Tag: Church

Stretching

The value of stretching cannot be overstated. Stretching aids the overall recovery of muscles used in exercise or work.

By definition, stretching is the ability to make longer and wider without tearing or breaking.

The best approach is to stretch a little at a time, hold for a few seconds, and relax. Repetition allows for the development of flexibility and relief.

When leaders stretch with regards to vision, goals, and the development of a team, the results bring recovery, growth, strength, and flexibility. Repeating the process increases the benefit.

Stretching is one way to develop quality leaders.

Role and Responsibility

On the surface, we would assume if someone is in a leadership position, they would naturally be proficient. Sadly, this is not always the case.

Leaders need to know their job. Imagine the power of a leader who knows his role and responsibilities and allows others to fulfill theirs.

Leaders also need to be familiar with the role and responsibilities of others. When leaders know the role and responsibilities of others, they can provide accountability. Progress is eminent.

From a spiritual perspective, a description would be sheep with a good shepherd. When everyone knows their role and responsibilities and works to fulfill them, the church functions accordingly.

Apathy

Sadly, words which often characterize much of a society or culture begin to characterize the church. Examining the world and culture we live in reveals the great problem of apathy.

Our leadership must find ways to prevent and overcome the characteristics of apathy in the church.

It means…

We must fan the flame of enthusiasm.
We must energize creativity.
We must strengthen the hands of others.
We must lift up hearts.

When leaders see the opportunity, prepare themselves to improve, persevere through challenges, they can overcome the impact of apathy.

The Gift

When leadership demonstrates generosity, others learn the value of the gift. However, you must consider the nature of your generosity.

Intention: What is the motive behind your gift?

Object: What is the object of your generosity? Work? Family? Church? Lord?

Planned dedication: Is there a planned purpose?

Action: Are you ready to start giving?

Self-examination: What are you losing by holding on to the gift?

These questions help us determine the nature of and need behind our gift.

True Legacy

Life is temporary, and someone will carry on when we leave this life. The question is, to whom will we pass the torch?

Paul passed the torch to Timothy, his “true child in the faith.” Paul instructed Timothy to do the same.

We understand the value of our children carrying on the family name or traditions.

The church faces the crisis of preparing men to shepherd the Lord’s church, providing healthy and encouraging teaching, and training teachers for the future of our children.

It is all about passing the torch. Who will replace you and me? To whom will we pass the torch? Herein lies true legacy.

Great Leaders

Wandering in desert places does not appeal to most. Yet, many in leadership lack the vision to lead people in the direction they ought to go, and this is their primary role.

Rosalynn Carter said, “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.”

We need great leaders in the home, the world, and the church today. Too many only lead people where they want to go. Let us arise to the challenge and become the great leaders God requires in every area of life.

Relationships

Powerful relationships exist in both life and leadership.

The mindset of trying to do things on our own ultimately fails. We need one another. Division is killing the church and her influence.

There are at least 24 different “one another” passages throughout scripture. These passages teach us about the spiritual relationship and responsibility we have to each other.

When leadership uses these areas to strengthen relationships, the result will bring a powerful boost to leadership.

When we fulfill the responsibilities outlined by the New Testament writers, the church will be strengthened.

Isn’t it time we build the kind of relationships to accomplish both?

Relationships

There is a powerful relationship between life and leadership.

The mindset of trying to do things on our own will ultimately fail. We need one another. There is a minimum of twenty-four “one another” passages throughout scripture. These passages teach us about the spiritual relationship and responsibility we have to each other.

When leadership engages these thoughts to strengthen relationships, the result brings a powerful boost to our leadership.

When we fulfill the responsibilities outlined by the New Testament writers, the church grows stronger.

Isn’t it time we built the kind of relationships to accomplish both?

Relational Shepherds

Leaders must learn how to address difficulties that arise from within and without. Who’s right? What’s right? Why? When? How?

When shepherds are solely focused on decision making, the ability to lead the sheep is relegated to the task of ensuring people hear a message from the pulpit that is healthy to scripture.

The avoidance of close, intimate, personal relationships has caused more confusion for the church today.

The questions confronting shepherds strike at the core of their being and the inability to provide biblical answers has caused more than a few to see the Bible as outdated and the church as a relic of past ritualistic practices.

We need good shepherds.

Jesus

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd” (John 10). Within this text, we find ideas expressed that relate to the responsibility of shepherding the church today.

One of the fundamental elements is knowing the sheep. Notice how Jesus claimed, “I know My own and My own know Me” (Jn. 10:14).

Earlier in this text, Jesus said the sheep hear the voice of the shepherd and they follow because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger. Instead, they flee from him because they do not know the “voice of strangers” (vv. 3-5).

Sheep need to hear the voice of their shepherds, and this foundational element of shepherding involves knowing the sheep.