Mixed Emotions

Today I've got mixed emotions going on as the World Series gets underway tonight. The reason I have mixed emotions is because my team "the 27 time world champion New York Yankees" won't be on that grand stage this year, and I'm pretty bummed.

BUT, before I'm a baseball fan I'm a follower of Jesus, and a guy who loves to see and hear stories of life change that shine the spotlight on the real hero...Jesus!

So, the other reason for mixed emotions can be directly attributed to a player who is one of the major reasons that my team was eliminated...the center fielder for the Texas Rangers, Josh Hamilton.

You see Josh Hamilton is not only an amazing baseball player he also has an amazing comeback story that is only because of his relationship with Jesus.

Back in 1999 I had the opportunity along with a friend of mine to lead Bible studies and Sunday home game chapel services with Baseball Chapel for the Hudson Valley Renegades, a single A farm team with the Tampa Bay Rays.

We were able to meet and minister to some up and coming baseball stars and it was an awesome thing to be a part of.

We heard all the buzz about the next big thing in baseball and his name was Josh Hamilton. I remember watching him hit the ball and being in awe along with everyone else...it was a sight to behold for sure!

Well, the combination of stardom, fame, freedom and especially millions of dollars to a young kid proved to be a devastating combination for Josh, and the next period of time proved to be brutal years both personally and professionally for him.

I came across an article today on MLB.com that made me stop and praise God for his redemptive work in our lives, and I would encourage others to go and check it out as well.

It's so cool to me how God can redeem and restore our poor choices and wasted lives into a testimony of His love and Grace!

The web site www.iamsecond.com has a bunch of these kind of stories. Check out Josh's story...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXOrKT7SUoY

So, as the team that beat my team sets out to try to win their first World Series Championship led by a guy who has allowed God to totally transform his life and is giving Him glory all the way...the more I think about it my emotions aren't that mixed after all, I hope the Rangers win and Josh Hamilton is the MVP, because I know that will proclaim the transforming power of Jesus Christ even more, and that's worth cheering about!

I am wondering how I would feel if Josh played for the Red Sox though...I'm just saying.

Anything Broken? - Remembering 9/11

Well, here we go again, another year, another surreal remembrance of the the day that I will never forget.

It’s been three years since I first posted this article, it is also one of the first ones I wrote in the Lesson Learned series, and one of the first ones that Youth Ministry.com posted as well. I’ve written a bunch more since then, so I thought I’d post it again as a glimpse into one of the most amazing ministry times in my life that came through the most incredibly tragic times of my life and the lives of the families I worked with.

Here it is…”Anything Broken?” Remembering 9/11…

This morning (9/11/07) was kind of surreal for me, as I join the rest of the world in remembering the 6th anniversary of 9/11. It really hit me kind of hard as I recalled what happened that fateful day, and how I found out…I was sitting in my office getting ready for one of the four bands that we had booked to do a concert on 9/14 to arrive.
We were hosting a huge concert that upcoming Friday with Five Iron Frenzy and Relient K head lining the show.

I was up to my neck in details that needed to be finalized before they arrived. We were the first stop on their fall tour and made a deal with them to give them all access to our facilities for 3 days to set up their lights, sound, and staging, and there was a ton of stuff my team and I had to do to make that happen.

As I was getting my plan together, the phone rang, it was my wife. She said in a panic filled voice “A plane just ran into the World Trade Center!” I said “what did you say?” and she repeated it.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Now you need to understand something, we lived about an hour north of NYC, and many of the students who were in our ministry had parents, aunts, uncles, and extended family members who worked in NYC and some at the WTC in particular.

My mind immediately went from detail mode to “what now Lord?” I hung up the phone with my wife and just sat their in stunned silence, when the phone rang again, this time it was one of my youth leaders who said “did you hear about the planes hitting the towers?” I said what do you mean planes?” She said “a second plane just flew into the other tower, we’re under attack!”

