Staying On The Leading Edge

Staying on the Leading Edge

Without Killing Yourself

John Gray

Staying on the Leading Edge

Copyright © 2015 John Gray

Front Cover Photo by Simon Carter. Onsight Photography. Used under license.

Back Cover Photo taken by Anthony Harrison for use by St Paul′s Castle Hill and John Gray.

All rights reserved. No part of his publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

The information, views, opinions and visuals expressed in this publication are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the publisher. The publisher disclaims any liabilities or responsibilities whatsoever for any damages, libel or liabilities arising directly or indirectly from the contents of this publication.

A copy of this publication can be found in the National Library of Australia.

ISBN: 978-1-742845-41-8 (pbk.)

Published by Book Pal

www.bookpal.com.au

Contents

Introduction: Live On The Leading Edge

Section One: The View From The Edge

Chapter 1. Traffic In The Unknown

Chapter 2. Get Them Off The Beach – NOW!

Chapter 3. Set Your Course

Section Two: Leaders For The Edge

Chapter 4. Inspired

Chapter 5. Even Keeled

Chapter 6. Skilled

Chapter 7. Leadership With Skin On

Section Three: Face Soft. Wall Hard

Chapter 8. Spiritual Mentors

Chapter 9. Plundering Books

Chapter 10. Tapping Into Conferences

Chapter 11. Remember Your Leaders

Chapter 12. Training For Leadership

Chapter 13. Daily Workout

Section Four: Staying On The Leading Edge

Chapter 14. Leading Without Killing (Yourself)

Chapter 15. Run At A Human Pace

Chapter 16. Lead From Rest

Chapter 17. Fuel Your Popeye Moment

Section Five: Courage

Chapter 18. … For The Leading Edge

APPENDIX: Taking Leaders To The Next Level …

Bibliography

Commendations

‘There are some people who are great leaders but can’t communicate it. There are others who write about leadership but have never been tested at the coal face of practice.

John Gray ‘gets’ leadership. He has had his own leadership sharpened on the anvil of experience in dynamic churches. However, he also knows how to distil the essence of leadership in a clear teachable manner. ‘Staying on the Leading Edge’ differs from much of the body of leadership literature in that John Gray outlines practical ways to improve one’s own leadership coupled with deep biblical and theological foundations.

This book deserves to be widely read and will be particularly beneficial to students, ministers, church staffs, elders and lay leaders in the local church. Buy it, read it and put it into practice. Rod Irvine, Retired Senior Minister, Figtree. Coach to Senior Ministers

John Gray, an excellent Christian leader, has written a book which combines good Biblical exegesis, perceptive leadership principles and practice, and strong encouragement that Christian ministers give Godly leadership. This is a rare and very valuable contribution. Keith Farmer, B.Comm., B.A.(Hons), D.Min former Principal of ACoM (Australian College of Ministries), currently mentoring Christian leaders in Australia.

Even the most casual read of the Scriptures will show that God works in this world through the leaders he raises up for his purposes. From Moses to Paul, we see God calling men and women to take people from where they are to where God would have them be. In ‘Staying on the Leading Edge’ John Gray digs into the Bible to go beyond the ‘how’ of leadership to the all important ‘why’. Right Reverend Ross Nicholson, Assistant Bishop, Tasmania.

Why another book on leadership?

Leadership has been a hot topic for three decades. Increasing shelf space has been given over to books on the matter in real and online bookstores. The attention has attracted debate: some say leadership is all that is needed; some disagree, while still others posit there is no theology of leadership at all.

This book is written for three purposes.

Firstly, I write to provide a framework for those who have an internal drive to lead.

You know this drive cannot be stopped. If it is, you fear you will die, or, worse. You fear you will waste your one and only life. You fear your days will end with a whimper.

You, therefore, get on with leading intuitively.

I hope the first two sections will add to your knowledge of leadership. My prayer for you is this book will help you lead with a higher grade of octane leadership: characterised by a greater intensity and courage.

Secondly, I want to contribute to the debate on a theology of leadership.

In some circles the thought of a theology of leadership is ludicrous. 25 years ago I was taken aside after a seminar I had just led on building teams. I was told, John, of course you know there is no theology of leadership. There is no such thing as leadership. Those words from an older brother took me by surprise. I had led football teams. I was the school captain at High School. I had led beach missions. I was like the leaders I mentioned above: champing at the bit to lead and influence people. To be told that all this was invalid – or, had no place in the church – made no sense.

