Ministry in Motion (MIM) Ezine, March 9, 2007

-- "Founder’s Syndrome: Are You, or Your Organization, Suffering from the Symptoms?," by Teena Stewart.

-- Book Review: "Can These Bones Live?" by Kevass J. Harding, reviewed by Tom Hanover.

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Founder’s Syndrome: Are You, or Your Organization, Suffering from the Symptoms?

Until about a month ago I had never head of Founder’s Syndrome, but I knew the symptoms of this syndrome well, having experienced it first hand. I won’t go into specific detail, but I was relieved when I was finally able to name the condition, which is half of the battle to the road to recovery. The other half is learning methods for coping once you know what you are facing.

Founder’s Syndrome affects groups and individuals who either launch an organization (including ministries) or bring them through difficult circumstances. These might include planting a church, taking an organization through severe financial crisis or conflict, or even steering it through a growth surge.

The leadership/management style may be exactly what the organization needs at the time, but problems arise when the leadership (which may include the CEO*, board and/or elders or key staff) cannot shift their leadership style to meet the changing needs of the organization as it grows. The organization tends to become more personality driven than focused on the actual mission of the organization.

· Failure to consult or receive the approval of key players before implementing decisions

· Lack of long-range planning because the CEO or board members run the organization as if it were a small organization in the days of its infancy

· The CEO hand-picking executive staff or board members so that they think like him/her

· Staff or board supporting the CEO -- no questions asked -- for fear of going against him/her or because it’s always been done that way

· Inability to shift or adapt management styles to accommodate a growing organization

A friend of mine recently told me he was engaged. Since he’s never lived with a woman, I told him he’s going to need to buy a few things that he hasn’t used before such as household cleaning supplies and furniture not made out of old milk crates.
After our conversation, I felt bad because I realized I had offered him no real insight into the mysteries of matrimonial union. So, in order to correct this oversight, I offer the following heretofore undisclosed observations to all young men contemplating walking the aisle.

Revelatory Marriage Fact No.1: Getting married is like getting a free memory upgrade. As a man, your hard drive was filled up long ago with important stuff like sports scores and movie trivia, but women, for some inexplicable reason, have tons of extra storage capacity that is yours for the asking.

As a married man, you may feel free to store stuff on her hard drive that you think you might need later but don’t want to bother to remember yourself. “Wow, this is a great hamburger. Remind me to order this the next time we’re here.”

This is a tremendous resource that you will learn to thoroughly exploit. You will find yourself frequently asking her such questions as, “Honey, what’s the name of that song that I like?” or “What’re the names of those people that we’re friends with?” or “What’s my middle name?” The possibilities are as exciting as they are endless.

Wives are also frightfully good at remembering superfluous information like the names of your children and the dates of their births. All you will need to do is show up for your kid’s birthday party and act like you know what’s in the present he’s opening.

Revelatory Marriage Fact No. 2: When you get married you will develop non-communication skills.

God made women so they use about three times the number of words as a man in one day. How is a guy supposed to interact with such a creature?
In short, you’re not. Even attempting such a thing could almost instantaneously institutionalize you, or worse, turn you into a girl. Instead, you must develop the skill of tuning out your wife by converting the sound of her voice into white noise that you can easily ignore.

There is no way to instruct a young groom-to-be in this valuable art, but don’t worry, it will just happen. It’s a wondrous, mystical thing like discovering a new kind of power tool or getting a bite on your hook. You must relax and let it come to you. Rest assured, though, that one day you will be able to ignore your wife with the best of us.

When ignoring your wife, it is important to remember to evade detection by maintaining a semblance of conversation. Don’t try anything fancy at first or you’ll get busted for sure. Just a simple “Hmm?” or “Uh-huh” muttered occasionally will suffice. After a while you can graduate to “You don’t say” and “How about that.”

If she ever asks you, “What you mean by that?” know that you ventured too far and have officially blown your cover. You might as well start learning to “share your feelings” and “have conversations.” Shudder.

I recently read about a guy in Des Moines who started cutting coupons and getting manicures as a direct result of having conversations with his wife. True story.

Getting married can be a little scary because you’re venturing into uncharted waters. You’re transitioning into a new stage of your life and you don’t know what to expect.

The important thing to remember when going through any change in life is that God’s love never changes. Nor is he ever far from you. Whatever awaits you on the other side of any change you encounter, you can count on God to not only walk with you through the transition, but also to be with you on the other side.

So I would encourage all those soon-to-be-married young men out there to embrace the change in your life. Oh, and you might also want to purchase a clothes hamper. I think you will find it is no longer acceptable to use the kitchen table as a dirty clothes receptacle.

© 2007 Charles Marshall. Charles Marshall is a nationally known Christian comedian and author. Visit his Web site at www.charlesmarshallcomedy.com or contact him via e-mail at charles@charlesmarshallcomedy.com.

Using the compelling image of Ezekiel’s vision of bones in the valley, Harding tells the story of his experience at Dellrose United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas. It is an inspiring and motivating story.

Kevass J. Harding graduated from University of Texas at El Paso with a degree in criminal justice. He served for three and a half years with the police force in Wichita, Kansas. He was then offered a staff position at St. Mark UMC where he was currently attending. Tyrone D. Gordon was then the senior pastor.

Following a couple of years of experience at St. Mark and completing his seminary, Harding was appointed to Dellrose just a mile from St. Mark. Dellrose was a declining church less than 50 years old in a rapidly transitioning community.

Over the next several years Dellrose transitioned into a dynamic, healthy congregation with a membership of more than 600 and an average worship attendance exceeding 400. The congregation connects well with its immediate community and has become a sign of hope for the city.

Harding organizes the focus of his leadership into three purpose statements that become the framework of the book:

In each of these three chapters Harding describes the changes in worship style, evangelization of the community, creating discipling systems, and initiating community outreach. These were not easy changes. Many former members resisted the changes and confronted Harding’s leadership. Yet, he persevered and in the book shares some of his struggles.

The book is brief, but Harding attaches several appendices that may be helpful to the leader going through transition. The appendices include job descriptions as well as the agenda for new member orientation.

The printed word is often inadequate to express the passion and energy of an author, but readers will discover this book communicates well Harding’s zeal for effective ministry leadership. It is easy to read and useful for clergy and lay ministry leadership.

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MIM Ezine March 9, 2007