I was even more stunned and scared and bewildered than just a few minutes earlier. Many questions were flying through my mind…What was happening in our world? What was happening in our city? What was happening in our church? What were we going to do about it with our students? To list a few.

As I was talking with her, another call came in so I put her on hold. It was a call from the manager of Five Iron Frenzy, the headlining band that we were expecting to arrive later that day. They were getting ready to leave Denver and were sent back because all the flights in the US were canceled due to the attack.

In a matter of about 30 minutes my day went from bad to worse as I sat there wondering what we were going to do. The manager said, hey don’t worry about the show, the guys and I talked and we want to be there with you guys and minister to the kids…we’re going to rent a bus and drive straight through – we’ll see you tomorrow!”

I remember hanging up the phone and thinking “now there is a band who is in it for the right reasons.” As soon as I hung up with him I heard a scream from down the hall, it was our secretary who had just heard that the first tower had just collapsed!

The rest of the day was a blur, as I fielded calls from parents, students, bands, concert ticket holders, and newspaper reporters.

I was hit head on with a decision that was the furthest from my mind when I first got the news of the attacks…The decision of “should we cancel the concert or not?”

It seemed like the more I fielded calls, the more irate people got when I answered their question with an honest “of course were going to have the concert.”

If you recall there was a period of time shortly after the attacks where everyone was canceling everything.

I mean the Yankees, Mets, Giants & Jets all canceled games (in fact the Super bowl used to be the last Sunday in January but is now in February because they canceled football games).

I was finding out how big of a deal it was for us to go forward with the concert. I got nasty calls, e-mails & conversations from people who couldn’t believe that we were still going forward with the show in light of the tragic events that had just taken place.

Over the next two days the bands, roadies, and equipment all arrived by bus (not tour bus, not the Madden Cruiser…Yellow Cheese school bus!).

I couldn’t believe it…as soon as the crew arrived I told them about all of the hate filled input we were getting. The guys couldn’t believe it either.

Then Reese (the lead singer of FIF) asked “do you think there will be kids in the audience who were directly affected by the attacks?”

We were expecting about 1100 kids at the concert and based on the connections in my own ministry and the feedback I’d gotten from our network of Youth Pastors I knew there would be a large portion of the attendees who either had a relative, friend, or neighbor that was directly affected by the attacks.

So I said “yep, they’ll be out in force!”

What he said next totally ramped my respect for him and the other bands through the roof…He said “well then, lets turn this rock show into a church service and minister to the needs of these hurting kids!”.

That is exactly what they did. A normal concert usually lasts about 3 hours and consists of some ear piercing music, some cool technology, and you go home. This particular concert saw each band play their hearts out for sure, but also share their hurts with the kids and share the solutions they’ve found in Jesus with them as well.

Now you might be saying, isn’t that what they are supposed to do? That is a good question, and in my observation many Christian rock musicians don’t share verbally any more, they let their music do the talking…ok, I can usually buy that but on this fateful night the kids needed more than music to meet their needs.

They needed real life examples of faith and victory from their “heroes”, and that’s exactly what they got.

It was so awesome to see how each band member was so vulnerable in their testimonies that the real HERO of Jesus Christ came through loud and clear!

Matt Thiessen from Relient K shared his personal faith story and some tough stuff he’d gone through, and each band member did the same.

Their new album had just come out that week and they played a song from it that really spoke volumes to the kids. The chorus says…

“never underestimate my Jesus, you’re telling me that there’s no hope, I’m telling you you’re wrong. Never underestimate my Jesus, when the world around you crumbles, He will be strong, He will be strong!”

After that various members from FIF shared how God had been there for them and how He was going to see them trough this as well.

Then for the next hour and a half, Reese had all the bands come out on stage, put down their instruments, turn down the lights and the fog machine and just sit down among the students as he proceeded to tell his story of faith, and trust and ups and downs with the Lord. It was incredible!

I have seen these bands in concert many times over the years, but never have I witnessed such an out pouring of love and truth from these guys to an audience filled with hurting kids who had just 3 days earlier experienced a life rocking, potentially faith shattering experience of losing a loved one in a terrorist attack!

