Where has Critical Appreciation Gone?

The critical review essays were due yesterday in the Written Composition (HF 110) class I am teaching this semester as a sessional instructor at PBI. Consequently, I found this article interesting!

Gratitude for those who have helped me in leadership

John Maxwell's latest Leadership Wired newsletter includes an essay titled "Leadership in Dependence: An Attitude Inspiring Gratitude" and focuses on the need for leaders to realize that they have come to their place/position of influence because of many people who have helped them along the way.
I want to express my appreciation to the following people for the role they have played in my life and contributing to any success God has blessed me with in leadership.

• My parents, John & Wendy Ibbotson - ways too numerous. Bottom line: I had every opportunity for success because of a safe, secure, nurturing home I was raised in.
• Mr. Fred Stidham - the grade 6 teacher who one day in a passing comment said, "Steve, you could become a teacher someday."
• Dr Charlotte Kinving-Bates - for believing that I could develop into a leader from the time I graduated from high school and provided opportunities for me to lead in various ways. In one of her leadership development classes in 1996, I began an annual personal development plan that I have used, reviewed, and updated every year.
• The people of the Prairie Tabernacle Congregation - a group of people, many in their senior years, who have served around the world in various capacities, gave a young, single, 25 year old the chance to serve as an elder among them. I have been privileged to serve as an elder for 12 of the last 14 years, including some years as chair.
• Gonzaga University - a school that sought to open the doors to students from various aspects of life to study in the Doctor of Philosphy in Educational Leadership program... and that new what an MDiv was because they trained Jesuit priests!
• Paul Nigh, Jason Ewert & principal Randy Wood at Prairie Christian Academy - you have helped me use my administrative gifts and demonstrated "get it done" leadership that makes things happen in two contexts (public school/academia and Christian non-profit organization) that can be frustratingly restrictive.
• Many individuals in formal leadership positions locally and globally who I've watched and tried to learn from.

Of course, thanks to the Lord for providing me with so many people and opportunities to lead God's people by serving God's people.

Review: Why Men Hate Going to Church (Revised) by David Murrow

I remember hearing about this book when it was first published in 1995 (2005). There were some  proponents who felt this book was long overdue. Others felt the book was simply a pathetic attempt to excuse male apathy in church. So, when the opportunity was given to review an updated version, I jumped in eager to read the arguments and examine their validity.

It is only fair to concede that this reader fits the small percentage of men who the church "connects" with - the verbal (able to teach/preach), studious (I read the book, right!), and sensitive (okay, many people would not describe me this way, but as it relates to the concepts in this book). Though I enjoy sports, due to physical limitations I cannot play, and thus resonate with the language Murrow suggests the church largely ignores that is men's preferred context/language. I can understand why male critics of this book would not agree with Murrow, because if you are a male church "star" (pastor/elder) and you agree with the thesis of the book, you are essentially admitting that you are a "feminine man."

The thesis of the book is that the main reason men hate church is because most aspects of congregational life are oriented towards predominantly female traits and styles. Part 1 seek to answer the question, "Where are the men?" and though not rich in statistics, the fact of the argument is really not up for debate.

Murrow actually begin arguing in chapter 5 (two chapters before part 2 of the book seemingly begins) that church culture and male culture are in constant structural (sytems) and functional (how things actually work out) conflict. From a one-sided view of Jesus (chapter 6) to the lovey-dovey worship songs (chapter 9) and many other symptoms, Murrow thoroughly points out how churches of the 20th century sent multiple messages to men that "church" is not the place you want to be talking about over the water-cooler on Monday morning. This part of the book is repetitive in some places, yet at the same time, it provides such ample evidence of how male culture is so diametrically opposed to most church language and activities, that one really can only cringe in embarassment.

Fortunately, part 3 offers some ten practical chapters "Calling the Church back to Men." By the end of the book, this reader found himself both convinced of the need for change to our church language and structures so that they are more "manly" as well as armed with some initial ideas for making these things happen.

This book was provided for free for review by Thomas Nelson publishers as part of the BookSneeze program.

What I learned about Leadership from a Root Canal by Michael Hyatt

Check this article out!