In John 14:17, Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit as "the Spirit of truth." This truth is essential for finding peace. The world cannot receive the Spirit because it neither sees nor knows Him. But for those who belong to Christ, the Spirit is with us and in us.

The Holy Spirit is not just a guide for truth but the source of peace. When we walk in alignment with God’s truth, we experience His peace more deeply. Truth is the foundation of peace—without truth, there can be no lasting peace.

Consider the ways in which the Spirit is guiding you toward truth today. Are there areas in your life where you need to align more fully with God’s truth? Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you.

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, thank You for being my guide and comforter. Help me to follow Your truth so that I can experience Your peace in every area of my life. Amen.

Philippians 4:7 speaks of the "peace of God, which surpasses all understanding"—an inner tranquility that rules our hearts. But this peace doesn't just come out of nowhere. To experience the peace of God, we must first have peace with God. Without reconciliation through Jesus Christ, the foundation for peace is missing.

Imagine looking at a calm ocean or a serene lake. The surface is peaceful, but below the surface, there might be unseen dangers. True peace isn’t just the absence of conflict; it’s a
peace that transcends circumstances. This peace exists even when life feels chaotic, because it comes from a deeper source—the Holy Spirit.

Peace isn’t just a nice feeling; it’s a promise from God. Today, reflect on the peace you have through Jesus. If your heart is troubled, take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to fill you with His peace.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for the peace You offer. Help me to trust in Your presence, even in the midst of life’s storms. Fill me with Your peace that transcends understanding. Amen.

Jesus assures us that despite the troubles of the world, we can experience peace in Him. “In Me, you may have peace. In the world, you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). Peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God in the midst of it.

The Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised to send, gives us the peace that transcends circumstances. When we face anxiety, fear, or discouragement, we can lean into the presence of the Holy Spirit, who reminds us of Jesus’ victory and promises us peace.

Are you walking in this peace today? If not, spend time in prayer, asking God to fill you with the peace that only He can give.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for the peace You give through the Holy Spirit. Help me to experience Your peace in the midst of life’s challenges. I choose to trust in Your promises and rest in Your presence. Amen.

In John 16:33, Jesus says, “I have overcome the world.” This statement is both a declaration of His victory and a promise to us. Jesus didn’t just survive the trials of life—He overcame them. His victory is our victory, and through Him, we can face any challenge, knowing that we are more than conquerors in Christ.

The world, with all its temptations, struggles, and obstacles, can feel overwhelming at times. But Jesus’ victory over the world means we don’t have to live in fear or defeat. We can walk in the power of His resurrection and the peace of His presence.

Think about any current struggles you may be facing. How can you apply the truth of Jesus’ victory to your situation today?

Prayer:

Jesus, thank You for overcoming the world. Help me to walk in the victory You have won for me. May Your peace fill my heart, and may I face every challenge with confidence in Your power. Amen.

In John 16:28, Jesus says, “I’m going to the Father.” His ascension into heaven is not the end of the story, but the confirmation that the work He began on earth has been completed. Through His death, resurrection, and now His ascension, Jesus has secured victory over sin and death for all who believe in Him.

The resurrection assures us that Jesus is alive, and the ascension shows us that He reigns at the right hand of the Father. We are no longer waiting for a Savior to come; we have a living Savior who is interceding for us before the Father.

Take a moment to reflect on the significance of Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. Because of these events, we can live in victory, knowing that Jesus is alive and is preparing a place for us with the Father.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for the power of the resurrection. I rejoice that You are alive and reigning. I look forward to the day You return and bring us into eternal glory. Amen.

The culmination of Jesus' mission was the cross. As He says in John 16:28, “Now I am leaving the world.” His departure signifies not just the end of His earthly ministry, but the moment He would lay down His life for us. Jesus came to die—to bear the weight of our sin and the punishment we deserved.

The cross is the ultimate demonstration of God's love for us. Jesus took on all the brokenness of the world, including our guilt, shame, and pain, and nailed it to the cross. He gave His life so that we could be forgiven and restored to a right relationship with God.