The concert started at 7pm and by the time I finally locked the building and went home and laid my head on the pillow it was 4:30am!

The band members hung out, prayed, cried, hugged and ministered Christ’s love to over 1100 kids who had recently found out what it meant to know pain, hurt, questions and doubts.

Because a group of pesky Christian rockers weighed the priority of canceling a show because every thing in the entire country (airlines, Broadway, football and baseball) was canceling, or taking the heat so they could minister the love of Jesus to some hurting kids, we were able to see hundreds and hundreds of lives changed that night through the ministry of the Word, prayer, life change and a few songs.

The next morning as I walked into the church building I was asked THE question that usually faced me the day after any huge event we did in our ministry “was anything broken?”

This time I was able to give an answer that to this day is one of my favorites.

I said “YES, all kinds of things were broken…but because we had the concert many of them were fixed before they got home.”

As I remember the 6th anniversary of the terror attacks on 9/11, and every anniversary that is to come…I choose to focus on the truth that God is in control and He calls on each of us to share with others how He has been faithful to us in our lives. He’s in the business of fixing broken lives, and nothing is going to stop that!

Lesson Learned.

New Chapter...Same Book

Hello Everyone,

On behalf of my family I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your continued love and prayerful support for us. You have all been such a huge blessing to us time and time again!

As you know it's been a very interesting journey that we have been on the last few years, and even though I haven't always understood what God was doing and how He was leading I have constantly been assured that my friends and family have been there backing us up in prayer every step of the way!

I know you have been in prayer with us for God's clear leading regarding our future ministry involvement, so I wanted to let you know that on 6/27 The Mid-Hudson Chinese Christian Church in Wappingers Falls, NY voted to call me as their Pastor of English Ministries. We prayed some more about it and we believe that this is what God would have me do, so we accepted the call to begin serving as The Pastor of English Ministries.

 We're excited to be back in the Hudson Valley, and want to thank each of you for your involvement in our lives over the years.

 I’m really looking at this new ministry as a new chapter in the same book that God has been writing in my life over these many years of ministry. It’s going to be a challenge, it’s going to be a learning experience and above all it’s going to be amazing to watch what God does as He uses us in alignment with His will.

 I'll be writing more about everything that God did in bringing this transition about but for now I just wanted to make sure I let everyone know what we're doing, and how God has been at work in answering our prayers.

Thanks again, you are all such a blessing!

God bless,

Brent

What's Your Story?

Recently I had the opportunity to teach a class at my church that focuses on our journey with God and realizing how He has put us together, worked in our lives and uniquely designed us to serve Him.

In the class I asked the attendees to reflect on an aspect of God’s character that really resonates with them, and then share why that aspect means so much to them.

Each member of the class went around and shared and it was so cool to hear How God is so multi-dimensional in His approach to each of us.

Then one of the ladies shared that the aspect of God’s grace and forgiveness is what she will never get over. She began to get emotional as she recounted her salvation experience and shared with us how her life was so far from God when He found her.

She was openly crying as she shared about the time when she dropped to her knees and cried out to God to save her! It was so awesome to see her passionate recollection of God’s life changing grace and free gift in her life, we were all moved and encouraged to not forget and not take our stories for granted.

So, I thought I would post my salvation story for those of you who have never heard it, and I encourage you to reflect and be blown away again with what God has done in your life.

Here it is…My Story…

My name is Brent Carl, and I have been a believer in Jesus for 29 years. I attended a Christian school, and was always in church from as far back as I can remember. My mother and my grandmother made many sacrifices to see that my brother and I were surrounded with positive, Godly input and mentors.

At the age of 5 I’ve been told that I accepted Jesus as my savior, and became a Christian. That is when some would say I began my journey with Christ; the only problem is that I don’t remember that at all. So for years I would tell people that I became a Christian at age 5, but deep down inside I wasn’t really sure if it was true, because I couldn’t remember it.

