Habitudes Chapter Nine - Barn Building
In this chapter, Tim Elmore, discusses how leaders determine the critical transaction that enables everything else to happen. He goes on to tell a story about a husband and wife as they buy new property and plan their farm. Elmore states that "the barn is the hub of all of the profit-making work." He then explains that once you build the barn you can build a house, etc.
He then describes the "critical transaction" of an organization that is the vital decision to the life of the organization. What do you think the "critical transaction" for Abilene Christian Schools? Share some thoughts about the role that you play at our school in regards to the "critical transaction".
Near the end of the chapter he details three criteria for finding your "Barn":
Generates revenue: What brings the most income, so everything else can happen?
Creates momentum: What sparks movement towards your mission?
Enables activity: What is the catalyst for all other activities on our team?
There are two scripture references that are thought-provoking about Barn Building. Read Luke 10:38-42 and Proverbs 14:4. Share your thoughts about what those verses say to you about Barn Building for you at school and in other parts of your lives.
I look forward to your comments.
posted by Craig @ 3:06 PM
43 Comments:
At 10:29 AM ,
Anonymous said...
This is a test comment to say just how much I love the man who writes this blog.
Beth Ann Fisher
At 11:01 AM ,
Craig said...
Thank you for reading this chapter and responding. I look forward to reading your comments.
At 6:25 AM ,
Anonymous said...
I think that many times, just as Martha did when Jesus came to visit, we get caught up in things that are, although important, not the real reason we are here. As teachers we should remember that the students are the "hub" of our barn. If we teach them well and demonstrate Christ's love to them then others will want to join us, therefore generating more revenue for the school. It is easy to get distracted so this is a great lesson to help us remember and stay focused.
Alice
At 1:31 PM ,
Anonymous said...
I agree with Alice - we so often get stuck in the business of our jobs that by teaching time and actual time with the students we are tired and burned out. We loose sight of the main purpose which is Honoring and glorifying Christ in our actions at school and preparing our children for the ultimate reward!!
Jackie
At 5:12 AM ,
Anonymous said...
The "critical transaction" for me in my classroom is establishing a loving relationship with my students. If I can convey to them that I love and trust them, and that God loves them, and that they are worthy of love, then everything after that is just "gravy". That deep abiding love is what "sparks movement", and is the "catalyst" for all other activities during the school year. Just simple love for my students is my "barn". --Debbie
At 7:05 AM ,
Craig said...
Debbie - your "barn" is awesome. Thank you for showing the love of Christ to your kids.
At 8:09 AM ,
Anonymous said...
I agree with everyone who has left a comment so far. I believe the students are very important and we should use most, if not all our focus as teachers on our students. I also believe that building the “barn” first, could also mean our philosophy we want to instill in our classrooms or team to become successful. In football this year, before we threw or caught a football I wanted to lay down the ground rules, philosophy, of how things were going to be, and how this would make us successful in accomplishing our goals for the season. We set our goals: getting better individually, as a team, respecting each other, trusting one another, and winning. I had to not only lay down the foundation, build the barn, but lead by example for my kids to truly believe in it and succeed in everything we wanted to accomplish.--Jesse
At 9:49 AM ,
Anonymous said...
From reading the comments posted so far, I am impressed by the degree we are all on the same page. Our barn is understanding our mission and modeling the mission to our students in the classroom. This is what separates us from other places: how much we personally care for and the lengths we are willing to go to help each child who crosses our path. I am excited about many updates in curriculum and technology, but nothing is more important than a loving, Godly teacher, coach, etc. in each and every classroom and program. My life has been blessed as a fellow teacher, administrator, counselor, and (biggey!) mother to be a part of an organization that understands and believes in this great mission. Kay
At 10:59 AM ,
Anonymous said...