Today, meditate on the profound sacrifice of Jesus. Reflect on how He has overcome the power of sin and death on your behalf.

Prayer:

Thank You, Jesus, for dying for me. I can’t fully understand the depth of Your sacrifice, but I know it was done out of love. Help me to live in the light of Your grace every day. Amen.

Leaders Who Last: Introduction

How tough is the ministry? Dr. John Bisagno told the story of listing the over 100 young men called to the ministry when he started pastoring. Of those 100, plus friends and acquaintances, only 4 of them retired as Pastor. In a recent George Burns survey, 38% of pastors considered quitting the ministry over the past year.

When we are first called to ministry, many will admire you for your dedication and love for God. It reminds me of a young man joining the armed forces. Parents are so proud, people celebrate him for his sacrifice, then he goes into battle. He experiences the hardships, dangers and life-threatening situations, and the accolades of parents and friends seem like a distant past—another lifetime. On a lesser scale, the young minister is congratulated and celebrated in his calling. Then, real life steps in with problems, budgets, buildings, sometimes poverty – the accolades seem to be but a whisper.

There are two areas we speak of when we refer to longevity in the ministry:

• The ministry as a whole
• Longevity at a particular church

Since I have just finished 31 years at the same church, I will concentrate more on the latter.
Longevity at one church or ministry depends on two areas of the Pastor’s life:

• The inner life of the pastor
• The relationship with the congregation

The personal life of the pastor includes having:

• A calling to ministry
• A mission with that calling
• A godly definition of success
• A disciplined life
• A willingness to change
• A security found in Christ

The relationship aspect, necessary for longevity, includes:

• Integrity
• Competency
• Trustworthiness
• Wisdom
• Consistent emotion
• Adding value to people’s lives

During the next few weeks, I want to look at each of these 12 principles.

John 16:28 also states, “I have come into the world.” The incarnation—God taking on flesh and becoming man—was a pivotal moment in history. Jesus, the eternal Word, became one of us to live, suffer, and die for us. God didn’t remain distant in the heavens buy entered into our world of pain, suffering, and sin.

Why is this so important? It means that Jesus understands us deeply. He has experienced our struggles and weaknesses. He didn’t just observe from afar—He came and walked with us.

Reflect on the comfort and encouragement that comes from knowing Jesus was fully human as well as fully God. In moments of hardship, remember that He understands exactly what you’re going through.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for choosing to come to us. Thank You for experiencing life as we do. Help me to remember that You are with me in every moment, understanding my struggles. Amen.

Lideri care rezistă: Introducere

Cât de dificilă este slujirea? Dr. John Bisagno a povestit despre întocmirea unei liste cu peste 100 de tineri chemați la slujire când a început să păstorească. Din acei 100, plus prieteni și cunoștințe, doar 4 dintre ei s-au pensionat ca Pastori. Într-un sondaj recent realizat de George Barna, 38% dintre pastori au luat în considerare să renunțe la slujire în ultimul an.

Când suntem chemați pentru prima dată la slujire, mulți te vor admira pentru dedicarea și dragostea ta față de Dumnezeu. Îmi amintește de un tânăr care se înrolează în forțele armate. Părinții sunt atât de mândri, oamenii îl celebrează pentru sacrificiul său, apoi pleacă la luptă. El experimentează greutățile, pericolele și situațiile care îi pun viața în pericol, iar aprecierile părinților și prietenilor par un trecut îndepărtat — o altă viață. Pe o scară mai mică, tânărul slujitor este felicitat și celebrat în chemarea sa. Apoi, viața reală intervine cu probleme, bugete, clădiri, uneori sărăcie – aprecierile par a fi doar o șoaptă.

Există două domenii despre care vorbim când ne referim la longevitate în slujire:

1. Slujirea în ansamblu
2. Longevitatea într-o anumită biserică

Deoarece tocmai am încheiat 31 de ani în aceeași biserică, mă voi concentra mai mult pe cel din urmă.