The school I attended was a Christian school whose focus was on building up and training Christian kids in the faith. I guess I must have signed something or verbalized that I was a Christian in Kindergarten but again, I don’t remember.

So, with that backdrop in mind, the day I became a true believer is even more of a miraculous event. You see, every week our school brought in various speakers to share the Word at an all school chapel service.

They brought in Pastors, Missionaries, Teachers and anyone who had a passion for God and a heart to challenge young people with God’s word.

I remember the chapel services always being informative and challenging, but usually coming from the assumption that the entire audience was already saved, and needed training and building up in their faith. I don’t recall ever hearing a salvation message in chapel during my younger days in school.

All of that changed one day when I was in 7th grade. I filed into the chapel like I had done every week and took my seat, took out my Bible, notebook and pen and prepared myself to listen and take notes on the sermon, because we always got graded and quizzed later in Bible class.

The speaker was introduced and he stepped up to the podium and started out like all the others had done before him…”Good morning students, I would like you take out your Bible, Notebooks and pens, and prepare to listen to what the Lord has given me to share this morning.”

He said, “first of all I’d like you to draw a dot on the left hand side of your paper, then another dot on the right hand side of your paper.” He went on to say “the left hand dot represents the day you were born, and the right hand dot represents the day you will die, or Christ comes back, whichever comes first.”

Now I would like you to connect the dots with a line, which represents the days you have on this earth. The two dots represent things that we have no control over. The line represents something you can choose to live for yourself or live for God…it’s up to you.

Now I want you to close your notebooks because that is all the note taking you will have to do today, for the next few minutes I want you to know that I know that you always get challenged to grow in your faith in chapels because the assumption is that you are all believers in Jesus. Well, today I’m not going to operate from that assumption because only God knows the heart.”

At this point, I was riveted on what he was saying, I couldn’t recall a speaker in chapel coming at a message with this approach, and for the next 40 minutes or so he clearly explained the gospel, why it was needed, and why I needed to make a personal decision to follow Christ, and not rely on what others have said or think or whatever.

It was amazing, and as he spoke the Spirit really challenged my heart to make a personal decision to ask Jesus to forgive me of my sins, to become Lord of my life, and save me from the direction that my life was heading without him. I asked Jesus to be my Savior that day in the middle of a Christian school at the age of 13.

At the end of the message he gave an invitation to come forward and pray to anyone who had received Christ as their Savior. I thought about it, I looked around, and thought about it some more, then decided to step out and proclaim that this day, I choose to follow God for myself, in essence I was saying, “I now own my belief in Jesus.”

I thought I would be the only one, but as it turned out many others joined me as well…God was working in our lives, and in our school, it was an incredible day!

That decision began my journey with Jesus, that has included many ups and downs over the years, but I can honestly say with full assurance that Jesus is my Lord and Savior, not because of anything I have done, but because of His amazing sacrifice and totally FREE gift of salvation. Praise Jesus!

What’s your story? How has He been alive and active in your life? Do you own your belief in Jesus?
His Grace is Amazing and His gift is Free!

“My chains are gone, I’ve been set free, my God my Savior ransomed me and like a flood His mercy rains unending love Amazing Grace.”

That’s my story…and I’m sticking to it!

Lead Me

With all the craziness that is going on in our world these days, it's easy for us to get overwhelmed isn't it?

I don't know about you, but as I weigh the responsibility of leading my family, and leading in my ministry I'm always feeling the tug to "be all things to all people." In reality though, I can't do any of it alone!

Over the last 20 years of full time ministry that I've been blessed to be a part of I haven't always kept the balance like I should, and many times when my life has been out of balance it has tipped toward ministry and my family gets shorted.

As I'm processing, evaluating and reflecting on who I am, and what God wants me to become, I'm realizing even more how important it is for me to be led so that I can lead!

My wife shared this song with me recently, and it stopped me dead in my tracks, as I listened to the words. The band Sanctus Real nailed it. In a less than four minute song they captured the essence of what I've been feeling for years, especially as I'm always seeking to lead in a balanced way.

