Preparing People For Change

It seems as though everybody is facing workplace changes.  If it’s not a direct layoff, it’s the possibility of one, or some other shake up that will affect my work life.  If you’ve not been affected, you know someone close to you who has.  I’ve been through this– both as a manager and as an employee.  And it’s no fun.  At the time I don’t think I was very successful at leading a staff through a transition, nor did I do everything right when the change came to my door.

Several years ago, there was a man (now with the Lord) by the name of Thomas J. Stevenin who was a very successful management consultant.  He wrote a couple of books which were printed by Northfield Publishing (possibly out of print by now).  I’ve always kept them on my shelf and referred to them whenever I needed some workplace wisdom.  In his book Win/Win Solutions, Dr. Stevenin said this about change:

“Changes in the workplace are particularly discomforting in today’s climate of corporate downsizing (this was printed in 1997).  Workers desperate to hang on to their jobs seldom welcome the uncertainty that change brings and the effects it has on relationships.  No matter what the reason for restructuring, whenever personnel holes appear in an organization, personal relationships develop holes as well.

Sadly, so much time is spent creating the new wheel that little time is left to consider the people in its path and how it will roll over them.  Most leaders do a woefully inadequate job of preparing people for change.  Managers who are well prepared to deal with the nuts and bolts of the change process can be ill prepared to deal with the human ruts and revolts.  Consequently, as managers organize and implement change, the human side often gets undermanaged.”

Dr. Stevenin had a lot more to say about helping people cope with inevitable change, but just re-reading that much is a helpful reminder to me.  “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”  Romans 12:10 ESV

Churches Helping Haitian Churches

Like many of you, I have been watching TV coverage of the Haitian earthquake and have had to turn it off from time to time because it’s all so overwhelming.  Then, later, I turn the television back to one of the cable news channels and watch more.  Also like you, we are praying for the victims and have given to a couple of ministries who are adept at providing a quick response to these types of tragic events.

This morning, I awoke to find out that God has laid it on the heart of James MacDonald and Mark Driscoll, along with some others, to travel to Haiti this week and gather whatever information they can about how best to help the churches of Haiti during this crisis.  You’ll find much more information about it at a website that was just launched today, www.churcheshelpingchurches.com. As the week goes on, I’m sure new information will be added.

Pray for them this week as they go.  There is little doubt that their hearts will be broken and they will be changed by what they see and hear.  Perhaps most importantly, they will come home with a plan for how we can best help the Haitian church.  “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10

2010 Off and Running

The new year has started with a number of projects just wrapping up or getting started this month:

101 Hymns-This new release from Oasis Audio will come out in February. As the narrator of this project, I read the stories of 101 favorite hymns. The really unique part of this project is that each hymn story is accompanied by the hymn’s melody. Produced by Joe Carlson, the musicians who are a part of this project are Jeff Taylor on piano, accordion, and penny whistle, John Catching on cello, and Steve Wick on guitar. These talented men add a beautiful musical touch to these timeless stories and hymn texts. Just one of the hymn stories, O God Our Help In Ages Past, is in the audio vault for you to sample.

2012: The Bible and the End of the World- I completed production of this audio book in December and it will also be released by Oasis Audio.

The Map: The Way of All Great Men- This book is in production right now for upcoming release from Oasis Audio.

Author Interviews- Oasis Audio has also posted a number of my author interviews here.

THE PUBLIC SQUARE- This weekly program is off and running in the new year, a critically important year in the life of our nation. I’ll be attending our American Policy Roundtable Policy Briefing in Franklin, TN on Jan. 29.

PARENTING TODAY’S TEENS – We have a recording session planned for this month and I get to hear all of Mark Gregston’s latest stories

WALK IN THE WORD – We had a great finish to 2009 and look forward to what God has in store through the ministry of James MacDonald this year. We’ll have a recording session this month. Also, James has just released his book, When Life Is Hard.

MEET ME AT THE WELL – Hopefully, you’ve seen the download link here on the website for this radio special which is now available free of charge.

UREADBOOKS.COM – A number of author interviews have now been posted on this website as radio programs.

DRINK FROM THE WELL – I’m doing voiceover for this new television program with Dr. David Swanson from First Presbyterian Church Orlando.

All this and maybe a little snowmobile trip as well?? ‘Have a great month!

O God, Our Help in Ages Past

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After Christmas Special

I know we are all still thinking about Christmas, but let me be the first to announce an after Christmas special– no, not a half price sale, but a special radio broadcast that’s all produced and ready to go for January release. It’s called MEET ME AT THE WELL and it features Christian artist Lisa Troyer and author/speaker Virelle Kidder. With music from Lisa and biblical conversation with both Lisa and Virelle, MEET ME AT THE WELL is meant to encourage listeners to have their soul’s thirst quenched by Jesus Christ who is the Living Water. This program, which I host, also features Jerry Wiles of Living Water International.

The featured music for this program will come from Lisa’s brand new CD to be released in January, called Meet Me at the Well. Coincidentally (actually, we think it was the Lord’s doing), one of Virelle’s books from Moody Publishers is also titled Meet Me at the Well. When these two women bumped into each other at a conference, it only seemed natural that they should begin to minister together. So, starting in January, they will begin a series of women’s conferences with Lisa leading worship and Virelle speaking on the God-given theme of renewal.

This radio special is available for airing by any radio station who wishes to use it. MEET ME AT THE WELL is designed as a one-time, 54 minute radio special with ample cutaways for local fill.

