Wednesday, April 28, 2010

The Dangers of Leading by Emotions

A young leader wants to make a difference and exerts himself to communicate the vision passionately. There’s nothing wrong with the vision, it’s purpose or the plan. The danger lies within the heart. The emotions and intentions of a leader who is dealing with jealousy, competition, even low self esteem. There’s a danger in a leader, young or older, who leads and makes decisions thinking that he or she is being objective, but in reality, they are blinded by their own pride.


So how do you handle this kind of situation and person?

How do we avoid falling into the pitfalls of leading by emotion?


I suggest that part of the solution lives in a heart willing to be corrected, who is teachable and yearns to grow closer to God. Position, not just in title, but in recognition, is important to leaders - whether we confess, agree or not. Another part of the answer is found in Philippians 4, verse 8:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.


Leaders emulate leaders or other influential people in their lives. I need to surround myself with people who love Jesus the way I want to love Jesus. With people who live for Jesus, the way I want to live for Jesus.


As for handling leader types with an edge...? As a leader handled me, so I encourage you:

Speak the truth with love, to support, not just change or speak to. Live love, gain relationship and respect, then speak truth. Ask good, thought provoking questions that will help others to discover their weaknesses. Questions like: How do you see yourself? How do you think others see your leadership? Where do you feel like you need improvement?

Monday, April 19, 2010

Stan Sheriff Services and "Conflict"


We want all of our volunteers and leaders in Evangelism to be New Hope members, by attending GDGS * This Saturday!. Please inform and encourage your teams to attend this week - and if not this week, to plan on attending a course in the future! WHY? SO we can ALL be of one mind and heart as it pertains to our Mission, Core Values, and 5 - S’s!

Saturday, April 24, 2010 - 8:00am - 11:00am at the LEAD Center

http://enewhope.org/firststeps/membership/


Weekend Services at Stan Sheriff!

  • Sat., May 22 at 6PM & Sun., May 23 at 8 & 11AM
  • * Fri., July 30 at 6PM, Sun., Aug. 1 at 8 & 11AM (read this line again;)
  • Sat., July 31st - special city wide concert

Conflict to become more like Christ!

Conflict.. Don’t you love it!? Most of us dislike conflict but we all will be faced with various conflicts while breathing here on earth. I thought since I was running into some personal conflict that some of you may appreciate John’s encouragements! Here’s a short equipping thought about Managing Conflict from my John Maxwell Leadership Bible.


A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness . . . A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit. A fool despises his father's instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so.

Proverbs 15:1-7


God rightly expects leaders to manage conflict within their organizations. But how can you best accomplish this? A good place to start is Proverbs 15:1. While this verse is often quoted, some leaders seldom heed its advice. Sometimes the leaders are the ones given liberty to express anger, and sooner or later this kind of unhealthy environment comes back to haunt them.


Leaders must create safe places for communication, like the environment described in the first seven verses of Proverbs 15. Master communication and you manage conflict.


Don’t forget Evangelism leaders - focus on and fix your heart and you’ll manage conflict better. We represent the Godhead, Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit. May His grace abound in our hearts, so we may be shepherds who are gracious in all of our dealings!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Wanna Grow...then Go...!

We not only are called to do ministry – we are called first, to be His disciples... Growing in faith and relationship with Jesus! *IMPORTANT and CRUCIAL to SPIRITUAL GROWTH

This is the essence of Growing Deep, Growing Strong (GDGS), New Hope's membership class. Here you'll learn the five S's Salvation, Spiritual Growth, Stewardship, Spiritual Gifts & Sending Forth along with New Hope's Core Values and Mission Statement. These make up New Hope's simple structure.
Saturday, April 24, 2010 - 8:00am - 11:00am at the LEAD Center
http://enewhope.org/firststeps/membership/


What is Baptism?
Water baptism is a public declaration of our identification with Jesus and His death, burial and resurrection. By getting baptized you are publicly saying to those around you that you have died to yourself and have decided to follow Christ.
April 18, 2010 - 3:00pm at Magic Island Lagoon
http://enewhope.org/firststeps/baptism/

With thankfulness to God...for you!
Rod

In Keeping with the Great Commandment, we believe every member should commit to a lifestyle of consistent spiritual growth with honest accountability.
A genuine love for God is always the first priority. Every Christian should yearn for continual spiritual growth. Therefore, discipleship through small groups, accountability, and open honesty is critical to maturing in our faith.

Mess It Up, Clean It Up

I’ve been subscribing to Mark’s podcast for a while now. Although the lessons are for parents and teenagers, this one caught my eye as I was thinking about Christians like you and I, who “mess up.”


If there is one thing that parents need to teach their teenager, it is the concept, “If you mess it up, you clean it up.” And that applies to more than trashing the car.


Teenagers need to learn that someone else isn’t going to clean up their messes for them. Not only messes like what they leave in the kitchen, but also the messes they make in their relationships and with the authorities in their life. A parent who always picks up the messes for their teen, teaches them that they aren’t responsible for what they do.


I’ve found that when a teen has to clean up their own messes, they miraculously begin making less messes to begin with.


©2010 Mark Gregston Markgregston.com . 903-668-2173


People can easily fall into the trap of blaming others for the messes they create - in relationships, finances, etc. I knew a sister who seemed to have such a critical spirit, yet glossed over her edgy ways, with a spiritual mask of servanthood and voiced desire to please Christ.


Leaders create messes by becoming so focused on their success, results and needs that they create messes in relationships. Unaccountable, immature responses take the form of excuses of “why they are or act” the way they do.

YUK!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Christ-likeness and His Story!


When we receive an email or letter from a someone we know and care about, we usually read the entire letter in one sitting. The Bible is full of letters, long ones, short ones - but all letters from God to His children.

As we read God's letters, His Word, we need to be careful not to just read one sentence and make a personal application immediately from it. We should read the context of the letter - or even the context of the section that a "sentence" or verse is in.

I believe God meant for us to do more than read a chapter in the Bible and look for one verse that we can write a nice journal on. God will use individual verses or sentences for us to apply, but we need to be careful that we don't take sentences our of context. Remember, the Bible was not originally written with chapter or verse numbers. It was added later in history for us to make better reference to areas of His Story.

Here are some Interpretation principles that you can use to enhance your relationship with God and His Story! (derived from my Bible class with Dr. Gary Manning, Pac Rim Christian College)

  • What did this verse (considering the overall context of the story or section) mean to the original hearers or audience? * Read carefully around the verse, considering the context, the story.
  • What are the differences (in culture, their times, government, situations, etc) between the original audience and us?
  • What is the "God Principle" in this verse (considering the overall context)?
  • What are some specific ways we can apply this "God Principle" to our lives?

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Great Worship - worshipers at New Hope!


I wanted to express these thoughts to you - each of our servants and faithful volunteers in our Evangelism ministries - and volunteer ranks at New Hope. My email below, to a couple of leaders, express my heart and conviction - that everyone of you, committed to Jesus is a worshiper!

Hello Mary Kay & Tom,

I just wanted to send a personal thank you to you both, for the great worship! Yes...excellent worship!

You see, people come up to me to express their thanks for great worship – through song, music... I thank them, sharing that it is an honor for me to be a part of loving Jesus through the gifts He’s given me.

I want to say to you and our Communion Angels, Greeter and Ushers – Great Worship! You see...you worship God through your service – we all do. But the gift of service is connected to a heart of gratitude, honor and adoration of JESUS – the One and Only True God, worthy of our worship! Thanks for the great worship, through your dedication to Him, your love for Him and commitment to give Him ALL adoration!