Month: December 2015

You and I Versus the Problem

Posted on December 7, 2015 by - Articles, Communication, Conflict Management, Leading Others

In the post below, Henry Cloud [TGLS 2013. 2011, 2009, 2005, 1996] describes a positive way to approach feedback conversations.

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Confrontation is a necessary part of solving problems. So many people would be better off if they learned how to confront others in a way that gets better results. What’s so hard about getting confrontations right? At their root, most confrontations are just an interaction between two different people.

Confrontation does not have to be adversarial. It merely means that we are going to “face this issue together instead of putting our heads in the sand and ignoring it.” I like the phrase “to turn your face toward” as the meaning of confronting. It does not mean a military destruction of the other side, but a coming together of two people facing some problem and finding a solution that brings it all together. Poor confronters turn things adversarial too easily and quickly. It is experienced as me versus you, or us versus them, as opposed to you and I versus the problem.

In that scenario, we are a team against what is wrong, and coming together to fix it. That keeps the problem, the person, the relationship and the result all in mind in an integrated fashion.

My Grander Vision for Burundi | Transforming Leaders to Transform the Country

Posted on December 7, 2015 by - Africa, Calling, Stories

“I want to see a country where we don’t have stealing and corruption—where the Church and the Christians are doing what God wants us to do. That’s what I want to see in Africa, not just in Burundi. That is the desire crying in my heart.”

Painito Ambuka served for 23 years in the Kenyan government before he accepted Christ and responded to God’s call to become a missionary. He left his government job and served in Tanzania as a pastor training other pastors, teaching seminars for women, youth and leaders. After eight years of training leaders in refugee camps for Burundians in Tanzania, God worked a miracle. Burundi began experiencing peace and the Burundians began returning home. The Lord called Painito and his wife to go to Burundi and work with the people there.

Burundi is a nation that has experienced many problems due to war. Many of the citizens have had to go to refugee camps and others have gone to live in other countries like Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania. When they return home, they find the country is suffering financially, and most of the people encounter poverty and struggle to meet their basic needs. “Because of poverty, we have problems with corruption,” said Painito. “But we thank God for what he is doing among the churches and for the church leaders who are eager to know and help others grow in their own lives.”

How the GLS came to Burundi

Painito says that he was invited to attend the Global Leadership Summit in Kenya in 2012 and it impacted his life. “I loved every lesson I was taught,” he said.  “And I thought, this is what I need for Burundi. At the end, I asked how I could bring this GLS to Burundi. At first, we couldn’t do it, because we required funds and needed to collect people together. I kept pestering the leader in charge of the GLS in Kenya, and he helped connect us to Willow Creek.”

The first GLS took place in Burundi in 2014.

“I remember in one of the sessions they talked about justice, and at the time, the country was preparing to go into an election,” said Painito. “People were being swept up with justice. The teaching on Holy Discontent was very powerful because people realized the conditions around them and started thinking about their own discontent.” Painito was one of them.

Painto’s Holy Discontent and Grander Vision for Burundi

“My holy discontent is seeing leaders and churches not transformed,” said Painito. “I see churches increasing and growing, yet we have problems with corruption and poverty. God called me to raise, train and release church leaders. As I look at the church leaders, I think, what can we do to bring transformation to the country? These leaders can be transformed, and they can transform their churches. I thank God for the GLS, because when the GLS came here, I said this is the thing that will help me transform leaders who can then transform the country.”

Painito has a dream to see prisons in the country almost empty. To see a country where people are living by the principles of God’s word. “I want to see a country where we don’t have stealing and corruption—where the Church and the Christians are doing what God wants us to do. That’s what I want to see in Africa, not just in Burundi. That is the desire crying in my heart.”

