Leader Profile

This week we provide you with the second part to a recent interview Keith Drinkall. Keith has had a wide range of leadership opportunities through SU Qld and pastoring local churches. He is currently working with a group of young pastors at City Life Christian Church, a church which meets on a university campus. John Sweetman rates Keith as one of the most influential people in his life.

Q6. What advice would you give to young leaders regarding family life?
Never criticize your partner or your children in public. Try to do more than your share of the duties of family life, and always talk often, openly and fairly with everyone in your family.

Apologise humbly if you are wrong or unfair.

Q7. What is the most amazing thing you have seen God do?
Seen Him lead 25 rank outsider kids to himself after an RE program. In one year I saw 90 year 12 students at Toowoomba high school become Christians and change a town.

Q8. What is the best thing about being a leader?
I actually find leading quite scary, but rewarding because you can be involved in seeing lives changed dramatically and eternally. I don't think it is ever easy for me, but it has helped me grow as a person and a Christian over the years. I am quite happy not to lead if others are available.

Q9. What is the most difficult thing about being a leader?
Treating people as you would like to be treated. Doing what you ask others to do, or at least being prepared to have a go.

Q10. How has your leadership style changed over the years?
I used to always try to lead by example. Now I often work with a different generation so I need to be more a facilitator and encourager and motivator to trust an unchanging Lord

Q11. In the midst of success, how have you been able to stay humble?
I'm not sure I have. I have always been a person who God has given more leadership opportunities than I have ever deserved, and I am acutely aware of my inabilities. I really never see very much in my performance to be proud of, but I do have a great and wonderful God. I have seen Him do more than my share and that keeps me humble. He has used donkeys before ;)

This week we decided to interview Keith Drinkall. Keith has had a wide range of leadership opportunities through SU Qld and pastoring local churches. He is currently working with a group of young pastors at City Life Christian Church, a church which meets on a university campus. John Sweetman rates Keith as one of the most influential people in his life.

Q1. Tell us a little about yourself? (Both as a leader and a person)
I am 65 and live with my wife Jeanette and her mum who is almost 90. I have 4 kids aged from 37 to 30, all married with 9 children between them. I love helping others serve the lord and try to do so with them wherever possible.

Q2. What is the best advice you could give to young leaders?
Understand the magnificence of the gospel and learn to explain it in simple terms. Practice by going as a leader on Christian camps. Cultivate friendships with as many non Christians as you can through work etc.

Q3. What is the most significant mistake you have made as a leader?
To try to do God's work for him by brilliant strategies, and super presentations rather than doing things well, but relying on God to change people through or in spite of my efforts.

Q4. Over the years, how have you developed yourself as a leader?
Not very well, I suspect. But I do try to be a careful mixture of a declarer of the truth of Jesus and a compassionate listener to where people are at and treat them as dear friends rather than as targets.

Q5. What else would you want to pass onto young leaders who are just starting out?
Find a keen Christian with real balance in their life to be your mentor and give them the stated right to challenge your attitudes and behaviour, as well as to critique your words and presentations.

This week our leader profile sees us connect with Chris Mundy who is the chaplain at Albany Creek State High.

Chaplaincy in state schools started around 15 years ago as a way of providing extra support to students and a Christian presence in schools. It grew by around 15% per year until 2007, when the federal government announced a national school chaplaincy program in which some funds would be provided to put chaplains in schools. However, chaplains largely still need to rely on church and community donations to survive.

What have you seen God do?
What God does varies a lot. Sometimes he grabs a hold of student and they feel guided to head in his direction. For others it's the grace to survive another day coping with depression, a drug problem, death or family breakdown. For others it's a burning passion to help others. And for others it's a prompting to keep asking the big questions of life. And people see God at work in my dealings with them too (which is sometimes very surprising!).

What is something that has worked and something that hasn't worked?
What definitely worked was getting involved in local community projects. Networking with local politicians, police and community groups enabled me to build up enough credibility to get a lot of things happening and to identify what needs were out there. Radical Christians don't tend to work in the education system – whether they are radically fundamentalist or liberal. Any type of pushing is normally seen as a threat by most people. It's always best to kick back and let the light shine through your actions and then people are drawn to God that way.

