Calling

Effective leaders look beyond the expected into the realm of possibility. They look beyond the normal into the supernatural realm of God.

Make no mistake, this mournful heart condition that He forms in us, of longing for the things of Christ to be seen and established and over all, is indeed blessed: not a selfish cocktail of leadership insecurity and lime-light grabbing tendency; not a bunch of immature responses of the flesh to the people we’re called to love and the world we’re called to as Priests; but a deep work of the Spirit of God in our lives to hate sin, kill sin and lead towards His salvation.

The call to mission bids us entry into our own pain, to engage with our own brokenness and wounds that have remained untended. The call is not enough.

I’ve been reflecting on the value of being crystal clear about what matters most. It’s an ongoing leadership exercise for me. While most personal resolutions remain short-lived, children’s ministry calls for a higher standard. Churches must never be okay with dropping the ball on this one. The lives of kids, families, and leaders are on the line.

Never sell yourself short. In God’s economy the least becomes the greatest. Don’t fall into the trap of seeing worth only in the big. Small may be big enough.

If you feel that this is the place God wants you to be at the moment, recommit yourself to your role and thank Him for being there for you. If not, ask God where He wants you to be.

These seven questions will help you set yourself on a path to which the Spirit can both hold you to and accompany you on. As you ponder these questions, do so with your spirit open and obedient to God’s.

A leader must have a calling and a vision from God, or else he would be wise not to lead.

We short-change the idea of visionary leadership if we think it refers to big-talking, charismatic personalities who manipulate the people to accomplish their own predetermined and self-serving purposes.

Imagine the following scene. You take your car into a repair shop because it is not running well. After a thorough check your mechanic...

If there’s anything that Jeff Pessina has learned in 37 years of ministry in the Philippines, it’s that he doesn’t write the job descriptions in his life. “The most significant surrendering in my life was when things weren’t going the way I wanted them to or the way I expected. The Lord has never shown up as clearly and as audibly as at the moments when I said I didn’t want the job anymore. And He explains to me, you don’t write the job description. I do that.”

It is often easier to take the well-traveled road, but now is not the time to grow apathetic. It is not the time for good people to do nothing. Kevin understands the temptation of apathy but encourages us to confront it.