The irony is I will hear these words AFTER the same minister has talked about the way he

has organised his staff team

runs his Parish Council, or Board

chairs meetings,

thinks about the next steps in ministry at his church be they the next 12 months, 5 years or 10 years. One older brother even told me that one of the things a minister has to do is think 3 – 5 years ahead of everyone else.

Simply put, these are leadership functions.

If you raise questions about leadership, and its validity in the church, I pray you will interact with what follows particularly Sections 1 and 2 so that, together, we might sharpen our understanding of how Christ operates. In the end, I suspect, we are after the same things: the glory of Christ and the extension of his kingdom.

Thirdly, I write for those who are battle weary.

You have given the best years of your life to the One who gave his life for you. But right now you wonder if it has been worth the effort. It seems the church you serve does not value you and you wonder if they would even notice if you failed to turn up next Sunday.

If your wife found you alone at the BBQ table you fear you might say

I – do – not – want – to – do – this – any – more.

You are not alone.

You are not the only one to have uttered those words nor to be overwhelmed with the deep sadness that accompanies them.

I pray our Father will supply you energy to read this book particularly Sections 3-5. If you are seriously burned, start with Section 4. May you find rest for your soul and a renewed infusion of passion for Christ and people.

I pray you might find enough help in what follows so that you can re enter the rescue mission.

Your experience and wisdom are much needed.

We need every leader in the game.

We need you.

May we lead alongside one another until that great day when all God’s people will gaze upon the face of him who loved us so.

Then we will enjoy God – forever.

And

He will take great delight in you,

he will quiet you with his love,

he will rejoice over you with singing.

– Zephaniah 3:17 (b)

Acknowledgements

Rarely is a project the result of one person’s effort. It is no less true for this book. Quite a number of people have either directly or indirectly had a role in these words.

I thank Kath Mueller for her encouragement to record my thoughts that she then transcribed. I thank Lorna Thomson, Lorraine Cole, and Robyn Bortolussi who painstakingly asked after my hand scribble (which looked like ants had walked across pages after walking through red ink) and then retyped drafts for me. These women who gave of themselves so much in the office of St Paul’s are simply amazing ladies: patient, generous of spirit and for whom no task it too big or small.

Tim Hawkins kept encouraging me to get these thoughts on paper as did Zac Veron. Over the years these men sharpened my thinking and practice in a number of areas.

Ian Barnett, Stephen Semenchuck, Rod Irvine, Graham Crew, men I have met over a number of years as we to try and figure out how we are to serve and lead in churches which are larger than the average, were kind in their feedback and comment on early thinking and drafts.

Mike Turner brought his love of New Testament Greek to bear.

Keith Baker and Eric Cheung, my associates and two members of my Lead Team, provided humorous relief when articles appeared which, how shall we say, stirred my blood.

Bronwyn Hughes, Oscar Muriu, Keith Farmer offered helpful feedback on earlier drafts while Sue Lack was extraordinarily patient and gracious, yet clear and firm, in her editing of the text. Thank you!

I have been grateful to God for the opportunities I have had to sit under, and at times, meet substantial leaders. Archbishops Harry Goodhew and Peter Jensen, local church leaders Phillip Jensen, Bill Hybels, Wayne Cordeiro, Oscar Muriu have shaped and informed me in ways they will never know. But I am indebted to them. As I am to many others whose words I have read or listened to over the years.

I would also like to acknowledge the role various groups of people have had as I have developed this material. I have had the privilege of speaking to Infants, Primary and High School teachers from both the public and private arenas. Whether these events were at a District level or confined to a particular school, the feedback staff offered was invaluable. As was that I gleaned from the NSW State Principals conference in 2006. In addition, the opportunity to speak to different church teams (both paid staff and non paid leaders) has not simply a privilege but significant in also shaping my thinking. I am particularly grateful to Barnies (St Barnabas Anglican Church, Broadway) in Sydney, Nairobi Chapel Kenya and a group of pastors from right across South East Asia.

My family have been patient with a minister who has taken steps forward and backward throughout their lives. And yet, they still love Jesus Christ, his Bride and are engaged in ministry as young adults.

