We Are Wasting Away!

“Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16b TNIV

My mother used to say, “You are only as old as you feel”. In some ways this is a true statement and the reality is that my physical body is wasting away and will die one day. As I grow older, I am increasingly aware that this body is growing older. It takes me longer to accomplish a task than it did a few years ago. Not only does it take me longer, the task is more challenging and difficult to accomplish. Some are no longer possible. Others are completed with a greater risk to injury to my body especially my back.

In addition, concentration needed when working with my mind takes more energy and is thus more challenging and tiring. This means that more energy is used to accomplish the same task. All of this is happening at a time when my body is experiencing a decrease in energy levels. This means the balance of energy is challenged on both ends - more is needed and less is available. Growing older means reducing my level of activity including working with my mind. 

However, while dealing with these losses, the Scripture promises that inwardly I am being renewed daily. This is indeed good news! My inner life is growing stronger. My relationship with God through Christ is better than it has ever been and I am looking forward to continued growth in my relationship  with Christ.

So how do I live a fulfilled life when my ability to “do” is declining? The key according to this Scripture in focusing on my inner life. This means putting more energy into “being” with Christ rather that “doing” for Christ. In reality the physical focuses on the temporary and the inner life builds for the eternal.

This is what Jesus was teaching in John 15:5 TNIV,“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Growing older frees me from the trap of busyness and gives me the freedom to spent more of my time and energy nurturing my relationship with Jesus. The promise of Jesus is that this will result in bearing much fruit, fruit that will last. This fruit has eternal value long after life in this body has ended. 

I want to shift from focusing on doing things for Christ to being with Him. This enables me to focus on the gains of growing older rather than the losses. It’s a choice I want to make. If not I risk growing more frustrated and bitter as I grow older and my body moves toward death. Living into this promise of a renewed inner life gives me hope and a future that is filled with increased meaning and purpose. Even if total disability should be my lot, I can rest assured that my life is bearing much fruit for the Kingdom and will last for eternity.

The Challenge of Retirement!

One of the challenges I am facing in the early stage of my retirement (I retired at age 70 April  30, 2014) is finding my significance in who I am in Christ (being) rather than what I do for  Jesus (doing). Ministry also provided me with feelings of importance from having title, status and prestige. I have been a missionary for the past 14 years. Before that I was pastor for 15 years followed by Conference Regional Minister for 8 years. Now my title is semi-retired. This is a loss.

Retirement also creates the loss of busyness. One of the most common questions in our culture today is about being busy. To be sure I have plenty of things to do though not much formal ministry. This gives me time to work with my hands and tackle projects that have remained undone while active in ministry. Working with my hands has been good therapy for renewing my mind. However the loss of busyness with ministry is a loss.

I realize that it takes longer to do the same amount of work whether working with my mind or body. The mind does not work as fast a well as it used to and neither does the body. In addition the stamina required to do the work has decreased so shorter times of work are required. 

In preparation for retirement the most helpful resource has been the book, “Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully” by Joan Chittister. It has helped me deal with loss that growing older brings with it. It seems we have two options in dealing with loss as we grow older. On the one hand we can continue to push forward and slow down only as the limitations of age rob us of our ability to perform. With this option we continue to find our significance in what we do. Therefore with the loss of abilities we loose significance. This option will leave is a feelings of victimization and will most likely lead to living with resentments that lead to bitterness.

The other option is to choose to find our significance in who we are rather than in what we do. With this option I am free to choose to reduce my level of activity rather than wait until I am forced to slow down. This is a process of maturing in Christ in which I increasingly find my worth in who I am in Christ rather than in what I can do for Him. I offer my gifts, abilities and wisdom as needed rather than forcing myself on others because of the needs of my ego.

We are able to do this voluntarily because we are shifting from finding our significance in what we do to who we are in Christ. I am lead each day by the Holy Spirit with an increased desire to live in intimacy with God. In this relationship my true self is nurtured and fed. My relationship with Christ makes me important and gives me worth because Jesus has declared me worthy of  his death on the cross. I am now free to offer back to God and others who I am rather than striving to “score points” by doing for others. 

This means learning to live for the audience of One rather than living for the applause of many! It means living out John 15:5, “Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” This means I need slow down and take care of my own soul first rather than burning out meeting the demands of the crowd. 

I knew all of this in my head when I set the time of retirement at 70 years. What I have discovered knowing something in my head does not translate into knowing it in my heart. Thus some days I have slipped into a “funk” emotionally usually without knowing the reasons.

The Greatest Challenge of Leadership

“What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” Matthew 16:26 NLT

Every leader faces the challenge of balancing “Being” with “Doing”. Most of my life I have been focused on doing. Maximizing my impact on others, serving others and other performance goals. How can I live a life of influence?

What if we began with the questions, “What is God most desiring from me? What are the deepest longings of my soul?

I believe God’ priority is that I grow in my love for Him until I love the Lord with all my heart, soul and mind. He desires intimacy with me in a relationship that is growing where God is replacing all the things that I love and worship instead of Him. 

This is all about being a human in relationship with a mighty, awesome God, King of the universe. When this relationship is strong and growing I am able to serve others out of the overflow of Christ in me. On the other hand when my soul is empty as a result of living a self centered life, I have only myself to give to others relying on what is in my head rather than my heart.

