ISSUE ARCHIVE

Relationships Are Everything

In this season when we celebrate Christ's birth, we at the Lewis Center remember it is our bond in Christ that unites the thousands of church leaders with whom we work—as together we seek a church with greater service, vitality, and growth. We are honored by your trust and confidence.

Just as all Christian leadership originates in our relationship with Christ, our day by day leadership in our settings depends on relationships with others that mirror the ideals of our faith. 

A recent global survey found that the primary reason for a leader’s failure is the inability or unwillingness to build relationships. Not delivering “acceptable results” was not among the most common reasons for failure. This does not mean, however, that results are unimportant but, rather, a relational foundation is essential for leaders. 

On the positive side, the survey also asked respondents to identify the predictors of leadership success. The top four were: fit with the organization’s culture and values, interpersonal skills, motivation to lead, and previous experiences.

“What emerges from the survey analysis,” says Bram Lowsky, reporting on the research, “is that leadership success is increasingly dependent on getting along with others.” He also reports that the findings tend to be consistent across the countries where the survey was conducted. 

It is well for us to remember this Advent Season that just as the source of our faith is Christ, the source of all leadership is an ongoing relationship with Christ. We know Christ is the vine without whom we cannot bear fruit—the vine that bonds us in relationship with those for whom Christ came that all might have life abundant.

May your Advent and Christmas be filled with much joy and happiness.

Lovett H. Weems, Jr.

A news release about the survey by Right Management can be found at www.right.com.

Mark Your Calendar for the 2012 Funding Conference

“Reclaiming a Hopeful Financial Future” is the theme for the Lewis Center’s annual Funding Your Congregation’s Vision conference on Saturday, March 10, 2012, on the campus of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. Building on the Lewis Center’s past work in funding ministry, the event will explore new subject areas for building a stronger financial future for your church. Further details and registration information for the half-day event (9:30 a.m.–1 p.m.) will be available in January.

How Christmas Can Help Your Church Grow in 2012

Churches sometimes underestimate the importance of the Advent and Christmas seasons when planning their growth stategies for the year, according to a recent article on the Ministry Matters website. Check out their suggestions for how your ministry in the closing weeks of 2011 can help improve attendance in the new year. Click here.

Preview Videos from the Connect with Your Neighbors DVD/CD Resource

This just-released resource helps you learn to reach new disciples. You may preview video introductions to some of the presentations on the resource CD: Discovering Who Your Neighbors Are, Using Social Media to Reach New People, Your Website Is Your Church's Welcome Mat, and Needs-based Community Outreach. If you have already ordered this resource, it should arrive within the week.

Please Support the Lewis Center with a Gift

Your contribution makes a tremendous difference in the vitality of the Lewis Center. Please donate today, and your gift will bear fruit for generations of church leaders to come.

Support the Lewis Center with Your Online Holiday Shopping

With every purchase you make at Amazon.com and Cokesbury.com, you can support the work of the Lewis Center — and it won't cost you an extra cent. Simply enter the shopping sites though the links in the previous sentence or from our homepage at www.churchleadership.com, and the Lewis Center receives a portion of every purchase. There is no catch or cost to you, and you will not notice a difference from your normal online shopping experience. We thank you for your support during the holiday season and throughout the year.