I am around a lot of parents who are trying to decide where to send their children to school. I am asked constantly, "Are your kids going to ACS? Is it really worth the money?" I know that it is hard to see past dollar signs. But I try to explain the mission Kay referred to, how important it is to have your child loved and taught every class by wonderful Christian educators. In the end I think even though a great education is important to parents, it is really this difference that will bring the people in. So I can confidently say that I am excited to send my children to our school. -Jennifer
At 2:11 PM ,
Anonymous said...
What is inside our barn is our students- if you look at it from a strictly revenue generating perspective. I feel like the covering of our barn is a mission to uphold the word and godly principles. We want our barn to be different. That's the spark. There are other barns out there. What makes them pick ours to take shelter in?
My classroom is my mini-barn. I can ruin it for someone or make it spark for someone. I feel like my first priority is to my students. I should be their best advocate in all school circumstances. I say come into my barn, it is a safe and loving place where it's okay to make mistakes.
Cindy
At 2:36 PM ,
Craig said...
Great insight - Cindy I love you explanation of your classroom being your mini-barn.
Jennifer - I am so thankful your kids will be here.
I like how you guys are discussing how our barn can and must be different.
Great insight, keep it coming.
At 2:44 PM ,
Anonymous said...
I'm reminded of a newspaper article I read about a highly successful high school football coach. The reporter who was writing the story expected to see the coach give a typical pre-game pep talk full of sports cliches and football strategy. Instead, in what was clearly a well-established ritual, the coach asked the team, "What is my job?" They yelled back in unison, "To love us!" The coach then asked, "What is your job?" The team yelled again in unison, "To love each other!" That coach, in my opinion, is a master barn builder. The love was the barn that came first, and the spectacular record on the football field was the "house," made possible by the barn. I am excited to see that same spirit at our school. When our students know deep down how much their teacher loves them, they can achieve much. And when they realize we all love each other here, sky is the limit.
Rachel
At 2:55 PM ,
Craig said...
Rachel - the book you are referring to is called Season of Life by Jeffrey Marx. He spoke at our Community Dinner last year. Awesome read.
That book is a great picture of this Habitude. Thank you for the reminder.
At 6:49 PM ,
Anonymous said...
To me, the barn is enrolling students. Pre-enrollment, really. Each spring, until we see how pre-enrollment for the fall is going, we don’t know what teachers we will need, hire, what curricula we will need or how much, or what repairs and improvements we can afford. Until the enough contracts are signed, nothing else happens.
Students will always leave, because people move and seniors graduate, and the grass sometimes looks greener elsewhere, and it’s almost always cheaper everywhere else. What’s important is keeping students coming in. That takes positive word-of-mouth among families and their friends and neighbors. Positive talk brings calls and tours, and those bring signed contracts.
What builds the barn is positive talk about our school -- the RESULTS God brings here through us! Changed lives, improved attitudes, achievements, participation, feelings of belonging, community, and security; spiritual growth, relationships.
When we do our jobs well, we generate trust from the parents and positive growth in the students—in their bodies, minds and spirits. And the teachers, coaches, and administrators are the ones who make that happen. I get to be an Announcer / Seller of all these good potentials. It’s obvious when there is excellence in the classroom because strangers come in telling me about it—about the good things they have heard. Jean
At 9:05 AM ,
Anonymous said...
There are a lot of things competing for our attention every day. I think it's crucial that we remember the critical transaction and for me that's Jesus Christ. It's doing things his way in every situation - seeking his will, loving him, loving others, and loving our students and their families. Working at this school is more than a paycheck - it's service to the Lord, it's a mission, and it's a ministry. When I keep my eyes on him and when I am striving to do everything his way it will bring glory to him, the curriculum will be right, the students will feel loved, parents and teachers will feel supported, and everything will fall into place (the barn, the house, the field, etc).
At 11:50 AM ,
Anonymous said...
The "critical transaction" - that activity that if you don't do it, you are out of business - is loving and respecting the children and guiding the children to love and respect each other. Without that, it is difficult to move on to the "subjects" to be taught. Jan
At 11:56 AM ,
angie said...
