Tag: Support

The Definition of Supervision

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While there are many possible definitions of supervision, the following fulfills our unique perspective in Christian ministry: “Supervision is the development of a support system for the enrichment of the personhood and performance of task.” The definition has several important parts.

Supervision is developmental: It does not happen with full maturity from the first day. Each employee is a special person, and each task of supervision is different. Relationships between supervisors and supervisees must develop.

Supervision is support: It under-girds a supervisee’s needs. Caring supervisors who foresee disaster confront because they care about the person, as well as the work. Affirmation may be confrontation, as well as a pat on the back. The supervisor needs to make the system a support system which provides the necessary physical, intellectual, spiritual, financial, emotional, and personal support. A support system provides a way of affirming those being supervised.

Support involves two aspects: the enrichment of personhood and the performance of tasks. Both aspects are important for successful supervision. If the emphasis is entirely on the performance of tasks, the supervisee is treated as a “thing” rather than a person. Sooner or later he/she will “run dry” and be unable to perform tasks properly. Neither is the enrichment of personhood the only object of supervision. That would be a counseling relationship rather than a supervisory relationship.

Both the enrichment of personhood and the performance of tasks are needed in order to achieve successful supervision. Because fulfilling a task is an important way of growing, it is part of the enrichment of personhood. A good supervisor helps the supervisee conceptualize the task, plan for action, and execute the plan.

Men and Accountability, Part 5

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I thought I was done with this Bible passage, but wait; there are more things to glean from this passage of Scripture… this story in the life of Moses and Joshua offers a lot of information concerning accountability and men. (see also Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4)

“So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other.” (Exodus 17:11-12)

When it comes to life, no one ever said it was going to be easy; even in the Christian life. In our discussion the other Saturday, Derrick brought up the fact that living the life God intends is never easy. I remember telling my son years ago (when accused of not being fair) that life isn’t fair, in fact I would say, “Life is hard, and then you die.” At the risk of sounding cold and unfeeling, you get my point. Those of you who are dads, you understand.

Who ever came to Christ believing that once someone becomes a Christian, problems will cease and blessings will begin to overflow in life? (Perhaps if someone is looking through rose-colored glasses). Take another look at Moses and Joshua in this story. They are free from the slavery in Egypt, expecting to soon be in the Promised Land, but the path will be complicated, long and hard. While on their way through the region, these Amalekites began wreaking havoc on the children of Israel.

There was an assault on the battlefield (Exodus 17:8, 10) and the Amalekites were even using guerilla warfare as God’s people traveled through the area (Deuteronomy 25:18)… definitely not an easy commute to the Promised Land. The battle was fierce, and it did not end quickly. The strategy God used was this mysterious raising of the hands (Exodus 17:11), and Moses became weary and needed to rest. Victory was in jeopardy if he lowered his hands. At this point I must point out that victory never comes easy.

As a man in this culture, you are daily bombarded with so much trash that will bring you down spiritually, relationally, physically and even emotionally. It’s hard living the life that God intends. You read His Word, you know what you are supposed to be doing, but just like the Apostle Paul, you find yourself doing the exact opposite, the very thing you said you would not do (Romans 7:19). The enemy doesn’t want you to be faithful to your wife, or sober, or in church, or growing in godliness. He wants your soul, your heart, your time, your marriage, your kids; basically he wants you to be trapped in (or enslaved to) pornography, alcohol, work, sports, consumerism, foul language, you name it… anything that will keep you from living a victorious and virtuous life.

It comes down to accountability. When Moses was weary and tired, he had Aaron and Hur, two other men who were there to help hold him up. Aaron and Hur did not need to plan an intervention on Moses… notice Moses didn’t call these other men over to help him when he got tired, they were already there (Exodus 17:10). He didn’t even tell them how to help him; they knew exactly what needed to be done in order to help him during this trying time, they took the stone and placed it under him (Exodus 17:12). Men need to allow other men into there lives, and we all need someone like Aaron and Hur to be with us during these rough times. Lets not wait until the times are that tough to develop relationships with other men; at that point it just might be too late.

Men and Accountability, Part 4

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Hold on one more time… I have revisited this story in the life of Moses and Joshua a few times but this lesson is key to accountability and men. (see Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)

“Moses, Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill, so it came about when Moses held his hand up that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed.” (Exodus 17:10-11).

Men of today are engaged in a battle. Another item related to our Bible story is how Moses and the Israelites were able to win this battle in Exodus 17:12. Get this… if Moses was able to keep his hands up, the Israelites were winning. But, when Moses was tired and lowered his hands, the enemy began to win. So, Moses had two other men with him to help support his hands. When Moses was without strength, there was another man on each side to support him and hold him up. Our common enemy is battling for your soul, family, marriage, your children, your integrity and your reputation, your finances, your health, your thoughts. There is often a temptation to let our hands down because we are just plain tired, but don’t, that is when the enemy begins to prevail.

Solomon wisely wrote that we should not be alone (Ecclesiastes 4:12) and from the beginning God recognized that particular weakness in men (Genesis 2:18). So, where do you stand in regard to accountability with other men? We’re not suggesting that “Big Brother” invade your life, but we are stating the fact that without others to support us, challenge us, correct us, or even get in our face every once in a while when we do stupid things, we will go the way of the stragglers (Deuteronomy 25:18).

The Men of Steel is a gathering of men for Motivation, Encouragement and Instruction; and yes, there is an element of informal accountability. Accountability cannot be forced, manufactured or assigned, but it will be found once you make the commitment to God and a connection to another man (realizing that he’s got your back and you’ve got his). There is strength in numbers. Be aware of your kryptonite, and don’t let it destroy you.