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John
Vawter
Executive
Coach
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My Journey
I have degrees
from the University of Oregon, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and
Bethel Seminary. After 10 years of ministry with Campus Crusade
(including 3 years as the Northwest Area Director) I entered pastoral
ministry. My senior pastorates were in the suburbs of Minneapolis
where we grew from 200 to 1000 and Tempe, AZ where we served 2000
people. Along my journey I also have had the privilege of serving as
president of both Western Seminary and Phoenix Seminary. My wife and I
reside in Scottsdale, AZ.
In 1999 I formed You’re Not Alone, Inc. to help pastors and Christian
workers whose kids abuse alcohol and other drugs. We now have a daily
radio program that is heard on over 300 stations and a website
(www.notalone.org) that is proving to be very helpful to parents.
I have had the privilege of consulting churches as well as serving as
Strategic Interim Senior Pastor at five churches ranging in size from
300 to 2500.
My Emphasis and Focus
My emphasis has always been two-fold….Leadership and Vision.
Leadership always depends on leader development, overcoming hindrances
to leadership (both internal and external), knowing oneself as a leader
and being smart and strategic in using one’s resources. Vision always
depends on clarity of thought, understanding the role of the Holy
Spirit in setting and fulfilling vision, realizing the stages of
developing and fulfilling a vision and recognizing that vision includes
the ingredients of motivation, mobilization and stabilization.
My Passion and Experience
Wherever I have been privileged to lead I have focused on helping the
church or organization to rethink the “Why?” question. Why are we
here? What are we supposed to do? Are we doing it? Could we do it
better? What are we doing that we are not supposed to be doing?
As a consultant and strategic interim senior pastor I have had the
privilege of helping churches focus on those “why?” questions.
Unfortunately, not everyone is always on board…or, in agreement with
the vision and direction of the church. As pastors and leaders, we
care for people and want them to grow. But, sadly, sometimes we have
to confront people and even discipline them if they grow divisive.
This is not a fun part of leadership but it is a necessary part.
When the dust settles, it is very rewarding to look in retrospect to
see what God has done through the pastor and leader who has helped a
church move forward. This progress is always empowered by the Holy
Spirit; it always encompasses vision, energy and focus.
I find it a privilege to walk alongside pastors and board members who
are convinced God has more He wants to do through their churches and
them.
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