DreamBuilders Ministry in Motion (DBMIM) Ezine, April 30, 2008

-- Login Leadership: Open Source Leadership Development: Part II, by Tom Hanover.

-- Book Review: "The Tender Scar: Life After the Death of a Spouse," by Richard Mabry, reviewed by Tom Hanover.

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In his last column Tom Hanover and Paul Risler looked at how in 1998 Netscape released the source code for Navigator, its web browser for the internet. Here’s a quick refresher on the significance of that endeavor.

As developers noticed the requirements from commercial sponsors increase, the Mozilla project was created to keep the software simple and accessible. Out of this grew the Mozilla Foundation and the Mozilla Corporation that is more known for its web browser: Mozilla Firefox, and its email software: Mozilla Thunderbird.

One of the unique contributions of the Mozilla project was to continue open source code. Open source means that the developers released their code to other software programmers so that a wide range of volunteers could experiment with it and create new improvements. Projects were returned to the Mozilla engineers for their consideration and adoption.

Consequently, Firefox has grown to about 15% of the market and is beginning to rival Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. It is free to download and easy to use. (I use it myself.)

Rev. Paul Risler uses a similar concept in ministry leadership that he has coined: open source leadership. In a similar approach to Mozilla’s software developers, Risler puts his vision out to the staff and members of the congregation and invites their input.

Paul Risler is Senior Pastor at Central Avenue United Methodist Church in Athens, Ohio, where the average attendance has grown from an average attendance of 158 in 1997 when Paul arrived to more than 220 today. During the school year attendance often breaks 300 when the students of Ohio University are in town.

When asked about how he applies his open source approach to leadership development, Risler noted three principles. One, others know more than he does. He does not need to protect an image as the smartest person. If so, eventually others will leave until he is the smartest one left.

Currently, Risler’s church is working on a commercial to play in the local movie theaters about Central Ave UMC. While he has some key values in how the message is communicated, he has opened the door for others with skills and experience in writing and producing such a project. It is emerging to be a far more effective tool than he had originally imagined... Click here to read the rest of Tom's article on Open Source Leadership

Be sure to stop by DBMIM's blog this month. Guest blogger, Dr. Richard Mabry, author of The Tender Scar, shares insight on ministering to those who are grieving. http://www.ministryinmotionnet.blogspot.com/

If you have been following international news you may have heard a story that received very little coverage in the United States media about a regional court in Smolensk, Russia, dissolving a United Methodist Church there.

Unfortunately, I have not been involved with the United Methodist Church in Smolensk for a number of years. In fact, my involvement was before an official church was started.

However, what I would like to do is share with you a little story about why this church and others like the Smolensk United Methodist Church are important.

My involvement with Smolensk, Russia, was in 1996 when I was asked to be part of the leadership team to put together and take high school students from across the southern half of New Jersey to a “peace camp.”

This camp was in Smolensk, Russia where our American youth group met with an equal number of Russian youth and learned about the similarities and differences about our cultures.

This was an amazing experience for me. Basically, I got to do youth ministry in Russia; the country no one ever expected to have opportunities to do youth ministry in. Yet there I was in a very historic area of Russia where the Russians held off the Nazis for a month before they began their trip toward Moscow during World War II. It was a town that had historical monuments that were older than the country that I lived in. It was a town where we were welcomed very graciously even though we were considered enemies, at least at one point in time.

This country…this province…this town caught my heart. At the camp one of the other leaders, Victor Franco, introduced me to an artist he had met previously in Smolensk. The artist’s name was Yuri and during our time at camp the three of us formed a very close friendship.

During the week at camp I got to know one of the Russian camp leaders named Yuri. Yuri was a young father and a very talented painter and had a true heart for God. One day I was blessed with a side trip to Yuri’s art studio. I had heard much about his special art form. Yuri’s art is unique… it is impressionistic and the media he used was wooden 9 ¼ inch plates. Yuri had told me earlier that when we went to his studio he had a plate that he wanted to give me. When we arrived, I was truly amazed at seeing his artwork. One of the plates that caught my eye right away I soon found out was the plate he had picked out to give me. ... Click here to read the rest of Scott's article on Smolensk, Russia

Richard Mabry enjoyed 40 years of marriage with his wife, Cynthia, when a sudden stroke disrupted their life together. Now, several years later, Mabry is able to reflect on his journey after her death and offer helpful insights to others.

Mabry also has more than 35 years of medical experience, both as a private practitioner and a professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He has authored several medical textbooks, and has been an active leader and teacher in his home church.

The Tender Scar opens a window through which the reader can observe Mabry’s thoughts and feelings as a widowed husband as well as learn from his reflections as a Christian and a doctor. From the beginning of this journey back in 1999, Mabry recorded much of his journey in emails, letters, and journal entries. Each chapter begins with an excerpt of from these recordings. Then Mabry comments on his experiences and what he has learned from each of these stages. Each chapter concludes with a personal prayer.

Mabry reflects on practical topics such as where to find support, when to dispose of your loved one’s belongings, when to stop wearing the wedding ring, how to face the holidays, and more. The advice is sensible and useful while graciously encouraging each person to work at their own pace and style.

Mabry’s personal faith is reflected throughout the book. Some fall into the trap of believing true Christians should not experience such grief so deeply. Mabry invites us into his experience of grief and hope.

The chapters are short and easy reading. For those who are currently going through or have gone through this journey of losing a spouse, this book will bring assurance and encouragement.

It is also an excellent resource for pastors and other ministry leaders who care about people going through these challenges.

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DBMIM Ezine April 30, 2008