Midweek Meditation: Think Little of Self

Thomas a Kempis once said,

"He who would learn to serve must first learn to think little of himself. This is the highest and most profitable lesson, truly to know and to despise ourselves. To have no opinion of ourselves - and to thik always well and highly of others is great wisdom and perfection."

(Credit: http://intothekingsgarden.blogspot.com)

In a world that worships success, material things, money, and fame, we are often tempted to copy what the world is pursuing. We buy into the mistaken belief that more is more, and that God only helps those who help themselves. No. The world is not about us. The world is beyond us. We are but participants in the universe of life. We need guidance ourselves, instead of thinking that we must be guided by our fancy wishes. Like John the Baptist who proclaims that "I must decrease, and He must increase," we adopt this attitude of servanthood. When we learn to see others more important than ourselves, we are not necessarily downplaying our worth. We are actually right-sizing ourselves, and to make sure that our sinful selfish selves are kept in its proper perspective. For many of us, hemming ourselves in to think little of our own selves is a good start.

conrade

BookPastor >> "The 5 Levels of Leadership" (John C. Maxwell)

This book review was first published at "Panorama of a Book Saint" on March 6th, 2012.  I recommend it warmly for your consideration. Maxwell writes in a very readable and structured way. The ideas are vivid and can be very practical for everyday usage.

conrade

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TITLE: The 5 Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential
AUTHOR: John C. Maxwell
PUBLISHER: New York, NY: Center Street, 2011, (296 pages).

As a leadership guru, John Maxwell has a way of putting important ideas into a very teachable format. Through what he calls the 5 levels of leadership, he enables readers to immediately hook on the intentionality of leadership. He says that the book is a result of more than 5 years of work, as well as his most popular request so far among all his leadership materials. The 5 levels of leadership in increasing order of influence are:

1. POSITION - closely linked to your rights, where people follow you simply because they have to.
2. PERMISSION - associated more with the level of your relationships, people follow you because they respect you.
3. PRODUCTION - linked to results, people follow you because you are competent and delivers results.
4. PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT - linked to reproduction, people follow you because you are a people developer based on what you have done for them.
5. PINNACLE - linked to respect, people follow you because of what you represent and for the person that you are.

Following this model, Maxwell provides 10 insights to use with regards to the progression of leadership levels. Of course, one needs to move from Level 1 to the highest Level 5.

(John Maxwell, The Five Levels of Leadership, p6)

1. You can move up a level but you never leave the previous one behind
2. You are not on the same level with every person
3. The higher you go, the easier it is to lead
4. The higher you go, the more time and commitment is required to win a level
5. Moving up levels occurs slowly, but going down can happen quickly
6. The higher you go, the greater the return
7. Moving farther up always requires further growth
8. Not climbing the levels limits you and your people
9. When you change positions or organizations, you seldom stay at the same level
10. You cannot climb the levels alone.

It is tempting to think that there is nothing really new with regards to the author's way of explaining leadership. Yet, I admit it is amazing for Maxwell to be able to present his ideas in simple ways, packed with  witty advice, and concise applications. He gives a leadership assessment exercise for readers to immediately use and apply in order to determine their present levels. He explains each level in detail, complete with survey results, stories, experience, and humor. One of the pleasant finds in the book is the examples he used. For instance, the Chinese word, 聽 has been explained through the following ways:

• Ears (耳) - I hear what you say
• Eyes (眼) - I see what you say
• Heart (心) - I feel what you say
• Undivided attention - I value who you are and what you say.

