Powerful theology forms powerful SPIRITUAL leaders. When the word forms our worldview we see differently. We see those we lead differently. We see obstacles and opposition differently. Ultimately the skills of a leader do matter. But the key factor is the leader’s soul. When leaders experience theology (meaning the power of the word in their world) they become powerful spiritual… Read more »
Over the past few decades the call has been to shape the Sunday worship around the unchurched. Continually leaders speak of how they are implementing this tactic. This model is certainly one option and does indeed have impact. However, the implications flowing from that one decision to implement that model can also be treacherous. For instance, if the Sunday experience… Read more »
Responsibility, deadlines, appointments can all come crashing down to squeeze the leader’s schedule. With no clear decision, and mostly without awareness, the leader begins the “leadership run”. Each day they hit the floor running, excited, hectic. One day is skipped in worship and then another. And then the weekend assignment pulls their focus to their “speaking” and anxiously await the… Read more »
I’ve heard leaders, in conversation with other leaders, say “I really don’t need worship but maybe once a month.” What does that mean? Do they feel it is a need or feeling that can be satiated one time a month? Have you looked carefully at the pattern of Jesus? To begin with, he was an Israelite. The people of Israel… Read more »
The need to succeed. Do you have that? I do. Embedded in me by my parents I became driven to succeed. One person even commented to me, “you seem to have such a need to succeed.” When the need to succeed becomes the driving force in the life of a leader, compromise is waiting at the door. Relax the standards… Read more »
The speed of the vision can be depicted so: Vision + vision carriers + more vision carriers increases the vision passion and speed! The one factor that determines the velocity of a vision is the increase in the number of vision carriers. When that number genuinely increases the vision accelerates and the future comes on the horizon.
The statement is often made, “I want to do this for the Kingdom.” Maybe so, but then again, maybe not so much. I find myself often hearing the Spirit processing my motive, “Why do you want that? Why would you like to be that speaker, that leader who does that?” And my heart is split open. Though I want a… Read more »
Scott’s world had just ended. For a number of years he was a youth pastor in a vibrant church. A pastor! But then he was terminated. Ultimately he ends up selling doors and windows, anything to make a living. For all intents and purposes, it appeared his destiny was destroyed, lost. Eventually he is offered a pastor position in another… Read more »
Our calling is often revealed in a core story or stories. If the Lord has wired us for a specific calling, and if He has been overseeing that calling from the time we were in the womb (as in Jeremiah), then life events somehow can connect to and even identify that calling. At times the core stories are redemption stories,… Read more »
I was stuck in O’Hare airport. My flight had just been canceled and I was given an overnight stay plus a food voucher. But… I had already rushed dinner before my original wheels up time. So, what to do with the $25 food voucher? Cheesecake? Of course. There before my eyes was a cheesecake stand, “Eli’s”. But $25 worth of cheesecake? How in the… Read more »