Kevin Stilley

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The Power of Simplicity

simplicity

We often make the mistake of assuming that navigating a complex world requires complex answers. As a result we end up with even more complexity … confusion … chaos. The absurd behavior of key players in the recent meltdown of the American economy is a macrocosm of the nonsense which results from such thinking and which is ubiquitous in today’s business and social organizations, including the Local Church.

Maybe the current crisis will provide the impetus we need to cut out the nonsense. In some ways it now seems that there is developing a cultural zeitgeist in which people are demanding more common sense in our institutions [perhaps everywhere except in politics and in our churches]. It is time to re-evaluate what we are doing and how we are doing it. It is time to cut through the nonsense and do things right.

So, I heartily recommend Jack Trout’s book The Power Of Simplicity: A Management Guide to Cutting Through the Nonsense and Doing Things Right.

Trout introduces his book to us with the following quote from John Scully, “Everything we have learned in the industrial age has tended to create more and more complication. I think that more and more people are learning that you have to simplify, not complicate. Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

It that sense, Trout’s book is very sophisticated. He argues his thesis straightforwardly in clear language, short chapters and concrete action steps. This book organization is not only consistent with the premise but allowed me to conveniently imbibe bite-size portions. I read it a few minutes each day over the course of a couple of weeks.

The Power Of Simplicity is composed of twenty-three mini-chapters (206 pages) and is broken into four parts; The Basics of Simplicity, Management Issues, Leadership Issues, and People Issues. That sounds like pretty standard stuff, but do NOT expect the routine business book /self-help book mumbo jumbo. Trout is a contrarian in many ways.

– He believes mission statements add needless confusion
– He believes long-term planning is just wishful thinking
– He believes that goals sound nice but accomplish little
– He believes growth can be bad for your business

Sound intriguing? Maybe, … but Trout keeps it simple.

Tolle lege.

* * * * * *

And, here is a reading list which he shares in an appendix to the book.

The Dilbert Principle: A Cubicle’s-Eye View of Bosses, Meetings, Management Fads & Other Workplace Afflictions, by Scott Adams

Laugh out loud funny but dead on when it comes to management fads and other nonsense.

The Practice of Management, by Peter Drucker

The Effective Executive, by Peter Drucker

Managing in a Time of Great Change, by Peter Drucker

[Drucker is] The fountainhead of common sense and sound advice. Read any one of his dozens of books and you’ll be the wiser for it. These are three of our favorites.

How to Write, Speak and Think More Effectively, by Rudolph Flesch

The late Dr. Flesch staged a lifelong battle against muddy thinking and murky writing. This is one of his most significant books, packed with examples, exercises, and checklists.

The Witch Doctors: Making Sense of the Management Gurus, by John Micklethwait and Adrian Woodridge

Two staff editors of The Economist make sense of the management gurus and debunk a lot of loony thinking. Good sections on the prophets (Peter Drucker), the evangelists (Tom Peters), and the new age preachers (Tony Robbins, Stephen Covey).

Enterprise One to One, by Don Peppers

An overly complex but useful look at how to use technology to hang onto your customers.

Focus: The Future of Your Company Depends on It, by Al Ries

Our ex-partner, Al Ries, lays out the case in great detail for doing what a company does best.

Fad Surfing In The Boardroom: Managing In The Age Of Instant Answers, by Eileen Shapiro

Ms. Shapiro takes deadly aim at the fads that sweep through business like waves in the ocean. Just the “fad dictionary” is worth the price.

Data Smog: Surviving the Information Glut, by David Shenk

We’re being smothered by information, and it’s dulling our minds. An intelligent look at how to cope with that glut.

Up the Organization: How to Stop the Corporation from Stifling People and Strangling Profits, by Robert Townsend

The late Robert Townsend wrote a classic about the foibles of corporations and how to avoid them.

Marketing Warfare: How to Use Military Principles to Develop Marketing Strategies, by Jack Trout and Al Ries

The bible on how to cope with competition. It will turn you into a killer.

The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing: Violate Them at Your Own Risk!, by Jack Trout and al Ries

As we say, violate them at your own risk.

The New Positioning: The Latest on the World’s #1 Business Strategy, by Jack Trout and Steve Rivkin

Important insights into differentiation and how to build perceptions in the ultimate battleground, the mind of your prospect.

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RELATED CONTENT

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Spiritual Abuse

Watchman Fellowship recommends the following books on Spiritual Abuse;

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, by David Johnson and Jeff VanVonderen

Damage Disciples, by Ron and Vicki Burks

Faith that Hurts, Faith that Heals, by Stephen Arterburn and Jack Felton

Breaking Free, by David R. Miller

Wisdom Hunter, by Randall Arthur

Churches That Abuse, by Ronald Enroth

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Pastoral Theology Texts – John Piper

Dr. John Piper used the following texts in a course he taught on Pastoral Theology:

Required Textbooks

* The Bible (Bring your GNT and NAS95 or ESV)

* Wayne Grudem and John Piper, eds., Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: A Response to Evangelical Feminism, Crossway, 1991.

