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Workshop Notes - Shepherding & Leading in the 21

st
Century - 2014 Justin W. Burns

Shepherding & Leading in the 21
st
Century
How Spiritual Leaders Guide, Guard, Lead, and Love in a World of Manufactured Mayhem
Not just about technology it is about the way that we interact with each
other. It is about connecting pictures on a screen with people, and purpose
with our pursuits.
Subject: Shepherding and Leading in the 21
st
Century
Central Theme: The cultural shifts we have experienced in the last 30 years require a different shepherding
journey but not a different destination. People have and will always at their core need the transforming
power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. How we connect them to the Gospel is our new paradigm.
Objective Sentence: All 21
st
Century spiritual leaders need to understand the important cultural shifts that have
taken place from 1980 to the present, and gain a grasp on the new relational mechanisms of how to
effectively connect people with the Gospel.
Rationale:
On Communication
o Human interaction is no longer geo-spatial dependent
o Communication is no longer infused with significant context and tone
o Communications Data is no longer sought out it is now merely sorted and filtered
On Leadership
o Leadership is no longer granted based on position or title
o Leadership is no longer an authoritative data source
Resources:
Restaurant Watches Video: http://sfglobe.com/?id=1658&src=fbfan_1658
Forbes Magazine: Is Social Media Sabotaging Real Communication?
o http://www.forbes.com/sites/susantardanico/2012/04/30/is-social-media-sabotaging-real-
communication/
o Which may or may not be accurate representations of the truth.
http://news.uchicago.edu/article/2012/01/27/study-finds-lure-entertainment-work-hard-people-resist
o Technology harder to resist that alcohol and cigarettes
http://www.northeastern.edu/news/2012/10/3qs-the-social-impact-of-social-networks/
Evaluation:
Our ability to adapt to the new communication methods will have a direct impact on our effectiveness in
communicating the message of the Gospel. Those who choose not to move forward will be left behind. Our
goal is to build the cultural bridges required to engage in evangelistic and disciplemaking relationships.
Speaker Contact Information:
Justin W. Burns | burns.justinw@gmail.com | 469-247-3898 | www.soundcloud.com/catchingvision
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Workshop Notes - Shepherding & Leading in the 21
st
Century - 2014 Justin W. Burns

1. Facing the Facts
a. The change in cultural reality, information availability, interpersonal interaction, and cognitive
processes
b. From 1980 to the Present Consider how our world has changed the way we work and interact.
c. ACTION ITEM: Make a list of new major technologies that have changed daily life since 1980
i. Human interaction is no longer geo-spatial dependent
1. Phone in one place vs. Cell Phones
ii. Communication is no longer infused with significant context and tone
1. Most communication requires no facial expression and voice tone
iii. Communications Data is no longer sought out it is now merely sorted and filtered
2. What is a Relationship?
a. Social behavior, norms, standards and expectations
i. ACTION ITEM: Make a list of what good Shepherds and Leaders do
b. Picture of Announcement of Pope in 2005 vs. 2013
i. http://www.businessinsider.com/vatican-square-2005-and-2013-2013-3
c. Restaurant Study of Video Tapes
i. http://sfglobe.com/?id=1658&src=fbfan_1658
3. Staying Dry in the Rain
a. Communication absorption, isolation, selection, and overload
i. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/8316534/Welcome-to-the-
information-age-174-newspapers-a-day.html
1. 5 times as much information daily as in 1986
2. Equivalent to 174 newspapers a day
4. Addressing Anonymity
a. Everybody is Nobody, and some people like it that way
b. We have to speak into others empty space even if we are rejected
5. Handling High Visibility
a. Little Men Cast Big Nets
i. One person of no positional power can have a blog, podcast, etc. of huge influence.
ii. Power is no longer about experience, knowledge, education, position, etc it is about
audience reach and size.
6. The Parasitic Problem
a. The need to be constantly connected, needed, and approved of.
b. We self-perpetuate the narcissistic process of hoping to be noticed.
i. Discipleship is about redirecting focus to Christ how to reconcile?
7. Body Be
a. What does this mean for Body Life?
b. Gathering Together may not be in a special context or should it be?
c. ACTION ITEM: What are ways that Jesus and the Apostles/Disciples were faced with resistance
from people as they were shepherding and leading?
i. Do we still face any of those challenges?
8. So What?
a. The real meat of the sandwich how to navigate the waters on a daily basis.
i. We must be proactive as well as reactive
ii. Speak into the space of peoples lives to maintain relationship authority
iii. Create opportunities for the Leaders Mind & Shepherds Heart to be seen
iv. Determine your style and goal

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Workshop Notes - Shepherding & Leading in the 21
st
Century - 2014 Justin W. Burns

1. Is the aim to meet in person?
2. How comfortable are you with technology in relation to counseling?
3. Can you connect effectively in a tech environment about this?
4. When is it better to forsake your preference for the sake of others?
The biggest question in Shepherding & Leading in the 21
st
Century is about purpose. Each interaction must have
one of three purposes:
1. Are we Seeding?
a. Attempts at breaking through the noise to be noticed for the Gospel
b. Usually best done relationally a full scale assault will likely be rejected
c. Opens the opportunity for the future
2. Are we Tending?
a. We are continuing the process of influence
b. We are maintaining our voice in the noise
c. We are demonstrating we are worth listing to
d. We are creating chances to redirect the focus to Christ
3. Are we Harvesting?
a. We are calling for a response to the Gospel
b. We are challenging disciples to make a choice
c. We are encouraging and urging towards holiness and obedience
How can you change how you interact with others to be more influential for Christ in the 21
st
Century world we
live in?
Is this a Facebook post or a chance to be influential? (How should I proceed?)
Could this Text be worded differently to point more towards Christ?
If I say this on the internet and it cannot be taken back do I want this representing Christ as my loudest
message?