Author Archives

Garry Brackett

BA - Fort Wayne Bible College
MAR - Trinity Evangelical Divinity
D.Min - Grace Theological Seminary
Birkman Certified Coach
John Maxwell Certified Team Member
Myers/Briggs Certified
FIRO-B Certified
TKI Certified
25 Years Executive Coaching

Posted on

Conviction In an Age of Compromise

Theological Declaration of Barmen

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Jesus luminary of the last century. His faithfulness to Jesus Christ at a time the church in Germany was failing has stood the test of time. Author Gaylon Barker writing about this period of history suggests that Hitler did not want to just control Germany politically; he wanted to control the hearts and souls of the citizens. Assuming this is correct, Germany was in both a spiritual battle as well as a political battle at the same time. This would eventually lead to the darkest period of human history with the extermination of more than six million Jews.

Apathy allowed the take-over of the German Evangelical Church. Once Hitler gained control of the church by means of weak clergy they sought to modify the Bible by removing the Old Testament, revise the liturgies, and remove all non-believing ministers who did not support the Aryan movement.

In a 1934 Synod the Confessing Church was born. Bonhoeffer signed the Declaration of Barmen     – a manifesto that declared the church was to be loyal to Christ and not the State. This document was written by Karl Barth and Early Church Theologian. From this meager beginning an underground seminary was born to equip ministers and laity to stand against the power of Nazism. Seminary life would consist of prayer, Scripture study, Confession, and daily living together. This small beginning believed in the millennial reign of Christ, not the reign of the Reich.

A young historian named, Wilhelm Niesel heard about this seminary and left Berlin to see for himself what was going on in Finkenwalde, Germany. Questioning the intensity of such discipleship training Bonhoeffer took Niesel on a rowboat journey to Oder Sound. On top of a hill from the shoreline you could see and hear the German airfield with military flights leaving to destroy population centers. Bonhoeffer stated to his guest, “This must be stronger than that! The Reich is dead – the gospel of Christ and Bonhoeffer’s passion still lives.Knowing that whatever is measured is rewarded – the real question is what value are we willing to place upon discipleship in the face of our national pandemic?

Posted on

The Covid Journey Continues

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:29 — 35.0MB) | Embed

Covid seems to be the gift that keeps on giving! Here are some data points for review.

•23% of families have been severely impacted – There is a need for holistic family systems training.

•Top Pastoral emotions for the week: 18% anxious, 14% tired, 35% hopeful, 48% state that Kids and Youth Ministry are top priorities.

•78% of parents are stressed because of COVID.•Children’s education shows 77% hybrid; 17% virtual only; 6% in person only

•Church Kids & Youth programs show 27% are operating in person only. With the public narrative being polluted and intellectual dishonest Parents and Churches are stressed. However, do not miss the gap between what churches are offering and what parents are facing. That gap is real and pressured packed for many.

With this data information what can be done in a church context to impact our children? So that we do not miss the obvious; simply inserting a “plug & play” facility-based” program into a digital platform will not work. Interestingly teaching children to become leaders and make a difference in their community is a gold-mine of opportunity for innovation. Set action goals on specific community-oriented activities. Screens Discipleship is fast becoming method to accelerate goal completion.

In conjunction to our children, the question that needs a response is; How are we equipping Parents to have better conversations with their children about the social/national disruption that is dominating media? Parents are not the hinderance to influencing our children. Best strategy is to include and equip parents during this disruption. 

Perhaps the Kids and Youth departments in churches could host webinars or similar learning platforms on current issues, discipling children, technology for parents, or how to make Mental Health & Anxiety discussible at home. Gen-Z’ers are the most connected digitally and yet the most disconnected socially.

Our lives Pre/Post COVID will remain hybrid! Screens and in person interaction will continue to be part of the national rhythm of daily life. Because this pandemic is an accelerator of problems that were already present, there has been a 40% increase in counseling agencies “hotline” numbers. Ironically there has been a 50% reduction of child abuse cases during COVID in some states. This is not to say abuse is occurring less, but that children are not in touch with counselors or coaches that can see the warning signs.

