Seven Reasons I Became a Minister
So they went over to him and asked:
- Who brought you here?
- What are you doing in this place?
- What is keeping you here?” (Judges 18:3, HCSB).
It is often therapeutic, directive, and beneficial to pause to reflect for a moment concerning the why behind what we do. This lesson caused me to do just that.
There are at least seven reasons why I became a minister. Read more 
Servant Leadership Lesson Two: The People Business
Mark 10:42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
One of the aspects of servant leadership is the matter of ministering to others. In this case ministry does not mean preaching or directing others, but rather helping them. Jesus exemplified this in His large number of healings of individuals and multitudes. Read more
Servant Leadership Lesson One: What in the World?
Matt 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
The original disciples of Jesus did not have a good understanding of the nature of His kingdom and the leadership of it. I am not sure that nearly two thousand years down the road we have much more clarity about the matter. Read more
Daring to Dream
Excerpt taken from Life Lessons for Leaders from the Old Testament
Genesis 37:5
The story of Joseph is a sad one, but also one of great victory after tremendous perseverance. There is hardly a better type of Christ found in the Scriptures. Hated by his brethren for doing what was right, and suffering for sins he did not commit, Joseph stands out as an excellent example of a man whose sole purpose was to live a life of integrity and usefulness. Read more
Sustaining the Future Through Mentoring
I recently had occasion to begin a mentoring relationship with a student attending an Ivy League institution. We share a connection in our love for technology, and speak often on many subjects. At our last meeting I asked him the big question every youth wants to hear (note the sarcasm), “John, Read more
Dynamics of Multiplying Leadership
|
LEADERS WHO DEVELOP FOLLOWERS… |
LEADERS WHO DEVELOP LEADERS… |
| Focus on people’s WEAKNESS | Focus on people’s STRENGTHS |
| SPEND time with people | INVEST time with people |
| Lead everyone the SAME | Lead everyone DIFFERENTLY |
| Impact the present GENERATION | Impact the NEXT generation |
Discovering Ministry in the Midst of the Stuff
I’m working and writing on the premise that God speaks best through me what He has been speaking in me. God has been prodding me onward and helping me wade through some of the tough stuff in every day ministry.
A missionary associate recently discussed with me an AIMer (short-term missionary) that had arrived on the field. He/she felt bewildered and blameworthy he/she wasn’t doing actual “ministry.” It’s a repetitive regular restlessness among those in kingdom business.
In 1999 I visited one of the executives in his office at World Evangelism Center. I asked if it were possible to do ministry in the midst of his administrative responsibilities. He pointed to a large stack of files and said, “Ministry, every time I want to do ministry, there is all this work staring at me.”
Lest we think this is a phenomenon isolated to World Evangelism Center, or AIMers on the mission field, I wonder how many pastors feel the same way. I recall, after marrying my wife, Linda, receiving a letter from her pastor-Dad. He wondered if he was truly making a difference in the small church he pastored and was close to giving up and throwing in the towel. Thankfully, he faithfully pressed on. Read more
Gazing Into Heaven – Acts 1:8-11
Leaders are, by definition, special people. They stand out from the others that follow. Spiritual leaders therefore are destined to be extraordinary individuals. And in knowing that, we can see the potential for both blessing and compromise.
The potential blessing is easy to see and understand. As leaders are given more and more to living the God-given vision for church growth, they will receive more and more of God’s infinite grace, the necessary spiritual resources that support the effort of the body in evangelism. The potential compromise is harder to spot, however.
Unfortunately, a real danger lies in being closely associated with the Spirit of God in the performance of God’s will on the earth. The expansion of the Church is priority number one, and leaders should expect to see the divine intervention of God’s mighty hand in their lives and ministries. Read more
Eight Dimensions of a Vision
I trust that through this lesson you will become more effective and will be able to feel the life force of Jesus Christ flowing through your life in a new dimension.
Too many leaders in today’s society are satisfied with much less than God has promised. This is mainly because ministry is spelled wrong – it should be spelled w-o-r-k.
It takes discipline and right actions to build a growing, thriving church and believe it or not, it takes risk. You have to learn to risk everything on the truth that God is going to confirm your calling and use you for His kingdom. Not because you are worthy, but because you are available. My question to you this month is, “Are you available?” Read more
Leadership Development International 