What challenges lie ahead?
The National chaplaincy program will bring its challenges – some groups don't want Chaplains in schools and are quite vocal about it. There's also the challenge of finding an extra 200 chaplains over the next 6mths to fill positions and admin staff to support these positions. And also we need to let the community know that we still need financial support because government funds don't cover everything. Locally the challenge is keeping local churches involved and working together, dealing with new Education policies that affect chaplaincy and keeping funds up high enough to pay my wage. Daily challenges revolve around working with the pain of families and bringing the hope of Christ to their situations.

What have you learned in this ministry?
That only God has all the answers. That we can't do his job for him. Also that leading people towards Christ is just as important as leading people to Christ. I've also learned that serving others is often the most powerful declaration of God's goodness to people. But I've also learned that sometimes Christians can be too comfortable and uninvolved in the world around them. I've seen God more at work in people who aren’t Christians than in those who are.

Other Comments?
We're always looking for suitable volunteers to help out and hang out with students. We always need your prayers. Financial support is tax deductible and you can support Chaplains by contacting your local school Chaplain or checking out www.suqld.org.au . Check out my website at www.chaplainchris.com

For our Leader Profile this week, we catch up with Luke Williams.

Background
My name is Luke Williams. I am 20 years old. I am in a family of five, in which I am the youngest. I absolutely love almost every sport that you can play socially (although my competitive nature often takes over). I also love watching stand up comedy and action movies. My favourite vending machine purchases are 'Tasty Toobs' and 'Peanut M'n'M's.

Leadership experience
Growing up in the church I tried my hand at all sorts of small leadership roles ie. Sunday School, then Kids Klub, then Youth Group. After a year of youth leadership, at the beginning of 2005 I was given the Youth Pastor position at Arana Hills Church of Christ (the church I grew up in). I am now in my third year as the Youth Pastor at Arana.

What has helped you grow as a leader?
When I was younger, my youth leaders invested a lot of time into me with bible studies and practical ministry experience. More recently, my growth in leadership has been related to a strong example from my senior pastor, feedback and accountability from other leaders but most of all just time in my leadership position.

What have you learned about Christian leadership?
It must be carried out with a distinct knowledge of our personal need for grace. It is impossible without a deep connection with Jesus. It is about serving. It is tough. It is often misunderstood by leaders and followers. Christian Leaders are accountable most importantly to God, not people. Finally, I am seeing more and more that there is a desperate need for Christ centered Christian Leadership. It is not simply an option in our world.

What are your passions or dreams?
I have a passion for speaking God's word. Sharing his grace and truth with people who have never heard it, and with people who have heard it many times. My passion is to see Christian’s living the life that Jesus called them to. A life without complacency, A life full of passion to see people come into a deep relationship with God. A life not crippled by so many Christian programs that they have time and fervour for those outside the Church.

My other passion is to train the next generation. Equip them to carry on shouting out the life giving message of the Gospel.

What is your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge is maintaining an intimacy with Jesus in my own life. Keeping a personal quiet time. Allowing God time to speak to me. Keeping quiet so I can hear him. Spending time with Him with no other goal than to connect on a deeper level. To discover more of who he is.

Also, living the words that I preach. Too often, I am challenged by my own sermons… 3 weeks after I preach them. A challenge for me is to allow myself to be challenged by my own message before I preach it.

Wes Jessop
Team Leader, Beachside Christian Church

Tell us about yourself
Age - sagging physique and atrophied muscles says now middle age (cry).
Family –Wife Jen, and two very cool kids. Interests - Surfing and footy.

What have you led?
Past – A fair few years of youth pastoring and having a crack at all sorts of outreach.

Present – planted Beachside church to reach the surf community with some mates (Phil & Jason). Now, 4 years later, leading a team of brilliant young pastors and other talented workers in the task of transforming our suburb and beyond.

What has helped you grow as a leader?
Having some more experienced pastors take time for me and believe in me when I have got it wrong.

Making mistakes that hurt so bad I learned to do things differently next time.