My prayer today is that the words of this song will speak to you like they did to me, and more than ever you'll realize along with me how important it is for us to be led so we can lead.

I can't do this alone, and neither can you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGE6Davndh0

Leadership Reflections - TOM

Lately it seems that I’ve been doing a lot of travelling in my car. Over the last few weeks I’ve been in cities and towns from New Hampshire down to North Carolina. I’ve become very good at spotting the gas stations and fast food places that are right off the exit so I don’t have to venture too far off the beaten path.

Along with my Dunkin Donuts coffee, bagel with chive cream cheese, pile of folders and my blackberry, there is another very important passenger that has been joining me on my journeys. It’s none other than my GPS, I call him “TOM”.

Now Tom’s voice actually sounds like a woman’s voice, but since it’s a Tom Tom brand, I figured I’d just stick with the obvious and call him Tom.

I’ve thought about downloading another voice for him to join me on my treks, but so far I’m sticking with the default settings.

I recently found out though that I could have the voice of Mr. T as my GPS guide, but then I thought about what it would sound like if I went against his directions and chose my own route. Would I hear “I pity the fool who doesn’t obey my directions”, or “I’m gonna bust you up?” insert Rocky’s response “Go for it”.

Or I also thought about doing what my friend did with his GPS. He downloaded a voice that sounded like his wife’s voice and every time he didn’t follow the outlined route the GPS would sigh and say in a rather put out manner “recalculating”. He said he always wanted to make sure he thought of his wife while he was travelling.

Anyway, as I’ve been driving all over the Northeast lately, I’ve found myself relying heavily on what Tom has to say. It’s gotten to the point where I just punch in the address and head out to wherever he tells me to go.

The other day I got to thinking about that. Why do I put so much trust in the direction that Tom says is the right direction? What if what he says to do is the wrong way, or not the best way? How do I know that what he says won’t lead me to some abandoned warehouse in a rough part of town?

You know, I don’t really know the answers to those questions, I’m inputting data and based on that data, TOM is relaying to me what he thinks is the best way to get there. Even though TOM has a lot of power and influence over my decision making process as I travel, the reality is that he’s just sitting in my glove compartment doing nothing until I tell him what to do, then based on how I feel or some other scenario I choose whether or not I’m going to take his advice.

If I go against what he suggests, it’s his job to recalculate and recalibrate to fit my liking…that’s just how I roll!

As I was stuck in traffic the other day a few blocks from the Capitol Building in Washington DC, it hit me. Many times I treat my relationship with God like I treat my relationship with TOM. I trust what He says, but only after I input my thoughts and insights.

That’s not only “not cool”, that is downright scary!

I mean, who am I to tell God anything? Who am I to give input to the Creator of all things? Who am I that He would love me, care for me, provide for me, and have a plan for me?

You know, as I was sitting in traffic in the shadow of one of the greatest symbols of human freedom in the world. I thought “no wonder my life gets confusing sometimes, no wonder our world doesn’t make sense, and no wonder many times the very leaders we look to for guidance inhabiting the halls of the Capitol building don’t have a clue.” It’s as if we’re operating our lives and decisions like we operate our GPS. We input and based on how we feel we choose to follow or not…it’s up to us!

I don’t know about you but as I sat there and thought about the many subtle ways that I “thank God for His suggestion” and go on my own merry way, I began to get it that it’s not up to me the pick and choose. It’s up to me to be plugged in to Him and obey His directions, because He knows what’s best for me.

The direction He lays out may not be the smoothest, widest, highest legal speed limit, toll free super highway in the world, but I’m learning that if I trust His route He’ll take care of the rest.

As I think back on the last several years of my journey, I can clearly see the times when I took His input and chose otherwise, and I can also clearly see the times when I rode full speed ahead with Him at the wheel.

