6/27/23 - Jacinta Tegman: Transformative Leadership

Intro: Welcome to the iWork4Him podcast. I'm Todd T. Reilly, producer of the iWork4Him radio program, the voice of the faith and work movement. Our mission is to transform the workplace of every Christian into a mission field. What does that look like in your workplace? Let's find out right now.

Jim: This episode of iWork4Him was previously recorded for the Christian Leadership Alliance's Outcomes Conference podcast, where leaders come to invest the best of what they know into other leaders.

Martha: Remember, if you have influence over just one person, you are a leader. Together, let's listen to this podcast and learn more about leading God's way. Enjoy!

Jim: We have an incredible conversation today coming up with Jacinta Tegman, CEO with CRISTA. Wait til you hear about this! We'll be focusing on how she leads and strives to create a culture of belonging at CRISTA. Jacinta Tegman. Welcome.

Jacinta Tegman: Well, thank you. Just an honor and privilege to be together.

Martha: Well, we are so glad to have you here. But before we actually start talking about your leadership role and your perspective on how God's using you to create a culture of belonging at CRISTA, tell us how you keep your faith strong and your leadership Christ centered.

Jacinta Tegman: Great. Yeah, well, I feel like we lead out of our relationship with the Lord, don't we? So I think for me, you know, if I want to be a great leader, I first of all have to be a great follower. And I think that's what really centers me is just trying to be a great follower of Jesus. So very intentional, you know, in spiritual disciplines, you know, sometimes I like to share something very exciting.

But I think for our faith journey, it's just like those principles that we know. We spend time with God in prayer. We spend time in his word. We spend time with fellowship with other believers who challenge us, encourage us, kind of call us out when we're not on the straight and narrow path of following Jesus.

And I feel like those really basic things that we've known and heard all of our life really come to play when you are a leader where you're kind of put up a little higher. So you're exposed and who we are In the private is who we need to be in the public space and just try to keep that in mind, That in at the end of my term of leadership that people will be more in love with Jesus, not less Because of how i've led.

Jim: Well, that's a good one when my term of leadership is done that people will love jesus more When I leave them when I came. That's a fantastic goal. I love that! You know, Jacinta, as a Leader what have been the keys to creating a culture of belonging at CRISTA?

Jacinta Tegman: First of all, I would say it's like what are we calling people to belong to? We have heard a lot -There's a lot of noise, you know, in the bigger spaces today About inclusivity and creating these cultures of belonging, but what are we calling people to belong to? And I think as a Christian organization, as a Christian leader, what I want to call people to is to belong to the kingdom of God. And what are those principles that dictate, you know, how we behave, how we treat each other, how we act and what we are calling people to?

So trying to be really clear about what we're calling people to belong to. Like, hey, you know, we're all members of country clubs or swim clubs or, you know, horse clubs, whatever, you name it. But what makes the kingdom of God different?

So I think just being clear on that. And then the intentionality of choosing to see people as Jesus saw them, right? So creating that culture of whether you're, you know a Pharisee who Jesus reached out to, or the woman at the well, or anybody in between. That he was intentional in that call of calling people to himself. So I guess, you know, the central part of what we call people to is Jesus. As we take a step closer to Jesus, we are actually taking a step closer to each other. And when we try to elevate, you know having the perfect mix of attributes that are just external, you know, is that really motivating?

But I always find, like, if we're helping people. draw closer to Jesus, we actually, you know, by extension, draw closer to each other. And I think that's where real belonging really takes place.

Martha: So to give us a little context for your leadership, I would love for you to explain a little bit about CRISTA. And what it does, what it stands for, and also maybe how many people you have in your organization.

Jacinta Tegman: Sure. So CRISTA is the outflow of our founder's vision who started off with, if young people who were being sent to reformatories in the late 1940s could just meet Jesus, their lives would be transformed. And along his journey, he added radio stations and senior living, a school, camping ministry, and relief and development.

So we have five kind of main sectors, but the core of all of it is helping people find and follow Jesus. Like we exist to see those relationships develop. And we serve, our headquarters are here in the Seattle, Washington area, but our reach is global. So we serve over 3 million people a year both locally and internationally.

