RCC GO Team to ICC, DR

This morning Jon McNeill held up the cover of the biography of Steve Jobs. He asked if anyone knew what was happening at Apple with the death of this visionary leader? Jon spoke of the change from an up-front, entrepreneurial, visionary leader to a leader who worked through a team. Apple's transition was the catalyst for Jon's teaching. And by the end of Jon's session, everyone in the room had answered aloud questions about their role, their resources and their boss. Jon provided the ICC team with tools they can use as they continue to manage the transition of Robert's departure. The last event of the morning was communion. The RCC team served communion and then prayed for the elders. They in turn laid hands on us and prayed for all of us. Susan called in a "two hankie morning." (Adele)

Adele did a good job above describing this morning (although she didn't include the insightful and touching wrap up she and Doug did). Over lunch, Jon, Gary and I discussed how to capture a feel for this team for those at home. It is a challenge. But mealtime is a good window. The place we stayed had buffets three times a day, and all of us (about 30 total) would serve ourselves and sit together. Everyone mingled and mixed, and those who spoke English would translate for us, or at other times we would muddle along with a challenged mix of English and Spanish that was blended with good humor. Laughter was a key element for all gatherings, whether at mealtime or during sessions. There is serious engagement in intelligent conversation and open display of emotion. Combined with affectionate embraces and warm greetings, it is enough to melt a proper Bostonian's heart. (Susan)

We now are back at the Yacino's apartment recharging our batteries for this evenings church service back at ICC in the Colonial City. Doug will be preaching and many of the congregants will be "seekers", so Doug will tailor his message to that audience. We will reconnect with many of the leaders back at church and afterwards, hopefully reflecting and following up on the weekend. We all agreed this is a very talented leadership team with lots of energy and "mission" focus. Great to reflect on how we can translate some of this fervor to missions (inreach as well as outreach) back at RCC. Worth a discussion or two. (Gary)

Hey RCC friends and family -

Today was a very full and eventful day with the ICC leadership team. Our prepared discussion topics covered two important parts of transitions: 1) Conflicts and conflict resolution and 2) Thinking about how to be "complete" with the past and to be ready to address the future.

The day was kicked off with a very well crafted and received devotional from Jon on Matthew 18. It touched many with its message on conflict resolution inside the church. "When two or three are gathered in His name, He is there also." bet you didn't know this quote by Jesus was actually about conflict! (Gary)

Next, let's hear from Jon:

In the next session, Gary took a page out of his business school teaching experience and asked the ICC team to think about what the future will look like after their senior pastor leaves (we're here to help coach the team on leadership transition issues). Gary "cold-called" members of the leadership team (like a good case teaching business school professor) and asked them to express their vision of the future. Tonight as we debriefed with the ICC team, several team members talked about how much they appreciated Gary asking them to look forward (and how scared they were about being cold-called!).

Next, here's Susan's story from today:

Doug and Adele led a discussion about how Enneagram numbers intersect with transitions and conflicts, which led to great group involvement. The compensation for a full morning of work and discussion was a very fun "Olympics" on the beach led by Coach McNeill. The events involved team work, creativity, cooperation, leadership and tons of laughter.

The most poignant point of the day was after dinner when the ICC participants were encouraged to share about how they were feeling about Robert's departure and Jose's new role. We were touched by the sincere, eloquent and open responses to the question. ICC is a truly remarkable place led by a committed and talented team.

So that's all for tonight! A few hours sleep and we're back in session at 7:30am (Atlantic Time).

The DR Team

This fall our team consists of Doug & Adele, Susan & Gary DiCamillo, and Jon McNeill. We leave for the D.R. on Wednesday the 16th (except Gary who must come on Friday). Our focus will be to meet with the key staff and volunteer leaders of Iglesia Comunitaria Cristiana to discuss the major transition they are undergoing as a church. Robert Guerrero, the founding pastor of the church, is leaving in January to plant churches among the Latino population of New York City. So they face many wonderful opportunities and challenges as they adapt to a more team approach to leadership.
Here is an overview of our schedule. Please pray for God's Spirit to work in us and through us for all that he desires.

• Wednesday:

Arrive and meet hosts

• Thursday:

Visit staff and ministry sites to observe progress on various initiatives, especially get Jon oriented to the church and its leaders.
At evening service, Adele preaches.

• Friday

More meetings with individuals at church and final team prep for retreat. Gary arrives about 1:00 and we head to retreat.
Please pray for opening connection to staff; for God to knit our hearts to his.

• Saturday

Devotion (Jon)
Frame The Day: Transitions (Adele)
Stage One: Celebrate & Mourn – Moses To Joshua (Doug)
Stage Two: Envision A New Future, I Have A Dream….(Gary)
Stage Three: Calibration: Roles & Responsibilities (Jon)
Afternoon Olympics (Jon + Team)
Team Simulations; Case Studies (Old team members to new team dynamics); Conflict Resolution (Doug & Adele)

• Sunday

Devotion (Susan)
Personal Journey: How We Cope With Change and the Opportunity It Provides For Personal Transformation (Doug & Adele)
Prayer & Communion
Sunday evening Doug preaches at seeker service

• Monday

Follow-up appointments with staff members in the AM.
Team meeting after lunch; then off the airport for return flights.

Thanks for being our stateside teammates and partners. We can only do this by God's grace. So do pray please.
Doug (on behalf of the team)