More information is available at meetmeatthewell.fm. If you would like to audition the program, or download the files for broadcast, just go to wayneshepherd.net and follow the link to the download page where you can register and then listen and/or download the program.

Of course, if you have any questions, just email me at wayne@wayneshepherd.net. I hope you’ll take advantage of the first after Christmas special of the season!

Sunday Night at Sherwood

Last night was the service at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA which announced the next movie from the makers of FIREPROOF. The movie will be called COURAGEOUS, calling men and fathers back to their biblical role of spiritual leadership. The plot will involve a group of police officers who are called to “serve and protect”, a symbol of the role to which God calls all men.

The service at Sherwood was extremely powerful as Stephen and Alex Kendrick, Jim McBride, and Pastor Michael Catt explained how much thought and prayer has gone into determining the theme of the next movie. Michael Catt began by describing their method of decision making– after prayer and searching the Scriptures, there has to be complete unity among them before they move ahead on any point. No 3-1 votes, but complete unity.

As I heard the presentation and thought about the character and commitment to Christ of the men and women involved in this, I began to wonder and pray even now for a spiritual revival to be the fruit of their efforts dedicated to God’s glory.

You can read more about the movie which now enters a intense few months of writing, casting, and production at www.courageousthemovie.com.

I have uploaded a number of radio interviews that I did following last night’s service at Sherwood. They are on the front page of my website as featured audio.

I know the whole Sherwood team deeply desires your prayers as they launch their next movie.

Goin’ Down To Georgia

When the movies Facing The Giants and Fireproof were released, it was great fun to host the live radio coverage of the premiers in Los Angeles in the Arclight Theatre. Now, the church in Albany, Georgia where these successful movies were birthed, is set to announce their newest film project. The announcement is to be made this Sunday, Nov. 15, in a Sunday night service at Sherwood Baptist. You can check out the website thenextsherwoodmovie.com

On assignment with Renaissance Communications and my good friend Joe Battaglia, I will be providing audio clips of the announcement and interviews with Alex and Stephen Kendrick. These audio clips will be posted late Sunday night and will be available for radio stations to download and use on Monday morning broadcasts. I’ll be talking with both Alex and Stephen Kendrick as well as Pastor Michael Catt, Ex. Producer Jim McBride, and others. The audio can be downloaded here: thenextsherwoodmovie.com/radio

Do I know what the movie will be? Nope, it’s a big secret and I will find out when everyone else does Sunday night

Metanoia Radio in Romania

I’ve just returned from a brief trip to Arad, Romania. Invited by Metanoia Church (Harvest Bible Chapel) and pastor Cristian Barbosu, I met with the Metanoia radio staff as well as the ownership, staff, and management of Alt FM, a new radio frequency that has only been on the air since May. As a church, Metanoia provides 3 hours per day of programming to Alt FM, producing their programs right in the studios of Alt FM. Talking with each member of the staff reminded me of the days when we started the Satellite Programming Department at Moody in the early 80’s. Starting from scratch, lots of hard work, questions about strategy and program design, struggles over what music and how much to play, and how to find enough listener support to keep it all going. With all of this, plus a lot more that I probably did not pick up on, it’s really amazing how far they have come in a short amount of time. Pray for this radio ministry that is seeking to reach a new generation of Romanian listeners. In the days to come I hope to be able to continue to encourage them by linking them to resources and people here in America that can help them thrive in their mission. Pray also that the Romanian government will allow the owners of Alt FM to equip and re-start an AM station which is a significant part of their strategy for survival. If anyone would like to know more, or how to financially support Metanoia’s radio ministry, please email me at wshepherd@ameritech.net. I’d be happy to tell you more. I’ve written a formal report on the trip which I can send to anyone who requests it.

Calling All Nashvillians

While I am involved in a number of diverse projects these days, one of my radio assignments is serving as the host of the radio program THE PUBLIC SQUARE, which is produced by the politically independent American Policy Roundtable.

At this critically important moment in our nation’s history, we are holding a policy briefing on Thursday evening, Aug 6 at the Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville.

If you liked what the government did to the auto industry, the financial industry, TARP, and the stimulus, you’ll love what they will do to your health care.

I hope you will consider attending this 90 minute briefing. You can RSVP Allison– at 1-800-522-8683, or aallen@APRoundtable.org. You can read more about APR (and listen to our radio shows) at www.aproundtable.org. Also check out www.moveoutcongress.com.

Click on the invitation below to see a larger version

The Hole in Our Gospel

Since I do a lot of author interviews, there are many books that cross my desk. I usually don’t have to go looking for them- they find me. Honestly, there are some that I read cover to cover not only in anticipation of talking with the author, but because it’s a good book and it has captivated me. Then there are the books that I “radio read”, skimming through them, usually because there isn’t enough time to read everything that I need to in preparing for the interview. However, once in a while there is a book that I pursue whether it finds me or not. One of those books is The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns, President of World Vision, U.S.

I wanted to read The Hole in Our Gospel, not to prepare for any interview, but because I had heard so many people I respect talk about how much it had meant to them. After reading it, I now know why. It was, as expected, a well thought out and biblical call to serve the poor of this world in the name of Jesus Christ. Scripture is clear on God’s expectations for how we treat the poor and the statistics that are documented in this book compel us to action. What I did not expect, was the personal story as Rich Stearns told of his own awakening to the issue. As a very successful CEO of a large corporation, the way in which God prepared his heart and controlled the circumstances surrounding his call to lead World Vision is a powerful reminder to me that our life is not our own. Rich Stearns’ life reminds me yet again that “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Prov. 16:9).