Apprentice2Jesus

Ramblings of a Confessing Pentecostal

Archive for the category “Leadership”

10 Apr 2011
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The Voices in My Head

I spent the weekend at a ministry conference and have figured out a couple of things.

1. Sometimes putting your name in a drawing has dividends.

For me, it’s fun to put my name in when they give away something. Logos Software was giving away a MacBook Pro. (As a side note, my church gifted me with a Logos package, which is an incredible blessings!)

But I didn’t win the MacBook Pro.

Another place had a drawing and I actually won and I couldn’t be happier. There is a retreat center near the Twin Cities that I have used a couple of times over the years for silent retreats. Pacem in Terris is a great place to get away and let the silence do a powerful work. I was planning on going there in May regardless because my soul is in need of the repair.

I did win two nights at Pacem in Terris! I am far happier with that than a MacBook Pro. Honestly.

2. I need the benefit of conferences from time to time.

They can be helpful to equip for ministry and sometimes offer spiritual refreshing.

3. I need to find a different type of conference.

Right now these conferences seem to be in a different phase of emphasis and I go away with more voices in my head beating me up than I do having a sense of feeling refreshed. (And I don’t mean “beat up” in any really good way, either.)

Now, I have to get those voices out of my head, hear the voice of my Savior and deliver a word to a church I dearly love and a place I desire to pastor for many years to come.

Your voice, O Lord, is the one I desperately need to hear. Help me more clearly hear your call and stay obedient to the heavenly vision.

Posted in Leadership, Ministry
10 Feb 2011

Temptations in Leadership

Michael Hyatt has a couple of great posts regarding leadership. The first post is on the four temptations a leaders faces. The final one stood out to me:

The temptation of popularity. We live in a world that places a high value on fame and “personal branding.” We seem to have a list for everything, including the top 100 largest churches and the 100 fastest growing churches. It is difficult for me to imagine the early church—the church of the martyrs—compiling these kinds of lists.

In reality, Jesus was a publicists’ nightmare. He eschewed fame. He miraculously healed people and then ordered them to keep it to themselves, telling no one about their experience (see, for example, Luke 5:12–14). Strong leaders are quick to give others the credit and avoid the limelight. They would rather be effective, even if they labor in obscurity.

That last sentence is tough. Being effective and doing so in obscurity is tough call for leaders. It is a tough call for pastoring. But that does bring me to another thought. The guys over at Near Emmaus are putting out a call for telling about your pastor. What good experiences have you had with your pastor? What makes him or her a good pastor? So far, only three have entered that contest. Talk about being effective on obscurity! There are hundreds and probably thousands of good pastors out there! Please take the time to tell them your story!

But back to Hyatt, his second post is on how good leaders get derailed. Another good read. The story from the ancient monks is a good one. What a great lesson! It’s tough to “act dead” and not take the offense, but it our call. We need our lives hidden in Christ!

 

Posted in Leadership, Ministry and tagged , , | Leave a Comment
10 Jan 2011
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Sacred

In August of 2010 I took a month-long sabbatical. During my times of prayer the Lord renewed my call as pastor. There was also a direction to seek out my former pastor from college and ask him to intentionally step in as my spiritual father/mentor. In that process was also a direction from the Spirit for my pastor to lay hands on me and “re-ordain” me into ministry.

Over the past few months Pastor Hale and I have reconnected and talked about what all of this means. Yesterday he came to hold a service at our church and we had an incredibly special time of “re-ordination.” There was a time of reaffirming the call of God on my life to pastor. This was much more meaningful because we did this in my church. I affirmed my call. He also had the church reaffirm their commitment as well. It was a beautiful time.

I am thankful for the call of God on my life, and for the call of God to pastor this church. It was a sacred moment for me.

Laying on of hands by Pastor Hale and the deacons

Pastor and Berneice Hale with Terri and myself

Posted in Church Life, Leadership, Ministry and tagged
09 Dec 2010
3 Comments

Two Great Pastoral Models

There are more and I want to develop that thought, but two great models of pastoral ministry influencing my thinking right now:

Tim Keller (below left) and Eugene Peterson (below right).