The Fuller Youth Institute is a great resource. https://fulleryouthinstitute.org

LINKS

Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on iTunes – SUBSCRIBE

Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on Stitcher – SUBSCRIBE

FREE GIFT – “Servant Leadership Questions” – Click on the icon at the bottom of the page

Executive Coaching Service– Private message me for details on this customizable service

Birkman Assessment

Leadershift by John Maxwell

Q&A – Contact me at ShepherdsAdvantage@gmail.com

Music: “Gratitude Mood” by David Arivett. You can learn more about his music by clicking on his name. THANKS DAVID!

Posted on

Church Building Vs Home/Community

Facility-centric has become the dominate model for Gospel Ministry

One thing this crisis has revealed is how facility-centric the dominant model of ministry has been for generations in the Western Church. Take away our buildings, and we’re all a little lost. One trend developing before our eyes is the home as the new center of life. In the last six months, work, food preparation, entertainment, school, and shopping are now more home-based than ever.  And for 6 months, that’s been true of church.

Not everything will shift in the direction of the home. How long will the current shift last is anyone’s guess? However, there is no denying a shift has occurred. Leadership responsibility is to understand a shift has occurred therefore, new methods and directions of operations must be added to maintain audience and effective communication of our Gospel message.

So that we do not miss the 900lb elephant in the room, let’s remind ourselves of the church’s mandate; “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 NIV. If I am hearing this mandate correctly I hear a Christ-centric focus.

Our national quarantine has accelerated marital problems that were brewing in the home and a new phenomenon – appropriate end-of-live celebrations has been radically altered to 10-15 people in a service while live-streaming the ceremony. This has left a hollow feeling in people’s soul. Add to this list, parents who are very stressed over their children’s education – virtual Vs. classroom. Human connections that is Christ-centric is needed for meaningful impact. Keeping Christ in our focus is more crucial now than ever.The national snapshot of the Kingdom of God is that only 50% of churches has reopened with some precautions at week #17. Many churches will not reopen until January 2021. This is everyone’s concern. There is no trophy for being 1st to fully recover pre-pandemic attendance numbers. Christ-centric focus recognizes the intense pain and difficulties by engaging people in the moment of their difficulty. This ministry focus will look and sound different but will be effective. WHY? The human element is still the focus of why we exist.

Posted on

3 Songs, 3 Points, Amen!

Attractional Worship Vs. Charismatic Worship

Even pre-COVID, it was becoming clear that attractional churches were past peak and more charismatic churches were growing. Why is that? Passion over Polish is more captivating to Millennials versus Elders by over 25% according to the Barna Research Group.[1] Millennials long for a deeper expression of the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

But the COVID disruption and mass move to online, has meant most churches quickly discovered that what ‘worked’ in terms of in-person weekend services didn’t translate online, and many pivoted to shorter services, less music and more engaging, interactive formats to engage people. It’s still uncertain what the future design of church services online or in-person will reveal, but if this crisis is the accelerator and disruptor many think it is, then a return to a format that had stopped resonating deeply before is likely not the best move.

What’s happened so far in the crisis isn’t innovation, it’s adaptation. Most of the innovation lies ahead. Do not become trapped in your “personal echo chamber”. “Everyone wants it this way” is not an effective response to the profound disruption of this global pandemic.

While in Seminary, my classmates and I would joke about having 3-illiterated points, a poem, prayer, and AMEN! That style of performance was in serious decline pre-COVID. This is a great time to evaluate church along the line of these thoughts …..

  • anonymity to a sense of belonging
  • engagement of the heart, not just the head.
  • more variety of services than three songs and a message
  • more passionate expressions of worship
  • additional space during the service for prayer

There is one key thought that has emerged during this disruption, People want to know; Can you help me? Do you care about me? Can I trust you? The Gospel has always been about touching a heart before we impress the mind.

