#5 - The Fearful Leader
I remember the first staff member we hired I was scared…I knew it didn’t make sense on paper…but I KNEW it was what God wanted.
I remember the first time we moved to being a portable church. I was scared to death…but I KNEW it was what God wanted.
I remember when we moved from being portable into a 1.4 million $$ facility. I was scared…but I KNEW it was what God wanted.
I remember when we launched 2 Sunday worship experiences. It didn’t make sense…it was CRAZY…but I knew it was what God wanted.
I could go on and on. The bottom line ISN’T that a leader never comes face to face with a fearful situation…but rather a leader learns to trust in God’s direction and power rather than give into fear and uncertainty.
When a leader allows fear to control him…the people he leads ALWAYS lose.
Fear forces a leader to embrace the “way things are” rather than how they should be.
Fear causes a leader to think more about what they have to lose rather than what the Kingdom has to gain.
Fear makes a person depend on their power and ability rather than God’s.
Fear leads to impulsive and unwise decisions rather than prayed through and processed ones.
MY prayer for myself is that I NEVER become obsessed with safety and lose sight of HIS SOVEREIGNTY.
He reigns…and IF I BELIEVE THAT THEN I HAVE TO LEAD LIKE I BELIEVE IT!
Any fears you need to face? PCG Pastors…what steps is God asking you to pray about that will only be done if He shows up. Those are God led steps of faith…and never play it safe because we have WAY too much at stake!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
5 Styles of Leadership that always Lose
#4 - The “Keep Everyone Happy” Leader.
You will NEVER please everyone in your church…EVER!
AND…the thing I’ve learned is that when people are upset they are usually the loudest…which makes them seem like the majority.
One of the problems that exist today in church world is that very few people are willing to LEAD…to have convictions and stand up for them…no matter who gets ticked off.
Paul addressed this in Galatians 1:10…we cannot please people AND please Jesus–period!
And if it ever becomes a leaders goal to keep EVERYONE happy…they will be successful in reaching NO ONE.
Leadership takes guts…thick skin…a willingness to take a slap in the face and keep on going.
God didn’t call leaders to make people happy…He called us to lead people to Jesus.
AND…being obsessed with what others think of you is the QUICKEST way to enter into a state of depression that you will never pull out of.
Acts 20:24…we need to consider our lives worth nothing…and do all we can for HIM…not “them!”
Jesus consistently ticked off the religious scholars and pharisees because He spent time with sinners. They even made the statement that He gets cozy with them and treats them like friends.
If they were ticked off at Jesus, they will get ticked off at you. Quit trying to please everyone. Please the one that matters.
You will NEVER please everyone in your church…EVER!
AND…the thing I’ve learned is that when people are upset they are usually the loudest…which makes them seem like the majority.
One of the problems that exist today in church world is that very few people are willing to LEAD…to have convictions and stand up for them…no matter who gets ticked off.
Paul addressed this in Galatians 1:10…we cannot please people AND please Jesus–period!
And if it ever becomes a leaders goal to keep EVERYONE happy…they will be successful in reaching NO ONE.
Leadership takes guts…thick skin…a willingness to take a slap in the face and keep on going.
God didn’t call leaders to make people happy…He called us to lead people to Jesus.
AND…being obsessed with what others think of you is the QUICKEST way to enter into a state of depression that you will never pull out of.
Acts 20:24…we need to consider our lives worth nothing…and do all we can for HIM…not “them!”
Jesus consistently ticked off the religious scholars and pharisees because He spent time with sinners. They even made the statement that He gets cozy with them and treats them like friends.
If they were ticked off at Jesus, they will get ticked off at you. Quit trying to please everyone. Please the one that matters.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
5 Styles of Leadership that always Lose!!
#3 - The “It Will Go Away” Leader
One of the WORSE things a leader can do when they become aware of a problem is IGNORE it…because problems seldom (if ever) just go away.
One of the things I’m learning as a leader is that, when God reveals a problem to me…it isn’t so that I can remain passive about it and hope it will go away–He wants me to take action.
