The Leader of the Band - A.I.M.'s 16th shot.

Just watched 60 minutes, (on Wynton Marsalis - link below) and had to get a few things out...

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/06/26/60minutes/main20072634.shtml

Confession time.  I don't listen to Jazz.  I have a lot of friends who loooooove Jazz.  Most of them are older than me, (sorry guys), but a few of them are my age or younger.  I just never got into it.  I've wanted to for years, because I think people who listen to Jazz tend to be cooler than... well, people like me.  I own a lot of CDs, but I think the only Jazz CD I own is Kenny G.'s Christmas CD, (I know - that doesn't count.  Maybe a few of Sting's songs from the late 80's are the closest to Jazz that I own).  It's not a matter of not liking Jazz, as it is a matter of not understanding it.  In other words, I have a sneaking suspicion that if I understood Jazz, I might get into it (the same might be said for Algebra, tofu, and Christian Radio).  Anyway, one of the segments on tonight's 60 Minutes focussed on Wynton Marsalis, and his Jazz band's efforts to keep Jazz, one of America's greatest inventions, alive and well.  It was a great story.

Besides the story being good on the level intended, I couldn't help but pick up a few points on leadership as well.  Here are a few leadership lessons from The Leader of the Band.  Feel free to draw your own connections to the minstry, small group, Church/Corps, or movement for which you provide leadership.

1.  Wynton Marsalis Plays 4th Trumpet.  In the 60 Minutes piece, he mentions that he did try to actually lead the band he leads, but he knows his place is in the trumpet section.  That's where he serves best.

2.  Jazz Band Players Sometimes Sacrifice Solos.  Even I know that in a typical Jazz club, several solos can be heard on any given night from each musician on the stage.  However, in Wynton Marsalis' band, most of the musicians (many - the top players on their instrument of choice) will only get one solo per performance.  And they're okay with that.

3.  Music Fosters Community & Breaks Down Barriers.  In addition to trumpeting (sorry) the virtues of Jazz Music, Wynton Marsalis and the band he "leads" travel the globe as unofficial American ambassadors.  The 60 Minutes crew caught up with the band in Cuba where, for four straight days, musicians and listener/dancers alike celebrated the things they had in common instead of arguing about their differences.  Turns out Stevie Wonder was right in his song Sir Duke, an homage to music, and Jazz great Duke Ellington; "Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand.  With an equal opportunity for all to sing, dance and clap their hands".

4.  Mistakes Are Integral To The Process.  When asked by Morley Safer asked how important mistakes are in Jazz, Marsalis answered; (paraphrase) If you aren't making mistakes, you aren't trying anything new - you're not doing it right.


Play (and Lead) On! 

IN CHRIST & OUTreach,

rob


One final note: 
"A real leader faces the music, even when he doesn't like the tune."   -Anon

On Ordinations, Orbiting Organizations, & Orville Wright A.I.M.'s 15th shot.

Over the June 10-12 weekend, the Birksfam joined hundreds of other Salvationists from all around the Western Territory in attending the Commencement, Commissioning & Ordination of the Ambassadors of Holiness session.  It was a great weekend, culminating in the Sunday afternoon Service of Appointments, where these newly ordained Ambassadors found out where they will begin leading & serving OTHERS as officers in The Salvation Army.  The weekend held additional significance for us, as we were able to witness the ordination of my nephew, Dan Whipple (pictured here, with his wife, Audra), my niece Ryan Boyd (and her husband Josh), my 2nd cousin Leilani Armendariz (and her husband Carlos), our "mentees" Bonita & Sean Kelsey, our new Corps Officers Sean & Harryette O'Brien, and other good friends and co-Ambassadors of Holiness.  I pray all God's best for them as they go out to do good, Kingdom work.  This particular blog post is dedicated to them.  You didn't know we did long distance dedications here at A.I.M., did you?  Hey, I grew up on Casey Kasem.

