18Nov 2015 by Nigel Ring

10 reasons not to read American books on leadership

Cross-culture, Equipping, Leadership
I recently read an excellent article on the Towinsome website. I felt it was so good and thought provoking I would like to point people to it, especially leaders. Although it is written primarily for non-'Western' cultures it raises some very interesting and challenging points about assumptions it is easy to make. Thanks Andy for writing this.   “The things that go without being said are some of the most important parts of culture.” – E. Randolph Richards I am not anti-American. Neither am I anti-leadership. But I am going to list 10 reasons not to read American books on leadership, especially regarding church leadership. These kind of books seem especially laden with tacit values that may have been contextually true in the place of writing, but are definitely not…
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19Jul 2011 by Nigel Ring

Together on a Mission – the final one

Conference Administration, Equipping, Leadership, Ministry Report, Newfrontiers, News, Together on a Mission
The final one Last week marked the end of the TOAM conferences in Brighton, the home city of Terry Virgo, founder of Newfrontiers. The first biennial Leadership Conference was in 1990, but after the Stoneleigh Bible Week ended we started to hold them annually, from 2002, combining them with Students and Twenties under the banner of Mobilise. Three years ago Mark Driscoll, our guest speaker from Seattle, USA, challenged us to prepare for transition to the next generation of leadership. He suggested allowing five years to accomplish this. Prophetic leading Obedient to what we believed was a word from God we have worked steadily seeking Him for guidance and planning for the future. This final TOAM marked an important turning point in that process. There is still much to do…
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10Dec 2010 by Nigel Ring

Planning and Implementation pt 8 – Implementation

Administration in the Church, Administrative Skills, Equipping, Good Practice, Leadership, Planning
PS = pre-script! Before continuing my series I encourage you to look at the following YouTube video. Fascinating and challenging about the change in economies and life expectancy in 200 countries over the last 200 years. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbkSRLYSojo&feature=player_embedded#! Implementation So far I have shared with you my approach to event planning - I will develop a series in the New Year related to some aspects of planning a ministry i.e. something that is continuous and has no particular climax. But now we will look at some of the matters related to implementing the planning methods we have been discussing. Leadership Many at this time of year will be preparing for a Christmas event, maybe a Carol Service or Presentation. Often this will come out of the creativity of one or more…
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15Dec 2009 by Nigel Ring

Biblical Administration part 12 – Qualifications of an Administrator – Dignified and ‘open’

Administration in the Church, Biblical Administration, Christian ministry, Equipping, Leadership
1 Tim 3:8-13 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. (9) They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. (10) And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. (11) Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. (12) Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. (13) For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. In recent postings we have been looking at the qualifications for overseers that Paul includes in 1 Tim 3:1-7.…
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11Dec 2009 by Nigel Ring

Biblical Administration part 11 – Qualifications of an Administrator – Life at home

Administration in the Church, Biblical Administration, Christian ministry, Equipping, Leadership
1Tim 3:4-7  He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, (5) for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? (6) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. (7) Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. Having seen some of the disqualifying characteristics in 1 Tim 3:3 we will return to the positive actions and attributes, and warnings. ‘…manage his own household well…’ The standard set in verse 4 is high. There is an unassailable logic to Paul’s argument – home is…
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08Dec 2009 by Nigel Ring

Biblical Administration parts 10 – Qualifications of an Administrator – positive and negative characteristics

Administration in the Church, Biblical Administration, Christian ministry, Equipping, Finance, Leadership
1Ti 3:2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, (v3) not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. In our quest to understand the character qualifications of a deacon we continue to examine those laid down for an elder. ‘..respectable..’ This is the next characteristic in verse 2. It has nothing to do with wearing a suit to church in Sundays! Quite simply this refers to someone who is worthy of respect – literally ‘able to be respected’. No leader can be effective in leading people if they cannot respect him. There are those leaders who see this as an opportunity or excuse to be ‘put on a pedestal’ but emphatically this is…
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