What are Resource Packs?

Because a part of our Mission is to provide churches, ministers and leaders with strategic and practical resources, great effort is given to serve our network as advance scouts; searching for tools and resources which we believe can assist you. Each VM Partner Church Pastor regularly receives a resource pack of the newest and best resources available. The packs may include resources such as books, tapes, worksheets, tools, videos, et al. Five times a year we bundle together timely and relevant resources which provide enrichment, equipping and encouragement for leaders who want to sharpen their leadership and ministry skills and enrich their personal walk. If you want to keep yourself on a development track as a leader, consider ordering Vanguard's Resource Pack. You may order it a la carte or on an annual basis.

How do I receive a Resource Pack?

We are offering this resource pack to Vanguard members at a cost of $56.00 plus shipping and handling. To order, please call (800) 630-2838. You may charge your purchase to Visa or Master Card or make payment with a personal/business check.

Let me review the contents of this Partner Pack:

BOOK:                       Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels

As a leader, you have the potential to be an influential force. If you are willing to do whatever it takes to lead your church effectively so God’s message of hope can change the world, then this book is for you. This book is full of wise principles, useful lists and practical leadership tips.

In this passionate, powerful book, Bill Hybels unpacks the tools, tasks, and challenges of your calling. You’ll discover the power of vision and how to turn it into action. You’ll gain frontline insights for developing a kingdom dream team, discovering your leadership style, developing other leaders, making decisions, walking with God, embracing change, staying your God-given course, and much more. Courageous Leadership will convince you to lead with all your might, all your skill, and all your faith. And it will give you the tools to do just that.

BOOK:                        Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership: The Paradox of Personal Dysfunction by Gary L. McIntosh & Samuel D. Rima, Sr.

Many of the same traits that drive us to succeed have the potential of bringing out the dark side of leadership. This book will teach you how to identify your dark side, those areas that are disguised, unexplored and unrecognized. Our leadership will be stronger and the dangers of collapse less if we identify the particular issues we struggle with and learn how they have become dark-sided issues for us. This resource will help you gain practical, relevant and useful insights necessary to protect yourself from significant failure. This is an excellent and sobering look at another less popular side of ministry leadership.

BOOK:                        The Encouraging the Heart Workbook by Jim Kouzes & Barry Posner

Most of you are familiar with the classic, The Leadership Challenge by Kouzes and Posner that has become a leadership textbook worldwide. Recently, they have released this workbook that incorporates the findings of their research into a practical ‘how to' guide that will help readers build leadership capacity by lifting and growing others along the way to reach their full potential. It gives leaders real tools to engage the hearts of their people and create extraordinary results. The highly relevant activities will challenge you to set better standards, personalize recognition, and celebrate more effectively.

Readers will be guided through seven essentials of encouraging the heart: set clear standards, expect the best, pay attention, personalize recognition, tell the story, celebrate together, and set the example. Also provided is a useful 21-question self-assessment to help you and your leaders determine how they are doing and where they should focus their development efforts.

CD SERIES:                   High Stakes Leadership by Bobby Hill

Leading in today’s rapidly changing environment can be a daunting task. Today’s ministry and marketplace leaders need to be High Stakes leaders. These leaders are prepared to take risks, adopt a proactive posture, and engage in a battle with eternal consequences. I recently taught this series to a network of leaders in the southwestern US. It presents leaders with a highly motivational challenge to grow as servant-leaders. Hopefully, you will find it relevant.

ARTICLE:                   The Power of Transparency by Keith Spurgin

After the 2007 VM Leadership Conference, Keith Spurgin sensed the Holy Spirit’s prompting to write an article on the topic of “transparency”. Keith and his leaders have discussed many questions about transparency and openness as leaders over the history of planting and building New Hope Christian Church in Wylie, Texas. He felt this article would be helpful for leaders to understand the importance of transparency and accountability and I agree wholeheartedly!