Leaders

I realized at the funeral that I need to change my perspective. As the Bible clearly commands: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice” (Phil 4:4).

Leaders need to be able to say no, but many find it a hard thing to do. When we think of our marvellously creative Lord, we tend to think of His creativity as a resounding YES. This is correct, but let us also be creative in saying NO when we need to, so we can say yes to the Lord’s best for us.

Believers should be the most generous people on earth. Give something to someone in need this week, then wait for God to surprise you.

Tough situations under the sovereign hand of God actually make us better leaders because we then lead in His power, not ours. Trust Him if today is a difficult day.

Research studies all seem to return to one major theme to explain the exodus of church members: a sense of some need not being filled. In other words, these members have ideas of what a local congregation should provide for them, and they leave because those provisions have not been met. But many times, probably more than we would like to believe, a church member leaves a local body because he or she has a sense of entitlement.

Pastors are surrounded with people. We confer with them in meetings, conflict with them in ministry, visit them in hospitals, counsel them in crises and train them in seminars. We pour our lives into them. But who pours their lives into us?

If you serve in a small church, you understand tension. You can’t get away from it. Truthfully, ministry anywhere comes with tension regardless of the size of your church. But the tensions in a small church are unique and are worth a fresh look.

You've heard of “buyer’s remorse” ‒ that feeling of regret just after you put your money down for something. But whether money is involved in a decision or not, there’s always a price of some kind. Every decision risks something.

Problems come. Difficulties arise. Challenges persist. Yet, an attitude of gratitude can keep our hearts hot for Him, our focus in the right place, and our leadership most effective.

What we need is a relentless appetite for the divine. We need a holy ravenousness. Our craving souls can turn and become enthralled by a goodness that is found in the presence of an all-glorious God. There is only one infinite source of satisfaction that can satisfy our bottomless cravings.

Though all of us struggle with pride, we often don’t recognize pride in our own lives and leadership.

Leaders, our job is to lead people into God’s great adventure … and it will require risk and sacrifice.