Monthly new titles are reviewed in Christianity Today. Leadership Journal promotes new must reads quarterly. E-newsletters promote others. Today's leader has no shortage of places to turn for insight and help concerning the role.
But today in my own devotional time I was overwhelmed with the description of a leader. During the day of the return from exile, the days of rebuilding, the days of busyness, during the days of challenge, Ezra is arrives on the scene in Jerusalem. He is described this way.
Ezra . . . the gracious hand of his God was on him. This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the law of the Lord and to teach those laws and regulations to the people of Israel.
Ezra 7:8,10
Those were his qualifications; the cover letter introducing him as leader. This guy experiences the continual grace of God. He's cultivated it by studying the law inside and out, but he hasn't just studied it, it has become a part of him. He obeys it at every point. He is committed to teaching what he has learned to all the people.
I know that when I am with other leaders I often ask, what are you reading? Lorrits? McNeall? Maxwell? I am always looking for clues to what God is doing in their lives, their ministries.
Maybe the better question to ask is, what are you living?
Monday, August 24, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Jesus Chooses the Twelve
Mark 3:16-19
These are the names of the twelve he chose:
Simon (he renamed Peter),
James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them "sons of Thunder),
Andrew,
Phillip,
Bartholomew,
Matthew,
Thomas,
James (Son of Alphaeus),
Thaddeaus,
Simon (the Zealot),
Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).
It's just the list of names of the twelve. Wrong. Six of the twelve are differentiated by an annotation following their names. A footnote if you will to help us understand who they are. Some of the footnotes are helpful and gracious. Simon, the common man so profoundly remodeled by the Carpenter he gets a new name--Peter. He is different from Simon, the man who can never let it go. The man enthusiastically committed to everything it means to be a Jew. One of the footnotes is rather simple, just a family name added so he can't be confused with another--James, the Son of Alphaeus.
The list of names I have read many times before, but today the weight of two of the footnotes hit me. James and John are called not just the sons of Zebedee, but the "sons of thunder." Ouch! Sons of Thunder! Imagine being remembered as two men who were often quick to speak and maybe slow to think. Or perhaps it's a reference to all the times they stuck their foot in their mouths in one of Jesus discussions. Perhaps it is a reference to their untamed, unedified character--bulls in pottery shops throughout Galilee and Capernaum. What instance birthed the moniker? What personality traits led to the nickname? It's unclear, but it was true that they are remembered by the footnote.
Then there is Judas Iscariot. Did we really need the footnote? There is only one Judas? And we know his family name? Was it needed to include the parenthetical (who later betrayed him)?
Then it hit me, we have little control over the addition of footnotes. They will just be added to our lives. Some will be descriptive. Some will be kind. Some may be gracious. But we need to realize that some might be reminders of weak character, or our biggest failure.
Some footnotes could be infamous like:
OJ (the guy who likely killed his wife)
Mark McGuire (the guy who juiced his way into the record books)
Michael Vick (the guy who went to prison for Dog fighting)
Jimmy Swaggart (the televangelist who frequented hookers)
Some could be just as defeating:
John (the liar),
Bob (the loud one),
Bill (the immoral),
Jana (the one who walked away from God),
Carol (the pew sitter)
Tina (the judgmental)
Dave (the adulterer),
It got me thinking. What footnotes will be written to describe my life?
These are the names of the twelve he chose:
Simon (he renamed Peter),
James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them "sons of Thunder),
Andrew,
Phillip,
Bartholomew,
Matthew,
Thomas,
James (Son of Alphaeus),
Thaddeaus,
Simon (the Zealot),
Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).
It's just the list of names of the twelve. Wrong. Six of the twelve are differentiated by an annotation following their names. A footnote if you will to help us understand who they are. Some of the footnotes are helpful and gracious. Simon, the common man so profoundly remodeled by the Carpenter he gets a new name--Peter. He is different from Simon, the man who can never let it go. The man enthusiastically committed to everything it means to be a Jew. One of the footnotes is rather simple, just a family name added so he can't be confused with another--James, the Son of Alphaeus.