This challenges me at the center of who I am. Its a question of where does my self worth/significance come from? Do I find my true worth in what I do or who I am in Christ? Perhaps looking at my calendar gives a clue. What is the balance between doing and being in my life? How many hours a day do I give to serving others, doing for God rather than being with God? 

It takes time to nurture my life in Christ. It doesn’t just happen without being intentional. What dictates how you use your time? Are you spending enough time alone with God (living for the audience of One) to keep your soul full and growing? Even my time with God can become a list of things I need to do and thus we miss the alone time with God in which He is the audience of my attention, my focus and center of attention.

Retirement challenges my dependence on doing for my significance (Stay tuned).

Transformation!

I have noticed a significant decrease in the use of the word repentance in Christian theological vocabulary. Is it possible that it is being replaced by the use of the terms diversity and Tolerance? Diversity is being used to describe the variance we see in the church in naming sin especially sexual sin. We are being called to accept sin as normal under the guise of tolerance rather than standing clearly on the truth of Scripture and its definition of sin.

Is it possible that the church is being influenced by the dominant culture in which we live? Are we increasingly coming under the pressure of political correctness? This will dim our light in a world filled with darkness. 

This is created since we are ignoring the power of the Gospel to transform and redeem persons living in the bondage to sin. Repentance is the first step of transformation - being made into the likeness and image of Christ. We cannot experience the power of the Gospel to transform us out of sin that we refuse to acknowledge.

Tolerance and diversity overlook the need for transformation and justifies who we are in our sinful nature. This leaves us without the hope of being changed by the power of Christ at work in us. Scripture teaches clearly that God cannot and will not tolerate sin nor overlook it. In fact when we tolerate sin we devalue and ignore the death of Jesus on the cross. God’s only remedy for my sin is Jesus death on the cross. The Gospel call to repentance is clear and it is the first step in offering sinners healing and hope. 

The Christian church is being polarized by disagreements about our understanding of sin. This is because we are increasingly relying on human reasoning in deciding matters of truth rather than discerning and doing the will of God. 

Unity is not found in tolerance and acceptance of sin rather unity is created when we hear God speak as we gather around the Scriptures committed to obedience to the truth revealed. In fact true diversity is diversity of race, language and culture as seen in the New Testament not diversity of truth.

Deciding Usurps Discerning!

Many congregations have settled for using the political process of making decisions in the life of the church rather than pursuing God’s Will together using the spiritual discipline of discernment. Decision making results in creating winners and losers. As a result we experience increased fragmentation and division in the Body of Christ rather unity around the revealed will of God. 

An example of discerning and doing the will of God is found in Acts 13:2. Here the leaders of the Gentile church at Antioch were meeting to worship and fast together. We do not know if there was some challenge they were facing or if this was a regular discipline for these leaders. As they were before the Lord, the Holy Spirit spoke clear instructions to commission Barnabas and Saul to go as missionaries into the Gentile world.

Whenever the goal of church leaders is to Discern and Do the will of God the church will move forward with courage and power. Unfortunately the church has opted for decision making where God’s voice is minimized. Rather we rely on a political process similar to that used by our government to find our way into the future. 

In politics power and influence are used to impose our personal agenda on a group or organization. The key element in this process is debate controlled by Roberts Rules of Order. These rules are intended to ensure an orderly process of debate so that division is limited. The political system uses “checks and balances” to control the abuse of power among leaders.

In my eight years as Regional Conference Minister for IN-MI Mennonite Conference when working with congregations going through difficult times I usually found that there was confusion about the balance and use of power and authority in making decisions between the Administrative Boards (church council) and the Board of Elders. Thus a “tug and pull tension” was created that resulted in confusion, tension and increased the use of politics and campaigning. Until this pattern is broken the polarity and division continues to increase.

This seems to be the pattern Mennonite Church USA is caught up in today. However Scripture offers us a better way. God speaks when we are committed to obey. Therefore when a group of leaders are committed to discerning and doing the will of God than we need to create time and space in which we are able to hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. This will require significant times of solitude and silence. 

Romans 12:1-2 gives shows us some of the overarching parameters in discerning the perfect will of God. Any attempt to hear God speak must be preceded by a willingness to do the will of God. Obedience becomes the only option.

Organizational Strategic Planning: Three warning indicators that your strategic planning is incomplete by Stanley J. Troyer ACC

A good strategic planning process includes three components. If your organization skips or poorly executes one of these components, it is unlikely to get results you planned for from your strategic plan. 

There are huge costs associated with an incomplete planning process:

• Failure of leadership to deliver desired results in the market and a sense of falling behind;
• Failure to achieve desired financial and operational results;
• Frustration throughout the organization and the perception that strategic planning is a waste of time; and
• Loss of credibility of the leadership team within your organization.

A sound strategic planning process includes the following three elements.

1. Answer the “big” strategic planning questions – but without jargon or by spending a fortune on a consulting firm. 

The big questions include: 

• Who are our customers and how can we better serve them? 
• Who are our competitors and how can we best them? 
• What do we do best and how can we build on that edge? 
• How can we prepare the organization to defend against threats and seize opportunities? 
• What are potential scenarios that we need to consider for the future, and how will we prepare for them? 