I am starting to learn more about Keller. Peterson I have admired for so long and LOVE his books. Keller is becoming a model I truly enjoy watching as he engages the culture.

Posted in Leadership, Ministry and tagged ,
23 Apr 2010
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The Call

Last night my wife and I attended the ordination service of our District Council. Our worship pastor was receiving her license to preach. With our district having a denominational college, we have quite a few who receive their license to preach every year, although that numbers seems to get smaller every year as the college focuses less and less on ministry training. (But, I digress.)

Those who have been in ministry for at least two years with a license to preach can then apply for ordination. The ordination part of the service is very special.

When I hear those words taken during the vows, I am caught up again the call of God. The call to ministry is so sacred. Every one of us have a vocational calling. The call to ministry is dear to me because it is my call. I reflect on that call during a service like last night and I am taken back in my mind to a small church in Guadalajara, Mexico. It was a December night in 1983 and I was a senior in high school. A group of Kansas youth had given up their Christmas and New Year with family to go on a missions trip. On a Wednesday night, with the power out and all of us at the altar, I sensed God calling me to ministry.

The one person who was surprised by that event was me. Everyone else around me pretty much said, “Well, of course. You didn’t know?”

My call has been refined over the years. There are times I can reflect on when I heard the Spirit speak to me about what was to be done in ministry. I can go to the street corner today in my current place of ministry where the Lord spoke to my heart and let me know this church where I now pastor was to be the place for me.

The call to ministry is powerful. I don’t want to treat it like I’m trying to decide on a career like I’m at a job fair in college. This is sacred. I am thankful God asked me to be in this vocation.

1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. (2 Tim. 4:1,2)

11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. (1 Tim. 4:11-14)

Posted in Leadership, Ministry and tagged , ,
26 Feb 2010
2 Comments

Hard Work and Determination

I am reading a book with my church staff about the “Me Generation.”  It is a study, with some very funny sharp opinions, about our current generation. There are some very admirable things about this current generation. One thing I was admittedly surprised about was they seem to have high goals. The downside is they don’t seem to want to work for them. AND, it’s about notoriety. It’s about the 15 minutes of fame and the American Idol mystique.

This article about Supreme Court Justice Byron White is superb. He was incredibly skilled as an athlete AND a scholar. He was also a WWII hero.

He also hated fame. His actions as a WWII hero were enough to gain him incredible fame. Add to that his accomplishments as a football player in his era, and then on top of that his incredible intellect… and he simply avoided the media. What was wrong with that guy?

It’s a great story and a great lesson. Enjoy.

Posted in Blogging, Culture, Education, Integrity, Leadership and tagged , , , ,
11 Sep 2009
2 Comments

The Systems Are in Place…

Over the past few months I have been preaching on the Holy Spirit. One of the key areas of Spirit-filled life I’ve examined is Acts 2:42. The Early Church had a “system” to catch what the Spirit was doing in their lives.

1. The apostles’ teaching

2. Fellowship

3. The breaking of bread (which I think emphasizes the Lord’s Table)

4. Prayers

These forms came out of their Jewish heritage. They were already in place and God had set it up for them. It’s a good lesson! There are basic things we need in our lives and too often we’re out looking for God to do a “new thing.”

What I wonder is this: There may be a need for a “new thing” in how these disciplines look in our lives. Maybe THAT is the “new thing.” So, how do I lead my church in a way where the power of the Spirit is touching us and we have these “systems” in place?

What forms do we take on that are useful for our day? For teaching, for fellowship, for the Table, for Prayers. What do we, as a church, create to make sure we are capturing in our lives what the Spirit is doing?

Posted in Bible Study, Church, Discipleship/Spiritual Formation, Holy Spirit, Leadership, Ministry, Pentecost, Spiritual Formation, Spiritual gifts
09 Sep 2009

09/09/09

I had to get that in somewhere!

Spirit Led Leadership

This weekend I am leading a retreat and we are reflecting on Spirit-led leadership. I love learning from Moses, so I jotted down some of these thoughts about the leadership traits of Moses:

1. Hearing God

He heard God from the burning bush. He kept on listening. His prayer life was conversational with God. All through his leadership there is a constant conversation going on. He needed direction for what was ahead. He HAD to have the presence of God.

