Bruce Staley

Counting Your Contentment Cash was the final sermon topic of our Pastor for Children and Families before she concluded her ministry at one2one Church of Christ. I was taken by the profoundness yet simplicity of Kay's presentation based on Philippians 4:11-13, I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Previously each of the children in  the children's ministry were involved in constructing a duct tape wallet the making some contentment cash for their wallet. The cash was cards and the children were invited to write on the back of the cards the things they were thankful for. Remember the words of Jesus when he explained that the kingdom of God belongs to little ch...

Some time ago I completed a daily reading series by Charles Swindoll, Come Before Winter... While each reading was thought-provoking one reading in particular held my attention. Apprehension... One explanation of apprehension by Dictionary.com describes it this way, anticipation of adversity or misfortune; suspicion or fear of future trouble or evil. Further reading of Dictionary.com includes the following synonyms, alarm, worry, uneasiness and suspicion, all implying an unsettled and uneasy state of mind, and again apprehension is an active state of fear, usually of some danger or misfortune. This undefined uneasiness or feeling of uncertainty, misgiving or mistrust has the potential to cripple or immobilise, to hold us back. "What frustration is to yesterday, apprehension is to tomorrow." ...Swindoll The admission by the Apostle Paul in Acts 20:22, "And now compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.", has an air of ...

Mentoring Tool #2 This next illustration is a powerful tool to capture and convey the essence of the experience of a person under stress. The illustration, which is based on a spiral, can be used in conjunction with Mentoring Tool #1 or on its own. Step One: After listening to the the person’s situation I ask if I can sketch out what I think they are experiencing. The pictorial appearance of their experience generally generates further discussion and verification that the sketch is an accurate reflection… Step Two: I pause for a few moments then ask, ”What would it take for you to breakout of the spiral?” and insert the arrow breaking out of the spiral. Again it is important to pause and not offer solutions rather allow time for the person to suggest their own ways of breaking the cycle… The interesting aspect of this illustration is that while the downward spiral may have occurred over time once an action plan has been identi...

Mentoring Tool #2 This next illustration is a powerful tool to capture and convey the essence of the experience of a person under stress. The illustration, which is based on a spiral, can be used in conjunction with Mentoring Tool #1 or on its own. Step One: After listening to the the person’s situation I ask if I can sketch out what I think they are experiencing. The pictorial appearance of their experience generally generates further discussion and verification that the sketch is an accurate reflection… Step Two: I pause for a few moments then ask, ”What would it take for you to breakout of the spiral?” and insert the arrow breaking out of the spiral. Again it is important to pause and not offer solutions rather allow time for the person to suggest their own ways of breaking the cycle… The interesting aspect of this illustration is that while the downward spiral may have occurred over time once an action plan has bee...

MENTORING TOOL # 1 I have found it helpful to build up a tool kit of illustrations in my consulting work with people in leadership and management. My view is that management responsibility provides is an arena where the character of people is tested, revealed and shaped. Therefore the responsibility of the mentor extends to facilitating character and capacity building. Character and capacity are inter-related in terms of the management and leadership function. The power of mentoring illustrations is in their simplicity. Their purpose is to capture and convey the essence of the manager’s or leader’s experience at the time. Once the experience is clarified and acknowledged then an action plan can be developed to help the person move forward in character and capacity. Some of the illustrations I will mention in the coming weeks have been adapted from other sources and where possible I will acknowledge the source. This first illustration is adapted from Kath Donovan’s book, Growing Through...

MENTORING TOOL # 1 I have found it helpful to build up a tool kit of illustrations in my consulting work with people in leadership and management. My view is that management responsibility provides is an arena where the character of people is tested, revealed and shaped. Therefore the responsibility of the mentor extends to facilitating character and capacity building. Character and capacity are inter-related in terms of the management and leadership function. The power of mentoring illustrations is in their simplicity. Their purpose is to capture and convey the essence of the manager’s or leader’s experience at the time. Once the experience is clarified and acknowledged then an action plan can be developed to help the person move forward in character and capacity. Some of the illustrations I will mention in the coming weeks have been adapted from other sources and where possible I will acknowledge the source. This first illustration is adapted from Kath Donovan’s book, Growing Through...