The list of names I have read many times before, but today the weight of two of the footnotes hit me. James and John are called not just the sons of Zebedee, but the "sons of thunder." Ouch! Sons of Thunder! Imagine being remembered as two men who were often quick to speak and maybe slow to think. Or perhaps it's a reference to all the times they stuck their foot in their mouths in one of Jesus discussions. Perhaps it is a reference to their untamed, unedified character--bulls in pottery shops throughout Galilee and Capernaum. What instance birthed the moniker? What personality traits led to the nickname? It's unclear, but it was true that they are remembered by the footnote.
Then there is Judas Iscariot. Did we really need the footnote? There is only one Judas? And we know his family name? Was it needed to include the parenthetical (who later betrayed him)?
Then it hit me, we have little control over the addition of footnotes. They will just be added to our lives. Some will be descriptive. Some will be kind. Some may be gracious. But we need to realize that some might be reminders of weak character, or our biggest failure.
Some footnotes could be infamous like:
OJ (the guy who likely killed his wife)
Mark McGuire (the guy who juiced his way into the record books)
Michael Vick (the guy who went to prison for Dog fighting)
Jimmy Swaggart (the televangelist who frequented hookers)
Some could be just as defeating:
John (the liar),
Bob (the loud one),
Bill (the immoral),
Jana (the one who walked away from God),
Carol (the pew sitter)
Tina (the judgmental)
Dave (the adulterer),
It got me thinking. What footnotes will be written to describe my life?
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Before the Father's Throne
During a recent trip to the African continent, I had the great privilege of working alongside two international workers and their families in a medical clinic outreach to an unreached people group. The last room in our village clinic was set aside for prayer and scripture distribution. My partner introduced me as his ‘imam’ from ‘Amerik’ who had come all the way to give blessings on them in “issa’s’ name (Jesus). Of the 175 clinic patients, 169 agreed to receive the blessing.
Time and time again I found myself in the unique situation of praying for people by name, asking God to bless their lives, their homes, their families, but most importantly I prayed that the Holy Spirit would bring them dreams and visions of who Jesus was. On the second day two realities would strike a strong cord in my heart. Time and time again I found myself weeping as these two thoughts keep surfacing in my mind.
As I prayed I realized that many of the people were being mentioned by name before the Father’s throne in heaven for the first time. For some it may have been the one and only time that they would ever be interceded for by name. I also realized how much I took for granted that my name is so frequently mentioned before the Father’s throne. My family prays for me, my church, my friends, some of you likely even prayed for me. My name has been mentioned often in the Father’s presence. Yet here were Mamadu, Bah, Ibrahim, Hadiaitu, Alseny, Alpha Omar, Bubacar. Some would be prayed for only on this day.
This leader was challenged to change two things in his prayer life. First, I will forever mention more people by name before the father’s throne. Second, to never again take so lightly the fact that others pray for me.
Therefore, to all who have mentioned my name before his throne, thank you. Will you join me in praying for Mamadu and Mounsieur Bah. Pray for them right now that they might be followers of Issa’s way.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Right but Still Wrong
I was reading in 2 Chronicles when one sentence jumped of the page. It was one of those moments when the leadership principles the Great Leader has written upon our hearts became so clear.
King Joash, one of the great reformers has passed away. Most of his life was dedicated to the repairs of the temple and the renewing of true worship. For most of his life he was guided by the mentorship of the priest, Jehoiada. His son, Amaziah, becomes King at age 25. He would reign for 29 years in Jerusalem.
His entire reign is summed up in one sentence. "Amaziah did what was pleasing in the Lord's sight, but not wholeheartedly" 2 Chronicles 25:2. Wow! Consistently doing what was right, was not enough. God expected his leader to do what was right, not out of obligation, duty, or ritual, but out of a heart wholly committed. Amaziah looked good on the outside, but fell short on the inside.
The passage made me think. How many times in my life do I do the right things but not wholehearted. They are done out of duty, out of ritual, out of obligation.
Is prayer a duty or the reflection of a wholly committed heart?
Is my time in the word more than a daily habit or a checking off of something on my to-do list?
