Let’s be real. The church, in general, is behind. Only recently have we begun to see churches embrace technology, creative communications, social media and non-traditional approaches to ministry. Unfortunately, embracing does not mean understanding. Too often, churches attempt creative communications with under qualified volunteers or a lack of capacity. We’ve all seen it. It’s blatantly obvious when they do.

There is a need for creative understanding in the local church.  Not for the Saddlebacks or Ed Youngs who routinely make awesomeness look easy. But for those whose purpose in the body of Christ is to be the big toe or the appendix, who hardly, if ever, get the high-fives they deserve. They need help. We know it. They know it. But what options do they have? That’s why we created My Square Creative.

My Square Creative is a ministry focused collective that offers subscription based design services to the church by providing a fully staffed creative department at half the cost of a SINGLE full-time designer. Our mission isn’t to grow every church. It’s to empower them to be the church.

Frank Chimero, author of The Shape of Design, said “People ignore design that ignores people.”  The thing we tend to forget is that the church, is people. If the church is meant to have a purpose, if the people are meant to have purpose, then it has to been designed. It must be intentional. We’ve seen what happens when the church designs without purpose.  We feel we can help.  We’re not the solution for everyone.  But we are a solution for those with the need.

Twitter: @mySQcreative

Facebook: /mySQcreative

W: www.mysquarecreative.com

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I am so excited about this book called, The Catalyst Leader by Brad Lomenick.

I joined the street team to get the word out about the book and can’t wait for you guys to get your hands on it.

Here’s a few questions that Brad responded to so that you can get some insight about why he wrote the book.

1. What is the Catalyst Leader about?

The Catalyst Leader lays out the eight essentials for becoming a change maker. The traits that I believe one must develop in order to become a change maker, and ultimately a Catalyst Leader. I hope this book will provide practical leadership answers for a new generation of aspiring leaders who are looking for answers and solutions, and not just leadership theory. It’s a practical guide for leading now, and leading well, serving as a leadership handbook for the next generation of leaders in our country.

The book presents the key essentials that I believe will define our generation’s ability to influence over the next 20-25 years, laying out what it means to be a Catalyst in this generation. The Catalyst Leader is packed with a combination of candid interviews with thought leaders, research with the core leadership community, and overall leadership best practices. A rising generation of leaders need to be equipped for the task of leadership.

2. Why did you write The Catalyst Leader?

I wrote this book primarily for 3 reasons. Frist, while leading the largest leadership movement that gathers young career aged Christian leaders in America, I noticed that many of these young leaders desired to lead right now, but they didn’t know how to ultimately lead well. We have a generation of “called but not yet equipped leaders.” Leaders who are passionate about making a difference and having influence now. Called leaders who want to change the world, a generation ready to action, ready to influence and ready to lead, but not yet equipped for the task. They need the tools, the roadmap, the guide for leading well and getting that done.

So many of my peers at 25, 30, 35, 40 years of age are flaming out and need a resource to help them finish well. Second, I noticed that the leaders who were leading well shared several common traits and characteristics. What I’m calling the eight essentials. The book lays out those 8 essential characteristics for becoming a change maker, and ultimately a Catalyst Leader. Third, we’ve been handed the reins to lead. I just turned 40, and I believe it’s my generations turn and time to stand up, take the reins, and lead. We are now in the drivers seat, and it’s up to us. The called but not equipped generation. I want to see leaders, my peers, finish well.

Too many leaders are crashing early and often right now. Just like me, tons of leaders in their 20’s and 30’s are facing great opportunities that they feel a deep calling and passion for, and willing to take on, but not altogether equipped to handle. These peers of mine need a roadmap, a guide, a handbook for leading well and tools for the journey forward. Our generation needs a roadmap for leading well. Some of my best friends currently sit atop great organizations but are failing to shepherd their teams and lead these entities well. I’ve begun to see a disappointing pattern among young leaders. They achieve liftoff with a rocket start but quickly fizzle out.

With each instance of short lived success, I grow further convinced that we need to nurture leaders who will not just lead now, but also lead well. Ultimately, I’m writing a book that I wish would have been available to me 20 years ago when I was first starting my career and vocation life.

3. Talk about your passion for leaders.

I have a deep passion for helping leaders lead well. It’s what drives me. At Catalyst, we are crazy about gathering, inspiring and releasing the next wave of leaders who love Jesus and have a burden to be Catalysts in their communities and culture. I believe it’s my stewardship, and my responsibility to help these leaders do their jobs well- all over our country in our churches, businesses, and all organizations to lead well. And ultimately finish well. And I’m incredibly optimistic about the next wave of leaders who are now stepping into leadership roles.

It’s a generation of leaders willing to work their guts outs for something bigger than themselves, and also willing to work together to accomplish the big vision. This book is about the broader Catalyst movement.

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I hope this wets your appetite to get the book. I’ve already gotten so much from it, and im not done reading it yet. When I do finish reading it i’ll blog my review here.