Issue No. 554 of Your Weekly Staff Meeting spotlights two books for Easter from the prolific pens of Lee Strobel and Mark Mittelberg. Easter Blessings! And this reminder: click here to download free resources from the 20 management buckets (core competencies), click here for over 550 book reviews, and click here for my Pails in Comparison blog review of The Fourth Cup: Unveiling the Mystery of the Last Supper and the Cross.
Listen to the Fountainview Academy of British Columbia perform “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” by Isaac Watts (1674-1748). “Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small. Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”
Turn or Burn!
This weekend, Christ-followers are meditating on the “Wondrous Cross” on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Myth? Feel-good religion? Or the most momentous dividing line in history? During Lent, I’ve been reading and reflecting on two books (well, actually three).
• The Case for Easter: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for the Resurrection, by Lee Strobel
• Contagious Faith: Discover Your Natural Style for Sharing Jesus with Others, by Mark Mittelberg and foreword by Lee Strobel
But first a “mistake” story (see Mistake #21). During my college years, I signed up for a weekly training course on how to effectively talk about my Christian faith with others. One evening, the instructors over-emphasized one point: Never, ever, say: “TURN OR BURN!”
We all laughed. We understood the power of friendship evangelism—and why that harsh approach might backfire (no pun intended).
Back at the dorm that night, after finishing my homework, I engaged in yet one more late night bull session with other students. One friend, raised in the church (as they say), had pretty much rejected Christ. Flip a coin: was he an atheist or an agnostic tonight? Intelligent—he had ready answers for my Evangelism 101 tactics. Nothing worked. Brick-wall stubbornness. Then that Still Small Voice nudged me. “John, stop relying on your expertise—stay connected to the Vine.” (See John 15.)
Shockingly, I next heard my own voice demand: “TURN OR BURN, FRIEND!” Yikes! I had just violated Rule Number 1. My Christ-following friends stared at me with that look, “Pearson, you idiot! Didn’t you hear the guy say never, ever, use that line?” I’d done enough damage, so I excused myself and went to bed.
Knock. Knock. Knock. About two in the morning, half asleep, I answered the door. It was my stubborn friend. “John, after you said ‘Turn or Burn’ last night, I haven’t been able to sleep. I’m done fighting with God. Pray with me. I want to live for Christ.”
5 STYLES. Mark Mittelberg reminds Christ-followers that when you are confident in your faith, you can “Discover Your Natural Style for Sharing Jesus with Others.” In Contagious Faith, he suggests five ways to talk about your faith—based on your unique gifts and personality: Friendship-Building, Selfless-Serving, Story-Sharing, Reason-Giving, and Truth-Telling.
Do you recognize your natural style? Mittelberg quotes 2 Corinthians 5:20, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” He adds, “An effective ambassador is one who knows the language and culture of the people to whom he or she is sent. Well, that’s you—nobody knows your family and friends the way you do. Nobody speaks their language, or relates to their culture, or is connected to their past, like you.” (For more on your ambassador job description, you’ll love reading John Jackson’s new book, Grace Ambassador.)
Caution! While you might resonate with one of Mittelberg’s five styles—note that each style chapter includes “Key Skills for Every Christian.” And this warning: Each style has downsides, including the cautions below. (Read the book for the complete list of cautions.)
• Friendship-Building. Cautions: “Stay genuine, establish boundaries, prioritize truth.”
• Selfless-Serving. Caution: “Serve without conditions.”
• Story-Sharing. Cautions: “Be honest, speak in plain English.”
• Reason-Giving. Cautions: “Admit it when you don’t know; win people, not arguments; and expect a little tension.”
• Truth-Telling. Cautions: “If you come on too strong or too fast, people will likely become defensive and distrust whatever you say. So, slow down a bit.” (Yet… “Resist being overly cautious.”)
