Rev Graham’s entire essence focused on moral purpose. Fullan states that moral purpose is about both ends and means.(2001) Billy Graham dedicated his life to making a positive difference in the lives of all people around the world. At a young age, preaching in missions or on street corners, he spread a message of hope to anyone that would listen. Clearly both the ends and the means but which he evangelized were with moral purpose.
This purpose spilled over into each of the organizations that he created such as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, which planned and coordinated all of the meetings and activities for Rev Graham. In 1952, the proceeds from BGEA were utilized to start the Billy Graham Evangelist Film Ministry, which was used to produce and distribute films about the BGEA crusades. Decision Magazine was launched in 1958 by the BGEA aimed at reaching the general public audience providing Bible studies, Christian teachings, brief news items and stories about recent crusades. Grason Co was founded in 1952, which was utilized to publish and distribute books, records, music and other materials that were given away at the crusades.
These organizations were Graham’s methods of providing the necessary knowledge to the masses. He began with face to face ministry, moving then to street corner messages to small town churches, which grew to tent meetings and world wide crusades. As our country was introduced to mass media, Graham embraced the change in medium and put the message out there. He went to radio, magazine, television and is currently on the World Wide Web.
Within the change process, Rev Graham recognized that the message to be delivered would never change, as it has been the same for over 2000 years. What changes are the methods of delivery and the context in which the message is received. It was difficult to be preaching of a loving God when one witnessed the horrific brutality by the Germans in World War I. Ministering to a country crawling out of depressed economic times was addressed differently than a white Southern Baptist preacher roaming the countryside speaking to the oppressed, segregated black populations of the 1950’s and 60’s. An even greater challenge arose when in the 1960’s and 1970’s the youth of this nation seemed to go arye; the message was the same, but the delivery had to change. According to Fullan organizations out of sync require leadership that welcomes differences, communicates urgency of a challenge, and talks about broad possibilities in an inviting way.(2001) Rev Graham saw our country as an organization out of sync, communicated the urgency of change and presented it in an inviting way through the many associations.
Rev Graham’s capacity for relationships is overwhelming. The fact that he was close to our nations political leaders for decades as well as other world leaders speaks volumes of this talent. Additionally, for his 90th birthday, Rev Graham received not hundreds, but millions of well wishes from people around the world. People do not simple write stories and provide words of gratitude if there was not bond, a relationship that was created by this man.
Graham surrounded himself with both family and business partners that shared a moral purpose. He used his leadership qualities not only to help lead people to a better life, but he also lead the business organizations through the necessary changes that would help to support and sustain the populations as they chose to live a better life. Our country as lived a lifetime since Billy Graham first came on the scene. Economic depression, world wars, desegregation, assassinated and impeached presidents, terrorist attacks on our soil and national involvement in unwanted wars in Southeast Asia as well as the Middle East and the list goes on. Through it all, Rev Billy Graham and the organizations he created continue to bring the same message that he started with in 1939; he continues to lead as “America’s Pastor.”
Fullan, M., Leading in a Culture of Change, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2001
Pifer-Bodie, J., November 6, 2008, William Graham. CNN. Date retrieved February 7, 2009 at http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/11/06/billy.graham.turns.90/index.html.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Leadership Qualities
Dr. Graham reports that a pivotal moment in his life came when he transferred from Bob Jones College in Tennessee to Florida Bible Institute in Florida. While there, he became convinced that he should be baptized by immersion as an adult. From that point on, he ministered everywhere possible from small churches to missions to street corners.
Dr. Graham spoke at the local Youth for Christ organization in Chicago in 1945. Event organizer, Torrey Johnson, saw his potential and hired Graham as his helper. From 1945 through 1948, Dr. Graham traveled throughout the United States speaking at rallies. Biographers wrote “Graham created a deep impression on individuals and large groups through his sincerity, personal attractiveness, and vitality.” Rev Graham’s most outstanding leadership quality is charisma; audience members are captivated while he speaks. They relate his words directly to their own lives and feel a deep connection to his message.
After reviewing segments of several of his speeches and several television interviews, it is evident that Rev Graham would be classified as a promoter first and a supporter second. He ministers with compassion and warmth while forcefully presenting the messages of the Gospel. He communicates his beliefs extremely well and rather persuasively. In his 1949 rally, he displays steadfast conviction and provides solutions to the problems that plagued the society of the day. Eight years later, he appears strong and firm yet he utilizes humor and relates to audience by including himself as needing to hear his own message. In his 1971 Crusade and in his Red River Valley, Graham clearly masters the context of that day as he relates to the peer pressures of the youth of that era. He did not speak condescendingly or with damnation. His voice and mannerism projected hope.
Historians have noted that Rev Graham has had a close relationship with high profile politicians from Truman too George H.W. Bush. That relationship developed due to his keen ability to listen and calm those in his presence.
A major factor in Rev Graham’s success is attributed to not only what he did, but also from what he did not do. When criticism began that he was using evangelism for personal gain, he immediately worked with others to create the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, which took over planning and coordinating evangelistic meetings and other activities associated with Graham. Cathy Grossman of USA Today also credits his continued success to being “the evangelist who did not rip off millions (J. Bakker) or run with prostitutes (J. Swaggart) or build a megachurch (J. Osteen) or run for president (P. Robertson) or run a Christian political lobby (J. Falwell).” Basically, he was authentic and practiced what he preached.