Anyway, directly following the weekend, I met with some creative types for a few days of dreaming up new ways to share the good news with the world (literally), http://tcspeak.com/blog/2011/06/14/creative-caucus/

Part of the prep for this caucus was to read the book; Orbiting the Giant Hairball, (A Corporate Fool's Guide to Surviving with Grace) by Gordon MacKenzie.  This book was first published in 1996, but somehow I had missed it.  I did attend a good workshop based on the book at Boot Camp a few years ago, but I hadn't actually read the book until recently.  Uhhhhmmm, it's good.  Really good.  It's especially worth the read for anyone who at times feels constricted and/or confined by the layers and layers of policies & procedures which can build up (thus the "Hairball" analogy) over the many years of a large organization's existence, (hypothetically speaking, of course).  Mackenzie was a creative force at Hallmark for 30 years, so he knows a bit about the potential & potential perils of large organizations.  He suggests (and its not for everybody) that instead of succumbing to the pull of the Hairball's "relentless gravity",  or escaping to other endeavors to "avoid the threatened limbo of the Hairball", it is possible to "actively engage in the opportunities" the Hairball presents, without "being sucked into" it.  (Thus, the "Orbiting" analogy).

I have to believe he's right.

Here are a few gems from the book:

"Orbiting is responsible creativity: vigorously exploring and operating beyond the Hairball of the corporate mind set, beyond accepted models, patterns, or standards - all the while remaining connected to the spirit of the corporate mission."

"Flying off on a tangent is the first step in the process of going into Orbit."

"You can Orbit too soon, and it can turn out badly.  So it is important to grow into readiness.  And you can do just that in the Hairball.  Its tangledness can serve as protection, a briar patch - a cocoon in which to prepare for the challenges of Orbit. 

A word of caution, though:

Cocoons can be paralyzing."

"It is a common history of enterprises to begin in a state of naive groping, stumble onto success, milk the success with a vengeance and, in the process, generate systems that arrogantly turn away from the source of their original success: groping."

"...find the goals of the organization that touch your heart

and release your passion to follow those goals."

I don't want to take a lot more of your time, but I can't sign off without sharing Chapter 19 of OtGH with you in its entirety.  The title of the chapter is; Orville Wright.

"Orville Wright did not have a pilot's license."

Happy & Holy Hairball Orbiting to you all.  We need you!

IN CHRIST & OUTreach,

rob

P.S.  If you can get past the narrator's voice, this video has some good thoughts on going into orbit, (or at least avoiding being hypnotized by a straight line)...

The Young and the Fearless! A.I.M.'s 14th shot.

About a week ago, my oldest daughter, Emily, graduated from High School.  It was a proud moment for Stacy and me.  Mixed in with the pride was a bit of melancholy.  Thinking of her being away at college, and not at home brings about feelings I don't think any Father can adequately prepare for.  However, I'm not worried about her.  She knows who she is.  She knows whose she is.  And she knows that God has her best interest at heart (Jeremiah 29:11).  At her graduation ceremony, one of the student speakers did a great job reminding her classmates that they are prepared to go out and make life happen.  In other words, their world had been shaped and changed by their High School experience.  Now is the time for them to shape and change the world they'll encounter after High School.  And I'm sure they will.

Speaking of changing the world.  We were on vacation during the graduation celebration week.  I read a book Emily had read called The Hunger Games (I've since read it's sequel, and I am finishing the last of the trilogy).  The Hunger Games is a futuristic story about a young girl named Katniss, who seems to have been chosen by forces beyond her control to lead a rebellion against an evil system.  No spoiler alert here.  I just wanted to mention the book because there are important themes in it that warrant inspection and reflection.  This young woman is fearless, and her fighting spirit offers hope to OTHERS.  I recommend these books for young readers and for older readers who want to fight like young warriors again.

Speaking of young warriors.  Earlier this week, in observance on Memorial Day, The History Channel aired a show called Gettysburg.  I watched it with my Son, Graham.  In addition to being repulsed by the evil industry of slavery, and reminded of the horrors of war, I was struck by how many young men lost their lives in those brutal battles.  Thousands of young men fought, bled, and died without having had the chance at making their dreams come true.  But they were brave.  Man were they brave.  Those soldiers would risk their lives just to keep the flag flying, or to help a wounded brother from the battlefield.  I hope Graham grows up to be a true warrior who fights for justice.  We need more young men like that.  Young men who answer a call to risk their own wellbeing for the wellbeing of OTHERS. Young men who lead others into the fray, fearless in their pursuit to bring down strongholds of Satan.  Not with guns so much as guts.

Speaking of young men with guts.  Two of my friends, (Thijs Arens & Andrew Smith) are going on mission trips this summer with The Salvation Army.  Thijs is headed for the Dominican Republic, and Andrew will be in India.  We're having a House Concert this Saturday night to raise funds for their missions.  We hope to raise a good amount of cash for them, but we also hope it's a night of celebration.  We want to celebrate their boldness & obedience.  We want to celebrate them giving up whatever else they would've done this summer to consider the interests of people they've never met and might never see again (this side of eternity).  We want to celebrate two young adults (and many more who will be serving on other teams) who will be serving, following and leading this summer.