Pray for Leaders in Burundi

“Pray for me, as a missionary,” says Painito. “I’ve asked God, why do you send me to Burundi? The country is very poor and people are struggling with their basic needs. As a missionary, I raise my own support. My wife and children have to live their lives, and my children have to go to school, and sometimes it is challenging.” But he remembers that God called him, so he wants to follow this call and pursue it. “I say, God I want to serve you,” he says. “I want to help those I am helping, but I also have my own needs. So please pray for me. Pray that God would help me as I serve, and that God would meet my needs, and that my children can continue learning. And that I continue serving the people without looking back.”

Painito desires for God to change the lives of people. “Pray that the GLS would help reach the people. I’m trying to reach people in villages and other centers where the people are. I’m so grateful that I’m going to get the equipment for the GLS. With this equipment, now I’m able to go to other places. Because of the poverty level, we charge only $7 to register for the GLS, but many are not able to pay that much, so we provide a scholarship for them.  We are able to show them teachings on DVDs and help them contextualize and apply the teaching. Pray for me, that God will help me, and help the people embrace and apply what they learn through the GLS.”

Thank you for Supporting the GLS in Burundi

Painito encourages leaders to embrace the Global Leadership Summit. “I’ve seen it help people in Kenya and Burundi and we are trusting God that many will still be helped as we learn and apply what we’ve learned,” he said. “May God bless those who give to the GLS. I want them to know that it’s helping people in different places so much.” Please continue to pray and support leaders like Painito in Burundi who seek to change lives, impact the Kingdom, and ultimately introduce people to Jesus. You make a difference for hundreds of thousands of leaders through your support and prayer.

To make a gift to the Willow Creek Association,
go online at www.willowcreek.com/give
or mail your gift to PO Box 3188 Barrington IL 60011

Angola Warden Burl Cain Shares Stories of Transformation at Willow

Posted on December 5, 2015 by - Stories

Willow Creek Congregation Packs 70,000 Christmas gift packs—One for Every Prisoner in Illinois

When Burl Cain agreed to take on the role of warden at Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, it was the bloodiest, most violent prison in America. The penitentiary, where the large majority of the 6,300 prisoners carry life sentences, is a maximum security prison located on a former slave plantation of 18,000 acres—an area approximately the size of Manhattan.

“I didn’t apply for the job and I didn’t want it,” he said. “I took it on a temporary basis.” That was in 1995. Twenty years later, he is still there. But today Angola is a different place—thanks to his leadership and because he looked to God for guidance.

“When I came here, it was horrible,” he said. “It was the first time in my life I felt God talked to me…and it was also the first time in my life that I was desperate enough to listen.”

Morality heals a prison

Cain realized if he could bring morality to the prisoners, he could heal the prison. In our culture, “you find morality quicker in religion than anywhere else,” he said. “Everyone wants to be moral and everyone wants rehabilitation. With those two words, we could find no enemies.”

Cain brought Bible teaching to the prison through a Southern Baptist Bible College offering four-year bachelor’s degrees that include intensive studies of Greek and Hebrew. The results went beyond religious education—the Bible college has effected Angola’s transformation from one of the most feared prisons in the country. As men learned who God was and began to form a relationship with Christ, their lives changed. These men were strategically placed in dorms to change the culture and it worked.

Statistics tell the story

Statistics show a drop in violence since Cain took over. Prison records indicate in 1990, inmates assaulted each other more than 1100 times and assaulted staff members 280 times. By 2012, that number had fallen to 280 assaults on staff members and 316 among inmates.

Today, no one at Angola is unemployed, but more importantly, everyone is engaged in meaningful work. A prison-based toy shop makes 6,000 toys a year for children. Prisoners build 1700 wheel chairs for the Joni & Friends organization that provides them to the physically disabled.

Willow Creek assembles prison packs for every prisoner in Illinois  

Burl Cain shares his Grander Vision for renewal and restoration among the inmates at Angola at Willow Creek’s weekend services on December 5 and 6.

As part of each service, the congregation will participate in packing 70,000 Christmas gift bags (prison packs)—enough to distribute to every man and woman currently incarcerated in Illinois prisons.

