Text: Isaiah 33:22 KJV (origin of the 3 branches of government)
For the LORD is our judge [Judic... more Text: Isaiah 33:22 KJV (origin of the 3 branches of government)
For the LORD is our judge [Judiciary (protection) – JC], the LORD is our lawgiver [Legislature (order) – GF], the LORD is our king [Executive (direction) – HS]; he will save us.
According to Ronald Heifetz, we generally authorize people to provide in varying degrees three essential services:
1. Direction - people in authority are expected to know where we are going. They set our goals and strategies for the way forward.
2. Protection - people in authority are expected to make sure we beat the competition and survive external attacks.
3. Order - people in authority are to maintain the structures, processes, and reinforce the cultural norms that guide us.
So every authority relationship will to some degree provide direction, protection, and order.
Text: Acts 6:1 – 4 NIV
According to the Center for Creative Leadership, the best leaders have ... more Text: Acts 6:1 – 4 NIV
According to the Center for Creative Leadership, the best leaders have 4 key influencing skills:
1. Organizational intelligence – understand your organization’s formal and informal structures (v. 2).
2. Leveraging networks – recognize and cultivate the power of your network to create change (v. 3).
3. Trust building – build and maintain trust to guide people through risk and change (v. 3).
4. Team promotion – promote your team and yourself to create more visibility for the work you’re doing (v. 4).
Bibliography
4 Ways to Strengthen Your Ability to Influence Others. “4 Keys to Influence Others.” Center for Creative Leadership. 4 Key Influence Skills to Strengthen Your Ability to Influence Others | CCL (accessed January 25, 2022).
Text: Acts 6:1 – 5 NLT
To become an effective change leader, you need 3 key competencies that ... more Text: Acts 6:1 – 5 NLT
To become an effective change leader, you need 3 key competencies that are part of leading the process of change:
1. Initiate – understand the need for change and begin by making the case for the change you seek by evaluating the business context, developing a clear vision and desired outcome, and identifying a common goal (v. 2).
2. Strategize – develop a strategy and a clear action plan, including priorities, timelines, tasks, structures, behaviors, and resources. Identify what would change and what would stay the same (vv. 3 - 4).
3. Execute – focus on getting key people into key positions. Break big projects down into small wins to get early victories and build momentum. And develop metrics and monitoring systems to measure progress (v. 5).
Text: Acts 2:42 – 47
How can you tell if leadership is happening within a team, department, com... more Text: Acts 2:42 – 47
How can you tell if leadership is happening within a team, department, community, committee, or organization? For leadership to happen, you need interactions among people that create:
1. Direction – agreement in the group on overall goals (v. 42; confer 4:33).
2. Alignment – coordinated work within the group (vv. 43, 46 – 47).
3. Commitment – mutual responsibility for the group (vv. 44 – 45; confer 4:32, 34 – 35).
Source: Leadership Through DAC (Direction, Alignment & Commitment) | Center for Creative Leadership
Effective Change Leadership – John Kigada
Text: Acts 6:1 – 4 NIV
Successful change is one... more Effective Change Leadership – John Kigada
Text: Acts 6:1 – 4 NIV
Successful change is one of the biggest problems that organizations face. Without doing things differently, your company is unlikely to succeed, or last.
Change-management research demonstrates that organizational change initiatives are more likely to succeed if leaders acquire what the Center for Creative Leadership calls “the 3 C’s of change.” These 3 C’s or 3 skills are:
1. Communicate – explain the purpose of the change and connect it to the organization’s values or explain the benefits. Successful leaders communicate the “what” and the “why” (v. 2).
2. Collaborate – bring people together to plan and execute change. Include employees in decision-making early on and in the change process (v. 3).
3. Commit – be resilient and persistent, and willing to step outside your comfort zone. Devote more time to the change effort and focus on the big picture (v. 4).
Text: Acts 6:1 – 4
Adapting to change requires flexibility. There are 3 types of flexibility... more Text: Acts 6:1 – 4
Adapting to change requires flexibility. There are 3 types of flexibility that aid a leader in adapting to change according to the Center for Creative Leadership:
1. Dispositional flexibility – practice the ability to remain optimistic and, at the same time realistic, i.e., be grounded in realism and openness (v. 2).
2. Cognitive flexibility – use different thinking strategies and mental frameworks at work, i.e., hold multiple scenarios in your head (v. 3).
3. Emotional flexibility – vary your approach to dealing with emotions and those of others, i.e., accommodate others' emotions (v. 4).
Text: Matthew 9:35 – 38
The Passion-Skill-Problem triad is useful for identifying your competit... more Text: Matthew 9:35 – 38
The Passion-Skill-Problem triad is useful for identifying your competitive advantage, niche, sweet spot, or calling from God. This triad is also synonymous with your G.O.D, i.e., Gift, Opportunity, and Desire. To know your calling, you have to identify your:
1. Gift [skill] – what are you good at? What ability can you serve people? For example, Jesus Christ healed every disease and sickness – healing (v. 35).
2. Opportunity [problem] – what does the world need? What value are you able to add to people? For example, Jesus Christ provided compassion to the fainthearted [KJV] and helpless [NIV] – compassion (v. 36).
3. Desire [passion] – what do you love? What noble cause is dear to you? For example, Jesus Christ desired workers who were “spiritual shepherds” from God – workers (v. 38).
Text: Acts 6:1 – 4
According to the Center for Creative Leadership there are 3 ways to influenc... more Text: Acts 6:1 – 4
According to the Center for Creative Leadership there are 3 ways to influence people or according to Alexandra Rengel, the ability to influence has 3 elements:
1. Awareness – understanding the impact of an action (v. 2 [Logos – logical appeal; HEAD]).
2. Ability – capacity in terms of communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making (v. 3 [Ethos – cooperative appeal; HANDS]).
3. Commitment (to ideas) – making decisions that may not always please everyone and dealing with the consequences (v. 4 [Pathos – emotional appeal; HEART]).
Bibliography O'Quinn, Ken. “The Elements of Persuasion: Three principles that will strengthen any appeal.” PRSA (accessed October 24, 2021).
Rengel, Alexandra. “Entrepreneurship and Leadership.” IE University (accessed October 24, 2021).
Three Ways to Influence People. “Master the 3 Ways to Influence People.” Center for Creative Leadership (accessed October 24, 2021).
Text: Acts 6:1 – 4
Figuring out how to motivate your employees or team members is a great cha... more Text: Acts 6:1 – 4
Figuring out how to motivate your employees or team members is a great challenge to many. We falsely assume giving more money will fix everything. But to get the best out of employees or team members remember that people are motivated by three things according to Ott Jõgi:
1. Mastery – the urge to get better (v. 2).
2. Autonomy – the urge to direct our own lives (v. 3).
3. Purpose – the desire to be a part of something meaningful (v. 4).
Text: Acts 6:1 – 4
The key to successful servant leadership in service of others is actually ... more Text: Acts 6:1 – 4
The key to successful servant leadership in service of others is actually to start with the self. By starting with a focus on yourself, you will be able to better serve your colleagues, teams, and organization better.
According to the Center for Creative Leadership, 3 elements of positive servant leadership are essential. These are:
1. Self-Reflection: Examine Your Values – cultivate your growth and understand the values that underlie your leadership approach (v. 2).
2. Self-Care: Build Your Resilience – prevent burnout and overworking by striking a balance between care for others and care for self (v. 3).
3. Self-Awareness: Know Your Impact – be genuinely curious about how your actions affect others by soliciting feedback to identify potential blind spots (v. 4).
Text: Acts 6:1 – 4
We need to be serving others better by starting with ourselves.
There... more Text: Acts 6:1 – 4
We need to be serving others better by starting with ourselves.
There are 3 steps to reimagine servant leadership according to the Center for Creative Leadership:
1. Self-reflection – examine your values, e.g., improve your leadership effectiveness through prioritization (v. 2).
2. Self-care – build your resilience, e.g., collaborate with others to accomplish and manage your work (v. 3).
3. Self-awareness – know your impact, e.g., become aware of the action that will produce the most significant effect on others (v. 4).
3 factors affect the level of someone’s perceived trustworthiness. Therefore, there are 3 dimens... more 3 factors affect the level of someone’s perceived trustworthiness. Therefore, there are 3 dimensions of trust according to the Center for Creative Leadership.
Text: Acts 6:3 KJV Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
1. Loyalty – faithfulness to a cause, person, or institution (“among you”).
2. Integrity – good reputation or character and moral uprightness (“honest report”).
3. Ability – competence in knowledge and/or skill (“full of the HG/HS and wisdom”).
Text: Acts 6:1-5 NIV
According to the Center for Creative Leadership, there are 4 fundamental ... more Text: Acts 6:1-5 NIV
According to the Center for Creative Leadership, there are 4 fundamental leadership skills needed by leaders throughout every organization, regardless of role, industry, or location. These core leadership skills are:
1. Self-awareness – understand your behavior’s impact on organizational outcomes (v. 4).
2. Communication – effectively communicate goals and inspire trust (v. 3).
3. Influence – be comfortable persuading, promoting, and delegating (v. 5).
4. Learning agility – know when to change course, and help others to do so (v. 2).
Text: Deuteronomy 34:9 GNB
Joshua son of Nun was filled with wisdom, because Moses had appointed... more Text: Deuteronomy 34:9 GNB Joshua son of Nun was filled with wisdom, because Moses had appointed him to be his successor. The people of Israel obeyed Joshua and kept the commands that the LORD had given them through Moses.
