Dave Travis Now

Reporters have a tough job

Reporters have a tough job.

Most of the ones I talk to genuinely want to learn and be informed. So I spend time trying trying to give them context and background for their stories. Those can go up to an hour sometimes, but generally they last 15-20 minutes.

In addition to talking to me they are generally talking to 6-12 other sources trying to get multiple angles on the story.

Now sometimes they have a story they want to tell and are looking for material to back up their story. In some ways like a preacher who has a great illustration and is looking for a text. (Ok, I have quit preaching and gone to meddling.)

At the end of the day (and reporters always want to finish quickly), the print journalist has 300-700 words and the tv person gets 2 minutes.

So my 20 minute CNN taping gets 5 seconds and a partial quote that I didn't think was relevant to the story I was trying to tell. It didn't reflect the thrust of the interview but that wasn't their story, it was mine.

That's just how it goes. I don't get upset unless they spell my name wrong. Which CNN didn't so I was happy.

Last thing about movements - for now

Ok the last thing I want to say about movements....
for now

this week

or until something gets in my head that won't let go.

I think one of the most overlooked items in movements, especially social movements in the US is the business factor.

What business interests are aligned with the movement?

We still live in a nation where money matters. Not making a value judgment, only a description.

And the truth is, for some so called "movements" there is very little business support or a business case to be made.

When a group of businesses or enterprises get behind a movement and want it to succeed, things are accelerated.

Remember the movie "Wag the Dog" and the character played by Denis Leary? He was the person who aligned songwriters and tennis shoe makers around the idea of using the "war" to advance their own businesses. Hence they invested in the idea and helped bring that fictitious idea to the forefront.

So who are the various businesses that would like to see your movement succeed? How would they profit if it succeeded?

This is a powerful constituency not to be overlooked.

Are you the head fundraiser Part 3

(This is crossposted at www.books.leadnet.org. If you like books, that is the place for lots more reviews)

Last post on this book.

Bottom Line: You are their pastor.

 

As I read Levy’s book I was struck by the similarity between his role as President of Lincoln Center and a good pastor.

 

I was trained as a pastor through my seminary education and my mentors. I didn’t stay in that field long but do work with pastors every day. So I know enough about the work of pastors to understand their points of view.

 

And most great leaders have the same skills as most good pastors.

 

1. They know what is going on in their congregants, or in Levy’s case, prospective donor’s lives. They know when to call to give encouragement and prayer and applause.

 

2. They know the situations where they themselves need help. In the case of a good pastor, they have to be willing to ask for help in specific ways, not just “I need your support.” Ditto the CEO of a nonprofit, they have to define specifically where they need funds, expertise, advice and volunteer effort.

 

3. They know that it has to be face to face. Pastors and Nonprofit directors communicate in many ways. Phone. Email. Blogs. Twitters. But nothing beats face to face. Yes, finding the time to do all that can be draining, but nothing replaces it. Not just in asking for help or support, but just to build the relationship of care and trust.

 

4. They know that the future is just as important as the now. I think this is one of the marks of a great leader. You have to manage the present in order to manage the future. The actions of the present determine the future. And sometimes you make adjustments to the present to get you to your future. But those that are consumed with either the future OR the present don’t get things done. You have to have your eye on both.

 

For a pastor or not for profit leader you are investing in a person now and developing them for the future.

 

Bottom line: If you think of the ideal pastoral skills, you have a pretty good description of what is needed to be a great Nonprofit CEO.

 

 

Dave Travis is Managing Director of Leadership Network.

Way to Go Seacoast Church Dream Center!

know this is not the only church to do this. In fact we had a Leadership Community of Churches that had health clinics and other programs that serve the uninsured American population that needs healthcare. But yesterday

Seacoast Church opened their Dream Center ’s Clinic and the news organizations covered it well.

Follow these links for more of the story, including some good video:

http://www.wciv.com/news/stories/0109/583078_video.html?ref=newsstory

 

http://www.wciv.com/news/stories/0109/583078.html

 

http://www.counton2.com/cbd/news/local/article/volunteer_doctors_staffing_new_clinic_opening_today/18850/

 

http://charleston.net/news/2009/jan/07/one_stop_shop_heart_soul67534/  

Seacoast was inspired by the teams from the LA Dream Center, The Healing Place Dream Center and some folks from Leadership Network (just to brag a little) and some connections with one of our partners The ECHO Foundation (Empowering Christian Healthcare Organizations) to make this a reality.

ECHO, while working on a variety of healthcare access issues, really does want to help churches in this ministry.

http://www.echohealthnetwork.org/contact.html

That organization was birthed by John and Nancy Snyder and we are proud to say that John has been one of our board members at Leadership Network for some time.

But the kudos go to Seacoast’s team of staff and volunteers who have made the whole of the

Dream Center, not just the medical center, a reality for North Charleston

I praise God for what you are doing and hope more churches will follow your lead.

You might want to seek out some of these folks at our upcoming i3 conference. www.innovation3gathering.com

Update at 2:00 p.m. Greg Surratt, Lead Pastor at Seacoast, has just posted a summary from his point of view. If I were him I would feel very proud of my congregation today.

http://www.gregsurratt.org/greg_surratt/2009/01/all-i-can-say-is-wow.html