I know leaders who have staff issues in their church…but will not deal with them because they keep thinking if they ignore poor work performance and bad attitudes long enough that the problem will eventually correct itself. I know leaders who allow really bad programming to continue in their church…thinking that one day what is horrible will magically become good. It doesn’t.
Jesus was proactive and confronted issues when they arose. We must do the same. Don't forsake the Mission by allowing a non confrontational approach to ministry. We should always do the work of the Ministry with excellence and not allow others to approach it any other way. Move on the thing that needs to be taken care of now, today, immediately. It will not go away and in a week you will still be making excuses of why you are not dealing with the situation.
This style of Leadership always loses. DOn't let it be you....
One of the WORSE things a leader can do when they become aware of a problem is IGNORE it…because problems seldom (if ever) just go away.
One of the things I’m learning as a leader is that, when God reveals a problem to me…it isn’t so that I can remain passive about it and hope it will go away–He wants me to take action.
I know leaders who have staff issues in their church…but will not deal with them because they keep thinking if they ignore poor work performance and bad attitudes long enough that the problem will eventually correct itself. I know leaders who allow really bad programming to continue in their church…thinking that one day what is horrible will magically become good. It doesn’t.
Jesus was proactive and confronted issues when they arose. We must do the same. Don't forsake the Mission by allowing a non confrontational approach to ministry. We should always do the work of the Ministry with excellence and not allow others to approach it any other way. Move on the thing that needs to be taken care of now, today, immediately. It will not go away and in a week you will still be making excuses of why you are not dealing with the situation.
This style of Leadership always loses. DOn't let it be you....
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
5 styles of Leadership that always Lose!!
#2 - The Apathetic Leader
One of the biggest problems that exist in church world today is that there are leaders that do not care about the people they are serving…or the condition of the world around them.
Apathy is one of satan’s best weapons. He doesn’t mind if we know the truth about life, death, heaven, hell and such…he just wants us not to care about it.
One of his best tactics is to get a pastor or a staff member so focused on going to another church, you know, taking a step “up” in ministry that he/she totally neglects the church where they are supposed to be serving.
The day a leader no longer cares about the people he is serving…he should resign immediately.
The day a leader no longer can get passionate about God’s direction for the ministry they are in…and they are OK with it…BIG problems are only a step away.
I believe a leaders job is to beg God…
**Let me see as You see!
**Let me feel as You feel!
When those two prayers get legs under them…apathy is no longer a possibility.
Passion is essential for longevity in leadership!
What are you doing to constantly refill your passion tank? We must be in THE WORD daily!
Surround yourself with passionate people. (I do not allow negative people around me…can’t handle it!)
Attend conferences where leadership is taught.
Make sure we work on our physical health.
My prayer is that, as a leader, I will always love what I do…who I serve with and the place of ministry God has called me to be. God has called us to a great calling as Men of God to be full of integrity, passion & purpose. I pray that each of us will not be driven by pleasing church people, acceptance of other ministries, our denomination (PCG), but you will be DRIVEN by Passion to build the Kingdom of God by winning the lost and leading them to become fully devoted followers of Christ.
A leader who simply does not care will never be a difference maker!!!
One of the biggest problems that exist in church world today is that there are leaders that do not care about the people they are serving…or the condition of the world around them.
Apathy is one of satan’s best weapons. He doesn’t mind if we know the truth about life, death, heaven, hell and such…he just wants us not to care about it.
One of his best tactics is to get a pastor or a staff member so focused on going to another church, you know, taking a step “up” in ministry that he/she totally neglects the church where they are supposed to be serving.
The day a leader no longer cares about the people he is serving…he should resign immediately.
The day a leader no longer can get passionate about God’s direction for the ministry they are in…and they are OK with it…BIG problems are only a step away.
I believe a leaders job is to beg God…
**Let me see as You see!
**Let me feel as You feel!
When those two prayers get legs under them…apathy is no longer a possibility.
Passion is essential for longevity in leadership!
What are you doing to constantly refill your passion tank? We must be in THE WORD daily!
Surround yourself with passionate people. (I do not allow negative people around me…can’t handle it!)
Attend conferences where leadership is taught.
Make sure we work on our physical health.
