Life2gether

Justin Taylor does a great job answering this question here.

Eugene Cho encourages pastors to come to peace with who they are instead of mimicking others and longing for “success.” Although the audio is a bit rough, this video is worth the watch!

You don’t have to be “the most influential” in the nation. Just seek to be the most influential and loving pastor and leader to the church you’re called to. That will not likely get you on any special lists but you’ll serve your people well. You’ll be faithful to your flock and calling.

I also appreciate these words by Tony Rose (my senior pastor):

I have discovered that many of us pastors simply have too little faith in God’s ability to lead His church. This lack of faith is displayed in our continual practice of trying to do more than is humanly possible. At the root of our problem is our lack of faith and a bit of dissatisfaction with our selves. When we look at the ministries of others and wonder why we cannot do all our brother is doing we are essentially saying to God, “why didn’t you make me like him?”. Strangely, when we rest in the ability and desire God has to shepherd His own people, and we are content with our own limits, we will become effective pastors.

My friend, Matt Perman, recently guest blogged at the Leadership Summit at Willow Creek. He wrote that John Dickson’s message on humility was the best he’s heard on the subject. Dickson is Director of the Centre for Public Christianity and Sr. Minister, St. Andrews Anglican Church, Sydney, Australia. I had the privilege of meeting him at a conference we held for pastors back in 2008. He’s the real deal – probably the clearest (and most encouraging) speaker on the topic of evangelism I’ve ever heard.

I encourage you to read John’s books and listen to some of his messages here.

A Guide to Biblical Manhood by Randy Stinson and Dan Dumas looks to be a great resource to read through with the men of your church. Stinson and Dumas outline the essentials of what it means to be a godly husband, a godly father, and godly leader in a short, readable and practical format. It’s clear that their aim is that you would read this book and then lead with your actions.

Dumas says, “In your marriage, don’t go home and say, ‘Honey, things are going to be different around here. Here are five things I’m gonna start doing.’” Just lead. Don’t announce it. At the first opportunity you get, just do it. Let her discover it. The last thing you want to do is over-promise and under-deliver.”

Get the book here for less than $5.

Michael Hyatt makes you think (and maybe act!) with this post:

I know lots of people with big dreams. But they are afraid to pursue them. They are unwilling to take the plunge, waiting until they reach the point of absolute certainty. But it never comes. And it never will.  (Read the rest …)

Jim Luebe, a man who impacted me in college, recently wrote this helpful article on the subject of biblical love:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” –John 13:34,35

There’s a clear connection between unity in the body and the advancement of the Gospel. But this truth cuts both ways. A lack of love and unity can be a severe hindrance to the advancement of the Gospel.

Many of us are unaware of the main reason overseas missionaries return prematurely from the mission field. It’s not because of inadequate funding. It’s not due to challenges from hostile governments. The primary reason they return home is conflict on their teams!

Relational conflict and differences of opinion are inevitable when you live and work closely with people. You don’t have to be a missionary to experience this. In fact, you don’t have to look any further than your own marriage. How can it be that the person you love the most in the world is also the person you sin against most often and from whom you continually need to seek forgiveness?

Here are seven simple (but not easy) biblical steps that can help you foster love and unity in any relationship.

Be humble. (1 Peter 5:5,6)

Believe the best in people. (Philippians 4:8)

Keep short accounts and take pains to have a clear conscience with both God and people. (Acts 24:16)

Don’t let a root of bitterness grow in your heart. (Ephesians 4:31)

Overlook offenses when possible. (Proverbs 19:11)

Make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. (Romans 14:19)

Be controlled by the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18)

Search your heart and think about the close relationships you have. Ask God if there is anything you need to do to “have a clear conscience before God and man” (Acts 24:16). For the sake of the Gospel, let’s work at loving one another.

Matt Perman gives a few key points from John Kotter’s classic article “What Leaders Really Do“:

Successful organizations don’t wait for leaders to come along. They actively seek out people with leadership potential and expose them to career experiences designed to develop that potential.

And:

Organizations that do a better-than-average job of developing leaders put an emphasis on creating challenging opportunities for relatively young employees. In many organizations, decentralization is the key.

