Wednesday, January 05, 2022

 

Lawn Art and New Neighborhood Entrance

Along with the invigorating energy of Spring, Lawn Art With Neighbors (LAWN) is popping up near you from April 23 to May 8, 2022, with front lawn art created by your neighbors in Greene County and especially around Springfield, Mo.

LAWN thrives as a public art opportunity open to all community members and art forms. LAWN exhibitions include sculptures, paintings, installations, video projections, podcasts, social practice projects, and more.

In 2022 LAWN brings a whole new array of front yard projects and some recurring sites located in Springfield and other communities of Greene County. LAWN is also expanding to lawns in other communities in Greene County like Republic, Ash Grove, Willard, Battlefield and Fair Grove.

LAWN was founded and organized by Deidre Argyle, Jodi McCoy, and Shauna Smith. Current sponsors are Sculpture Walk Springfield, Springfield Art Museum, Missouri State University: Art + Design Department and University of Missouri Extension (Greene County).

Take a stroll, bike ride, or cruise and enjoy artwork brought to you by your neighbors April 23 - May 8.  The LAWN site map and viewing suggestions to locate the artworks nearest you are online at https://sculpturewalkspringfield.org/sculptures/lawn-art-with-neighbors.

IN STONEY CREEK ESTATES

David Burton is creating a lawn sculpture that can involve other members of the neighborhood.

Some neighbors have already created spin art for the display (supplies and instructions provided). It is easy and fun to do.

The next opportunity to create your own disc for the display will be on March 20.

March 20 is "won’t you be my neighbor day," the birthday of Mr. Fred Rogers. That day I will have an area set up on our garage for neighbors to create their own spin disc for placement on the picket fence lawn sculpture. 

The final sculpture will involve two or perhaps three picket fence panels and will have a spotlight on it during the evening.

After LAWN is over, this sculpture will becomes a temporary neighborhood entrance.

I just received permission from the parks department to move this picket fence sculpture to the corner of Bailey and Kentwood on the park's owned land. It will serve as an artistic gateway into our neighborhood for a year until replaced by a different display in 2023. 

Solar spotlights have been purchased that will help to keep the display lighted. I will personally be putting down weed barrier and mulch at the corner and around this display so that parks staff will not have something else to mow around.

If you have questions contact David Burton by email at burtond@missouri.edu or by text at 417-848-3442.


Sunday, November 21, 2021

 

Deacon Ministry Guidelines for Deacons at Ridgecrest

 As stated currently in the Deacon Handbook

The ministry of a deacon in a local church is, by definition, a ministry of service.

At Ridgecrest, a deacon is an extension of the ministry of the Senior Pastor.

 

EXPECTATIONS & TASKS OF AN ACTIVE DEACON

·       Every deacon must sign the Ridgecrest Leadership covenant.

·       Faithful in Small Group attendance and worship.

·       Each deacon should be a promoter of unity within the church and a peacemaker.

·       Have a heart for prayer and be willing and able to pray in various settings.

·       Able and prepared to serve in the church and available to ministry.

·       Willing and able to witness to others about Jesus Christ.

·       The ability to show up at deacon meetings and church events / activities.

·                      Every deacon is challenged to be growing spiritually in loving God and others.

·       Devoted to God, and an example to others.

·       Nurturing to your own family, a good steward of relationship with wife and children.

·       Committed to Ridgecrest and the Senior Pastor

·       Faithful in a daily time in God's Word and in prayer.

·       Faithful in tithing and giving offerings.

·       Be realistic about life situations or stresses which would make them unable to serve.

·       Able to attend deacon meetings and fellowships.

·       Advise Chairman of deacons, if you are no longer able to fulfill these expectations.

 

 

QUALIFICATIONS OF A DEACON

1.      A man of honest (good) reputation in the church, as well as those outside the church.

2.      Full of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:3).

3.      Full of wisdom (Acts 6:3) wisdom born in a relationship with the Holy Spirit.

4.      Full of faith (Acts 6:5) like Stephen's, a deacon's power depends on faith.

5.      Grave (1 Timothy 3:8) one who possesses Christian purpose, who has great reverence for spiritual matters. One whose word carries weight.

6.      Not double-tongued (1 Timothy 3:8) dependable and responsible in control of his tongue.

7.      Not given to much wine (1Timothy 3:8) temperate in living, steward of good influence.

8.      Not greedy of filthy lucre (1 Timothy 3:8) a right attitude toward material possessions.

9.      A holder of the faith (1 Timothy 3:9) who possesses spiritual integrity beyond reproach.

10.   Tested and proved (1 Timothy 3:10) a man who demonstrates his spiritual qualifications before being elected to serve as a deacon, tested and found true.