Is my outreach to my neighbors just a project or an act of the heart?
Is my service a job or a passion?
Is the pursuit of holiness a reflection of a devoted heart or a legalistic safeguard?
Amaziah did what was right, but he fell short because it was disconnected from a total heart surrender.
May God deliver me from the example of Amaziah.
May God deliver every leader from the mere outward performance of our calling. May our hearts' commitment be evident in the places we lead.
King Joash, one of the great reformers has passed away. Most of his life was dedicated to the repairs of the temple and the renewing of true worship. For most of his life he was guided by the mentorship of the priest, Jehoiada. His son, Amaziah, becomes King at age 25. He would reign for 29 years in Jerusalem.
His entire reign is summed up in one sentence. "Amaziah did what was pleasing in the Lord's sight, but not wholeheartedly" 2 Chronicles 25:2. Wow! Consistently doing what was right, was not enough. God expected his leader to do what was right, not out of obligation, duty, or ritual, but out of a heart wholly committed. Amaziah looked good on the outside, but fell short on the inside.
The passage made me think. How many times in my life do I do the right things but not wholehearted. They are done out of duty, out of ritual, out of obligation.
Is prayer a duty or the reflection of a wholly committed heart?
Is my time in the word more than a daily habit or a checking off of something on my to-do list?
Is my outreach to my neighbors just a project or an act of the heart?
Is my service a job or a passion?
Is the pursuit of holiness a reflection of a devoted heart or a legalistic safeguard?
Amaziah did what was right, but he fell short because it was disconnected from a total heart surrender.
May God deliver me from the example of Amaziah.
May God deliver every leader from the mere outward performance of our calling. May our hearts' commitment be evident in the places we lead.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Leader to Leader: It's All about the Inside Stuff
I was reading the end of First Chronicles today. I admit it is normally one of those Old Testament sections that I endure reading. It is the last days of David's life. His kingdom is being passed to his son Solomon. A detailed plan for the building of the Temple is being drawn up and entrusted to his heir. It's filled with list of instructions for the organization of musicians and gatekeepers. It recognizes leaders of the clans, appoints treasurers and Military Commanders. Much of it is filled with names I cannot pronounce, and detail which at best seems trivial.
In the midst of these chapters I discover a mentoring moment that stunned me. In Chapter 28 David has summoned all the leaders, commanders, overseers, officials, mighty men and warriors in his Kingdom. He shares with them his vision for seeing a temple erected to house the Ark of the Lord's covenant. He reminds them of God's favor which has rested on the line of Judah. He challenges all present to faithfully obey the commands of the Lord that they may forever possess the good land God has given them.
Then David speaks to his son, his heir, the new King. David shares with him the secret that he has learned. It is a leader to leader defining moment.
9 "And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever."
Learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. The cultivation of intimacy with God is a character trait of all great leadership. Forget it, overlook it and suffer the consequences.
David to Solomon, leader to leader, it's all about the inside stuff with God.
Solomon would learn it. Will we?
In the midst of these chapters I discover a mentoring moment that stunned me. In Chapter 28 David has summoned all the leaders, commanders, overseers, officials, mighty men and warriors in his Kingdom. He shares with them his vision for seeing a temple erected to house the Ark of the Lord's covenant. He reminds them of God's favor which has rested on the line of Judah. He challenges all present to faithfully obey the commands of the Lord that they may forever possess the good land God has given them.
Then David speaks to his son, his heir, the new King. David shares with him the secret that he has learned. It is a leader to leader defining moment.
9 "And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever."
Learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. The cultivation of intimacy with God is a character trait of all great leadership. Forget it, overlook it and suffer the consequences.
David to Solomon, leader to leader, it's all about the inside stuff with God.
Solomon would learn it. Will we?
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
The Heart of a Humble Leader?
Okay let's admit it. We all know that a leader is supposed to be humble, but what is humility. Is it incompatible with strength? Does it offset aspiration? Can you be masculine and humble at the same time? What does humble confidence look like? Is it possible to be humbly self-assured?