My desperation to see people saved. This has finally brought me to the place where I have had to stop waiting for someone else to do it and personally take responsibility to create a church that reaches my mates. This meant intentionally skilling up and determining to always drive deeper into God.

What have you learned about Christian leadership?
Wow, how to sum up in a short space.

Love people and learn how to make them feel loved.

Work with a group of people you can enjoy spending your life with. It won’t work if you are just ‘doing your job’.

If you want the privileges you will need to accept the responsibilities.

If postmoderns want authenticity you’ll need depth with God – skills alone will make you superficial. Make Paul’s words ‘I didn’t come with wise or persuasive words but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power’ your ministry method'.

What are your passions or dreams?
To turn Palm Beach into a Bible Belt

What is your biggest challenge?
Ingesting enough coffee to enable me to get the job done.

Any other thoughts?
Get mentors fast.

For our Leader Profile this week, we caught up with Nathan Harris.
Nathan is the Young Adults pastor at Bridgeman Baptist Church.

Tell us a little about yourself
I am 28 years old. I’m married to Andrea and have a 20mth old daughter
Emma and another addition due in September. I love watching any sort of
documentary (I am not proud of this fact). I also enjoy a good game of
AFL and supporting the Blues (not NSW) Carlton Football Club.

How did you get into such a significant leadership position?
I began leading teams on an SU Beach Mission straight after school. I
led the Young Adults Ministry at Gordon Park Baptist Church (now City
North Baptist) for a year or so. I worked as a banker for NAB for 5
years and during this time managed several branches and was responsible
for leading and managing a team of staff.

For about the last 4 years I have worked for Bridgeman Baptist Church
initially as an intern and now as a pastor and during this time have
particularly been involved in leading the Young Adults ministry.
Currently my role is changing again to a broader and more generalist
Pastoral role within the church.

What has helped you grow as a leader?
I enjoy reading books and watching DVD’s on leadership.

Having the privilege of working closely and being mentored by Peter
Sweetman has made a big impact and has been one of the most helpful and
growing experiences for me as a leader.

Watching and observing my Dad pastor churches as I was growing up has
helped give me great insight into leadership particularly in the local
church setting and spiritual leadership and how this differs to
leadership in a secular setting.

What drives you?
My dream is to raise up hundreds of young adults who are inspired and
motivated to serve God and who have the opportunity to experience first
hand the excitement, sense of purpose and fulfilment that comes from
being part of God's big picture plan.

What is your biggest challenge?
Although I enjoy motivating people and drawing teams together I am not
naturally an "upfront" person. I am quite a shy person by nature and am
always happy to avoid jumping up on stage if someone else is willing.
My challenge is often to have the courage and boldness to lead in those
larger settings. In a church the size of Bridgeman this keeps me very
reliant on God which is great.

Thanks Nathan for your time!!!

For our Ministry Profile this week, we caught up with Natasha Bengtson. Natasha runs Genesis, the youth ministry of Ashgrove Baptist Church.

Tell us a little about Genesis Youth Ministry
Genesis youth ministry, involves 3 streams, grades 7-9, grades 10-11 and grade 12. The ministry hinges around the concept of a bunch of mentors/leaders who are intentionally involved in 4 young people's lives to help them see Jesus.

What have you seen God do?
Yearly we take a team of youth out to a place called Cunamulla and run a week's program for the youth and kids in this Aboriginal community. God has worked mightily in our young peoples lives through this mission experience as they are faced with the reality of being totally dependant upon God for provision.

What is something that has worked?
Something that has worked has been a shift to thinking intentionally about discipleship and making the program facilitate that – rather than expecting discipleship to come naturally out of a program. It has meant that the ministry hinges on dedicated leaders who are committed to discipling but has made a significant impact on both our youth and leaders.

What have you learned in this ministry?
Knowing why you're doing what you're doing and being convicted about it is integral to maintaining focus and longevity both in a team that you build and in yourself. Youth ministry and investing in peoples lives is for the long haul, I used to make huge plans for a short time frame but now see the value of building on consistency over a period of time. There is a certain amount of awe that comes from being able to look back over an extended period and see God's hand in shaping young people's lives, and shaping a ministry.

Thanks Natasha for your time.