Grossman,C., USA Today, Nov. 14, 2008 retrieved Feb 13, 2009 at http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-11-04-billy-graham_N.htm
Dr. Graham spoke at the local Youth for Christ organization in Chicago in 1945. Event organizer, Torrey Johnson, saw his potential and hired Graham as his helper. From 1945 through 1948, Dr. Graham traveled throughout the United States speaking at rallies. Biographers wrote “Graham created a deep impression on individuals and large groups through his sincerity, personal attractiveness, and vitality.” Rev Graham’s most outstanding leadership quality is charisma; audience members are captivated while he speaks. They relate his words directly to their own lives and feel a deep connection to his message.
After reviewing segments of several of his speeches and several television interviews, it is evident that Rev Graham would be classified as a promoter first and a supporter second. He ministers with compassion and warmth while forcefully presenting the messages of the Gospel. He communicates his beliefs extremely well and rather persuasively. In his 1949 rally, he displays steadfast conviction and provides solutions to the problems that plagued the society of the day. Eight years later, he appears strong and firm yet he utilizes humor and relates to audience by including himself as needing to hear his own message. In his 1971 Crusade and in his Red River Valley, Graham clearly masters the context of that day as he relates to the peer pressures of the youth of that era. He did not speak condescendingly or with damnation. His voice and mannerism projected hope.
Historians have noted that Rev Graham has had a close relationship with high profile politicians from Truman too George H.W. Bush. That relationship developed due to his keen ability to listen and calm those in his presence.
A major factor in Rev Graham’s success is attributed to not only what he did, but also from what he did not do. When criticism began that he was using evangelism for personal gain, he immediately worked with others to create the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, which took over planning and coordinating evangelistic meetings and other activities associated with Graham. Cathy Grossman of USA Today also credits his continued success to being “the evangelist who did not rip off millions (J. Bakker) or run with prostitutes (J. Swaggart) or build a megachurch (J. Osteen) or run for president (P. Robertson) or run a Christian political lobby (J. Falwell).” Basically, he was authentic and practiced what he preached.
Grossman,C., USA Today, Nov. 14, 2008 retrieved Feb 13, 2009 at http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-11-04-billy-graham_N.htm
Friday, February 13, 2009
Rev. Billy Graham
To celebrate ones 90th birthday by receiving “tens of thousands” of birthday greetings from around the world is a testament to the effects of one man’s life work. William Franklin Graham, Jr. turned 90 years young on November 7, 2008. He continues to be known as ‘America’s Pastor.” He is known for ministering to our nation’s presidents from Eisenhower to George H.W. Bush. No matter the age, race, faith or lack of it, people know the name of Billy Graham. I recall sitting and watching him on television when visiting either set of my grandparents; occasionally, my own parents would tune into his shows in the 1960’s.
Rev Graham graduated from Florida Bible Institute in 1940 and was ministering locally at small churches, street corners, and local missions. His notoriety skyrocketed in 1949 following the conversion of the then renowned William Randolph Hearst. Graham’s evangelistic campaign scheduled for only 3 weeks, lasted seven weeks do to the publicity afforded him via newspaper media. Throughout the next decade, Rev Billy Graham ministered around the world leading to a radio and television audience that reached tens of millions.
I never understood the attraction nor the depth of what he represented until I experienced the changes that occurred in my own faith journey. Today my faith is strong and a significant part of my life, but not as a result of this pastoral leader. I am intrigued by his longevity and his amazing ability to continue to be an influential part of America’s spiritual consciousness.
References:
Bloom, H., Heroes and Icons, Billy Graham. Date retrieved February 5, 2009 at http://www.time.com/time/time100/heroes/profile/graham03.html.
Pifer-Bodie, J., November 6, 2008, William Graham. CNN. Date retrieved February 7, 2009 at http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/11/06/billy.graham.turns.90/index.html.
http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/bio.html. (November 11, 2004) Wheaton College. Date retrieved February 7, 2009
Rev Graham graduated from Florida Bible Institute in 1940 and was ministering locally at small churches, street corners, and local missions. His notoriety skyrocketed in 1949 following the conversion of the then renowned William Randolph Hearst. Graham’s evangelistic campaign scheduled for only 3 weeks, lasted seven weeks do to the publicity afforded him via newspaper media. Throughout the next decade, Rev Billy Graham ministered around the world leading to a radio and television audience that reached tens of millions.
I never understood the attraction nor the depth of what he represented until I experienced the changes that occurred in my own faith journey. Today my faith is strong and a significant part of my life, but not as a result of this pastoral leader. I am intrigued by his longevity and his amazing ability to continue to be an influential part of America’s spiritual consciousness.
References:
Bloom, H., Heroes and Icons, Billy Graham. Date retrieved February 5, 2009 at http://www.time.com/time/time100/heroes/profile/graham03.html.
Pifer-Bodie, J., November 6, 2008, William Graham. CNN. Date retrieved February 7, 2009 at http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/11/06/billy.graham.turns.90/index.html.
http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/bio.html. (November 11, 2004) Wheaton College. Date retrieved February 7, 2009
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