Redundancy, L=V+E and being a great leader

I pleased to read in Clusters words that I often say to others. When describing my aim at work, I often state that I strive to make myself redundant, so that:

1. The team grow to be able to do all that I do, but without me.
2. I can focus on higher-level goals.

p.159 of Clusters states that "the intention of a good leader ought to be to do themselves out of a job and to do this they need to be aware of the seasons of leadership that God takes them through"

It then goes on to list these seasons/steps (as modelled by a great leader 2000 years ago):

1. State a clear vision.
2. Adopt a "I do, you watch" approach ...
3. Followed by "I do, you help" ...
   
4. Followed by "You do, I help" ...
5. Followed by "You do, I watch".

The final point I noted on leadership was from p.178, where the useful formula was stated of:

Leadership = Vision + Empowerment

A useful exercise is to consider what a team would feel like to be in if either Vision or Empowerment is Low or High, e.g.

1. Low vision + low empowerment = dead
2. High vision + low empowerment = burnt-out
3. Low vision + high empowerment = cosy
4. High vision + high empowerment = dynamic

Accountability in life

Was given the book Clusters to read this Summer and thoroughly enjoyed it whilst on holiday. It was a great book to read following on from my trip to Karamoja and then reading Velvet Elvis.

The following points stayed with me about being accountable to each other (in a small faith group, or equally at work). Several references were made to the John Wesley Class-meeting System, which would also be worth researching.

• p83. "Relational, rather than institutional accountability is entirely different ... the relationship is indispensable."
• p81. Accountability questions:
  
1. "What do you want to see changed in your life?"
2. "What do you sense God is challenging you on?"
   

Effective evangelism requires ...

Went to a great talk at New Wine by David Parker on what evangelism requires. It is based on Mark 14. Here are the key points I took away:

Effective evangelism requires:

• Self-denial - personal sacrifice for the good of others.
  
• A broken heart for the lost.
• Demonstrative love: "evangelism is an outward demonstration of all other gifts".
• Consistency in:
1. Friendly contact.
2. Meaningful connections.
3. Significant content.
• Creating a climate of pleasant surprise, instead of disappointment.
  
• Embracing ultimate joy - anticipation of the good to come.