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There are two kinds of change: technical and adaptive. As a rule, the former is easy and the latter is complex and difficult. But adaptive change is the kind of change we need in our parishes today. And it’s also the kind of change Pope Francis is constantly calling us to. Dr. Dan Ebener discusses the complex realities of leading adaptive change in parishes and how to foster the virtues that permit us to guide our parishes in stormy seas in the fifth of a series of eight webinars offered free by the Yeshua Catholic International Leadership Institute. In the series, Dr. Dan Ebener focuses on the insights o...

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As the nation – indeed, the world – celebrates the 50th anniversary of a “small step for man, a giant leap for mankind,” Yeshua Facilitator David Coe shares the story of another kind of small step that turned out to be a great leap both for a single man and for many of his neighbors. The story of John, is the story of a man who decided to let the Spirit lead him and found his life turned wonderfully upside down. John was an ordinary middle class guy, happily employed and reasonably secure. But then one day he was reading a history of the early church and he felt uncomfortable that he wasn&rsqu...

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Every parish is a manifestation of the Body of Christ – which is to say it is a living, breathing, organic and interdependent reality that requires the development of interactive communications skills throughout the body. These skills include facilitation, listening and dialogue. Fostering these vital interactive skills starts with those in ministry and administrative posts, who model the behaviors that build up the parish body so that it is a source of inspiration, guidance and engagement for parish members. In the fourth of an 8-part free webinar series, Dr. Dan Ebener focuses on the insights of his newest...

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By Owen Phelps Director, Yeshua Institute I heard the words again Sunday in Verona, WI. One of my granddaughters, Nicole, was giving a graduation speech before an audience of several thousand. It was quite an honor because she had been chosen for this task by her classmates. If she was nervous I couldn’t tell. Her voice was strong and expressive. Soon enough I heard some very, very familiar words. They were absolutely unexpected ... and brought a tear to my eye. Her words took me back to a night many decades ago when I was a young father back home visiting my parents and siblings for the holidays. As was ...

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It’s not easy to be a consistently committed Jesus-like S3 Leader – a servant, steward and shepherd. In fact, it’s impossible if we don’t work at it. One way to stay on the path is for us to conduct little self-exams regarding our motivations, our perspectives and our behaviors. Here are some questions to ask yourself about your motivations. As you consider them, ask yourself if you are doing them rarely, once in a while, frequently or consistently. In each case, if you aren’t consistent yet, try to move in that direction. If you conduct this self-exam on a regular basis, you can c...

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By Dick Kunnert Yeshua Fellow and Board Member (Editor’s note: Among the many ways he has served his parish and diocesan church over several decades, Dick was Victims’ Assistance Coordinator for the Rockford Diocese for many years.) After almost two decades of disclosures regarding the sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests, the challenges of Catholic laity persist and grow. Among the key questions we are asking: How do we understand the personal and corporate failures of the Catholic Church in our times? How do we handle our thoughts and feelings that arise from the sense of betrayal, both...

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By Owen Phelps, Pd.D. Director, Yeshua Institute I’m not often tempted to pat myself on the back. At my age, I should know better. It would make my shoulder hurt. (Don’t ask me how I know that.) Nonetheless, if I’m ever tempted to try – again – another simple but painful experience should deliver me from the temptation. Despite more than a decade devoted to teaching people how to be Jesus-like S3 Leaders, when it comes to me being one myself, I’m not there … yet. How do I know? There is a famous prayer composed by St. Ignatius of Loyola called Suscipe (Latin for &ld...

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It’s important for parish leaders to be actively engaged in forming a dynamic parish, but it’s not enough. Leaders also have to engage their parishioners – and that’s the focus on the third in an 8-part series of free webinars offered by the Yeshua Institute. Pastoral leaders need to foster a culture of engagement in their parishes. And the key to doing that is to foster voluntary ways that enhance the engagement of parishioners. But Dan cautions that the task can actually be more difficult when leading from a position of authority. In this webinar you’ll learn how to avoid the pitfalls ...

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After 35 years as a leader in business, mostly in the cable TV industry, Terry St. Marie has some sound advice to people taking on new leadership positions. We can distill it down to just a handful of observations: Even after a lot of formal education and careful observation, when you begin leading others you have a lot more to learn. So first and foremost, never lose your desire to keep learning. Then learn how to make stress your friend. Do a lot of “people learning” because no two people are alike and you’ll lose more sleep over people problems than anything else – and find mentors t...

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By Owen Phelps, Ph.D. Director, Yeshua Institute A Jesus-like Leader is an S3 Leader – a Servant, Steward and Shepherd. But before we get caught up in some abstract concept of optimal leadership, let’s put the whole idea in a very concrete context. Do you make the development of those you lead a primary part of your mission as a leader? That question is a great litmus test of your sincere commitment to be a Jesus-like Leader – a true Servant, Steward and Shepherd. Parenting obvious The answer to this question for those in parenting leadership roles should be as easy as it is obvious. Of ...

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