It is a simple word, but the explanation itself is compelling. While the concepts are really simple, I must acknowledge the brilliance behind the way the author is able to keep the readers engrossed in the book's stories. Learning is fun and educational! As a learning tool, the book is an excellent tool to motivate leaders to improve. It is easy to use and very entertaining as well. On the application side, things are not necessarily as neat as what Maxwell has painted it to be. Life is often more complex than the 5 levels of leadership. Perhaps, the best way to use this book is to have it as a rough map for one to determine leadership style and position. The true measure of one's leadership ultimately lies in the practice of leadership. Good teaching and good tools can only help one so far. There is the school of hard knocks. Both success and failure of leadership efforts are also teachers of leadership in their own ways. Powerful stuff this book may contain, do not be too myopic to limit your leadership learning only to this book. It is important for readers to use this book as one of their many resources of leadership.

That said, if you have not read any of John Maxwell's book before, I strongly recommend that you pick this book as your first. What I find particularly helpful is the way Maxwell points out the pros and cons of each level, and how to make the best use of that level, for the benefit of others.

conrade

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Midweek Meditation: Lectio Divina

(Credit: http://www.archsa.org)

The Lectio Divina is a spiritual practice of meditative reading, or spiritual reading. Instead of reading to harness information, it is a kind of reading that moves toward spiritual formation. When we read the Bible, we listen. Then we listen some more, pausing when necessarily, cruising when needed. It lets the Word of God take root in our hearts, or sit above us as we settle our minds toward obedience. Classical lectio divina comprises four elements.

1. Lectio - reading;
2. Meditatio - reflecting;
3. Oratio - responding;
4. Contemplatio - resting.

All of these actions are focused and guided by the Scriptures. Richard Foster calls the lectio divina as "a meditative, spiritual reading in which both the mind and the heart are drawn into the love of God." Once this practice is done, we can apply the same method to other kinds of spiritual literature.

"The masters of the spiritual life advise that we should, when contemplating, make use of the imagination. For example, we should visualize an incident such as the miracle of the draught of fishes as vividly as we can. We should be present in mind as though we had just stopped on our way and were witnessing the event. This is most useful because it brings the event to life and makes it part of our inner experience." (Romano Guardini)

Let us apply the lectio divina to the reading of this verse.

"In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men." (John 1:4, NAS)

• In - not outside, nor sideways, up, or down. It is in. It is inclusive. It is inner being. 
• Him - Why is "Him" so special? It is a Person, not a Principle, not a Force, not an element, not something that is impersonal or metaphysical being. It is in the flesh.
• Life - It is alive. It is a flowing dynamic, not a static block of inanimate thing. It moves, it beats, it lives.
• Light - In a world of darkness, things are gloomy and scary. When the light comes, the darkness flees. Darkness is not a dark force per se, but a place where there is absence of light. With light, there will be no darkness. With darkness, we need the light. 
• Men - Not animals or plants, not machines or technology. It is purely the human concern. God loves people.
• Put them all together, and we have one verse that speaks of the Giver of Life, the Light of Men, in one Person: Jesus Christ.

conrade

Wonder

One of the reasons why our worship is delinquent is simply because of our lack of desire to wonder. We are proud of our ability to solve problems. We revel in our capacity for ready-made solutions. We aim toward mastery so much that we are unable to appreciate the mystery of everyday life. Gayle Erwin's book, "YHWH Style" has this core conviction, that we can only know God according to what God says about Himself.  Watch creation. Watch people. Watch the weather. Watch. Then slowly but surely, as we seek to look for God, we will gradually realize that God is already looking at us.

"If one eats the bread of harvested grain;
If one plucks and eats a sweetened fruit;
If one watches wounds heal;
If one gazes at a distant star;
One can know the grace of God."
(Gayle D. Erwin, YHWH Style, Cathedral City, CA: Yahshua Publishing, 2001, p172)

conrade

BookPastor >> "Invitations to God"

This week, my book recommendation is Adele Calhoun's excellent book on spiritual formation. It is one thing to try to force ourselves to do devotions. It is yet another to feel that we are invited into a time to commune with God. We will learn that prayer and devotion is not about us bulldozing our way through in order to get our devotions done. It is about God inviting us in.

conrade 

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TITLE: Invitations from God: Accepting God's Offer to Rest, Weep, Forgive, Wait, Remember and More
AUTHOR: Adele Ahlberg Calhoun
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: IVP Books, 2011, (208 pages)

This book is written by a fellow alumnus from my alma mater. With "invitation" as a key theme, Calhoun weaves in 11 areas in which we can find ourselves invited to do. "Invitation" is a great word to use with regards to spiritual formation. It is something unforced but encouraged. It is attractive yet gentle. It is an open invite that has our closest interests in mind.

