Somehow we have lost the biblical pattern of a calling. Calling, in Paul’s writing, is not about an assignment to a ministry be it senior leader, youth, worship, etc. In Ephesians 4, Paul challenges the body to live worthy of their calling which is clearly the Ephesians 1-3. Calling would not be limited to specific assignments but something every member… Read more »
I have the privilege of working with many great leaders. None look alike. Various personalities, gifting and history, but all with a fierce heart for the Lord. Recently one of those leaders was walking through a season of downturn, and was processing all of the crazy that Satan speaks in those seasons. This is a letter to that leader. May… 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 »
Every person chooses their level of impact. Our level of impact is not shaped by our parents, by our opportunities of school, our luck here or there. We choose our level of impact day after day, in the sacrifices we make, the moments we push ourselves a little extra, the times when we give up “what everyone else gets to do” so that we… Read more »
Ezekiel’s prophetic leadership spanned several years. Multiple years. Years of living a message and speaking a message to deaf ears. Years of a “trust” from the Lord, a trust that was obviously important in the Lord’s plan. But they were years full of heartache, full of loss and nothing like the success we anticipate and long to see. How does a leader continue to stay… Read more »
Esther was beautiful. Everyone could see that. Eventually Esther becomes queen. No surprise there either. Truth is, beauty opens doors. It’s just the way life works, the way it always seems to be – or so it seems. People with beauty get unusual breaks, options, and possibilities that others never experience. Beauty opens doors the same as does athletic power,… Read more »
I recently was with a leader whose organization was struggling. On the good side, he wanted to lead well – to create future. On the down side, his struggle was now pouring shame into his mind and soul. “What is wrong with me?” “Why can’t I…?” As I sat with him, fire stoked in my soul. It occurred to me that this was… Read more »
God’s gift to us of “calling” has been wired into us from creation! It has been overseen through the various terrain of our lives and through the threats, closed doors and mountains that stand in our way. That reality, that we have a calling overseen by the Most High God, is paramount to our passion, our determination, our self esteem… Read more »
Mike Breen has identified 2 factors in discipleship (development of others into the image of Christ): invitation and challenge. Invitation carries with it hope, relationship, and being seen as a person worthy of investment. Challenge flows from invitation. Challenge can be calling up or calling out. Either way, challenge is most effective when rooted in the relationship of invitation. We believe that bringing challenge is best… Read more »