ENJOY THE ESTUARY

Peter Chao

Think “life”, and “estuary” is hardly the association that comes to mind. But it should be a leading contender: The estuary is a place where many life forms are sustained.

Usually created by the tides, it is where salt water from the ocean and fresh water from the mountains, carried by the river, come together. The salt water, because of its density, is pushed underneath and the fresh water rises to the top.

Therein lies a fitting model for leadership renewal. There is:

1. Shared space
Leadership renewal begins with an intentional sharing of platform where senior leaders provide foundation and stability, and are shoulders on which new leaders can stand.

New leaders should be given opportunities to perform and shine. We mustn’t sink into the tradition of saying, “This was the way it was done in the past; therefore, this is the way it must be done in the future.”

Instead, we should be rising to the challenge of saying, “This was the way it was done in the past because the conditions necessitated this approach. With the present situation, tell me what you think makes sense.”

Senior leaders can recount history and provide a context for new leaders to decide if they are in a suitable place for their story to be formed and told.

But salt water talk must be submerged under fresh water expressions: That’s the place of the new.

2. Shared experience
Leadership renewal is not easy. Those who cannot stomach it will have to leave because the turmoil is disturbing.

Senior leaders who feel they are being edged out may allow their fears and insecurities to rise to the top of their consciousness. Subverted, they might become apt to isolate; emerging leaders will then be left with a sense of alienation.

How the transition is managed is critical. It can be an anxious, uncertain location. Learning to adapt through affirmation and familiarization is key. That is the estuary moment.

Animals that live in the estuary adapt or leave – at low or high tide. It is inherently turbulent. The wonderful thing, however, is that it is a place that is alive, because it hosts thousands of animal and plant species, and new populations are spawned. All over the world, this is an important source of food.

All over the world, this is also a communal place that can be most nurturing. You either exploit a tumultuous situation – as in a revolution in a country – or you take nutrients from that transitional situation and you progress.

3. Safe haven
In a staid organization, some ideas are going to be old – tried, but still old. It’s the course of natural resort because you have cut a rut. The thinking is: Why change something that still works?

At the same time, young people coming in bring fresh ideas. The estuary moment happens when they are given a window of opportunity to flourish.

The tumult develops the emerging leader’s strength. It also develops his endurance.

And what if there were a failure? The old guard can be there to shield the emerging leadership from the wild attacks of outsiders and provide a safety net for recovery, a safe haven.

As estuaries are protected from the full force of the ocean waves by reefs, barrier islands and mud, the established leadership can make certain of success or mitigate failures and perpetuate the circulation of oxygen and nutrients that are needed for the community’s growth.

4. Shared future
Every estuary is unique; no two are the same. Typically, however, there are two characteristics: An estuary is dependent on geology, and the volume of salt and fresh water.

In leadership, it means personality and styles must be balanced with corporate requirements.

That equilibrium takes time to be established. And that’s the benefit of every process of transition: It is not an altogether dark and bleak period. It is the most opportune time!

MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS

A meeting of hearts
With a view towards leadership transition over seven years, our core values were reaffirmed when we met to discuss our work plan for 2019:
• Humility: Lean on God
• Authenticity: Be real
• Community: Share life
• Creativity: Inspire truth.

“Those are corporate requirements. That’s what we all subscribe to. But as to the form: With the Eagles, the form always follows the substance, not the other way around.” – Peter Chao

Seek, & Find
“What is one thing NEW you would like God to do for you?” was a question Michael Tan asked the group at the Eagles Rendezvous session on Feb 2. What’s your answer?

Besides Bible study, there is prayer one for another in small groups. Join us: The series, ‘Faith, Fear, Failure & Future: Studies on the Life of Abraham’ ends Feb 23.

NEXT UP

In the wings
Enrol for YLDP, a leadership development program for younger leaders aged 18-25, by Feb 28. Sign up your young adults or send in your recommendations to jonjoe@eagles.org.sg or complete the form at www.eagles.org.sg/yldpsg.

Expect the unexpected
We’re believing God for 2,000 participants for ELC 2019. Sign up to learn what it takes to be future ready at www.eagles.org.sg/elc2019.

Experiencing The Word
Experiencing God’s Word is foundational to the formation of our faith. Desiring to learn more about it is essential to our faith’s growth.

How to understand the intentions of the Scripture?

What are the tools to help us be more efficient and motivated in learning about it?

This workshop will uncover the antiquity of the Word, guide you to interpret it, and help you apply it to your life.

Explore the immense resources and discover the riches of the Word.

Free admission by registration. All are welcome.
Register here.