There are 3 ways to become a leader in a community: 1. Authority – a position [often acquired through mentorship and is a reward for loyalty] (e.g., appointment or succession).
2. Ability – competence [skillfulness or expertise] (e.g., wisdom).
3. Admiration – respect [influence through shared values] (e.g., obedience; confer Joshua 1:17; 4:14). Herein, respect is the ability to make people: a) listen to you, and b) follow you.
Text: Acts 6:1 – 4
Post-COVID, many employees want their employers to be flexible in the work... more Text: Acts 6:1 – 4
Post-COVID, many employees want their employers to be flexible in the workplace: a hybrid model that combines work-from-home and in-office work. If organizations want to be succeeding in the future, they need to be flexible.
According to the Center for Creative Leadership, there are 3 ways organizations benefit from a flexible workplace, i.e.:
1. Increased productivity – the efficiency of workers to produce more goods and services increases relative to the hours worked (v. 2).
2. Enhanced recruiting and retention – organizations retain their existing talent, boost morale, and attract new talent (v. 3).
3. Improved engagement levels – the level of enthusiasm and dedication a worker feels toward their job increases (v. 4).
How does a man or woman choose a mate? We often use the Stimulus Value Role theory by Bernard Mur... more How does a man or woman choose a mate? We often use the Stimulus Value Role theory by Bernard Murstein. Stimulus - age, physical appearance, health, level of education, and economic activity. Value - religious development, character, love, and affection. Role - respect, submission, helpmate friendship.
In general, there is a major emphasis on formal education in Kenya which negates application. Ch... more In general, there is a major emphasis on formal education in Kenya which negates application. Christian education should influence moral value systems for transformed character and behavior leading to Christlikeness. The students and teachers should interact in informal settings and should develop mutual respect.
Christian educators should depend on the Holy Spirit for empowerment and illumination for appropriate human instruction. The instructor should guide the students into a better understanding of the truth. The teacher should propagate a Judeo- Christian worldview through proper interpretation of Scripture, evangelical theology, and inductive Bible study.
Vision Actualization through Grace-Faith Transformation, 2010
Vision is a clear picture of the preferred future. Vision is actualized when we become what God ... more Vision is a clear picture of the preferred future. Vision is actualized when we become what God wants them to be (through spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, fasting, and others) so that they can reach where He wants them to go. We can find out God’s vision for their lives by accessing God’s mind (read 1 Corinthians 2:9 – 16).
Educational Implications from Christology and Soteriology Assumptions, 2009
Our various assumptions concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ have eternal ramifications... more Our various assumptions concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ have eternal ramifications. Our basic beliefs concerning Christ impinge on our salvation, relationship with God, and consequently determine our eternal destiny. With the wrong theology concerning Christ, a person will end up in hell! Therefore, a basic grasp of Christology is indispensable for all humankind.
Evangelical Christians should propagate the right Christology (the means to salvation) and the whole process of attaining salvation (Soteriology). With this in mind, the author has selected these two topics with the hope of exposing some of the biblical educational implications that arise from the stated theological assumptions. Although this research paper does not focus on transformative practice, the author hopes to have an intellectual impact on his students.
This research paper seeks to elaborate the unconventional value-stimulus-role (VSR) theory (the r... more This research paper seeks to elaborate the unconventional value-stimulus-role (VSR) theory (the researcher's self-expressed modification of the stimulus-value-role (SVR) theory by Bernard I. Murstein). The researcher has put together a priority-list of potentially significant factors that he argues single Christian men in Nairobi should consider when selecting a mate.
Text: Isaiah 33:22 KJV (origin of the 3 branches of government)
For the LORD is our judge [Judic... more Text: Isaiah 33:22 KJV (origin of the 3 branches of government)
For the LORD is our judge [Judiciary (protection) – JC], the LORD is our lawgiver [Legislature (order) – GF], the LORD is our king [Executive (direction) – HS]; he will save us.
According to Ronald Heifetz, we generally authorize people to provide in varying degrees three essential services:
1. Direction - people in authority are expected to know where we are going. They set our goals and strategies for the way forward.
2. Protection - people in authority are expected to make sure we beat the competition and survive external attacks.
3. Order - people in authority are to maintain the structures, processes, and reinforce the cultural norms that guide us.
So every authority relationship will to some degree provide direction, protection, and order.
Text: Acts 6:1 – 4 NIV
According to the Center for Creative Leadership, the best leaders have ... more Text: Acts 6:1 – 4 NIV
According to the Center for Creative Leadership, the best leaders have 4 key influencing skills:
1. Organizational intelligence – understand your organization’s formal and informal structures (v. 2).
2. Leveraging networks – recognize and cultivate the power of your network to create change (v. 3).
3. Trust building – build and maintain trust to guide people through risk and change (v. 3).
4. Team promotion – promote your team and yourself to create more visibility for the work you’re doing (v. 4).
Bibliography
4 Ways to Strengthen Your Ability to Influence Others. “4 Keys to Influence Others.” Center for Creative Leadership. 4 Key Influence Skills to Strengthen Your Ability to Influence Others | CCL (accessed January 25, 2022).
Text: Acts 6:1 – 5 NLT
To become an effective change leader, you need 3 key competencies that ... more Text: Acts 6:1 – 5 NLT
To become an effective change leader, you need 3 key competencies that are part of leading the process of change:
1. Initiate – understand the need for change and begin by making the case for the change you seek by evaluating the business context, developing a clear vision and desired outcome, and identifying a common goal (v. 2).
2. Strategize – develop a strategy and a clear action plan, including priorities, timelines, tasks, structures, behaviors, and resources. Identify what would change and what would stay the same (vv. 3 - 4).
3. Execute – focus on getting key people into key positions. Break big projects down into small wins to get early victories and build momentum. And develop metrics and monitoring systems to measure progress (v. 5).
Text: Acts 2:42 – 47
How can you tell if leadership is happening within a team, department, com... more Text: Acts 2:42 – 47
How can you tell if leadership is happening within a team, department, community, committee, or organization? For leadership to happen, you need interactions among people that create:
1. Direction – agreement in the group on overall goals (v. 42; confer 4:33).
2. Alignment – coordinated work within the group (vv. 43, 46 – 47).
3. Commitment – mutual responsibility for the group (vv. 44 – 45; confer 4:32, 34 – 35).
Source: Leadership Through DAC (Direction, Alignment & Commitment) | Center for Creative Leadership
Effective Change Leadership – John Kigada
Text: Acts 6:1 – 4 NIV
Successful change is one... more Effective Change Leadership – John Kigada
Text: Acts 6:1 – 4 NIV
Successful change is one of the biggest problems that organizations face. Without doing things differently, your company is unlikely to succeed, or last.
Change-management research demonstrates that organizational change initiatives are more likely to succeed if leaders acquire what the Center for Creative Leadership calls “the 3 C’s of change.” These 3 C’s or 3 skills are:
1. Communicate – explain the purpose of the change and connect it to the organization’s values or explain the benefits. Successful leaders communicate the “what” and the “why” (v. 2).
2. Collaborate – bring people together to plan and execute change. Include employees in decision-making early on and in the change process (v. 3).
3. Commit – be resilient and persistent, and willing to step outside your comfort zone. Devote more time to the change effort and focus on the big picture (v. 4).
Text: Acts 6:1 – 4
Adapting to change requires flexibility. There are 3 types of flexibility... more Text: Acts 6:1 – 4
Adapting to change requires flexibility. There are 3 types of flexibility that aid a leader in adapting to change according to the Center for Creative Leadership:
1. Dispositional flexibility – practice the ability to remain optimistic and, at the same time realistic, i.e., be grounded in realism and openness (v. 2).
2. Cognitive flexibility – use different thinking strategies and mental frameworks at work, i.e., hold multiple scenarios in your head (v. 3).
3. Emotional flexibility – vary your approach to dealing with emotions and those of others, i.e., accommodate others' emotions (v. 4).
Text: Matthew 9:35 – 38
The Passion-Skill-Problem triad is useful for identifying your competit... more Text: Matthew 9:35 – 38
The Passion-Skill-Problem triad is useful for identifying your competitive advantage, niche, sweet spot, or calling from God. This triad is also synonymous with your G.O.D, i.e., Gift, Opportunity, and Desire. To know your calling, you have to identify your:
1. Gift [skill] – what are you good at? What ability can you serve people? For example, Jesus Christ healed every disease and sickness – healing (v. 35).
2. Opportunity [problem] – what does the world need? What value are you able to add to people? For example, Jesus Christ provided compassion to the fainthearted [KJV] and helpless [NIV] – compassion (v. 36).
3. Desire [passion] – what do you love? What noble cause is dear to you? For example, Jesus Christ desired workers who were “spiritual shepherds” from God – workers (v. 38).
Text: Acts 6:1 – 4
According to the Center for Creative Leadership there are 3 ways to influenc... more Text: Acts 6:1 – 4
According to the Center for Creative Leadership there are 3 ways to influence people or according to Alexandra Rengel, the ability to influence has 3 elements:
1. Awareness – understanding the impact of an action (v. 2 [Logos – logical appeal; HEAD]).
2. Ability – capacity in terms of communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making (v. 3 [Ethos – cooperative appeal; HANDS]).