2. Obeying God

3. Confronting Evil

He could look Pharaoh in the eye and demand that God’s people be let go. He could stand with his rod at the Red Sea and see God take on the enemies of Israel. When rebellion needed to be dealt with in the camp, he stepped up.

4. Correcting the Saints

He also had to deal with confrontation inside the camp. If his leadership was questioned, he needed to respond. If they questioned God, he needed to respond. AND he needed to respond with the right words. He needed to hear from God! He needed to speak the right words. He needed to have a spiritual backbone to step up.

5. Interceding

He went toe-to-toe with God, so to speak. When God was ready to destroy Israel, Moses stood in the gap. As rebellious as Israel was, Moses knew the promises of God and called God to uphold his word.

6. He was human

He had a temper. It cost him the Promised Land. But he had emotions. It wasn’t in him to step around his emotions. He had failures. He was a murderer. And in his human condition, God used him.

7. Mentorship

He had Joshua. He taught others. He knew how to lead by example and teach the principles he was learning.

8. Learn to grow

Dr. Don Meyer (now president of Valley Forge Christian College) had a saying I loved, “Never stop yearning to keep on learning.”

We have to have a thirst for learning. We step out in the Spirit and we learn. There are things that go wrong. There are things that go right. We examine our lives, we take inventory. We evaluate.

We learn from others. We learn together. There are lessons to be learned from those who have gone before. We need to attach ourselves to people who are growing. What have they learned? How did they learn? What can I gain from their spirit?

9. Perseverance.

We stick to it. We don’t give up. Moses led them to the door of the Promised Land twice. He couldn’t go in himself, but he kept at it. We need perseverance. Let us hold on in prayer! Let’s not give up!

Posted in Discipleship/Spiritual Formation, Holy Spirit, Leadership, Ministry and tagged , | Leave a Comment
04 Sep 2009

Good to Great in God’s Eyes

Chip Ingram has a book out called Good to Great in God’s Eyes. I am using as a staff book for my church. While the first chapter is a bit more simplistic than I had hoped, there are some great thoughts.

One of the key areas to greatness in the Kingdom of God is to think great thoughts. One idea Ingram brings is to meditate on spiritual insights. When the Lord reveals something to you, take into account the impact of that thought. Mull it over. Don’t let it slide by, but meditate on what the Lord is teaching.

The application he gave was had an impact on me. It sounded like me. He wrote about his own insecurities in the past. It intimidated him to where he kept thinking about how he could get on someone’s “good side,” or impress a church official, etc. He then came to the realization that all people have some degree of insecurity. Just be authentic.

He wrote that if you get into the game of “comparing spiritual gifts” there are only two places to go: Inferiority or superiority. Either we judge someone for having a “lesser” gift and become arrogant, or we think our particular gift doesn’t match up, so we feel inferior. It’s a lose/lose deal.

My life needs to be lived authentically. I need to hear the voice of the Spirit and obey that voice. Period.

Posted in Bible Study, Church, Discipleship/Spiritual Formation, Leadership | Leave a Comment
12 Sep 2008

Marks of Spiritual Leadership

I am reflecting on an article from John Piper on leadership. He writes about an inner circle of qualities that reflect on the difference of being a spiritual leader.

His “outer ring” of qualities are good as well. They are witnessed in the world of ministry and in other areas of great leadership. One area is self-control. If we are to lead others toward God we can’t be led ourselves toward the world. We must get mastery over our lives through the power of the Spirit. We need to ruthlessly examine our lives to see if anything enslaves us. It’s not just about the “big sins” (like alcohol or sexual issues). It’s also the little things: TV, the internet, food, etc. We need our lives free from everything that hinders our fullest delight in God and in the service of others.

He also mentioned energetic. There is no room for laziness in leadership. “The world is run by tired men, someone has said. A leader must learn to live with pressure.”

His list is long… and good. Those are two areas worth reflecting on in my own life as I head into a leadership retreat this weekend, and then a prayer retreat next week.

Posted in Leadership | Leave a Comment

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