The next instalment is here…
Going home….new Ministry Story installment
My Ministry Story continues…
Time has passed, I am continuing my ministry story. The next instalment is here. Its entitled, “there is a time for everything, including emptiness”
Father Hunger
It does not matter how old a man gets. He is still a son.
Every man I have ever met has been defined in many ways by their relationship with their father.
I was speaking to a person who trains tradies. Blokey young men. Many of them have had absent fathers. The fathers that are present have told them how useless they are. That they can’t do basic tasks. Things that a tradie finds necessary. My friend has to father them before he can train them.
It seems to me this generation has in many ways not learnt from the previous one. There are many great fathers. But there are many young men with absent, abusive, emotionally void and uncaring dads.
It felt like this generation would be different. But so many dads have never grown up themself. They spend time, money and attention on games. Games of all types. From video games to four wheel drive accessories. Pure selfishness.
The best leaders get robust feedback
It has been said that the best leaders are followers.
Others have put it this way, that the best leaders surround themselves with people better than them, particularly in certain areas.
In my team I have staff who are better than me at different areas. My worship pastor, young as she is, talks to me about stage transitions and on stage dynamics. I dutifully listen, because she is more than often right. Other staff members bring skill and thoughts to bear which make our church better.
Being a listener as a leader is the biggest skill I can bring. This can only work if I am not insecure. An insecure leader cannot listen because instead they need to control. After a couple of decades in varying stages of leadership I like to think I am not insecure. I know who I am, who God has made me, and more than that, I want to be better.
Sometimes robust feedback might be annoying. But you have to listen and reflect upon this. Is it annoying because it means you need to change? We like to see change, but change in ourselves is difficult.
In a church context we as leaders are not the point. Jesus is the head of the church. And what matters most is the church. Not us. Not our comfort. This is hard to take because if we are honest we generally like to make sure we are looked after. I have seen leaders reduce their church greatly because they have made it about them.
I believe all leaders should be listeners. It makes them better leaders.
Afraid to join
“ But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them” (Acts 5.13)
During the early stages of the church it was obvious the love and supernatural power that the church had. The Early Church spoke out against the injustice of the day. It helped the poor and sick.
Imagine being a church where we were known for Gods power and love flowing through us in such abundance that the culture and world around us saw and recognised God was at work. We were well regarded. Even if they are to afraid to join.
Preaching is
Preaching is invoking images of bright colour to someones heart and mind using just words.
Be who you are, everyone else is taken
All of us play the comparison game at some point. This is no less true of Pastors and Church Leaders. How often do I find myself checking out the website of another church to see what they are up to. If it fits my paradigm, if their style is on point, their music is relevant, their carpark is full.
It would not be hard for the carpark at my church to be full. Its not that large!
But in another way and perhaps more seriously, I sometimes find myself comparing myself to other leaders, particularly in the area of what they have achieved in a certain amount of time. Recent events with some high profile church Pastors remind me that quick spectacular success is not as appealing as what it appears. The dysfunction seemingly required in some ministries is a price I am not willing to pay.
My mentor reminded me that I need to lead out of the storehouse God has given me. I might put it that I need to lead with what God has placed in my hand. I like to think I can speak well. I like to think I lead with compassion and understanding. I wish I was more focused and strategic. Sometimes it seems I have led by accident, based on a ‘gut feel’ of what God is saying rather than a ten year carefully formulated plan.
Then there is the intangibles. God’s favour. Blind luck. A perfect storm of circumstances. These things provide growth and favour which cannot be manufactured.
Who am I? What do I lead out of? Well I love the gathering. I sense the atmosphere with some sense of accuracy. I know what works. What ignites my joy is seeing people engaged with God, hearing His voice and responding to the Spirit. I am confident in my ability to discern people. All these things are not necessarily or exclusively human. They are gifting from God.
I am not someone else. I am me. Out of this I seek to lead. This does not excuse me from needing to surround myself strategically with others who can resource what I can’t. I pray I am thankful for who I am, thankful for who others are, and faithful and fruitful with the time I have.