I've come to grips that leadership can sometimes be lonely.
I try to always lead in teams. But sometimes, leadership can just be lonely. There are places that only you can go. Think about Jesus going into the garden to pray. Or Elijah hiding out in the cave. Or Moses going before Pharaoh. There are some seasons and situations where leadership is lonely.
That’s why you’ve got to make sure that your identity is rooted in something much deeper than your own abilities or other peoples’ opinions of you. Popular opinion is fleeting and it is flawed. Those who praise you too much and those who criticize you too much are both wrong. Don’t listen to either. Hunker down into the Scriptures and discover who God says you are and who he created you to be. Seek his approval, favor, and pleasure. And when the lonely seasons come, you'll be anchored well.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Building People, Not Crowds
One of the most important church leadership principles that I've come to understand is that I am not called to build crowds, but to reach them. This happens when we build people...and building people is the most fulfilling part of a church leader's job.
What people need most from us as leaders is equipping and encouragement. Early in my ministry, I was too focused on all I had to do and not focused enough on seeing clearly what God wanted to do for and through our church. I've learned that He really expects two important things of us as leaders. He desires for us to equip people through biblical teaching and empower them for ministry so they become excited about what can happen for the Lord.
God calls us not just to reach crowds, but also to build people.
What people need most from us as leaders is equipping and encouragement. Early in my ministry, I was too focused on all I had to do and not focused enough on seeing clearly what God wanted to do for and through our church. I've learned that He really expects two important things of us as leaders. He desires for us to equip people through biblical teaching and empower them for ministry so they become excited about what can happen for the Lord.
God calls us not just to reach crowds, but also to build people.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Monday
Monday is the day that most pastors/church leaders struggle…some call it the “holy hangover,” others call it “life!” So many are tempted to quit, give up and/or throw in the towel.
Don’t do it! Don’t quit!
Galatians 6:9 is true about you..."Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." NIV
I don’t know about you…but I have several quotes in my office, things I look at to challenge and inspire me…here is one I thought I would share because, well, it’s Monday!
“It is not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena. Whose face is marred with sweat and dust and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause. Who, if he wins, knows the triumph of high achievement, and who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.” Teddy Roosevelt
Don’t do it! Don’t quit!
Galatians 6:9 is true about you..."Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." NIV
I don’t know about you…but I have several quotes in my office, things I look at to challenge and inspire me…here is one I thought I would share because, well, it’s Monday!
“It is not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena. Whose face is marred with sweat and dust and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause. Who, if he wins, knows the triumph of high achievement, and who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.” Teddy Roosevelt
MVPs
Who are your MVPs? The people-- whether paid or volunteer-- that you cannot imagine doing ministry without? The people who make it happen, keep momentum flowing, keep the vision at the forefront, and give you joy.
As I read the epistles of Paul, I'm struck with how often he praises people in the various churches he writes. He's so thankful for the many great leaders, and he's constantly acknowledging their sacrifices, accomplishments, and efforts. He heaps gratitude on people who bring him joy because of their ministry and their friendship with him.
We've all got MVPs around us. They are the people that make us happy to do what we get to do. And we should find ways to let them know that.
As I read the epistles of Paul, I'm struck with how often he praises people in the various churches he writes. He's so thankful for the many great leaders, and he's constantly acknowledging their sacrifices, accomplishments, and efforts. He heaps gratitude on people who bring him joy because of their ministry and their friendship with him.
We've all got MVPs around us. They are the people that make us happy to do what we get to do. And we should find ways to let them know that.
Monday, March 29, 2010
I Used to Think I Knew it All (a personal reflection)
I thought I knew everything there was to know about marriage…I was the expert and had philosophies and ideas that I knew would make marriage unbelievable. THEN I got married and discovered that it took more than philosophy to make marriage successful…it took work and change and adjustments and a willingness to unlearn everything I thought I knew!
I thought I knew everything there was to know about raising children…I was the expert. I was NEVER going to be THAT parent that had a kid freak out in the middle of a restaurant…I was NEVER going to say ridiculous things such as, “do you want a spanking?” THEN Jacque and I had Tori, and then a little over three years later, we had Ian. Jacque and I came to the understanding that it takes more than philosophies and book knowledge to raise our children…it takes work and change and adjustments and a willingness to unlearn everything I thought I knew.
