Update on Arrow Position

After six terrific months serving Arrow Leadership Ministries as Senior Associate for Strategic Advancement on a contract basis, Carson Pue and I have come to the mutual conclusion that we will not renew our agreement past the month of January 2009.

I will continue my participation in the Executive Arrow class and will graduate this coming June.

I’m grateful for my association with Arrow.  We will continue to support one another in ministry.  Arrow is the flagship leader development organization in North America and is worthy of the support of everyone who believes that leadership matters.  These are critical days of change.  But the vision to grow and increase Arrow’s reach remains in place.  There has never been a more poignant moment to provide transformational encouragement for Kingdom leaders than now.

My efforts in leader focus will continue.  I will communicate my plans for future involvement as they take shape.

To the Point – by Carson Pue

In 2008 I took a sabbatical from To the Point after seven years of monthly missives. Now I am back with a new leadership thought monthly scheduled for the first of every month. I am ready for us to walk through the coming year together ˆ addressing our leadership challenges arm in arm.

I used time in 2008 to work on two books I hope to finish soon ˆ one is a 52-week devotional prayer guide for leaders that you helped inspire. You see I have taken a weekly theme from To the Point articles that received the most response and have written a prayer with it for leaders to help focus our week. You will be among the first to know when it is published.

To the Point is written about what I am going through as a leader in real time. I pray that in a small way it will allow us to lead together.

These first days of 2009 are already Œinteresting‚ days for us as leaders. A sense of moral indignation grows as we read about those who have allowed greed to push for ever-greater profits and exploited the weak. The question, „What does it profit to gain the whole world and suffer the loss of your soul?‰ (Mark 8:36) circles in my thoughts and I want to blame someone, while I know that greed pops up in my life too.

I know, some of you are thinking that saying 2009 is Œinteresting‚ is a euphemism for wild, terrifying and exhausting! Revenue is down in most sectors, and the sense of responsibility for all our staff and families weighs heavy. Some organizations simply will not be in the phonebook in three years. What a time to be the leader!

There are several responses leaders take during downturn times. Some are just tired and wonder if they are up for the journey. Others buckle in and work harder – frenetically trying to find a way through this. Still others slip on the downward slope of depression and take it out on their team and families with behavior that is not their normal style or pattern. Leaders can get caught up in looking for shortcuts or quick solutions knowing deep within that it is unlikely we will find an easy solution that does not involve pain at some level.

In other moments – often quiet moments – leaders feel fear and insecurity. This pushes us to look at ourselves. Does insecurity make me more self-seeking and less caring about the needs of others? Or does this worldwide turmoil strengthen my compassion?

Perhaps this downturn might lead you and I to a deeper dependence on God? Let‚s challenge ourselves to allow generosity to coexist with what we are feeling and share it as a rare grace with those around us.

To the point,

Carson

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. (Matt. 12:43)

Click here to download Dr. Pue’s PDF notes on Leaders and Fear from a recent CCN broadcast.

Arrow Celebrates 10 Years – President Carson Pue

I arrived in Vancouver on Friday afternoon, just in time to connect with several Arrow staffers – and a relaxing evening with Carson and Brenda (we took in a Chinese dinner and the movie Australia).  Carson believed that I was there for the staff Christmas party.

We knew he was surprised when I followed him into the restaurant just outside Surrey, BC.  He expected about fourteen of us for an Arrow staff Christmas dinner.  As he rounded the corner in a darkened room (the sun sets about 4pm in Vancouver this time of year), there were over seventy.  He turned to find the host – his instinct was to complain Arrow’s private room had gone to some other group.  But then – one by one – he recognized faces and it dawned on him.  These were the people he loved, the people who had journeyed with him in this amazing ten years of growth and high impact ministry.

There were current and former staffers, board members and major supporters.  They stood to their feet and welcomed the man who provided leadership, vision and set the pace for transformational leadership in the lives of literally hundreds of the best and brightest.

Dr. Carson Pue

It was an unforgettable evening.  Story after story, laughter and tears, as the journey was rehearsed in stories told by a succession of folks who walked alongside Carson and Brenda through the years.

Check out the photos.

Arrow’s Week in California

Arrow’ comes to California

October 2008 brought the Arrow team to California.  It was a gathering of Arrow staff, leaders in training, leadership partners, trainers and hosts.

The 22^nd Arrow Class is the second Urban class with significant support from the Evangelical Christian Credit Union right here in Brea.  The twenty-two leaders completed their two year course with their forth week long “residential” at Forest Home’s  Lakeview Lodge in the San Bernardino Mountains.

See Photo Gallery from Week in California

Mentoring Connection

Dr. Carson Pue and Darren Degraaf presented a four hour workshop Arrow calls the Mentoring Connection.  It was attended by sixty-five leaders, many from several large churches in North Orange County.  The Mentoring Connection is a dynamic new training workshop created for use in the local church. The workshop is designed to equip and encourage people in the local church to intentionally invest in others through mentoring.

President Carson Pue

While Dr. Steve Brown and the staff led the residential week in Forest Falls, Carson and I met with a number of new friends to Arrow.

On Tuesday evening, Arrow hosted a dinned for some twenty-four people in the newly opened Gilead Retreat Center at ECCU.  The vision for an aggressive strategy for the expansion of Arrow’s reach was presented.  You can view the Vision PowerPoint on-line.

The Graduation

Carson and Brenda Pue, along with Steve Brown, recognized the achievement of the 22^nd Arrow class.  The entire Board of Directors along with senior staff of the Evangelical Christian Credit Union were all in attendance, along with the proud families and supporters of the graduating leaders.

