In I Samuel 18 Saul is confronted with a leadership challenge that most of us will have to face at some point. David had slain the giant Goliath and delivered Israel from a costly war. Samuel wrote, "When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes. As they danced, they sang:
'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.'"
That is a pretty understandable response of the people. Thousands of lives had been saved, the terror of Philistine conquest had been eliminated. The people are celebrating and David is the hero of the Hour. But "Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. 'They have credited David with tens of thousands,' he thought, "but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?' And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. " (1 Samuel 18:6-9)
Every leader battles this at one time or another
· His church has more numbers
· His business is more successful
· Her ministry is more acknowledged
· They got recognized
· They sang his praises and not mine
· He gets all the credit
· They have credited David with tens of thousands but me . . .
Saul was ensnared with jealousy. Interesting thing about jealousy, we're all susceptible to its entrapments. We become jealous when we believe that we've been short-changed. Saul is King. Israel is his to lead. No other man is more powerful in the land, yet Saul is jealous. Why? David's getting more praise.
Every leader becomes jealous when he confuses blessings for rights. Saul believed he deserved more praise rather than recognizing he was blessed to be King. But being king wasn't enough!
I just came back from our Church District Conference, an experience that sometimes left me very frustrated. I confess that early in ministry I viewed district gatherings as times when insecure pastors tried to one up themselves in the eyes of others. Earlier in ministry, pastoring a small church I would often return home struggling with questions of self-worth and often jealousy. It was easy to be jealous of those who had greater ministries, more recognition. I came home failing to see that I was blessed to know the Forgiver, to be entrusted with a place of ministry and leadership.
How about you? Is being leader over that which God has already entrusted you enough?
Leaders lead-and that is a blessing, not a right.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The Day Approaches
The day approaches. The Leader draws near to His destiny. As we remember His ride into the city, the meal shared with those He loved, the night of prayer and agony, the moment of betrayal, the mockery of a trial, the hostility of the crowd, the via Dolorosa, the fall of the hammer, the jeers of gloaters, the tears, the fears of a few, the words spoken through pain filled lips... might we stand in awe of the Leader who leads us all.
Behold the Lamb of God comes.
Behold the Lamb of God comes.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Trusting Another Man's Armor
My daily time reading the word has brought me again to the saga of the early kings of Israel: Saul, David, Solomon. Rereading these stories every year I am never surprised about how many leadership lessons jump off the page at me. In my journal I penned at least 11 leadership truths that were being refreshed in my mind.
Leaders have always learned lessons from other leaders. It's why we read Hybels, Warren, Stanley, Swindoll, McMannus, McClaren, Bell, Eldridge, Evans and Ortberb. And I readily admit that I have gleaned numerous principles, ideas, strategies that have had significant impact upon my life and my ministries. But as I was reading I Samuel 17 recently, I was reminded of a principle that I had to learn in the early years of ministry.
Young David is stepping up to face Goliath, the giant of Philistia. All others have been frozen in their fear. None but this young man is willing to face the challenge. When he is brought before Saul, David speaks of his confidence in his staff, his club, his sling; the weapons with which he has protected his father's sheep. More importantly he speaks of an incredible confidence in God's ability to deliver. I can imagine the awe in Saul's eyes when David speaks, "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine (1 Sam 17:37)." Giving his blessing to David to fight Goliath, Saul offers him the king's own armor and sword.
The leadership lesson being refreshed was in how David responds. He turns down Saul's armor, opting for his staff, sling and five smooth stones. You see David knew that God works through the gifts and talents that he had already been given.
I didn't understand that as a young man, a young pastor. I copied every idea, every method that other leaders did. I not only wore another's man armor, I regularly rotated through a wardrobe of other leader's ideas, methods and programs. It's not that I was learning from them and applying the principles to my ministry. I was just copying what they did. What did I learn; you can't wear another man's armor. What worked in one place does not automatically work in another. While we may learn from each other, God works through each leader individually and distinctly, enabling him to meet the challenges he faces.
Have you ever fallen into the trap of trusting another man's armor, rather than the God who has gifted you uniquely for the challenges you face?
Leader's lead. Each of us uniquely gifted and equipped by the LEADER for the task.
Leaders have always learned lessons from other leaders. It's why we read Hybels, Warren, Stanley, Swindoll, McMannus, McClaren, Bell, Eldridge, Evans and Ortberb. And I readily admit that I have gleaned numerous principles, ideas, strategies that have had significant impact upon my life and my ministries. But as I was reading I Samuel 17 recently, I was reminded of a principle that I had to learn in the early years of ministry.
Young David is stepping up to face Goliath, the giant of Philistia. All others have been frozen in their fear. None but this young man is willing to face the challenge. When he is brought before Saul, David speaks of his confidence in his staff, his club, his sling; the weapons with which he has protected his father's sheep. More importantly he speaks of an incredible confidence in God's ability to deliver. I can imagine the awe in Saul's eyes when David speaks, "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine (1 Sam 17:37)." Giving his blessing to David to fight Goliath, Saul offers him the king's own armor and sword.