Unfortunately, many organizations debate these issues with academic discussions and confusing jargon. They are like philosophers trying to decide how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. At the same time, some organizations come up with brilliant answers to these questions, but can’t quite take them to the point of clear initiatives that get done. 

The big strategic planning questions are worthless if they don’t result in a few clear, compelling strategic initiatives to strengthen the organization.

1. Set a few clear priorities and an overall strategic theme. The most important outcome of the first part of the strategic planning process is to identify the most important priorities for the organization. Starting with a long list of potential priorities, the organization discusses the relative value of each, and hones in on only a few key priorities. This discussion can also lead to greater clarity about the big strategic planning questions, especially about what the organization should do best.

Once a list of no more than three to five priorities is agreed upon, the organization can come up with a strategic theme. This is a one-line statement that conveys the overall strategic push for the organization. Examples could include: “Beat Google!” “Expand to China.” “0% medical errors.” “Become a magnet for talent.”

During this phase, many organizations settle for a long list of priorities. This has the benefit that nobody feels excluded or insulted. However, it makes it highly unlikely that the organization will get anything done completely.

1. Implement. The biggest complaint about strategy is that it never seems to get executed. Here are a few reasons why:

• Neglecting to commit essential resources to the strategy, including capital, training, technology, and people.
• Failing to take things off the plate of busy employees, and instead just stacking more work on them.
• Having lack of will to stop old initiatives that compete with the new.
• Not setting clear roles, responsibilities, accountability, and rewards systems.
• Giving up after a few setbacks or initial resistance.

A sound strategy spends as much time on implementation planning as it does on the more glamorous work of answering the key strategic questions and setting priorities.

Which of the above areas is weakest in your organization? Some organizations are strong at asking the big picture questions, but fail to follow up. Some set too many priorities, and cannot say “no” to good ideas, despite limited resources. Others are strong at executing, but lack the vision to develop compelling strategic initiatives.

TroyerCoaching can help. I have a proven strategic planning process that is simple for you to implement, and gets results efficiently. 

To learn more, download my Strategic Assessment by clicking here or contact Stanley Troyer at stantroyer@me.com or 269-861-3188.

Increase Your Influence

Seven Conversations Every Leader Needs to Master to Be More Influential

by Stanley Troyer ACC

Do you ever wonder if you are as influential as you could be? Many leaders are one-trick ponies when it comes to influence. They use one approach in every situation. Sometimes this works, the same way a broken clock is right twice every day. However, by developing greater flexibility and range, you can be even more effective.

By associating different parts of the body with different influence styles, you can quickly assess whether you have the full range conversations that a leader needs to use in order to influence people in almost every situation.

Left Brain. The left brain is the seat of facts, logic, analysis, information, and data. When you are an authority, or when you know facts that matter to the other person, relying on the left brain can help you convince someone that an idea makes sense. However, most leaders overuse the left brain, especially in Western society. There are limits to facts and logic. For instance, it is hard to win over someone’s heart with a PowerPoint presentation.

Right Brain. The right brain is where we process images, stories, metaphors, and pictures. It is the gateway to the subconscious. By using more stories and images, leaders can reach people at a different level than with the left brain alone.

Gut. The gut, or “hara” as the Japanese call it, is our center. It is where we go when we take a stand, negotiate, assert appropriately, create a contract, or set boundaries. When we influence from the gut, we tell someone what we like and do not like about their performance, tell them what we expect, and offer incentives to encourage them to comply.

Heart. In situations where we want authentic commitment and not just compliance, it is not enough to tell or assert. We have to be vulnerable. Here, the conversation shifts to asking for advice and help, listening to the other person’s aspirations and goals to craft a solution, and being flexible about how things get done. The leader doesn’t have to be wishy-washy, especially on the final goal, but is open to new ideas about how he or she can be better, and how to get to the goal.  

Spirit. The spirit is about our shared values and experiences. Here, we appeal to our common ground and the bonds that hold us together. Use this approach to form a team and create a feeling of alignment.  

Vision. Vision is about where we are going. Here, the leader paints a compelling, inspiring picture about where we can go together, and then invites others to jump in and build on the vision. This is the approach to use for a team that is kicking off, or when a push is required to get people to move forward despite challenges. If you combine the right brain, spirit, and vision together, you can make a compelling case that gets a team aligned in a powerful, authentic way. 

Legs. The legs are used when conversations start to go poorly, for instance when the other person gets emotional or when the meeting has begun to spiral down. This does not mean that you give up and retreat, but it does mean that you take a “time-out” and let both parties rethink their positions, and than come back together. The Harvard Negotiation Project calls this “Going to the Balcony.” It prevents a meeting from spiraling downwards.

Would you like to learn more about these approaches, and how to use them to achieve your goals and influence others almost effortlessly? Contact me anytime at 269-861-3188. 

I invite you to download my FREE influence planning tool by clicking here.

Seven Simple Questions that Every Leader Must Answer for an Engaged Team

Engaging and mobilizing your team can feel like a daunting challenge. However, we have found that a few simple behaviors can make a huge difference and improve engagement.