Arrow is poised to break through to a new level of influence.

Mentoring Connection

Designed to equip and encourage mentoring relationships.

Venue: Evangelical Christian Credit Union’s Auditorium
955 West Imperial Hwy, Brea, California

Time: 8:30am – Noon

Date: Saturday, October 18, 2008

Cost: $45 registration price includes workbook and light refreshments

Are you looking to facilitate mentoring within your church or ministry context?
How does someone become a mentor or find one?

Arrow Leadership has been at the forefront of the leadership mentoring initiative for the last 16 years and we have now developed a powerful, yet straightforward resource to equip and encourage mentoring relationships in churches and ministries.

The Mentoring Connection Workshop is designed to help you understand your God-given role in the mentoring opportunities that surround you. Join us for a 3.5 hour workshop where you explore the models for mentoring and your role in this legacy ministry.

Dr. Carson Pue, President of Arrow Leadership, and author of the best-selling book Mentoring Leaders, will be the trainer for a special seminar in the Los Angeles area this fall. Bring your entire team and explore together the value of mentoring relationships.

For more info please contact Jane at 1.877-262-7769 ext. 212 or via e-mail at janeo@arrowleadership.org.

TO REGISTER CLICK HERE

Arrow – A Week in California

We will welcome Arrow’s leadership team to Southern California in October for several strategic events.

The Mentoring Connection is a dynamic new training workshop created for use in the local church. Facilitated by trained Arrow Alumni, this three and a half hour workshop is designed to equip and encourage people in the local church to intentionally invest in others through mentoring.  The team will present the workshop in Brea on Saturday, October 18^th.  READ MORE.

Residential Week for Arrow’s 22^nd Class – held at Forest Home and Evangelical Christian Credit Union (ECCU).  This class, which has twenty four emerging urban leaders as its core, will Graduate on Thursday, October 23^rd.  The celebration will be held on ECCU’s campus.  A banquet will follow.  ECCU has partnered with Arrow in sponsoring this class.

Dr. Carson Pue, Arrow’s President and author of the best-selling book, Mentoring Leaders: Wisdom for Developing Character, Calling, will join Darren DeGraaf, Director: Leadership Services, will be here for the week.

We are trusting God for an informative, challenging week.

Ken Kemp, Senior Associate for Strategic Advancement

Carolyn and I are pleased to announce that I have officially joined the Arrow team.  As of August 1^st, I am Senior Associate for Strategic Advancement for Arrow Leadership International Ministries.

Many of you have prayed with us as we open a new chapter in following that calling that you’ve heard about.  God stirred up a powerful desire to devote our full time to serving his kingdom.  Thanks to your prayers and encouragement and God’s clear leading, we’ve opened a new chapter and become a part of a dynamic leadership development organization that has a remarkable track record.  I’m excited about sharing the Arrow story.

After much study, prayer and consideration, President Carson Pue and the Board of Directors have launched an ambitious plan to fulfill a grand vision for growth. 

A God-sized Vision

I’ve been asked by the President and the Board to work closely with Carson and the Arrow Team to develop the resources we need to double our capacity over the next three to five years.  It’s a God-sized vision.  We’ll only accomplish it with his help.  Arrow has graduated over one thousand two hundred alumni who are serving kingdom organizations all over North America and beyond.  There are one hundred leaders in the program each year – but for the past several years, over sixteen hundred candidates per year have inquired.  The demand far exceeds our capacity. 

I learned about Arrow Leadership four years ago.  Dr. Carson Pue, Arrow’s President since 1999, helped me as a friend and counselor as I transitioned from my years in business to a renewed career in vocational ministry. Carson proved to be a wise encourager, full of fresh insight and invaluable advice.

Ken and Carson on the Annalong off Vancouver

View Slide Show

In the last few months, he’s once again proven to be the same. I know better now where it comes from. Carson is a world-class expert in developing leaders. He wrote the book.

What is Arrow? – A Clear Focus: Emerging Leaders

You may already be familiar with Arrow’s history. In 1994, Leighton Ford celebrated the graduation of his first Arrow class. It was the direct result of his firm commitment to emerging leaders. In 1998, he asked Carson, one of those first graduates, to assume the role of director of the organization now called Arrow Leadership. The baton was passed. In the years since, as I noted earlier, some twelve hundred Arrow alumni have re-emerged as energetic, focused leaders in hundreds of major churches, para-church ministries and in the marketplace. Over more than a decade, Arrow has identified top emerging leaders from all over North America and invested considerable resources to equip and encourage them through a highly intentional two year process.

I could easily get carried away.  This note is long enough.  Here are some links for more information -

• Why Arrow?
• How did Arrow get started?
• What sets Arrow apart?
• What are the core components of the two year program?
  • Personalized, comprehensive assessment
  • 360 Degree Assessment Feedback
  • Residential seminars
  • Practical leadership learning
  • Personalized development plan
  • Intensive mentoring/coaching
• On-going academic education – accreditation towards advanced degrees
• What we believe
• Arrow International – The Arrow Alliance

Download the Arrow Brochure (pdf) to learn more.

There is a place for you…

Please pray with us as we begin our work at Arrow.  We are actively seeking partners who understand the need for leadership development as we move into a whole new era of Christian ministry.

We appreciate you, our good friends, who have been so supportive through the years.  God is faithful.  He’s done great things.  And this is only the beginning.

Most sincerely yours,

Ken