Tell me how many kids will not be able to read by 3rd grade and I will tell you how many prisons to build.
That was a compelling thought from Frances Hesselbein (Chairman of the Board of Governors, Leaders to Leaders Institute, and the Founder of The Peter Drucker Foundation) at a recent brainstorming session of church leaders in NYC. The group is working to reach the 60% of culture that isn’t attending a church. She believes we must begin here:
- We are living in a day with the lowest level of trust, highest level of cynicism and worst degradation in US history.
- 500,000 of 1,000,000 New York school children will not get high school diplomas. Whose children are these? They are each children of God. As such, they are our children! Lose our children and we lose our democracy.
- Two institutions have sustained our country: the army and the education of our children. Both are stretched to (or beyond) their limits. For the first time in our country’s history after depression and war, our social, civic and government sectors cannot meet the needs of our children.
These issues are at the core of the political debates (like health care) of our day. But what is the answer? Frances suggests:
- The needs of children and families are escalating at the same time social and civic resources are declining. Only the social sector (not government and business) can save our communities. Within this sector, the church is our hope.
- Externally focused church leaders are the leaders our communities are crying out for.
- Every organization needs to practice ‘planned abandonment’ where you let go of those things that are now irrelevant.
- If you think you can do tomorrow what you are doing today, you are already the church of the past.
- Leadership is about learning to be, not how to do.
“Will you see families, children and the community as your concern (burden)?” Frances asks.
Hope begins with us, the church.
To read more of the conversation, go to my friend Todd Wilson’s blog
I really like this. Love, J
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
– Martin Luther King Jr.
Today’s issues become tomorrows problems unless they are dealt with now.
Education reform is needed more than health reform, people just don’t see it yet.
I pray that eyes are opened.
Hey dad.. OUr blog URL changed. I placed it above. Miss you. LOve, J
Tyrone,
Thanks for the provocative quote. And yes, I believe our failure to adequately train and engage the next generation is a huge risk to our future.
Great insight.
Blessings,
Ed
Jenny,
Thanks for stopping by. I’ll check it out soon.
Ed (dad)