It is frustrating to have to read minds

For instance, many team members/employees are frustrated because they feel like they have to read their leader’s mind. They don’t know how they are doing and how they can do better. The annual performance review is sometimes their only chance to find out, and that event is so stressful and formal that the environment is not conducive for making improvements.

Spans of control contribute to the problem

This situation is not completely the fault of leadership. In some organizations, spans of control have become so large that leaders have to complete another formal performance reviews every three or four days. 

The solutions are simpler than you might think

There are many simple strategies to engage and mobilize team members/employees. They cost almost nothing to implement, can be put into place immediately, and have huge impact.

For instance, one opportunity that many leaders have – even at the C-level – is to give more frequent, informal feedback about how each team member/employee is doing. That way, everyone in an organization knows what is expected of them and how they can get better.

The seven questions

There are seven simple questions every leader must answer and communicate to team members/employees. As with advertising, frequency counts. Small, informal conversations about performance go a long way – especially when they include teachable moments about different situations and details. The questions include:

What do I expect from you?

What are you doing well?

What, if anything, can you do better?

What, if anything, do I want you to do better?

(If appropriate): What will happen if you improve (e.g., more responsibility, more time with leadership, more desirable assignments)?

(If appropriate): What will happen if you don’t improve?

How can I help?

While all of these questions are important, the last question is especially important. It shows the team member/employee that the leader cares, and is not merely abdicating responsibility or shifting blame.

For more information about engaging and mobilizing team members/employees, and to take a free self-assessment about how well you are engaging and mobilizing, click here.

Focused Leaders

How to stay focused on what really matters: From Vision to Tactics

The biggest issues that leaders face today are burnout, stress, and overwhelm. Leaders must do so much with limited resources, while keeping up with technology, managing a virtual and global team that spans multiple generations, and do it all in an incredibly volatile economy.

For all of these reasons, leaders can benefit from a tool that keeps them focused on what really matters.

The Leader’s Dashboard is a simple one-page tool that summarizes the most important things on the leader’s plate.

It includes a succinct summary of:

• The organization’s vision.
• The organization’s purpose and mission.
• Values.
• Strategic edge.
• Top 3 initiatives.
• Key performance indicators to track success.
• Relationships.
• Top strategies to build organizational capacity.

The leader can also create a personal career/professional dashboard covering the same areas, except for his or her own career. This makes it clear that the leader is aligned with the organization’s direction or not, and steps to take if there are gaps in alignment.

Perhaps most importantly, everyone in the organization can create their own dashboard. When this exercise is done properly, everyone is aligned, focused on what matters, and accountable. Each dashboard rolls up into the larger whole – using only a single sheet of paper!

The process is extraordinary because it is so simple, practical and powerful. No expensive software is needed. No teams of consultants need to swoop in. Rather, with a little bit of facilitation and coaching, each member of the organization gets clarity about what really counts. 

In today’s world of super complicated algorithms, virtual communication, and gut-wrenching volatility, it is refreshing to have a tool like the Leader’s Dashboard.

For more information about the Leader’s Dashboard, and to take our free self-assessment about how aligned and accountable your organization is, click here .

Your Soul First!

Take Care of Your Own Soul First!

Let’s imagine you are traveling in an aircraft at cruising altitude and suddenly the oxygen masks drop down from above your seat. You notice your seat mate is struggling to get his/her mask on. You remember the instructions, “In case there is a loss of cabin pressure an oxygen mask will drop down from the cabinet above. Pull the mask towards you, being sure to cover your mouth and nose. Secure your own mask first before assisting others.” You decide to help the person next to you before securing your own mask. How might this story end? (Take a moment to let your mind complete the scenario.)

The instructions to,“Secure your own mask first before assisting others” has bothered me since I first heard it. It seems to contradict Jesus’ instructions to deny ourselves. In addition it goes against the Vacation Bible School song I sung as a child entitled J.O.Y, “Jesus first, Yourself last and Others in between”.

But wait!  What about the two big questions Jesus asks us in Matthew 16:26:

1. “What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?”
2. “Is anything worth more than your soul?”

So how important is your soul? Should you sacrifice your own soul to serve the needs of others? What will you have to offer others if your own soul is sick? 

Like me, have you ever been weary at the very center of your being? Have you heard others share their struggles to nurture a healthy and growing relationship with Jesus while the pressures of life squeeze the life from their soul? Might the lack of soul care be a leading cause of “burnout” in leaders? 

How would it help others if we took care of our own souls? Is Jesus telling us that soul care is like the oxygen mask in an aircraft that has lost cabin pressure? I have discovered that when flying at a cruising altitude if there is a complete loss of cabin pressure you have about twelve-seconds without your oxygen mask in place before you will slip into unconsciousness. In addition, even if there is oxygen in the air, without cabin pressure you are unable to inhale. 

In addition, a sudden loss of pressure is easily detected but if there is a gradual loss it is hard to detect. This could result in slipping into unconsciousness without being aware there was any danger. Might this be the reality that most of live with regarding the well being of our souls? We notice a sudden loss of well being in our souls (examples-death of a loved one, sudden live threatening illness); however, most often it happens very gradually and by the time it is detected, our souls are very sick.

