Miserable Job

Yesterday, I read a new book by Patrick Lencioni, The Three Signs of a Miserable Job. It is a fable for managers and their employees. While this is intended for business managers, I try to apply everything I read to the church and servant leadership.
Wow! This book is a keeper and one I'll refer to often. It was published by Jossey Bass and I highly recommend it.
I was reminded of Jacob and Esau just after their "reconciliation" meeting. As they agreed to travel together with young children and young animals, Jacob said, "So go on ahead of us. We will follow at our own pace and meet you at Seir." Genesis 33:14 (NLT) Jacob was one of the first leaders to understand "speed of the leader; speed of the team" concept. Usually this means that the leader has to move out in front of the team and set the pace...and they will move (however you want to define that) as fast as the leader. Jacob's words seems to embody a turn of the concept into "speed of the team; speed of the leader".
There is a correlation between Jacob and Lencioni's fable. The three signs of a miserable job are:

1. Irrelevancy - Not knowing if what I do matters to anyone - makes any difference at all.
2. Immeasureable - How do I really know on a regular basis if I'm accomplishing my job...really?
3. Anonymity - Would someone (preferably my manager) take a real serious interest in me?

Lencioni's hypothesis is that there are no bad jobs (well, there are a few) but there are many miserable people at work.

Jacob really cared for his family and took a serious interest in their well-being. He knew that what He did really mattered to his family and to his God.

I am still thinking of how I am going to change my relationship with volunteers so that their effort in ministry is not "miserable".

If you want to know more about this book and Patrick Lencioni, go to www.miserablejob.com

Too busy

I have been "too busy" to spend time reflecting and writing here. First, I was not feeling well. Then I went out of town. Then I was in a conference all day for a couple of days. Then I got behind in my "work". Then... do you see the pattern I see? Life overwhelms my resolve to reflect and write.
I wondered to myself if Jesus got so busy and so overwhelmed that he didn't have time to be quiet and reflect on the words of his Father. I can't find any evidence of that in scripture. Most every experience of high visibility and busy-ness was followed by a time of personal reflection and prayer. When he should have been basking in his success or capitalizing on the momentum of "his" ministry, he went off by himself and spent time with the Father.
Jesus said he only did what the Father told him to do. So, I have to assume God was calling him to times of silence and solitude - and it was important to the Son.
Times of reflection and silence has to be more important to me.