3. Commitment (to ideas) – making decisions that may not always please everyone and dealing with the consequences (v. 4 [Pathos – emotional appeal; HEART]).
Bibliography O'Quinn, Ken. “The Elements of Persuasion: Three principles that will strengthen any appeal.” PRSA (accessed October 24, 2021).
Rengel, Alexandra. “Entrepreneurship and Leadership.” IE University (accessed October 24, 2021).
Three Ways to Influence People. “Master the 3 Ways to Influence People.” Center for Creative Leadership (accessed October 24, 2021).
Text: Acts 6:1 – 4
Figuring out how to motivate your employees or team members is a great cha... more Text: Acts 6:1 – 4
Figuring out how to motivate your employees or team members is a great challenge to many. We falsely assume giving more money will fix everything. But to get the best out of employees or team members remember that people are motivated by three things according to Ott Jõgi:
1. Mastery – the urge to get better (v. 2).
2. Autonomy – the urge to direct our own lives (v. 3).
3. Purpose – the desire to be a part of something meaningful (v. 4).
Text: Acts 6:1 – 4
The key to successful servant leadership in service of others is actually ... more Text: Acts 6:1 – 4
The key to successful servant leadership in service of others is actually to start with the self. By starting with a focus on yourself, you will be able to better serve your colleagues, teams, and organization better.
According to the Center for Creative Leadership, 3 elements of positive servant leadership are essential. These are:
1. Self-Reflection: Examine Your Values – cultivate your growth and understand the values that underlie your leadership approach (v. 2).
2. Self-Care: Build Your Resilience – prevent burnout and overworking by striking a balance between care for others and care for self (v. 3).
3. Self-Awareness: Know Your Impact – be genuinely curious about how your actions affect others by soliciting feedback to identify potential blind spots (v. 4).
Text: Acts 6:1 – 4
We need to be serving others better by starting with ourselves.
There... more Text: Acts 6:1 – 4
We need to be serving others better by starting with ourselves.
There are 3 steps to reimagine servant leadership according to the Center for Creative Leadership:
1. Self-reflection – examine your values, e.g., improve your leadership effectiveness through prioritization (v. 2).
2. Self-care – build your resilience, e.g., collaborate with others to accomplish and manage your work (v. 3).
3. Self-awareness – know your impact, e.g., become aware of the action that will produce the most significant effect on others (v. 4).
3 factors affect the level of someone’s perceived trustworthiness. Therefore, there are 3 dimens... more 3 factors affect the level of someone’s perceived trustworthiness. Therefore, there are 3 dimensions of trust according to the Center for Creative Leadership.
Text: Acts 6:3 KJV Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
1. Loyalty – faithfulness to a cause, person, or institution (“among you”).
2. Integrity – good reputation or character and moral uprightness (“honest report”).
3. Ability – competence in knowledge and/or skill (“full of the HG/HS and wisdom”).
Text: Acts 6:1-5 NIV
According to the Center for Creative Leadership, there are 4 fundamental ... more Text: Acts 6:1-5 NIV
According to the Center for Creative Leadership, there are 4 fundamental leadership skills needed by leaders throughout every organization, regardless of role, industry, or location. These core leadership skills are:
1. Self-awareness – understand your behavior’s impact on organizational outcomes (v. 4).
2. Communication – effectively communicate goals and inspire trust (v. 3).
3. Influence – be comfortable persuading, promoting, and delegating (v. 5).
4. Learning agility – know when to change course, and help others to do so (v. 2).
Text: Deuteronomy 34:9 GNB
Joshua son of Nun was filled with wisdom, because Moses had appointed... more Text: Deuteronomy 34:9 GNB Joshua son of Nun was filled with wisdom, because Moses had appointed him to be his successor. The people of Israel obeyed Joshua and kept the commands that the LORD had given them through Moses.
There are 3 ways to become a leader in a community: 1. Authority – a position [often acquired through mentorship and is a reward for loyalty] (e.g., appointment or succession).
2. Ability – competence [skillfulness or expertise] (e.g., wisdom).
3. Admiration – respect [influence through shared values] (e.g., obedience; confer Joshua 1:17; 4:14). Herein, respect is the ability to make people: a) listen to you, and b) follow you.
Text: Acts 6:1 – 4
Post-COVID, many employees want their employers to be flexible in the work... more Text: Acts 6:1 – 4
Post-COVID, many employees want their employers to be flexible in the workplace: a hybrid model that combines work-from-home and in-office work. If organizations want to be succeeding in the future, they need to be flexible.
According to the Center for Creative Leadership, there are 3 ways organizations benefit from a flexible workplace, i.e.:
1. Increased productivity – the efficiency of workers to produce more goods and services increases relative to the hours worked (v. 2).
2. Enhanced recruiting and retention – organizations retain their existing talent, boost morale, and attract new talent (v. 3).
3. Improved engagement levels – the level of enthusiasm and dedication a worker feels toward their job increases (v. 4).
How does a man or woman choose a mate? We often use the Stimulus Value Role theory by Bernard Mur... more How does a man or woman choose a mate? We often use the Stimulus Value Role theory by Bernard Murstein. Stimulus - age, physical appearance, health, level of education, and economic activity. Value - religious development, character, love, and affection. Role - respect, submission, helpmate friendship.
In general, there is a major emphasis on formal education in Kenya which negates application. Ch... more In general, there is a major emphasis on formal education in Kenya which negates application. Christian education should influence moral value systems for transformed character and behavior leading to Christlikeness. The students and teachers should interact in informal settings and should develop mutual respect.
Christian educators should depend on the Holy Spirit for empowerment and illumination for appropriate human instruction. The instructor should guide the students into a better understanding of the truth. The teacher should propagate a Judeo- Christian worldview through proper interpretation of Scripture, evangelical theology, and inductive Bible study.
Vision Actualization through Grace-Faith Transformation, 2010
Vision is a clear picture of the preferred future. Vision is actualized when we become what God ... more Vision is a clear picture of the preferred future. Vision is actualized when we become what God wants them to be (through spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, fasting, and others) so that they can reach where He wants them to go. We can find out God’s vision for their lives by accessing God’s mind (read 1 Corinthians 2:9 – 16).
Educational Implications from Christology and Soteriology Assumptions, 2009
Our various assumptions concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ have eternal ramifications... more Our various assumptions concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ have eternal ramifications. Our basic beliefs concerning Christ impinge on our salvation, relationship with God, and consequently determine our eternal destiny. With the wrong theology concerning Christ, a person will end up in hell! Therefore, a basic grasp of Christology is indispensable for all humankind.
Evangelical Christians should propagate the right Christology (the means to salvation) and the whole process of attaining salvation (Soteriology). With this in mind, the author has selected these two topics with the hope of exposing some of the biblical educational implications that arise from the stated theological assumptions. Although this research paper does not focus on transformative practice, the author hopes to have an intellectual impact on his students.
This research paper seeks to elaborate the unconventional value-stimulus-role (VSR) theory (the r... more This research paper seeks to elaborate the unconventional value-stimulus-role (VSR) theory (the researcher's self-expressed modification of the stimulus-value-role (SVR) theory by Bernard I. Murstein). The researcher has put together a priority-list of potentially significant factors that he argues single Christian men in Nairobi should consider when selecting a mate.
"Social systems innovation is required so as to promote Church music so that Christian performing... more "Social systems innovation is required so as to promote Church music so that Christian performing artistes in Nairobi can positively engage popular culture in matters of civil law, acceptable patterns of conduct in ordinary life, community standards, and basic ethics for business and professional activity.
Based on John 17:14-18, this paper seeks to underscore three pillars of the proclamation of God’s Call by the Church, i.e., it’s: 1) Moral fiber (v. 17). 2) Message (v. 14, cf. 18). 3) Mission (v. 18)."
Text: Acts: 6:1 – 7 New International Version
1 In those days when the number of disciples was ... more Text: Acts: 6:1 – 7 New International Version
1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
Complex and ambiguous situations require quick thinking that is interdependent and interconnected with the key stakeholders within an organization. Leaders must have strategic skills and perspectives instead of day-to-day operational thinking to drive organizational change and innovation.
According to Edward Kobuthi, learning and innovation in the twenty-first century requires four skills, i.e., the 4 C’s:
1. Critical thinking – the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue to form a judgment [Oxford Dictionary] (v. 2).
2. Creativity – to produce solutions through imaginative skill (v. 3). This is the backbone of innovation.
3. Communication – the imparting or exchanging information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium [Oxford Dictionary] (v. 7a).
4. Collaboration – strategically work jointly with others to achieve a common goal (vv. 5 – 6).
Bibliography Kobuthi, Edward. "Navigating 21st Century Workplaces through Personal Leadership and Mastery." Online lecture, Nairobi, Kenya, March 6, 2024.
Text: Acts: 6:1 – 7 New International Version
1 In those days when the number of disciples was... more Text: Acts: 6:1 – 7 New International Version
1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
The four skills that will make the biggest difference in achieving your goals now and in the future are:
1. Resourcefulness – finding quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties [Oxford Dictionary] (vv. 3, 5).
2. Adaptation [flexibility] – the capacity to adjust your approach through learning (v. 2).
3. Persistence – the willingness to commit to goals despite obstacles (v. 4).
4. Resilience – the ability to bounce back stronger after a letdown (vv. 1, 7).
Text: Acts 6:1 – 7 New International Version
1 In those days when the number of disciples was in... more Text: Acts 6:1 – 7 New International Version
1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews[ among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
The best leadership teams deliberately focus their energy and time on the organization’s most strategically important responsibilities. These are:
1. Communicating clear strategic direction – clarifying who we are, what we do, and how we do it creates an environment that enables laser-like focus on pursuing the organization’s most important goals (vv. 2, 4).
