PAST PRESENT OR FUTURE

I was talking with a young ambitious pastor the other day. He was sharing with me how disappointed he was in the progress of the church. The reality was, that God had been doing great things in his church.

As leaders we are called to be visionary. We dream dreams. We set goals. We have a great desire to "become". To become what? A finally tuned organization with all the bases covered,

or a fully staffed team team hitting on all cylinders, or a dynamic ministry that attracts people to the services like a magnet, or maybe a more attractive facility to accommodate the growth.

During my pastorate, it was difficult for me to enjoy what God was doing in the present or rejoice in the victories of the past because my mind would always take me to the future. The tapes kept playing like: "If we just could hire that next staff person". "What do we need to change to be more effective?" "We need to do a better job of assimilating." The list could go on and on.

While thinking ahead is a part of leadership, we dare not get so caught in the future that we miss the blessings of present and the victories of the past. Getting caught up in the future can breed impatience, a critical spirit, and great discouragement.

When was the last time you just sat down and contemplated the Lord's blessings of the past and present? The old hymn we used to sing, "Count Your Many Blessings" name them one by one" might be appropriate.

Keep being farsighted, but don't forget 20/20 hindsight, and the joy of being near sighted as well.

Are You a Prophet?

A. W. Tozer has always been one of my favorite writers. I was challenged by these thoughts in one of his devotionals.

"To be effective the preacher's message must be alive; it must alarm, arouse, challenge; it must be God's present voice to a particular people. Then, and not till then, is it the prophetic word and the man himself a prophet.

To fulfill his calling the prophet must be under the constant sway of the Holy Ghost; and further, he must be alert to moral and spiritual conditions. All spiritual teaching should be related to life. It should intrude into the daily and private living the hearers

Without being personal, the true prophet will yet pierce the conscience of each listener as if the message had been directed to him alone.

Really to preach the truth it is often necessary that the man of God know the people's hearts better than they themselves do!

Thus a minister is driven to God for wisdom. He must speak the mind of christ and throw himself on the Holy Spirit for spiritual power and mental acumen equal to the task. "

May God put more prophets in the pulpit!

COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP

For many of us as leaders of ministry there are times when we have to be courageous. These are times when consequences can trump what God wants us to do.

Pastor/shepherds probably find it most difficult to act courageously because it may require some tough calls that leave some segment of people disenchanted. Let's face it, most pastor/shepherds would rather avoid controversy or confrontation at all cost. However we also know there are those moments when we must step up to the plate and lead courageously.

So the question becomes this: How do we find the courage to confront or make the hard decisions that come with the responsibility of leadership? Here is how I have discovered a "holy boldness" over the course of 30 years of ministry.

1. It always starts with "communion" with God. I first must spend enough time with God listening to what he has to say.

I truly believe that God wants to speak to us if we take the time to listen. Hearing from God is the key.

2. It is important to seek "counsel" from others. Scripture says there is wisdom in many counselors. (Be certain that they are mature

objective and trustworthy people).

3. Once we have heard from God and others there must be "conviction" established. This is where we are fully convinced in our own mind as Paul tells us in Romans 14. Once that is established, conviction will trump consequences. Paul goes on to say, "happy is the man who

doesn't condemn himself in what he approves.

4. Conviction will lead to ultimate "contentment". This means that you can rest assured that no matter what the cost, God is pleased with

us. We are most content when we sense that God is pleased with us even if there are men who are not.

So let me encourage you to find that holy boldness in your ministry.