In this issue:

Rewarding Leadership

Parking Lot Hospitality

The Right Question

Perhaps the most intriguing thing about the church in Antioch was the diversity of its pastoral leadership team.

Mark DeYmaz

Rewarding Leadership
By Cynthia D. Weems

In the days following the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to President Barack Obama, commentators and pundits questioned the wisdom of the decision. Is it too soon? What has he truly accomplished? What about the other deserving candidates who have been working for peace in difficult situations for decades? The Nobel committee responded to these questions stating that President Obama's creation of a new climate in international politics was in line with the ideals of the award and that they felt compelled to offer whatever support necessary toward producing concrete results in achieving these ideals. They also confirmed that Alfred Nobel's will specifically states that the prizes should be awarded for work accomplished in the immediately preceding year.

The commentary surrounding this award has caused me to reflect on how this same approach to leadership development is played out in congregations. How do congregations celebrate persons who point toward the achievement of the congregation's mission? And how do these celebrations occur consistently and frequently, rather than as standard "lifetime achievement" awards?

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Parking Lot Hospitality
by Lovett H. Weems, Jr.

Most churches give attention to welcoming newcomers to church once they reach the church doors. Often they will be welcomed by both greeters and ushers. An information booth is now common in many churches. "But the impression has already been made before visitors enter the building," according to leaders at Impact Church in Atlanta, which gives external hospitality a high priority. The congregation seeks to create a "great first impression" every week, giving newcomers a first glimpse of what is in store for them at Impact Church from the moment they arrive.

In addition to making sure everyone is welcomed with a smile, parking lot hosts have assigned tasks that make coming to church easier for everyone. They coordinate and guide parking and monitor the availability of parking spaces.

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The Right Question

Leaders do not need answers.
Leaders must have the right questions.

Recently the education committee of a congregation decided that a growing church school class for youth needed a larger classroom. Someone suggested the class could switch with a longstanding adult class that had grown smaller over the years. Unfortunately, no one talked to the adult class before they arrived the next Sunday to find a sign on their classroom door announcing the change! When a change is planned, it is good to ask questions such as:

With whom do we need to consult to make sure
this change can work?
Who else needs to be notified of the change?

Editors:  Lovett H. Weems, Jr. and Ann A. Michel
Production and distribution: Carol Follett