2. Aligning resources – the leadership team is responsible for ensuring the organization has accountability structures and talent to deliver on the strategic priorities (v. 3).
3. Problem-solving strategic issues – removing barriers to achieving strategic goals should be the central component of a leadership team’s recurring meeting focus (v. 7).
4. Living the values – shared values are vital to helping employees find purpose at work and improving employee well-being, motivation, retention, and performance (v. 5).
Text: Acts 6:1 – 7 New International Version
1 In those days when the number of disciples was inc... more Text: Acts 6:1 – 7 New International Version 1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews[ among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
Building a strong foundation for healthy high-performing teams is essential.
A practical model for developing a foundation for team effectiveness developed by Richard Beckhard is called GRPI, an acronym for Goals, Roles, Processes, and Interpersonal: 1. Goals – common aims give teams direction and unite each effort in getting there (v. 2).
2. Roles – clarity of each member’s authority, responsibilities, and tasks are needed to effectively accomplish team goals (vv. 3 - 4).
3. Processes – important procedures needed for success must be effective, efficient, and followed (v. 7).
4. Interpersonal – the best teams have healthy, trusting relationships and strong social support systems (vv. 5 – 6).
Text: Matthew 10:16 New International Version
16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. T... more Text: Matthew 10:16 New International Version 16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. “Jesus bestowed on his twelve disciples delegated power that He Himself possessed that is, “authority” to advance the messianic ministry through exorcism healing” according to J. Lyle Story. ““Apostles” means “sent ones,” or commissioned representatives. The analogous Hebrew term was used for business agents, although the general concept is broader than that; a “sent one” acted on the full authority of the sender to the extent that he accurately represented the sender’s mission” according to Craig S. Keener. Three elements of leadership characterize an effective leader: 1. Competence – ability [skillfulness or expertise], e.g., shrewdness (v. 16). 2. Chemistry – connecting [finding common ground when communicating], e.g., sheep among wolves (v. 16). 3. Character – integrity [integration of thoughts, words, and actions], e.g., innocence (v. 16).
Bibliography Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), 72.
J. Lyle Story, “Matthew,” in Spirit-Filled Life Bible, ed. Jack W. Hayford (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1353.
Text: Isaiah 33:22 King James Version
For the LORD is our judge [judiciary], the LORD is our la... more Text: Isaiah 33:22 King James Version
For the LORD is our judge [judiciary], the LORD is our lawgiver [legislature], the LORD is our king [executive]; he will save us.
The concept of the three branches of government in the modern era is commonly attributed to the French Enlightenment philosopher Baron de Montesquieu. In his 1748 work The Spirit of Laws, Montesquieu described a government divided into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial, that act independently of each other. He called this concept trias politica, or separation of powers, and argued for a form of government where power was not too centralized in a single ruler.
However, the three arms of government have their origin in the Bible. “Most of the events referred to in [Isaiah] chapters 1 – 39 occurred during Isaiah’s ministry (see Isaiah 6:1; 14:28; 36:1), so these chapters may have been completed not long after 701 B.C., the year the Assyrian army was destroyed” according to Herbert Wolf and John H. Stek. The book of Isaiah was written long before Montesquieu wrote The Spirit of Laws.
In the Bible, God the Father legislates the Triune will (Mark 13:32; confer John 14:28; Matthew 20:23b). God the Son (Jesus Christ) executes the will of God the Father (John 4:34; 6:38 – 40). God the Holy Spirit applies the finished work of God the Son to our lives (John 14:15 – 18, 25 – 26; Acts 1:8; 2:4).
In Isaiah 33:22, God the Father is the Legislator, and God the Son is the Judge of humankind (John 5:22). God the Holy Spirit is the Executive; He controls the world (Genesis 1:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:7; confer Matthew 12:28).
Bibliography Herbert Wolf and John H. Stek, “Isaiah,” in Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Fully Revised), ed. Kenneth L. Barker et al. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002), 1031.
Text: Acts 6:1 – 7 New International Version
6 In those days when the number of disciples was in... more Text: Acts 6:1 – 7 New International Version
6 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews[a] among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
According to Stuart Andrews, effective communication happens when a leader uses: 1. The language of inspiration (vv. 4, 7) – ignite passion and unity within teams using appropriate words that convert vision into reality.
2. Empathy in dialogue (vv. 1 - 2) – be sensitive to the feelings, thoughts, and experiences of others.
3. Adaptability and change (v. 3) – navigate transitions and turn uncertainty into opportunity and resistance into enthusiasm.
4. Cultivate a feedback culture (vv. 5 - 6) – transmit evaluative or corrective information about an action, event, or process to the original or controlling source.
Text: Acts 6:1 – 7 New International Version
6 In those days when the number of disciples was in... more Text: Acts 6:1 – 7 New International Version
6 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews[a] among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
According to John C. Maxwell, there are 4 C’s of building a team: 1. Calling – what is our focus? (vv. 2, 4). The apostles were called to prayer and the ministry of the word of God. They would not allow a feeding program to divert their calling. Do not major in the minor.
2. Chemistry – are we hiring the right people? (v. 3). The apostles had criteria that elaborated the competence of the deacons who would take over the feeding program. Have clear competence criteria.
3. Culture – do we nurture a leadership environment? (vv. 5 – 6). The apostles allowed the whole group to select leaders from among themselves without interference and they ratified their decision. Facilitate upward mobility.
4. Challenge – are we growing and reaching new heights? (v. 7). The word of God spread, and the number of disciples increased rapidly in Jerusalem. Achieve results within your core business.
Text: Philippians 2:3 – 5 New International Version
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain ... more Text: Philippians 2:3 – 5 New International Version 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.
The business cliche that "the customer is king" simply means that there is no service without humility. Also, there is no equality without humility because we must lower our rank (not worth) and regard others as worthy.
Humility is regarding others as better than yourself. It's not lowering your intrinsic worth but rank. It's ignoring your rank to serve others your gift. Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking about yourself less. Entrepreneurship is about serving your gift. The more people you serve, the more money you make. Therefore, you need humility to achieve prosperity.
It's not possible to serve people by regard them as equals; you must regard them as better than yourself to serve them. For example, Jesus, who is God, ignored that truth and became a man so that He could serve us His gift – His life as a ransom (Philippians 2:6 – 8).
Text: Matthew 6:33 New International Version
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,... more Text: Matthew 6:33 New International Version 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs implies that we should first strive to attain basic needs before we discover who we are. On the contrary, Jesus Christ turned Maslow’s theory upside down. We should first discover ourselves in God and then He will provide our basic needs. In other words, we are not to crave basic needs, they will be provided to us as citizens of God’s kingdom by Jesus our King who is obliged to take care of the citizens of His kingdom.
This text instructs us to crave first the reign of God and His approval through right living (correct thinking, feeling, and acting) and basic needs shall be added to us. In this context, we are not to preoccupy ourselves with the provision of basic needs. God knows we need food, clothing, and by extension housing (Matthew 6:25 – 32). We are to surrender to the control of God in our lives by seeking to be upright in character and then He will take care of our needs. Consequently, when our living is not in alignment with the word of God, we risk exclusion from the list of citizenries whose provision of basic needs is guaranteed.
How to Become a Strategic Leader. Center for Creative Leadership. , 2023
Text: Acts: 6:1 – 5
Complex and ambiguous situations require quick thinking that is interdepend... more Text: Acts: 6:1 – 5
Complex and ambiguous situations require quick thinking that is interdependent and interconnected with the key stakeholders within an organization. To drive organizational change and innovation, leaders must have strategic skills and perspectives as opposed to day-to-day operational thinking.
The Center for Creative Leadership research shows that the most strategic leaders do the following 3 things:
1. Think strategically – Invite internal and external experts to bring entirely new approaches to the table where they can be carefully considered and tested (v. 2).
2. Act strategically – Take decisive action consistent with the strategic direction of your organization despite ambiguity, complexity, and chaos (vv. 3 – 4).
3. Influence strategically – Build commitment to the organization’s strategic direction by inviting key stakeholders into the strategic process (v. 5).
a. Influence key stakeholders inside and outside the organization to see the change through. b. Support collaborative problem solving and rely on high levels of commitment by people to do the right thing, unselfishly.
Text: Psalm 78:72 AMP
So David shepherded [profession] them according to the integrity [passio... more Text: Psalm 78:72 AMP
So David shepherded [profession] them according to the integrity [passion] of his heart; And guided them [mission] with his skillful hands [vocation]. If you want to discover the keys to true prosperity and start living your dream life, you need to know your sweet spot or calling from God and make a profit out of it.
According to Myles Munroe, when you discover your gift and then look for opportunities to serve it, you develop a conviction that you are necessary. This conviction begins to show itself in pictures called “vision.” This vision then gives you a passion that inspires other people and thus you become influential. When you become influential, you are consequently a prosperous leader in your area of gifting.
