When you get down to it, you must realize that all levels of leadership are judged by performance. In other words your leadership level is not based on where you think you are, it’s based on what level you can lead and perform at. When I left my old church I found my original resume. As I read it, it dawned on me that the job I was leaving had grown into a job I was not qualified for 17 years earlier. I’ve learned that you can strengthen your leadership in the same way that you can increase the amount of weight you can lift. Read More »
When you get down to it, you must realize that all levels of leadership are judged by performance. In other words your leadership level is not based on where you think you are, it’s based on what level you can lead and perform at. When I left my old church I found my original resume. As I read it, it dawned on me that the job I was leaving had grown into a job I was not qualified for 17 years earlier. I’ve learned that you can strengthen your leadership in the same way that you can increase the amount of weight you can lift.
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Over the last several years I have talked a lot about how leadership can be learned in my children’s ministers leadership club. Leadership like any skill can be increased and strengthened. But before you can know what your next leadership level is you must first locate your present leadership level. A great place to start is to identify where you are by comparing where you think you are now to where you esteem the top is. Identify perfection then consider yourself. My mom always told me things are not as bad as I think they are and that I was not as wonderful as I think I am. It’s somewhere in between. Make sure you compare your definitions with that of the leaders above you. What is a five to you might not be a five to me. It really doesn’t matter where you think you are. Align your thinking with that of the leaders above you. Be honest! Are you a legend in your own time or a legend in your own mind? Realize definitions change with time. Big & busy are both relative terms. My definition of a big church or a busy life has changed as my abilities and experiences have changed. Another way to determine your present level of leadership is to examine and rate your efficiency and abilities in every area of your life. Including your walk with the Lord, your family, your finances, and even your work. Read More »
Over the last several years I have talked a lot about how leadership can be learned in my children’s ministers leadership club. Leadership like any skill can be increased and strengthened. But before you can know what your next leadership level is you must first locate your present leadership level. A great place to start is to identify where you are by comparing where you think you are now to where you esteem the top is. Identify perfection then consider yourself. My mom always told me things are not as bad as I think they are and that I was not as wonderful as I think I am. It’s somewhere in between. Make sure you compare your definitions with that of the leaders above you. What is a five to you might not be a five to me. It really doesn’t matter where you think you are. Align your thinking with that of the leaders above you. Be honest! Are you a legend in your own time or a legend in your own mind? Realize definitions change with time. Big & busy are both relative terms. My definition of a big church or a busy life has changed as my abilities and experiences have changed. Another way to determine your present level of leadership is to examine and rate your efficiency and abilities in every area of your life. Including your walk with the Lord, your family, your finances, and even your work.
Secondly we should be an example of “flowing with authority” or being submitted to the leadership above you. Lot of leaders claim to be loyal to their Pastor and leadership but the proof of this attitude is reflected in your actions. You’re really not loyal to your leader if you treat his or her representatives differently than you treat them. It’s always the right thing to say no to sowing seeds of discord. Sharing a non-Biblical opinion with others can be a form of this. I have found gossip is never a good thing. Being teachable is also a form of submission to authority. Fighting change is not standing with authority. Going where you’re needed to go is an example of one who is under authority. Jesus said if you have seen Him you have seen the father can that be said of us if people see us they also see those we represent and serve? Read More »
Secondly we should be an example of “flowing with authority” or being submitted to the leadership above you. Lot of leaders claim to be loyal to their Pastor and leadership but the proof of this attitude is reflected in your actions.
You’re really not loyal to your leader if you treat his or her representatives differently than you treat them. It’s always the right thing to say no to sowing seeds of discord. Sharing a non-Biblical opinion with others can be a form of this. I have found gossip is never a good thing. Being teachable is also a form of submission to authority. Fighting change is not standing with authority.
Going where you’re needed to go is an example of one who is under authority. Jesus said if you have seen Him you have seen the father can that be said of us if people see us they also see those we represent and serve?
Children need role models, so do the adults we lead and the staff we direct! If leaders are to desire to be examples, what should we be examples of: Read More »
Children need role models, so do the adults we lead and the staff we direct! If leaders are to desire to be examples, what should we be examples of:
You may have heard me teach about the five duties of a shepherd from1 Peter 5:2-4. It says “Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers --not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. Read More »
You may have heard me teach about the five duties of a shepherd from1 Peter 5:2-4. It says “Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers --not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
You’ve got to get your own house in order before trying to lead others. Are you willing to be a leader who doesn’t just talk about integrity but lives it? Read More »
You’ve got to get your own house in order before trying to lead others. Are you willing to be a leader who doesn’t just talk about integrity but lives it?
To lead in ministry you don’t have to be right all the time—which is a relief for me, because I flunked the perfection test a long time ago. But you do need to give up the desire to have people think you’re always right. Read More »
To lead in ministry you don’t have to be right all the time—which is a relief for me, because I flunked the perfection test a long time ago. But you do need to give up the desire to have people think you’re always right.
Have you ever been told “Do as I say, not as I do!” when I was a teen it made me mad. I still don’t like it when leaders think there is a different set of rules for themselves than the rules for the people they lead. In1Corinthians 11:1 Paul let’s us know that leaders should be examples by writing “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” Read More »
Have you ever been told “Do as I say, not as I do!” when I was a teen it made me mad. I still don’t like it when leaders think there is a different set of rules for themselves than the rules for the people they lead. In1Corinthians 11:1 Paul let’s us know that leaders should be examples by writing “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
6. Communicate the vision and plan every way you possibly can to your key leaders and staff! This is where you take what you’ve done so far and give it away. Casting vision is hard work and cannot be accomplished with just one method or part time. Speak it, put it in a brochure, make banners, and show pictures that explain it. Use video, interviews, and take every opportunity to communicate and explain your vision as well as your plan. This includes meetings! Spend time with the level of leaders directly under you and help them make your vision their own. This is an important step because they will impart your vision to others and you will not be alone in the vision casting process. This is something you must develop as a life habit and must become a part of your life-style. Read More »
6. Communicate the vision and plan every way you possibly can to your key leaders and staff! This is where you take what you’ve done so far and give it away. Casting vision is hard work and cannot be accomplished with just one method or part time. Speak it, put it in a brochure, make banners, and show pictures that explain it. Use video, interviews, and take every opportunity to communicate and explain your vision as well as your plan. This includes meetings! Spend time with the level of leaders directly under you and help them make your vision their own. This is an important step because they will impart your vision to others and you will not be alone in the vision casting process. This is something you must develop as a life habit and must become a part of your life-style.
4. Create a plan to bring your vision to pass. Planning must always go before action. You’ve started with the end now go to the beginning. Determine exactly where you are. Now begin to think in small manageable steps or short-term goals. Focus on each step in the process being careful not to move too quickly or to skip a step. Read More »
4. Create a plan to bring your vision to pass. Planning must always go before action. You’ve started with the end now go to the beginning. Determine exactly where you are. Now begin to think in small manageable steps or short-term goals. Focus on each step in the process being careful not to move too quickly or to skip a step.