Leadership: Individual, family and professional
‘To change a life is the most important thing. Even if it’s just one.’
ARGOS — Brian Trump, pastor of Parkside Community Church in argos, offers Leadership classes free to individuals interested in enhancing their personal leadership skills to benefit themselves, their family, their church and their community. Pastor Trump stated, “To change a life is the most important thing. Even if it’s just one. Leadership will help you do that.”
Trump has been teaching leadership classes for over a decade. He was inspired by a former senior pastor from Sturgis, Michigan who was motivated by John Maxwell’s teachings on leadership. Through that relationship, Trump was flown across the country to attend numerous conferences; and was deeply moved that Maxwell was also able to use the leadership platform to share his faith.
Trump initially began teaching classes to men; being convinced that men who lead their families with love and integrity will have happier and healthier homes. When men feel that they are not being respected by their family; their ability to lead their family is impacted in negative ways. “I saw that men felt like they were victims. When men feel like they are victims, they wilt within themselves and become ineffective.”
The leadership classes were designed with a goal to help them overcome. “I started doing leadership to help them overcome. To overcome any victim mentality and to live as a leader, the way that God had made them and built them to be.”
Several years ago, a small
“The great thing about leadership and what I do; is that I get to meet so many wonderful people. They can do what I can’t do. That’s what makes a church. There isn’t one person who has all the answers. Not one person who has ultimate authority. We all need each other. Ultimately when people follow their passion, and get a vision of what they can accomplish; that is what they bring to the church and to their community.”
group of women requested that he expand the program to include a women’s class. The results were successful. Leadership classes continue to be made available to both men and women.
The first portion of Leadership I training focuses on setting goals. “The first part of Leadership is how to set goals. I want to see people move forward right away. The way you move forward is to set goals. You have power that God has given you; it’s within yourself. You also have passion. Passion is critical and crucial. If we don’t live our lives with passion we just go through the motions and life doesn’t mean too much. Dignity of life doesn’t mean too much. When you have passion, things become important to you that you weren’t able to see before; it opens up.”
Personal discipline is the second component of leadership training. “You have to have personal discipline. You learn habits that you sow in your life. You get rid of bad habits by instilling these good habits into your life.”
The next portion of training focuses on relationships. “The next element of leadership is learning how to relate to people very well. You need to have an in-depth understanding of people. How they are. You accept them that way. You interact with them that way; so you can learn to lead them.”
The last part of leadership focuses on the marital relationship. “You start off leading yourself; then if you can lead your spouse that’s going to be exciting to see.”
Trump advocates a growth mindset. Many people are uncomfortable admitting their weaknesses; but Trump encourages people to become comfortable admitting those weaknesses and recognize them as opportunities to grow. “Success and failure are part of God’s plan. They both go together.”
Leadership I training requires a one year commitment. That time frame is necessary for sustainable growth and internal development. “A very important thing to remember is - people change little, by little, by little.”
Growth can cause a level of discomfort for many people until an individual experiences the benefits of that growth. “As you take these principles and apply them to your life on any level; it’s going to help you move forward. You are going to look at life with a little more depth and a little more meaning. Life becomes more meaningful to you when you are living for something bigger than yourself.”
The class is free. The training was provided to Trump at no cost; he feels compelled to
Everyone has had heart breaking experiences. Though it can be tempting to remain in a broken mindset, a victim mentality chokes the opportunity to grow. Pastor Brian Trump encourages people to look beyond that broken to something greater; something beneficial, more beautiful and lovely. “God is giving you a way out. All of us have been there.” After reading numerous biographies of successful people he noted a trend. That trend was not a life without pain, heartache or failure. It was a vision that drove that individual to a greater good. He emphasized that he does not have the remedy for every problem, but he can offer an opportunity to grow. “That was their way out. Their vision for the greater good, for something bigger than ‘me’. That is worth everything to the human spirit and that is where leadership ultimately takes people.”
make it available at no cost to others. “It’s just a God-thing. I look back on all that. The Lord made a way and gave it to me for free. I keep it that way. It’s a ministry.”
All are welcome. “I take anyone where they are at. It does not matter where you start. It doesn’t matter. It’s always about where you end up.”
It is not required that individuals attend Parkside Community Church to participate in the program. “Anybody who wants to come is welcome.”
Trump advocates that a true leader is a leader who serves people and inspires growth in those around them. Leadership in a family, in a church, or at work should never be confused with toxic, manipulative or controlling behaviors. He saw the pain caused by bad leaders. “A good leader is focused on serving people.”
He dedicated time and energy to research what good leadership meant; particularly where it influenced families. “My heart is thrilled when I see positive change for families. Men who become a better spouse and a better father. When you have a man who gets better at leading his family.”
For those who complete Leadership I there is a second training called Leadership II. It focuses on applying what was learned with project based application on how to accomplish goals. “Being the pastor here, I also have the opportunity to provide people with the platform to launch their vision. That’s what’s unique. You are offered a platform to put these principles in to place without the fear of failing.”
Achieving a vision by setting goals requires vulnerability. Failure is inevitable, everyone fails at some things. Failure is never final. Persistence builds character. Trump said, “You are failing forward. Every experience is going to be a learning experience and a growing experience. There is no condemnation in that.”
One step in the right direction can change the course of a life. Making a commitment to attend the class regularly for a year is a step. As people are exposed to leadership training; and absorb the concepts; they can continue to grow.
Leadership training helps people define their passion, identify their strengths and overcome their weaknesses one step at a time. “When you step out of self; you are living a life that makes a difference. That is how you really effect people around you; to live for something bigger than what even life has to offer - it’s about what God has to offer to you.”
Trump said it would not be possible for him to teach the principles of leadership in a sustainable way in lease than a year. Part of the success of the program is the relationships that develop among participants and the mentorship offered through accountability. “Anyone who sits in leadership for a year; their life will change. Giftedness, looks, personality - none of that counts. None of it. None of it counts with God. He doesn’t look on the outside; He looks on one place - on our heart. Your heart is going to be touched in leadership, I can tell you that. In a year your life will be changed. That’s why the commitment is just make it to class.”
Anyone interested in finding out more about leadership training should contact Parkside Community Church by leaving a voicemail at 574-892-5656 or sending a message on Facebook messenger @ Parkside Community Church. “God accepts us right where we are at and He will take us to a wonderful, beautiful place.”