11.   Blameless (1 Timothy 3:10), no charge of wrongdoing can be brought with success.

12.   Christian family life (1 Timothy 3:11-12) a man whose family is well cared for and growing.

13.   Husband of one wife (1 Timothy 3:12) a model of faithful devotion to one spouse, committed

 


Thursday, November 11, 2021

 

From the Sewer to Serving

by Bob Coleman

Jacque and met at 10 and 9 years old. We grew up, and married in Louisville, KY. In the early years of our marriage I worked at MSD: Metropolitan Sewer District. Jacque was a waitress at Jerry’s restaurant. My job at MSD was unequivocally the most foul job one could hold. I literally crawled the sewers of Louisville. Some on my stomach, some I crawled on my knees, and some I walked, that were so big, one could drive a semi truck through it. Literally.

When I share this truth with people, I usually get “How could you do that?” Or, “I could never do that.” I use to reply; “It’s a job.” And back then, it was. What I didn’t know then, but have grown to know and love today is; that that job was training me for ministry today. A ministry, that I have come to love and respect, as one of the greatest ministries one could serve. Hospital and Long Term Care.

You are probably wondering “How does one equate the two Bob.” Easy. They both are jobs that need to be done. And neither are for the squeamish or faint at heart. 

While working at MSD, I also wanted to further my education and went to college. An interesting reality was quickly made to me. While in school I worked at ORMC: Orlando Regional Medical Center. And during those 4 years at that hospital, God showed me my ministry focus. The sick, the dying, and the elderly. You see, a truth that every man or woman who understands and loves the hospital ministry knows: loving, ministering, caring, and praying with the in-firmed, the sick and the dying; are ministries of the heart. 

While rewarding in so many ways, hospital and home bedside visits are not for the faint, the squeamish, or the hurried. One has to be able to see past the tubes, the machines, past the blood and the scars; and at times, we must see beyond the anger, the God questioning, and the mental anguish.

I have personally been afforded the grace and privilege to visit many MANY people either at the side of a hospital bed, in a nursing facility, or at their beside at home. Many times I walked away from my visit praying; God have mercy on this person. Sometimes I left refreshed…….

Sometimes….. I didn’t make it down the hall, out of a driveway, or out of the parking lot without tears falling. While standing over Jerry Hall’s body in the ER room a searing pain flooded my heart. An anger I never once felt in any hospital, home, or long term care facility began to well up within me. I left in a hurry. I got alone and sought the Spirit of God. Whom gave me the peace that passes understanding, and the fortitude to do what I knew was coming. I buried my best friend.

Friends, there are times when we minister to our own friends and families, and several years ago I buried my best friend. Jerry was my Small group teacher and leader, until I took over for him. Jerry died of a brain aneurysm. And I buried him several years ago. Many of you remember Jerry.

While in a two year short term pastorate in Dalton, Ga. I met a man by the name of Wendell Bigham. Ohhh, let me tell you about my friend Wendell.

When I met Wendell, he was 80 years old. Wendell had only two jobs in his life. At 15 years old, Wendell started working at the small Hospital in Dalton, Ga. He was a painter……for two years Wendell painted the halls, the rooms, the closets…

Two years later war broke out and Wendell answered the Call of Duty.

Then four years later Wendell came home to Dalton, and started painting at that hospital again. Every room until he retired.

When I came to pastor at East Side Baptist, Wendell and I hit it off fast and deep. Weekly Wendell would invite me to the hospital to eat. “My treat”, he would say. I would respond, “Wendell. Let me take you to get a good meal.” 

Each week Wendell would invite me to the hospital to eat. “Chicken today Bob. It’s good.” Have you ever eaten hospital food? Each week. I’d decline. Finally Jacque said something that woke me up out of a slumber. Jacque’s said: “Bob, you need to honor Wendell. Let him take you to the hospital to eat. At the hospital Wendell is somebody.” I was mortified. And said “Baby. You are so right.” You see, at the Hospital Wendell WAS somebody. I told Wendell, next Sunday Wendell, your treat, and I’m coming hungry. Next Sunday rolled around. “Are ya ready to eat Pastor Bob.” “Yes Sir Wendell. I sure am.”

We get to the Hospital and walked into the cafeteria. My jaw hit the floor. Half of the church was there. I stood with Wendell at the back of the line. Watching the cashier ringing people out. Man her hand was gettin’ it! I told Jacque to have a check ready. I was sure Wendell wasn’t prepared for so many people. After the tally, the cashier nodded then said, knowing his name: Mr Wendell. I clutched Jacque’s hand…. Mr. Wendell, she said; “That will be 8 dollars and 23 cents.” My jaw hit the floor as I looked at Jacque, then Wendell. You see, this lady, who knew Wendell, only charged Wendell the tax.

Now my friends. This is what you call integrity. Because Wendell was so loved for the two jobs he did for Dalton, GA; He could have brought in the entire city, and not paid a nickel. Why? Because Wendell H Bigham served with Gladness, and with Pride, and with Honor. Wendell Bigham was loved.

If I have one word of encouragement to my fellow deacons, to the staff at Ridgecrest, and to our Pastors….

My friends “In all that you do. Do to the glory of God.” 

And friends, this IS why we serve. To give God and our Savior all the Glory and all the Honor.