How will you ensure that your soul is being cared for with the priority that Jesus invites us to give our souls, even under pressure? How will you answer Jesus when he asks you the two questions above? May I invite you to sit quietly with Jesus and answer his two questions?

Copyright © 2013 TroyerCoaching, All rights reserved.

God longs for you, you long for God

God longs for you, you long for God!

As the deer pants for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. Psalm 42:1-2a NLT (Emphasis added)

You might think that your woundedness or your sinfulness is the truest thing about you. You might think that your giftedness or your personality type or your job title or your identity as husband or wife, mother or father, somehow defines you. But in reality, it is your desire for God and your capacity to reach for God that is the deepest essence of who you are. Sacred Rhythms, Participants Guide by Ruth Haley Barton

The reason we do not see God is the faintness of our desire - Meister Eckhart

A number of years ago I wrote my first longings statement. It has provided clear direction for my life and ministry both in how I take care of my own soul and how I help others pay attention to their relationship with God.

On the weekend of February 1-2, 2013 I was blessed to lead a retreat/workshop for pastors, elders and spouses at Amigo Centre. The focus was the Longings of Our Hearts. We used the personal post-it-note timeline to help us see how God has shaped our longings for Him.

The group came to this event tired and rather weary from all that they have been going through recently. One of their elders died suddenly and unexpectedly over Christmas break. This tragic loss along with other challenges had taken a big toll on them individually and as a group.

Jeremiah 17:5-8 offered a helpful reminder about pain. We noticed that, “heat and drought” come to those who trust in the Lord. This means that suffering is normal for the Christian. 1 Peter 1:7 teaches us that suffering is for our good. God uses suffering to purify our faith just like gold is purified in the fire. God is more concerned about our faith than He is about our comfort. Our desire for comfort can keep us from seeking after our deepest longings for God.

During the time we took for solitude and silence the Spirit brought renewal and refreshment to their souls. They each wrote Longing Statements that helped them to refocus their lives on their desire to grow in their love for God.

Coaching Empowers!

Transforming Church
by Stanley Troyer, ACC

Many mainline churches in North America are experiencing decline. I used to think clarity of purpose, values and vision along with strategic plan for mission would bring churches out of decline and set them on a path to renewal and growth. While these changes are important and usually generate excitement and new energy in a group, they lead to what I now call "outer" change, that is change in ministry activities and programs.

Recently as a result of my ministry experience, I have come to believe deeper change is needed, a change of the heart and soul of the church. This deeper transformation is led by leaders who are engaged in the process of personal transformation. Unless leaders are experiencing the transforming presence of Christ in their lives, any attempts at leading change will result in some new "window dressings" but stop short of deep tranformation. While these changes are helpful, the church needs to become a transforming community where people are experiencing deep spiritual transformation of heart and soul.

Spiritual Transformation is allowing the presence of Christ to be formed in us for the glory of God, for the abundance of our own lives and for the sake of others. (Romans 12:1-2) This deep transformation is the work of the Holy Spirit in us as we share our lives in meaningful community with fellow persons who are on a journey of growing love with the Father through Christ.

However more than personal transformation of leaders and individual members is needed to become a transforming church, a spiritual community. Attention must also be given to the church as a organism, the living body of Christ. The soul and heart of the congregation needs attention. The congregation as a system must be transformed and renewed.

I am currently working with a church that has experienced significant decline in the recent past. I am attempting to pay attention to both peronsal and corporate transformation. It has been both invigorating and challenging at the same time. I have seen some good progress at the level of lay leadership in the church but realize there is much more needed. I would love to learn from your experience.

What have you learned about renewing the church? How do you worked to create a transforming church? Please leave a response.

Spiritual Discernment

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38 TNIV.

Greetings of peace and joy for the Christmas Season and throughout the New Year! May we like Mary seek to live in God’s will for us from a posture of humility. This simple prayer of Mary is a prayer of full surrender to the will of God. Jesus prayed similarly in the Garden when he said, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42 TNIV. Some refer to these as the prayer of indifference meaning I am indifferent to anything other than the will of God. In other words the only thing that really matters to me is discerning and following the will of God.

Sometimes before I can pray this prayer of indifference I must pray for the gift of indifference. So I pray, “Lord make me willing to be indifferent” or “Give me the gift of indifference”.

Often following the will of God goes against our human nature. That is my ego, sin nature or false self (mean the same) has desires and longings that incline me to go against the will of God. I am inclined to gratify my false self. Therefore God’s will feels undesirable because it goes against my sinful nature. When I listen to my soul or my true self, I long for God, his love and will for me. Deep inside me God’s will gives peace and seems right. Choosing to listen to my soul is essential in discerning the will of God.

My prayer for each of us is that we will create quiet space for God to enter into our being more and more so that “. . . you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2 TNIV. May God give you hope and courage through the miracle of Christmas for the New Year and may you be confident that Jesus who came to live among us will give us “hope and a future”. Jeremiah 29:11 TNIV

Copyright © 2011 Stanley J Troyer & CRM

Shake The Dust Off

I live with seasonal allergies. These allergies are irritated by dust especially from the earth. Even mowing the lawn triggers an allergic reaction of a "runny" nose and itching eyes.

How does dust affect you? Jesus told his disciples to get rid of dust.

