of the United States is declared to be ‘In God we trust.’

§187. National floral emblem
The flower commonly known as the rose is designated and adopted as the national floral emblem of the United States of America, and the President of the United States is authorized and requested to declare such fact by proclamation.

§188. National march
The composition by John Philip Sousa entitled ‘The Stars and Stripes Forever’ is hereby designated as the national march of the United States of America.

For the last two and a half weeks I have been on the road speaking to and training various organizations. These organizations had many things in common.

1. They were made up of dedicated individuals willing to do what it takes to become better at what they do.

2. They had a common theme to their mission – service to their fellow man.

3. The audiences were made up of people who had served for many years.

4. Each saw parts of their organization as being stuck in a rut.  That is, the paradigm of tradition had taken over the entrepreneurial spirit of progress.

If this scenario seems familiar, rest assured you are not alone. Many organizations and individuals find themselves becoming comfortable with the status quo and settling down for what was intended to be a short rest but becomes years and generations. In doing so we often fail to see that some continue to move forward but struggle because they are looking for help from those who stopped. We also fail to see that there are those behind us just beginning their journey that are watching how others model behavior and get rewarded.

Understanding and identifying ruts are key to the success of today’s leader.  If not we begin to hear the seven words of decline in an organization, “We’ve never done it that way before”.

Many times we become stuck in a rut either because we are so stuck on tradition that we do not clearly understand how or why it became tradition or, because we do not maintain a clear vision and mission and therefore do not have a plan to keep on track.  Both are closely related.  I had a good friend who once told me, “If you always do what you’ve always done, then you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten”.  If you are satisfied with what you have now then do nothing. However if you step back and see that what you have now needs improvement, then start making plans to improve it.  Regardless where you are in the organization, you own some part of it. You have a unique ability to affect change precisely where you are right now.

Items to consider:

1. Are your people developing as far as they can?  If not, look at your practices.  How many are traditions?  How many made sense in past generations but no longer apply?
2. How often to you evaluate the growth each of those you serve?  If the answer is never then how do you expect them to grow?
3. Are those that are growing only growing in areas of minimum standards?  What would it look like if you expanded the areas in which they are being trained?
4. Do you categorize people for training by age, sex, tenure, or some other arbitrary measure?  Why do you do that?  Is it for the sake of tradition? Because that’s what we’ve always done. What would it look like if you put them together by where they are developmentally regardless of the other categories? How would this change the way they developed and participated?

Take time this week to revisit your mission and vision.  Have the become words on a wall or in a book?  Or, are you doing all you can to develop others around you to reach that vision?

I look forward to hearing from you.

-Michael