Wayne Hedlund

Category: What to Read

  • Thursday Quote Archive

    I have some absolutely amazing mentors. What’s odd is that I’ve never actually met most of them. That’s right. They don’t even know I exist. I suspect many of these individuals have played a ‘mentor’ role in your life as well. We are so blessed to have the benefit of audio, video, books, blogs, podcasts and more. We can learn from the most learned people in the world as long as we take the initiative to do so.

    Now, every week I’m reading books and blogs by authors like Bill Hybels, Steven Furtick, Craig Groeschel, Will Mancini, Tony Morgan, Michael Hyatt, Patrick Lencioni, John Maxwell, and many, many more.

    This Thursday Quote series is my attempt to let these mentors rub off on you just a little bit. Each article features a meaningful quote from my reading. I will also recommend books and provide links to Amazon. Should you choose to purchase a book through that link I will also receive a small commission which helps to support what I am doing with Transforming Leader. Enjoy!

    Thursday Quote Archive (in descending order by date posted):

     
    Check out my Resources Page to see other past series.
     

  • Thursday Quote: Crucial Confrontations

    Today, I’m quoting from the book, Crucial Confrontations: Tools for Resolving broken promises, violated expectations, and bad behavior, by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, & Switzler. If you ever or even occasionally find yourself in the scenario of having to confront someone – I highly recommend this book.

     Think CPR

    “The first time a problem comes up, talk about the Content, what just happened: ‘You drank too much at the luncheon, became inebriated, started talking too loud, made fun of our clients, and embarrassed the company.’ The content of a problem typically deals with a single event – the here and now.

    The next time the problem occurs, talk Pattern, what has been happening over time: ‘This is the second time this has occurred. You agreed it wouldn’t happen again, and I’m concerned that I can’t count on you to keep a promise.’ Pattern issues acknowledge that problems have histories and that histories make a difference. Frequent and continued violations affect the other person’s predictability and eventually harm respect and trust….

     As the problem continues, talk about Relationship, what’s happening to us. Relationship concerns are far bigger than either the content or the pattern. The issue is not that other people have disappointed you repeatedly; it’s that the string of disappointments has caused you to lose trust in them: You doubt their competency, you don’t respect or trust their promises, and this is affecting the way you treat one another: ‘This is starting to put a strain on how we work together. I feel like I have to nag you to keep you in line, and I don’t like doing that. I guess my fear is that I can’t trust you to keep the agreements you make.’”

    To learn more about this book or order it through my Amazon Affiliate’s bookstore, click this link.

  • Top Posts of February 2012

    Here are the most viewed posts on Transforming Leader in February.

    1. The Four C’s
      An exploration in four criteria necessary when hiring or recruiting leaders into positions of influence.

    2. Sunday Morning Announcements
      Includes some great ideas to make morning announcements more effective as well as som great video announcement examples from EGC.

    3. Ten Church Systems: The Assimilation System
      Part of ‘The Ten Church Systems‘ series focusing on building a ‘guest friendly’ environment that will draw guests back to your church.

    4. Build Momentum & Create Unity With A Blog
      Encouraging church leaders to build a blog for the congregation, volunteers and/or leaders.

    5. Andy Stanley’s Podcast (for the non-tech Christian leader)
      How to get access to some of the best leadership teaching available for free.

    6. Leaders are Readers
      Tips on getting a lot of reading done, even if you aren’t an avid reader.

    7. Bad Website Design
      A simple infographic describing 8 reasons people might leave your website.

    8. This is Church! (video)
      An amazing (and free) video clip that describes what ‘the church’ really is all about.

    9. Where Should Church Volunteers Park?
      Is your parking lot guest friendly? One way to tell is to see where your leaders and volunteers park.

    10. Guest Friendly Greeting
      Four key principles for greeting guests every week as they arrive at your Weekend service.

    I am also very proud to announce the release of my first eBook this month. It’s entitled “Thinking For A Change: a fresh look at critical thinking“. I am selling it for $3.99. Please consider getting yourself a copy. So far, I’ve received great reviews from my readers.

    Image from seruvenci at istockphoto.com.

  • Thinking for a Change: a fresh look at critical thinking e-book

    I’m pretty sure our ‘default’ style of thinking errs somewhere between “not too simple that I look stupid” and “just enough to get me average results.”

    I’ve heard it said that progress is only one idea away. With some fresh ‘thinking’ tools and a renewed motivation to press through the status-quo I am sure that, in Christ, our lives and ministries can reach their fullest potential!