Jesus Teaching

8"These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff-no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. 10Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them." Mark 6:8-11 TNIV Emphasis added.

What is this dust Jesus is speaking of? What does it mean to shake the dust off?

Jesus teaching about dust is given to his disciples as he sends them out to do ministry. Shaking the dust off is to be done in response to "any place that will not welcome or listen to you".

Relational Dust

It seems that these instructions are to be applied when the disciples experience the hurt of rejection and nonacceptance from those they are ministering to. Jesus knew that rejection and relational pain would collect like dust in their soul unless rooted out by forgiveness. This dust would keep them tied to their past relational failures and choke out their ability to rest in God, to live and minister fully surrendered to God's will in the situation.

Shake Off

How do I shake off this dust? Confession, forgiveness and surrender are the remedies. Letting go and letting God is a familiar phrase. For me this is much easier said than practiced.

How do I move forward without carrying hurts from my past? Do I allow this dust to insulate me from intimate relationships now and in the future? Shaking off the dust means forgiving and confidently trusting the past and the future to God. Someone told me recently that it is important to prepare for the future but let go of anticipating the future.

Recently I was reminded of a broken relationship in my past. I continue to pray for healing of this relationship. Is there more I can do to restore this relationship? Probably, yet at the same time I need to release, let go, shake the dust off and move on.

Consider

Reread the scripture again and ask yourself:

1. What dust am I carrying from the past that God would like me to shake off?
2. What is the role of forgiveness and surrender in shaking off this dust?
3. Listen and write down anything you need to remember.

Remember

I believe "shaking off the dust" is how we keep bitterness from taking root in our hearts. See to...that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:15 TNIV

Bitterness causes us to live in the past and the future but robs us of the joy of living in the moment-basking in God's love and forgiveness.

Copyright © 2011 Stanley J Troyer & CRM

Count The Cost

Some of the best things in life come with a price we must pay. Usually short-term benefits must be sacrificed to realize the long-term goal. In the summer of 1966 Marilyn and I began a term of service in Nigeria with the Teachers Abroad Program (TAP). Still in our first year of marriage, fresh out of college and full of idealism fueled by the Vietnam War, we chose to go to Nigeria leaving everything behind except what we could carry in our luggage and a fifty-five gallon drum. It was a life-changing experience and well worth every price we paid to serve in this way.

Past Issues "But don't begin until you count the cost."Jesus Luke 14:28 NLT

Jesus Teaching Jesus talked about counting the cost in Luke 14. He used the examples of someone planning to build a house and a king preparing to go to war against another king with an army twice the size of his own. Jesus said that if we do not count the cost or consider the price we will need to pay, we may give up when the short-term cost begins to confront us. Athletes Athletes in training know well the pain and suffering their bodies must go through to compete at their best. As their success increases, the level of sacrifice placed on their body increases as well. Consider When you want to realize a long term goal, carefully consider the cost required. Otherwise short-term prices may sabotage your long-term achievements. What long-term goals do you have that will be difficult to achieve? What are the prices you will need to pay? Who else in your circle of relationships will need to pay a price? Remember Count the cost before you 'start to build' or 'go to war'. Otherwise you may only 'lay the foundation' before you run out of money, or you may 'go to war' and throw up the flag of surrender before victory is achieved. May power of the Holy Spirit enable you to achieve amazing goals for the glory of God. Copyright © 2010 Stanley J Troyer & CRM Find more troyercoaching eNews articles here.

Rewire Your Brain

I am reprinting the following article about change by Dr. Keith E. Webb for this issue of my eNews. I hope you are challenged and blessed.

Your response is welcomed below!

Winston Churchill said, "To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often." I believe this is true.

Coaches help people change. Yet change is difficult. Our brains are wired to do what we've always done. We need to rewire them. That's the subject of this month's article.

Rewire Your Brain for Change

"You can't teach an old dog new tricks." We all know how difficult it is to change. We get set in our ways.

Neuroscientists used to explain our difficulty in learning "new tricks" by saying the brain didn't change during adulthood. Our brains, they thought, are wired to do what we've always done.

New research shows our brains can change. We can rewire them.
Your brain is like a circuit board with impulses shooting from neuron to neuron along pathways called synapses.

Let's try it. If I say "chocolate," what came to mind? "Yumm!" "Let's eat." "Where can I get some?" The thought of chocolate started in one neuron and shot across a synapse to your response neuron. Synapses are like muscles, the more you use them and the bigger they grow.

The trouble is our thinking forms ruts, like deep ruts in a road. When the synaptic pathway is well-formed it's difficult to respond is a different way. Like trying to steer a car out of ruts.

The solution, neuroscientists says, is to form new pathways and strengthen and enlarge those preferred thoughts. In other words, change your mind and literally grow your brain.

The Bible told us as much. The Greek word for repent means "to change one's mind." "Do not conform to any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2a).

"Stop It" Doesn't Work
When you focus on stopping doing something, you are still sending impulses along the old pathway, strengthening it further. The more you focus on that pathway, even negative attention, the stronger it grows. Thus, making change all the more difficult.

