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 3: A Mindful Discussion with Jeff Rainwater

My discussion on this Podcast is with Jeff Rainwater, currently the Superintendent for Congregation and Community Vitality for the Mountain Sky Conference of the United Methodist Church.  

Jeff has served in the Arkansas, (legacy) Rocky Mountain and (since 2018) Mountain Sky Conferences.  A trained Aerospace Engineer, his passion is the local church.  

This discussion was intentionally timed to capture Jeff's thoughts before he steps out of his current position and returns to the local church at Hope UMC in Greenwood Village, Colorado.  

Elements of Jeff's current position will be reallocated between Annie Arnoldy and Betty Nguyen.  Their respective email addresses can be found HERE under the MSC Staff.  In particular Jeff mentions vitality grants, and Annie, probably AFTER Annual Conference in late June 2023 would be a good contact on possibilities here.  

Send me a note -- a link is behind this spam blocker HERE -- if you have a question for future guests (Al Strauss to be recorded on June 1st and the three co-lay leaders on June 9th).  If you have my cell phone, I kept my Utah (Area Code 801) number, text away.  Please -- text before calling -- am sure you understand!  Leaving a comment always works!

Please sign up HERE on Podbean or through whatever application you use to receive Podcasts for regular and automatic updates on new Podcasts.  Once I get to Podcasts Numbers 10 or so I will start being 'regular" in my distribution, but not yet.  

My personal website is HERE.  It has blogs and articles I have written (or am writing).  

This podcast recorded on Friday, May 26, 2023.  

 

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 +2 -- Listening Peacefully

Gifts of the Spirit, Fruit of the Spirit, Gifts are what you have been given, fruits are what is made manifest by your connection to God.  Big ideas:  common good, community, trusting the Spirit for others to have gifts I don’t have.  GC2019 – Peace is a fruit.  Peace will (might?) come if we collectively take a deep, inspiring, breath.  

Season of Pentecost -- James -- Putting a Bow on James

James 5:13-20

Sunday Five of Five Straight RCL Sundays on James

An attempt to put a bow on James and our Culture of Growth Idea ... 

¹³ Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. ¹⁴ Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. ¹⁷ Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. ¹⁸ Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest.

¹⁹ My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, ²⁰ you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner's soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.