CITY LIGHT

The next lesson is building and forming relationships within the Frontline Team, the people we serve and those who help us serve donors, volunteers and partners. A hallmark of the reemergence of Frontline has been the team’s commitment to valuing and growing relationships. One aspect of this change was the commitment to relationships over programs. I noted to a group of young people in the community that lamented the different programs and offering that started and stopped with grant dollars that our team was committed to developing a series of relationships with them that would enable them to grow. This helped change the ministry focus and mission from reaching out people that were lost and who needed help (a nearly impossible goal) to developing leaders starting with early childhood education. Thus helping the team to raise support and gather supporters without bouncing back and forth starting and stopping program s based on support. Lesson: In a crisis rather than looking for just a...

When I arrived at the doorstep of Frontline Outreach in the fall of 1998 it was a ministry organization that was rich with history. There was a 42,000 square foot building in disrepair and a staff of people uncertain about their future and the ministry’s as well. The programs while well intentioned were not integrated. Everyone knew we worked with children, but no one could quantify what we did or how we did it. It was apparent the Frontline Team needed a large dose of focus. The dilemma was where to start? Should the emphasis be emergency food assistance, teen pregnancy, boxing, daycare, GED or any of the ideas du jour that I was approached with regularly. It became clear that Frontline Outreach as a ministry could not help anyone else until it and we (the team) helped ourselves. I announced , “Bleach and water are cheap, let’s clean this building up.” Immediately, the team and I began cleaning out old areas that had accumulated well intentioned “gifts” that were unusable and sprucing...

A major portion of leadership is the sense of calling. Most world changing leaders from the have an overwhelming compelling spiritual or moral motivation to be a catalyst for change. These leaders face every situation and what can been viewed as obstacles as opportunities. How is thi s possible? First each of these leaders had otherworldly motivations. Jesus, God’s Son sent to redeem people and a lost world. Reverend Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, Mahatmas Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King all used their spiritual inclinations to change this world. The same was true for me as accepted the call to lead Frontline Outreach an urban community ministry in Orlando in 1998. The founder of the ministry had just retired after 30 years of service. It struggled in the transition losing funding from major organizations in Central Florida. There was a loss of focus on what the ministry was supposed to accomplish and the good reputation that had been built over 30 years seemed to be fading. ...

Some thoughts about leadership

A Tribute to Momma Mother's Day provides the opportunity to pause and meditate on the value of good mothers. The role of mothers has been under attack over the last few decades. It has not been enough to be a mother. Expectations has forced women to become a hybrid man/woman both carrying on a professional life, raising and nurturing a family. For many women like my mother working was a necessity not purely a professional pursuit. It has been eight Mother's Days since I last gave Momma her last card. She along with my grandmother were the defining women in my life. Not so much because of what they provided materially, but rather the spiritual and life lesson they imparted. Yesterday, I spoke to a group of young women receiving their ten year pin for being Girl Scouts. I noted that the whole world is in search of women who embrace their roles as leaders and who are prepared. My mother was such a woman. Never living outside of the inner city she influenced and dev...

In tribute to Paul Martin Kuck A Steel and Velvet Model for Business Leaders The last extensive post explored who is our brother. I understand that most people are not theoretical, but practical. They want to know how this type of commitment looks in daily life. How does commitment to ministry in the City look and can it be accomplished. My friend and brother, the late Paul M. Kuck, founder of Regal Marine Boats in Orlando has shown us how. Carl Sandburg, speaking of Abraham Lincoln before a joint session of the Congress, said: "Not often in the story of mankind does a man arrive on earth who is both steel and velvet, and who is as hard as rock and soft as drifting fog, who holds in his heart and mind the paradox of terrible storm and peace unspeakable and perfect." Paul Kuck was such a man. His resolve and tenacity were like steel. Concerning the bottom line, he was focused. Yet, his heart was soft for the things of God and for the defenseless and disenfranchised. Paul fo...

Glad to know that I can now blog via my phone. This will enable me to post more often. Until next time, blessings!

It has been a busy year. I plan to blog more often in 09. Here are a few recent articles and videos that share my thoughts concerning ministry and leadership. Blessings! http://www.lookuporlando.net/arto.asp http://orlando.jobing.com/tag/arto%20woodley%20jr . More to come later concerning my thoughts on urban ministry, education, youth, and leadership