And we have over 1, 300 staff members that serve, you know, whether it's our schools or camp and ministry, radio, international relief and development, or senior living - kind of the, the height and depth and breadth of all of God's kingdom seems to be a part of who we are at CRISTA. And I think that main theme and that thread that finds all of these very diverse ministries together is that, you know, we feel like we're better together, that we leverage this incredible legacy and history that we have, but our outward focus is all about making and growing disciples.

Martha: Wow.

Jim: Wow. We take a while to recover from that whole answer. Amazing things that you guys are doing, but you're trying to create a culture of belonging, I mean, everything about an organization is the culture that's created and you're the CEO over a culture, over an organization. It is extraordinarily multifaceted.

What are the challenges that you face in creating a culture of belonging?

Jacinta Tegman: Yeah, well, again, it's being clear what we're asking people to belong to. And then when we're inviting people to join us, whether it's a staff member or those we serve, it's making sure that we're intentional in that we're making space at the table for everyone.

So for that variety of viewpoints and backgrounds. And I think it's like when I, when I go somewhere, whether it's a church, I look around and see, am I represented here somewhere? You know, can I see that this is a place where I could fit in, where I could belong? And so we're, we just try to call that out and be intentional in that welcoming spirit that people feel like, yeah, this is my family. This is my home.

I'm one of five kids. Which uniquely prepared me to lead this family of five ministries. And so we know that, you know, when you're in a big family, like I grew up in, you know there's different personalities, kind of different flavors, if you will. And the beauty of CRISTA , our intentionality, what some of those things that we're trying to overcome is that every single one feels like, Hey, this is my family.

I belong here. I'm welcomed here. I'm honored here. My voice is listened to here, right? And through that, create that culture where not only do we have that internally, but we're also projecting that externally so that people who, you know, have curiosity about anything we're doing or want to be a part of it they, they can say like, I, I can do that. I can be a part of this family, this open, welcoming community, loving family that tries really hard to represent Jesus and all that we do, but also to see people as Jesus saw them with value and intrinsic worth created in the image of God. And yeah, so it's kind of messy.

It's just like, think of family. It's all that, right? All that and more. And it's really fun too.

Jim: Yeah. We're talking to Jacinta Tegman today, the CEO of CRISTA. We're gonna take a break and then we'll be right back with more with Jacinta.

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Jim: Hey, welcome back as we talk today with Jacinta Tegman from CRISTA. Jacinta, what are the top two core principles that guide you daily as a Christian leader?

Jacinta Tegman: Hmm. Well, I'd say first of all I am a servant of the Lord, right? So I, everything I do try to make that an expression of who I am in Jesus and that I play to that audience of one and trying to just always keep that really central. And then the second part then I would say is that I am a servant of the mission and the staff that I have the privilege of leading here.

So I think it's two focused, right? Always keeping Jesus in that top position. And then that I see myself as a servant to what God has called this organization to be and by extension then again Of those he's called to serve here and I think keeping those two things in focus really helped me You know kind of center me that it's not an ego thing.

It's not about you know a career step for me or an achievement of anything, but I think if I do those two things well Ultimately all those other things that really matter kind of fall in the correct order.

Jim: So what about the days when those top two core principles are being challenged heavily by the enemy or somebody, or people, or, or whatever? What do you do then? What do you have, what do you have built into your system to make sure that you get back to those core principles? Yeah, well, I mean, maybe you never have those days. Maybe you never have those days.

Jacinta Tegman: I have those days all the time. Just like every other leader, right? And some of it's not just what's happening externally, but even internally, like our own fears and our own insecurities are like, I have no idea how to react to respond to all the crazy that we've experienced in the last couple of years.

So first of all, I would just say, you know, I, I kind of keep that all in balance by my own schedule. So I'm an early riser and I feel like I could probably count on one hand the times that I haven't made time in my schedule to put Jesus first, to spend time with him in his word. And you know, when you're younger, and I was probably more of a doer in those days, but the older I've gotten, I realize it's not a doer, it's a be-er.

Like, I need to be with Jesus. I need to be full of Him and His presence in my life. And then, sort of miraculously, All those other things kind of come into play. So I'd say that's how I stay centered. And, you know, when you've heard this before, right? When people say the busier I, I am, the more I need to take time to pray, the more I need time to that.

