Forgiveness, Focus and Follow Through
One of the most difficult things to endure is restoration. It sounds like such a wonderful word, "restore- ation". Webster says it this way, "the act of returning to an original state or condition". Truth be told, we Christians are living in an ongoing constant process of restoration. We are all being returned to an original state or condition. Jesus through redemption paid the price for our restoration but even after salvation there is this ongoing "working out our salvation with fear and trembling". Just to show how difficult it is to submit to this restorative process, think how long and how hard we resisted even the first work of salvation. For the Christian, if he falls, the process back is no easier than was his first war of resistance against salvation.
As a Christian and even as a young minister, I found myself in great need of restoration. I went through the normal process of repentance, submitting to those over me and ongoing accountability. Yet, I have learned that the greatest enemy is fought within my own mind. God and others forgive me much quicker than I forgive myself. Then the battle rages far longer than any required process of man. I have learned some things about restoration that only a restored man could understand. I don't want to make light of such a serious topic but some golf thoughts have really helped me in life and especially in this realm. Let me give you three words that might help:
1. Forgiveness - Forgiveness is an intersection where we sit with options and we have to make the right directional decision. Too many sit there for long periods of time in great remorse and some never leave that spot. Yes there needs to be a sorrow about your sin, but restoration requires that we arise and move forward. Restoration is like fleeing a house fire and in time there is not even a hint of smoke on you. God's forgiveness and restoration is exactly like that.
2. Focus- There has to be a focus on a new direction. Your focus can't be behind you but before you. Jesus endured the cross for the joy that was set "before him". There has to be an intense focus on the vision, the life purpose before you.
3. Follow through-Now the golf term. In golf everyone makes mistakes in every round of golf. Yes, the great Tiger Woods makes mistakes at every outing. Granted, his mistakes and my mistakes are on different planets, but he makes his share.
After a bad shot, a mistake, a player must forgive himself for the bad shot. Believe me many people ruin a complete day at the course over one bad shot, one mistake. Professionals do the same. Once he has forgiven himself for the mistake, he must now put it out of his head and focus on the next shot. He can't allow the last shot to destroy the next shot. Then, he must hit the ball with a good complete follow through. A follow through is really hard to understand. I used to stop my swing when I made contact with the ball. Then I learned the importance of making a complete swing. Once you hit the ball you continue your swing completing the arc. Once I started completing the follow through, I started hitting the ball straighter and farther.
In restoration these three things are critical. First, forgive yourself and release the past. Get back in the game and focus on your future and purpose. Then, go for it with purpose and determination wholeheartedly! Take a full swing at life. Don't try to live too tentative. Go for it!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Dealing With Problems
In Acts chapter 6 we see a problem arise in the middle of the great Pentecostal revival. Revival does not mean the absence of problems. As a matter of fact, when there is a living work of the Holy Spirit in a church or ministry, that work of revival itself will cause weaknesses and problems to surface. The key here is not to focus on the problem as if we are shocked by the presence of a problem. We must act swiftly and decisively to deal with the problem and get back to giving our energies to the vision.
Leaders who try to avoid a problem will only find that the problem will arise later much larger and with a much greater following than when it was first discovered. In Acts 6 the Apostles (church leadership) did several things that we need to observe:
1. They faced the problem. The didn't pretend it didn't exist.
2. They summoned the people together to address the problem.
Often leaders try to pretend a problem is not a problem. Often they try to hide the problem from the people when the people already know there is a problem and a lack of information leads them to become suspicious of leadership. It is better to just face it publicly. Obviously, this is on a need to know basis. This doesn't mean that leaders share things that are inappropriate. However, the primary problems needs to be acknowleged.
3. They didn't allow a problem to distract them from their primary vision and calling.
Just as in Nehemiah's day, they weren't coming down from the wall because the work they were doing was much too important. The stayed the course in ministry and allowed the people to be involved in the process of solving the problem. They gave the people instructions on what kind of servants should be involved in solving the problem, asked for names and then they set these deacons in to a place of solving the problem.
What was the result of facing the problem, involving the people and allowing the people to be a part in solving the problem? It "pleased the multitude"! What a miracle! The major result of dealing correctly with the problem was there was a great expansion of the Kingdom of God as "the number of disciples multiplied greatly".
Most leaders hate conflict and problems. They have a hard time dealing with confrontation. However, there is not a place in leadership apart from dealing with problems. So you don't like problems...deal with it!
In Acts chapter 6 we see a problem arise in the middle of the great Pentecostal revival. Revival does not mean the absence of problems. As a matter of fact, when there is a living work of the Holy Spirit in a church or ministry, that work of revival itself will cause weaknesses and problems to surface. The key here is not to focus on the problem as if we are shocked by the presence of a problem. We must act swiftly and decisively to deal with the problem and get back to giving our energies to the vision.