 

Hospital & Bereavement Ministry: Things I Have Learned Through the Years

By Bob Coleman

When David asked me to share a few insights concerning hospital and bereavement care, I was delighted to do so. While often tough and painful ministries, hospital and bereavement care is equally rewarding, personally. To be able to assist hurting individuals and families during these inevitable and painful phases of life, is a blessing.

In Matthew we read:

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothed you?

And when did we see you sick or in prison, and visited you?” Matthew 25:35-40

Honestly folks? Hospital and Bereavement Ministry is not for everyone, but it could be.  It is a rewarding ministry to love on those who are hurting, who are dying, or dealing with the loss or sickness of a loved one.

Now, with this thought in mind, and from an extensive history of visiting hospitals and home bedsides, here are just a few things I have learned over many years.

When going to the hospital to visit a church member or maybe a family member of a fellow church member, check ahead to determine if the individual is still there, moved, or sent home. Check on their status before going, so as to know what direction your visit will assume. Most of the time, you can call ahead to the church to get a brief enlightenment of the individual’s status. When making a hospital visit, one doesn’t exactly know every time, what we will encounter when we walk into their room.

I remember once a couple years back, a visit of a member’s grandmother. She was in her late eighties. When I walked into the room, she was laying very close to her bed rail peeking through the bars. I immediately felt incredible empathy. I walked up to her bed, and knelt down eye level to her. She didn’t speak a word in the 20 minutes I was there. I told her who I was and that I wanted to share a couple songs, and a verse with her

I sang My Jesus I love Thee. Jesus Loves Me This I know. And one verse of There is coming a Day. She quietly laid there teary-eyed, holding my hand.

And I did the same. I learned along time ago. If our Lord who knows the outcome of every single solitary thing, was likewise touched by grief and cried; so can I, and so can you.

In both hospital and especially bereavement ministries, one must allow themselves to be touched by another’s grief, but not overcome by their grief. Anyone who knows me well enough, knows that I am a bit of a cut up, a prankster, and fun loving person. But these same people know that I am soft hearted and bereavement care is very dear to my heart.

During my years of ministering to the sick, the in-firmed, and the dying, a couple truths have been a constant reality. (1) Bereavement  Care is never easy, and (2) while sometimes painful, composure, while important, isn’t as important as being genuine. Even our Lord was touched by grief at Lazarus’ tomb. So…… Be genuine.

Through my years of ministry, I have been well acquainted with grief, death, and dying. In a two year span while Pastoring in Dalton, GA alone; I buried fourteen people. It is never easy to bury anyone, and it is a very painful duty of ministry to bury someone you love and treasure. Here in Springfield, I have thus far buried seven people. Burying Jerry Hall a few years ago was one of the hardest things not only in ministry, but in life I have ever had to do. Jerry was my dearest friend.

You will have to be prepared to go into a hospital room where someone is unsure what will happen to them. Or to lay someone to rest. I have been asked before, How do you prepare to bury someone? I answered with this thought. One doesn’t prepare to bury anyone. One must BE PREPARED to bury someone. Prayed up. Read up.  And Composed.

How do I prepare for Bereavement Ministry? I read God’s Word. I pray for the family. I pray with the family, especially the closest to the deceased.

Ladies, it is okay to hold a grieving woman’s hand or touch her back. If you know her.

Men, quiet strength and sometimes a hand on the back or arm of a friend, is warranted and needed. However, male or female; never presume to be automatically close to an individual during this troublesome time, if you haven’t already been.

Only Time and the Holy Spirit can heal the wounds of losing a loved one; especially a wife, a husband, a child. Not my wisdom nor your wisdom will get a grieving person through this time. In this situation, when it comes to talking; less is usually best. Let the family member talk. Talking is good for them. Remember. Hurting people usually do not know or consider how they are supposed to act. Give them space and Give them grace.

The greatest information YOU need to understand afore hand is: Am I the correct person to offer physical condolences? If we haven’t been close to an individual before they lost a loved one; we very well may not be the person to console this person when they do lose their loved one. Do not be offended or feel as though you haven’t “helped the individual.”

Most times people just need the time and space to say their goodbye, to reconcile in their own heart too… and with… their deceased loved one.

Sometimes there will be a need to instill comfort, and their is no greater source of comfort than a listening ear.

The bereaved are mourning, searching, and questioning.

However, the bereaved are not seeking or ready for a short sermon. These times of ministry are not times for quips, like:

“You’ll get through this.”  “You’ll be alright.”  or  “He or She is in a better place.”

The bereaved know these things.

Quiet strength and solidarity is what the bereaved need and probably seeking; even if they aren’t aware of it at the moment.

Men, Just standing quietly beside a mourning father, a husband, a brother instills a strength that is needed.

Ladies, quietly holding a hand, touching a back gives strength to a grieving wife, mother, or daughter.