And I'd say at this level of leadership and everything that I'm facing and all the things I don't even know I'm facing yet, but surely are coming, that is the thing that really kind of keeps me focused and grounded. And I just don't think there's any other way around it.

And then the second part is how I lead the staff and that we're very much mission driven. So again, a lot of competing things, and we have to look at everything through the filter of our mission. Is it going to get us closer to that or is it going to pull us away? And I think, you know, reciting it, saying it, focusing on it, reminding, inspiring, you know, kind of leading through that mission statement helps keep that central as well.

Like there's lots of great organizations, a lot of great things that we could do, but we believe this is what God has called us to be, you know, through our mission. You know, just staying anchored to it. Again, I would say nothing super, innovative in this, it's just the basics, it's the fundamentals of being right with God and then right in our mission and that kind of keeps us there in that space.

Martha: So I want to ask you about your path in, of leadership. So rising to the level of CEO of a major international ministry, you have, have to have had obstacles or spiritual battles along the way. Can you talk to us about that a little bit? What kinds of things have you experienced and how has God brought you through that?

I think for me, the big one there is just being really comfortable in who God made me. So early on again, you know, as I was feeling this call to ministry or something that the Lord had put a calling on my life, I kind of looked around at other examples and thought Oh, I would need to be this way or that way.

My husband and I did pastoral ministry and I Remember looking at other pastors wives and thinking like, okay, how do I make better cookies? I spent a lot of time trying to be other people and of course was Frustrating myself and others and then at some point on this journey realized God, you care about people more than I possibly can and you have made me this way.

I'm going to lean into those giftings and kind of let all those other expectations go to the side. So I would say for me, it's mostly about how I perceive myself and how I try to be other people instead of saying, well, Lord, I may not understand it. But I think you do the best job of putting people in the right place with the right gift mix.

I can lean into that. So, you know, it isn't like there haven't been external challenges, but I would say for me it was the internal challenge of, you know, kind of doing that assessment of who I am, who God called me to be, and just to press into that, try to do that well and kind of leave the other external things out there and not, not focus so much on those.

Jim: Wow. When we come back, I'd love to talk to you about how listening and learning have played a role in your leadership, not only at CRISTA, but in your life, in your career, because those are two key things that leaders really need to work on.

Jacinta Tegman, and we'll be right back.

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Jim: Hey, welcome back. We talk with Jacinta Tegman from CRISTA. Jacinta, I promised that I'd ask this question. Listening and learning, two key principles that have to be built into every leader. First off, how does listening Play a part in your growth as a leader?

Jacinta Tegman: I I would say, you know, sometimes I look at my leadership and I just quite honestly would say i'm not sure I'm a great leader, but I can tell you I try to be a great follower a great follower from of the Lord. And so first off You know, in order to follow Jesus, you have to hear his voice.

You have to listen to him. You have to make that a part of your life. So a big part of what I do in leadership is try to hear from God through prayer, through reading his word. I journal as I'm reading through the Bible, like, you know, when I read a passage, what is the Lord telling me through this passage as an example?

And I write it down because. I don't know about you guys, but five minutes later, like something really magical happened and I can't remember what it was. So I write it down and reflect on it, right? So I really try to hear, you know. I, I look at the events that were seen unfold in front of us in the world.

And I, I asked, well, what are you saying? What are you doing? And kind of have that posture, if you will, of listening to God, you know, in the big things like the macro level of what God is doing in the world, what he's speaking to me through his word and through the circumstances. And then the second piece is just making sure that I'm listening to both those I work with, lead with, and those we serve.

And for me, that's having that connection. So, you know, my office, when I became the CEO of CRISTA was kind of tucked away in a corner and I thought nobody's going to come walk the gauntlet back here to talk to me and how will I even know what's going on? So I moved my office to sort of in a practical way to be close to where I'm in the hub, where people walk by to stop in chat, and I always think you know, when I'm talking, I'm genuinely, you know, teaching or trying to convey something. But when I'm listening, I'm learning and I want to be a learner. And so I need to be able to be in proximity to people to actually hear from them. And through that, learn what's on their hearts, whether they're aligned or not, whether they have a brilliant idea or they're going down the wrong path, whatever the circumstances.