To prosper, make a list of four things: 1. The thing you are really good at – Potential (proficiency or profession)
2. The thing you sense you are created to solve – Problem (path or mission)
3. The thing you love to do – Passion (preference or affection)
4. The thing you can get paid to do – Profit (proceeds or vocation)
How does a man or woman choose a mate? We often use the Stimulus Value Role theory by Bernard Mu... more How does a man or woman choose a mate? We often use the Stimulus Value Role theory by Bernard Murstein.
Stimulus - age, physical appearance, health, level of education, and economic activity.
Value - religious development, character, love, and affection.
Paul was on his second missionary journey and he had just had a disagreement with Barnabas who wa... more Paul was on his second missionary journey and he had just had a disagreement with Barnabas who wanted to take John Mark but Paul didn’t think it wise to take him. He, therefore, took Luke and Silas with him and went to Lystra where they met Timothy, and Paul took him along on the journey from town to town. The Holy Spirit kept them from preaching in Asia for reasons unknown. While in Troas Paul received directions from the Holy Spirit in a vision to go to Macedonia to preach the gospel. God should have access to every area of our lives, including mate selection. There are several principles about knowing God's will that we can learn from this. We can apply these principles to know what God wants us to do in every area of our lives.
Pedagogical Idea:
Evangelist [is] used in a general sense of anyone who proclaims the gospel o... more Pedagogical Idea:
Evangelist [is] used in a general sense of anyone who proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ… The evangelist… moved about in different localities, preaching the [gospel] to those who had not heard the message before. Once such had put their trust in the Lord, then the work of the pastor-teacher begun. He would remain with them, training them further in the things pertaining to Christ and building them up in the faith. [Therefore, the artistes’ work of evangelism should be supervised by guardians or pastors].
Jesus desires that we should be set apart to a holy way of life, and then “sent into the [evil] w... more Jesus desires that we should be set apart to a holy way of life, and then “sent into the [evil] world [system in opposition to God established by Satan]” to carry out God’s plan in spreading the good news of redemption to those who oppose and hate Him (John 17:17 - 18).
Christian performing artists are to communicate God’s Word amid opposition from the world’s sin, its values, and its goals e.g., “cash rules everything, get drunk, have random sex, and party till you drop."
Background: Paul was on his third missionary journey in Miletus about 48 kilometers south of Ephe... more Background: Paul was on his third missionary journey in Miletus about 48 kilometers south of Ephesus. Paul had sailed past Ephesus because he was in a hurry to get to Jerusalem before the day of Pentecost. From Miletus, he sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church and gave them a farewell speech. Believers involved in evangelism can learn a lot from Paul’s style of ministry.
Evangelist [is] used in a general sense of anyone who proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ… The evangelist… moved about in different localities, preaching the [gospel] to those who had not heard the message before. Once such had put their trust in the Lord, then the work of the pastor-teacher begun. He would remain with them, training them further in the things pertaining to Christ and building them up in the faith. [Therefore, the artistes’ work of evangelism should be supervised by guardians or pastors].
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For the LORD is our judge [Judiciary (protection) – JC], the LORD is our lawgiver [Legislature (order) – GF], the LORD is our king [Executive (direction) – HS]; he will save us.
According to Ronald Heifetz, we generally authorize people to provide in varying degrees three essential services:
1. Direction - people in authority are expected to know where we are going. They set our goals and strategies for the way forward.
2. Protection - people in authority are expected to make sure we beat the competition and survive external attacks.
3. Order - people in authority are to maintain the structures, processes, and reinforce the cultural norms that guide us.
So every authority relationship will to some degree provide direction, protection, and order.
According to the Center for Creative Leadership, the best leaders have 4 key influencing skills:
1. Organizational intelligence – understand your organization’s formal and informal structures (v. 2).
2. Leveraging networks – recognize and cultivate the power of your network to create change (v. 3).
3. Trust building – build and maintain trust to guide people through risk and change (v. 3).
4. Team promotion – promote your team and yourself to create more visibility for the work you’re doing (v. 4).
https://youtu.be/CbUOk_5hsGA
Bibliography
4 Ways to Strengthen Your Ability to Influence Others. “4 Keys to Influence Others.” Center for Creative Leadership. 4 Key Influence Skills to Strengthen Your Ability to Influence Others | CCL (accessed January 25, 2022).
To become an effective change leader, you need 3 key competencies that are part of leading the process of change:
1. Initiate – understand the need for change and begin by making the case for the change you seek by evaluating the business context, developing a clear vision and desired outcome, and identifying a common goal (v. 2).
2. Strategize – develop a strategy and a clear action plan, including priorities, timelines, tasks, structures, behaviors, and resources. Identify what would change and what would stay the same (vv. 3 - 4).
3. Execute – focus on getting key people into key positions. Break big projects down into small wins to get early victories and build momentum. And develop metrics and monitoring systems to measure progress (v. 5).
https://youtu.be/4iv7Z9hfs28
Bibliography
How to Be a Successful Change Leader. Center for Creative Leadership. https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/successful-change-leader.
How can you tell if leadership is happening within a team, department, community, committee, or organization? For leadership to happen, you need interactions among people that create:
1. Direction – agreement in the group on overall goals (v. 42; confer 4:33).
2. Alignment – coordinated work within the group (vv. 43, 46 – 47).
3. Commitment – mutual responsibility for the group (vv. 44 – 45; confer 4:32, 34 – 35).
Source: Leadership Through DAC (Direction, Alignment & Commitment) | Center for Creative Leadership
https://youtu.be/bKs2E4QTx9g
Text: Acts 6:1 – 4 NIV
Successful change is one of the biggest problems that organizations face. Without doing things differently, your company is unlikely to succeed, or last.
Change-management research demonstrates that organizational change initiatives are more likely to succeed if leaders acquire what the Center for Creative Leadership calls “the 3 C’s of change.” These 3 C’s or 3 skills are:
1. Communicate – explain the purpose of the change and connect it to the organization’s values or explain the benefits. Successful leaders communicate the “what” and the “why” (v. 2).
2. Collaborate – bring people together to plan and execute change. Include employees in decision-making early on and in the change process (v. 3).
3. Commit – be resilient and persistent, and willing to step outside your comfort zone. Devote more time to the change effort and focus on the big picture (v. 4).
Adapting to change requires flexibility. There are 3 types of flexibility that aid a leader in adapting to change according to the Center for Creative Leadership:
1. Dispositional flexibility – practice the ability to remain optimistic and, at the same time realistic, i.e., be grounded in realism and openness (v. 2).
2. Cognitive flexibility – use different thinking strategies and mental frameworks at work, i.e., hold multiple scenarios in your head (v. 3).
3. Emotional flexibility – vary your approach to dealing with emotions and those of others, i.e., accommodate others' emotions (v. 4).
Bibliography
Leading Effectively Staff 2020. Adapting to Change Requires Flexibility. Center for Creative Leadership. https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/adaptability-1-idea-3-facts-5-tips/#:~:text=The%203%20Types%20of%20Flexibility,emotional%20flexibility%2C%20and%20dispositional%20flexibility (accessed February 24, 2022).
The Passion-Skill-Problem triad is useful for identifying your competitive advantage, niche, sweet spot, or calling from God. This triad is also synonymous with your G.O.D, i.e., Gift, Opportunity, and Desire. To know your calling, you have to identify your:
1. Gift [skill] – what are you good at? What ability can you serve people? For example, Jesus Christ healed every disease and sickness – healing (v. 35).
2. Opportunity [problem] – what does the world need? What value are you able to add to people? For example, Jesus Christ provided compassion to the fainthearted [KJV] and helpless [NIV] – compassion (v. 36).
3. Desire [passion] – what do you love? What noble cause is dear to you? For example, Jesus Christ desired workers who were “spiritual shepherds” from God – workers (v. 38).
#calling #sweetspot #niche #competitiveadvantage #johnkigada
https://youtu.be/V6fzP1dhMAQ
According to the Center for Creative Leadership there are 3 ways to influence people or according to Alexandra Rengel, the ability to influence has 3 elements:
1. Awareness – understanding the impact of an action (v. 2 [Logos – logical appeal; HEAD]).
2. Ability – capacity in terms of communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making (v. 3 [Ethos – cooperative appeal; HANDS]).
3. Commitment (to ideas) – making decisions that may not always please everyone and dealing with the consequences (v. 4 [Pathos – emotional appeal; HEART]).
Bibliography
O'Quinn, Ken. “The Elements of Persuasion: Three principles that will strengthen any appeal.” PRSA (accessed October 24, 2021).
Rengel, Alexandra. “Entrepreneurship and Leadership.” IE University (accessed October 24, 2021).
Three Ways to Influence People. “Master the 3 Ways to Influence People.” Center for Creative Leadership (accessed October 24, 2021).
Figuring out how to motivate your employees or team members is a great challenge to many. We falsely assume giving more money will fix everything. But to get the best out of employees or team members remember that people are motivated by three things according to Ott Jõgi:
1. Mastery – the urge to get better (v. 2).
2. Autonomy – the urge to direct our own lives (v. 3).
3. Purpose – the desire to be a part of something meaningful (v. 4).
Bibliography
Jõgi, Ott. Leader's Guide to Motivate People at Work [Infographic]. Weekdone. https://blog.weekdone.com/leaders-guide-to-motivate-people-at-work-infographic (accessed April 19, 2022).
https://youtu.be/2-ECd9NPXIM
The key to successful servant leadership in service of others is actually to start with the self. By starting with a focus on yourself, you will be able to better serve your colleagues, teams, and organization better.