What is rarely appropriate if one hasn’t been close to the bereaved, is to run up to them and start hugging them tight. The bereaved will almost without hesitation reach for you, if they feel a need of your comfort. If a grieving person does walk up to you and put their head on you or hug you; stand there in quiet strength, and give them all the time and grace they seek and need of you.

Most every bereaved individual have some thought to how the funeral should be conducted. Will it be somber? Quiet? Reserved? Will it be a home-going atmosphere; with lively music? Will it be quiet and reserved.

Assuming is never appropriate. Ask the closest bereaved or the person set in charged for the closest bereaved.

If you are one who is in a place of leadership during this time, insure all documents are signed. The particulars are cared for. Will their be music?

A soloist? A special music lineup? Dinner prepared, and where? What is the address of the Funeral Home and the gravesite?

Be humble. Be flexible. A bereaving family need to be heard, yet need for the funeral to be well prepared and cared for.

In finishing these thoughts. Grief sharing and Death and dying are wonderful ministries for the right individuals, both men and women. And both are needed.

May the Lord bless you if you are lead into such a somber but soul-stirring and rewarding ministry.



Monday, November 08, 2021

 

May Unity and Prayer be Our Theme

Unity & Prayer are the themes for our upcoming deacon meetings at Ridgecrest Baptist Church. Both are vital if our deacon ministry is to be a blessing to this church, its pastors, and its members.

As I’ve prayed over the past year about these deacon meetings, I kept having this thought placed on my heart: deacons should demonstrate unity, and to do so, we need to know each other well and understand each other’s calling.

Consider these meetings our team training where “iron sharpens iron.” The focus will be getting to know each other and be prayer.

This summer, I read a small book by Matt Smethurst entitled “Deacons: How They Serve and Strengthen the Church.”

Matt gives a clear picture of what work the deacons are to be about in their role. He says it this way: “As the pervasive world of social media urges people to ‘promote yourself,’ deacons quietly set others up to win.”

When American culture, dare I say church culture too, is marked by division and self-promotion, deacons protect and promote church unity. We are to safeguard the harmony of the church and set our pastors and others up to win.

Part of the harmony begins in this room as we grow in unity ourselves.

1,    Attending deacon meetings is an important part of that: thank you for being here.

2    Reading our weekly deacon emails so you stay in the communication loop is another good step: 78% of you opened this week’s deacon update. Thank you to those of you that did, but we could do better.

3.    One final way to help build that unity among deacons so that it can spill over into the church is by having each of you involved in our meetings.

We need the deacon membership involved at this and future meetings, leading devotionals, leading trainings, giving reports, and leading in prayer. If you are not on today’s meeting agenda, it means you are eligible to be on the agenda in January! You can volunteer or get drafted.

Thanks again for being here. Now let’s go team!

-- David L. Burton


Wednesday, December 23, 2020

 

Will the Real Christmas Please Stand Up

The hype is almost over. It is nearly time for stores that had Christmas decorations up before Halloween to start taking down the holly and tinsel.

By the time you read this article, chances are that you have all the names checked off your shopping list. Christmas cards will have been mailed and season’s greetings posted to your favorite social media platform. 

In a few days, shoppers hurrying to find the perfect gift will be kicked back on the sofa watching Netflix.

With all the pre-Christmas rush and commercialism almost over it is now time to ask: will the real Christmas please stand-up?

It is the Christmas with a fire in the fireplace and the strains of "O Holy Night" coming from carolers (or a music streaming service). 

The real Christmas is the giving of gifts to the ones you love because you love them, not because their names are on your list.

The real Christmas is waking up Christmas morning and reading about the reason for the season over a fresh brewed cup of coffee (or hot chocolate). 

The real Christmas is when business and building owners invest their own time and treasure to decorate their buildings windows and hang up lights on Main Street to spread beauty and holiday cheer. (See Ash Grove Main Street).

The real Christmas is an opportunity to be thankful for friends, family and our God for the blessings we have.

The real Christmas is the best of all possible times because it brings out the best in all of us. The good that resides in humankind bubbles up and the spirit of love walks the land. 

The real Christmas can be a time of healing old wounds or rekindling old friendships.

The real Christmas is the one where money is dropped into Salvation Army kettles, people are generous to their neighbors and church congregations gather food, clothing and toys to share with those in need.

The real Christmas is a love filled experience that could be summed up with the following phrase: "Peace on earth and goodwill toward mankind." 

The real Christmas is a time of miracles.

This year more than others, we need to be reminded that Christmas began with a miracle.

If there had not been a miracle birth at Bethlehem, no star in the east, no shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night, no "Silent Night, Holy Night," humankind would have missed the reason, intent and purpose of the Christmas season. Christmas is a birthday celebration of my Lord Jesus Christ. The blessings of hope, love, joy and eternal life that Jesus can offer is the real Christmas.

We need Christmas and what it does for us. It cleanses us and restores our humanity. It is the most human time of year. Here is hoping your family experiences a Christmas miracle and discovers love, kindness and peace this season.

