My leadership is enriched because of the 7 weeks I spent taking a LIFT Online Class Leading for Transformation. I also understand that while it is great to learn new principles, it is most impactful when I apply those principles. The final project for the class is to create a 90-day plan. I’d like to share a snapshot of my action plan, focused on shaping a culture for transformation. What helps you cultivate your culture?

During the course, Dr. Henry Cloud compared the shaping of culture to cultivating a garden. This class provided a few ways for me to look more closely at the condition of the soil, and then do some initial prep work before planting new seeds. In the next 90 days, there will be seeds planted for further growth. Here are the four I will focus on:

1. Define a Culture of Transformation. As a next step, our staff will take a retreat and work through Mindy Caliguire’s book, Become like Jesus. Our time away will drill deeper to identify the culture we currently have, as well as the one we believe God seeks to harvest.

 

2. Clarify the Framework from which I lead. Our lay leadership group will revisit at our guiding principles, which describe not only our mission, but our culture and the rules I am called to follow in leading the church. As we have pursued this new model of governance the past 5 years, these principles provide the boundary rules for ministry and even more, freedom to serve and to lead on the playing field of ministry. Part of building culture is clarifying what is allowed and what is not allowed.

 

3. Build Greater Awareness of the Guidance of the Holy Spirit in Shaping our Culture. Our staff has also been working through Ruth Haley Barton’s book,Pursuing God’s Will Together. After reading the book, we have applied the principles of prayer to help build a prayer culture as Gary Haugen, president of International Justice Mission (IJM), described in the class material. Prayer has become more than just what we do at the beginning of the meeting or to wrap up at the end. Our meetings have become much more exciting as we realize the Holy Spirit is with us and working through us. In the next 90 days and beyond, we will continue on that journey together.

 

4. Answer the Questions that Describe our Culture. The need for this was affirmed in the class, as well as in Patrick Lencioni’s talk at The Global Leadership Summit. Patrick led us through 6 questions to ask ourselves, and answering these six questions became a main take-away for our team. Building on his book and presentation as well as this LIFT class, the next 90 days call for putting pen to paper to answer the 6 questions. (View the 6 questions here)

What I like about these four steps in the next 90 days is how they weave together to clarify and define culture of transformation God is calling us to as we lead our church. What a great time to be leading!

As you look at your leadership culture, what are some next steps you are pursuing for further growth?

Richard Burkey is senior pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in La Mesa, California. Catch more leadership insights on Richard’s blog. Original blog post can read here.