God's Power

Over the last several weeks I have been reading through the books of the bible that Paul wrote for my quiet time. I am currently reading through Ephesians.

As I was reading in chapter 1 something incredible jumped out at me. In Ephesians 1:19-20 Paul writes "I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead..." And then goes on to end the chapter in verse 23 by writing "And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself."

Basically what Paul is saying is the Church, as the body of Christ, has the ultimate power to do anything... the same power that raised Christ from the dead. This is so huge! Can you imagine what we as the Church could accomplish if we really realized the great reality. The sky is the limit. I can only imagine the possibilities and the lives that would be changed on a continual basis if we just stopped and embraced this truth of the power that lives within us. The ultimate power. God's power!

But it goes a step further. We as Christian individuals have the same power. After all Christ lives within us. There is so much we can do for God and to impact others if we just let the power of God be unleashed through us. What an incredible picture and most of all what an incredible hope!

Dreams

Dave Ramsey and John Maxwell on Dreams!

John C. Maxwell on The Dave Ramsey Show from James Arnold on Vimeo.

SHAPE

I am very excited about the opportunity to teach SHAPE here at Foothills in the fall. If you're not familiar with SHAPE, it is a study, from Saddleback Church, that is focused on helping people find their "Sweet Spot" to serve in the church and to find their unique purpose in life.

As I have begun to study and prepare something dawned on me... do we as pastors and church leaders work or serve in our SHAPE area or our "Sweet Spot"? I mean a lot of us teach people to find their gifts or their SHAPE in order to enjoy serving in the church... shouldn't we do the same? Just imagine if everyone on your team (staff or volunteer) truly knew their God given SHAPE and it matched what they did on the team. The church would be absolutely unbelievable!

I am still learning and have a long way to go, but something I have noticed in my short 11 years of full time ministry is pastors or church leaders serving in positions that they are not shaped to fill. I've seen youth pastors who should be serving as senior pastors. I've seen worship pastors who should be serving as executive pastors. I've seen other pastors who shouldn't be serving in full time ministry at all because they are not shaped for it. And just imagine how non successful these people's ministries must be compared to what they could be if someone who was shaped for it was in the position instead.

Could it be that we as church leaders could be the biggest road block for the success of our ministries? I never want to be in the way of what God wants to do or for it ever to be said "well if Josh wasn't in that position things may be a lot better." There are to many lives hanging in the balance. Find your SHAPE and get into the role that is not just best for you but is best for God and His church!

Fears of Leadership

As I said last week in my post Overcoming Fears, I would post something this week about fears and leadership.

What fears of leadership do you have? Don't want to take the heat for a bad decision. Playing it too safe and not taking risks. Or maybe you are afraid of hurting people's feelings. For me, for a long time, I have dealt with the fear of hurting people's feelings and what others would think about me in the process. Now, it's good to be concerned for someone and take them into consideration. As I have found out though if you let that drive your leadership it can hurt you as a leader, especially in times when you have to make the hard choices or decisions that you know have to be made.

I love what Paul says about this in 1 Corinthians 4:2-4. "Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful. As for me it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don't even trust my own judgment on this point. My conscience is clear, but that doesn't prove I'm right. It is the lord himself who will examine me and decide."

Notice the phrase at the beginning ..."as a manger..." Paul is talking to leaders and he is saying we must be found faithful in our role as a leader. He goes on to say that the only approval we should seek is that of God's. As long as we are doing what God has called us to do and pleasing him in the process we can't go wrong.

What are your fears of leadership? Are you being faithful to what God has called you to do and be?

Overcoming Fears

I absolutely hate snakes. But, through the power of peer pressure I managed to pin one down and pick it up. HOLY COW!! I can't believe I just did that. (I'm sure there is a leadership lesson in there somewhere. Might be blog worthy material for next week.)

Simple Church

I was out looking for a new book to read the other day on the church and or leadership. I decided to pick up the book "Simple Church." I know it has been around for a while and I'm sure some of you that read this have probably already read it, but if you haven't and you're on staff at a church I would definitely recommend it. I have only read the first two chapters and my mind is spinning. Here are just a few highlights from my reading so far:

"If the what is unclear then the how is not even on the radar."

"The busier the church became, the more the problem was amplified."

"Make disciples."

"Programs were made for man, not man for programs."

"The end result must always be about people. Programs should only be tools."

On church stats and numbers "...view them horizontally." "They are looking for movement. Movement is horizontal... analyze the movement of people through the process."

Leading Without Authority

One of things that I have struggled with since the early days of my ministry career how to be a leader when you you don't have authority or are not on the top part of the food chain so to speak. As I have been striving to learn and be a better leader this is one thing that still seems to be something I wrestle with from time to time.

The good news is this is not anything knew. Paul found himself in the same situation in Acts chapter 27. He had been arrested and was a prisoner on ship that was headed for for some rough seas and turbulent weather and when no one else would take control Paul stepped in, despite where he was on the pecking order, and became the leader - the person of influence - in the situation.

Here are a few of the keys I picked up on from the story that apply to leading without authority:

*Be aware of what's happening around you and communicate it (Acts 27:9-12)
Paul saw the danger that was coming and made it known

*Stay persistent in your communication (Acts 27:21-25)
He kept on communicating

*Recognize when you gain influence (Acts 27:31-44)
Because of Paul's persistent communication he eventually gained the respect of everyone and had gained the right to lead. Yes he was the prisoner,the low man on the pole , but he was able to lead even when he didn't have the authority!

Next time you find yourself in a similar situation, be who God has called you to be. Don't worry about where you may land on a organization chart. Apply the principles from Paul and you just might be the one with influence and leading without authority!

Dave Ramsey On The Economy

Random Thoughts on a Monday Morning

* One of the best messages I've ever heard on Salvation yesterday from Greg

*Clemson lost last night but had a great season. Now I'm ready for some football!!

*It was nice having my wife at home this morning. She is out of school for the summer. I love you babe!

*Time for staff meeting

2 Years and Many More to Come

Today is a great day. Today is mine and Rachel's 2 year anniversary. As the saying goes "time flies when you're having fun" and we are having a blast. These last 2 years have been so incredible and I am the luckiest man I know to be blessed with such a wonderful, loving, and supportive wife. It seems like I grow deeper in love with Rachel each and every day and I am so thankful that God let me have her!

Rachel: I love you so much and just want to say thank you for being an incredible wife, and my best friend. Happy Anniversary!