###



Saturday, July 20, 2019

 

Invest in Getting to Know your Neighbors

How well do you know your neighbors? Can you name each of the neighbors that adjoin your property or apartment? Do you know a personal fact about each one? Do you speak to your neighbors? Turns out that less than two percent of Americans can say yes to all three of these questions.

In the meantime, our culture is becoming angrier and much less forgiving. We are more isolated. Part of the reason is that we have forgotten the art of neighboring.

It takes effort. It takes some purposeful planning. Neighboring will also take some time. But it should be a priority and the benefits are plentiful, both personally and for our community.

I am not asking that you try to be neighborly to everyone in town. However, what would our towns look like if we all made an effort to be neighborly to the people living next door? Your neighbor may be starved for a friend! On the other hand, your neighbor might have amazing skills or insights to contribute to a neighborhood.

Take time to get to know the widow next door, the single mom, the grandparents raising their grandchildren, the new family to the area. Yes, people can be challenging. We all have our own messes. However, we also need relationships and your neighbors are the perfect place to start.

Current social research is showing that many in our culture suffer from a lack of personal relationships, which leads to isolation, depression, anger and more.

Let me be clear, stalking what people are doing on Facebook is not a real relationship. In fact, there is a lot of new research showing very negative emotional impacts from being on Facebook a lot and seeing the highlights folks post from their life.

When my wife and I were young, we lived in the Meadows subdivision near the airport, south of Willard, Mo. I got talked in to being the president of our homeowners association. Then the calls started. A resident who said his neighbor’s dog barked all night and he wanted me to come tell the neighbor about the rules violation and to tell him to make his dog stop barking. Imagine with me how that problem might be better resolved if the neighbors had instead had a relationship by being neighborly.

I see the same thing with local government where residents are quick to call the city about a code violation but never consider helping a neighbor. In one example I know about, an overgrown yard was reported and cited with a ticket. It turned out the single mom living there was taking care of her terminally ill mother and the yard was the least of her concerns. Before you call the city about your neighbors two foot tall lawn have you considered checking on the neighbor and offering to help? Which action would be neighborly? Which actions would result in a strengthened relationship?

So let us get started. Plan a simple get together and invite your neighbors over. Extend an invitation to each neighbor who has a home bordering you (this includes across the street neighbors and back fence neighbors). Get acquainted and work on staying connected.

You may find that being neighborly not only blesses your heart and shows kindness to others but that it also has the power to improve our community one family relationship at a time.

You can find and download a useful “who is my neighbor” chart on the Greene County MU Extension website at http://extension.missouri.edu/greene.



Monday, June 10, 2019

 

Pastor Search 101: Seek God When Seeking a Pastor


If prayer is not the central focus of your pastor search, then all you are doing is conducting a  job search. As a search committee, prayer must guide your process and decisions. You are not just searching for the best business fit. You are searching for God’s chosen man to lead.

I have now chaired two search teams. In human terms, I was not equipped. I knew of another search being conducted and the chair there was far more experienced  than I. He had 30 years of Baptist work and Baptist contacts. He had worked with a number of churches. He knew people. I remember being out one evening walking my dog and thinking about the contrast. My prayer began like a pity party. “Lord, you know I do not have those contacts. I do not have that experience. Lord I hardly know where to begin.” Then it hit me. I stopped walking, took a knee and said, “Lord, this search is all yours. I am going to trust you to find the right man and to guide our process, all I can do is pray.” It was then that God began to move in people’s hearts. 

The team followed a process and God did the hardest work.

I am convinced that extraordinary moves of God begin with our obedience and our desperate prayers. Give the process over to God daily, moment by moment, and be prepared to experience a tremendous spiritual growth experience.

Without God’s leading, it is easy to base the decision of a minister on feelings or emotions, people politicking in the congregation or even rumors. God is not a God of disorder and he will order your steps. If you feel pressure or are told to rush, that is not God. If there is anger and rumors flying and human pressure put on you, that is not God. If there is disorder, that is not God. God is going to ask you to seek Him and to seek advisers (remember the Holy Spirit can reach you through prayer, circumstances and other people).

It may not be in your timing. It may not be how you expect. But it is a fact, that when we humble ourselves, God moves.

If you would like to receive a packet of info containing advice on pastor searches include examples of materials, questionnaires, congregation updates and more, email me at dburton541@yahoo.com and I will email the information (as a PDF) to you. The information is free. My desire is simply to be of help to other search teams because we all have the same goal: to see more worshippers around the throne of God.



Monday, May 13, 2019

 

A "Stop Doing" List Can Help Support Efforts to Undo Crazy Busy Schedules

In a business or even our personal lives, innovation or improvement often fails for the wrong reason.

It is not that the idea is bad. It is just that the idea never had a chance.

Our crazy busy lives are killing our innovation and causing us to be unreceptive to new ideas in our personal lives and our businesses.

How many times have you seen a great idea at work bubble up, and even be met with excitement, only to have it die because no one had time for it after the brainstorming session. When we have packed schedules already, new projects simply die when we try to add them to existing workloads.