My wife, Robyn, has borne more than I will ever know as I have sought to serve the Trinitarian God of the Bible, his people and those who are still far off. Her patience, care, prayers and love continue to be beyond measure. Her resilience and anchor in Christ have been a bulwark to not only me, but also to our children. Her common sense and clarity of sight have sharpened mine. I am a better man because of her.

The Lord Jesus Christ has been true to himself: longsuffering, full of compassion and mercy. His calling, redeeming and refining work continues to be a source of strength, encouragement and inspiration to follow him. He has walked with in the valley of the shadows and challenged me to not shrink back.

To him be glory and honour and power and praise.

Preface

Introductions can be tedious. For that reason I would like this one to be brief and an encouragement to read a good book. Sometimes Introductions give helpful insights into the writer and his context and therefore enhance the readers understanding of the book itself.

In this case, all you really need to know about John Gray to enjoy and to profit from his book is that he is a working minister and has been since his ordination as an Anglican clergyman in 1986. I have known him for quite a few years and greatly appreciate him and his work.

John has a passion to serve his Lord well and his material comes from daily testing in the trenches of pastoral ministry: he knows what he is talking about.

So, I say, read the book.

It will do you good. In doing you good it will, if you are in leadership, do others good too. So read it, and in the language of a time honoured prayer read, mark. Learn, and inwardly digest it

John is a worthy representative of a cohort of people whom I admire greatly: those who serve Christ in the task of pastoral leadership. I pay tribute to him and his breed. May God increase their number.

So, READ IT.

Harry Goodhew

Former Anglican Archbishop of Sydney

Introduction

Live On The Leading Edge

The desire for safety stands against every noble human endeavour.

– Tacitus

You have to understand I’m a surfing tragic. Though I’ve wanted to surf since I was 9 or 10, it was not until I turned 46 that I owned my first board. A couple of years later I got to surf Rainbow Bay Beach. All week I watched others surfing Snapper Rocks at the eastern point, thinking, ‘One day, I’ll surf that point.’

One afternoon, while tossing up ‘Will I risk Snapper today, or, will I play it safe?’ another surfer walked past and said, There’s an easy way out to the break, just up here. For reasons that still elude me, I followed him. He was right. At the point there is a clear sand path to the water in between two small rock walls. I should point out that the rocks we are speaking of here are razor sharp. Volcanic activity of an era gone by thrust molten rock to the surface, leaving it to solidify into a million teeth. The rock walls are like two serrated bread knives, lying on their smooth edge, protruding from the sand.

As I walked to the water I watched the rhythm of waves … to calculate when to paddle out. I did my calculations, took an educated guess and launched into the surf. Did I mention these rocks were razor sharp?

I mistimed my entry. While the wave was only 2 feet high, it pushed me toward the one solitary rocky outcrop just off the point. I was using a hire board and, not wanting to be up for board repair, I managed to push off the outcrop with my feet. I did mention these rocks are razor sharp, right? I scraped the top of my left foot on rock. ‘That will hurt later,’ I thought, ‘but it’s only a scratch’. So I carried on and caught some great waves. I was in my element.

When I was finished for the day I stood on the wet sand for a moment of satisfied reflection. I drank deep of the gift of life, the beach, the sun, surf and the opportunity to enjoy it all. It was a magical moment: the setting sun warming my back, the sound of waves rolling in and the smell of salt air nourishing my soul.

I looked down and saw my feet were standing in a pool of blood which ebbed and flowed with each lapping wave. I didn’t think too much of it – a band-aid or 2 would do the trick. As I walked across the dry sand though, I realised my right heel felt a little uncomfortable. I did mention that rock was razor sharp? I had scratched my foot; that was clear. But I had done a little more than scratch my heel – gouge would be a more apt word.

Here’s the interesting thing. That I was missing meat from my heel and that blood was flowing more than freely from my left foot … none of this robbed me of the joy of my afternoon’s surfing. Quite the reverse. These cuts enhanced my joy. I had surfed Snapper! They hold Pro surfing titles at Snapper. It’s the home of two world champions: Mick Fanning and Happy Gilmour. Those cuts were trophies,  war wounds.

The moment I decided surf the point was the moment I decided not to play it safe and do the same ol’ same ol’. To be sure, I would’ve kept both my feet intact. I would’ve caught some nice little waves on