* John Piper, Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist, Multnomah Press, 2003.

* John Piper, A Hunger for God: Desiring God through Fasting and Prayer, Crossway Books, 1997.

* John Piper, The Justification of God: An Exegetical and Theological Study of Romans 9:1-23, Baker Book House, 1993.

* John Piper, Let the Nations be Glad, Baker Books, 2003.

* John Piper, The Pleasures of God: Meditations on God’s Delight in Being God, Multnomah, 2000.

* John Piper, The Purifying Power of Living by Faith in FUTURE GRACE, Multnomah Press, 1995.

* Alexander Strauch, Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership, Lewis and Roth Publishers, 1995.

* T.U.L.I.P. What We Believe About the Five Points of Calvinism, Bethlehem Baptist Church Staff, 1985 (available from DGM or online at www.desiringgod.org/library/topics/doctrines_grace/tulip.html)

Textbooks used to illustrate positions not held by Dr. Piper included:

* Clark Pinnock, ed., The Grace of God, The Will of Man: A Case for Arminianism, Zondervan, 1989;

* Clark Pinnock, ed., The Openness of God, InterVarsity Press, 1994

* Gregory Boyd, God at War: the Bible and Spiritual Conflict, InterVarsity Press, 1997

* Greg Boyd, Satan and the Problem of Evil, InterVarsity Press, 2001

* John Sanders, The God Who Risks: A Theology of Providence, InterVarsity Press, 1998

* Norman Geisler, Chosen But Free (Bethany, 2001).

* Gilbert Bilezikian, Beyond Sex Roles : A Guide for the Study of Female Roles in the Bible, 1985

* Stanley J. Grenz with Denise Muir Kjesbo, Women in the Church: A Biblical Theology of Women in Ministry, 1995

* Rebecca Merrill Groothuis, Good News for Women: A Biblical Picture of Gender Equality, 1997.

And, here is a portion of the course description:

This course is designed to acquaint students with the practical application of Christian doctrine to a wide variety of issues. The course addresses such issues as fighting personal sin, prayer and fasting, roles of men and women, suffering, worship, God’s sovereignty, eldership, inspiration of Scripture, and motivation for life and ministry. Students will be urged not only to consider the biblical underpinnings for these issues, but how to apply them to every-day life.
Course Objectives

Practical Theology aims to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples. We pray that honest, humble, rigorous interpretation of Biblical texts, as well as God-centered discussion of theological and practical ministry issues will kindle this passion and equip students to spread it winsomely to others.

Thus it is our aim that the student who successfully completes the course in Practical Theology will be better equipped to:

* savor, strengthen, and spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all of life and ministry;
* meet a wide range of needs in people’s lives with a loving and powerful application of Biblical truth;
* apply Biblical doctrine to the nitty-gritty of life and ministry

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Family, Church, and Society Studies

The following books are required reading in the course “Family, Church, & Society Studies” taught by Del Tackett, at Focus on the Family Institute.

Agee, M. C., et al. (1996). The America we seek. National Review. March 25.

Beckwith, F.. J. (1990-1991). Answering arguments for abortion rights. Christian Research Journal.

Bonhoffer, D. (1954). Life together. San Francisco, CA: Harper Collins.

Briner, B. (1993). Roaring lambs: A gentle plan to radically change your world. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

Burtoft, L. (ed.) (2003). Student reflections on the UNC Justice For All outreach.

Colson, C. (2003). Being the body. Nashville, TN: W Publishing Group.

de Tocqueville, Alexis. (1835). Democracy in America, (Vol 1). (Reprinted by Vintage Books, New York, 1990).

Dobson, J. (2004). Marriage under fire. Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, Inc.

Ellis, E. S. (1884). Not yours to give. Philadelphia: Porter & Coates (Reprinted by Conservative Printing, 2003).

George, R. P. and Ponnuru, R. (1996). The new abortion debate. First Things 62.

Grudem, W. (2003). Business for the glory of God. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

Kavanaugh, P. 1996. Spiritual lives of the great composers. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Klusendorf, S. (2002). Pro-life 101: Making your case. Signal Hill, CA: Stand to Reason.

Lee, D. (ND). Frequently asked questions. Wichita, KS: Justice For All.

Lee, D. (2002). The use of graphic visuals in pro-life work. Wichita, KS: Justice For All.

Leman, K. and Pentak, W. (2004). The way of the shepherd: 7 ancient secrets to managing productive people. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Minnery, T. (2001). Why you can’t stay silent: A biblical mandate to shape our culture. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

Olasky, M. (1998). The American leadership tradition: The inevitable impact of a leader’s faith on a nation’s destiny. Wheaton, IL: Crossways Books.