From... To...
Again, the Bible helps, look at the pattern of turning from something to something better: "You were taught,... to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds, and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:22

The pattern is significant. Move from what you want to change, to how you want to be. The key is to focus on the new thought or behavior to strengthen that new neural pathway. Or as the Bible says, renew your mind.

3 Steps to Change and Grow Your Brain

1. Recognize: What thought or behavior would you like to change? What do you want to move from? What reasons do you have to change at all? Why change now?
2. Refocus: What would you like to change it to? Be specific. What would it look like? How will you know when you have achieved it?
3. Revalue: What benefits will you receive from the new? What will change? How will you feel? What will make this change worth it?

Change means renewing your mind: starting with making a decision to move from something, then focusing attention to a new way of being until that new way forms a strong pathway.

Copyright © 2010 Keith E. Webb & CRM

Dr. Keith E. Webb is a trainer and cross-cultural leadership coach helping non-profit organizations, teams, and individuals multiply their cross-cultural impact. Find more free articles at http://www.CreativeResultsManagement.com.

Copyright © 2010 Stanley J Troyer & CRM

Leaving The Crowd At The Door

Recall a recent demanding time in your life or ministry.

How did it change your behavior?

Pressure to perform can cause us to rely on our abilities and skills rather than on God.

In verse 33 below note Jesus early success in ministry.

That evening at sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. 33And a huge crowd of people from all over Capernaum gathered outside the door to watch. 34So Jesus healed great numbers of sick people who had many different kinds of diseases, and he ordered many demons to come out of their victims. But because they knew who he was, he refused to allow the demons to speak. Mark 1:32-34 NLT (Emphasis mine)

Now read the rest of the story.

35The next morning Jesus awoke long before daybreak and went out alone into the wilderness to pray. 36Later Simon and the others went out to find him. 37They said, “Everyone is asking for you.” 38But he replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too, because that is why I came.” 39So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and expelling demons from many people. Mark 1:35-39 NLT

Imagine you are Simon and answer the following questions (Please journal your answers):

• After the evening of Jesus’ successful ministry what are you expecting from Jesus tomorrow?

• What are some of the reasons you go looking for Jesus?

• After you found Jesus praying alone in the wilderness what would you have said or asked him?

• How did Jesus deal with “the crowd at the door”?

Jesus responds to a very successful ministry event very differently than most of us do. When I’m needed and “Everyone is asking...” I am easily seduced into working to satisfy the needs of people seeking my help especially when my efforts seem to bring good results.

After Jesus has been very successful in ministry he rises very early the next morning and goes out into the wilderness to be alone with the Father and pray. He wants to hear God’s instructions for this day. After spending time in prayer he knows he must leave the “crowd at the door” and go preach in other towns.

I’m sure Peter thought Jesus should stay and continue the great ministry of last evening. It does not make sense to leave the crowds that had already gathered for another time of healing and deliverance. The crowds were ready for more of last evenings miraculous ministry.

How do you deal with the “crowd at the door”? Do you feel compelled to respond to those seeking your help? Do requests for help give you a sense of importance and significance? Does it gratify your need to be needed? Do you kick into the performance mode and accelerate your “doing” without listening to God for direction?

My true significance is found in the cross of Christ, in receiving the love of God more fully. Performance shifts me from relying on God for my fulfillment to exercising my gifts and abilities to receive the accolades of the “crowd at the door.”

Effective “doing” or ministry flows out of “being” or my relationship with God. My deepest need is for God’s love not the applause of people. I must be clear about my focus otherwise I will “crash and burn” pursuing God’s calling. Is this what Jesus meant when he said, “And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process?” Matthew 16:26 NLT

Read the passage again. Take at least ten minutes and talk to God about your struggle to pray when the crowd is at the door. Reflect and journal your answers to the following questions:

• How does “the crowd at the door” affect your time with God?

• How do you make time for prayer when the demands of ministry press in?

• What is God saying to you about how you should respond “to the crowd at the door?”

• What is your main focus?

• What is the deepest longing of your heart?

• What changes is Jesus asking you to make?

• What do you need to eliminate?

• What do you need to do more of?

• What do you need to do differently?

Increasingly I am committed to focusing more of my energy and effort on intimacy with God. This begins by making time to be with God so that God’s love is received deep into my heart, mind and soul.

Living With Limits

Living With Limits Subscribe to Troyer Coaching eNews Articles
by Stanley J. Troyer

All Night-er
I attempted to pull off an all night-er to study for an exam as a freshman in college. I had heard how other students had used this method of preparation and achieved good results.

I began the evening studying with the help of coffee. I increased the coffee intact as the night progressed but my ability to concentrate and learn seemed to be minimal. In any case I managed to stay awake most of the night, sleeping only a few hours before the exam.

I began the day with a strange feeling in my body. Increasingly my brain was in a fog and by the time I began to write the exam I was a mess. The lack of sleep was doing strange things to me. Needless to say I did not do well on the exam and decided to never try it again.

The experience taught me to be sure to give my body adequate sleep in order for me to be at my best even though I may not be as prepared as I would like. I discovered that when I exceed my limits I pay a price.

I am not Superman. I don’t have a cape with the big S on the front. In fact we all have limits as human beings and when we cross those limits we pay a price and those around us also pay a price.