Longevitatea într-o biserică sau slujire depinde de două domenii ale vieții Pastorului:

1. Viața interioară a pastorului
2. Relația cu congregația

Viața personală a pastorului include a avea:

• O chemare la slujire
• O misiune cu acea chemare
• O definiție divină a succesului
• O viață disciplinată
• O dorință de a se schimba
• O siguranță găsită în Cristos

Aspectul relațional, necesar pentru longevitate, include:

• Integritate
• Competență
• Încredere
• Înțelepciune
• Stabilitate emoțională
• Adăugarea de valoare în viețile oamenilor

În următoarele săptămâni, vreau să analizez fiecare dintre aceste 12 principii.

Líderes que perduran: Introducción

¿Cuán difícil es el ministerio? El Dr. John Bisagno contó la historia de hacer una lista de más de 100 jóvenes llamados al ministerio cuando él comenzó a pastorear. De esos 100, más amigos y conocidos, solo 4 de ellos se jubilaron como Pastores. En una encuesta reciente de George Barna, el 38 % de los pastores consideraron dejar el ministerio durante el último año.

Cuando somos llamados por primera vez al ministerio, muchos te admirarán por tu dedicación y amor a Dios. Me recuerda a un joven que se une a las fuerzas armadas. Los padres están muy orgullosos, la gente lo celebra por su sacrificio, y luego él va a la batalla. Experimenta las dificultades, los peligros y las situaciones que amenazan su vida, y los elogios de padres y amigos parecen un pasado lejano, otra vida. En menor escala, el joven ministro es felicitado y celebrado en su llamado. Luego, la vida real interviene con problemas, presupuestos, edificios, a veces pobreza; los elogios parecen ser solo un susurro.

Hay dos áreas de las que hablamos cuando nos referimos a la longevidad en el ministerio:

1. El ministerio en su conjunto
2. La longevidad en una iglesia en particular

Dado que acabo de cumplir 31 años en la misma iglesia, me concentraré más en la segunda. La longevidad en una iglesia o ministerio depende de dos áreas de la vida del Pastor:

1. La vida interior del pastor
2. La relación con la congregación

La vida personal del pastor incluye tener:

• Un llamado al ministerio
• Una misión con ese llamado
• Una definición piadosa del éxito
• Una vida disciplinada
• Una disposición a cambiar
• Una seguridad encontrada en Cristo

El aspecto de la relación, necesario para la longevidad, incluye:

• Integridad
• Competencia
• Confiabilidad
• Sabiduría
• Emoción constante
• Añadir valor a la vida de las personas

Durante las próximas semanas, quiero analizar cada uno de estos 12 principios.

वे अगुवे जो टिकe रहते हैं: एक परिचय

सेवाकार्य कितना कठिन है? डॉ. जॉन बिसाग्नो ने उन 100 से अधिक युवा पुरुषों की कहानी सुनाई जिन्हें उनके पादरी बनने की शुरुआत में सेवाकार्य के लिए बुलाया गया था। उन 100 लोगों में, साथ ही दोस्तों और परिचितों में से, केवल 4 ही पादरी के रूप में सेवानिवृत्त हुए। हाल ही में जॉर्ज बर्न्स के एक सर्वेक्षण में, 38% पादरियों ने पिछले वर्ष में सेवाकार्य छोड़ने पर विचार किया।

जब हमें पहली बार सेवाकार्य के लिए बुलाया जाता है, तो कई लोग आपके समर्पण और परमेश्वर के प्रति आपके प्रेम की प्रशंसा करेंगे। यह मुझे एक युवा व्यक्ति की याद दिलाता है जो सशस्त्र बलों में शामिल होता है। माता-पिता बहुत गर्व महसूस करते हैं, लोग उसके बलिदान के लिए उसका जश्न मनाते हैं, फिर वह युद्ध में जाता है। वह कठिनाइयों, खतरों और जीवन-घातक स्थितियों का अनुभव करता है, और माता-पिता और दोस्तों की प्रशंसा एक दूर के अतीत—एक और जीवनकाल की तरह लगती है। कुछ हद तक, युवा सेवक को उसके बुलावे में बधाई और सम्मान दिया जाता है। फिर, वास्तविक जीवन समस्याओं, बजट, इमारतों, कभी-कभी गरीबी के साथ कदम रखता है – और प्रशंसा एक फुसफुसाहट मात्र लगती है।