The leadership lesson being refreshed was in how David responds. He turns down Saul's armor, opting for his staff, sling and five smooth stones. You see David knew that God works through the gifts and talents that he had already been given.
I didn't understand that as a young man, a young pastor. I copied every idea, every method that other leaders did. I not only wore another's man armor, I regularly rotated through a wardrobe of other leader's ideas, methods and programs. It's not that I was learning from them and applying the principles to my ministry. I was just copying what they did. What did I learn; you can't wear another man's armor. What worked in one place does not automatically work in another. While we may learn from each other, God works through each leader individually and distinctly, enabling him to meet the challenges he faces.
Have you ever fallen into the trap of trusting another man's armor, rather than the God who has gifted you uniquely for the challenges you face?
Leader's lead. Each of us uniquely gifted and equipped by the LEADER for the task.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Patience with New Things.
We have just recently switched from a printed church newsletter to an e-newsletter. We were simply following a trend to try to go digital whenever possible. Board meetings, annual meetings had already gone to a paperless format so this last week I labored with the new software to create our first edition of a paperless newsletter.
Along the way I was reminded of numerous leadership principles that are so easy to take for granted. While I admit they are all elementary, I felt like I was back in leadership 101 learning them all over again.
The idea of an e-newsletter was easy. Finding the right software, the right publishing service, and the right e-newsletter management site was more difficult. Having done some research, I settled on resource and began the process of setting up an e-newsletter.
Writing the articles was easy. Learning how to enter pictures, text, formatting on the new software took time. Learning the intricacies of formatting the pages and imbedding hyperlinks took time.
Sending the newsletter was easy. Doing it well the first time was a challenge. After three drafts, and input from my chief editors (an office manager and an administrative assistant) I thought we were ready to move ahead and publish. I was eager to see the finished work (that tendency we all have to want change to be quick and easy). Thinking we had arrived at the place of perfection, I clicked the send button and promptly sent out a draft copy instead of a corrected copy. ARGH!! So two days later I found myself writing an explanation and encouragement for others to be patient with the change and forwarded a corrected copy of the newsletter.
So what was I learning again? Just the basic stuff of change.
- Change is never easy. It always requires hard work.
- Change won't happen without a few snags along the way. No matter how hard we try we will always fail to foresee every detail, we will always make mistakes along the way.
- Change will always challenge our patience. Leaders see where they want to go and they'd like to get there NOW. Patience in change begins with leaders.
- Change is a process. First attempts always lead to tweaking the system, adjusting the plan, editing the process. When things go wrong leaders don't blame others, they assess what's needed and continue to move forward.
Leaders lead. . . especially when it comes to change.
Along the way I was reminded of numerous leadership principles that are so easy to take for granted. While I admit they are all elementary, I felt like I was back in leadership 101 learning them all over again.
The idea of an e-newsletter was easy. Finding the right software, the right publishing service, and the right e-newsletter management site was more difficult. Having done some research, I settled on resource and began the process of setting up an e-newsletter.
Writing the articles was easy. Learning how to enter pictures, text, formatting on the new software took time. Learning the intricacies of formatting the pages and imbedding hyperlinks took time.
Sending the newsletter was easy. Doing it well the first time was a challenge. After three drafts, and input from my chief editors (an office manager and an administrative assistant) I thought we were ready to move ahead and publish. I was eager to see the finished work (that tendency we all have to want change to be quick and easy). Thinking we had arrived at the place of perfection, I clicked the send button and promptly sent out a draft copy instead of a corrected copy. ARGH!! So two days later I found myself writing an explanation and encouragement for others to be patient with the change and forwarded a corrected copy of the newsletter.
So what was I learning again? Just the basic stuff of change.
- Change is never easy. It always requires hard work.
- Change won't happen without a few snags along the way. No matter how hard we try we will always fail to foresee every detail, we will always make mistakes along the way.
- Change will always challenge our patience. Leaders see where they want to go and they'd like to get there NOW. Patience in change begins with leaders.
- Change is a process. First attempts always lead to tweaking the system, adjusting the plan, editing the process. When things go wrong leaders don't blame others, they assess what's needed and continue to move forward.
Leaders lead. . . especially when it comes to change.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Leaders lead....
I have been reading Joshua these last few days and I was struck by an incredible expectation Moses had for his protégée. Repeatedly Moses challenges Joshua to be strong and courageous. It is easy to understand why Joshua may be struggling with fears. Moses will soon be gone. He is the appointed leader. As leader he would have to lead the tribes to a place they had never been before, and getting there would be no easy task. He has seen how rebellious and difficult the Israelites could be. Walled city and giants wait in the land he is supposed to conquer. Sensing his angst, Moses repeatedly encourages him.