According to the Center for Creative Leadership, 3 elements of positive servant leadership are essential. These are:
1. Self-Reflection: Examine Your Values – cultivate your growth and understand the values that underlie your leadership approach (v. 2).
2. Self-Care: Build Your Resilience – prevent burnout and overworking by striking a balance between care for others and care for self (v. 3).
3. Self-Awareness: Know Your Impact – be genuinely curious about how your actions affect others by soliciting feedback to identify potential blind spots (v. 4).
https://youtu.be/sD425unScYg
Bibliography
https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/how-to-make-servant-leadership-more-sustainable-by-balancing-self-others/
We need to be serving others better by starting with ourselves.
There are 3 steps to reimagine servant leadership according to the Center for Creative Leadership:
1. Self-reflection – examine your values, e.g., improve your leadership effectiveness through prioritization (v. 2).
2. Self-care – build your resilience, e.g., collaborate with others to accomplish and manage your work (v. 3).
3. Self-awareness – know your impact, e.g., become aware of the action that will produce the most significant effect on others (v. 4).
Bibliography
Wingate, Brook and Michelle Schneider. How to Make Servant Leadership More Sustainable by Balancing Self & Others. Center for Creative Leadership. https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/how-to-make-servant-leadership-more-sustainable-by-balancing-self-others/ (accessed March 30, 2022).
Text: Acts 6:3 KJV
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
1. Loyalty – faithfulness to a cause, person, or institution (“among you”).
2. Integrity – good reputation or character and moral uprightness (“honest report”).
3. Ability – competence in knowledge and/or skill (“full of the HG/HS and wisdom”).
#Trust #Leadership #JohnKigada
https://t.co/20MK2uPCR7?amp=1
According to the Center for Creative Leadership, there are 4 fundamental leadership skills needed by leaders throughout every organization, regardless of role, industry, or location. These core leadership skills are:
1. Self-awareness – understand your behavior’s impact on organizational outcomes (v. 4).
2. Communication – effectively communicate goals and inspire trust (v. 3).
3. Influence – be comfortable persuading, promoting, and delegating (v. 5).
4. Learning agility – know when to change course, and help others to do so (v. 2).
Bibliography
The Core Leadership Skills You Need in Every Role. Center for Creative Leadership. https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/fundamental-4-core-leadership-skills-for-every-career-stage/ (accessed May 17, 2022).
Joshua son of Nun was filled with wisdom, because Moses had appointed him to be his successor. The people of Israel obeyed Joshua and kept the commands that the LORD had given them through Moses.
There are 3 ways to become a leader in a community:
1. Authority – a position [often acquired through mentorship and is a reward for loyalty] (e.g., appointment or succession).
2. Ability – competence [skillfulness or expertise] (e.g., wisdom).
3. Admiration – respect [influence through shared values] (e.g., obedience; confer Joshua 1:17; 4:14). Herein, respect is the ability to make people: a) listen to you, and b) follow you.
#Becomingaleader #Leadership #JohnKigada
https://youtu.be/NNQCYWLjap4
Post-COVID, many employees want their employers to be flexible in the workplace: a hybrid model that combines work-from-home and in-office work. If organizations want to be succeeding in the future, they need to be flexible.
According to the Center for Creative Leadership, there are 3 ways organizations benefit from a flexible workplace, i.e.:
1. Increased productivity – the efficiency of workers to produce more goods and services increases relative to the hours worked (v. 2).
2. Enhanced recruiting and retention – organizations retain their existing talent, boost morale, and attract new talent (v. 3).
3. Improved engagement levels – the level of enthusiasm and dedication a worker feels toward their job increases (v. 4).
Bibliography
Why Today’s Organizations Need to Embrace Flexibility in the Workplace. https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/why-todays-organizations-need-to-embrace-flexibility-in-the-workplace/
Papers by John Kigada
Christian educators should depend on the Holy Spirit for empowerment and illumination for appropriate human instruction. The instructor should guide the students into a better understanding of the truth. The teacher should propagate a Judeo- Christian worldview through proper interpretation of Scripture, evangelical theology, and inductive Bible study.
Evangelical Christians should propagate the right Christology (the means to salvation) and the whole process of attaining salvation (Soteriology). With this in mind, the author has selected these two topics with the hope of exposing some of the biblical educational implications that arise from the stated theological assumptions. Although this research paper does not focus on transformative practice, the author hopes to have an intellectual impact on his students.
For the LORD is our judge [Judiciary (protection) – JC], the LORD is our lawgiver [Legislature (order) – GF], the LORD is our king [Executive (direction) – HS]; he will save us.
According to Ronald Heifetz, we generally authorize people to provide in varying degrees three essential services:
1. Direction - people in authority are expected to know where we are going. They set our goals and strategies for the way forward.
2. Protection - people in authority are expected to make sure we beat the competition and survive external attacks.
3. Order - people in authority are to maintain the structures, processes, and reinforce the cultural norms that guide us.
So every authority relationship will to some degree provide direction, protection, and order.
According to the Center for Creative Leadership, the best leaders have 4 key influencing skills:
1. Organizational intelligence – understand your organization’s formal and informal structures (v. 2).
2. Leveraging networks – recognize and cultivate the power of your network to create change (v. 3).
3. Trust building – build and maintain trust to guide people through risk and change (v. 3).
4. Team promotion – promote your team and yourself to create more visibility for the work you’re doing (v. 4).
https://youtu.be/CbUOk_5hsGA
Bibliography
4 Ways to Strengthen Your Ability to Influence Others. “4 Keys to Influence Others.” Center for Creative Leadership. 4 Key Influence Skills to Strengthen Your Ability to Influence Others | CCL (accessed January 25, 2022).
To become an effective change leader, you need 3 key competencies that are part of leading the process of change:
1. Initiate – understand the need for change and begin by making the case for the change you seek by evaluating the business context, developing a clear vision and desired outcome, and identifying a common goal (v. 2).
2. Strategize – develop a strategy and a clear action plan, including priorities, timelines, tasks, structures, behaviors, and resources. Identify what would change and what would stay the same (vv. 3 - 4).
3. Execute – focus on getting key people into key positions. Break big projects down into small wins to get early victories and build momentum. And develop metrics and monitoring systems to measure progress (v. 5).
https://youtu.be/4iv7Z9hfs28
Bibliography
How to Be a Successful Change Leader. Center for Creative Leadership. https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/successful-change-leader.
How can you tell if leadership is happening within a team, department, community, committee, or organization? For leadership to happen, you need interactions among people that create:
1. Direction – agreement in the group on overall goals (v. 42; confer 4:33).
2. Alignment – coordinated work within the group (vv. 43, 46 – 47).
3. Commitment – mutual responsibility for the group (vv. 44 – 45; confer 4:32, 34 – 35).
Source: Leadership Through DAC (Direction, Alignment & Commitment) | Center for Creative Leadership
https://youtu.be/bKs2E4QTx9g
Text: Acts 6:1 – 4 NIV
Successful change is one of the biggest problems that organizations face. Without doing things differently, your company is unlikely to succeed, or last.
Change-management research demonstrates that organizational change initiatives are more likely to succeed if leaders acquire what the Center for Creative Leadership calls “the 3 C’s of change.” These 3 C’s or 3 skills are:
1. Communicate – explain the purpose of the change and connect it to the organization’s values or explain the benefits. Successful leaders communicate the “what” and the “why” (v. 2).
2. Collaborate – bring people together to plan and execute change. Include employees in decision-making early on and in the change process (v. 3).
3. Commit – be resilient and persistent, and willing to step outside your comfort zone. Devote more time to the change effort and focus on the big picture (v. 4).
Adapting to change requires flexibility. There are 3 types of flexibility that aid a leader in adapting to change according to the Center for Creative Leadership:
1. Dispositional flexibility – practice the ability to remain optimistic and, at the same time realistic, i.e., be grounded in realism and openness (v. 2).
2. Cognitive flexibility – use different thinking strategies and mental frameworks at work, i.e., hold multiple scenarios in your head (v. 3).
3. Emotional flexibility – vary your approach to dealing with emotions and those of others, i.e., accommodate others' emotions (v. 4).
Bibliography
Leading Effectively Staff 2020. Adapting to Change Requires Flexibility. Center for Creative Leadership. https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/adaptability-1-idea-3-facts-5-tips/#:~:text=The%203%20Types%20of%20Flexibility,emotional%20flexibility%2C%20and%20dispositional%20flexibility (accessed February 24, 2022).
The Passion-Skill-Problem triad is useful for identifying your competitive advantage, niche, sweet spot, or calling from God. This triad is also synonymous with your G.O.D, i.e., Gift, Opportunity, and Desire. To know your calling, you have to identify your:
1. Gift [skill] – what are you good at? What ability can you serve people? For example, Jesus Christ healed every disease and sickness – healing (v. 35).
2. Opportunity [problem] – what does the world need? What value are you able to add to people? For example, Jesus Christ provided compassion to the fainthearted [KJV] and helpless [NIV] – compassion (v. 36).
3. Desire [passion] – what do you love? What noble cause is dear to you? For example, Jesus Christ desired workers who were “spiritual shepherds” from God – workers (v. 38).
