Dave’s Monday Blast – September 4, 2017
September marks the beginning a new “Ministry Season” at Auburn Grace Community Church. I like new beginnings. We all need them. Opportunities for a bit of a “do over” help me feel better about my questionable decision making paradigms. The Truth is, our God believes in second chances. “God’s mercies are new every morning” Lamentations 3:22 -23. As we begin this new season my prayer for each of you is that you will hunger to know His Word and through INTENTIONAL times in His presence you will clearly know His voice.
William Jessup University Professor Daniel Gluck quotes Steven Covey, leadership guru and author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, “begin with the end in mind.” Do you consider yourself to be a leader? God does! Jesus uses a parable in Luke to affirm that you are indeed a leader. Each of you has a sphere of influence specific to you. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, “This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish” (Luke 14:28-30).
Q: What is the end that we need to have in mind as leaders in the Kingdom of Christ?
A: Changed lives! Lives changed by the Spirit of God; redeemed by His Word.
Gluck comments: “1 Timothy impresses on our hearts three key biblical tenets Christian leaders should employ when facing new beginnings. The Apostle Paul urged Timothy to avoid false doctrines, those seeking to win arguments (vs. people)…those seeking to know the unknowable. Rather, he urged his protégé to teach with the motive of love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith (1 Timothy 1:5). Let’s look at these closely.”
- Leading from a pure heart.Perhaps the pursuit of character is the foremost objective of the leader. It supersedes charisma, formulas, and politics.
- Leading from a clear conscience.Leaders must ask whether they are presenting themselves honestly, pursuing self-knowledge, and leading out of obedience.
- Leading from sincere faith.In whom does the leader place his/her trust? Is it in credentials or position? It is God who ultimately “qualifies us to lead”.
Chances are something new is blooming in your world as we enter into another fall. How might you apply one of Paul’s exhortations in order to lead well today?