जब हम सेवाकार्य में दीर्घायु की बात करते हैं तो दो क्षेत्रों का उल्लेख करते हैं:

1. समग्र रूप से सेवाकार्य
2. एक विशेष चर्च में दीर्घायु

चूंकि मैंने अभी-अभी एक ही चर्च में 31 साल पूरे किए हैं, इसलिए मैं बाद वाले पर अधिक ध्यान केंद्रित करूंगा।
एक चर्च या सेवाकार्य में दीर्घायु पादरी के जीवन के दो क्षेत्रों पर निर्भर करती है:

1. पादरी का आंतरिक जीवन
2. कलीसिया के साथ संबंध

पादरी के व्यक्तिगत जीवन में शामिल हैं:

• सेवाकार्य के लिए एक बुलावा
• उस बुलावे के साथ एक मिशन
• सफलता की एक ईश्वरीय परिभाषा
• एक अनुशासित जीवन
• बदलने की इच्छा
• मसीह में पाई जाने वाली सुरक्षा

दीर्घायु के लिए आवश्यक संबंध पहलू में शामिल हैं:

• ईमानदारी
• योग्यता
• विश्वसनीयता
• बुद्धिमत्ता
• स्थिर भावना
• लोगों के जीवन में मूल्य जोड़ना

अगले कुछ हफ्तों के दौरान, मैं इन 12 सिद्धांतों में से प्रत्येक पर विचार करना चाहता हूँ।

Líderes que Duram: Introdução

Quão difícil é o ministério? O Dr. John Bisagno contou a história de listar mais de 100 jovens chamados para o ministério quando ele começou a pastorear. Desses 100, mais amigos e conhecidos, apenas 4 se aposentaram como Pastor. Numa pesquisa recente de George Barna, 38% dos pastores consideraram deixar o ministério no último ano.

Quando somos chamados pela primeira vez para o ministério, muitos o admirarão por sua dedicação e amor a Deus. Isso me lembra de um jovem que se alista nas forças armadas. Os pais ficam muito orgulhosos, as pessoas o celebram por seu sacrifício, e então ele vai para a batalha. Ele vivencia as dificuldades, os perigos e as situações de risco de vida, e os aplausos dos pais e amigos parecem um passado distante — outra vida. Em menor escala, o jovem ministro é parabenizado e celebrado em seu chamado. Então, a vida real entra em cena com problemas, orçamentos, prédios, às vezes pobreza – os aplausos parecem ser apenas um sussurro.

Há duas áreas das quais falamos quando nos referimos à longevidade no ministério:

1. O ministério como um todo
2. A longevidade em uma igreja específica

Como acabei de completar 31 anos na mesma igreja, vou me concentrar mais na segunda.

A longevidade em uma igreja ou ministério depende de duas áreas da vida do Pastor:

1. A vida interior do pastor
2. O relacionamento com a congregação

A vida pessoal do pastor inclui ter:

• Um chamado para o ministério
• Uma missão com esse chamado
• Uma definição piedosa de sucesso
• Uma vida disciplinada
• Uma disposição para mudar
• Uma segurança encontrada em Cristo

O aspecto do relacionamento, necessário para a longevidade, inclui:

• Integridade
• Competência
• Confiabilidade
• Sabedoria
• Emoção consistente
• Agregar valor à vida das pessoas

Nas próximas semanas, quero analisar cada um desses 12 princípios.

القادة الذين يدومون: مقدمة

ما مدى صعوبة الخدمة الكنسية؟ روى الدكتور جون بيسانو قصة إعداد قائمة تضم أكثر من 100 شاب دُعوا للخدمة عندما بدأ الرعاية. من بين هؤلاء المئة، بالإضافة إلى الأصدقاء والمعارف، تقاعد 4 منهم فقط كقساوسة. في استطلاع حديث أجراه جورج بارنا، فكر 38% من القساوسة في ترك الخدمة خلال العام الماضي.