"Invitations are powerful. Like tides, they ebb and flow, sharing the contours of our existence. . . . Invitations shape who we know, where we go, what we do and who we become. Invitations can challenge and remake us. They can erode and devastate. And they can also heal and restore us.... The things we say yes to and the things we say no to determine the terrain of our future." (9-10)

There are four types of invitations. The first are the "business and career invitations" that "invite us to more productivity, vision, initiative and profitability." The second are the "family invitations" that can affect how closely knitted the family can become. The third kind is "educational" which offers ways to improve or enrich oneself through learning.  The fourth is "entertainment and social" which is an invitation to party. What makes God's invitation different from all of these is that God wants to "mend, shape, anchor and grow us into the character of Jesus."  Our spiritual journey is about how we RESPOND to God's invitation to grow into Jesus. Throughout the twelve invitations, the format is similar. There is first an invite followed by a key passage of Scripture. The author then highlights a roadblock that threatens to derail us from an appropriate response to the invitation. It shows us the way to let the Holy Spirit help us, and then to practice in a way to enlarge our receptivity that God may work even more in our hearts.

Three Reflections: Of Anti-West, of Will and Kate, and of .....

My three reflections on the top three news events this week.

The past week has been a sad testimony of the wrong end of the debate between the rights of self-expression vs the responsibility of neighbourliness. I want to take some time to reflect on three major news events this week. The first is about the anti-American violence in the Middle East, no thanks to the film and the notorious Terry Jones. The second is about the irresponsible publishing of private photos of the British Royal couple, William and Kate. The third, read on....

A) Anti-Western Sentiment

(Credit: MFS - The Other News)

The first is the wave of anti-American (even anti-Western) sentiment gushing through the Middle East this moment. In the West, the laws of the Western world allows film-makers pretty much a free hand to make films that are offensive to other cultures. In the name of free speech and self-expression, a group has made a film called "Innocence of Muslims" which essentially depicts images of Islam which are clearly offensive to Muslims. Worse, the notorious American pastor, Terry Jones, previously known for his stance on burning Qurans, openly supports the movie. Even sillier, is the provocative 2-minute clip played on Egyptian Islamic TV! As a result, like a spark that lights up a trail of gunpowder, anti-American sentiment swept through the Middle East. From Egypt to Yemen, Syria to Libya, Lebanon to Jordan, angry mobs hit out at American symbols. One US diplomat was killed in Jordan. Many compounds of American embassies were stormed, despite the police presence. Even commercial outlets like KFC were not spared. What seemed to be a set of personal beliefs that are anti-Islam in the film had generated so much violence. Worse, even today, I got an email from someone that uses the recent Islamic violence as evidence of "great darkness" and "radical Islamic militants" in the Middle East. I strongly object to these for the following reasons.

