Leadership Connexion FALL 2023
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ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT | Steve DeFrain | 484.686.4843 | sdefrain@penndel.org<br />
MAKING<br />
RECALIBRATION<br />
POSSIBLE<br />
Let’s start with the definition of recalibrate – to reexamine (one’s thinking, a plan, a system of<br />
value, etc.) and correct it according to a new understanding or purpose.<br />
I can tell you that we had to reexamine our thinking, plans and systems many times in thirty-eight<br />
years at Morning Star. God often surprises us with a new understanding, strategy and purpose. So<br />
how do we make recalibration possible in our church or ministry?<br />
ASK GOD<br />
WHAT’S NEXT?<br />
I’m thankful for conferences,<br />
seminars, breakout sessions and peer<br />
conversations. But they don’t always<br />
bring us what we need. We need our<br />
time with God. God said to Jeremiah,<br />
“Have any of these prophets been<br />
in the Lord’s presence to hear what<br />
he is really saying? Has even one<br />
of them cared enough to listen?”<br />
(Jeremiah 23:18/NLT)<br />
At Morning Star, we had a space created<br />
for moms to nurse their babies on<br />
Sunday mornings. It had leather couches<br />
and rocking chairs. It was a nice room.<br />
During the week, it became my space to<br />
get into God’s presence and hear what<br />
He had to say. Unlike the prophets in<br />
Jeremiah’s day - I cared enough to listen.<br />
I know I need to hear his voice above<br />
every other. I can’t afford to waste much<br />
time doing just good ideas. I want my<br />
life to count, so I spend the most time<br />
getting God’s thoughts that will bring a<br />
new understanding and purpose.<br />
CREATE A CULTURE<br />
OF CHANGE<br />
We had a pretty healthy culture of change<br />
at Morning Star. There weren’t very many<br />
things that were held on for too long. One<br />
of the last significant events we started<br />
at Morning Star was the Tim Tebow –<br />
Night to Shine. Which was a prom night<br />
experience for people with special needs<br />
ages fourteen and older. It was a huge<br />
success. We had over 300 volunteers<br />
and over 200 guests by the second year.<br />
It was a blast for everyone!<br />
But, I drove Liz crazy because I kept<br />
asking her, “How many more Nights to<br />
Shine do we need to do? We did it! It<br />
was wonderful for everyone. I’m ready to<br />
move on.”<br />
I remember saying to Jesus, “Jesus,<br />
I love you, but I hate Christmas.” We<br />
were doing so many activities during<br />
December, and I was exhausted.<br />
I remember the day I gathered the<br />
team and said we are not leaving this<br />
room until we have killed three events.<br />
We killed the Christmas Musical, the<br />
Christmas Dinner and the New Year’s Eve<br />
Celebration. It was one of the best days<br />
of my life.<br />
TAKE ACTION<br />
Once you know it’s God, take action. I’ve<br />
said, “Nothing much will happen until<br />
you get out of the boat.” Many people<br />
stopped at this point because they<br />
became paralyzed by fear. They let the<br />
“what if” overtake them. What if people<br />
get mad? What if people leave? What if<br />
people hate it?<br />
A few people said the following<br />
Christmas, “I miss the Christmas<br />
Musical.” “My first connection to the<br />
church was at the Christmas Dinner.” By<br />
the second year, everyone moved on and<br />
was good.<br />
I love Jesus, and I love Christmas!<br />
Make sure you join us this fall<br />
at THRIVE as we continue the<br />
Recalibration conversation.<br />
4<br />
Earn a Master of Arts in Organizational <strong>Leadership</strong><br />
Church Revitalization from University of Valley Forge.<br />
Experienced faculty includes Dr. Don Immel, our Network Superintendent.<br />
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