Don’t Waste These Moments to Read, Grow and Lead
Several of my friends posed the question on Facebook and Twitter this question, “Is this going to be our new normal?”
How long will we practice social distancing?
How much longer will we be confined to our house?
How much longer before we get back to life the way it used to be?
I wish I had the answers to all of those questions. It could be that some of the best practices like social distancing and hand washing, will now be a part of our daily routine moving forward. Introverts will adapt well! I am afraid that my brothers and sisters who are extroverts will be starting new support groups J
I want to encourage you to begin today to not waste these moments in your life to READ, GROW, and LEAD.
I am very thankful for the life experiences that I have had. Sometimes when we are in the midst of what might appear to be mundane, we can miss learning moments that can turn into opportunities somewhere down the road.
As a teen, I was fascinated by many things that now make sense. I grew up in a very active church and was very much tuned in, not just to the teaching, but also the mechanics of how the church was functioning.
For some reason, I was fascinated as to the order of service. Who planned the services, and what went into the planning? I learned early on that it was important to plan the music so that it complemented the message.
When I served at Sandy Cove as a teenager, I learned that time is important. Services need to start on time. Services need to end on time. I learned that if you planned too much for a service, it was important to be okay with the fact that things had to be cut from the program so that it could end on time.
I learned how to put together a music program. My mentor and friend of 50 years, Neil Fichthorn, was the master’s program planner. I immersed myself in how he did things, and more importantly, why.
I cannot tell you how many times as a leader, I find myself asking the question, “How would Neil handle this situation?” I studied this man for so long that I have actually picked up mannerisms and styles that, at times, cause me to laugh. I find myself saying, “Wow, I just sounded like Neil!”
At America’s Keswick, we have been trying to find ways to adapt to this new normal. How do we stay connected to our audience? Our partners? Our friends?
One of the ways we have been doing this is to produce a bi-weekly podcast, and a 30-minute Worship Live on Facebook.
Someone asked me the question, so how did you know what to do to pull that off?
Well, I watched Neil and others produce a daily radio broadcast for Morning Cheer. I also had the privilege of playing the piano for several years for the Sunday Breakfast Association’s radio ministry. Years later, I was able to produce a daily five-minute radio program for America’s Keswick.
Now I am relying on the skills and talents of my “millennial” team to help us with a bi-weekly 35-minute video podcast and a Monday-Friday Worship Live video on our social media platforms.
So don’t waste the teaching moments that you might be experiencing right now. These moments might be the ones that will help you later on in your life in times like these to shine as a leader.
What are some of the things you are doing now as a leader to help your ministry, business, or family navigate these times? Are any of these resources tied into past experiences that are helping your serve now? I’d love to hear your stories.
Until next time,
Read, Grow, & Lead
Bill Welte, President/CEO
America’s Keswick
READ GROW LEAD 