NGC Church Innovators

Catching people

“Do not be afraid;
from now on you will be catching people.”
—Luke 5.10

The way you look at water and see what's beneath.
The way you know the need and habits
of unseen fish,
live your life by their rhythms,
think about them all the time,
and think they're beautiful.
The way you gather them, the joy
not just of a fish but a shoal, a netful.
And how, if it's people you're gathering,
you're one of them, not different or above,
brought near to each other in something greater,
a web cast in vast steadiness—
all of us caught up together.
Brought close not just to a boat
but a bosom.
Not recruited, but joined,
woven into the net that catches us all,
returning us to each other.

“Catching up alive,” the Greek means,
not snagged, not used,
but drawn, as we are, in love.
Like caught up in a dance.
Something is breathed into us.

We catch by being caught.

~Pastor Steve Garnaas-Holmes

LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM D-DAY

“As the world marked the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings on the rugged coast of France today, Mike reached out to John Antal, a retired U.S. Army colonel who in 2017 published "7 Leadership Lessons of D-Day: Lessons from the Longest Day."

Why it matters: The Americans who faced down Hitler's legions on June 6, 1944, "exemplify what is great and good about America," writes Antal, who lives in Allen, Texas, a Dallas suburb. "Their heroism can inspire us. Their leadership can teach us."
Six of Antal's D-Day learnings for leaders:

Leadership is the art of influence. "A leader with confidence can influence teammates to believe in success."

Leaders first learn to follow. "If you won't listen to anyone, you cannot lead."
Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision. Army Lt. Col. James Earl Rudder, who on D-Day led his Army Rangers up the steep cliffs at Pointe du Hoc to capture a Germany artillery position, said years after the war that he was just as afraid as anyone else — sometimes even more so, as he knew the big picture. But he said fear was good because it generated awareness of danger.
Leaders adapt, improvise and overcome.

"Sometimes ... a good plan will work. Most likely, however, the friction of operations will impact the plan and the plan will start to unravel. When that happens, leaders must step in, inspire, and direct their team members to adapt the plan."

Leaders position themselves for decision points. "The skilled leader learns from study and experience where and when to be to make important decisions."
Leadership is by example. "If you have an ineffective team, most likely you have an ineffective leader."

The bottom line: True leaders, Antal writes, are on a lifelong journey "to master the skills of influencing people to succeed."

Onward: Leadership Institute 2024 – Are you ready to move onward? Join us & fellow church leaders September 25-27, 2024 for a transformative experience – including dynamic speakers, practical sessions and vibrant community to equip you with the tools and renewal you need for a new day in ministry.