like a fire

Age of Transparency Apparently we have entered a new age. If you didn’t realize it, then it will come as now surprise tha it is the age of transparency. This isn’t the movement from the 80’s worship scene where the in things to do was use transparencies. This is an age of rejecting the opaque views of management and its less than humble background. The new management model, according to this web site, is to humble confess your management sins and seek forgiveness. I don’t know if this is the church manifesting in business a la James Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart, but they may be ahead of the church in many areas. They are using counselors to help them process their own shortcomings. At least the ones they will own up to. Admittedly this is an idea that hinges on honesty and divulgence.

How does this affect youth ministry? Not much, but it is an interesting idea that leaders should be able to talk about their shortcomings to the people they lead. People have a history of unkindness to failed leaders. How is/should we be different. Are you hooked on this idea? Ready to try it out. Let me point to a great area to start. Most tenures of youth leaders are one year. I would suggest that most of thos early moves in ministry are to to youth leaders’ tension with Sr. Pastors. When the two don’t line up and they can’t work it out, then one has to go and you know who that is.

Try this on for size (I will). Accept and forgive your Sr. Guy when he messes up. Show him the grace you would want to be shown when a parent complains to him about you. Just a thought.