Leadership is one of our 4 values in CCC and we’re excited about raising up leaders.
We have written three courses, based on: 2 Timothy (year 1); Mark (year 3); and for this coming year, Nehemiah (year 2).
What is 6.30 Leadership?
6.30 Leadership is a 6 session course where participants (a) receive teaching on the biblical principles of leadership, and (b) reflect on their leadership role as part of a small learning community.
The next course starts on Wednesday 25th January 2023, running for six sessions on the fourth Wednesday of the month. The format of each session will be as follows:
- 15 minutes – opening discussion around the topic for that session
- 20 minutes – talk from Nehemiah
- 25 minutes – reflection, discussion, Q&A and prayer
Additionally, as part of the course, there is an essay to be submitted by session 5*
Booking is now closed.
Why 6.30 Leadership?
It seems that there are three big challenges to Christian leadership at the moment.
- Tall-poppy-syndrome – fear of stepping into leadership because of fear of criticism. Many people avoid the responsibility of leadership because they fear the responsibility and potential criticism they’ll face.
- Moral failure – whether through sexual scandal, financial temptation or abusive use of power. Many leaders become isolated and due to the pressure make bad choices which have a devastating impact on them and their followers.
- Burnout/stagnation – if leaders avoid the first two pitfalls they can easily forget to look after themselves and sharpen their skills/mindset so they either burn out or stagnate. The zeal and the vision they once had gives way to functioning below par and operating out of depleted resources, often without realising.
Behind all of these challenges is isolation. It’s very easy for leaders for feel alone, to feel that they cannot have a bad day or put a foot wrong or admit they are struggling. To be the leaders God wants us to be (and for Nehemiah to be the leader God was calling him to be), we need clear expectations of what is required, the right motivation and vision, and a supportive community for the journey. This is what 6.30 Leadership hopes to provide.
Challenges in leadership
I have written previously on what we can learn from Nehemiah’s leadership, and we’ll be relying heavily on John White’s book Excellence In Leadership: The Pattern Of Nehemiah. Nehemiah found himself in tough times, and yet so often a leader emerges when things get tough. He was living in exile, his people (the Jews) were dispersed throughout Persia, and his city (Jerusalem) was in tatters. God stirred his heart to come back and lead the rebuilding of the city walls. This is no mean feat and his leadership skills were tested in numerous ways, reflecting the challenges that are still relevant to every leader today. Here are some of the challenges that Nehemiah faced:
- There were practical and resource-based challenges, as he scoped out what was needed to get the job done.
- There were morale challenges, as his team lost heart.
- There were outsider attackers, as his enemies tried to stop the work.
- There were internal challenges, as he ran out of strength and had to rely fully on God.
- There were moral and integrity challenges that Nehemiah faced himself and had to deal with in his team.
Balance in leadership
Nehemiah is a book about both an ordinary leader (there was nothing special about him) and an extraordinary leader (he relied on God’s power in him). But one the things that is striking about Nehemiah’s leadership is it’s balance. As I said elsewhere:
Nehemiah is as prayerful as he is strategic, as hard-working as he is dependent on God, as organised as he is personable, as courageous as he is humble.
I pray that we’d find in Nehemiah both an example and an inspiration, as well as practical lessons and inner courage so that we become the leaders God wants us to be today, whether in the church, the workplace, or in our community. Nehemiah’s role was to rebuild and renew Jerusalem, so it could be a blessing to the other nations. The New Testament says that our role is to build and renew the church, so that we can be a blessing to the cities we live in.
Who is 6.30 Leadership for?
6.30 Leadership is for anyone in leadership within a church or a Christian organisation. It is open to all leaders within Christ City Church, but if you’re a Christian leader from another church and want to do the course then please do apply (typically a quarter of the course are non-CCCers and we are greatly enriched by your involvement).
If you’re not sure, do get in contact with myself, Maffy or Vanessa and we can work out if the course is right for you or not.
When & Where is 6.30 Leadership?
The course will take place from 6.30-7.30am on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 28 Bachelors Walk (10 seconds walk from O’Connell Bridge).
Please arrive at 6.25am for coffee and pastry.
Here is an outline of each session, based on the chapters from John White’s book:
- The Leader & Prayer – Nehemiah 1 (25th January)
- The Leader & Organisation – Nehemiah 2 (22nd February)
- The Leader & Hard Work – Nehemiah 3, 4:6, 4:10, 4:21-22 (22nd March)
- The Leader & Opposition from Outside – Nehemiah 4 & 6 (26th April)
- The Leader & Opposition from Inside – Nehemiah 5 (24th May) *hand in essay
- The Leader & Renewal and Endurance – Nehemiah 8 & 13 (28th June)
Requirements & Sign Up
If you’d like to be a part of the course here are the prerequisites:
- Commit to all 6 sessions;
- Arrive on at 6.25am (be a leader and be seated, ready to start, at 6.30pm);
- Pay €40 (€20 if a student or unemployed);
- Complete a 1000 word reflection (bullet points is fine) by 24th May*;
- Sign up here.
If you have any questions let myself, Maffy or Vanessa or else we look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 25th January 2023, 6.25am for our first session.
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*Essay Title – What are the main lessons you have learned from 6.30 Leadership and how have you applied them in your leadership role?
Booking is now closed.