That is why I advocate the creation of “stop doing” lists. It is not an idea unique to me. I first learned about this idea in the book “Crazy Busy,” by Kevin Deyoung, but has since seen others reference it as well.

Most of our work schedules do not have free time – especially if we have been at that place of work very long. Adding new activities without eliminating other tasks is a good way to sabotage the innovation. It is also intellectually dishonest.

Repeatedly, new ideas lose out to the demands of the day or the urgency of now.

That is why we need to begin our innovation process by talking about a ‘stop doing’ list before we add things to a ‘start doing’ list. We have to create the capacity or time for innovation first.

What are the barriers to productivity in your place of business? Each of those barriers is an opportunity to be more productive, to ask if the task is still important.

The ‘stop doing’ list should include its best friend and neighbor, the ‘do differently’ list. Together they offer a path toward creating capacity. It takes more than just trimming a few minutes here and there during your day.

Talking with family members or co-workers about tasks that take a lot of time but have very few impacts or are no longer productive or valuable, only traditional, might be a good place to start.

The whole idea is to have these stop-doing conservations so leaders can say no to some activities and say yes to others that could be more productive or impactful.

There is a method to leading a “stop doing” process that can be applied to work groups, organizations of all types, and even with our own families. The key is to identify some changes that free up capacity while realizing there may be some temporary disruption in work.

To begin the process, there are some key questions to ask.

What are the activities that take up the most time in your day and are they essential to the core mission? For the least essential, find alternatives.

What tasks are the most repetitive and least creative or demanding? If not essential, is there something that would be a better use of your time?

Are there aspects of the workflow that could be automated?

What is the highest-value, most productive use of your time in your role? What gets in the way of doing that activity more?

We all have the same 24-hours. There isn’t more time in a day. But we can change how we spend the time we have. Starting with a ‘stop doing’ list faces the reality that there is no more time and it also sets you up for success when you pursue innovative ideas.
 

Impact, not Participation, Matters Most

Every team member gets a medal at the end of the season for participating in most youth sports leagues. The medal merely recognizes participation.

In real life, adults do not get participation medals. What matters for most organizations, businesses and even families, is impact.

Impact goes beyond just participation. Impact means results or at least a strong effect on someone or something that creates a solution or result. In both the adult and business worlds, simply showing up to participate might get you an hourly paycheck but creating a positive impact will get you promoted.

MORE THAN SHOWING UP

We teach children to participate in life, which includes participation in school activities, clubs, and sports. Most times, just “showing up” is all that is expected to be able to say they are participating.

As adults, we also often end up measuring participation. We recount how many meetings or activities we attended. If participation is the standard, then we have set the bar for success very low.

Part of the reason for focusing on participation is because participation is easy. Normally, participation does not require a person to put forth much effort to get credit.

The problem is, we should measure impact or the difference that our participation made. The challenge is that many people have become comfortable with participation.”

The other problem with participation is we expect more than is deserved.

Remember, participation does not guarantee results. You have to set goals and focus on impact to see tangible results. It also requires you to set priorities so you can focus on the high priority items that have the greatest potential of impact.

CREATING IMPACT

Impact does require hard work and dedication. Creating impact often takes times. In fact,  creating impact means we have to set goals and keep focused on them.

I’ve seen the difference between participation and impact in the gym. Just showing up at the gym is better than sitting on the couch. However, I shouldn’t expect a benefit without putting in some effort. Just opening the door to the gym doesn’t help me lose weight.

Simply measuring repetitions and time is just like participation and it does not show impact.

It all starts with a paradigm change. Impact is when you become focused on changing things – like bad habits – to achieve your goals.

Individuals do need participation to have an impact. But the participation needs to lead to impact leading to change.

Impact means something is faster, better, stronger, more efficient, more competitive, improved, and no longer the same.

Impact is about making a difference with our efforts. When we stop accepting participation as the norm and demand impact – positive things begin to occur,.

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Community development specialists with MU Extension help people create communities of the future by tapping into local strengths and university resources. The Community Development Program works collaboratively with communities to foster economic development, leadership development, community decision making, community emergency preparedness and inclusive communities.

Wednesday, February 06, 2019

 

Read More, Make More!


I  read 3-4 books per month and many of those focus on leadership or business topics that can be put to use at work. Since I often lead discussions on these same books, I would consider this professional development. It is something that has made a difference! 
The EXCEL Leadership program in Greene County included a book discussion component. So I get asked a lot about what a book discussion or regular reading is important.
Book clubs can grow and improve your professional network. But there are two other strong reasons"
1.  Advance Your Career: A book club can enhance your career on two fronts. First, the books you read may make you more effective in areas critical to success like leadership, communication and productivity. Second, the network you'll be building may help you with career advice, introduce you to new people and find your next job. 

2. Reading is Good for You: Did you know business people who read at least seven business books per year earn over 230% more than people who read just one book per year?1 Reading improves your intelligence, reasoning ability, and has been linked to reducing the chance of Alzheimer's.
Joining our EXCEL Leadership book club gives you the opportunity to read more and enjoy all the benefits that come with it.