1. Great darkness is already everywhere. is not only on the Middle East. The whole world is in Great Darkness. If anyone in the West is adamant that the darkness is elsewhere, especially the Middle-East, they ought to take a look at their own backyard. Look at the sinful environment, the poverty, the drug problem, the symbols of sexual immorality, and so on. Look at the secularism of society that has cast doubts on the sanctity of life, or the sexual perversions.
2. "Radical Islamic Militants" are not the only ones who are radical. I think Terry Jones is also radical. Why leave him out? The majority of the Christian world do not support him or his actions. 
3. Tempting Violent Behaviour: The provocative film has basically one goal: to taunt Muslims in the name of "sharing truth." Dangle a fish before an eagle, or a goat before a tiger. The predator will gobble up the prey. For that matter, what if someone outside a West produces a movie that taunts the integrity of the American society? Will that not inflame feelings in the West? 
4. Balance Right of Free Speech with Responsibility. Just having a gun in our hands does not mean we can go around shooting people. It is wrong to use our license for free speech to hurt others. Ever watch Spiderman? The classic words at the end of the movie is this: With great power comes great responsibility. 
5. Creating New Radicals Instead: Most critically, films like these or anything that denigrates other beliefs or people groups will raise up the real radicals. Even if there are no radicals in the first place, repeated signals will easily create one. The younger ones who are watching television or modern media on the Internet, can be easily influenced or inflamed by all kinds of things. 

Unfortunately, one radical Terry Jones and the small filmmaker have cast a long dark shadow that has implicated and ruined any good impressions outsiders ever had on the West. For that matter, if we are able to recognize that Terry Jones do not represent the rest of the Christian world, let us also remember that the scattered groups of Islamic radicals DO NOT represent the rest of the Muslim world.

B) Photos That Embarass the Royal Couple

(Credit: CBSNews)

In Singapore and Malaysia during their tour in the Far East, Prince William and Kate were both "deeply saddened" by photos from a French tabloid that published photos of their private moments during their holiday.  It brings back moments of how Lady Diana had been taunted and pursued by the Papparazi just before her death in a tragic accident. Are all these necessary? Don't these press people have more important things to do? I am also appalled at the way the French magazine has behaved. Free speech that infringes on the privacy of others is not free speech. It is irresponsible use of freedom of speech. I posted on Facebook the following seven things.

1. Don't Google for the pictures. Never ever. 
2. Don't publicize the magazines that produce the offensive photos.
3. Boycott them or any of their agents.
4. Condemn the act not just on privacy invasion but for irresponsibility of their use of freedom. 
5. Tell others not to search for the pictures. 
6. Remember the golden rule. Do to others what you want others to do to you. Those of us who have children, will we want people to violate their privacy?
7. Respect the privacy of the royals. They need privacy too, like you and me. 

In defending the publication of the "topless photos," the editor of the magazine defended their actions by saying that "they are not shocking." Even if it is true, I find their attitude and stance, "shocking."

C) The Apple iPhone 5

(Photo Credit: Apple.com)

Set to become one of the best runaway hits by the present most valuable company in America, Apple is poised to grab even more market-share with their latest version of the popular smartphone. Even as competitors are coming up with powerful and competent alternatives, Apple still has the leadership in terms of marketing and fan following. Do we really need to upgrade? I must say the Apple marketing engine has never been so effective and convincing. Even my daughter has told me about friends of hers who can rattle off Apple information better than any school subject. Here is a tip from Wendell Berry about upgrading our technologies. In his classic statement about "Why I am NOT going to buy a computer," Wendell Berry gives the following guidelines when it comes to technological upgrading.

1. The new tool should be cheaper than the one it replaces.
2. It should be at least as small in scale as the one it replaces.
3. It should do work that is clearly and demonstrably better than the one it replaces. 
4. It should use less energy than the one it replaces. 
5. If possible, it should use some form of solar energy, such as that of the body. 
6. It should be repairable by a person of ordinary intelligence, provided that he or she has the necessary tools. 
7. It should be purchasable and repairable as near to home as possible. 
8. It should come from a small, privately owned shop or store that will take it back for maintenance and repair. 
9. It should not replace or disrupt anything good that already exists, and this includes family and community relationships.

Whether we ought to upgrade to iPhone 5, and to enrich the more than US$97billion cash hoard at Apple, we must also seriously think about the opportunity cost of the upgrade. Can our money spent on upgrading be used better elsewhere?

conrade

Level 5 Leadership: The Pinnacle

(Credit: John Maxwell)

For the past few weeks, we have been reflecting on John Maxwell's 5 levels of leadership. We have covered the Positional (Level 1), the Permission (Level 2), the Production (Level 3), and last week, we dealt with Level 4, the People Development level of leadership.