Each gift pack includes factory-sealed food treats from Krispy Kreme, a 52-week inspirational journal; Wonderlife, an interactive book written by Mike Foster, founder of People of the Second Chance; Jonah, a correspondence booklet distributed by Emmaus Correspondence Schools, and a Christmas greeting card from Willow Creek with a calendar and an outline of Willow’s Care Center services available to them following their release from prison.

In 2013, Willow Creek’s Care Center provided Christmas prison packs to 20,000 inmates in Illinois and 32,000 in 2014. The program has produced thousands of thank you letters, connected hundreds to correspondence programs, and welcomed many individuals and families into the Willow Creek Care Center upon their release.

To learn more about Angola Prison’s inspiring story, watch the video below:

My Grander Vision for Vietnam | Serving the Vulnerable Children

Posted on December 4, 2015 by - Asia, Calling, Stories

Tam Tong 1“I grew up in a very poor family and almost quit my studies at the university because of poverty,” says Tam Tong, Summit attendee in Vietnam, and a leader in a non-profit organization serving vulnerable children throughout the country.  Not only is Vietnam a developing country, but it is also one of the most difficult locations to be a Christian. Access to Christian resources and leadership development tools is very limited. “Vietnam is a developing country in need of leaders who will focus more on building character than on leading from the power of their position. It is a challenge to become that kind of leader, but I believe that’s how it should be because when a leader gets better, everyone wins.”

The Global Leadership Summit is empowering leaders in Vietnam like Tam, and giving them access and opportunity to develop their leadership, and ultimately transform their communities. “I have learned a lot from the GLS that has made a big difference in my life,” Tam shares. “I have become more strategic in developing staff members and in reproducing leaders around me, as well as in leading the organization.  The Summit taught me about implementation. Pick up one idea and give it a try. If it doesn’t work, try another one. That has really changed my leadership. I’ve learned that leaders need to learn everyday. What we know is never enough. When times change, needs change and it requires new leadership skills, so we should study whenever we have a chance.”

A Grander Vision for Children in Vietnam

Tam was born into a poor family, and understands the experiences and struggles of the children she serves every day. “My grander vision is to reproduce other leaders who can do the same things for children in Vietnam that I do, which will make the nation better. I love doing whatever it takes to support kids and help them achieve their maximum potential.

In the organization I lead, I have become better at training people in order to transform children’s lives. In this nation, better leadership will make a huge impact on our communities and the world will become a better place because the church is working right.”

Thank you for supporting leaders like Tam

Join us in praying for and supporting humble leaders like Tam, with a huge heart for her country and sharing the love of Jesus with children. Leaders like Tam are changing lives in Vietnam. “I’m very grateful for the Summit in Vietnam. It has improved my leadership skills significantly and I am better able to lead the organization, transform children’s lives and serve those who are poor.”

 

To give to the Willow Creek Association,
go online at www.willowcreek.com/give
or mail your gift to PO Box 3188 Barrington, IL 60011

Three Triggers that Block Feedback

Posted on December 3, 2015 by - Articles, Communication, Leading Others, Meetings, Performance Management, Supervising People

Sheila Heen (TGLS 2015) says that feedback sits at the intersection of two human needs: 1) the need to learn and grow and 2) the desire to be accepted just as we are. In the video below, she describes the three triggers that often block us from receiving feedback well. As you prepare to give or receive year-end evaluations, these are great concepts to keep in mind.

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My Grander Vision for Namibia | Introducing Children to the Love of Jesus

Posted on December 2, 2015 by - Africa, Calling, Stories

Tobi Nel 2Tobi Nel is a pastor in Walvis Bay, a small desert town in Namibia at the southern point of Africa, next to South Africa. Twelve years ago, they started a church and it was there in Walvis Bay that the GLS first came to Namibia.

