Leading for a change!?

So what exactly does it mean to lead for a change? Its one of those double meanings. One side seems somewhat negative and the other side seems to be referring to an end result. Only we can influence what side of the coin comes up. I was once told by a wise guy, not necessarily a wise man if you catch my drift, that when it comes to leadership it means to lead or get out of the way. As a manager for many years that seemed like a good thing to do and seemed to work, the problem was where and how to lead those entrusted into my care. To nurture and help them to discover was not a quality I really excelled at.
When it comes to church there are many different ideas floating around as to what leadership looks like, how it should respond and who exactly is leading? These range from the pastor makes all the decisions and does everything to the pastor should have no say he gets paid to do what we pay him for. I love these discussions as you can see the heart and the self motives in many of these interactions. Scripture fortunately has plenty to say in regards to this subject, and considering God is a God of order, has a clearly laid out plan for leadership. Let me first clarify that when I refer to leadership I am referring to the term most of America would consider pastors, elders, deacons, trustees or whatever you want to call them, but those who have come forward to answer a call to lead in a church setting. This is not to be confused with the many commands that we are all ministers of the gospel and are expected to share our faith and create disciples. We each are responsible to continue our growth and although people help us it ultimately comes down to what are we doing to grow personally.
Join me over the next few weeks as we look at what scripture has to say in regards to the church and its leadership. You will be amazed and challenged, and in many cases confirm what you may have already thought or known. Catch ya soon.
Mark

Getting started

Life together, yeah right. I barely have enough time for myself, my family, my job and everything else. I'm lucky if I make it to church once a month and now they want me to join a small group, attend a work day and then a guilt trip because I haven't gotten to know our new neighbors. Why do they expect so much of me?



Does this sound anything like you? I know each day brings its own challenges and yet we all are given the same amount of time to spend as we see fit. Much the same as a dog is drawn to smells, you are drawn to the things you find the most important. Really what we struggle with is priorities. Life's priorities! The squeaky wheel gets the oil and so do the things in your life. I think of the book of Acts and the beginning of the early church in that first century. Specifically in Chapter two of Acts. So much to do on top of the already demanding schedules of the Apostles. They were continually meeting together, devoting themselves to the teaching of the apostles, fellowship, breaking of bread and praying. I can't speak for you but that seems impossible as we lay in our bed at night and wonder how we will ever get everything done the next day. Well here is the advice from our Lord and Savior in His great sermon found in Matthew 6:34 It says:
"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Proverbs 27:1 tells us not to boast about tomorrow for you do not know what a day may bring forth.



The point is God is the author of time. Give first to Him what He deserves and you will find not only your priorities changing but your time being blessed. But hey don't take my word for it, give it a try and let me know how God has blessed your time and your life. Until the next time I'm in it with ya.
Pastor Mark