Tom Hogsed » Transition

Next Gen Leader Gets His Turn

Tom Hogsed — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:01:00 +0000

The other day I was reading the cover story in the October issue of National Geographic magazine. The article, simply entitled Redwoods: Super Trees, speaks about the value and beauty of redwood trees, which have the potential to be the tallest trees on earth. Although the article addresses issues such as saving the trees and other conservation efforts, the author also writes about a unique process in the forest between the older trees and the second generation trees called release. The writer, Joel K. Bourne, Jr., describes this phenomenon for the reader by saying, “With their high tolerance for shade and ability to sprout, some redwoods can sit almost dormant in the shade of their elders for decades. Yet as soon as a dominant tree falls or is cut down, breaking the canopy and allowing new light to enter the forest, the suppressed redwood springs up with new growth” (October 2009 issue, p. 38).

As soon as I read this statement I paused and re-read it again; it was one of those moments in which I felt as if God was providing a spiritual application to an earthly illustration. In my lifetime I have seen many “elders” and “dominant” leaders pass off the scene which has opened up the forest to many of the “suppressed” (I don’t mean this in a negative way) leaders. For many years, some of you have stood strong in the shadow of an elder who provided shade and protection, but now it is time for you to step into the light and “spring up with new growth.”

I believe Paul wrote some similar advice to those “suppressed” leaders who were getting ready to assume the place of their elders, “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecies spoken to you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right, and God will save you and those who hear you (1 Timothy 4:12-16, NLT).

Are you ready to step into the light?

Dead End Leaders

Tom Hogsed — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 05:01:00 +0000

Yesterday I took my two kids on a bike ride because, well, it is our new favorite thing to do and I believe they enjoying spending some time with me as much as I enjoy spending time with them. Now every day when I get home from work, both my son and daughter beg me to take another bike ride. So yesterday, instead of traveling the normal route around our neighborhood, I decided to take them on a new, exciting adventure in order to explore the unknown – the woods. Hoping there would be a decent bicycle path amongst the tall trees near our house, all three of us set out on an adventure; however, my children had no idea what I had planned. As we approached the deep, dark forest my seven and nine year old became a little concerned about entering a place where they had never been; in fact, they objected and made statements like, “I don’t want to go in there.” I assured them that there had been no recent snake attacks in our area, so we finally proceeded into the canopy of trees. After only traveling a short distance, the trail ended so we backtracked and took a side trail I had spotted several yards back, which ended up leading to another dead end. Determined to find a clear path, I led us along the edge of the trees until we had descended down a hill where we were met with yet another dead end. By this time, my kids were clearly frustrated with me and at one point, my daughter (who is always brutally honest) put her bike down on the ground and said, “I’m tired and I want to go home NOW!” I knew it was time to abandon my plan for discovery and exploration. Dejected and a little frustrated that my plan for exploring new paths had failed, we all pedaled home. Based on yesterday’s failure, I was certain that they would not want to embark on another bicycle journey; however, when I arrived home this evening, they asked if we were going on a bike ride.

Has the person who is your leader (a boss, teacher, parent, or pastor) led your business, classmates, family, or church to several dead ends? If so, maybe he or she needs you to ask to go on another bike ride.

Transition

Tom Hogsed — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:46:00 +0000

I will be 34 very soon. I was born in 1974. I graduated from high school in 1992. I graduated from college in 1996. I got married in 1997. I graduated with a master’s degree in 1998. I also became a high school pastor in 1998. Leah and I had our first child in 2000 and our second one in 2002. Time flies. It has been a while since I have had a major transition in my life…until now. In less than 60 days I’ll be taking a step that I thought I would never take – becoming a lead pastor. Since I was very young, I had always wanted to be a pastor to youth. There wasn’t this idea of using youth ministry as a stepping stone to become a pastor. I guess that is why I’ve stayed in youth ministry for 10 years at the same church. I really believe in students. So why am I making the transition? Over the last year and a half I felt restless. I was not unhappy or dissatisfied…just uneasy. Instead of looking for a way to solve the restlessness, I waited. Waiting is not usually me, but I felt as if being patient was the right thing to do. During this period of unrest, God began developing in me a desire to become a lead pastor. At first, I pushed the feeling away but it actually became stronger. Then through a series of events, God dropped an opportunity into my life. Our church, which I love with all my heart, was going to open a second campus 30 minutes north of the main campus and I would lead that group of people. Transition in life is tough but exciting because it brings new challenges as well as fresh opportunities. Are you going through a transition right now? Maybe you should wait. At the proper time, God will show up and probably do more than you ever expected.