Mindful Leader

Episode 4: Al Strauss, Chair of Responsible Stewardship

Rev. Al Strauss, Chair of Responsible Stewardship of the Mountain Sky Conference is our guest.  

Al recently accepted the Responsible Stewardship Chair and plans to use his experiences with leading the Task Force on Disaffiliation to help him cast his leadership vision for this Committee.  

Al also serves on the Conference Trustees.  

Al has served in a number of clergy positions in (legacy) Rocky Mountain and Mountain Sky Conferences since 2002.  

This was recorded on June 1, 2023.  

Our next guests will be the three conference co-lay leaders:  Gayla Jo Slauson, Nancy Flint and Barry Welliver.  That recording will take place on June 9, 2023.  If you have any questions send them to me at the email I will show below.  

If you have any comments or observations send them to me -- dennis at mantuan dot org (typed this way to obfuscate the harvest bots who would gather my email address.)  

Episode Zero -- Introduction

I am (or was) a musician, marathoner (Boston in 1988), military officer, math modeler, and (United) Methodist Pastor.  At times, I am a muse.  That is an eclectic background and it leads me, humbly I hope, to think of myself as a Renaissance Person:  Mantua Italy claims the Renaissance started there.  It works.  

I have degrees in Music, Business (Quantitative Methods -- don't ask!), Divinity and Church Leadership.  

I have been a leader in various venues and activities since 1968 while still in college.  Growing in leadership is something that I have taken, and still take, very seriously.  

This re-branding, re-purposing of my podcast will initially focus on financial leadership within the Mountain Sky Conference of the United Methodist and, hopefully, her local churches.  It will not stay there.  

In the beginning, for the first couple of months or so, I will not have a schedule for release.  Once I get my sea legs, I expect to produce a new podcast either weekly or every other week.  We'll see.  

When ChatGPT was asked "what is a mindful leader", this was the response (Italics and font modifications are mine, not ChatGPT):  

1. A mindful leader is someone who practices mindfulness in their leadership style. Mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully engaged in the current moment, without judgment or distraction. Mindful leaders cultivate a deep awareness of themselves and their surroundings, which enables them to make informed decisions, communicate effectively, and create a positive work environment.
2. Mindful leadership involves being fully present in interactions with employees, listening actively, and paying attention to nonverbal cues. It also involves being aware of one's own emotions and managing them in a constructive manner, as well as being attuned to the emotions of others and responding appropriately.
3. A mindful leader is also open to learning and growth, and encourages their employees to do the same. They prioritize the well-being of their employees and foster a culture of inclusivity, respect, and collaboration.
4. Overall, a mindful leader is someone who leads with authenticity, empathy, and self-awareness, and who prioritizes the well-being and growth of their team.

I frankly think that forms a superb intellectual framework for how I might proceed. Authenticity, empathy, and self-awareness are excellent values for any leader.  

My overall purpose is sharing.  

Epiphany + 5 -- Blessed to be a Blessing

 

The various scriptures for this Sunday are HERE.  The sermon is from the Luke with touches from the Psalm and the (unread) Jeremiah.  

I wonder if the title doesn't give the big idea to us:  "Blessed to be a Blessing."  

Epiphany + 4 -- Faithful to the Call

Faithful to the Call -- Luke 5: 1-11

 

The text was the Revised Common Lectionary Luke passage.  I was trying to balance the idea of faithfulness and call.  This was Scout Sunday, so I did get over into our local context a good bit.  

November 25, 2018 -- Christ the King!

John 18: 33-37

 

We stand at the end of the church year.  It is New Year’s Eve in New York City and the ball has gone down and we are here to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.  Who is Jesus for us?  Really for us?  What is our no equivocation answer?  He is King? 

 

If not, why not?  I expect while the scriptures are NOT John 3: 15-17, I will get to John 3: 15-17, particularly 17.  We can live according to the cynical values of Pilate or …. the choice is ours. 

What is the Church ... really?

 

Our District Superintendent preaching on Kick Off Sunday.  Great Sermon.  Great!  Looks at what the church really is supposed to be and then ends with an enormous question.  The silence in the podcast was the silence that morning.  

This Side of Easter: Making a Choice (May 13, 2018)

 

Ephesians 1 -- this is Mother's Day and we look at being a parent as a church.

This Side of Easter: Being Surprised (May 6, 2018)

 

This is Acts 10 where Peter is surprised by what God is calling him to do, set aside almost everything he has previously known.  What is it that we have previously held as true and God has surprised us with what we need to do?  

This Side of Easter: Finding Joy -- April 29, 2018

This is Bell Choir Sunday and we provided a quick flavor of the bells.  The sermon is from Acts 8 and the preacher is Ms Marilyn White!  

Doxology

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

There is some electronic burping in the recording.  Not sure what happened.