I thought I knew a lot about leading a church…I thought I was an expert. After all, I had taken some seminary classes, had experiences working in some great churches and had read a lot of books by some people who had done quite well in regards to leading great churches. I've come to the understanding that it takes more than philosophies and some inspirational one-liners from my favorite conference speaker to really lead a church...it takes work and change and adjustments and a willingness to unlearn everything I thought I knew.
I’ve been in full-time ministry many years, and the longer I do this the more I realize that I really don’t know what I’m doing, which is awesome for me because realizing this will keep me desperate for God’s voice; after all, it IS His church.
I will NEVER have church leadership figured out! The more I am around amazing leaders, the more I realize I have so much to learn. The thing that I have learned though is that in order to be an effective church leader we MUST be willing to throw out philosophies, ideas and “book knowledge” that doesn’t fall in line with what the Scriptures and the Spirit is saying.
The beginning of Jesus bringing serious change in His church is when He begins to bring that type of serious change in the leadership of that church! If we are willing to embrace all He has for us, we will see things that absolutely blow our minds…and that’s my prayer. I don’t want to know it all, I want to know HIM who controls it all, and trust Him to lead me step by step!
I thought I knew everything there was to know about raising children…I was the expert. I was NEVER going to be THAT parent that had a kid freak out in the middle of a restaurant…I was NEVER going to say ridiculous things such as, “do you want a spanking?” THEN Jacque and I had Tori, and then a little over three years later, we had Ian. Jacque and I came to the understanding that it takes more than philosophies and book knowledge to raise our children…it takes work and change and adjustments and a willingness to unlearn everything I thought I knew.
I thought I knew a lot about leading a church…I thought I was an expert. After all, I had taken some seminary classes, had experiences working in some great churches and had read a lot of books by some people who had done quite well in regards to leading great churches. I've come to the understanding that it takes more than philosophies and some inspirational one-liners from my favorite conference speaker to really lead a church...it takes work and change and adjustments and a willingness to unlearn everything I thought I knew.
I’ve been in full-time ministry many years, and the longer I do this the more I realize that I really don’t know what I’m doing, which is awesome for me because realizing this will keep me desperate for God’s voice; after all, it IS His church.
I will NEVER have church leadership figured out! The more I am around amazing leaders, the more I realize I have so much to learn. The thing that I have learned though is that in order to be an effective church leader we MUST be willing to throw out philosophies, ideas and “book knowledge” that doesn’t fall in line with what the Scriptures and the Spirit is saying.
The beginning of Jesus bringing serious change in His church is when He begins to bring that type of serious change in the leadership of that church! If we are willing to embrace all He has for us, we will see things that absolutely blow our minds…and that’s my prayer. I don’t want to know it all, I want to know HIM who controls it all, and trust Him to lead me step by step!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Making Happy Christians Mad
Here's a great post from Tony Morgan...tonymorganlive.com
“I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved,” 1 Corinthians 10:33
Fascinating perspective isn’t it? Typically, we don’t operate like that. We put personal conviction or preferences ahead of what may be best for others. Think about it…
*It isn’t worship if the music is too loud or too fast or the wrong genre.
*It isn’t discipleship if the content is delivered in a home or online instead of in a classroom.
*It isn’t missions if we help a neighbor who has wealth instead of focusing on people who live in poverty.
*The message is good if it calls out the sin of other people, but when it’s our sin, we’re offended.
*Rather than embracing the ministries that are impacting the most people, we want the church to embrace our
personal projects and passions.
*We’re more inclined to give when we can direct how the money is used.
Crazy. You’d think we’d be intentional about living out our faith to do what’s best for others. Instead, we make ministry decisions to try to keep people happy. That’s how we end up with churches full of happy Christians. That’s why churches stop growing. We start doing church for us instead of trying to impact the lives of people around us.
The reality is that if we’re going to reach people outside the church and outside the faith, we’re going to have to be uncomfortable. And, once we figure out what’s best for others today, it’ll be different tomorrow. That will involve change. That means we’ll have to get uncomfortable again.