As human beings we are limited by time and space. Though I would like to be a Superman and rise above my limits I cannot. I can push myself to the edge of my limits and live without margin for short periods of time.

Jethro’s advice to Moses
“This is not good!” his father-in-law exclaimed. “You’re going to wear yourself out-and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself." Exodus 18:17-18 NLT

We are not told why Jethro decided to check in on his son-in-law. Perhaps he noticed that Moses was neglecting his family in favor of ministry. Or perhaps his daughter had shared that Moses was working long days and was not home much. In any case Jethro was God’s spokesperson, rescuing Moses from almost certain ministry burnout.

Living With Limits
There are at least two ways we are inclined to exceed our limits. The first is the limits that come with our bodies. For example trying to live with too little sleep or putting to much time into being productive and getting things done.

The other is the limits of our calling from God. This includes the gifts and abilities God gave us when God created us.

I may choose to live and minister inside my calling-doing the ministry that grows out of who I am. This results is fruitful living with the Fruit of Spirit in evidence in my life. Ministering out of the overflow of who I am.

At times I am tempted to give to others what I do not have. Usually this is led by ego and is my attempt to find significance and self worth in what I do rather than in who I am. My ego pushes me I to copy the ministry and success of others.

Jethro Visits You
Suppose your mother or father-in-law comes to visit and spends some time observing your life and ministry. The visit is prompted because of concern for you and your child(ren).

• You are presented with a list of your roles (make a list). Which are outside your God given calling and gifting

• Which are pushing you to live beyond the limits of being human (causing lack of sleep, recreation, time with family, God etc.)

• Is there anything else causing you to risk burnout?

Jethro continues with advice concerning what you should do.
Where does he put the focus?

• For which of the roles listed above should implement a Jethro plan?

• What will you do to ensure that you do not risk burnout?
  

Summary
Exceeding my God given limits will lead to restlessness, drivenness and panic. These are the opposite of the Fruit of the Spirit and lead to weariness and burnout. When we give to others what we do not have we harm ourselves and those around us.

However when we give out of who God has created us to be we are blessed and those receiving are also blessed. I believe we are most powerful in ministry when we live out of our calling and gifts.

Copyright © 2010 Stanley J Troyer & CRM

Listening to Your Soul

Listening to Your Soul by Stanley J. Troyer The soul is like a wild animal--tough, resilient, resourceful, savvy, self-sufficient. It knows how to survive in hard places. But it is also shy. Just like a wild animal, it seeks safety in the dense underbrush. If we want to see a wild animal, we know that the last thing we should do is go crashing through the woods yelling for it to come out. But if we will walk quietly into the woods, sit patiently by the base of the tree, and fade into our surroundings, the wild animal we seek might put in an appearance. Parker Palmer, A HIDDEN WHOLENESS. Deer Hunting I have enjoyed deer hunting since I began at age fourteen in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I learned to hunt by being still and waiting for the deer to pass my way. The idea is to make your presence difficult to detect so the deer feels safe and will move about normally, as though you are not present. Listening I have found it is important to quiet the noise of "doing" to be in touch with my soul. Our soul is often 'run over' and ignored in our attempt to be more productive. Being productive gives me a sense of significance. It's based on the assumption that my self-worth equals my performance plus others opinions of me. The Psalmist was in touch with his soul. He said in Psalm 42:1-2a As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. How aware are you of the longings of your soul? Sometimes in my focus on doing I lose touch with my soul. I am so focused on ministry and the needs of my false self that I neglect my soul. Be Still It is so hard to be quiet enough for our soul to be heard especially when the storm clouds are gathering. We face the age old test that the Children of Israel faced at the shores of the Red Sea with the armies of Pharaoh in hot pursuit. There was nowhere to go and they were afraid. But Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the LORD will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. 14The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to keep still." Ex 14:13-14 NRSV (Emphasis mine) "Keeping still" goes against my desire to take action and be in control. It requires absolute surrender of my plans and my ability to plan. I must trust God totally. Keeping quiet and waiting while hunting allows the deer to feel safe enough to go about their normal activities. In the same way stillness creates a safe place for my soul to come out where I am able to be in touch with my deepest desires and longings. Deep within us all there is an amazing inner sanctuary of the soul, a holy place, a Divine Center, a speaking Voice, to which we may continuously return. Thomas Kelly My Story While traveling by air to Florida last December I gave myself time and space to "be still" and listen to my soul. I was surprised when I heard my soul say that it would like me to listen more instead of relying so much on my ability to think things through--to make good plans for the future. You Practice Choose a place that feels comfortable and safe to you where you are able to be open and available to God. Take time to become still. Don't rush or try to make something happen. Become aware of God's presence with you and your desire to be with God. Allow this to be a safe place for your soul to come out from hiding. Listen to your soul. You will know when it has spoken. Be with what comes into your awareness and God's presence with you in that awareness. Don't try to do anything with it. Just be with it. (Don't scare it away.) Be still and let God fight (or work) for you. Keep Listening Practice this way of entering into solitude until it becomes routine for you. You will be surprised at what your soul wants to say. Remember practice the skills of a good hunter in the woods. Your soul needs a safe place where you can enjoy the sweet presence of the Lord. Pay attention to your soul. Copyright © 2010 Stanley J Troyer & CRM