I have been intrigued my whole life by people who are abel to be the boss without being bossy!
I was doing some tough self-examination today.
I care deeply about being a good manager.
My secular work career was scarred by people for the most part that were bosses only because of appointment to a position. It had nothing to do with earning leadership, it was mostly about corporate ladders and inside friendships - or female quotas to fill. Sad to say the least.
Good leaders (like the ones I follow these days) are easy to follow. You know clearly 'where' you're going and what is expected, but far beyond that you get to know the 'why' instead of "because I said so". There is purpose behind where we go and an urgency in the journey.
The urgency comes from the 'why'. We are called to point others toward the throne and personal spiritual maturity with our Savior.
Time is short - ministry is a season and the harvest is incredibly eternal and forever significant.
I am not only describing the opportunities that belong to those of us working within the ministry - each of you are just as responsible where the Lord has you daily! What if you really are the only person in someone's life that knows the Lord - that can point them toward Him? Please point daily! It doesn't take perfection - it only takes authenticity in your personal walk with Christ. There are all kinds of fake 'feel good' things, only one real walk.
I need to change my focus from just urgent details - to urgent lives I cross paths with. The amazing volunteers at Crossroads, my fellow staff members and especially the incredibly dedicated Magnification staff.
Being a boss to anyone is a huge responsibility and I feel like I need to do so much better at it.
I am willing - with God's continued help I pray I am able in Him!!
Showing posts with label authority. Show all posts
Showing posts with label authority. Show all posts
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
what I learned today
It is hard to believe that another week has gone by. Time to study. I read throughout the week, but knowing Tuesday morning is always a focused time to learn, makes me anticipate it even more.
The effort to devote time both to the study of God's Word as well as being a student of leadership skills, I continue to be amazed at how applicable the Word is to all areas of my life. I have mentioned in previous writings how I sometimes allow myself to become paralyzed by fear, fear of making wrong decisions, fear of disappointing friends, a boss or family. I have never witnessed such fear among God's people as I see now in the areas of politics and economics. Fear changes nothing, but stops everything.
This is an opportunity for God's church like never before.
As I continue to read through the New Testament my reading today was from Romans 13, "Every person is to be in submission to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are established by God. Wow, hits us right where we are!
Think about this, "there is NO authority EXCEPT FROM God...God appointed leaders are in place all around the world..."and those that exist are established by God." No need to fear!
Later in this passage, God says, "and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "you shall love your neighbor as yourself." Are these passages connected?
Our relationship with our fellow men, women and children is inseparable from our relationship with God. Perhaps the secret is to recognize that our neighbor, whether it's the guy next door, the server at a local restaurant, or those in authority over us are as worthy of God's love as we are!
These verses from Romans directly impact my leadership. Can you imagine if I lead as if my neighbors are as important as myself? Fear has not power. In my work life I don't think the fear of failure is truly what bothers me, I am willing to take ownership for decisions I make that fail. What holds me back I think, is the fear of criticism. Especially non specific criticism, this kind of criticism shuts me down. Constructive criticism on the other hand, is specific and gives me direction to correct my mistakes.
Ministry if full of criticism. More than I ever experienced in the secular work place. Because it's "church", and truly does belong to all of us unlike a privately owned company, everyone has their opinion and many, many suggestions. How do we survive criticism in ministry? We submit to the promise that God has appointed our leaders and we love our neighbors as ourselves.
If, with God's help, I can live a life that loves everyone as much as I love myself, then those in authority are treated as they should be, and criticism simply becomes a part of learning instead of a focus on the wrongs committed against me.
God is in control and wants my life to reflect that confidence. I learned today there is no room for fear in a life dedicated to the Lord.
The effort to devote time both to the study of God's Word as well as being a student of leadership skills, I continue to be amazed at how applicable the Word is to all areas of my life. I have mentioned in previous writings how I sometimes allow myself to become paralyzed by fear, fear of making wrong decisions, fear of disappointing friends, a boss or family. I have never witnessed such fear among God's people as I see now in the areas of politics and economics. Fear changes nothing, but stops everything.
This is an opportunity for God's church like never before.
As I continue to read through the New Testament my reading today was from Romans 13, "Every person is to be in submission to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are established by God. Wow, hits us right where we are!
Think about this, "there is NO authority EXCEPT FROM God...God appointed leaders are in place all around the world..."and those that exist are established by God." No need to fear!
Later in this passage, God says, "and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "you shall love your neighbor as yourself." Are these passages connected?
Our relationship with our fellow men, women and children is inseparable from our relationship with God. Perhaps the secret is to recognize that our neighbor, whether it's the guy next door, the server at a local restaurant, or those in authority over us are as worthy of God's love as we are!
These verses from Romans directly impact my leadership. Can you imagine if I lead as if my neighbors are as important as myself? Fear has not power. In my work life I don't think the fear of failure is truly what bothers me, I am willing to take ownership for decisions I make that fail. What holds me back I think, is the fear of criticism. Especially non specific criticism, this kind of criticism shuts me down. Constructive criticism on the other hand, is specific and gives me direction to correct my mistakes.
Ministry if full of criticism. More than I ever experienced in the secular work place. Because it's "church", and truly does belong to all of us unlike a privately owned company, everyone has their opinion and many, many suggestions. How do we survive criticism in ministry? We submit to the promise that God has appointed our leaders and we love our neighbors as ourselves.
If, with God's help, I can live a life that loves everyone as much as I love myself, then those in authority are treated as they should be, and criticism simply becomes a part of learning instead of a focus on the wrongs committed against me.
God is in control and wants my life to reflect that confidence. I learned today there is no room for fear in a life dedicated to the Lord.
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