[1] Christian Millennials Are Most Likely Generation To Lean Toward Charismatic Worship. https://www.barna.com/research/worship-preferences/ ACCESSED 15 August, 2020.

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Key Note Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

Posted on

Are You Living In An Echo Chamber?

Every Leader seeks affirmation of their bias

Since we are seeking affirmation of our bias, we have never had more ways to accomplish this than now. Digital Babylon is designed to give you what you want, and it is apparent that we like it this way.

So many pastors feel the pressure from their members to reopen and reopen fully. And that’s predictable. People always crave what they’ve known. Think about that for a moment. Even when it comes to food, you’ve never craved anything you haven’t tried.

Leader, you are going to be highly motivated to return to the way things were. That is what you know. Those who had success in the past are going to be highly motivated to recreate that methodology and practice.

Leader, this is your vulnerability, you are open to hearing only what your personal echo chamber is telling you.

Church people are going to love in-person worship because, for the most part, that’s all they’ve known. As a leader, you are going to love it because that’s basically what you’ve led. All your skills, training, and Seminary experience point you back to it. Do not misunderstand my comments; I am not announcing the death of facility-based church activities.

In addition, you are probably surrounded by people who will tell you you’re right, that others are wrong, and add to that the fact that algorithms that control your social media feed will automatically find you more content that agrees with you, and you can convince yourself you’re right. Here’s the irony: in an online culture run by algorithms, you don’t actually get more choices, you get fewer (article: Declining Church Characteristics in 5 years).You should open yourself to a variety of other leaders that will give you a different way of thinking and seeing. There is always another way of leading as a Minister. Let this truth sink into your spirit-man; “What is measured is valued!” At this intersection of history, the echo chamber is not what we need. Fresh thinking and honesty in what we are measuring; “You come” or We Go!” how do you measure the value of spiritual growth and infiltration of the community systems with the power of the Gospel?

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Key Note Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

Posted on

Thank You COVID-19

Ministry in Digital Babylon

Thanks to COVID-19 most every church now has some form of online presence. The church world has infiltrated “Digital Babylon” in ways that could have only been dreamed about last year. However, there is a significant concern that is emerging at this point of (week #17) of our COVID journey.

It’s just that, in the future, declining churches will see it either as an afterthought or a lesser form of ministry. I know there are genuine theological questions that have yet to be answered. And we’ll figure that out as we go along. If that statement bothers you, just read the New Testament. The Gospel moves forward, and the leaders figure out what it means in real-time.

Do not fail to notice that people’s lives move forward daily regardless of circumstance. People are living more digitally now than ever. Businesses are figuring out new models and methods to maintain and/or increase their bottom-line. Consider Starbucks is slated to close 200 stores that are losing retail sales yet while online sells have soared. DavidsTea is realigning their company to become more of an online wholesaler of fine teas and products with their 222 stores in Canada and US.

Why would infiltrating Digital Babylon be seen as a lesser expression of faith in Christ or an afterthought? If our mind-set is settled upon “facility-based” expressions and practices of faith as the ultimate and most divine, you will perceive any other method as intrusive and nonessential. This global pandemic has accelerated the flaws in religious practice and therefore will be the blame for what has happened in the faith community. However, to those who see today as an opportunity will thrive and seize the moment for Kingdom expansion.

Perspective is key – what is measured reveals what is valued!

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Key Note Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

Posted on

Leading Change When Everything Has Changed

Small Mindset Shifts May Lead To your Greatest Season of Growth

I have been following the data trail of our national pandemic shut-down and re-open very closely. I am hearing a lot of leaders and volunteers that are declaring they feel STUCK!

Additionally, spiritual leaders are still feeling that ministry feels like it is in a holding pattern. I would argue something very different. This season that we all are experiencing is not a time to feel stuck! This is the wrong way to view this moment.