عندما نُدعى لأول مرة للخدمة، سيعجب بك الكثيرون لتفانيك وحبك لله. يذكرني ذلك بشاب ينضم إلى القوات المسلحة. يكون والداه فخورين جدًا، ويحتفل به الناس لتضحيته، ثم يذهب إلى المعركة. يختبر المشقات والأخطار والمواقف التي تهدد حياته، وتبدو إشادات الوالدين والأصدقاء كأنها ماضٍ بعيد—حياة أخرى. على نطاق أصغر، يُهنأ الخادم الشاب ويُحتفل به في دعوته. ثم، تتدخل الحياة الواقعية بمشاكلها وميزانياتها ومبانيها، وأحيانًا الفقر – وتبدو الإشادات مجرد همس.

هناك مجالان نتحدث عنهما عندما نشير إلى الاستمرارية في الخدمة:

1. الخدمة ككل
2. الاستمرارية في كنيسة معينة

بما أنني أنهيت للتو 31 عامًا في نفس الكنيسة، سأركز أكثر على المجال الأخير.
تعتمد الاستمرارية في كنيسة أو خدمة واحدة على مجالين في حياة القس:

1. الحياة الداخلية للقس
2. العلاقة مع المصلين

تشمل حياة القس الشخصية ما يلي:

• دعوة للخدمة
• مهمة مع تلك الدعوة
• تعريف إلهي للنجاح
• حياة منضبطة
• استعداد للتغيير
• أمان موجود في المسيح

يشمل جانب العلاقة، الضروري للاستمرارية، ما يلي:

• النزاهة
• الكفاءة
• الجدارة بالثقة
• الحكمة
• عاطفة ثابتة
• إضافة قيمة إلى حياة الناس

خلال الأسابيع القليلة القادمة، أريد أن ألقي نظرة على كل من هذه المبادئ الاثني عشر.

Jesus begins by declaring His divine origin in John 16:28: “I came from the Father.” This simple statement carries profound significance. Jesus is not just a man or a teacher; He is God, the eternal Son, coming from the Father to dwell among us. This truth forms the bedrock of the gospel—the incarnation.

Jesus didn’t come simply to teach or to heal. He came to reveal the heart of God to us, to show us the way back to the Father. His divine nature, shown through His miracles and teachings, demonstrates that He is God incarnate.

Today, consider the magnitude of Jesus’ deity. He is not distant or disinterested in your life. He is God with us. How does this truth change your perspective on the challenges and decisions you face?

Read: John 16

Prayer:

Jesus, thank You for revealing the Father to us through Your life. Help me to grasp more
fully the wonder of Your divinity. Strengthen my faith as I walk in Your truth. Amen.

In a world where "my truth" is often claimed as the ultimate authority, we are called to a higher standard. Jesus warns us about replacing truth with personal preference. Relativism, the idea that truth is subjective, may be popular in society today, but it’s a lie that’s been debunked throughout history. Jesus presents a different reality: “My word is truth” (John 17:17).

The Word of God is not just a collection of wise sayings; it is the absolute truth that guides our lives. Truth is not merely subjective or based on individual experiences, but something eternal and unchanging. We can trust God’s Word because it leads us into a relationship with Him—a relationship grounded in truth, not opinion.

Today, reflect on where you might have been swayed by the lies of relativism or subjective truth. How can you anchor yourself in God's Word, the ultimate truth, for your life today?

Prayer:

Lord, help me to recognize Your truth above all else. May Your Word be the foundation of my life. Teach me to discern Your voice above the noise of the world. Amen.

