Easier said than done

Posted on February 16, 2009 by igalindo

The concept of the self-differentiated leader is attractive. And those who work toward being a self-differentiated leader strive toward a high goal. But while the concept is relatively easy to define, it’s easier said than done when it comes to living it out as a reality. Continue reading →

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Orthodoxy and orthopraxy

Posted on February 11, 2009 by igalindo

A perennial struggle for religious educators and pastors is finding ways to connect orthodoxy to orthopraxy. Achieving “right belief” (head knowledge) seems so very easy compared to achieving “right behavior.” Too often there is a disconnect between what congregational members say they believe about the Christian life and how they actually live their lives. It has become a high compliment to say of someone that they “walk the talk.” Continue reading →

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It’s a gender thing (maybe)

Posted on February 10, 2009 by igalindo

During a recent conversation I was asking for help in clarifying a misunderstanding from a colleague. She began our conversation by saying, “It’s probably a gender thing.” I’ve never found that a helpful way to start a conversation. My thought was that in my experience, “It’s only a gender thing if you make it a gender thing.” Continue reading →

Posted in bowen family systems theory, development theory, personal growth, world view | 1 Comment

Going with what you know

Posted on February 9, 2009 by igalindo

I sometimes share with my students the phenomenon of what I’ve come to call “The Jay Leno Jaywalking Effect.” If you’ve ever watched Jay Leno’s man-on-the-street interview segment called “Jaywalking” you’ve seen the phenomenon. Leno will ask a passerby a question. If the person interviewed does not know the answer, the person just makes one up. But the more interesting thing that happens is when Leno follows up and it becomes apparent that the person immediately comes to believe that the answer he or she just made up is true! Continue reading →

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BFST Wisdom of the Ages IV conference

Posted on February 5, 2009 by igalindo

A friend recently asked if anyone was working on Bowen’s ninth concept, supernatural phenomenon, or, what many are referring to (regrettably) as “spirituality.” I mentioned a few resources and persons, and, I mentioned Joe Carolin’s Wisdom of the Ages conferences I’d attended in the past. Much to my delight, I received in the mail a few days later a brochure for the Wisdom of the Ages IV conference. Continue reading →

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Ash Wednesday planning ideas

Posted on February 4, 2009 by igalindo

GRACE member Terry sent an e-mail to the rest of the gang soliciting Ash Wednesday service ideas. Several in the group shared ways their churches have observed Ash Wednesday services in the past. But I enjoyed the response from GRACE member Pat who not only offered some pretty nifty ideas, but a funny story to boot. Here is Pat’s response with ideas for Ash Wednesday services: Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Education, congregational life, liturgical seasons | 2 Comments

Talking to children about the economy

Posted on January 26, 2009 by igalindo

During a conversation among parents about their children—now adolescents and young adults the issue of children and money came up. There were the usual rants about children not appreciating the value of money, anxieties about paying for college expenses, the astronomical increase in auto insurance when adding a teenager to the policy, etc. Most parents shared frustrations, and worry, about their teenage and young adult children not being able to handle their finances.

I asked the group of parents if they talked about money, finances, and stewardship with their children when they were young. All said that no, they hadn’t. That being the case, I wondered at their surprise that their grown children were unprepared to handle money as adults. Continue reading →

Posted in books, children, world view | 1 Comment

Winter issue of Leadership in Ministry Workshops newsletter

Posted on January 21, 2009 by igalindo

The winter 2009 issue of the Leadership in Ministry Workshops (LIM) newsletter is now available. You can download a copy of the newsletter by visiting the LIM website and selecting the link to the newsletters from the main menu.

The newsletter includes the following features: Continue reading →

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Rethinking consulting

Posted on January 20, 2009 by igalindo

I’ve been doing formal consultation since 1989, when I started Educational Consultants. The venture achieved all the goals I had for it, including covering the college tuition for the boys. While success is its own reward, there’s a downside to it also. The traveling got old pretty soon, for one thing. I’m in the process of reconsidering how long I want to continue. Lately I’m turning down more offers and invitations than I’m taking on. Some of that has to do with the new job, but some of it is that my interests may be changing. Continue reading →

Posted in humor, leadership | 1 Comment

Book review: Leaders Who Last, by Marcuson

Posted on January 19, 2009 by igalindo

Margaret Marcuson touches all the right bases in her first book for congregational leaders, Leaders Who Last: Sustaining Yourself and Your Ministry (Seabury Press, 2009). It is a primer on effective ministerial leadership based on perennial principals and much influenced by Marcuson’s experience in working with leaders, and, her continuing study of Bowen Systems Theory applied to leadership. A recognized coach to leaders Marcuson brings real world wisdom to the pages of this book on effective ministry leadership. Insightful, and often playful, Marcuson shares her coaching expertise with readers in this short course on effective leadership. Continue reading →

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