My prayer is that, as a leader, I will always love what I do…who I serve with and the place of ministry God has called me to be. God has called us to a great calling as Men of God to be full of integrity, passion & purpose. I pray that each of us will not be driven by pleasing church people, acceptance of other ministries, our denomination (PCG), but you will be DRIVEN by Passion to build the Kingdom of God by winning the lost and leading them to become fully devoted followers of Christ.
A leader who simply does not care will never be a difference maker!!!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
5 Styles of Leadership
#1 - The Lazy Leader
A church loses when the leadership is lazy and embraces mediocrity.
Lazy leaders waste time asking God to do the very things He has already COMMANDED them to do.
In Genesis 6-8, God announced to Noah that He was going to destroy the world (talk about a bad day)…but…then told Noah that he and his family would be saved (which HAD to be a relief!)
BUT…God’s plan was for NOAH to actually build the boat that would save him and his family.
Noah didn’t pray that God would build the boat. He took ACTION…God was very specific on the details and Noah put time and effort into doing what God commanded Him to do.
If He had been lazy…passive…”a prayer warrior” you know, all of the mumbo jumbo people use as an excuse to not do anything…then he and his entire family would have DIED as a result of his laziness.
Leaders are called to action…and when a leader is lazy and wants “God to do it all” and refuses to follow through in steps of obedience because “it’s hard,” the church loses.
**David had to actually walk down in the valley and whip Goliath’s butt.
**Moses actually had to walk across the Red Sea.
**Peter had to stand up and preach on the day of Pentecost.
Leaders don’t ask God for how little they can do–they constantly ask Him, “what else do You want me to do?”Anything God’s been asking you to do that you are “spiritualizing” rather than obeying?
In the next 5 Days read to find out your style of Leadership.
A church loses when the leadership is lazy and embraces mediocrity.
Lazy leaders waste time asking God to do the very things He has already COMMANDED them to do.
In Genesis 6-8, God announced to Noah that He was going to destroy the world (talk about a bad day)…but…then told Noah that he and his family would be saved (which HAD to be a relief!)
BUT…God’s plan was for NOAH to actually build the boat that would save him and his family.
Noah didn’t pray that God would build the boat. He took ACTION…God was very specific on the details and Noah put time and effort into doing what God commanded Him to do.
If He had been lazy…passive…”a prayer warrior” you know, all of the mumbo jumbo people use as an excuse to not do anything…then he and his entire family would have DIED as a result of his laziness.
Leaders are called to action…and when a leader is lazy and wants “God to do it all” and refuses to follow through in steps of obedience because “it’s hard,” the church loses.
**David had to actually walk down in the valley and whip Goliath’s butt.
**Moses actually had to walk across the Red Sea.
**Peter had to stand up and preach on the day of Pentecost.
Leaders don’t ask God for how little they can do–they constantly ask Him, “what else do You want me to do?”Anything God’s been asking you to do that you are “spiritualizing” rather than obeying?
In the next 5 Days read to find out your style of Leadership.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
A Different Perspective!
In my youth, I thought of missionaries as the people who came to our churches to raise money. They always had their hand out in a posture to receive. They always seemed to live in the land of "not enough". Then, as a young pastor in early short-term missionary travels, I would always find myself at the churches and ministries who lived in that same land. Whether Africa, the Philippines, El Salvador, Mexico, Hungary, or Romania, the land was still the land of "not enough". Once or twice, I recognized a new land, the land of "just enough". They had just enough to make it; and didn't seem quite so dependent on the American church.
When I came to Ghana, it was refreshing to meet someone in a land of familiarity. I'd had never enjoyed a land like this one - it felt so much like the land I live in. I'm not talking about the climate, the food, the amenities, or anything of that nature - I'm talking about the land of "more than enough". My friend, Dr. Ebenezer Markwei is a man with a vision. He is also the biggest giver that I have ever met in my life. He is building a 10,000 seat auditorium, followed by a 150 bed hospital.
Today, we sat with two National leaders, Kings, Chiefs, and Nobles. We were on National Television, as the church hosted a Medical Outreach. More than 30 doctors and nurses were on site. The national Minister of Health and the Minister of Information (equivalent to our Press Secretary) addressed some of the health concerns in Ghana before the church served the people. Medical supplies and services were provided, and the church is paying for the first 100 people to get 100% medical coverage for one year. Pastor Markwei said that the outreach would cost $200,000 US Dollars. You would be blown away if I disclosed how much he and his wife contributed personally for this event.