 

More of Me, Less of You


It is a modern phenomenon where humans consistently value themselves higher than other people they know. Some folks blame it on social media. But it shows up in all types of conversations and behaviors.

It could be said that we are often acting like we want “more of me, less of you.”

Said another way, we tend to exaggerate our own talents and diminish the talents of others. It is a bad trait. Even worse, there is research to back this up as a growing trend.

Most people are very good at something and less competent at something else. However, we have all met someone who overestimates their knowledge or ability on a certain topic or skill.

Worse, some people are incompetent in a particular subject yet confidently insist that they know everything.

For a few weeks, there was a video on Facebook of sheep chasing a scared, young sheepdog all over a field. We can be like that sometimes. We claim greatest in an area but then discover we are in over our head.

This phenomenon has a name: cognitive bias of illusionary superiority. There was a study in 1999 is now known as the Dunning-Kruger Effect or the competence vs. confidence study.

Dunning and Kruger examined a group of undergraduate students in several categories. After knowing the test scores, they asked the students to estimate their results.

They found that the students who were less competent had the tendency to overestimate their results, despite their test scores placing them in the bottom percentile. Even more surprisingly, students who performed better at these tests underestimated their results.

This effect does not only happen in the academic field; it happens in almost every subject and situation. If you take a closer look, you will find them everywhere.

The pressing question is: “why are the least competent people usually the most confident ones?”

The least skilled person often overestimates their ability because they have no idea how much they do not know. In other words, poor performers believe they know everything in a particular subject, and therefore they tend to be overconfident about it.

On the other hand, high performers are fully aware of the vastness and complexity of their field of work. They know how much they do not know and they usually underestimate their ability and competence in a particular area.

In contrast to high performers, poor performers also do not learn from feedback suggesting a need to improve. Again, this is because they already believe they know everything.

In reality, the Dunning-Kruger Effect is not a joke. Instead, it is a cognitive bias that negatively impacts our society from the individual to the organizational level.

Incompetent people rise to the top in all kinds of organizations because they are more confident while real talent is buried due to self-doubt.

Mix this Dunning-Kruger Effect in with some modern narcissism (selfie-generation), and you find a very real challenge facing us in communities and business.
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Saturday, January 12, 2019

 

You Can’t Go Home Again; But You Can be a Positive Force in Town

I grew up in Ash Grove from the 1960s to the 1980s. I managed a newspaper in Willard during the early 1990s. I have lived in Republic the past 15 years. I can confirm that these towns have changed in the last 30 to 15 years.

“You Can’t Go Home Again” is a book written by Thomas Wolfe. In it, he tells the story of an author who returns home only to discover that the town residents are mad at him because they see themselves in some of his stories. Then he writes this famous line: “Back home to time and memory which cannot be recaptured.”

For example, no matter how detailed or pleasant my memories are about the friendly small town experience of growing up in Ash Grove, things have changed. The town has changed because people have changed.

Those lazy, hazy days of the 1980s can never be recaptured. I can hop on a 10-speed bike and ride all over town, and it will not matter. I can cruise Main Street at night with my window rolled town playing music, and it will not be the same. I may even get pulled over by a local officer, but the town and the experience will be different.

If you have lived here long, you know things have changed.

Sometimes this change is due to external forces. Businesses come and go. Certainly, it can also have to do with changes in our culture. It can also be a reflection of changes in us.

However, the harsh reality is that it can also be because of the choices we have made. Sometimes towns change because good people turn a blind eye to evil or community challenges. Sometimes the changes have greed or pride at the root.

Our communities need leaders and volunteers who are positive. Our towns need community leaders that are agents of peace. This means being a community spark plug. It means devoting energy to community needs but doing it in a way that is not self-serving. It also means leading in a way that brings people together on issues, not creating a wider divide.

Being an agent of change may require you to make personal changes or alter your priorities. It may require that you establish peace in your family first.

Our communities need healthy individuals, stable families, and mission-minded churches and institutions that build and support the community.

Why wait for someone else to take a step forward to lead? Stop pretending that we can recapture the 1980s and start looking forward. While we cannot recapture past glories, we can work together to ensure a strong future for our communities.

Sign up for our Greene County EXCEL program online at http://extension.missouri.edu/greene and get regular updates about learning opportunities for Greene County leaders and volunteers.


Monday, January 07, 2019

 

Epiphany 2019 at the Burton Household


Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019, was a Christian holiday that most Americans know little about: the Feast of the Epiphany. From the Greek word meaning “manifestation,” it celebrates the visitation of the Magi to the infant Jesus and his family in Bethlehem. We celebrated the Epiphany dinner at our house.

Matthew 2 tells us that the magi, or wise men, travelled from the East in search of the Christ child. They inquired of King Herod where they might find Him, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him" (Matthew 2:2). Upon finding the baby Jesus, “they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh” (Matthew 2:11).