Hmmm. Maybe my “Turn or Burn” truth-telling jab was appropriate—since his description of a Truth-Teller nails me! I also better understand my style and motivations with what I call “The 3 Powerful S’s” (spiritual gifts, social styles, and strengths). I’m a “Driver” in social styles and my top CliftonStrengths is “Focus.” The author uses “focus” in describing Truth-Tellers. (Maybe I need to add Mittelberg’s five Contagious Faith styles and call it “The 3 Powerful S’s + 1.”)
Throughout this book, the author generously sprinkles inspiring and instructive stories and personal illustrations. Mittelberg tells us that comedian and magician Penn Gillette (an outspoken atheist) received a Bible from an audience member after a show. He was not offended. Instead, Penn said:
“If you believe that there’s a heaven and a hell . . . how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? . . . I mean, if I believed, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that a truck was coming at you, and you didn’t believe that truck was bearing down on you, there is a certain point where I tackle you. And this is more important than that.” (Click here to view this four-minute video.)
View this four-minute video and listen to what comedian and magician Penn Gillette said about the man who gave him a Bible.
Lee Strobel was also an atheist (see his book below). Mittelberg quotes Strobel: “I tend to be a skeptical person. My background is in journalism and law, so you can imagine when you put those two things together what kind of jerk—I mean skeptic—you get! I was the legal editor of The Chicago Tribune, and we used to pride ourselves on our skepticism. We didn’t want to accept anybody’s word at face value. We always tried to get at least two sources to confirm a fact before we printed it in the newspaper. So, no kidding, we had a sign in our newsroom that said:
So...ready to check it out? The “Recommended Resources” section (11 pages) in Contagious Faith is abundant—and may bust my book budget yet again. It includes books, workbooks, training materials, and 33 websites. I just ordered this book (352 pages): The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask: (With Answers), by Mark Mittelberg. Note: You can also click here to take a seven-question assessment on your Contagious Faith style.
To order from Amazon, click on the title for Contagious Faith: Discover Your Natural Style for Sharing Jesus with Others, by Mark Mittelberg, with a foreword by Lee Strobel. Listen on Libro (2 hours, 9 minutes, read by Mark Mittelberg). And thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy.
SO…DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THE CROSS is the dividing line in history—and calls you, your family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors to embrace the case for Easter?
LEE STROBEL is a prolific writer (more than 40 books) and is perhaps best known for his book, The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus, and the movie of the same name. (Watch the trailer.)
View The Case for Christ movie.
This Easter weekend is the perfect time to read, or listen to, The Case for Easter: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for the Resurrection.
An atheist-turned-Christian, Strobel, is the former award-winning legal editor of The Chicago Tribune and is also the Founding Director of the Lee Strobel Center for Evangelism and Applied Apologetics at Colorado Christian University. (Mark Mittelberg is the executive director of the center.)
Do you know the answers to these three Easter questions?
1) Was Jesus’ death a sham and his resurrection a hoax?
2) Was Jesus’ body really absent from his tomb?
3) Was Jesus seen alive after his death on the cross?
The Case for Easter examines those three questions—and more—and just as you’d expect an investigative journalist to do, Strobel digs deep for:
• The medical evidence
• The evidence of the missing body
• The evidence of appearances
Even if you know and believe the Good Friday to Easter Sunday chronology, you’ll appreciate the page-turning narrative. In his short conclusion, Strobel asks, “…maybe you’re still a skeptic or seeker. If so, let me challenge you to pursue the truth about Jesus enthusiastically and honestly. Make this a front-burner issue.” (Note: I’m guessing Strobel might add here, “No pun intended!” Or as I challenged a friend, “Turn or Burn!”)
To order from Amazon, click on the title for The Case for Easter: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for the Resurrection, by Lee Strobel. Listen on Libro (2 hours, 28 minutes, read by Lee Strobel). Note: Mass market paperback pricing available on Amazon.