What's the point? I'm glad you asked. I was reminded today that my perspective of missionaries and pastors around the world hasn't always been accurate. There are men and women of God everywhere in the world - just like you and me - who are great givers! The next time you see a missionary or a pastor from some other part of the world, I encourage you to look more discerning at their hands. Yes, some have their hands extended in a posture to receive; but there are so many who have their hands out in a posture to give. What's your perspective?
When I came to Ghana, it was refreshing to meet someone in a land of familiarity. I'd had never enjoyed a land like this one - it felt so much like the land I live in. I'm not talking about the climate, the food, the amenities, or anything of that nature - I'm talking about the land of "more than enough". My friend, Dr. Ebenezer Markwei is a man with a vision. He is also the biggest giver that I have ever met in my life. He is building a 10,000 seat auditorium, followed by a 150 bed hospital.
Today, we sat with two National leaders, Kings, Chiefs, and Nobles. We were on National Television, as the church hosted a Medical Outreach. More than 30 doctors and nurses were on site. The national Minister of Health and the Minister of Information (equivalent to our Press Secretary) addressed some of the health concerns in Ghana before the church served the people. Medical supplies and services were provided, and the church is paying for the first 100 people to get 100% medical coverage for one year. Pastor Markwei said that the outreach would cost $200,000 US Dollars. You would be blown away if I disclosed how much he and his wife contributed personally for this event.
What's the point? I'm glad you asked. I was reminded today that my perspective of missionaries and pastors around the world hasn't always been accurate. There are men and women of God everywhere in the world - just like you and me - who are great givers! The next time you see a missionary or a pastor from some other part of the world, I encourage you to look more discerning at their hands. Yes, some have their hands extended in a posture to receive; but there are so many who have their hands out in a posture to give. What's your perspective?
Friday, May 1, 2009
Just For Laughs!
For the past four years, each time I've traveled in Ghana, I saw something on a stick which people were selling on the side of the road. It's not seen at every street corner (like banana chips, nuts, toilet paper, grapes, and more). But if you travel outside the city, you'll see it every so often. It looks like a mini-bear-rug-on-a-stick. It's pink in color, like smoked salmon. The first time I saw it, I asked what it was.
Years ago in Mexico, I learned to never ask someone what they were eating. If you ask what something is in many countries, they assume that you want to try it. I was afraid that they'd do the same thing in Ghana. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that they wouldn't make me eat what I questioned - it was "grasscutter". Grasscutter is in the gopher family. It looks like a cross between gopher and a possom. It's the size of a large possom.
The thing I have feared most just came upon me. We were eating at a nice restaurant. One of the local pastors was eating soup. It looked really good. IT WAS GRASSCUTTER SOUP!!! You guessed it - I ate some. They smoke it and then cook it with all of the necessary spices. It smelled very gamey; but in fact, it was very good. It tasted like smoked turkey meat (dark meat). Not bad. If you ever come to Ghana - give grasscutter a second look!
Just for fun, what is the wildest thing that you have ever eaten? Can you share a mission's experience where you ate something out of the ordinary?
Years ago in Mexico, I learned to never ask someone what they were eating. If you ask what something is in many countries, they assume that you want to try it. I was afraid that they'd do the same thing in Ghana. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that they wouldn't make me eat what I questioned - it was "grasscutter". Grasscutter is in the gopher family. It looks like a cross between gopher and a possom. It's the size of a large possom.
The thing I have feared most just came upon me. We were eating at a nice restaurant. One of the local pastors was eating soup. It looked really good. IT WAS GRASSCUTTER SOUP!!! You guessed it - I ate some. They smoke it and then cook it with all of the necessary spices. It smelled very gamey; but in fact, it was very good. It tasted like smoked turkey meat (dark meat). Not bad. If you ever come to Ghana - give grasscutter a second look!
Just for fun, what is the wildest thing that you have ever eaten? Can you share a mission's experience where you ate something out of the ordinary?
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