Gilbertson's on LMC

Dear Ray and fellow GMLTers,

We trust that each of you is doing well. Our travel schedule and lack of good internet connections have limited our contact with you, but we have enjoyed your various communications. It is great to hear of some of the things God is doing in the other “S” ventures. Although we may have been silent we certainly are interested! We are looking forward to be together with you in Thailand.

Two weeks out of 52 weeks is a big block of time, isn’t it? We know that each of you is very busy and that time is always at a premium. However, what if we were to recommend something to you, something we have experience with, that has been well worth the time investment? I sure you would be interested in knowing what that is.

We are just finishing the Leadership Matters Course. You will recall that we talked about the possibility of each of the CRD couples participating in the training. Well, having passed through the two weeks course, we want to highly recommend it to each one of you.

Leadership Matters explores the essential skills of being a leader. We participated in training modules which include: communication, public relations, ministry, creative thinking, decision making, delegating, planning, organizing, directing/supervising, evaluating, motivating, and good interpersonal skills. Although we were familiar with much of the content, we found that the teaching style, learning activities, and applications to real life ministry situations were absolutely fabulous.

Leadership Matters connects skills to Christ-centered character and anointing for ministry. We found this emphasis to be very refreshing in light of the fact that many leadership courses focus only on the “how to’s.”

Leadership Matters also provides a unique cross-cultural perspective and is focused specifically on leadership within the mission community in non-North American contexts. This in itself is refreshing. The teaching staff consisting of an American, an Australian, a German, and a South African and is a good example of the cross-cultural focus. All have had extensive cross-cultural ministry experience as missionaries. The participants themselves were a cross section of nationalities and mission organizations.

Another highlight of the Leadership Matters Course was having invited Paul Ens, our soon to be Field Director/Team Leader for Mexico. Talk about added value. Not only did he receive excellent training for his new role but each day we went for a walk after classes and enjoyed a great time of unpacking the day’s training, envisioning how to make the applications for the future, and sharing our lives together.

If you want a one-shot retooling experience in leadership, Leadership Matters is for you. We would highly recommend that you do it as a couple as well as invite key personnel. In this way you not only have a wonderful time interacting them together, but you also are on the “same page” about the things you are learning. Besides, at US$550 we personally think it is a bargain (accommodation, food all included)!

We would encourage you to go to the http://www.leadershipmatters.ws/ and check out details for the courses in 2006 and 2007. Registration is very easy. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Blessings to you all,

Ric and Ruth-Anne Gilbertson

Nov 30, 2005
Brazil