#calling #sweetspot #niche #competitiveadvantage #johnkigada
https://youtu.be/V6fzP1dhMAQ
According to the Center for Creative Leadership there are 3 ways to influence people or according to Alexandra Rengel, the ability to influence has 3 elements:
1. Awareness – understanding the impact of an action (v. 2 [Logos – logical appeal; HEAD]).
2. Ability – capacity in terms of communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making (v. 3 [Ethos – cooperative appeal; HANDS]).
3. Commitment (to ideas) – making decisions that may not always please everyone and dealing with the consequences (v. 4 [Pathos – emotional appeal; HEART]).
Bibliography
O'Quinn, Ken. “The Elements of Persuasion: Three principles that will strengthen any appeal.” PRSA (accessed October 24, 2021).
Rengel, Alexandra. “Entrepreneurship and Leadership.” IE University (accessed October 24, 2021).
Three Ways to Influence People. “Master the 3 Ways to Influence People.” Center for Creative Leadership (accessed October 24, 2021).
Figuring out how to motivate your employees or team members is a great challenge to many. We falsely assume giving more money will fix everything. But to get the best out of employees or team members remember that people are motivated by three things according to Ott Jõgi:
1. Mastery – the urge to get better (v. 2).
2. Autonomy – the urge to direct our own lives (v. 3).
3. Purpose – the desire to be a part of something meaningful (v. 4).
Bibliography
Jõgi, Ott. Leader's Guide to Motivate People at Work [Infographic]. Weekdone. https://blog.weekdone.com/leaders-guide-to-motivate-people-at-work-infographic (accessed April 19, 2022).
https://youtu.be/2-ECd9NPXIM
The key to successful servant leadership in service of others is actually to start with the self. By starting with a focus on yourself, you will be able to better serve your colleagues, teams, and organization better.
According to the Center for Creative Leadership, 3 elements of positive servant leadership are essential. These are:
1. Self-Reflection: Examine Your Values – cultivate your growth and understand the values that underlie your leadership approach (v. 2).
2. Self-Care: Build Your Resilience – prevent burnout and overworking by striking a balance between care for others and care for self (v. 3).
3. Self-Awareness: Know Your Impact – be genuinely curious about how your actions affect others by soliciting feedback to identify potential blind spots (v. 4).
https://youtu.be/sD425unScYg
Bibliography
https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/how-to-make-servant-leadership-more-sustainable-by-balancing-self-others/
We need to be serving others better by starting with ourselves.
There are 3 steps to reimagine servant leadership according to the Center for Creative Leadership:
1. Self-reflection – examine your values, e.g., improve your leadership effectiveness through prioritization (v. 2).
2. Self-care – build your resilience, e.g., collaborate with others to accomplish and manage your work (v. 3).
3. Self-awareness – know your impact, e.g., become aware of the action that will produce the most significant effect on others (v. 4).
Bibliography
Wingate, Brook and Michelle Schneider. How to Make Servant Leadership More Sustainable by Balancing Self & Others. Center for Creative Leadership. https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/how-to-make-servant-leadership-more-sustainable-by-balancing-self-others/ (accessed March 30, 2022).
Text: Acts 6:3 KJV
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
1. Loyalty – faithfulness to a cause, person, or institution (“among you”).
2. Integrity – good reputation or character and moral uprightness (“honest report”).
3. Ability – competence in knowledge and/or skill (“full of the HG/HS and wisdom”).
#Trust #Leadership #JohnKigada
https://t.co/20MK2uPCR7?amp=1
According to the Center for Creative Leadership, there are 4 fundamental leadership skills needed by leaders throughout every organization, regardless of role, industry, or location. These core leadership skills are:
1. Self-awareness – understand your behavior’s impact on organizational outcomes (v. 4).
2. Communication – effectively communicate goals and inspire trust (v. 3).
3. Influence – be comfortable persuading, promoting, and delegating (v. 5).
4. Learning agility – know when to change course, and help others to do so (v. 2).
Bibliography
The Core Leadership Skills You Need in Every Role. Center for Creative Leadership. https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/fundamental-4-core-leadership-skills-for-every-career-stage/ (accessed May 17, 2022).
Joshua son of Nun was filled with wisdom, because Moses had appointed him to be his successor. The people of Israel obeyed Joshua and kept the commands that the LORD had given them through Moses.
There are 3 ways to become a leader in a community:
1. Authority – a position [often acquired through mentorship and is a reward for loyalty] (e.g., appointment or succession).
2. Ability – competence [skillfulness or expertise] (e.g., wisdom).
3. Admiration – respect [influence through shared values] (e.g., obedience; confer Joshua 1:17; 4:14). Herein, respect is the ability to make people: a) listen to you, and b) follow you.
#Becomingaleader #Leadership #JohnKigada
https://youtu.be/NNQCYWLjap4
Post-COVID, many employees want their employers to be flexible in the workplace: a hybrid model that combines work-from-home and in-office work. If organizations want to be succeeding in the future, they need to be flexible.
According to the Center for Creative Leadership, there are 3 ways organizations benefit from a flexible workplace, i.e.:
1. Increased productivity – the efficiency of workers to produce more goods and services increases relative to the hours worked (v. 2).
2. Enhanced recruiting and retention – organizations retain their existing talent, boost morale, and attract new talent (v. 3).
3. Improved engagement levels – the level of enthusiasm and dedication a worker feels toward their job increases (v. 4).
Bibliography
Why Today’s Organizations Need to Embrace Flexibility in the Workplace. https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/why-todays-organizations-need-to-embrace-flexibility-in-the-workplace/
Christian educators should depend on the Holy Spirit for empowerment and illumination for appropriate human instruction. The instructor should guide the students into a better understanding of the truth. The teacher should propagate a Judeo- Christian worldview through proper interpretation of Scripture, evangelical theology, and inductive Bible study.
Evangelical Christians should propagate the right Christology (the means to salvation) and the whole process of attaining salvation (Soteriology). With this in mind, the author has selected these two topics with the hope of exposing some of the biblical educational implications that arise from the stated theological assumptions. Although this research paper does not focus on transformative practice, the author hopes to have an intellectual impact on his students.
Based on John 17:14-18, this paper seeks to underscore three pillars of the proclamation of God’s Call by the Church, i.e., it’s: 1) Moral fiber (v. 17). 2) Message (v. 14, cf. 18). 3) Mission (v. 18)."
1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
Complex and ambiguous situations require quick thinking that is interdependent and interconnected with the key stakeholders within an organization. Leaders must have strategic skills and perspectives instead of day-to-day operational thinking to drive organizational change and innovation.
According to Edward Kobuthi, learning and innovation in the twenty-first century requires four skills, i.e., the 4 C’s:
1. Critical thinking – the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue to form a judgment [Oxford Dictionary] (v. 2).
2. Creativity – to produce solutions through imaginative skill (v. 3). This is the backbone of innovation.
3. Communication – the imparting or exchanging information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium [Oxford Dictionary] (v. 7a).
4. Collaboration – strategically work jointly with others to achieve a common goal (vv. 5 – 6).
Bibliography
Kobuthi, Edward. "Navigating 21st Century Workplaces through Personal Leadership and Mastery." Online lecture, Nairobi, Kenya, March 6, 2024.
1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
The four skills that will make the biggest difference in achieving your goals now and in the future are:
1. Resourcefulness – finding quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties [Oxford Dictionary] (vv. 3, 5).
2. Adaptation [flexibility] – the capacity to adjust your approach through learning (v. 2).
3. Persistence – the willingness to commit to goals despite obstacles (v. 4).
4. Resilience – the ability to bounce back stronger after a letdown (vv. 1, 7).
Bibliography
Chan, Howie. Linkedin.com. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/howiechaniam_am-i-on-the-right-path-is-not-the-right-activity-7175097291043676160-LBg2?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android (accessed November 26, 2024).
Seibly, Jeannette. “3 Skills You Need to Succeed in 2020 and Beyond.” Alltogether.swe.org. https://alltogether.swe.org/2020/01/3-skills-you-need-to-succeed-in-2020-and-beyond/ (accessed November 26, 2024).
1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews[ among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
The best leadership teams deliberately focus their energy and time on the organization’s most strategically important responsibilities. These are:
1. Communicating clear strategic direction – clarifying who we are, what we do, and how we do it creates an environment that enables laser-like focus on pursuing the organization’s most important goals (vv. 2, 4).
2. Aligning resources – the leadership team is responsible for ensuring the organization has accountability structures and talent to deliver on the strategic priorities (v. 3).
3. Problem-solving strategic issues – removing barriers to achieving strategic goals should be the central component of a leadership team’s recurring meeting focus (v. 7).
4. Living the values – shared values are vital to helping employees find purpose at work and improving employee well-being, motivation, retention, and performance (v. 5).
Bibliography
Tony Gambill. 4 Key Responsibilities of Successful Leadership Teams. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jakobbovin_leadership-holcim-4er-activity-7252263499341402112-jm8a?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android (accessed October 23, 2024).
1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews[ among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
Building a strong foundation for healthy high-performing teams is essential.
A practical model for developing a foundation for team effectiveness developed by Richard Beckhard is called GRPI, an acronym for Goals, Roles, Processes, and Interpersonal:
1. Goals – common aims give teams direction and unite each effort in getting there (v. 2).
2. Roles – clarity of each member’s authority, responsibilities, and tasks are needed to effectively accomplish team goals (vv. 3 - 4).