RESOURCES

Ponderings En Route by Peter Chao
Order yours here

Archive

ENJOY THE ESTUARY

Peter Chao

Think “life”, and “estuary” is hardly the association that comes to mind. But it should be a leading contender: The estuary is a place where many life forms are sustained.

Usually created by the tides, it is where salt water from the ocean and fresh water from the mountains, carried by the river, come together. The salt water, because of its density, is pushed underneath and the fresh water rises to the top.

Therein lies a fitting model for leadership renewal. There is:

1. Shared space
Leadership renewal begins with an intentional sharing of platform where senior leaders provide foundation and stability, and are shoulders on which new leaders can stand.

New leaders should be given opportunities to perform and shine. We mustn’t sink into the tradition of saying, “This was the way it was done in the past; therefore, this is the way it must be done in the future.”

Instead, we should be rising to the challenge of saying, “This was the way it was done in the past because the conditions necessitated this approach. With the present situation, tell me what you think makes sense.”

Senior leaders can recount history and provide a context for new leaders to decide if they are in a suitable place for their story to be formed and told.

But salt water talk must be submerged under fresh water expressions: That’s the place of the new.

2. Shared experience
Leadership renewal is not easy. Those who cannot stomach it will have to leave because the turmoil is disturbing.

Senior leaders who feel they are being edged out may allow their fears and insecurities to rise to the top of their consciousness. Subverted, they might become apt to isolate; emerging leaders will then be left with a sense of alienation.

How the transition is managed is critical. It can be an anxious, uncertain location. Learning to adapt through affirmation and familiarization is key. That is the estuary moment.

Animals that live in the estuary adapt or leave – at low or high tide. It is inherently turbulent. The wonderful thing, however, is that it is a place that is alive, because it hosts thousands of animal and plant species, and new populations are spawned. All over the world, this is an important source of food.

All over the world, this is also a communal place that can be most nurturing. You either exploit a tumultuous situation – as in a revolution in a country – or you take nutrients from that transitional situation and you progress.

3. Safe haven
In a staid organization, some ideas are going to be old – tried, but still old. It’s the course of natural resort because you have cut a rut. The thinking is: Why change something that still works?

At the same time, young people coming in bring fresh ideas. The estuary moment happens when they are given a window of opportunity to flourish.

The tumult develops the emerging leader’s strength. It also develops his endurance.

And what if there were a failure? The old guard can be there to shield the emerging leadership from the wild attacks of outsiders and provide a safety net for recovery, a safe haven.

As estuaries are protected from the full force of the ocean waves by reefs, barrier islands and mud, the established leadership can make certain of success or mitigate failures and perpetuate the circulation of oxygen and nutrients that are needed for the community’s growth.

4. Shared future
Every estuary is unique; no two are the same. Typically, however, there are two characteristics: An estuary is dependent on geology, and the volume of salt and fresh water.

In leadership, it means personality and styles must be balanced with corporate requirements.

That equilibrium takes time to be established. And that’s the benefit of every process of transition: It is not an altogether dark and bleak period. It is the most opportune time!

MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS

A meeting of hearts
With a view towards leadership transition over seven years, our core values were reaffirmed when we met to discuss our work plan for 2019:
• Humility: Lean on God
• Authenticity: Be real
• Community: Share life
• Creativity: Inspire truth.

“Those are corporate requirements. That’s what we all subscribe to. But as to the form: With the Eagles, the form always follows the substance, not the other way around.” – Peter Chao

Seek, & Find
“What is one thing NEW you would like God to do for you?” was a question Michael Tan asked the group at the Eagles Rendezvous session on Feb 2. What’s your answer?

Besides Bible study, there is prayer one for another in small groups. Join us: The series, ‘Faith, Fear, Failure & Future: Studies on the Life of Abraham’ ends Feb 23.

NEXT UP

In the wings
Enrol for YLDP, a leadership development program for younger leaders aged 18-25, by Feb 28. Sign up your young adults or send in your recommendations to jonjoe@eagles.org.sg or complete the form at www.eagles.org.sg/yldpsg.

Expect the unexpected
We’re believing God for 2,000 participants for ELC 2019. Sign up to learn what it takes to be future ready at www.eagles.org.sg/elc2019.

Experiencing The Word
Experiencing God’s Word is foundational to the formation of our faith. Desiring to learn more about it is essential to our faith’s growth.

How to understand the intentions of the Scripture?

What are the tools to help us be more efficient and motivated in learning about it?

This workshop will uncover the antiquity of the Word, guide you to interpret it, and help you apply it to your life.

Explore the immense resources and discover the riches of the Word.

Free admission by registration. All are welcome.
Register here.

RESOURCES

Ponderings En Route by Peter Chao
Order yours here