Wow! The post before says exactly almost word for word what I was feeling. Without Jesus as our "hub" we have no purpose! John 15:5 sums that up the best for me. "I am the vine; you are the branches...apart from me you can do nothing." with Him at the center of your life, Christ then will fill you with a love for others that you cannot help but share! We are so supremely blessed to have administration and co-workers here that share in the same mission, which is to prepare our children to go out into the world as great leaders for Christ. With God in control, we will have the "right" number of students, the "right" curriculum, at the "right" time. Continually seek His will! That takes such a burden off of us to turn it over to Him.
Angie
At 12:06 PM ,
Angie said...
Jan and I must have hit "send" at the same time. Your post is excellent Jan. The post I was referring to ahead of mine is the one that is anonymous...
At 12:25 PM ,
Anonymous said...
I want students to feel safe in my "barn" and loved at all times. I want my students to know the content I teach, but also to know someone cares about them as an individual and cares about their spiritual well-being also. I agree with all the above comments and loved this chapter.
Lex Ann
At 1:19 PM ,
Anonymous said...
I also agree with all the comments. I am, however, reminded that barns can be destroyed. We need to always be on our guard when it comes to things that could tear down our barn or even totally destroy it. Satan is out there trying to find ways to destroy our barns either by small pests that start out slow and multiply or all at once as with a big fire. Gossip, lies, bad language, and jealousy are a few of the ways he tries to destroy us. We need to always be on the look out for "pest" and potential "fires" by continuing to clean out our barns. Praying, being accountable to each other, and being available to our students are some of the ways we can defeat Satan and have a strong productive barn.
Marilyn
At 1:30 PM ,
Anonymous said...
It is so nice to know that we are all on the same page when it comes to our students. The "critical transaction" is the love for Jesus that we instill in our students. How awesome it is to have a place "barn" that allows us to build on to the future generations to come. I love what Debbie said about her "barn", I feel the same way about my little barn as well. Sometimes the smallest actions can mean so much. I keep thinking about the movie with Kevin Costner, "If you build it, they will come." That is true for our school, God has blessed us.
At 1:33 PM ,
Anonymous said...
The last comment was mine. Lori Riggs
At 3:03 PM ,
Anonymous said...
The "critical transaction" for ACS is enrollment. No students = no school. As I recall, the first question heads of school asked of each other at the various TCSA board meetings I attended was, "How's enrollment?" - not even "How's your building project?" or "How's the campaign?" although those were also important questions. Of course, my memory is not infallible, but I am very certain that the heads of school are always concerned with enrollment - for the reason I began with. I think it is the critical transaction.
Teachers have an essential role in this transaction. How we treat our students, perhaps even more than course content, contributes to the transaction.
On a classroom level, again it is class "enrollment" that sparks movement and enables activity. Figuring out a way to motivate a particular class or student keeps teachers thinking, learning, creating, struggling (and not sleeping enough?). We as teachers need to make sure we don't forget the students when we plan our lessons.
Enrollment with integrity is the critical transaction.
Kathleen Brooks
(Did this post twice? sorry)
At 7:51 PM ,
Anonymous said...
I loved reading all the posts! This is a cool way to share our thoughts! I also believe our critical transaction needs to be Jesus.God will bring us the students that need to be in our barn and He will give us the revenue that is needed. Jesus sparks momentum and excitement. Our love can only be made perfect if it comes from God. If I do not abide in Him I can not truly love the students. It will appear fake or contrived. Kathy
At 8:14 AM ,
Anonymous said...
Each comment I have read so far has made me even more convinced that God has chosen certain people to be at this place at this time to provide the love, energy, planning, commitment, and heart for our mission that will continue to keep our "barn" door open to do His will. As I remember that our critical product, funneling God's love to every "animal" in the barn (and to those in the pasture considering entrance into the barn), I must focus on how important it is to reveal my genuine desire to help students I love connect with the curriculum that I love, which should be important to their lives, both now and in the future. The passage in Proverbs connects wih me because sometimes I get the feeling that much of my job involves stall cleaning, but I am so thankful for the oxen that give me a purpose to continue working for God's great harvest. I am also very grateful for each one of you who clean up after this "ox." PG
At 7:46 PM ,
Anonymous said...