                                                “Leadership Principles of Jesus”  #5
   
Jesus showed security and strength in tough times:
    Tough times will always come. This life is not heaven.  Therefore, life in general is filled with problems and challenges. Not only problems in general, but  when we attempt great things for God, the enemy is not going to just sit back and let us accomplish them without opposition. We need to show both security and strength in these tough situations.
         1. Security-
                   a. Jesus stayed calm in the storms- whether in the boat or at His trial, He never  panicked. He always trusted His Father.
                   b. Security runs counter to our instincts- for reasons of self-centeredness, fear, sin, fatigue, or ignorance, we naturally gravitate to insecurity.
                   c. Our anger runs counter to handling problems.
          2. Strength- 3 key words:
                   a. Meekness- strength under control. Even in humility, Jesus never allowed disrespect.  
                        Matthew 16:22,23” And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
                   b. Confrontational- when necessary, Jesus never avoided confrontation, but He never chased it.
                        Matthew 18:15” If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother."
                   c. Graciousness
                        2 Timothy 2:24-26” And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
Problems- whether with people or situations, never go away. The must be addressed.
     
   

                                                 Leadership Principles of Jesus #4
 Lead on a higher level-
Jesus lived on a higher level and taught His followers to do the same. Jesus walked in integrity.
While capability answers the question-can you? Character answers the question – will you?
Can you be trusted to follow through with what you said you would do? Trust is the glue of any relationship. When you make a promise and people follow you based on that promise, they altar their life in order to make the necessary  adjustments to follow you. A good example of that is marriage. Can you be trusted? How did Jesus build trust?
        1. Consistent behavior- He was the same all the time. You could trust His emotions as well as His Word.
        2. Competent skill- Again capability answers the question can you. Part of trust is knowing the person you are following can do it.
        3. Empowering others- People trust people who trust them. People will follow leaders who respect their abilities. They also want to follow someone who can make them better.
        4. He made wise decisions-making decisions is the primary way we provide leadership
            Mark 1:22 “And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.”
            John 7:46 “The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!”
        5. He loved people- You will succeed in life when the problems of others matter to you.
            Matthew 14:14” When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”
        6. Jesus led on a higher level- He respected authority, led with courage and never quit.
What about you? Do you challenge yourself to lead as Jesus led?

“Leadership Principles of Jesus” #3 Purpose
What is your purpose in life? Why is it important? Jesus prioritized His life and ministry through the lens of His purpose. He said in Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which is lost.”
Purpose is important because:
      1. Purpose determines direction- It guides the choices we make
      2. Purpose leads to vision- It’s been said that vision begins with a compelling purpose, pursuing the purpose leads to problems and obstacles, then the vision becomes the answer to the problems.
      3. Purpose determines goals- Jesus’ goal of saving people lead Him to the cross. Without goals, determining priorities is impossible. Bob Beihl aptly said, “Prioritizing is simply deciding what you need to do next to move most effectively toward your goals.”
      4. Purpose leads to passion- Its easy to put what we have a passion for on the front burner.
           Colossians 3:23 states “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord…”
           In John 17: 4 Jesus says, “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.
So, what is your purpose? Stop, take a moment and ask the Lord. It will be the most important answer of your life.

“Leadership Principles of Jesus #2”
II. Prepare yourself to lead
99% of senior pastors surveyed felt they were not gifted leaders. Yet, its been said that everything rises and falls on leadership”  Henry Blackaby stated that “the greatness of an organization will be directly proportional to the greatness of the leader” as one writer pointed out that leadership even effects those we hire. On a 1-10 scale, if you are a 7 leader you will hire 5 and 6 leaders, as people tend not to work for people who are lower on the scale than they are. Leadership skill affects your job, ministry, family-almost everything worthwhile.
Leaders are made not born- there is a gift of leadership and natural born talent as well, but one can be gifted in anything and nor have the skill. We can grow in leadership skill. If you are a 5 leader, you can grow to a 7 or maybe an 8.
How do we grow in our leadership skill?
        1. Read-There is a plethora of books on leadership Earl Nightingale said,” Reading one hour a day on any subject for five years will make you an expert on that subject”
        2. Take opportunities- Meet people, go on mission trips, and local opportunities. Jay Strack has often said, “You will be the same person 5 years from now as you are today except for the places you go, the people you meet, and the books you read.”
        3. Take on God’s challenges- Say yes to whatever He is leading you to do right now.
        4. Respond positively to adversity.
        5. Fail forward- Learn from your mistakes and failures and move forward. “A mistake is evidence that someone is trying to do something” President Harry Truman is quoted as saying, “ I suffered bankruptcy, and rejected at West Point, I can’t possibly lose forever.”
         6. Pray- and never give up
Jesus was a leadership mentor. In Matthew 4;19-22, He said, “And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
         
