Leaders of Christian Organisations

2012 European Leaders of Christian Organisations Network

The European Leaders of Christian Organisations Network identifies key problem areas of the leader's role with the aim of supplying practical tools and biblically-based solutions. It also addresses the various issues that leaders may encounter, ranging from how leaders deal with their own assumptions of character in others, strategic planning (vision-casting, planning daily activities, determining objectives, creating bridges), assessing of finances and resources, and biblical models of leadership.

Applicants should be leading or helping to lead Christian organisations or churches. The 2012 Network will be led by Janos Illessy.   Also speaking in the Network will be Os Guinness, Tim Kimmel, Eric Larsen, John Musselman, John Perkins, Jerry Root, Peter Saunders, and Dave Sveen. Prior preparation will be set for all applicants.
 

Janos Illessy is the president of Christian Business Men’s Committee Hungary (named KEVE in Hungarian) since 2004, and Director of the Hungarian Evangelical Forum, a movement initiated with the assistance of European Leadership Forum.  After graduating as MSc (electrical engineering) in Budapest in 1987, he conducted post-graduate studies in business and obtained his MBA and PhD from the University of Pittsburgh, USA. He has worked for various publicly listed companies and banks as CFO or senior finance executive over the last 12 years. He is currently an adjunct associate professor at the Business School of Central European University, Budapest, teaching MBA level financial economics. He is also a deacon and lay teacher in his small evangelical congregation.

NETWORK SPEAKERS

Os Guinness is an author and social critic. He was educated in England, receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of London and a DPhil from Oriel College, Oxford. He was a Guest Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Studies and a Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Institution. From 1986-1989 he was the Executive Director of the Williamsburg Charter Foundation, one of the drafters of the Williamsburg Charter. He is the founder and was the Senior Fellow of the Trinity Forum and most recently was Senior Fellow of the East West Institute in New York. Some of his influential books include The Dust of Death; In Two Minds; The Gravedigger File; The American Hour; Dining with the Devil: The Megachurch Movement Flirts with Modernity; Fit Bodies, Fat Minds: Why Evangelicals Don't Think; The Call; and Time for Truth: Living Free in a World of Lies.

Day 1

The Leader’s Marriage
Tim Kimmel

There is a reason why God chose to use a leader’s marriage and family as a barometer for his (or her) qualifications as a leader of the church (1 Tim. 3:1-5; Titus 1:6). If we can maintain God’s heart of grace, mercy, and love within the crucible of marriage (and family), people are more inclined to trust our leadership to the greater body of Christ. But here’s the problem: marriage is hard; love is often tough work. There is so much competition for our affections and often unrealistic pressure put on our spouses (and children) by people who look to us for leadership. God not only weighed in on this, He showed us how to balance it all out in how He treats His spouse and His children. We ll learn how to put His rock solid priorities in place that position us to not only flourish within the nitty-gritty demands of love, but to make our marriages an oasis within our demanding ministries.

Moses: Justice Leaders for the 21st Century
John Perkins

In the complex, ever-changing 21st-cenutry world filled with systemic evils where should Christian leaders fighting injustices look for guidance? The same place godly leaders in all times have looked--the Bible. In this session, Christian community developer John Perkins will identify and analyse seven elements of the story and character of the biblical patriarch Moses that still speak to leadership in modern society. The presenter will suggest that changing society begins with nurturing the family. Leaders must then step out in faith anchored by the absolute truth of God’s word, fostering in those they shepherd the biblical sense of purpose, courage, identity, and discipline needed to bring justice to hurting communities.

Day 2

Globalisation
Os Guinness

Globalisation is the clearest, strongest expression of “the world” in our time, and as such is vital for all Christians to understand. Far from its cheap dismissal as “globaloney,” it is the process through which human interconnectedness has become truly global for the first time, and promises to be as powerful in shaping human experience as the Industrial Revolution – transforming identity, families, neighborhood, community, work, business, politics, nations, evil, and even the prospects for the human race. Not surprisingly, globalisation has immense significance for leadership. This session will define terms, set out claims and analyses, and steer a clear Christian course between the global “cheerleaders” and the global “curmudgeons.”

What Is the Growing Global Youth Culture, How Do We Communicate the Gospel in This Context, and How Do We Disciple the Young People Who Come to Faith?
Eric Larsen

Ever feel like young people today are from another world? These are exponential times! We’re seeing an exploding global youth population… the extension of adolescence… and an emerging global youth culture. What does this mean for your family?  What does this mean for the church?  What does this mean for world missions? The global church must take seriously the call to reach the nations and the next generation. Gain insight into the world of young people in order to engage them with the Gospel.

Day 3

Understanding Ourselves So We Can Be Honest With Others
Jerry Root  

John Calvin begins the Institutes of the Christian Religion with these words, “Without knowledge of self there is no knowledge of God,” adding later, “Without knowledge of God there can be no knowledge of self.” Indeed, we discover our sense of self in the context of relationship and, ultimately, in relationship with God. Spiritual formation and growth in Christ should be measured primarily by two things: first, successful relationships; and, second, an empathetic concern for others around us that they might come to know and grow in the love of Christ. From John 15 we learn that we are either becoming more self-referential and utilitarian; or, self-aware and empathetic (empathy is an incarnation-like characteristic; that is, a Christ-like characteristic). Pascal said, “Not only do we know God through Jesus Christ, we know man through Jesus Christ” (Pensees). The Church’s greatest apologetic is genuine, Christ-rooted love for one another, and this love is shown particularly in church communities where people can share with each other without fear.

Lessons from a Decade of Leadership
Peter Saunders

There is no better training manual for Christian leaders than the Bible itself, abounding with good and bad leadership models that are relevant, dynamic, and practical. Using biblical principles illustrated by (often painful) lessons from the speaker's own experience over ten years leading a professional organisation with 5,000 UK doctors and medical students as members - in a role involving speaking, writing, evangelism, apologetics, discipleship, mentoring, training, campaigning and media work - this session will attempt to look at good and bad decision making in leadership: working with your board and senior team, building a team of leaders, knowing your staff, recruitment, choosing your battlefield, maximising use of your personal and team gifts, building partnerships, handling disagreements, and so forth.

Day 4

Leadership in a Complex and Demanding World
Dave Sveen

The leadership complexities of the 21st Century demand excellence if organisational objectives have any chance of success.  Although the discipline of leadership has been actively researched since the end of the Second World War, effective leadership remains elusive.  This session will examine what effective leadership is, how it works, and how effectiveness be measured in a rapidly changing environment. 

The Importance of Disciplemaking Within an Organisation
John Musselman

The need for implementing an effective discipleship strategy within a Christian organisation is often overlooked in favor of its vision and mission to those outside, to those who are the recipients of the organisation’s primary ministry. What impact might a growing culture of discipleship within an organisation have on the effectiveness of each staff member to live out their faith with increasing maturity in their homes, communities, and work environment? How might the spiritual transformation of their lives be integrally linked to organisational strength, cohesion, and vitality, as well as to the fulfillment of the organisation’s primary reason for existence: their God-given mission? During this session, we will consider the benefits and challenges of making disciples within organisational structures.