In this final stage and the highest level of leadership, people will follow because of who you are, and what you represent. Level 1 is about rights, titles, and jostling for position. Level 2 is about relationships. Level 3 is about production where results are key factors for leadership influence. Level 4 is about reproduction where the leader is helping others succeed. Level 5 represents the pinnacle of leadership, where respect is the trademark. The problem is that this level is often not a permanent position. They are often playing at Level 4 because their primary task is to develop Level 4 leaders.

A) Upsides of Level 5 Leadership


There are three major upsides according to Maxwell. The first is that Level 5 leaders will work toward creating a Level 5 leadership culture within the organization. It is about empowering. It is about a high level leading. It is about rising above the rest. Second, Level 5 leaders aim toward creating and leaving behind a legacy. Whether convictions or principles, leaders are measured on how well they have developed other leaders. Third, level 5 leaders set the stage or the platform for developing others. They learn, they earn, and they eventually return back the benefits in some way.

B) Downsides of Level 5 Leadership

Likewise, Maxwell highlights three major downsides. First, leaders may start to let pride in, and think one has arrived. They fall on their own idea of achievement that they fail to be humble and grow. Second, they start trusting themselves more than others. They deceive themselves. They start to think whatever they touch turns into gold. Third, they lose focus of the key objectives the moment the focus move to self.


C) Toward a Level 5 Leadership Level

Thankfully, there is a way. People wanting to grow to this level of leadership have six ways to do that.

1. They make room for others at the top
2. They continually mentor other potential Level 5 leaders
3. They create an inner circle that they may be held accountable
4. They let their unique leadership level do unique things for the sake of the organization
5. They plan for succession
6. They leave a positive legacy.

Of all the six, I think the most important is to be able to move away from "being needed" toward "be succeeded."  Such leaders work on other people's strengths instead of exploiting their weaknesses. They learn to give rather than to keep for themselves. 

D) Some notable Quotes

• "Wouldn't having more leaders create less room? No. And here's why: when you develop a leader who develops other leaders, you create more room at the top because you increase the size and power of the entire organization. Every time you develop good leaders and help find a place for them to lead and make an impact, they gather more good people to them." (243-4)
• "Leadership author and former FedEx executive Fred A. Manske Jr., observed, 'The ultimate leader is one who is willing to develop people to the point that they eventually surpass him or her in knowledge and ability.' On the Pinnacle level, that should always be your goal." (244)
• "Writer Lorin Woolfe says, 'The ultimate test for a leader is not whether he or she makes smart decisions and takes decisive action, but whether he or she teaches others to be leaders and builds an organization that can sustain its success even when he or she is not around.' True leaders put ego aside and strive to create successors who go beyond them. And they plan to hand off the baton of leadership in stride when they are still running at their peak." (250)

My Comments

We have come to the end of the reflection on John Maxwell's five levels of leadership. It is an enriching exercise. While there is no such thing as a permanent "laws" per se, the framework drawn up by Maxwell is an easy to follow structure for us to learn within. Most importantly, the framework tells us that leadership is not about ourselves. It is about others. At every level, this single most important point needs to guide our thinking and our leading. If leaders fail to show the way toward unselfish leadership, they are risking becoming pawns that build up a selfish organization where every worker only cares for themselves. When this happens, it is the beginning of the end, not just for the organization, but for the individual as well. Let me close with this snippet from Coach John Wooden.

Making the Most of One's Self

• Be true to your self
• Make each day your masterpiece
• Help others
• Drink deeply from good books
• Make friendship a fine art
• Build shelter against a rainy day
• Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.

Thank you for following me on this series on the Five Levels of Leadership.

conrade