The Bible does not tell us any other significance to these three gifts; however, tradition has it that there is a deeper meaning for each of the three. 

Gold is a symbol of divinity and is mentioned throughout the Bible. The gift of gold to the Christ child was symbolic of His divinity—God in flesh. It was also valuable and might have funded their trip to Egypt.

Frankincense is a white resin obtained from a tree. It is highly fragrant when burned and was used in worship, where it was burned as a pleasant offering to God (Exodus 30:34). Frankincense is a symbol of holiness and righteousness. 

Myrrh was obtained from a tree. It was a spice and was used in embalming. It was also sometimes mingled with wine to form an article of drink. Such a drink was given to our Savior when He was about to be crucified Matthew 27:34 refers to it as “gall.” Myrrh symbolizes bitterness, suffering, and affliction.

So while the 12 Days of Christmas have ended it is a reminder to us that our celebration of Jesus birth is more than just a day, it is a season, this day of epiphany and the three gifts of the wisemen reminds us that we have reason to celebrate Jesus each and every day.
Merry Christmas!


Friday, December 28, 2018

 

Positive Attitude of Local Employees Turns My Day Around


Do you realize the impact your daily attitude can have on people? Especially in business, a “hi, how is your day” attitude with a smile can go a long way.

Thursday, Aug. 23 was a day like that for me. I have many things in my life to be happy about, but there are also stresses. Sometimes stress can get the better of you and drag your attitude down. So I’ll admit, despite beautiful weather and an early morning walk with my dog Otis in the crisp cool air, my attitude was not the best when I started out.

But, four people in Republic with great customer focused attitudes helped to brighten my gray day.

I had an issue with my car the night before. Since I thought it was my battery, I went to O’Reilly Automotive in Republic. Johnny offered to come out and test my car batter – despite the rain that had just begun. He offered an evaluation and some good advice. I love buying local, but I like it even more when the person making the sale says, “this may not be the best idea.”

So, I took his advice, and headed down the road to Republic Ford where Joe met me in the service area. I do not know how he does it, but Joe remembers names, and he always seems to be in a good mood. He worked my car in, and Ford discovered the problem and made the correct fix to get me running again. I nearly felt like they had uncharged me because of Joe’s friendliness at the front end of that visit.

Then off to Lowes I went to make a semi-emergency purchase. I seldom go to Lowes without my dog Otis. When he is with me we always head to Elaine’s checkout register (where she keeps a few dog treats). On this day my dog was not with me and Elaine remembered that but still treated me like the most important customer in the building. See, I always thought it was just my dog!

By this time I was hungry and the noon food rush was on. I skipped the drive-thru and walked inside Wendy’s for carry out. Why did I go in? Because of Anderson. He works the counter during the noon hour a lot. He may be the friendliest fast-food employee I have ever met. There is no way you can have a bad day with Anderson greeting you and putting your order together.

I doubt these four people get thanked very often for their work. People are quick to judge and slow to say thank you. But if you want to make your community a better place to live, follow their example. Be positive and kind to people, offer assistance when possible, and treat people they way you want to be treated.

And thank you to Johnny, Joe, Elaine and Anderson for helping make Republic a great place to live and a great place to do business.

 

Facing Parenthood Takes True Grit


Both of my children are now driving cars. It hardly seems possible. As they leave the house each morning I think back to those infant years. It all goes so fast but I still remember those pivotal moments with life.

For example, when my son was still a newborn, there was that situation that has become known in our family as the “incident.”

I recall the story as follows.

The cries of an infant awakened me. I immediately slipped into protector mode. I donned my safety equipment and lumbered down the hall. There was no time to wipe the sleep from my eyes. I recognized the cry, and I knew the situation from my training.

Opening the door to my son’s circus themed room I could smell the danger. I slid the safety goggles over my eyes and pulled on the latex gloves. I straightened my plastic body apron and gently positioned the clothespin over my nose. My son was in trouble, and I was ready to help.

I felt like I was entering a combat zone. I confidentially walked to the crib, lifted my 10-day old out and in one swift move, turned to the changing table. Unsnapping two buttons and pulling on Velcro revealed the problem. My instincts had been correct. Off came the diaper, out came the wipes, and then I was attacked!

This time, I was hit by friendly fire. What seemed to be an air-activated gun began firing a yellow liquid at me, first hitting my ear and the grazing my arm. I used the wipe to cover and then ducked. This was the first of many brushes with danger during the ever-changing experience of fatherhood.

One week in, I was finding fatherhood to be life-changing. I was sleep deprived. I had not watched television for days and my wife, and I were talking in high-pitched sing-song voices.

From infant experiences to the teenage years, I've put on many different uniforms to meet the challenges of fatherhood. I have invested in the life of two children, raising them to respect others, believe in themselves, serve their community and love God. I've listened to them, gone to their events, coached teams, and taught driving. I've looked danger - and hormonal teenagers -- in the eye and lived to tell about it. That, my friend, takes true grit.


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