YOUR WEEKLY STAFF MEETING QUESTIONS:
1) Mark Mittelberg writes, “There’s an old saying that tells us, ‘Evangelism is simply one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.’” That reminded me of the poignant true story told by Scott Hahn about the beggar and Pope John Paul II. (Read my review of The Pope & The CEO: John Paul II's Leadership Lessons to a Young Swiss Guard, by Andreas Widmer.) Mittelberg urges every Christ-follower to “Make room for divine interruptions.” Share a story with our team when you responded to a “divine interruption.”
2) Mittelberg quotes Colossians 4:5-6, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” So...how ready are you to answer questions about your faith? Is it time for a refresher (book, course, webinar, or podcast)? Check out this recent seminar with both Mittelberg and Strobel: click here.
Mastering 100 Must-Read Books - Part 3: The Mount Rushmore of Leadership Legends
Book #25 of 100: The Three Signs of a Miserable Job*
For your team meeting this week, inspire a team member to lead your “10 Minutes for Lifelong Learning” session by spotlighting Book #25 in Mastering 100 Must-Read Books.
The Three Signs of a Miserable Job:
A Fable for Managers (And Their Employees)
by Patrick M. Lencioni
Books #22 through #40 spotlight 19 books I named to “The Mount Rushmore of Leadership Legends” group—featuring Patrick Lencioni, Jim Collins, Ken Blanchard, and Peter Drucker. Part 3 features four books by Lencioni, including this no-brainer book that should be required reading for every team member.
• Read my review.
• Order from Amazon: The Three Signs of a Miserable Job
• Listen on Libro (4 hours, 54 minutes)
• Download the 100 Must-Read Books list (from John and Jason Pearson)
Using his classic “fable” format, Lencioni helps us discover why so many CEOs, senior leaders, managers and employees are miserable at work—and what to do about it. His diagnosis is simple, yet profound—focus on “immeasurement, irrelevance and anonymity.” (He coins the word “immeasurement” and it’s perfect.)
*NOTE! An updated edition of “The Three Signs” book was published in 2015 with this title: The Truth About Employee Engagement: A Fable About Addressing the Three Root Causes of Job Misery.
Oops! My Q&A Mistake With Lee Strobel!
Mistake #4 in Mastering Mistake-Making details my embarrassing faux pas in New Zealand when Lee Strobel and I were conducting a Q&A session with pastors and church leaders. I sorted the 3x5 card questions that were submitted and then pitched them to Strobel.
All was going well…until it wasn’t. Oh, my. Read “Mistake #4: Not Learning How to Listen” and my 24 other memorable mistakes—and what I learned. This chapter also references Strobel’s bestselling book, The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus, and The Case for Christ movie.
____________________________________________________
Paint the Sistine Chapel Ceiling!
This is the perfect gift for both kids and adults who enjoy coloring books! Each page includes a Sistine Chapel Ceiling graphic to color—plus a memorable insight from Michelangelo, including this: “Perfection is no small thing, but it is made up of small things." Click here to read my short description of Michelangelo's Sacred Art of the Sistine Chapel Ceiling: A Coloring Book Exploration, by Jason Pearson. And for more book reviews, visit the Pails in Comparison Blog.
PEARPOD | TELLING YOUR STORY. Do your marketing and communication tools speak to the five styles suggested by Mark Mittelberg—or just your preferred style? How about the four social styles (Drivers, Analyticals, Amiables, and Expressives)? Reminder: one size doesn’t fit all. See Jason’s commentary for Bucket #7 in Mastering the Management Buckets Workbook. For help, contact Jason Pearson at Pearpod (Design, Digital, Marketing, Social).
____________________________________
Your Weekly Staff Meeting is emailed free one to three times a month to subscribers. We do not accept any form of compensation from authors or publishers for book reviews. As an Amazon Associate, we earn Amazon gift cards from qualifying purchases. As a Libro.fm Affiliate, we earn credits. PRIVACY POLICY: Typepad, Inc. hosts John Pearson's Buckets Blog. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform for Your Weekly Staff Meeting eNews. By clicking (above) to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy policy here.
Comments