What’s the shift? It’s seeing this as a season of openness and possibility rather than gridlock and inability. It’s believing that you’re uniquely positioned to lead change in your ministry, precisely because the world has just changed.

I’ll admit that can sound like a bit of motivational hype. Perhaps, like me, you find yourself more skeptical of good news after two months on lockdown. Let me assure you this is not just wishful thinking. Research on organizational (and congregational) change reveals that leading change is indeed difficult. However, several leading scholars claim that the most difficult aspect of leading significant change in individuals or ministries is getting people out of their existing rut and opening their heart and mind to a new way of doing things.[1]

If you’ve been around church for any length of time, you know getting people out of a mental or behavioral rut is not easy. Change experts would agree each of these ways of thinking or acting is frozen. Further, the experts would tell you that the first and most difficult step of bringing about change is what’s known as unfreezing.[2] Unfreezing means getting a person or group of people to be open and consider a new way of thinking or acting. This concept of unfreezing is absolutely essential for any ministry leader who has wanted to lead some sort of change but so far has been unable to do so. The pandemic means that much of our deeply held thinking about the “right way” to do church or youth ministry are currently unfrozen. Viewing your leadership and ministry in the current season through this lens means the pandemic isn’t simply a barrier—it can in fact be an opportunity.[3]

[1] This theme runs through the work of several influential scholars in organizational development and organizational psychology, including Kurt Lewin, Edgard Schein, and Karl Weick. For further reading, see Lewin and Schein’s articles in Warner Burke, Dale G. Lake, and Jill Waymire Paine, eds., Organization Change: A Comprehensive Reader (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2009).

[2] The term unfreezing comes from Kurt Lewin, “Quasi-Stationary Social Equilibria and the Problem of Permanent Change,” in Organizational Change: A Comprehensive Reader, eds. Burke et al. (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2009).

[3] The genesis of this article came from writer Jake Mulder on behalf of the Fuller Youth Institute.

Posted on

Are We Using The Wrong Metric?

What Is Measured Is Rewarded

What you measure as a leader represents what you value! So, what is your value statement currently? Are you measuring input or output? Are you measuring “facility-based” activity or discipling people to go into all the world? Is the success of the Gospel measured by the number of attendees and viewers or is it in the quality of discipled foot-soldiers?

It is my humble opinion that leaders that measure only attendees to online, live, small group gatherings will grow frustrated as time moves forward. 

Find ways to engage new metric measurements. Track engagement. Discover how to measure real growth in faith. Figure out how to measure what is really going on in people’s lives (This could help).

Data is not the mountain to conquer or altar on which to worship. Rather, data is to assist in making informed decisions and pivots.

Will growing churches of the future become digital operations with physical addresses? If that becomes true, leaders that are unwilling to transition will experience increasing difficulty in church leadership tomorrow.

Posted on

Bet The Farm – Everyone Will Return?

Your Decisions Today Determines Your Life Tomorrow

Is the physical church going to return post-covid? YES! As long as there are people there will be a need for human connections. Is in-person church the whole future? That is a much different question isn’t it?

Some Spiritual Leaders are declaring VICTORY with attendance that is 30%-40% less than pre-covid numbers. I recognize today is a difficult day, but somehow I am not able to understand how that a loss of these percentage levels is a victory.

It seems the current “normal” attendance is somewhere between 20%-40% less. While this will certainly improve there is a growing chorus of voices that believe there will be a level of permanent loss. This reality is being reported by the Barna Group stating that 49% of leaders are now openly making this declaration.

If we bet the farm that everyone will return we may set ourselves up for an ineffective future. However, if we embrace the larger opportunity of Live and Digital we most likely will reap a new harvest of Kingdom impact.

The real issue behind this discussion is the matrix that defines success. Is attendance in facility-based worship the primary matrix that defines our accomplishments? Are we measuring input versus output? What is the end goal that we strive for – Attendees or Disciples?