But just a few chapters later, Joshua gives the same exhortation to the Israelite tribes. Just a short time earlier he was the one struggling, he was the one in need of a good locker room speech. What happened? Why the change?
Did he suddenly become such a hero that he no longer faced any fears? Did he suddenly become indifferent to dangers they would face as they conquered the land? Was he no longer aware of the responsibility that rested on his shoulder. I don't think so. All the fearsome challenges still lay ahead.
Joshua had done what every leader must do. To take those he is leading to where they need to go, he must face the fears, face the challenges and move forward. Why? Because if the leader hesitates in the face of challenge, those who follow will stop.
Joshua has no idea what each of the battles ahead will look like. He only knows, he must face the battles in order to fulfill the vision--taking the land.
Leaders are not fearless, but they fearlessly face the struggles, the challenges, the battles to lead others to the fulfillment of the vision. Leaders lead… Even when faced with fearsome challenges.
But just a few chapters later, Joshua gives the same exhortation to the Israelite tribes. Just a short time earlier he was the one struggling, he was the one in need of a good locker room speech. What happened? Why the change?
Did he suddenly become such a hero that he no longer faced any fears? Did he suddenly become indifferent to dangers they would face as they conquered the land? Was he no longer aware of the responsibility that rested on his shoulder. I don't think so. All the fearsome challenges still lay ahead.
Joshua had done what every leader must do. To take those he is leading to where they need to go, he must face the fears, face the challenges and move forward. Why? Because if the leader hesitates in the face of challenge, those who follow will stop.
Joshua has no idea what each of the battles ahead will look like. He only knows, he must face the battles in order to fulfill the vision--taking the land.
Leaders are not fearless, but they fearlessly face the struggles, the challenges, the battles to lead others to the fulfillment of the vision. Leaders lead… Even when faced with fearsome challenges.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Reorganized by Grace
I’ve been reading from the Book of Exodus in recent days. A statement lifted off the page to a vibrant new significance. Just as God begins to reveal his plans to destroy the firstborn of Egypt and to “Passover” Israel, he makes an incredible declaration to Moses. “From now on this month will be the first month of the year for you.” Exodus 12:2 God was about to do something so significant that it was worthy of the entire Israelite people reorganizing their lives around it.
Leaders know that there are few things worthy of re-organizing our lives around.
#1 Our marriage to our spouses.
From the day we say I do, for the day the document is signed, from the moment when two become one, our lives are forever reorganized around that new oneness we are chasing.
#2 The birth of children.
From moment they come crying into the world, from the day they are brought home schedules are altered, future plans amended as our lives flow with these new currents.
#3 Never discovered by some, but leaders know it as truth.
From the moment we discover who and what we are meant to be everything changes. When we discover who we are – objects of the Forgivers great love, those who are destined to discover both grace and our role in the story of grace, everything changes.
Just as the Passover changed everything, the discovery of God’s grace and our purpose in Him changes everything.
Embrace the story of Grace, your story and let your life flow from its depths.
Leaders know that there are few things worthy of re-organizing our lives around.
#1 Our marriage to our spouses.
From the day we say I do, for the day the document is signed, from the moment when two become one, our lives are forever reorganized around that new oneness we are chasing.
#2 The birth of children.
From moment they come crying into the world, from the day they are brought home schedules are altered, future plans amended as our lives flow with these new currents.
#3 Never discovered by some, but leaders know it as truth.
From the moment we discover who and what we are meant to be everything changes. When we discover who we are – objects of the Forgivers great love, those who are destined to discover both grace and our role in the story of grace, everything changes.
Just as the Passover changed everything, the discovery of God’s grace and our purpose in Him changes everything.
Embrace the story of Grace, your story and let your life flow from its depths.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Daily Update
My computers all run the same antivirus software. It runs in the background protecting my work from all sorts of malware and problems. I tend to take it for granted.
Every morning when I start my computer the software begins its work scanning files I open, checking emails and keeping a wall of protection up as I sign on the web.
But every morning my software does another thing automatically; my antivirus software connects with the internet and updates itself. It never misses a day. Yesterdays updates may not be enough for today’s threats so day after day it updates.
Leaders are like that. They know the need to update daily with the great leader Jesus. They seek to connect with him uploading new definitions, new solutions, new management principles, new understanding. Leaders know the value of the daily update with God. Don’t take if for granted, be sure to connect for a daily update.
Every morning when I start my computer the software begins its work scanning files I open, checking emails and keeping a wall of protection up as I sign on the web.
But every morning my software does another thing automatically; my antivirus software connects with the internet and updates itself. It never misses a day. Yesterdays updates may not be enough for today’s threats so day after day it updates.
Leaders are like that. They know the need to update daily with the great leader Jesus. They seek to connect with him uploading new definitions, new solutions, new management principles, new understanding. Leaders know the value of the daily update with God. Don’t take if for granted, be sure to connect for a daily update.
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