In other words: Be intentional about identifying and developing leaders. And you need to do this with young people, rather than thinking that nobody can do anything significant until they’re 40.

One more point from the article:

Institutionalizing a leadership-centered culture is the ultimate act of leadership.

C.J. Mahaney begins a new blog series on The Pastor and Personal Criticism.  Here’s one section from his initial post:

There are many reasons why [pastors] can expect criticism:

A pastor can expect criticism because of his own sin, which will inevitably be present in his heart and service, no matter how mature or well meaning he is (James 3:2).

A pastor can expect criticism because there are limitations to his gifting, meaning there will always be weaknesses in his leadership.

A pastor can expect criticism because we often preach below-average sermons. (After one sermon, a guy asked me, “So where do you work during the week?” My sermon apparently gave him the impression that preaching wasn’t my vocation.)

A pastor can expect criticism because people can be proud and ungrateful.

A pastor can expect criticism because, well, it is a sinful and fallen world.

But we as pastors often forget one more important reason:

A pastor can expect criticism because it is part of God’s sanctification process—a tool that he uses to reveal idols and accelerate the pastor’s growth in humility.

God enlists many to serve us to this end.

Puritan Richard Baxter got this. In his book to pastors, The Reformed Pastor, he wrote,

Because there are many eyes upon you, therefore there will be many observers of your falls. If other men may sin without observation, so cannot you. And you should thankfully consider how great a mercy this is, that you have so many eyes to watch over you, and so many ready to tell you of your faults, and so have greater helps than others, at least for the restraining of your sin. Though they may do it with a malicious mind, yet you have the advantage by it.*

Read the rest of this humbling post …

Will Mancini shares 4 kinds of subtle idolatry that seeps into the hearts of visionary leaders – convicting to say the least.

#1 Hardness: Loving the Vision More than the People the Vision Serves

On my first interview while still in seminary, an experienced senior pastor put a pie chart in front of me with three slices. The slices were marked “people,” “tasks,” and “ideas.” His question is simple, “Which one of these do you like the most?” As a budding pastor, my response was quick and confident- “people first, and then tasks.”

But some people are wired to love ideas. In fact, today, I would answer the question differently with “idea” at the top of the list. Many strategically minded leaders forge a ministry identity out of a love for people. But with success and growth they learn to leverage their skills with ideas and tasks. The problem is when this naturally ability trumps the essential motive of love and model of deep connection with others. Any vision you have is an idea. Therefore gifted visionaries can idolize the vision idea itself, either above the God who gave the vision or above the people the vision serves.

The great commandment is to love God and others, not to love the ideas that God gives you.

#2 Impatience: Wanting God’s Vision on Your Timetable

A God-given vision can be beautiful in an intoxicating sort of way.  When a leader experiences it and knows it’s from God, it can pulsate through your veins with a Spirit-inspired adrenaline rush. As soon as this happens, it opens the door for a form of indulgence- a holy sort of instant gratification, that in the end, isn’t holy at all.

#3 Entitlement: Using God’s Vision as a Cover for Personal Gain

We never  start out in ministry with this temptation or thinking that we will ever face it. But as a ministry grows, a subtle and unperceivable, mindset forms. Entitlement happens when the leader expects and demands certain benefits and “rights” as a leader. In essence, this form of pride layers over time with each “win” in the ministry. The leader looses the instrumental identity and assumes a cause-and-effect identity with them as the ultimate cause and not God.

#4 Buzz: Allowing the Success of the Vision to Provide Emotional Sustenance

This final idolatry is nothing different than enjoying the process addictions (shopping, gossiping,  pornography, etc) or chemical addictions that provide a high that you can’t live without. Being a part of a ministry that’s growing is a thrill ride with a lot of emotional benefits. This blessing  can easily replace the gospel as the centering driving force and  power center of our days. The emotional fruit of success becomes the functional savior.

(HT: Mark Peterson)

The image of a spiritual leader in the church is not a CEO but a good mother and father.  Someone worthy to imitate and follow.  1 Thess. 2:7-8, 11-12 says,

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

What a great reminder that leadership is really about loving people and sharing your life with people as you point people to the gospel.  More could be said, but let’s not forget the image of a gentle mother and an encouraging father as we strive to be spiritual leaders for others.