Samson -- A Lack of Integrity in Leadership

UPDATED 02/22/10

Dear Fellow Servant-Leaders:

I’m making an attempt to get the newsletter out a little early this week – hope it helps.

First off, we had a really great meeting last Thursday as we finished our study on the importance of credibility and compassion in leadership. In addition, our worship leader -- officer candidate Matt Wallenburg -- is back to open our meetings with some outstanding worship music (You are a true blessing, Bro!).

Here is the recap for all those outside our little section of the world:

Fairman, in his “Leadership Lessons from God” series, cites four critical leadership responsibilities: shepherding, stewardship, vision, and servanthood (see http://www.rayfairman.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=60&Itemid=9). In turn, I expanded on those key responsibilities and provided biblical support for each, as follows:

(1) Shepherding: As anyone who reads my posts or hears me speak knows, I’m a huge proponent of Lt. Col. Dave Grossman and his outstanding “sheepdog” analogy as it relates to the military and law enforcement (see http://www.killology.com/sheep_dog.htm). When it comes to godly leadership, however, we really need to have an understanding of what that similitude looks like. Yes, we (LEO’s) are indeed “sheepdogs.” But what do sheepdogs do in terms of the sheep? They usually “lead” and serve from the rear: they herd/push the sheep and keep/protect them from going astray. Yes, there is leadership there but ultimately both the sheep and the sheepdogs follow and are under the authority and leadership of the shepherd. Biblically speaking, the shepherd knows, feeds, protects, teaches, guides and loves both sheep and sheepdogs alike. Christ is clearly our ultimate role model of THE Shepherd. Instead of driving the sheep as the sheepdog does, the shepherd LEADS from the FRONT. See Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34: 1-23, and 1 Peter 5:2-3.

(2) Stewardship: Our focus here should be on developing dependability, fidelity, accountability and HUMILITY. See Luke 24:22-27.

(3) Vision: A true leader must have clear vision and be able to communicate that vision to both those they lead AND those they themselves follow. Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1; 4:16; 5:14-15) and Joseph (Genesis 39-41; 41:16 and 38) displayed visionary leadership – and they were followed because of that vision. Proverbs 29:18 tells us, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

(4) Servanthood: I’ve touched on this many times in the past but, in brief, God is calling us to lead with a servant’s heart (servant-leadership). See John 13; Philippians 2:3-11; and Isaiah 53.

So what kind of leader are you? Do you know anyone who fits this biblical model in your agency? One great example I know of is fellow FCPO board member and Arkansas City, Kansas Chief of Police Sean Wallace. Outstanding behavior!
UPDATE 02/22/10: Speaking of Sean, please keep his wife Robin in prayer as she was rushed to the hospital early this morning due to a heart condition.

This Thursday (2/25, 1900 hours, Room 7, Calvary South Denver, Littleton), we’ll take a look at the subject of "Integrity in Leadership" via an example of what NOT to do: truly poor leadership in the person of Samson. Please join us for great worship music, fellowship, profession-relevant Bible study and prayer. Our meetings are a great example of iron sharpening iron (Proverbs 27:17).


BIBLE STUDY RESOURCES:

I get regular quesions about Bible study resources. Most know that I’m a big fan of http://www.gotquestions.org/ but here are two additional recommended resources (both are listed in the LINKS section on the left side of this page):

(1) http://www.biblestudytools.com/
(2) http://www.blueletterbible.org/ (outstanding online Bible).


DEPUTY CHRIS DEWEY’S DEPARTURE UPDATE:

As many are aware, Mahnomen County Deputy Chris Dewey was shot and left for dead one year ago last week (February 18th) and spent the ensuing eleven-plus months undergoing eleven surgeries and ongoing rehab here in Englewood. Chris is finally headed home to Minnesota and his wife Emily announced that they will leave this coming Tuesday (2/23) at 1000. I spent some time with Chris, Emily, and Ross (Em’s Dad) on Friday and prayed with them in person for the last time before they depart.