Okay I know what every good Bible student would say. Jesus was humble, Jesus was strong, Jesus was masculine. Many of us would likely end up in Philippians 2, the kenosis. We have preached, taught, read that He emptied himself. He became nothing. We have been told that he was humble; we know that he is our example, but what does it look like.
For too many leaders we know humility is a part of the mix, a measure of the calling, an ingredient in the recipe of leadership development, but ask a leader what it looks like and we struggle to answer. I confess sometimes I don't know how to describe it, but I now think I know it when I see it.
David has become my example of humility. It is from him that I am learning the lesson. In 1 Chronicles 17, we get a glimpse of humility in David. He is now established as King in Jerusalem, and we are allowed into one of his private moments with God.
16 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed,
"Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 17 And now, O God, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving your servant a lasting dynasty! You speak as though I were someone very great, O Lord God!
18 "What more can I say to you about the way you have honored me? You know what your servant is really like.
1 Chron 17:16-18, NLT
David reminds me that humility is found close to the heart of God, in communion with our Creator, our Lord. Humility is the honest self-assessment of our lives and our accomplishments in His presence. Who am I Lord that you have entrusted this calling, this assignment, this task to me? Who am I Lord that I am privileged to be treated as though I were something when you know what I am really like.
What is humility? In the light of his presence, knowing who we are and what we would be without him.
Let the man or woman of God be humble. Humble yourselves before the Lord, . . . James 4:10
Okay I know what every good Bible student would say. Jesus was humble, Jesus was strong, Jesus was masculine. Many of us would likely end up in Philippians 2, the kenosis. We have preached, taught, read that He emptied himself. He became nothing. We have been told that he was humble; we know that he is our example, but what does it look like.
For too many leaders we know humility is a part of the mix, a measure of the calling, an ingredient in the recipe of leadership development, but ask a leader what it looks like and we struggle to answer. I confess sometimes I don't know how to describe it, but I now think I know it when I see it.
David has become my example of humility. It is from him that I am learning the lesson. In 1 Chronicles 17, we get a glimpse of humility in David. He is now established as King in Jerusalem, and we are allowed into one of his private moments with God.
16 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed,
"Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 17 And now, O God, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving your servant a lasting dynasty! You speak as though I were someone very great, O Lord God!
18 "What more can I say to you about the way you have honored me? You know what your servant is really like.
1 Chron 17:16-18, NLT
David reminds me that humility is found close to the heart of God, in communion with our Creator, our Lord. Humility is the honest self-assessment of our lives and our accomplishments in His presence. Who am I Lord that you have entrusted this calling, this assignment, this task to me? Who am I Lord that I am privileged to be treated as though I were something when you know what I am really like.
What is humility? In the light of his presence, knowing who we are and what we would be without him.
Let the man or woman of God be humble. Humble yourselves before the Lord, . . . James 4:10
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
David's Mighty Men
I've been reading in 1 Chronicles and spent some time pondering some of David's mighty men.
**Jashobeam, commander of the Three, once killed 300 men with his spear in one battle.
**Eleazar fought back to back with David when surrounded by the Philistines and beat them back.
**Shammah, one of the Three, took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the surrounding Philistines, and the LORD brought about a great victory.
**Abishai foremost of the Three, killed 300 in a single battle.
The mighty men were being remembered not for their weaknesses but for their strengths.
Reggie McNeal states that we have inadvertently developed a culture where we are much more aware of our weaknesses than our strengths. That's certainly often true in my life. I can list out everything that I struggle with, where I fall short and what I'd like to change. I beat myself up over failures and setbacks.
But the mighty men, they were remembered for their strengths.
I have heard that the fastest and most prominent way to strengthen an organization is to strengthen the weakest element. If team building is weak, strengthen it. If moral is low, raise it. If image is poor, change it. If it's broke, fix it.
But the mighty men, they were remembered for their strengths.
Leaders need to remember this truth. We will always need to address weaknesses, but it is strengths that are celebrated. It is in the area of our strengths that our greatest impact happens.
Mighty men (and women) are remembered for their strengths. Go ahead lead with yours.
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