Chess, Not Checkers
By Sharon Mager
How are you leading your organization – like a game of checkers, with quick moves and interchangeable pieces, or like chess, with strategic moves to help it move forward and win? The Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware (BCM/D) is accepting registrations for this year’s Healthy Leaders for Healthy Churches conference on October 8, 15, and 22. The focus will be on helping leaders to think strategically, based on Mark Miller’s leadership material and his book, “Chess, Not Checkers.”
Pastor Jay Vineyard will discuss various principles that will help people improve their ability to lead organizations effectively.
The conference isn’t just for church leaders — it’s also for business leaders. Miller holds worldwide respect as a voice in leadership training and the author of nine books. What intrigues many is that Miller began by selling chicken as an hourly employee at Chick-Fil-A. On his website, Miller says he was “corporate employee number sixteen” and that he grew with the business for 40 years. Miller now serves as the vice president of high-performance leadership. A quick Google search will show that Miller’s work is recognized by leaders from America’s top organizations, including Coca Cola, Keller-Williams, and Starbucks.
The design of the material assists both pastoral staff who are leading a local church and well as business leaders who want to improve their leadership skills.
Jay Vineyard, the ministry pastor of Dogwood Church in Tyrone, Georgia, will be the guest speaker. Vineyard will discuss various principles that will help people improve their ability to lead organizations effectively. At Dogwood Church, his primary pastoral responsibilities include leadership development, equipping and mobilizing volunteers, pastoral care, campus safety, and Russian missional engagement. Before joining the Dogwood staff, Vineyard served the Georgia Baptist Convention as a state missionary in church revitalization and leadership ministries for 14 years. He is also the Southern Baptist Convention’s liaison with Lead Like Jesus, Ken Blanchard’s international leadership development service. Blanchard authored over 60 books, including “The One Minute Manager.”
The event costs $10 and includes three 90-minute sessions over a three-week period. For questions about the event or to register, visit the BCM/D website. For additional information email Randy Millwood, or for registration questions, email Demetra Bennett.