Leaders who try to avoid a problem will only find that the problem will arise later much larger and with a much greater following than when it was first discovered. In Acts 6 the Apostles (church leadership) did several things that we need to observe:
1. They faced the problem. The didn't pretend it didn't exist.
2. They summoned the people together to address the problem.
Often leaders try to pretend a problem is not a problem. Often they try to hide the problem from the people when the people already know there is a problem and a lack of information leads them to become suspicious of leadership. It is better to just face it publicly. Obviously, this is on a need to know basis. This doesn't mean that leaders share things that are inappropriate. However, the primary problems needs to be acknowleged.
3. They didn't allow a problem to distract them from their primary vision and calling.
Just as in Nehemiah's day, they weren't coming down from the wall because the work they were doing was much too important. The stayed the course in ministry and allowed the people to be involved in the process of solving the problem. They gave the people instructions on what kind of servants should be involved in solving the problem, asked for names and then they set these deacons in to a place of solving the problem.
What was the result of facing the problem, involving the people and allowing the people to be a part in solving the problem? It "pleased the multitude"! What a miracle! The major result of dealing correctly with the problem was there was a great expansion of the Kingdom of God as "the number of disciples multiplied greatly".
Most leaders hate conflict and problems. They have a hard time dealing with confrontation. However, there is not a place in leadership apart from dealing with problems. So you don't like problems...deal with it!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Turning Leaders into Leaders
Jesus said, "the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few". When Jesus made this statement he was surrounded my thousands and pursued by a number that would have been considered as leaders. Yet to Jesus, the laborers were few. Still today, the greatest need in the church is leadership. Oh, there are many who want to preach or who want "their ministries" to be embraced by the church or who want the church to promote them. However, to find a true gifted leader who wants to be prepared and used for the Kingdom of God without a thought of self promotion is a rare find.
In my early days of ministry I had this idea that if you could find a leader, you could just plug them into the work and see their leadership gift work for good. You see, I truly believe that there is a gift of leadership as the Scripture says. What I learned was that discovering a gift of leadership in the heart of a man our woman of God was little different than finding a gifted athlete in elementary school. Their gift was of little use unless it was cultivated, tried, proven, tested and released slowly. As a matter of fact, there are many who are gifted leaders who faltered by putting them under the strain of leading depending only on a gift. Just because someone has an obvious gift of leadership only means we see where we must disciple them. Being faithful stewards over the flock of God is learning to take inventory of the flock, finding the undeveloped gifts of leadership and taking them through a process of maturing that gift so that it becomes fit for service to Jesus. An undeveloped leadership gift or one that has never been discipled under the oversight and discipline of a loving spiritual father is a dangerous and often destructive thing. Look at Jesus and how he dealt with Peter, the one upon whom would fall the greatest responsibility after the ascension. His dealings with him often seemed almost cruel or harsh. Yet, he was in preparation. He always had the leadership gift but it was only vanity until Jesus and the Holy Spirit gained access to it through the Lordship of Jesus.
It is time that we in the church start taking responsibility for the young eaglets in our congregations and make it our goal to see them fly!
Jesus said, "the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few". When Jesus made this statement he was surrounded my thousands and pursued by a number that would have been considered as leaders. Yet to Jesus, the laborers were few. Still today, the greatest need in the church is leadership. Oh, there are many who want to preach or who want "their ministries" to be embraced by the church or who want the church to promote them. However, to find a true gifted leader who wants to be prepared and used for the Kingdom of God without a thought of self promotion is a rare find.
In my early days of ministry I had this idea that if you could find a leader, you could just plug them into the work and see their leadership gift work for good. You see, I truly believe that there is a gift of leadership as the Scripture says. What I learned was that discovering a gift of leadership in the heart of a man our woman of God was little different than finding a gifted athlete in elementary school. Their gift was of little use unless it was cultivated, tried, proven, tested and released slowly. As a matter of fact, there are many who are gifted leaders who faltered by putting them under the strain of leading depending only on a gift. Just because someone has an obvious gift of leadership only means we see where we must disciple them. Being faithful stewards over the flock of God is learning to take inventory of the flock, finding the undeveloped gifts of leadership and taking them through a process of maturing that gift so that it becomes fit for service to Jesus. An undeveloped leadership gift or one that has never been discipled under the oversight and discipline of a loving spiritual father is a dangerous and often destructive thing. Look at Jesus and how he dealt with Peter, the one upon whom would fall the greatest responsibility after the ascension. His dealings with him often seemed almost cruel or harsh. Yet, he was in preparation. He always had the leadership gift but it was only vanity until Jesus and the Holy Spirit gained access to it through the Lordship of Jesus.
It is time that we in the church start taking responsibility for the young eaglets in our congregations and make it our goal to see them fly!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Remember the Basics
I have mentioned this before but I continue to see it overlooked. It is that truth that says, "get the fundamentals right". Over and over as I deal with challenging situations in ministries and ministers, almost always the problem came through an overlooking or an abandonment of some fundamental. Just as professional athletes who fail usually miss the mark over fundamentals, so do Christian leaders.
What kind of fundamentals? Here is a list of some little fundamentals that can cause serious problems:
1. Private Devotions - So many get so busy working for God that they forget to spend time alone with him. It's like going on a long trip and making all the preparation but filling the tank with gas. Even the biggest names have gotten into trouble over this critical basic.