Let’s face it. It’s a lot easier doing ministry when our only goal is to keep people happy. Doing what’s best for others makes life and ministry messy. We have to be willing to rock the boat. We have to be willing to watch people who don’t have a “1 Corinthians 10:33″-mindset leave the church.
When I stop doing what’s best for me and focus on what’s best for others, though, that’s when real life-change happens. It’s worth making “happy Christians” mad so that many may be saved.
“I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved,” 1 Corinthians 10:33
Fascinating perspective isn’t it? Typically, we don’t operate like that. We put personal conviction or preferences ahead of what may be best for others. Think about it…
*It isn’t worship if the music is too loud or too fast or the wrong genre.
*It isn’t discipleship if the content is delivered in a home or online instead of in a classroom.
*It isn’t missions if we help a neighbor who has wealth instead of focusing on people who live in poverty.
*The message is good if it calls out the sin of other people, but when it’s our sin, we’re offended.
*Rather than embracing the ministries that are impacting the most people, we want the church to embrace our
personal projects and passions.
*We’re more inclined to give when we can direct how the money is used.
Crazy. You’d think we’d be intentional about living out our faith to do what’s best for others. Instead, we make ministry decisions to try to keep people happy. That’s how we end up with churches full of happy Christians. That’s why churches stop growing. We start doing church for us instead of trying to impact the lives of people around us.
The reality is that if we’re going to reach people outside the church and outside the faith, we’re going to have to be uncomfortable. And, once we figure out what’s best for others today, it’ll be different tomorrow. That will involve change. That means we’ll have to get uncomfortable again.
Let’s face it. It’s a lot easier doing ministry when our only goal is to keep people happy. Doing what’s best for others makes life and ministry messy. We have to be willing to rock the boat. We have to be willing to watch people who don’t have a “1 Corinthians 10:33″-mindset leave the church.
When I stop doing what’s best for me and focus on what’s best for others, though, that’s when real life-change happens. It’s worth making “happy Christians” mad so that many may be saved.
Long Haul Discipleship
Discipleship can't happen in sound bytes. What a profound sound byte!
I think this is a statement of critical importance. In an age of short attention spans, meals in microwaveable boxes, and life moments reduced to 140 Twitter characters, we need to recapture the ideas of longevity and endurance.
Discipleship is a whole life journey, not an 4-8 week class. It's about developing the fruit of the Spirit and spiritual gifts and looking more like Christ, not about checking off a set of boxes. It's a process of becoming, not a destination. There is no way to short-circuit discipleship. It's about turning every moment of every day into an encounter with God.
Read what Paul's final encouragement to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:5-7 (NLT)
"Fulfill the the ministry God has given to you. As for me, my life has already been poured out as a drink offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful."
These are not the words of a man who has just finished a set of sprints. These are the words of a man who is on the last leg of a super marathon. Listen to some of his words. He has been "poured out as a drink offering to God." Are we allowing God to pour us out? Have our lives spilled out all over those that God has entrusted to us?
He "fought a good fight." If you want to shorten a fight, there are three ways you can do it- die, surrender, or win. Unless Jesus returns, the final victory is not something we can control, and I know I don't want to surrender. So I have to keep fighting until the death.
He "remained faithful." Discipleship is not about us and our schedules. It's about remaining faithful to God and the people he has put in our paths.
If someone discovers a Biblical way to shorten the discipleship process, then I am all for it. Until then, I'm going to have to find some way to follow Paul's example.
I think this is a statement of critical importance. In an age of short attention spans, meals in microwaveable boxes, and life moments reduced to 140 Twitter characters, we need to recapture the ideas of longevity and endurance.
Discipleship is a whole life journey, not an 4-8 week class. It's about developing the fruit of the Spirit and spiritual gifts and looking more like Christ, not about checking off a set of boxes. It's a process of becoming, not a destination. There is no way to short-circuit discipleship. It's about turning every moment of every day into an encounter with God.