     

                                                    “Leadership Principles of Jesus” #1
I.  Leadership is servanthood
Jesus said, “ It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”
Max Dupree has said “Above all leadership is servanthood.”  “A servant leader serves the mission and leads by serving those on mission with him” Gene Wilkes
There is a paradox in servant leadership. A leader must lead and that sometimes includes correction and rebuke. Yet, he must also serve those working with him-helping them do their best job. Jesu is our example of the servant leader. How did Jesus serve?
       1. Jesus walked in humility
Philippians 2:5-8 says, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross”
We need to others first
      2. Jesus respected authority
Mark 12:17 “Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” And they marveled at him.
     3. Jesus never ask others to do what He was unwilling to do Himself
     4. Jesus did what He was uniquely called to do- A leader needs to be willing to do all things, but major on his calling.
     5. Jesus delegated to others- He spent the majority of his time with those who would make the biggest impact on His ministry. He trained them for the ministry and then sent them out to do that ministry.
     6. Jesus always told the truth.
John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
     7. Jesus never sought revenge. - Jesus forgave those who crucified Him.
Matthew 18:21,22 “Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
     8. Jesus prayed for His team and followers.
John 17:20,21 ““I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
     9. Jesus followed His Fathers will whatever the outcome.
    10. Jesus always demonstrated love for people.
There is a paradox to servant leadership, but if we follow Jesus’ example, we will be able to navigate the task.

“8 Principles: Define the Boat”
We are looking at “8 Principles for Growing a Healthy Organization.”
3. Define the boat
The boat is basically what you are about. With  a fishing boat there can be many poles in the water catching one fish at a time. There could ne nets catching many fish at once. If you sacrifice a pole or net, you can still survive. You cannot survive without the boat. May organizations sacrifice or lose who they are because of putting a new idea or even a tradition ahead of what the prganization is all about. That’s  why its crucial to define the boat. Jim Collins in his book good to great says your hedgehog 9 or boat0 can be determined by a combonation of your passion, economic engine, and what you are best at. The boat can be determine by defining the one thing everthing elae is dependent on. What you could not live without.
In a church the boat is the Sunday morning experience. It is the place that people most grow in the Word of God. It is the time that we rally the people together. The time that we see one another and build community.
If you define your boat mistakenly, it will hurt and maybe fail your organization. As important as a student ministry, a Christian School, a special event, placing these ministries first can cause the church to be off balance and make wrong decisions. I once new of a church that built its worship center for the annual Christmas pageant. What difference did it make.? The builing cost more. The chrch spent 5 months preparing for the event. The budget was off balance and other ministries hurt for funds and energy. Eventually they had to pivot. They now no longer have a pageat. The boat is Sunday morning and instead going toward extinction, they are one of the fast growing churches in their state. What is your boat? Leaders must define it?

“ 8 Principles: Define Reality”

Last week we began to look at the ‘8 Principles for Growing a  Healthy Organization.”

The second principle is:

2. Define Reality
Max Dupree aptly said, “The first job of a leader is to define reality.”

Who are you as an organization? What is the score? Are you succeeding? Where do you need help? Many organizations want to define who they think they are, or what they hope they are -and it does match the truth.

Years ago, in a church I pastored near Atlanta, we decided to define who we were. We had been growing for several years, but growth had slowed and both the church and the community around was changing. We ordered a demographic study of the area and found that we were still matching the community and decided to only make minor adjustments in our approach to ministry. There was a problem. The demographic study was based on an older census. The community had changed significantly. We could see that, but the study showed us what we wanted to see- instead of facing the truth.