The times when I thought I had the best route picked out almost always ended in disaster, and even though sometimes it seemed like the road He wanted me to follow didn’t make sense and didn’t show up on my map, those were the times when I could clearly see that I was right where God wanted me.

As many of you know these past few years in my life have seemed like a combination of both of those scenarios at times, but now that I am beginning to get down the road a little further, I’m beginning to see why He had me take the route that He did.

He’s teaching me that I don’t have to have it all figured out, I need to trust Him that His direction for my life is perfect.

I didn’t say it would be the easiest way, but I’m learning that it truly is the best way.

I’ve often heard people say that “the safest place to be is in the center of God’s will”, I’m beginning to seriously question that statement, and actually I think Paul would agree with me as well (check out 2 Corinthians 11:24-33 sometime).

The Christian journey is hard, bumpy, rocky and filled with pot holes, but I’m so glad that we have a Savior who knows the way, and is the Way.

Is He leading your way? Are you listening?

Ethical Decision Making #3

A few years ago, I took a class called "Ethics in Organizational Leadership" and it was one of the most directly applicable classes I have ever taken.

During the weeks of reading, writing, collaborating and discussing, I learned so much about myself and my normal propensity towards decision making.

The learnings from this class have been very helpful in my decision making from that time even until today.

This is the third posts, that I am devoting to some writings I did in that class where I looked at three different ethical decision making models.

My hope and prayer is that one of these models will be an effective tool to aid others in the decisions they may be working through...

Compare and Contrast three Ethical Decision Making Models The three ethical decision making models outlined in this paper are taken from the following sources…
· Moral Choices, Rae (1995)
· Just Business, Hill (1997)
· The Discipline of Building Character, Badaracco (1998)

Each model helps give a process that will prove helpful in making ethical decisions. Each model also emphasizes the fact that doing the right thing, and making ethical decisions are not always easy, and many times require us to look deeply at who we are, and what shapes us personally.
In these posts I outline the basic premise of each model, as well as compare and contrast the models.

3. The Discipline of Building Character

The article, "The Discipline of Building Character" helped give clarity to dilemma of deciding between what is the best thing to do, especially when we are faced with a decision that has two or more possible outcomes that are all right. The author gave three different examples of how a person was forced to make a decision base on one of the following questions…
· Who am I?
· Who are we?
· Who is the company?

Each of these questions requires a person, group, or company to align themselves with their core values and be willing to stand for what they know is right even when it is difficult.

The principles outlined in this article helped frame the concept of making an ethical decision in terms of viewing that decision as a defining moment in a person, group or company’ journey.

The major comparison I saw between all three models was the fact that ethical decision making is not easy, and with every decision there are consequences that need to be taken into consideration.

The Model set forth in Moral Choices and Just Business were definitely from a Christian perspective, but even though the article wasn’t necessarily written from a Christian view, the principles could easily fit into both of the other models as well.

The major contrast I saw between the three models was that Moral Choices proposed a process in making ethical decisions, Just business proposed a Godly lifestyle in making ethical decisions, and The Discipline of Building Character proposed an understanding of deep rooted values in making ethical decisions.

Ethical Decision Making #2

A few years ago, I took a class called "Ethics in Organizational Leadership" and it was one of the most directly applicable classes I have ever taken.

During the weeks of reading, writing, collaborating and discussing, I learned so much about myself and my normal propensity towards decision making.

The learnings from this class have been very helpful in my decision making from that time even until today.

This is the second of three posts, that I am devoting to some writings I did in that class where I looked at three different ethical decision making models.

My hope and prayer is that one of these models will be an effective tool to aid others in the decisions they may be working through...

Compare and Contrast three Ethical Decision Making Models The three ethical decision making models outlined in this paper are taken from the following sources…

· Moral Choices, Rae (1995)

· Just Business, Hill (1997)

· The Discipline of Building Character, Badaracco (1998)

Each model helps give a process that will prove helpful in making ethical decisions. Each model also emphasizes the fact that doing the right thing, and making ethical decisions are not always easy, and many times require us to look deeply at who we are, and what shapes us personally.