In addition, Denver PD Ofc. Danny Veith sent out the following:

As many of you are already aware, Chris arrived at Craig Hospital (Englewood, CO) on March 5, 2009 for the interdisciplinary Traumatic Brain Injury Program to address the multiple gunshot wounds he sustained.

I received confirmation this morning that Chris will return home next Tuesday, February 23rd. An ambulance is scheduled to depart from Craig for Centennial Airport at 10:30 AM.

We are hoping the Denver area law enforcement community will come out to Craig Hospital next Tuesday, at 0930 AM, to bid farewell to Chris and Emily. We are also planning an escort from Craig Hospital (3425 S. Clarkson Street) to Centennial Airport. Officers in marked patrol vehicles are encouraged to participate (parking will be made available on S. Clarkson Street).

Upon arriving back in Minnesota, Chris will continue rehabilitation as he transitions from a hospital environment to his home. Though this was a line-of-duty injury, workman’s comp does not pay for all of Chris and Emily’s needs. Please consider a donation which can be made at any Wells Fargo Bank - the “Deputy Chris Dewey Donation Account.”

For those of you who want to learn more about Chris, post a comment of encouragement and support, or follow his journey as he continues to rehab in Minnesota, please visit his Caring Bridge site at: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chrisdewey

Please consider participating in this send off next Tuesday for one of our brother officers! If you have any questions, I can be contacted at 720-641-0208 or danny.veith@denvergov.org - Thank You!

Please continue to keep Chris, Emily and their families in prayer – and join us on Tuesday if you can.


UPDATE ON ERV MEYER:

I was finally able to reach Erv today and he told me that he is “staying the course” while working on his health and spending the winter in Arizona. Erv asked me to tell everyone that they are missed and that he is looking forward to being back with us in April.


SOCIAL NETWORK FOR CHRISTIAN COPS:

In addition to selected Police Pulse (http://www.policepulse.com/) pages and some areas on http://www.policelink.com/, check out this new social network for Christian officers: http://copsoffaithministries.ning.com/. We’ve already got our page started: http://copsoffaithministries.ning.com/profile/MCWilliams. That said, and while these are much better choices for us than Facebook (I've discontinued our pages) and My Space, let’s be VERY careful about what is posted.


PRAYER REQUESTS (Updated 2/22/10):

(1) Please pray for former Chicago PD Ofc. Louise Cole, mother of wounded Chicago PD Ofc. Densey Cole. Louise sent me the following:
I just came home from being in the hospital for the past 7 days. I have a tumor in my neck (left side) going up to the base of the skull by the artery. I have to make some major decisions soon & only God can lead me in the right direction. He spared my life this past week for sure.

(2) Speaking of Chicago: please be in prayer for the family and colleagues of the CPD sergeant who was killed there early this AM whilst en route to a burglary call (see http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/02/accident-closes-southbound-lanes-of-lake-shore.html). Retired CPD Lt. Chuck Urgo writes, "Chicago Police Sgt. Al Haymaker was a fine officer and brother in Christ. Please keep his family and co-workers in your prayers."

(3) Speaking of poor leadership in law enforcement, a Federal officer in NM has asked for prayer concerning how that issue is impacting her current and future career decisions.

(4) Be in prayer for the officers and staff of the Grand Junction (CO) Police Department (a number of departmental and personal issues). They have an outstanding new chief whom I hope will provide godly leadership. In addition, pray for those officers and staff who are considering starting their own Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers (FCPO) chapter. I’m also pushing for GJPD to start a chaplain program.

(5) As posted above, Chief Sean Wallace (Arkansas City, KS) called this morning asking for prayer for his wife. Robin has been rushed to the hospital due to a heart problem.

(6) Finally, keep me in prayer as I lead this ministry and prepare to teach/preach at a retreat conference in Glen Eyrie next month.


Hope to see you Thursday. In the interim, let’s stay the course and finish strong out there!