3. Processes – important procedures needed for success must be effective, efficient, and followed (v. 7).
4. Interpersonal – the best teams have healthy, trusting relationships and strong social support systems (vv. 5 – 6).
Bibliography
Tony Gambill. 4 Foundational Characteristics of High-Performing Teams. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tony-gambill-0227767_leadership-management-careers-activity-7230174218590531585-vNkc?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android (accessed September 24, 2024).
16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
“Jesus bestowed on his twelve disciples delegated power that He Himself possessed that is, “authority” to advance the messianic ministry through exorcism healing” according to J. Lyle Story. ““Apostles” means “sent ones,” or commissioned representatives. The analogous Hebrew term was used for business agents, although the general concept is broader than that; a “sent one” acted on the full authority of the sender to the extent that he accurately represented the sender’s mission” according to Craig S. Keener.
Three elements of leadership characterize an effective leader:
1. Competence – ability [skillfulness or expertise], e.g., shrewdness (v. 16).
2. Chemistry – connecting [finding common ground when communicating], e.g., sheep among wolves (v. 16).
3. Character – integrity [integration of thoughts, words, and actions], e.g., innocence (v. 16).
Bibliography
Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), 72.
J. Lyle Story, “Matthew,” in Spirit-Filled Life Bible, ed. Jack W. Hayford (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1353.
Maxwell, John. “Communication - A Minute With John Maxwell, Free Coaching Video (ESP).”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVNUAcR51lE (accessed August 27, 2024).
Munroe, Myles. “Dr. Myles Munroe - You Need To Have A Good Character.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DybmLSr4NmA (accessed July 20, 2018).
For the LORD is our judge [judiciary], the LORD is our lawgiver [legislature], the LORD is our king [executive]; he will save us.
The concept of the three branches of government in the modern era is commonly attributed to the French Enlightenment philosopher Baron de Montesquieu. In his 1748 work The Spirit of Laws, Montesquieu described a government divided into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial, that act independently of each other. He called this concept trias politica, or separation of powers, and argued for a form of government where power was not too centralized in a single ruler.
However, the three arms of government have their origin in the Bible. “Most of the events referred to in [Isaiah] chapters 1 – 39 occurred during Isaiah’s ministry (see Isaiah 6:1; 14:28; 36:1), so these chapters may have been completed not long after 701 B.C., the year the Assyrian army was destroyed” according to Herbert Wolf and John H. Stek. The book of Isaiah was written long before Montesquieu wrote The Spirit of Laws.
In the Bible, God the Father legislates the Triune will (Mark 13:32; confer John 14:28; Matthew 20:23b). God the Son (Jesus Christ) executes the will of God the Father (John 4:34; 6:38 – 40). God the Holy Spirit applies the finished work of God the Son to our lives (John 14:15 – 18, 25 – 26; Acts 1:8; 2:4).
In Isaiah 33:22, God the Father is the Legislator, and God the Son is the Judge of humankind (John 5:22). God the Holy Spirit is the Executive; He controls the world (Genesis 1:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:7; confer Matthew 12:28).
Bibliography
Herbert Wolf and John H. Stek, “Isaiah,” in Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Fully Revised), ed. Kenneth L. Barker et al. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002), 1031.
6 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews[a] among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
According to Stuart Andrews, effective communication happens when a leader uses:
1. The language of inspiration (vv. 4, 7) – ignite passion and unity within teams using appropriate words that convert vision into reality.
2. Empathy in dialogue (vv. 1 - 2) – be sensitive to the feelings, thoughts, and experiences of others.
3. Adaptability and change (v. 3) – navigate transitions and turn uncertainty into opportunity and resistance into enthusiasm.
4. Cultivate a feedback culture (vv. 5 - 6) – transmit evaluative or corrective information about an action, event, or process to the original or controlling source.
Bibliography
Stuart Andrews. “Mastering Strategic Leadership Communication.” https://www.linkedin.com/posts/stuandrews_leadership-change-communication-activity-7176185798642331648-kNCr?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android (accessed June 27, 2024).
6 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews[a] among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
According to John C. Maxwell, there are 4 C’s of building a team:
1. Calling – what is our focus? (vv. 2, 4). The apostles were called to prayer and the ministry of the word of God. They would not allow a feeding program to divert their calling. Do not major in the minor.
2. Chemistry – are we hiring the right people? (v. 3). The apostles had criteria that elaborated the competence of the deacons who would take over the feeding program. Have clear competence criteria.
3. Culture – do we nurture a leadership environment? (vv. 5 – 6). The apostles allowed the whole group to select leaders from among themselves without interference and they ratified their decision. Facilitate upward mobility.
4. Challenge – are we growing and reaching new heights? (v. 7). The word of God spread, and the number of disciples increased rapidly in Jerusalem. Achieve results within your core business.
Bibliography
John C. Maxwell. “The 4 C’s of Building a Team.” https://www.linkedin.com/posts/officialjohnmaxwell_maxwellpodcast-activity-7163668818857283585-1YsP (accessed May 29, 2024).
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.
The business cliche that "the customer is king" simply means that there is no service without humility. Also, there is no equality without humility because we must lower our rank (not worth) and regard others as worthy.
Humility is regarding others as better than yourself. It's not lowering your intrinsic worth but rank. It's ignoring your rank to serve others your gift. Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking about yourself less. Entrepreneurship is about serving your gift. The more people you serve, the more money you make. Therefore, you need humility to achieve prosperity.
It's not possible to serve people by regard them as equals; you must regard them as better than yourself to serve them. For example, Jesus, who is God, ignored that truth and became a man so that He could serve us His gift – His life as a ransom (Philippians 2:6 – 8).
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs implies that we should first strive to attain basic needs before we discover who we are. On the contrary, Jesus Christ turned Maslow’s theory upside down. We should first discover ourselves in God and then He will provide our basic needs. In other words, we are not to crave basic needs, they will be provided to us as citizens of God’s kingdom by Jesus our King who is obliged to take care of the citizens of His kingdom.
This text instructs us to crave first the reign of God and His approval through right living (correct thinking, feeling, and acting) and basic needs shall be added to us. In this context, we are not to preoccupy ourselves with the provision of basic needs. God knows we need food, clothing, and by extension housing (Matthew 6:25 – 32). We are to surrender to the control of God in our lives by seeking to be upright in character and then He will take care of our needs. Consequently, when our living is not in alignment with the word of God, we risk exclusion from the list of citizenries whose provision of basic needs is guaranteed.
Click on this link: https://youtu.be/bjPnoETFLy0
Complex and ambiguous situations require quick thinking that is interdependent and interconnected with the key stakeholders within an organization. To drive organizational change and innovation, leaders must have strategic skills and perspectives as opposed to day-to-day operational thinking.
The Center for Creative Leadership research shows that the most strategic leaders do the following 3 things:
1. Think strategically – Invite internal and external experts to bring entirely new approaches to the table where they can be carefully considered and tested (v. 2).
2. Act strategically – Take decisive action consistent with the strategic direction of your organization despite ambiguity, complexity, and chaos (vv. 3 – 4).
3. Influence strategically – Build commitment to the organization’s strategic direction by inviting key stakeholders into the strategic process (v. 5).
a. Influence key stakeholders inside and outside the organization to see the change through.
b. Support collaborative problem solving and rely on high levels of commitment by people to do the right thing, unselfishly.
Bibliography
How to Become a Strategic Leader. Center for Creative Leadership. https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/how-to-become-a-strategic-leader (accessed August 24, 2023).
So David shepherded [profession] them according to the integrity [passion] of his heart; And guided them [mission] with his skillful hands [vocation].
If you want to discover the keys to true prosperity and start living your dream life, you need to know your sweet spot or calling from God and make a profit out of it.
According to Myles Munroe, when you discover your gift and then look for opportunities to serve it, you develop a conviction that you are necessary. This conviction begins to show itself in pictures called “vision.” This vision then gives you a passion that inspires other people and thus you become influential. When you become influential, you are consequently a prosperous leader in your area of gifting.
To prosper, make a list of four things:
1. The thing you are really good at – Potential (proficiency or profession)
2. The thing you sense you are created to solve – Problem (path or mission)
3. The thing you love to do – Passion (preference or affection)
4. The thing you can get paid to do – Profit (proceeds or vocation)
Stimulus - age, physical appearance, health, level of education, and economic activity.
Value - religious development, character, love, and affection.
Role - respect, submission, helpmate friendship.
Evangelist [is] used in a general sense of anyone who proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ… The evangelist… moved about in different localities, preaching the [gospel] to those who had not heard the message before. Once such had put their trust in the Lord, then the work of the pastor-teacher begun. He would remain with them, training them further in the things pertaining to Christ and building them up in the faith. [Therefore, the artistes’ work of evangelism should be supervised by guardians or pastors].
Christian performing artists are to communicate God’s Word amid opposition from the world’s sin, its values, and its goals e.g., “cash rules everything, get drunk, have random sex, and party till you drop."
Evangelist [is] used in a general sense of anyone who proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ… The evangelist… moved about in different localities, preaching the [gospel] to those who had not heard the message before. Once such had put their trust in the Lord, then the work of the pastor-teacher begun. He would remain with them, training them further in the things pertaining to Christ and building them up in the faith. [Therefore, the artistes’ work of evangelism should be supervised by guardians or pastors].