Tobi describes his country as being very big country of about 15 million square kilometers, but very scarcely populated. “It’s a desert country, so there are about 2.2 million people in the whole country. The capitol city only has approximately 400,000 people, and in my town, there are only about 90,000 people. It’s a wonderful, peace-loving country, and very diverse in its cultures and languages.”

GLS Namibia is Born

In 2007, a business friend, a member of Tobi’s church, came to Tobi and invited him to the GLS in Chicago. “The experience changed my life and my ministry,” says Tobi. “It also changed our church. In 2008, we decided to host the GLS in Namibia. It was our first Summit, and first experience our that kind that we had as a church. In the first year, 100 volunteers eagerly served and from then on, things snow balled. We saw growth and wonderful opportunities for our country.”

The Impact – Introducing Jesus, and breaking down barriers

Tobi says he will always remember their first Summit in 2008. “I remember the very first person who came close to Christ because of the Summit. It happened outside in the parking lot. He was an attorney, and he didn’t want to come or join, but some of his friends had invited him and pressured him to attend. He decided to come, but unwillingly. When he arrived, he looked out the window of his car, and saw a guy he knew helping with parking services, and wondered what this guy was doing on a Friday morning outside his vehicle with a security coat on. He asked him, ‘What are you doing here? Why aren’t you at your practice?’ And he said, ‘Well, I’m serving here at the GLS. And my role is to welcome you as our guest.’

That changed the attorney’s heart. With that he decided he was going to commit himself to this process, and walked across the road and into the church. He opened his life to Jesus. Since then, I’ve been hearing about his progress in Christ. It’s very exciting.”

Not only are people coming to Christ as a result of the GLS being in Namibia, but it is also having an impact on the culture. Tobi describes how racial barriers in Namibia have broken down because of the GLS. “We are a diverse country, and we see black and white people coming to the GLS together,” says Tobi. “Something amazing happens when we all worship together. Denominational barriers break down. One pastor from one denomination will go to the next, and just reach out their hand and say, ‘We are in this together. We share the same vision. ‘”

A Grander Vision for Children at Walvis Bay

Namibia

It was at the first GLS in Nambia that Tobi’s church grasped onto a grander vision that has changed his church. In 2008, Gary Haugen said, “If you want your leadership to matter, lead in the things that matter to God.” It stuck. “We sat down as a team and realized that children matter to God,” says Tobi. “So we chose a path and decided to lead in areas where vulnerable children are involved. We’ve seen miraculous things happen when we lead in things that matter to God.”

Children are so impressionable. They are like sponges, and take things in so easily. They are so thankful for the small things you do for them. “That’s part of the work we do,” says Tobi. “We reach out to vulnerable children. In Africa, there are millions of children who grow up without parents. There are millions of children who go to bed without anything to eat. We work with the orphaned, vulnerable children. It’s amazing when you put something in their hand – a plate of food, a sandwich, and you can say that, ‘We are sharing this with the love of Jesus. We are not just trying to fill you up, but the good news is that Jesus loves you.’ I love it.”

Expanding the GLS in Namibia

People don’t have to cross the ocean to attend the Summit. “We started doing the GLS in 2008,” says Tobi, “and we saw the need to expand the GLS to more cities in our country. In 2009, our venue was full months in advance, and we knew we would have to take it to the capitol, which we did, and we’ve been doing it there since. We also took the GLS to the north, into a very poor part of our country. Our dream is to take it to even more people, including into schools, and sports teams. We partnered with major banks, and so over the last three years we’ve been taking the GLS throughout the year to different schools and sporting teams. We are taking it where ever we can. This is part of our grander vision, to make the GLS available to as many people as possible in our beautiful country.”

Join us in praying for and supporting humble leaders like Tobi Nel, with a huge heart for his country and sharing the love of Jesus. Leaders like Tobi are changing lives in Africa.

 

To give to the Willow Creek Association,
go online at www.willowcreek.com/give
or mail your gift to PO Box 3188 Barrington, IL 60011