    That’s what my brand new e-book, ‘Thinking for a Change’ is about: Critical Thinking. I’m convinced that most of us can be critical thinkers, but first we need to learn how. I hope ‘Thinking for a Change’ will equip you and your team with tools to be successful wherever you are. Cost is $3.99.


    Here are a few suggestions on how you might utilize ‘Thinking for a Change: a fresh look at critical thinking’.

    • Discuss With Your Team
      Critical thinking and strategic thinking have a lot in common. What better way to ensure everyone is ‘thinking’ together than to talk about ‘thinking’ before you really start ‘thinking’.
    • Give To Your Key Leaders
      This book can be a great tool in the hands of your key leaders. Armed with a fresh perspective about how to approach problems, you may discover they spend more time working up solutions than in coming to you with their problems.
    • Give To Your Staff & Volunteers
      I didn’t market this book as a leadership book for a reason. It isn’t. It’s a book about solving everyday challenges. It’s use ranges from cleaning the carpets to dealing with the photocopier to facing scheduling, financial, relational challenges and more. 
    • Promote To Your Congregation
      Obviously, ‘thinking’ applies to everyone, everywhere. Although most of the examples in ‘Thinking for a Change’ are ministry oriented, the principles will apply in every aspect of life. You may want to consider letting your congregation know about the book and point them here for purchase.
    If you do choose to purchase this e-book, I invite you to also consider giving me your feedback. What did you like? What didn’t you like? How could I improve on the content? Was there anything missing? I’d love to hear from you. Thanks!
    Purchase your copy today! Cost is $3.99.
    Also, checkout my other products at the Transforming Leader store.

    Photo compliments of joecicak at istockphoto.

  • Thursday Quote: 7 Practices – Replace Yourself

     

    My Thursday Quote this week is by Andy Stanley from his book, “Seven Practices of Effective Ministry“. At Elim Gospel Church this book is required reading for all of our leaders and new pastoral staff. The ‘seven practices’ have become benchmarks for how we think about ministry. The following quote is taken from the leadership practice, “Replace Yourself”.

    “Several years ago John Maxwell introduced our staff to the concept of ‘leadership lids.’ A lid is anything that keeps a leader from growing. Maxwell explained that there are certain aspects of your personality that can prevent you from achieving your full potential; therefore, it is important for leaders to identify their lids and do whatever they can to lift them. An organization will have a difficult time rising higher than the lid of its leader.

    We’ve discovered that organizations also have ‘leadership walls’ that prevent others from achieving their potential. Whereas a leadership lid can stunt your personal growth as a leader and may indirectly affect the rest of your organization, a leadership wall can directly stunt the growth of those on your team and, ultimately, create a leadership gap in your organization. Lids may stop leaders from growing up, but walls keep leaders out. They form a barrier that blocks the development of future leaders in your organization.”

    If you haven’t yet read this book, I urge you to do so and also to
    consider purchasing it through my Amazon Affiliate Store right here.

    To learn about other books I am reading or recommend, check out my Transforming Leader Store.

    Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
     

  • Thursday Quote: Next Generation Leader

    Today’s Thursday Quote is from the book, Next Generation Leader by Andy Stanley. I highly recommend this book to you and your leadership team. Andy Stanley does a superb job in laying down some real basic leadership principles which are critical to sustainable and effective ministry. Here’s a teaser from the book:

    “To ensure that we are leading with our feet firmly planted on the soil of what is, we must live by the seven commandments of current reality:

    1. Thou shalt not pretend.
    2. Though shalt not turn a blind eye.
    3. Thou shalt not exaggerate.
    4. Thou shalt not shoot the bearer of bad news.
    5. Thou shalt not hide behind the numbers.
    6. Thou shalt not ignore constructive criticism.
    7. Thou shalt not isolate thyself.
    Attempting to lead while turning a blind eye to reality is like treading water: It can only go on for so long, eventually you will sink. As a next generation leader, be willing to face the truth regardless of how painful it might be. And if you don’t like what you see, change it.”
     
    Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

  • Reading in February/March, 2012

    “Not every reader is a leader, but every leader is a reader.” Harry Truman

    For many of us, reading can be hard to do consistently. I know. It’s hard for me. Life is busy. I have a family, a ministry, people to meet, places to go, friends to care for and so much more to deal with. Who has time to read?
    The answer. Anyone who leads has time to read. It’s part of leadership. It’s a mark of a good leader. 
    Here’s What I’m Reading This Month

       

        

    What are you reading?

    Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

  • Top 10 Posts of January

    Here are the top 10 posts on Transforming Leader in January, 2012.

    1. Sunday Morning Announcements
      Includes some great ideas to make morning announcements more effective as well as som great video announcement examples from EGC.

    2. The Four C’s
      An exploration in four criteria necessary when hiring or recruiting leaders into positions of influence.

    3. Demystifying Our Plans
      A short devotional about planning based on James, chapter 4.

    4. Thursday Quote – Steven Furtick & Perry Noble
      Two great quotes from some great pastors & leaders.

    5. Reading in December, 2011
      What I was reading in December and January. I’ve completed those books, except for ‘The Disney Way‘.

    6. The Ten Systems of the Local Church
      An introduction to what I believe are the ten key areas every church should be strategically developing each year.

    7. Leaders are Readers
      Tips on getting a lot of reading done, even if you aren’t an avid reader.

    8. Get with YouVersion Today!
      An introduction to the best Bible website and set of free tools ever!

    9. Thursday Quote: Discovering God Things (Exponential)
      Three questions from the book, Exponential, that we should ask when we are looking for ‘God Things’.

    10. Ten Church Systems: The Strategic System
      Discussion on what it takes to think and act strategically consistently.
    The month of January marked what looks to be a landmark for me. If you’ve been reading for a while then you’ve heard me talk about ‘The Dip’. Evidently, I’ve pressed through a ‘dip’ and am beginning to see a marked increase in readers. In the month of January I have more than doubled the number of hits on my website compared to previous months.
    Image from seruvenci on istockphoto.com

    Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

  • Thursday Quote – Discovering God Things (Exponential)

    Today’s Thursday Quote is from the book, Exponential by Dave & Jon Ferguson. This book is all about ministry reproduction. You have never read a book like this one. It will challenge your thinking and force you to think about ministry in a totally new way. You will be stretched and your vision for the future expanded.

    This quote is near the end of the book. It answers the question, “How do I know when an idea, opportunity, or situation is a “God Thing”? Check it out:

    THREE QUESTIONS FOR DISCOVERING GOD THINGS.

    When we’re looking for God things, we find ourselves asking three key questions over and over:

    QUESTION 1: Where is God at work?Henry Blackaby, in his book Experiencing God, encourages us to always be asking the question, “Where is God at work?” We have found that question to be particularly helpful in considering new sites or campuses. So we’re constantly looking at the world around us, trying to discover where God may be at work, so that we can join him.

    QUESTION 2: Where is God dreaming?In his book An Unstoppable Force, Erwin McManus says there is a second question we also need to be asking: “Where is God dreaming?” This question keeps us from being passive and waiting for God to reveal his work to us. Instead it challenges us to anticipate where God might be about to do something that only he can do.

    QUESTION 3: How is God confirming that He is at work?The last question is a follow-up to the previous two questions. We also ask, “How is God confirming that he is at work?” Thi is a crucial question that holds us accountable to continuing to seek God through his Word, the Holy Spirit, prayer, and the community of Christ followers so that we are certain that we are joining God in his work and not simply asking him to join us in our work.”

    To learn more about this book or order it through my Amazon Affiliate’s bookstore, click this link.

    Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

  • Thursday Quote: Sticky Church & Legos

     
    One of the best books we have read as a team at Elim Gospel Church on developing and maintaining healthy small groups and closing the ‘back door’ is the book, “Sticky Church“, by Larry Osborne. I guarantee you that this book will not only give you fresh ideas for group ministry, but it will also help you communicate some of the principles on group life in the local church. It’s not necessary that you adopt every idea/philosophy represented as it is necessary for you to get/stay sharpened in helping people find authentic and lasting community in your church body.

    I highly recommend this book!

    Excerpt from Pages 79-80 of ‘Sticky Church‘

    “I think of people as being like Legos. We all have a limited number of connectors. Introverts have a few. Some extroverts have dozens. But either way, once they’re full, they’re full. And when that happens, we tend to be friendly but to not connect. It’s what happens when you move to a new town and are excited by everyone’s friendliness, only to be discouraged three months later that you haven’t connected with anyone.”

    “This can be very confusing and frustrating for people who are new to a community or church. The acts of friendship send one message, but the lack of connections send another. It’s why so many people complain about churches being cliquesh. The realit is, it’s not so much a church full of cliques as it is a church full of people whose connectors are already full. Obviously, this can be a huge problem when it comes to assimilating new people into a small group or even a congregation. But it can also be put to use by employing a bit of spiritual jujitsu.”


    Recommended products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”