Parker, K. (2001). Time to say we’re sorry. Chicago Tribune. June 20.

Pollock, J. (1996). William Wilberforce: A man who changed his times. McLean, VA: Trinity Forum.

Schlossberg, H. (1990). Idols for destruction. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

Schmidt, A. J. (2001). Under the influence: How Christianity transformed civilization. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

Sowell, T. (1995). The vision of the anointed. New York, NY: Basic Books.

St. Benedict Center. (ND). The fathers speak – for life!

Sullivan, Andrew. (2001). Only human. The New Republic Online.
http://www.tnr.com/073001/trb073001.html

Wolf, N. (1995), Our bodies, our souls. The New Republic. October 16. [R]

The syllabus describes the course as follows – – –

DESCRIPTION:

This is a course in Christian sociological and political thought and leadership action. Students will be challenged to think carefully and deeply concerning their personal leadership role in effecting transformation in every social sphere of life.

The course consists of two concentrations. The first will focus on understanding God’s design for social order and the relationships between the social spheres. This includes the roles, responsibilities, purposes and boundaries of each sphere as God created them. The second will deal with application of this understanding. This includes examination of the pathologies associated with each sphere and the burning issues those pathologies bring to our culture. Students will be challenged with issues ranging from homosexuality to abortion to taxation. This challenge will occur in the classroom and in the field, where they will receive intensive training in “pro-life apologetics”, followed by a two-day outreach on the campus of University of Colorado at Boulder, Colorado.

The final application will include a historical study of the key aspects of the founding of the United States of America, with special attention given to the founders’ social vision and their understanding of the relationship between religion, morality and the state. Additionally, this section will help the student defend the existence of objective moral principles against postmodern ethical relativism.

Students will be challenged throughout this course to examine their personal and unique call to leadership roles and responsibilities. The pursuit of that call and its personal application will be considered a critical aspect of the desired outcomes of this area of study.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES:

• Understand God’s design for social order and the relationships between the social institutions

• Develop a deep sense of compassion for those trapped in the turmoil and destruction of social pathology and a consequential hunger and commitment to become a world changer for Christ.

• Explain the authority structure, roles, responsibilities, purposes and boundaries of each social institution

• Describe current issues and pathologies that are manifested within each social institution

• Articulate the Christian’s personal role in effecting transformation in every social sphere of life

• Explain the historical foundations of the American State

• To equip the students to engage various contemporary social issues with Christ-like compassion and insight, with particular emphasis upon the defense of the existence of objective moral values
• Understand key elements of shepherd leadership

• Give thoughtful consideration to one’s unique leadership role as an agent of change in culture

TOPICS & ACTIVITIES:

• Understanding God’s general design for social order

• Contemplating the triune nature of God in social design

• Intimacy and the divine mark within the family

• Shepherd leadership and God’s delegating call to rule

• Unio Mystica: The awesome reality of being a child of God

• The mystery: Christ and the church

• Understanding the Divine delegation of authority and the design of the state

• Law, politics and the foundations of the American state

• Contemplating Divine creativity and God’s design for labor and the marketplace

• Examining the lost art of community and God’s design to love your neighbor

• Evaluating the burning issues within our culture

• Pro-Life Apologetics

• Pro-Life Outreach at University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado

• Risk-takers and world-changers; being “light” and “salt” in a needy world

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Leaders Summit Recommended Books

Leaders Summit is a consulting firm which provides leadership training and consulting for nonprofit and corporate organizations. They have recommended the following books for their twelve indispensable leadership skills.

Vision

Nanus, B. (1991). Visionary Leadership, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Life-long-learning

Bennis, W. (2003). On Becoming A Leader, New York: Basic Books.

Team Building

Harvard Business Press (2004). Teams That Click, Boston: Harvard Business Press.

Authenticity

Buckingham, M. & Clifton, D (2001). Now, Discover Your Strengths, New York: The Free Press.

Change-agent

Kotter, J. (1996). Leading Change, Boston: Harvard Business School Press.

Emotional Intelligence

Goleman, D. (2002). Primal Leadership: Learning to Lead with Emotional Intelligence, New York: Bantam Books.

Execution

Bossidy & Charan (2002). Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done, New York: Crown Press.

People Skills

Carnegie, D. (1936). How to Win Friends and Influence People, New York: Simon and Schuster.

Communication

Clarke & Crossland (2002). The Leader’s Voice, New York: Select Books.

Inspire

Greenleaf, R. (1977). Servant Leadership, New York: Paulist Press.

Social Intelligence

Albrecht, K. (2006). Social Intelligence – The New Science of Success, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Multi-topic books:

Kouzes & Posner (2003). The Leadership Challenge, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Heil, Parker, and Tate (1995). Leadership and the Customer Revolution, New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.

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