Let’s be clear, no person can predict the future with any sense of accuracy. I respectfully remain open to the idea that I am wrong. However, there are biblical activities and behaviors that are done consistently over time will produce a harvest. We are commissioned to “GO MAKE DISCIPLES!” That is a different matrix measurement that brings eternal significance!

Posted on

COVID Journey Week #16

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:28 — 41.9MB) | Embed

I want to begin this podcast with a challenge to pray for our faith leaders across America. The pressure is intense and very real for these leaders. Everything we have ever known about church and its practice has been stood on its head. Would you leave a comment below and let’s togetherbuild a prayer force on behalf of our spiritual leaders.

Spiritual leaders have been trained to lead from an incarnational position– being present in a room with worshippers. Spiritual leaders are being forced in ministry models they are not equipped to accomplish. My seminary journey did not prepare me on how to build an online audience. The top concern for faith leaders is how to build a Youth and Kids ministry as a hybrid model – Live and digital. This added pressure is leading to secondary pressures; 34% of leaders are discouraged and 35% and sensing burn-out.

Keep in mind that this pandemic is an accelerator of weaknesses. It reveals our short-comings faster. Add to this narrative that only 1-in-8 spiritual leaders feel they are Shepherds (ministering to the hurts and high moments of life). Add to this 7-in-10 spiritual leaders believe their role is to be the primary teacher/speaker. This tends to exacerbate the problems. All previous expectations and performance measures do not necessarily apply currently. WHY?  Attempting to perform “facility-based” ministry in a digital world misses the one glaring truth that everyone currently faces; We are all facing the same emotional pressures. Another program or series fails to speak to the emotional hurts and needs of people – “Do you care about me?” We all desire to have the human touch at this moment in history. Ministers are not exempt from this very real need! Consider the following data set that reveals the emotional state of being for spiritual leaders.

Emotional data set Week #16 for Spiritual Leaders:

•32% feel exhausted

•22% feel frustrated

•6% feel courageous

•3% feel successful

•1% feel understood

Make no mistake, our COVID journey is a revealer of our skill-set in ways that you might not realize. Pre-COVID the standard for measuring church attendance in America was 1.7x in 30 days was considered faithful participation. While spiritual leaders are all wrestling with the new hybrid church model, real questions yet remain in spite of the pandemic or any other crisis circumstance. Here are two piercing questions that seek solutions: 1.What do the people you serve need and how can our church facilitate this fact? 2.How is our church forming and shaping people for Kingdom purposes inour world?

How do we begin to respond to the questions that I just asked.  I want to offer some suggestions that point in a productive direction for such a time as this. My suggestions begin by making a commitment to renew or for the first –time teach in an attitude of Biblical Spirituality. For example teach Peace In An Age of Fear by using the nine Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Make prayer contemporary by teaching and leading prayer in three ways; Cry of the Heart, Cry of the Church, and Cry of the City. Advancing the Kingdom of God requires practitioners in Evangelism – Alpha Online is an excellent tool that is adaptable both in live settings and Zoom platforms. How are you seriously impacting the subject of RACISM in an ongoing basis? Arrabon is an excellent platform for small groups to deal with racism as an ongoing dialogue. Last andcertainly not least, a thorough study of the Josiah’s prayer and actions forrepentance should be considered. His grand-father, Manasseh  and his father Amon were very evil in their leadership over National Israel. Josiah ( 2 Kings 22) became king at 8 years of age and would lead the nation back to God and His law. Repentance cannot be over-looked for such a time as this.

LINKS

Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on iTunes – SUBSCRIBE

Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on Stitcher – SUBSCRIBE

FREE GIFT – “Servant Leadership Questions” – Click on the icon at the bottom of the page

Executive Coaching Service– Private message me for details on this customizable service

Birkman Assessment

Leadershift by John Maxwell

Q&A – Contact me at ShepherdsAdvantage@gmail.com

Music: “Gratitude Mood” by David Arivett. You can learn more about his music by clicking on his name. THANKS DAVID!