Finished

I just finished a book, 'Courageous Leadership' by Bill Hybels, and I'm already making plans to read it again soon!
I'm not good at writing book reviews (my assessment results have assured me of this fact!) but I do want to leave you with a few thoughts that have lingered with me from this book.

The Final Chapter talks about Endurance, and staying the course to the end.
With over Thirty years of experience in ministry Bill Hybels humbly suggests that if we are to stay the course and complete our mission here on earth, whether that be; running strong, loving families, building great Churches or being successful in the business world, we must first learn to say 'NO.'
It's often hard to say 'No' to the things which may appear, on face value, to be great opportunities or big open doors but ultimately if these things do not align with your original calling, the calling God gave you then you will find yourself at the end very tired and frustrated.
Give yourself the permission to say no.

Secondly, 'Develop the Courage to Change.'
This includes making time to take time off. If your making plans to be involved in the specific thing your doing now for the long haul; church, family, or business, then you need to learn to enjoy time off. Find a hobby that you can invest your spare time into so you remain productive. And in all this learn to relax.

Thirdly, and my favourite, is to find 'Safe People.'
In doing ministry and family life, we often default to the 'I can do it all and don't need your help' setting, but this is not true at all.
Bill encourages every person to find people in their life which they consider 'safe people' and who they can share their struggles and questions with, knowing they have their full confidentiality.
This may also include seeing a Professional Christian Counselor.

It is also helpful to maintain a perspective of this life in line with Eternity, while we may feel to be in the deepest hole right now, viewed from Eternities perspective this is just a pot hole and well be out in no time.

Hope this encourages you, if you have any spare time and are at all interested in Church ministry then this book is a 'must read.'

Lk

Gen.e.ra.tion 25.06.10

GEN.e. Ra. TIoN
:basically what this means is when our Youth (Youth Ignite) and Young Adults (Frontline) ministries combine for a night of worship and word.

It's always a great night and last night was in true style... GREAT.
The worship team took us to another level in our praise and in my message I challenged the guys and girls that their true purpose in life can only come from an Encounter with the Living God.

Using the five purposes from the "Purpose Driven Life," which we just completed as a Church I reminded the youth and Young adults that without and encounter with God;
Worship is just idolatry,
Fellowship is just hang time,
Ministry is just good Works,
Discipleship is just school, and
Evangelism is just hot air.

Let's not allow our God ordained purposes to lose the power that comes from an Encounter with Him.

Keep moving Forward.
Lk

PTII's

PTII's= People that I Influence.

Allow me to encourage you in this;
You are a force of Influence.

By this I mean, no matter who you are or what you do, there are people around you that look to you and are influenced by you. You may have heard it called before your 'Sphere of influence.'

Ask yourself; Who do I Influence?
Maybe even make a list if your up to it.

In light of this fact, accepting that you have PTII's, you must behave in such a way that you influence people positively. Right?
I've seen many people/leaders, unaware of their sphere of influence, do something dodgy and the effects of their bad decisions ripple out into all areas of life, and effect people that they never knew they had direct influence on.
The same said, there are many great people out their having a positive effect on those they influence simply by maintaining strong convictions, keeping the faith and loving like God.

BE INTENTIONAL.
Now that you are aware that you Influence people, be intentional about building into them.
This may look something like a Connect group, casual coffee catch-up or even just a conversation whilst working alongside of them. What ever the method make time to invest into them.
Let them learn from your mistakes and be inspired by your passions. Let them see your unshakable Faith and trust in the living God through all circumstances- the high's AND the low's.

I've heard it said many times before;
Leadership IS Influence.

So if we have influence then we are able to lead.
Let's help lead people into Greatness.

Lk

Where Will You Be Found?

I recently preached this to the Youth Ministry at my Church, thought it was worth sharing...

In Luke 2:43-52, we find the only story of Christ as a boy, other than his birth.
What amazes me is the lesson we can learn through Jesus' actions.

The story opens with a feast and Jesus' parents have begun their journey home. But we find that Jesus has stayed back in Jerusalem and is in the Temple Courts. Now, this wasn't just the outer Courts or even the place for 'every day' people, this area was the place reserved for the Pharisees and teachers of the Law... Jesus is found here sitting amongst them asking and answering questions. More than that, they are AMAZED at his understanding.

Meanwhile, we know his parents have been looking for him frantically, and it takes them 3 days to finally find Him. Mary and Joseph knew for a fact that their son, Jesus, was the Messiah (the Virgin birth kind of gave that one away) But the Messiah they, and every other Jewish person was expecting, was supposed to bring about 'Political' change through a revolt or uprising. Naturally then, they would have been looking to find Jesus in the Royal Palace, or government court yards etc, because a Messiah with 'political' agendas would have been found here.
Finally, in what may have been a last resort, they go into the Temple and find a gathering of people around their son.
They find Him sharing and partaking in conversations on topic way beyond his age and understanding.

Jesus on seeing his parents asks "why were you searching for me?" as if to say, "why did you waste your time in the palace and streets, of course this is where I would be found!"
-It was clear to him the kind of revolution he was to bring, but his parents were still to learn.
He then goes on to say, "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's House?"
Jesus knew his calling from such a young age, he knew his place was in His Father's house and it was in this place that he would bring the most change.

We are told Jesus returned with his parents to their home town and the Chapter concludes.

To finish I would like to point out a few things:
-Even when people expected certain things from Jesus, like bringing military or political change, He didn't lose sight of his true calling and purpose.
-By placing Himself in the House of God, he actually drew others, such as his parents, into the House.
-Jesus loved the House of God.

So I ask you, Where Will You Be Found?
When people come looking for you, where will they find you?
Will you lead them to the House of God?
When people expect certain things of you, or when your going through tough life situations will you cave into the pressure and leave the House or will you find strength and help in the House of God?

In our New Testament understanding, The Church- God's people, are the answer to the hurt and suffering in this world. So I encourage you to be apart of the Church, because it's there you will find the answers your looking for and be apart of the Solution.

Lk.