By Neil Earle
Jesus concluded his Parable of the Unjust but Canny Steward with the observation: “The people of this world are shrewder in dealing with their own kind than are the people of light” (Luke 16:8). The anti-hero in this Parable is an example of effective action in times of crisis.
Since churches are places of coming and going and shrinking and expanding and funerals and baptisms and weddings and budgeting there always seems to be an ongoing need to rebuild and repair, to stay alert, to deal shrewdly as the circumstances arise. This is a facet of what the Bible calls wise stewardship – being faithful with what is handed to you (Luke 16:2).
There might be thus some helpful pointers to be gained from rereading and adapting Stephen Covey’s 1989 bestseller “The 7 habits of Highly Effective People.”
According to Covey, all companies or individuals have to work through the three-step continuum of dependence, independence and interdependence. Dependence is relying on others to do all the work. That’s dictatorship. Independence is the paradigm of “Me Alone” – I am self-reliant, I am a star. That’s a big turnoff. Interdependence is the ideal – “We” can do it, we can combine our talents and do something greater together.
Consider how shrewd a trainer and manager Jesus was. He took twelve not obviously brilliant men and turned the world upside down. I have a feeling he knew about these principles long before 1989. Adapted for Christians, here are Covey’s seven essential habits:
Be proactive. This means taking the initiative, seeing the potential in the situation. Jesus saw potential in others that most had not seen (John 1:43-51). Leaders must see the way ahead. Jesus was always ahead of his men (Mark 8:31-33).
Begin with the End in View. This means clearly defining what you’re trying to accomplish – having a clear and measureable goal and working back from that in times of evaluation. Notice how Jesus staked out the territory he wanted his men to cover (Acts 1:8). It is very stimulating and motivating to see yourself working closer to a goal or being alerted to make course corrections if drift sets in – and where doesn’t that happen once in a while? Jesus never lost sight of his purpose, not for a second (John 4:34).
Put First things First. This can be called the Law of Priorities. Goethe said: “Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.” The 80/20 Rule some call it. It states that 80% of your problems come from 20% of your people and vice versa. The Pharisees and Sadducees were few in number but did they ever give Jesus trouble! Still Jesus forged ahead. He began to spend most of his time with twelve men even though the crowds were crying out for him (Mark 1:37-38).
The lesson for us is to pinpoint priorities. We have to constantly ask ourselves: What matters most in our church/business/personal life right now? Evangelism? Fund-raising? Visiting the sick? Sermon prep? Prayer? Working overtime? More time at home? Planting a new church? The main thing is to be making progress on point number two above.
Think Win/Win – the foundation to lasting achievement is spiritual, as Covey knows. That includes such grand intangibles as Character, Maturity, Optimism (i.e. knowing there is plenty of abundance out there for everybody rather than a chiseling, hoarding style – a rising tide raises all the boats), Teamwork, Relationships, Agreements. This is getting beyond constricted thinking and reaching out expansively to the future (Matthew 19:27-30). Peter worried about what John was going to do but Jesus reminded him there’s enough work ahead just hoeing our own row in life (John 21:21-23). Master what’s before us and we may have time and resources left over for the sweet thrill of helping someone else achieve.
Empathy – Diagnose before you prescribe. Often managers, executives, pastors and ministers have to learn to ask “What is the problem?” before setting out half-cocked to do the wrong thing or (just as bad) to do the right thing at the wrong time. James and John wanted to incinerate the inhospitable Samaritans (Mark 9:51-56). They hadn’t been listening to Jesus deeply enough to see what he was really all about. They hadn’t yet come deeply enough out of their own selves to identify with the Master’s priorities, which is one definition of applied empathy. Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath James tells us (James 1:19).
Would this strategy change things at your office? Try to develop the habit of listening to what is really going on around you (John 8:1-8).
Synergize – appreciate differences then creatively cooperate. No-one looked less like a great candidate for apostle than the persecuting Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:26). But God knew he would be ideal to complement the work of the other apostles who were sent to the Jewish audiences. Peter to the Jews, Paul to the Gentiles – this proved as effective as the crucial pitcher-catcher relationship in baseball.
So, look for a “third way” – another set of alternatives – when dealing with people who differ from you or give you trouble. Paul and Barnabas differed over the future usefulness of young John Mark. So Paul went to Galatia and Barnabas to Cyprus and the Gospel was advanced (Acts 15:36-41). Respect people who differ from you wherever possible and try to being them on board (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). Learn to appreciate their unusual gifts. Maybe the guy who seems like a critic is just a more analytical thinker. The woman who seems to be dragging her feet at the staff meeting may be worried about how this new program will affect real people. Put their counsel all together – synergize – and you are able to move ahead with eyes wide open.
Sharpen the Saw – Keep working on yourself, keep learning. Never forget the wisdom of taking time for self-renewal. It usually starts with the Physical – exercise, nutrition, time off and stress management. Even Jesus took time off (Mark 6:31). This includes the Mental (reading, visualizing and planning and writing to stay up to date) and Social/Emotional (service, empathy, team-building). It then moves out to the Spiritual (value-oriented achievement, study and meditation as to are we fulfilling our goals, are they even worth fulfilling?) and then back again. Martin Luther is supposed to have said: “I have so much to do today; I’ll need to spend an extra hour on my knees.” See Matthew 5:16. The help of God, the Smartest Counselor in the universe, is ours for the asking in prayer. When we see it that way we are more prone not to miss this chance for supernatural wisdom.
“This is the true joy in life,” says Covey, “being used for a purpose recognized by you and others as a mighty one.” This is true. Christians have already been called to the highest calling in life. Ever so often we need to stop and see how we’re measuring up.