Sometimes I get so excited that I can put the cart before the horse. This chapter was a great reminder to slow down and think before I make gigantic plans.
In my world, the barn is my emotional interaction with everyone I encounter. Do I build up? Do I tear down? Do I energize, bring enthusiasm, and validate? Do I criticize, demand focus on myself, or let my wide-swinging emotions make contact with me feel unpredictable or unsafe? Am I trustworthy and honest? Do I seek to lift others up?
Being honest with myself about who I really am for all of those around me is my barn. I am responsible for the energy (positive or negative) that I bring into a room with me. If I don't have that straight, things get all out of whack pretty fast.
As far as our school goes, the students are the barn. They generate the income. They are also the driving force of the hope we have for the future of God's kingdom here on earth. The spark is the love and respect the teachers have for the students and their opportunity to bring Christ into every interaction. No students=No school.
No teachers=No school. It all goes hand in hand.
At 7:46 PM ,
Anonymous said...
Sorry that last comment was from Jana Beck. I forgot to put my name.
At 9:10 PM ,
Anonymous said...
Reading all of the comments makes me so grateful to be part of a team that is focused on the truly important things. I can tend to be a Martha and get distracted by plans, paperwork, deadlines, etc., but my "critical transaction" is putting time into my own relationship with Christ. That is what enables me to share God's love with students, parents, and colleagues. I think for the school, growth in enrollment generates the most revenue (tuition, giving, fund-raising), and that growth is driven by the spiritual dimension that makes us different from and better than other schools. HW
At 4:13 AM ,
Unknown said...
I think sometimes we forget we are the barn and get lost in everyday life. But as the leaders of the students we have to remember to be the leader as Christ is to us all . In doing that we continue to build the barn (school) for our students now and in the future.
Lori
At 6:15 AM ,
Anonymous said...
Lori, what are you doing posting at 4AM? Silly, everyone in the barn's supposed to be asleep! Actually, no, I totally get that. If I don't spend time in the "barn", with the Lord each day, allowing His word to speak into my life, I have a dirty stall. I have to give a home to God's strength. My tendency is to busy myself trying to clean it out myself doing things that are visually productive in my own eyes. My illusion is that I can control the barn rather than just dwelling there.
Together, we need to decide what is most important for our students to take with them from our subject area. I think this is how we practice "barn building" together.
Whether or not we remember to treat one another as fellow children of God can make or break us. Also, listening to our Master Stall Cleaner and obeying Him with a courageous heart can foster continual functioning or stall us out!
I agree with you all. Each student feeling they belong on an individual level is our critical transaction.
Offering something unique that cannot be obtained somewhere else will generate revenue, and we have the freedom to enable each student to feel personally actualized with varied opportunities to express himself.
Getting the students excited in turn gets us excited and is the spark that creates momentum. We have to provide some open ended opportunities for them to reveal to us what excites them.
Communicated vision enables the rest of the team to focus and align what we are doing within the boundaries of the vision. Supporting one another gives us the freedom to use our gifts.
I think the most important thing we can do is help our students find their own barn and, for awhile, share ours until they do.
Love this!
Beth Ann
At 7:07 AM ,
Anonymous said...
what is most important? what drives you to work at ACS? why get up every morning? why go through the stress? why make the sacrifice? the answer is your barn. D Houston
At 7:07 AM ,
Bobette said...
Whew! I tell people all the time what a wonderful place this is to work - after reading the hearts of 30 co-workers, it is apparent "why" I feel this way! I LOVE the assurance and peace that comes with knowing our eyes are all on Jesus first! I believe our critical transaction happens between each of "us branches" and The Vine. When we are firmly grafted in, we grow the right fruit. Seeking Him first, sets our feet on the right path to living, loving, teaching, serving, sacrificing, persevering, rejoicing, and resting in Him. I need to do a better job of starting each day surrendered to His Lordship. Blessings! Bobette
At 7:08 AM ,
Bobette said...
