Mindful Leader

Episode 5: Our Three Co-Lay Leaders of Mountain Sky Conference

Our conversation today is with the three Co-Leaders of the Mountain Sky Conference of the United Methodist Church.  They are:  Nancy Flint, Gayla Jo Slauson and Barry Welliver.  

The signal was not always strong.  I apologize.  Edited some.  

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Here are some thoughts on listening I humbly offer -- HERE.  I do see what I am doing with the podcast and my blog as related and to some extent in conversation.  

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This podcast is still maturing.  It is in effect a re-branding of an earlier podcast I used to share my sermons.  It has been re-purposed.  Once you scroll earlier than Episode Zero you are into old territory.  

I really expect my next podcast to either be a conversation with you about the first five (a monologue if you will) or a chat with leaders about Annual Conference.  Or a little bit of both.  TBD.  

 

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 + 1 -- Listening Gently

Receiving the Holy Spirit – Gentleness

 Primary Text that I will read:  Luke 3:15-22 – Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove.

 Marilyn White and Claudine Haight reporting on the mission trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Marilyn during her report on the mission trip to San Juan will, in part, address the need for helpers in that kind of role to be respectfully gentle in relationships.  We don’t show up and say “this is what you must do” and when presented with road blocks and problems, keeping them informed as to what is going on conveys a gentleness of spirit that I think Paul is driving at in his Fruits in Galatians. 

Advent 1, 2018 -- Waiting Well

Scripture:  Luke 21: 25-36

Big Idea:  Our theme for the day is Waiting Well.  The Reformed theologian Jürgen Moltmann speaks of Advent 1 in terms of a title of a book he wrote: "With Theology of Hope… I tried to present the Christian hope no longer as such an 'opium of the beyond' but rather as the divine power that makes us alive in this world." 

My view is that there is an end time coming, be about our work, and task.  We wait well by being about our tasks, be busy.  The reign/kingdom is near and it helps make us alive in our now. 

Enough -- Amy Gearhart Rocks It at Hilltop

 

Luke 12: 22 to 34.  The text is from The Message.  (We had flowers for Eugene Peterson.)  Her sermon title is Enough.  

Amy Gearhart is an Elder in the Missouri Conference and we had her speak at Hilltop on Commitment Sunday.  AKA Consecration Sunday.  Amy explains her new position at the Mountain Sky Conference.  I called her the Transition and Culture Czarina. 

This was our most effective Stewardship campaign in my time at Hilltop, at least in terms of Treasure.  Still work to do in all three of time, talent, and treasure but we are making progress.   

I spoke a little at the start to make some comments on the shootings at the Synagogue in Pittsburgh.