Maybe I think it's proximity to those I work with and those I serve to just know what's on their hearts and those two facets.

Jim: So you're saying you gave up the corner office with windows overlooking the lake So you could be in the center where people could come and have access to you as the leader.

Jacinta Tegman: That's right.

Jim: And how did that change the culture at CRISTA?

Jacinta Tegman: I think it meant that people would drop by and see me and I think it changed the culture because I was accessible and also I knew what was going on. I wasn't removed. And so, I think it's helped me to adapt. As I think of the needs that are ongoing, right?

But also it's helped me to have my ear to the ground, if you will, and that my finger on the pulse of what's the heartbeat of our organization and try to be in the center of that and what God is doing. You know, in my mind, I keep playing with this idea of the family with five kids and you, you know, trying to keep your your finger, as a mom, on what's going on with all of those kids, you can't be hiding in the laundry room as much as maybe you want to, you know?

Jim: Were you one of five kids, or do you have five kids?

Jacinta Tegman: One of five kids.

Martha: She's one, but in the organization, it's like she has five kids. I'm just playing this out in my head.

And so with that in mind, you know, as moms, we don't want to pick favorites or anything, but let's talk about something within CRISTA that you are very enthusiastic about, whether it's the overall mission and impact or one specific thing that is happening within CRISTA that, you know, you're just really excited about how God is moving in that area.

Jacinta Tegman: Thank you. Well, yeah, all of my kids are special. I remember when I had my second child, I thought, how could I love anyone as much as I love that first child? And when the second one was born, it wasn't that I love that first one less. It's that God expanded my ability to love. And I think when you have ministries like CRISTA, that's what has to happen. Your heart expands to fit, you know, the biggest need. But I think for me, you know, we're a legacy organization. We're coming up on our 75th anniversary and you know, it's easy during those 75 years to get some mission drift that can happen in any organization.

Good intent maybe kind of falls off a little bit of our direction And so one of the things i'm most excited about is that we're just returning to our first love of God. And returning to our mission to see new and growing disciples. So the other day I heard A story of 30 students in our high school came to faith in Christ.

Some, you know, for the first time commitment. And I'm thinking that's exactly why this ministry was started. And in each facet of our ministry, I could share stories of that. But I think what's exciting is that, you know, coming back to our roots, our mission of why we were founded and seeing that.

Seeing new and growing disciples is as relevant today and as needed today as it was 75 years ago, maybe even more so, right? As things continue to, you know, get darker in our world, I feel like the Lord has allowed CRISTA to be this light on a hill to lead people to Christ. So, super excited about those things.

Jim: Alright, as we close out the podcast today, Jacinta, what leadership idea or thinking would you like to share as an investment of those listening today?

Jacinta Tegman: One thing that God has really placed on my heart as we look at all the circumstances in the world around us. And you guys will love this. As a woman in leadership, I hear a lot of people tell sports analogies.

Well, whenever I want to quiet a room, I give a birth analogy. So here it comes. You know, in Romans, it talks about how the world is groaning as we're waiting, as if in labor, as in childbirth pains, you know, as we're waiting for the second return of our Lord. And one thing I know as a subject matter expert having three children myself, when labor starts, intensity and frequency increases with those labor pains, right?

So, you know, at first you can handle that first pain, but by, you know, an hour, two, five hours, ten hours into labor, boy, those are right on top of each other. I see that happening in the world, and I think as the return of our Lord comes more into focus through all the pain, all the childbirth pains that we as a global world is are now experiencing, my, my comment to the leaders that will be attending is We need to look up. Our focus has to be absolutely on Jesus and his eminent return and that we have this Moment to make a difference, a difference that will last through eternity and that would be my encouragement that those labor pains that we're feeling mean that Jesus is returning soon.

Jim: Come quickly!

Jacinta Tegman: Maranatha!

Jim: That's right.

Jacinta Tegman. Thank you so much for being on.

Jacinta Tegman: My pleasure. God bless you.

Outro: Did you know that God has a calling on your life? It's true. He's called you to bring Jesus to the world. For some that may look like a pulpit or a foreign mission field, but for most of us it looks like a construction site, a cubicle, a hospital, or a classroom.

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