To get your foot in the door, minimum is all you need. Minimum signifies that you are in, you are a part of the team, accepted.
Once you go beyond the minimum, you enter a different sphere. Your investment is greater, and the risks are higher. Your perspectives change. Your buy-in is greater. Your level of engagement advances from casual observer to one of deep involvement.
But minimum is all you need to be on the team. But daily, choose to go beyond minimum to a greater level of engagement. Just because you can.
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The more you have been hurt, the more difficult it is to forgive. You begin to think: “I have the right to hold a grudge.” A right is an entitlement. By virtue of something, you are endowed with a right.
As human beings, we have the right to forgive. We are entitled to that. As children of our wonderful Father in heaven, you are entitled, endowed, and obligated to forgive. It’s your right. Don’t let anyone steal that from you.
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So what does God owe me? Where is the balance sheet tipped in my favor? The bigger question is, if such indebtedness is possible. Although I understand the concept expressed through those words, I question it’s logic.
God has given us life, breath, and everything we need to live. As Creator and sustainer, he has given us all that we have. For God to be indebted to us, we would need to give him excess of what he has already given us.
The problem with the above statement is that it implies that God will repay according to the good you’ve done. It’s as if he owes us something due to what we have done. But is that possible?
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I’d rather love my enemies from a distance. But to love and do good to them? That’s too much connection. That much proximity puts me at risk of being hurt again. Yet the words of Jesus continue to disturb us.
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (Luke 6:27-28).
Doing good to your enemies may impact their heart and change their attitude towards you. But it may also give them more opportunity to do harm. You enmity would continue to grow and develop into something completely unbearable.
But what if you allow God to change you in the process? We know your enemies won’t change. The Holy Spirit will begin working on your ego. You’ll learn a better way to handle pain. You’ll experience the comfort of the Holy Spirit in a deeper way than ever before. Your value as a person loved by God will become your identity. So go ahead. Love your enemies. And do good to them.
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When your world view is limited, you are confident that you are right. There are no alternative options other than your view.
While I was a student in Seminary, I remember a wise neighbor who questioned me about my reading habits. She was older than my parents and quite wise to discern my narrow way of thinking. She said, “Alexi, you’ve got to read people you disagree with. It’s the only way to sharpen your mind and your perspectives.”
That was a challenging time for me as I was sure of my point of view. But I’m glad I took the advice. Now I challenge myself with journals that oppose my perspectives in numerous ways. I’m still a bit hard headed, but hopefully smoother on the edges.
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Why can’t we all get along? Why are some people so irritating? Why are some so down right evil?
Although we don’t want any of these negatives, there is a place for them. They contrast and highlight the good. Without the evils, the good won’t seem so good. We would just take it for granted.
Evil was not part of God’s plan, and there will be an end to evil. But Satan has impacted our society so much that there are many who think doing good is only an alternative. But for an appointed time, let it be so. These evils will help in highlighting the good.
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When tragedy strikes our friends or acquaintances, we are often at a loss regarding what to do. Of course, there are emergency services and organizations that handle the brunt of the professional tasks involved. Although we don’t want to get in the way or even attempt to replace what they do, it’s clear that we are not sure how to respond.
According to the need, and according to the willingness of the people to accept our help, we need to extend our hand of care. Keep your words to a minimum but keep our hands open and ready to help in every way possible. We’re not to expect anything in return as Jesus said “You received without paying; give without pay.” (Matthew 10:8).
See your response as a contribution to this world and into the lives of people. That’s why we are placed here in this world as a community. Ultimately, what you do to help others will become an investment into God’s kingdom.
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When the road is pitch dark with no street lights and raining, it’s beneficial to have another car in front of you. You just need to follow.
Thankful for those who have gone before us. They shed the light in dark places. Their light puts us at ease. Their presence gives us hope. We can do this. Even when it’s dark, we’ll make it through.
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It obviously takes effort to look cool. That coolness shows up in the kind of clothes you wear, the brand of devices you use, the vehicle you drive, and other external items that define coolness. It’s a popularly recognized image of sophistication that you hold up to other people. Whether you want to take the effort to do this or not, it’s your choice, your preference.
There’s another level of coolness that goes deeper. This coolness is expressed through your work. Do your work with excellence and focus. Have the tenacity to push for the best of your ability in your work. Without immediate results or financial benefits, keep working your best. Put your heart and mind into the task and do your work at a higher level.
This “coolness” also takes time and effort just like the other one – maybe much more. I’m not sure if you’ll get the same level of recognition as looking cool. But surely in time, it will show up in your work. Over several years, the results of your work will bear fruit.
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Being the pastor of a small church for a long time can be a rewarding experience. But it surely comes with its own set of challenges. Yet there are some things we can do on a consistent basis to help us in the leadership process. Here are some things I’ve been striving for during the last 20 years in my present location.
- Understand that you have chosen a noble task
- Never feel guilty about taking on leadership in the church.
- Don’t think of this as something lower than other professions.
- It is a calling of great magnitude.
“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.” (1 Timothy 3:1)
- Notice what’s happening around you
Be an observer as you walk around and through the church in each of the meetings, small groups, or any event. Here are some things to observe:
- Interactions among people
- Attitudes presented through words and actions
- Openness to ideas and people
- Team spirit for the various aspects of the organization
- Contention between people as they deal with various issues.
- Respond appropriately
Every effort is commendable. Usually, the intentions are good, but the attitudes and approaches may be confusing.
When you find positives:- Give immediate praise when you find someone doing well
When you find negatives:
- Thank them for their efforts and encourage them to do better when correction is needed
- Find needs and delegate
Every need is an opportunity. Every problem is an opportunity for growth and development of leaders in the organization. Here is what you need to do.
Identify – Look for an appropriate person to perform that task or lead that initiative.
Recruit – Once you find a suitable person, convince them of the need and their suitability and get them to make a commitment.
Train – Either you train them or find a suitable person to do the training required to do the task. Some training may take just a few minutes of instructions. Other situations will require more.
Deploy – Release them and get them started on the task. Encourage them and trust them to do the job well.
Monitor – Check back with them regularly to see how they are doing. See if they require help or additional training. Encouragement and appreciation is always a must. Give it lavishly.- Keep your eyes on Jesus, not the numbers
The temptation for number is real. Just keep your eyes on Jesus. Whatever you have to offer, give freely and abundantly. Jesus never held back. His style of evangelism was quite different from what we commonly see around us. His generosity and openness was beyond understanding. But when it came to discipleship, his demands were quite steep.
These practices I’ve outlines above are not special secret keys to make your church grow. But they are essentials for us to keep the church moving in a healthy way toward the mission and goals we have set. With lots of attention that goes to large churches and para-church organizations, the task can be quite difficult. But there is no need to despair. The key is to stay there, be consistent, and don’t give up.
What has been your experience? What have you found to be essentials as you have led a small church?
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