Speaking of leading.  What does all of this have to do with a leadership blog?  Here it is...

1.  If you are a young person or young adult reading this, be bold! (I Timothy 4:12)  You don't have to wait until you're 30 to lead something revolutionary.  In fact, if you wait until you're 30, it will most likely be too late.

2.  If you are an over 30 ministry leader reading this;  What younger person are you mentoring?  What younger person's advice are you seeking?  What younger person are you putting in places of leadership (regardless of what those even older than you might think)? 

3.  Why does there always have to be three points.  That's so old.

Keep a lid on it! A.I.M.'s 13th shot.

This is Mt. St. Helens.  Pretty, right?  It's no Mt. Rainier, but it'll do.  Of course, this pic was taken in the 1960's, when the St. was silent & serene.  31 years ago today, however, (May 18, 1980), the St. got heated, and let loose.  I was living in Seattle at the time, and it was big news.  Hats, t-shirts, mugs - everything had a picture of the erupting volcano on it. 

Where I lived, everything had ash on on it.  Soon afterwards, containers of all sorts and sizes filled with ash would be sold in local stores.  An active volcano is a big deal.  And, let's face it, as long as nobody gets hurt, it's kind of cool too (except when street football games are postponed due to ash curfews - that's no fun).

An exploding leader, on the other hand - not so cool, (and people usually do get hurt).  Any of us who have been under or even near this kind of eruption know that it is anything but fun.  Nothing you'd want to take a picture of.  The fallout is not something you'd want to bottle-up and sell.  You just run for cover. 

There's a singer-songwriter I've listened to since about the time St. Helens blew.  His name is Mark Heard.  He achieved Sainthood himself in 1992.  That is to say he's walking with the Saints.  One of his songs "It's Not Your Fault" includes this lyric;

I get angry sometimes

It's not your fault

I let the molehill simmer like Vesuvius

And hold up in Pompeii until all hell breaks loose



Vesuvius - destroyed Pompeii in AD 79

As a Christian leader, you and I are called to serve OTHERS in love.  Loosing our cool, getting hot-headed, blowing our top, allowing our anger to erupt and overflow, leaving devastation & destruction in its path has nothing to with Christian leadership. 

Angry people stir up a lot of discord;
   the intemperate stir up trouble.

Proverbs 29:22 (The Message)



Maybe on this anniversary of one Saint loosing her cool, the rest of us Saints should commit to keeping ours?  I'm in.  My Mom used to count to 10 before speaking if she was upset.  That can't hurt.  There are plenty of ways we can avoid letting the "molehill simmer like Vesuvius".   Take a walk.  Phone a friend.  Listen to music (something soothing).  Say a prayer.  Anything beats pouring out our wrath on poor old Pompeii.  I don't ever want my leadership style (or yours) or my actions (or yours) to get in the way of street football, or any of the other important things in life.

Profiles in Courage(ous) Leadership - A.I.M.'s 12th shot.

Stacy and I recently watched The Kennedys mini-series.  Wow!  I thought I knew a lot about America's Royal Family, but this show included some things I hadn't read.  I won't go into them here.  Suffice it to say - they had some issues.
I've always been fascinated by JFK and, to some extent, the whole Hyannis Port clan.  When I was a kid in school, whenever we had to write a report on a famous person, I would always choose JFK or Abraham Lincoln. I guess I'm drawn to leaders who serve justly, and pay the ultimate price for their service.  In fact, I love and serve One. Anyway, here are a few things I picked up while watching this part of American history unfold 45min. or so at a time.

God uses flawed leaders. 
There's no getting around the fact that JFK had at least one area of his life that was out of control.  Some might blame his upbringing or his good looks or the stress of leading the free world...I blame him.  He wasn't faithful to his wife, and that is wrong no matter the accent or political party or work-related stress.  The fact remains, however, that he was an effective leader.  God seems to have a habit of using leaders (female & male) who have failed Him and others miserably, (check out the Old Testament). Why?  Well, when you think about it, if God didn't use flawed leaders, who would He use?

Courageous leaders aren't always fearless.
Before he entered politics, JFK served in the Navy as a PT boat Commander during WWII.  Late one night, his vessel was rammed by a Destroyer, and he and his crew had to swim to an island and await rescue.  His heroic service most definitely helped to eventually propel him into the White House, but that didn't mean he never again had reason to fear.  Kennedy wasn't even president for a full four year term, but his administration faced its share of tough calls. From the Bay of Pigs, to race riots, to the Cuban Missile Crisis, to threats on his life, JFK experienced fear - and responded with courage. 

