FreeTruth

Someone asked me recently for more blogged thoughts on husband leadership in the home.

It occurs to me that while PEGI (see yesterday's reading) is for everyone to pursue, anyone in leadership must pursue it. That means husbands, dads, pastors, care group leaders, moms, children's ministry workers--everyone who leads anyone needs PEGI in their lives.

And as I said yesterday, PEGI begins with being proactive: a "commitment to foresee problems and possibilities and to take initiative to address them with energy."

I don't go a week in my life without applying John Piper's definition of leadership to my varying roles:

"Spiritual leadership is knowing where God wants people to be and taking the initiative to get them there by God's means in reliance on God's power."

This morning--which happens to be my day off--I've been reviewing my leadership roles. This is a common Monday morning exercise for me; it's when I review what needs my followers have, and what I need to do for them and with them the coming week.

Today I've been thinking about one person I'm called to lead: my 13 year old son. He's half way through the eighth grade, which means we have 3 1/2 years of homeschooling left. We've got a 3 1/2 year window of opportunity to build into his life and his mind as many good things as we can.

In evaluating this today, Gayline and I sensed that we have some hard work to do to seize the moment for David. We have to plan, to reorient life a bit, to schedule more time for me to be with him to inspire the young man to nourish not only his body (which he's really good at), but also his mind (which he's not so good at).

So today, we talked over the first steps of a plan, a schedule, an approach (all of which, hopefully, are consistent with "God's means"). We now will continue to pray over it (that's showing our "reliance on God's power"). Next we have to take initiative to get it done (that's leadership).

In fact that's life. Almost nothing good ever happens without this kind of initiatve and intentionality.

All of us lead at least someone. I know some people who don't like the words initiative and intentionality. But folks you're not going to lead that one or two or ten or one hundred people you're called to lead unless you take time to think about what they need and how to serve them better to help them "get to where God wants them to be".

So whoever you are, you need to identify those whom God has called you to serve through leadership. Then think about what they need and take steps to get it done.

And then watch God give you power and grace to lead and live better than you imagined possible!

Labels: christian life, Leadership

just a quick word of thanks. one of my team members preached last sunday from Philippians 1:3-8 and gave us a wonderful word about being grateful for those who partner with us in the gospel. it was simply a powerful word from God.

as i close out this week, enter into the Lord's Day tomorrow, and then embark on another week, i want to pause long enough to say thanks. our church is being favored by God. people are coming to Christ. Christians are growing. gospel witness is expanding. lots of good stuff is happening.

and do you know why? it's because people like you are sharing with your pastors in the work of the gospel and are growing more devoted to it with each passing day. thank you. we are amazed at those who have borne with us throughout the years. we're grateful for those who've sacrificed time and effort and money and preferences and who knows what else to help make gospel-progress happen in this place.

as you get ready for public worship tomorrow please know that your leaders get ready with hearts filled with joy over you.

we love you and thank God for you time and again.
Grace to every one of you.

Labels: Leadership

this week i went to a 1, 400 person marriage retreat sponsored by my family of churches, Sovereign Grace Ministries. needless to say it was fantastic and will leave a lasting mark on my life and on others.

but i had an amusing moment while swept along in the hunt for a seat. actually i knew where my seat was; i'd staked that ground out already and was simply returning to occupy my spot. but as i made my way forward with eye fixed on the prize, i was stalled by a woman several years my senior who stopped and looked and stopped and looked and stopped and looked again. she had no seat marked out and no idea where to find one.

my emotions began to flare. instinct: "come on now, hurry up and let me by." it took three seconds for me to recognize the arrogance, selfishness, impatience, and sinful anger of my thoughts and i quickly repented. then the new blogging instinct took over. "there's blogging material here," i thought. and there is.

as a leader my mind went in two directions; you can pick which one fits your need the most. i thought of the fact that by having my eye on a goal (my chair) i was able to know where i was going and would have been able to get to my goal quickly (if in fact this dear sister hadn't been in my way!). yes here was a lesson: know where you're going and where God wants you to go and you'll be able to move forward more quickly and with fewer fits and starts. there's wisdom there, no doubt. and if you're the sort who can't seem to make up your mind, then consider it your freetruth for the day!

on the other hand, here's lesson two; if you're a leader who's got your eye on a goal, be careful not to plow people over in the process of getting there. impatience, anger, frustration and self-righteous arrogance over slow moving and unsure folks that stand between where you are and where you want to go may get bull-dozed if you're not careful. i had a goal the other day, but i didn't have a patient, understanding, and kind heart to go with it. and i ran the risk of flattening the poor person in front of me.

goals and initiative are part of character and leadership. but so are patience and grace for the slowmoving. why not join me in being careful not to plow over those whose pace is a little slower than our own. maybe that way everyone can get to where God wants them to be in one piece.

have a good one.
tim

Labels: Leadership