I recently had the wonderful opportunity to get involved in a Pastor/Leadership Coaching Network that is held monthly, and I can’t even begin to express how much I have gained from being involved with this group. I thought I would take a moment to share what we discussed, but before we get into it; I want to give a huge shout out to Shannon O’dell pastor of Brand New Church for putting all of this together. I would also like to encourage everyone to get a copy of Shannon’s new book: Transforming Church in Rural America
When You Transform Your Church By Transforming Your Leadership You Will See Transformed Lives.
Session 1
Vision: When Seeing Requires Believing
[Jesus said,] “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:23-24) This should be your prayer.
What is Vision?
Vision is the Desire: Vision can be understood in the mind, but it’s something that must be felt in the gut. It is the ability to see something that is not, yet it is so compelling that we know it is something that must be, and something that, by God’s grace, will be.
Vision is the Direction: Vision shows you where you are, reveals where God wants you to be, and lights the road to get there. But it doesn’t mean He is going to give you the car. Vision is going wherever God calls us to god and then finding or creating the vehicle to get us there, by a sovereign mixture of God’s provision and our exertion.
Vision is Defining: Vision is not illusion. It brings focus and practicality to everything we do. With clear vision, everything you and I embark on can, and must, be in line with the overall vision of your church.
Vision is Dynamic: Vision is us in action, hearing what God wants us to then providing the vehicle to allow that vision to come to fruition. I’m not talking about motion but a movement.
Vision is in Deity: Vision comes from God, and vision belongs to God – not us.
Vision is Driven: Yes, “vision is the desired,” but it must be God’s desire, not ours. That requires unqualified surrender and submission to Him. God is the one who drives our vision, and He is the one who drives our life. (Ditch the “God is my copilot” bumper sticker – that is imprecise and unbiblical.) God should be in the drivers seat.
Vision is Dependant: I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength. Do you believe that?
“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” - Helen Keller
Struggling to Believe
Pastors, leaders, and church volunteers often struggle to believe:
- that God can remove the church bully
- that God can ignited a spiritual fire and revival within the “church family”
- that God can provide the resources for faith-filled ministries
- that God can use your church to reach the world
- that God can change the way it’s always been;
- that God cares about my church
- that God can use me to change my community
Session 1 Notes:
- Your vision will always surround what you value.
- You love most what you think about most, if you love your ministry more than Jesus, you’re committing idolatry.
- If you have vision you can be guaranteed division. Dog’s don’t bark at parked cars.
- Call people to action that is what is revolutionizing the church
- Don’t base success off acceptance
- Two things you got to have in Rural America: 1. Biblical Foundation 2. Vision (What will happen if our vision isn’t fulfilled?)
- We preach against Hollywood, but we want Hollywood Church
- If it isn’t reaching the lost why are we doing it? It is a distraction.
- Everybody wants to make a difference
- People deserve church done right.
- If you can do it yourself, it is not effective vision.
- Don’t give up on a church that is on the verge of break through
- EVERYTHING you do needs to be surrounded by your vision.
- You don’t need another Sunday School class – but you better be bringing it in the pulpit.
Session 2
Leadership: Resisting the Urge to Settle
LEADERSHIP IS … resisting the urge to SETTLE
Leadership emerges when someone has had enough, when they say change must take place, and when they’re willing to stand up and be used by God to make a difference.
Leadership is bothtaught and brought.
It is taught in the sense that someone, at one time, showed a leader what leadership looks like by standing up to make a difference. Leadership is also “brought” in the sense that it doesn’t just show up, you have to bring it!!
Leadership is an indispensable attribute.
Leadership 101:
Resiting the Urge to Settle in the Home on the Range
God spoke marriage into being.
He said, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Gen. 2:18)
God gave away the first bride.
When God presented Eve to Adam, and when God presents us with our spouse.
God established the flesh union – two become one.
Pastoring your Home involves…
Spiritual provision. Reading the Scriptures, praying, confessing your sins and asking for forgiveness, extending forgiveness, and initiating service, ministry, and worship opportunities.
Physical provision. “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Tim. 5:8 emphasis added).
Spiritual protection. When you lead with the love of Jesus at home, it protects your wife in the street. I know that men are so shocked when women become emotionally attached to someone else. BE THE PASTOR OF YOUR HOME>
Physical protection.
Session 2 Notes:
- It is hard to have an affair or engage in pornography when your daily praying intimately with your wife.
- Make sure your spiritual bathing, and bathe your bride before you bathe the bride of Christ.
- Leadership HAS TO START IN THE HOME!!
- Prayer is not an option. Pray with your family every night no matter what.
- Preparation is the separation between winning and losing.
The other night I was driving home down a curvy fog covered road after a long day of ministry, and I began to feel utterly alone. I rarely ever feel this way, but this particular night it was a reality that I had allowed myself to get caught in for a brief moment. In this one moment I felt like there was no one in the world who understood what I was going through, or understood the pressures of ministry that I faced. I began to sulk a little bit, until I was reminded and convicted by the Holy Spirit that there are pastors all around us who struggle with loneliness every day. There are many who struggle just to get up in the morning because they feel so utterly alone.
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