2. Get rid of bitterness- Leaders tell people to forgive and get rid of bitterness all day, all the while carrying bitterness in their own hearts.
3. Take a sabbath rest- anyone who gets so busy working for God that they believe the Kingdom can't afford for them to have a day off is in idolatry. They have made their ministries an idol.
4. Enjoy the ministry- while the ministry can be a crucible at times, it still should be enjoyed as the calling that it is. When ministry turns into something you and your family endures, you are in trouble.
5. See God as your source- the moment you begin to see paychecks, leadership teams, or individuals as controlling your provision, you are no longer seeing God as your source. There is a place in faith where, while receiving a paycheck, God is still your source. This posture will open the windows of heaven for provision far beyond your "seen" source.
6. Never counsel, spend time with or talk on the phone too much with the opposite sex other than your mate. People are still doing it!!! Stop it!
7. Keep your mate as the love of your life!
I have mentioned this before but I continue to see it overlooked. It is that truth that says, "get the fundamentals right". Over and over as I deal with challenging situations in ministries and ministers, almost always the problem came through an overlooking or an abandonment of some fundamental. Just as professional athletes who fail usually miss the mark over fundamentals, so do Christian leaders.
What kind of fundamentals? Here is a list of some little fundamentals that can cause serious problems:
1. Private Devotions - So many get so busy working for God that they forget to spend time alone with him. It's like going on a long trip and making all the preparation but filling the tank with gas. Even the biggest names have gotten into trouble over this critical basic.
2. Get rid of bitterness- Leaders tell people to forgive and get rid of bitterness all day, all the while carrying bitterness in their own hearts.
3. Take a sabbath rest- anyone who gets so busy working for God that they believe the Kingdom can't afford for them to have a day off is in idolatry. They have made their ministries an idol.
4. Enjoy the ministry- while the ministry can be a crucible at times, it still should be enjoyed as the calling that it is. When ministry turns into something you and your family endures, you are in trouble.
5. See God as your source- the moment you begin to see paychecks, leadership teams, or individuals as controlling your provision, you are no longer seeing God as your source. There is a place in faith where, while receiving a paycheck, God is still your source. This posture will open the windows of heaven for provision far beyond your "seen" source.
6. Never counsel, spend time with or talk on the phone too much with the opposite sex other than your mate. People are still doing it!!! Stop it!
7. Keep your mate as the love of your life!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Converting Pessimism
As believers, and especially if you are a part of a leadership team, we tend to be an optimistic bunch. If not by nature, we learn it out of survival. You cannot last long in leadership if you are not basically a positive person. Yes, you have to deal with a lot of negative situations but therein lies the evidence that you are optimistic. If you have been in a leadership role for over 10 years and still standing, you are pretty optimistic. Otherwise, you wouldn't still be here!
Now, let me challenge you to look around you, determine your area of responsibility and make a quality decision to teach those around you to be optimistic as well. Right now the world and much of the church is screaming "the sky is falling"! Negativity is the present state of the world. The great disaster here is that this type of atmosphere reproduces itself manifold. How do you teach those around you to be optimistic? You do it first by living in the realm of faith. Faith is the most positive force on earth. As Christians we should be moving in and extending faith everywhere and in every situation.
There is an old much used slogan that says, "when the going gets tough, the tough get going". We can turn around any situation through faith and the activity of faith. The atmosphere of faith is never pessimistic. Faith always sees a way out. Faith always sees improvement. Faith always sees the hand of God intervening in every negative situation. It's not a matter of if God will turn things around, it's just a matter of when.
Today, let one of your main goals be to change the atmosphere around you and start training others to be faith filled people. Go ahead and put it on your calendar for the next week as a reminder and email me after you finish the week and let me hear how things have changed for you.
As believers, and especially if you are a part of a leadership team, we tend to be an optimistic bunch. If not by nature, we learn it out of survival. You cannot last long in leadership if you are not basically a positive person. Yes, you have to deal with a lot of negative situations but therein lies the evidence that you are optimistic. If you have been in a leadership role for over 10 years and still standing, you are pretty optimistic. Otherwise, you wouldn't still be here!
Now, let me challenge you to look around you, determine your area of responsibility and make a quality decision to teach those around you to be optimistic as well. Right now the world and much of the church is screaming "the sky is falling"! Negativity is the present state of the world. The great disaster here is that this type of atmosphere reproduces itself manifold. How do you teach those around you to be optimistic? You do it first by living in the realm of faith. Faith is the most positive force on earth. As Christians we should be moving in and extending faith everywhere and in every situation.
There is an old much used slogan that says, "when the going gets tough, the tough get going". We can turn around any situation through faith and the activity of faith. The atmosphere of faith is never pessimistic. Faith always sees a way out. Faith always sees improvement. Faith always sees the hand of God intervening in every negative situation. It's not a matter of if God will turn things around, it's just a matter of when.
Today, let one of your main goals be to change the atmosphere around you and start training others to be faith filled people. Go ahead and put it on your calendar for the next week as a reminder and email me after you finish the week and let me hear how things have changed for you.
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