Good leaders gather trusted advisors
(and usually take their advice). 
In the interest of fairness and balanced-ness, I wrote about Lincoln's Team of Rivals in the 6th shot of A.I.M.  While Kennedy didn't copy Abe's style in cabinet choice, he did choose a team of advisors he trusted.  With all the troubling threats (both foreign and domestic), Kennedy would've been foolish to go it alone.  Nobody is an expert on everything.  Time after time, when faced with a seemingly "no win" decision to make, Kennedy listened to the various viewpoints around the table, and then made a decision. After all, leaders make decisions, not cabinets, councils, or committees.

Leaders can accomplish a lot in less than three years. 

JFK took office in January of 1961, and he was assassinated in November of 1963.  A few of the important accomplishments of his administration include; the Peace Corps was created, the U.S. Space Program was advanced, & the Civil Rights movement was championed.  Of course, as is true with any leader, one could make a list (possibly a longer one) of all the things JFK did wrong, or didn't get done at all.  For my part, that doesn't take away from what he did get done.  (Possible SA context: Short appointments don't have to be fruitless appointments).

The "Camelot" years weren't perfect.  Nor was the 35th President of the United States a perfect leader.  Neither am I.  Neither are you.  But if we admit our flaws, face our fears, & listen to good advice, we can accomplish a lot for the Glory of God and for the good of OTHERS.

"And so, my fellow leaders:  Ask not what the Kingdom can do for you, ask what you can do (with God's help) for the Kingdom".  - a paraphrase of JFK's 1961 Inaugural Address

 

Moves & Rumors of Moves - A.I.M.'s 11th shot.

Many years ago, an anonymous African-American songwriter gave us these words;

You've got to move when the Spirit says move,
you've got to move when the Spirit says move,
'cause when the Spirit says move,
You've got to move when the Spirit,
move when the Spirit says move.

Years later (but still years ago) Blind (Rev.) Gary Davis & Fred McDowell penned the Blues song; "You Gotta Move" (later recorded by The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, and The Lost Dogs).   Here are some of the lyrics;

You gotta move
You gotta move
You gotta move, child
You gotta move
And when the Lord get ready
You gotta move

All that to say; it's that time again.  Some International, National and Territorial appointments have already been announced, and there are more to come.  I have been dealing with the Army's appointment process my whole life.  I was raised by Salvation Army Officer-Parents, and I have been a Salvation Army officer for 19 years.  I'm not an expert on it, but since blogging doesn't require any expertise, here goes...

Dear Leaders in our MOVEment,

Here are a few thoughts I'd like to share with you regarding moves & rumors of moves;

1.  If you are an Army leader helping decide who to move and where to move them;

• I'm praying for you during this season.
• I would love to see more consultation in our process.  I know there has been movement (pun intended) in this area, and I'm thankful for that.  I would like to see even more consultation with field officers, and it would be great if Corps Councils could be involved as well.  I would love to see more women receive appointments on the basis of their gifting, strengths, experiences, and passions.
• I acknowledge that I am naive and idealistic.  I also acknowledge that these issues are complex.
• In discussing the appointment process, please be sensitive to the feelings of employees/soldiers/officers present.
• I'm praying for you during this season.

2.  If you are an Army leader who is not involved in the decision process in regards to appointments;

• I'm praying for you during this season.
• Let me encourage you to complete (and be completely honest in) your annual surveys.  Let me further encourage you to engage in conversation with your leaders regarding your current appointment, your family, your gifts, etc.  Some Salvationitsts will strongly disagree with this approach, citing the concern that it conflicts with the concept of complete trust in the process.  Fair enough.  However, it makes sense to me that since humans are making the decisions, they should be well-informed decisions.
• In discussing the appointment process, please be sensitive to the feelings of employees & soldiers present.
• Let's stay in our current appointments until we leave.  What I mean is, let's give our best and our all to those we are currently leading and serving, guarding against the temptation to; covet other Officers' appointments, slow down because we might be on the move, get so wrapped up in moves & rumors of moves that our current mission doesn't move forward.
• I'm praying for you during this season.