Read what Paul's final encouragement to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:5-7 (NLT)
"Fulfill the the ministry God has given to you. As for me, my life has already been poured out as a drink offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful."
These are not the words of a man who has just finished a set of sprints. These are the words of a man who is on the last leg of a super marathon. Listen to some of his words. He has been "poured out as a drink offering to God." Are we allowing God to pour us out? Have our lives spilled out all over those that God has entrusted to us?
He "fought a good fight." If you want to shorten a fight, there are three ways you can do it- die, surrender, or win. Unless Jesus returns, the final victory is not something we can control, and I know I don't want to surrender. So I have to keep fighting until the death.
He "remained faithful." Discipleship is not about us and our schedules. It's about remaining faithful to God and the people he has put in our paths.
If someone discovers a Biblical way to shorten the discipleship process, then I am all for it. Until then, I'm going to have to find some way to follow Paul's example.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Highest Calling versus Ministry
Don't neglect your highest calling in the name of ministry. We all do it. We don't read the Bible to grow closer to God; we read the Bible to get a message for Sunday. We don't preach for the glory of God; we preach to grow our churches. We cheat our families and our friends to tackle a to-do list of ministry activity that will never end.
Ezekiel gives us a sobering message in the 44th chapter for his book. In Ezekiel 44:10-14, we learn that the priests in the temple have served the people well, but have not worshiped God. So God allows them to continue to work in the temple and serve the people, but they can no longer enter the most Holy place to worship him and experience his presence.
How tragic to live a life of service to the people of God without experiencing the presence of God. And yet if we are honest, many of us must confess that we have found ourselves in that place before...if not living in it now.
Do not neglect your highest calling in the name of ministry.
Ezekiel gives us a sobering message in the 44th chapter for his book. In Ezekiel 44:10-14, we learn that the priests in the temple have served the people well, but have not worshiped God. So God allows them to continue to work in the temple and serve the people, but they can no longer enter the most Holy place to worship him and experience his presence.
How tragic to live a life of service to the people of God without experiencing the presence of God. And yet if we are honest, many of us must confess that we have found ourselves in that place before...if not living in it now.
Do not neglect your highest calling in the name of ministry.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Information Overload
Information barrels down on people like a relentless convoy of eighteen-wheelers. Books, magazines, the web—the available resources are excellent and helpful but overwhelming. What sources are important?
I'm gradually being disabused of the notion that all this information matters. The Enlightenment suggested that if we could just get more information, we'd be better people. I don't believe that anymore, which has helped me be less compulsive about my reading. The feeling that we've got to read all these things can be an idol.
I would rather know a few things well than a lot of things pretty well. I'm told this happens when we get older. I'm more accepting of what my genuine interests and strengths are, and I'm going with those. I'm not driven to expand into areas I'm not so good at. When I was 25, I wanted to be a renaissance man, but I've finally given up. For example, I don't read much science anymore because I'm just not strong in it.
I still read a lot, though, and despite what I tell myself, I still feel a little compulsive about it. I'm not reading for information as much as for perspective. With everything I have to juggle, I'm always trying to find where the fulcrum is on this mass, the perspective that will help me make sense out of things. In magazines I might scan a book review, but if there's a good article that synthesizes a lot of ideas and will give me perspective, I'll read that.
I'm gradually being disabused of the notion that all this information matters. The Enlightenment suggested that if we could just get more information, we'd be better people. I don't believe that anymore, which has helped me be less compulsive about my reading. The feeling that we've got to read all these things can be an idol.
I would rather know a few things well than a lot of things pretty well. I'm told this happens when we get older. I'm more accepting of what my genuine interests and strengths are, and I'm going with those. I'm not driven to expand into areas I'm not so good at. When I was 25, I wanted to be a renaissance man, but I've finally given up. For example, I don't read much science anymore because I'm just not strong in it.
I still read a lot, though, and despite what I tell myself, I still feel a little compulsive about it. I'm not reading for information as much as for perspective. With everything I have to juggle, I'm always trying to find where the fulcrum is on this mass, the perspective that will help me make sense out of things. In magazines I might scan a book review, but if there's a good article that synthesizes a lot of ideas and will give me perspective, I'll read that.
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