In these posts I outline the basic premise of each model, as well as compare and contrast the models.

2. Just Business, Hill (1997)

The premise of the book Just Business as it relates to making ethical decisions is summed up in the fact that God is perfect and man is not. Thus, we need to rely on God’s guiding principles in all areas of life, especially making ethical decisions.

The author states that “The foundation of Christian ethics in business is not rules but the changeless character of God.” He further points out that “Behavior consistent with God’s character is ethical – that which is not is unethical.” The model that permeates the book is based on the fact that principles of God’s character are what man should strive to implement in his life.

The three main components of that character are…
• Holiness
• Justice
• Love

The author uses an illustration of a three legged stool to paint a picture of the balance that holiness, justice and love bring as one seeks to make ethical decisions.

Hill elaborates on each component and provides helpful insight, thoughtful questions, and scripture backing for the fact that God is Holy, God is Just and God is Loving, and if we as flawed human beings want to make ethical decisions we need to strive to be imitators of God’s character.

The major comparison I saw between this model and the model outlined in Moral Choices is the fact that God’s principles carry more weight than man’s principles when making ethical decisions.

Step three in the Moral Choices model encourages the infusion of the Biblical principles of God’s character that Just Business talks about by asking the question “How can I emulate God’s character of Holiness, Justice and Love in this ethical decision?”

The major contrast I saw between these two models was that Moral Choices seemed to outline a more logical, step by step process, in determining ethical decisions and Just Business seemed to be suggesting that we need to develop a lifestyle that models the character of God, and as we face ethical decisions we will be more likely to know what the best course of action is based on God’s leading in our lives.

Constantly seeking to make wise decisions,

Brent

Ethical Decision Making #1

A few years ago, I took a class called "Ethics in Organizational Leadership" and it was one of the most directly applicable classes I have ever taken.


During the weeks of reading, writing, collaborating and discussing, I learned so much about myself and my normal propensity towards decision making.


The learnings from this class have been very helpful in my decision making from that time even until today.


The next three posts, I would like to dedicate to some writings I did in that class where I looked at three different ethical decision making models. My hope and prayer is that one of these models will be an effective tool to aid others in the decisions they may be working through...


Compare and Contrast three Ethical Decision Making Models

The three ethical decision making models outlined in this paper are taken from the following sources…

· Moral Choices, Rae (1995)

· Just Business, Hill (1997)

· The Discipline of Building Character, Badaracco (1998)



Each model helps give a process that will prove helpful in making ethical decisions. Each model also emphasizes the fact that doing the right thing, and making ethical decisions are not always easy, and many times require us to look deeply at who we are, and what shapes us personally.



In this paper I will outline the basic premise of each model, as well as compare and contrast the models.



1. Moral Choices - In the book Moral Choices, the author gives an insightful introduction to ethics where he poses the question “Why study ethics?” He states that “Ethics are important because moral questions are at the heart of life’s most important issues.



Morality is primarily concerned with questions of right and wrong, the ability to distinguish between the two, and the justification of the distinction.”



I think this statement is at the heart of the process of ethical decision making that he outlines in the book. If one is going to be able to distinguish between what is right and what is wrong and be able to justify the distinction, then a process that will help ensure that the right questions are asked in determining the best decision is crucial.



Rae seeks to help in this process by proposing the following ethical decision making model…


1. Gather the facts (Two questions are critical)

- What do we know?

- What do we need to know?


2. Determine the ethical issues

- What are the competing interests in the ethical decision?


3. What principles have a bearing on the case?

- What principles carry more weight than others?

- Biblical principles

- Constitution

- Natural Law etc.


4. List the alternatives

- What are the alternative courses of action?


5. Compare the alternatives with the principles

- Can a clear decision be reached at this point?


6. Consider the consequences

- List both positive and negative consequences of the decision to be made


7. Make a decision

- Ethical decisions often have no easy answers

- Which decision has the least amount of negative consequences?


