I am getting ready this morning for a volunteer leadership round table I am hosting. We originally had 10 people scheduled to come. Looks like now it's going to be just a few of us, but it's still going to be a great time because we get to learn from each other.
If you have read my blog for some time who probably have heard me talk about the importance of learning and how that relates to leadership. Learning is a key to great leadership! Several of our staff here at Foothills have been hosting round tables to learn from others in their particular area of ministry. This a great way to learn...networking with other church leaders. So, what steps are you taking to learn? Who do you spend time with on a regular basis that will help shape and grow you as a leader and your ministry? Maybe you should start a round table at your church. I know all of us as church leaders need to take steps to learn and continue learning if we want to be great leaders!
Steps To Learn
Random Thoughts On A Tuesday
*Excited about the Volunteer Leadership Round Table I'm hosting on Thursday. We've got a great group coming and I can't wait to learn.
*Sporting my FCA shirt today. The Clemson FCA Adult Chapter has its kickoff dinner tonight and I hear there's going to be a Heisman Trophy candidate there to speak!
*After my quiet time this morning I'm asking myself if I really take my job seriously all the time as I should. I would like to think so. Just one of those reality check questions to ask yourself from time to time.
*A little less than 2 weeks until kickoff! Go Tigers!!
*Had great meetings yesterday and very excited about the future of Foothills.
*I've worked out now for 1 solid week. That's a big deal for me! Praying Jesus just continues to give me the strength to continue and work hard at it.
Random Thoughts On A Thursday
Here are some things flowing through my head this morning:
*I love coming to work everyday. It's great to truly do what you love and love what you do!
*In my reading through Paul's letters, God is showing me the common theme of faithfulness. Am I being faithful?
*Renewed my subscription to Outreach Magazine and got 2 free gifts! Can't wait to read Francis Chan's new book.
*Getting more and more excited about football season everyday. Congrats to Kyle Parker for wining the starting job at QB for the tigers.
*Excited about our new series starting this weekend "What If..." Don't miss it. Service times are 9:30 and 11:15!
*Looking forward to having lunch with my family today. My sis is in town for a few days.
All For Jesus ~ Part 2
Last week I wrote a post called "All For Jesus." Well this week I have been faced with practicing what I preach. I started working out yesterday for the first time in a long time and let me just say last night when I finished my workout I thought I was going to die! I actually at one point thought I didn't know if I really wanted to continue. But, as I was sitting there on my couch last night thinking about getting into a routine of working out and eating better, my mind took me to Romans 12:1 "...I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a holy and living sacrifice-the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him."
Now I don't think Paul was telling us all to go out and start exercising, but that thought led me to the reminder that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Jesus lives in me! So if for no other reason, I need to make this lifestyle change a priority and do it for Jesus! After all I want to be healthy and able to do ministry as long as he will allow me to. And really that's the greatest motivation anyone could have!
New Look
I am in the process of my giving my blog a fresh look. Please continue to enjoy and I hope to have it all updated and complete by the end of the weekend.
All For Jesus
In Colossians 3, Paul writes that we should live our lives in a way that in everything we do we should do it as if it were for Jesus. So here's the question....do you do everything you do for Jesus? Do you work hard at your job for Jesus? Do you lay give it your all on the playing field for Jesus? Do you speak in a way that honors Jesus?
I've heard people actually say that if they're not if full time ministry they don't work for Jesus. Wrong! As Christians we are to live every waking hour for Jesus. That is our calling. We are to be an example no matter what it is we are doing.
Now, for pastors and church leaders you might think it's easy for us to answer the above questions "yes," because after all we work for Jesus, right? We would like to think so. But, some times this thing called pride gets in the way, and if we're not careful our best days in ministry could be our worst nightmare because it becomes all about a man and not The Man! It's got to be all for Jesus or it's over!
So, are you living all for Jesus?
Do people see Jesus when they see you?
Just some questions to ponder for the day!
A Reality Check - Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Calling
I was reading this morning is Colossians 1. As I got to towards to the end of the chapter, something really nailed me. In verse 24 Paul writes "I am glad I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body." Notice he says that he is glad to suffer for Christ. He goes on in verses 28 and 29 "So we tell others about Christ...We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. That's why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ's mighty power that works within me." WOW! That is some powerful stuff. And after reading that there are a few questions I asked of myself:
1.) Am I passionate enough about my calling that I am willing to suffer for it? (vs. 24)
2.) Do I understand my calling is not about me but about others? (vs. 28)
2.) Am I allowing God to work in and through me or I am hindering Him? (vs.29)
It's time for a reality check. We as Pastors and Church Leaders have a lot of work to do and if we're not ready, we need to do whatever necessary to get ready or just simply get out of the way and let someone who is take over. There is too much at stake and too many lives hanging the balance. We only have one shot at this, and I want to be doing exactly what God has asked of me and be found faithful in doing it! I hope that is your desire too!
Random Thoughts
*Glad my wife is back. I missed her a lot but I'm glad she was able to have some time with her mom and sister. This was the longest we had been a part since we got married a little over 2 years ago. I finally slept like a baby for the 1st time in 5 days.
*College Football is underway. Hearing some good things so far from the tigers' camp. Of course they're just 3 days into it. Bring on September 5th!
*Been making final preparations for our Campus LIFE Groups in the Fall. We have a great lineup of classes. Be sure to stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks.
*Can't wait till Sunday!
*Finishing up a very productive week.
*Can't wait till Sunday!
Chosen
As I have been reading through Paul's letters in the New Testament, I decided to pause and go back to the beginning of Paul's story. In Acts 9 we read of Paul's conversion and encounter with Christ. Paul, then named Saul, was a persecutor of Christians. He was actually on his way to do that very thing when he was saved. And I love what Jesus says about him. "...for Saul is my chosen instrument..." Despite all of the crap he had done to Jesus and other Christians, God chose to ignore all that and still use him. And guess what...He want to do the same with you and I!
In Galatians 1:15 (GN) Paul writes "God, in His grace, chose me even before I was born, and called me to serve him." You and I are chosen by God for God. You and I are called serve. If He can use Paul, imagine what He can do through you and I.
Where are you serving? What are you doing to fulfill your calling by God? You are chosen. Now it's time to step up and make it happen!
For more on this very topic check out the Foothills website after noon on Wednesday and watch the past week's message from Pastor Greg.
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