Many organizations stubbornly stay the same, believing the outcome is going to be the same as the past. Our miscalculations caused us to decline in ministry over the next year, because we refused to define and face reality.

Who are you really? What is the true make up of your community or customers? Define reality.

8 Principles for Growing a Healthy Organization”
   In Matthew 16:18, Jesus taught us, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Healthy organisms grow. While ultimately only God can give the increase, there are principles in Scripture that God wants us to follow that will set the table for that growth. These principles are not only true in a church, but can be applied to any organization.
1. A Good Marriage
When choosing a leader for your organization, there are 3 things I look for:
      a. Compatibility
      b. Character
      c.  Capability
None are more important than compatibility. Look at the recent problems with businesses like ‘Target” or “Cracker Barrel” when a chosen CEO was not on the same page with the business or its customers. In the area of calling a Pastor, there must be a good marriage between the pastor and congregation. How difficult is it for a church to find the right Pastor?
What if you were single and decided to try on-line dating. You found a lady in Wisconsin and decide to have you visit you at your home in Orlando. After meeting the family and a fun day at a theme park, she went back home. Then you call her up the next week, ask her to marry you, she accepts, and the next time you see her is at the altar with her U – Haul in the church parking lot. What are the chances of that marriage being successful? Well, that is the way many churches choose their staff. We really don’t know one another.
Nothing is more important than the choosing of the leader. I always suggest that after a committee has vetted the candidate, the prospective pastor meet with the entire church in a fellowship/ Q.and A time before any final decisions are made. In this way the candidate better understands the church and the church the prospective Pastor.
The worst mistake we can make is to become impatient in the search for the leader. Map out who you are, who then you must have and search prayerfully, aggressively and patiently for that leader.
Next week – principle #2 Define Reality

“Persistence”
Indy 500 winner, Rick Mears said, “In order to finish first, you must first finish.” It has been said that “the road to success is dotted with many parking places.” Hebrews 10;36 teaches, “ For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God you may receive what was promised.”  Persistence can be defined , to press strongly toward something- to not give up or quit.” How do we persevere? What do we need?
        1. Purpose (see a previous article in this series)- You must see you task as not something that needs to be done, but something that must be done.
       2. Passion (Previous article)- Setting the purpose as a priority in your life.
       3. Purity – Sin will drain the drive and passion from you. Sin will cause you to steer off course; or may lead to an addiction; or even a disqualification from leadership.
       4. Problem Solving--There will always be problems. We need the maturity to see our problems as opportunities. Its through problems that we grow and doors are opened for success.
       5. Price—Be willing to do what God wants of you no matter the price. Rudyard Kippling said, “If you don’t get what you want, it’s a sign either that you did not seriously want it, or that you tried to bargain over the price.”
       6. Patience—In Scripture, Caleb waited 45 years for the promise; Moses 40 years in the wilderness; Jesus 30 years before beginning His ministry. As we wait, God continues to work. He brings all the thingd together so that it will work for our good. T the same time He does a great work in us as we learn to trust Him. “Sometimes we do not get what we are looking for not because of a lack of faith, but a lack of patience.”

                                “Power: When Believing in Yourself is not Enough”
If you already have the power to succeed, why pray? An entire generation has been told they could be anything they wanted to be- just believe in yourself! That generation has grown up and become a most disappointed and disillusioned generation. They have learned they cannot necessarily be popular, a great athlete, or a famous singer. They discovered their power was very limited. Where do we find the power? Psalms 62:11 tells us, “Once God has spoken; twice I have heard this; that power belongs to God.”
When a person receives Christ they are given the power to be saved from all their sin. The Spirit of Christ comes to live in their hearts and becomes that supernatural power in their lives. They have the power to live the Christian life and enjoy peace, hope, love and joy. In addition, we are given the power to accomplish God’s will for our lives. It’s not that we can do anything we set our minds to do, but whatever God sets His mind to do through us.
The key then is receiving Christ into our hearts and lives and then following Him.
Then we can claim the Scripture, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.” Jer. 29:11