3.  If you are an Army leader who is not a Salvation Army officer;

• I'm praying for you during this season.
• If you are an employee, thoughts of losing your current co-worker/supervisor can cause anxiety.  Thoughts of who might replace that co-worker/supervisor can cause even more anxiety.  Those are normal concerns.  As another songwriter wrote; "...take it to the Lord in prayer".
• If you are a soldier, this time of year can press the pause button on the mission-movement of your corps.  Don't let that happen! 
• Whether you are an Army employee or soldier, can I ask a favor of you?  Please avoid talking about the appointment process (moves) like it's no big deal to the Officers involved.  It is a big deal.  Moving is not easy for anyone.  Talking about moves lightly, joking about where an officer might move, thinking out loud about who you'd like to come to your corps/institution, (or who you'd like to leave your corps/institution) is part of our culture, but not necessarily a healthy part. 
• I'm praying for you during this season.

IN CHRIST & OUTreach,

-rob

P.S.  All I know is the Army in the Western Territory.  I realize some portions of this blog entry do not apply to other territories.  I also know that there are no easy fixes.  Please consider this just one more comment in a long, healthy conversation between friends. 

P.P.S.  I'd like to leave you with Acts 17:28 - "For in Him we live and MOVE and have our being".

P.P.P.S.  Since, like Will.I.Am, we in the Army like to "move it, move it" here's something just for fun...

On the road again! A.I.M.'s 10th shot.

The Birksfam just returned from a road trip to SoCal for a few days of training on how to be good mentors.  The kids weren't involved in the training, they went to see their star-cousins @ Crestmont one day, and walk the stars in Hollywood the next.  On the way down, one of our kids asked something about the different routes from S.F to L.A.  I'm sure there are more, but the first three that came to mind were; I-5, Hwy 1, & Hwy 99, (for you fact-checkers - Yes, I'm aware that getting to both the 99 & the 5 from San Francisco requires one to travel other highways first, and that the 99 merges with the 5 a bit North of the Grapevine).  The more I thought about these routes, I began to draw some parallels between them and different leadership styles.  Here are a few notes.

I-5 is the route you take from S.F. if you want to get to L.A. as fast as possible. It has a higher speed limit, and the most lanes.  WARNING:  There aren't too many good places to stop, or beautiful sights to see if you travel this route.  Unless, of course, you consider a million cows with no elbow room (do cows have elbows?) hanging out near Harris Ranch a beautiful sight.  But if you're looking to get to your destination as quickly as possible, Interstate 5 is for you.



Another way to go is Hwy 99.  As I already mentioned, this merges with I-5, just North of the Grapevine.  But for approx. 4 hours before that happens, Hwy 99 takes you through some of California's classic towns; Modesto, Fresno, Bakersfield, etc.  The Hwy 99 pace is a bit slower than I-5, but there are more rest areas & points of interest. Also,  on a hot day, a lot more shade.  Perhaps more important than shade and scenery, Hwy 99 boasts way more In & Out Burgers than I-5.  Aslo, Hwy 99 has a cooler sign.
 
Finally, (for the purposes of this shot of A.I.M.) there is Hwy 1.  If I wanted to, I could pull onto Hwy 1 just outside my neighborhood, and head to L.A.  On the way, I would pass through Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, Santa Barbara, & Malibu (from there you can walk to L.A., but I wouldn't recommend it).  For most if the journey, the Pacific Ocean would be visible on my right.  WARNING:  Only travel this route if you are okay with "long and winding roads", and if you have all the time in the world.  This route is by far the slowest and most enjoyable route from S.F. to L.A.

Later, while preparing for this blog post, I remembered Hwy 101.  I think I had psychologically blocked it out of my mind, due to a $300 speeding ticket I received driving through Santa Maria in the 80's.  So I will just give it an honorable mention here.

As a leader, you have choices available to you everyday.  In every opportunity that presents itself to you, you will need to choose how you will respond.  It won't do too many people too much good if the "path" you choose is always the same, because you see yourself as an I-5, "get 'er done" leader, or a Hwy 99 "slow, but sure" leader, or a Hwy 1 "take it easy" leader.  Different situations call for different kinds of leadership, often from the same leader. Of course, I'm not advocating an ever-changing, chameleon style of leadership -just the discerning, flexible, situation-sensitive kind.  After all, Jesus hardly ever responded or reacted the same way twice to those with whom he interacted.  NEEDED:  Leaders who know that many roads can lead to a good decision or action, but only one at a time.  Pick a route & go with it.  I'll see you on the road.

1 Corinthians 9:20-22 (The Message)

 

Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!