I have no idea why mine says "We Love Buddy"?!? Bobette
At 7:11 AM ,
Bobette said...
I think I fixed it - from an old blog I created for Buddy Mills! :)
At 10:00 AM ,
Anonymous said...
I really like what Alice said. I think it is a great way to state the message of the chapter as it relates to ACS.
Georgan
At 11:57 AM ,
Anonymous said...
Very interesting chapter on barn building. I have a friend who decided to build the barn first(to house his 4 antique cars)and they still live there while they are building their house little by little. Priorities first!
It is my priority in my "barn" to show unconditional mercy,grace and mirror Christ-like love every day so my PK class will understand on a foundational level who Jesus is and what His mercy and grace does for us every day.
To be able to teach this lesson on a daily basis is our critical transaction.
MJCoker
At 1:13 PM ,
Anonymous said...
I feel what generates revenue in the classroom is our students willingness to offer ideas and be active in the classroom. In order for this to happen we have to maintain safe classrooms, so agree with you LexAnn about knowing our students as well! I feel what creates momentum in the classroom is good solid curriculum which I feel we definitely have and what enables activity is classroom management. One element of classroom management is transition times...be productive at all times even transition time. If we have all these areas covered we will continue to have a successful and full barn!
One last thing, I feel our critical transaction is Jean and Craig, so how can we go wrong!
Kim Starr
At 6:56 PM ,
Unknown said...
Wow! I have been so blessed reading all these posts. ACS is a Christ-filled place. Personally, my barn is prayer and spending time with God. "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Karen
At 11:24 AM ,
Anonymous said...
Yes! Yes! Yes! and an AMEN to all the above!
Many times I'm like the farmer's wife, only seeing what "I" want.
I get discouraged when I'm not heard, or what I think I should do, I don't get to do.
I can hear God say, "Heather, that's a good idea. I'm glad you have come to me with your request. Now, here's how I choose to bless you and use you to bless others."
I love the quotes from this chapter, "Any group of people working toward a purpose should discover their critical transaction." and, "It involve(s) breaking ... barriers and building ... relationships."
When I focus on investing in loving relationships with my co-workers, students, and parents, I'm reminded of the "barn building" here at ACS that I am privileged to be a part of. :-)
-Heather Dodd
At 12:47 PM ,
Anonymous said...
The message seems clear - students are at the heart of the mission. Students can be called the "critical transaction". Students create income. Students are the object of our work, our prayers, our goals.
Is the following question a legitimate one? WHAT STUDENT? Yes, we work diligently to challenge the gifted. We are committed to work extra hard for the child who needs much help. We are open to consider any child.
However, even though the critical transaction implies income, without which we cannot stay in business, to what degree should the INCOME FACTOR drive the admission decision? This is an easy question to ask. It becomes more difficult as we move closer to the responsibility of balancing the books.
At what point does an "unrealistically placed student" negatively and unfairly penalize the other students in the class? At what point do such students create a picture in the minds of an observing community (potential students) that is not what we want the image to be? What is the student profile that fits our mission, our capabilities, and our dreams?
I welcome your comments. I ask questions. I have few answers. EH
At 7:38 PM ,
Anonymous said...
Edsel,
What a wonderfully thought provoking comment. I greatly appreciate your taking the time to consider this angle. I think it is a most important topic and one that deserves much thought, prayer, and face to face conversation amongst many people on campus. Thank you so much for the wisdom you bring to us each school day.
Jana Beck
At 11:39 AM ,
Anonymous said...
Edsel,
That is EXACTLY what I mean when I said enrollment with integrity. Thanks for elaborating.
Kathleen
At 10:08 AM ,
Anonymous said...
Edsel - This deserves much thought and prayer. I'd like to hear more of your thoughts about it. Thanks, Jean
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home