Seeking to make wise decisions, and trusting that you are as well,

Brent

Leadership Reflections - God doesn't waste a hurt

The Phrase, “God doesn’t waste a hurt”, is a phrase I’ve used hundreds of times over the years. I’ve used it in sermons, in lessons, in counseling sessions and articles. It’s a phrase that carries a huge impact if you think about it.

God is in control of all things, and He allows His children to go through the good and the bad, the easy and the hard, the understandable and the confusing.

The question then becomes, “God what do you want me to learn from this, and how do you want me to become more like you through this?”

In processing this phrase, and in reading through some of my Master’s Degree work, I came across this series of questions and concepts that really helped me grasp and begin to understand the fact that God doesn’t waste a hurt.

This reflection and history process was a very encouraging process for me, as I realized that I have many things to be thankful for. Many times I have taken for granted the events and people that have helped shape me, and this process has helped me to grasp the importance of making the most of every opportunity that has been given to me.

I encourage you to prayerfully work through the questions and concepts as you reflect on who you are, and what has gone in to shaping you to this point in history, and realize anew that God knows you, loves you, forgives you and has a plan for you!

1. What events have had a significant influence on your life both positive and negative?
2. How have these events influenced your thoughts, decisions and actions up to this point?
3. Who are the people who have most significantly influenced your life? How did they influence you? What impact did they have on you?
4. How have you been hindered or discouraged from personal and professional growth and development?
5. Does it matter how other people perceive you? When? Why?
6. How much of your behavior is motivated by what others may be thinking?
7. How would you describe your risk tolerance? What may hold you back from taking risks that God may have for you?
8. Do you consider yourself more open or closed to feedback? Why?
9. What specialized training or experience do you possess? List 10 significant talents you possess, which are you consistently complimented or commended? Which talents are currently being utilized, and not being utilized?
10. How do you define success for your life? How does this definition influence your decisions?
11. If money were not an issue, what goal would you like to accomplish?
12. What would you like to be most known for at the conclusion of your life? Write an epitaph you would like on your tombstone.

Reflecting with you,

Brent

Leadership Reflections - My Philosophy

Several years ago, I began my Master's Degree studies in the field of Organizational Leadership. The first class in that program was called "Philosophy of Leadership." I found it interesting then, and still to this day agree that a person's philosophy shapes who they are and drives where they're going.

I've been doing alot of reading and reflecting on the various authors I read and papers I wrote during that incredible time of learning and growing in my life.

So, I'm going to begin a series of posts from the materials I wrote back then called "Leadership Reflections", and it is my prayer that as I reflect on the things God has brought in my life, that others would benefit as well, and realize that He desires for us to be the best leaders we can be in alignment with His plan for our lives.

This first post is my personal philosophy of Leadership...

My personal philosophy of leadership comes from an understanding that leadership involves a lifelong process of developing skills and abilities necessary for becoming the most successful leader I can be. I need to keep learning and growing if I’m going to effectively influence and mobilize people to accomplish mutually accepted goals. Leadership is a huge, seemingly indefinable concept, but the acrostic below captures the key points of my personal philosophy of leadership.

To be actively applying my personal philosophy of leadership I need to be…

L – Learning (constantly staying sharp and teachable)
E – Empowering Others (developing and applying an “expand the team” mentality)
A – Accountable (collaborating with and being challenged by others)
D – Dependable (staying true to my goals and my team)
E – Enthusiastically Casting Vision (believing in and rallying support for future change)
R – Resourceful (assessing situations and applying techniques with the tools that I have)
S – Servant Minded (looking to put others’ needs ahead of my own)
H – Humble (remembering that my gifts come from God)
I – Integrating a lifestyle of Integrity (applying the phrase “Who am I when no one sees?”)
P – Purposeful (focusing on mutually accepted goals)

What is your philosophy of leadership? What is it based on? What is the driving force behind why you do what you do? What has helped shape you into the person you are today?

Reflecting with you,
Brent