"It happened as they were coming, when David returned from killing the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy and with musical instruments. The women sang as they played, and said, 'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.' Then Saul became very angry, for this saying displeased him; and he said, 'They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?' Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on." -1 Samuel 18.6-9
The Spirit of God has departed from Saul and descended upon David. When Saul sees that the people are beginning to favor David he begins to look at David with suspicion. At that point he begins to try to eliminate David, the threat to his kingdom. He personally tries to kill him, and when that attempt is unsuccessful he tries to set him up to be killed in battle. All of his attempts fail because God is with David.
How do we handle those we perceive to be a threat to our power? I'm guessing that no one reading this is not dealing with a physical throne being taken away from them, but what about a threat to your job? The youth pastor is favored over the lead pastor. This person has great success at work and is quickly climbing the corporate ladder. This new teachers classes are always fuller than the older classes. Name your situation. What is your reaction in that moment?
Looking at Saul, he desperately clung to power, and tried to do everything he could to remove the threat. He was unsuccessful because he was trying to eliminate God's chosen leader. Not every situation will be this drastic, but how do we handle the ones that aren't? Ministry is my area, and so that is where I will focus, but the concept is applicable across the board. Too many pastors stay in leadership longer than they should and do damage to the Kingdom. They refuse to share the pulpit because the youth pastor might be more popular. In some cases the youth pastor may even be fired to protect the pastor's ego.
Men, we are not going to live forever, and we cannot stay in power forever. We were not intended to. There is a time for us to take the lead, and also a time for us to step down. In one sense we must work ourselves out of a job by training up the future leaders. We can perceive them as a threat and then spend our remaining time fighting it, destroying their reputations and futures, at the expense of our own ministry. Or we can take the opportunity to help prepare them to take the lead. That is the way God intended for it to be done.
Let us be men who do not desperately cling to power, and work to eliminate every threat to our rule. Let us be men who work to prepare the next generation of leaders so that the Kingdom can continue to advance.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Showing posts with label Leaders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leaders. Show all posts
Friday, April 24, 2015
Friday, October 17, 2014
Not Done
"Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 'Command the sons of Israel and say to them,'" -Numbers 28.1-2a
Joshua has been commissioned as the next leader, but he hasn't taken over yet. He has been given some of Moses' authority, and the transition is underway, but Moses is still involved. God is still speaking to him and giving him instructions for the people. Just because a new leader has been appointed, it doesn't mean that the old leader is done.
Again, I think about the situation that took place a few years back at church. Most of the time a pastor who follows a long term pastor at a church usually isn't there too long. There are exceptions, but they are rare. With church, the founding pastor was handing over leadership to a younger man who would be able help the church continue to grow. They didn't find the right candidate and then hand it over the following Sunday. Instead they underwent nearly two years of transition, with the founding pastor gradually handing over authority and responsibilities. And two years in, it seems to have worked very well.
Too often men hand over leadership and then head to retirement, or simply the next assignment. It's as if the old organization is now on their own and the new guy has to come up with structure and vision immediately. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. What if instead, there was always a leadership transition like this? What if it was a gradual thing that allowed the new guy to learn from the experienced leader, and allowed the old leader to not simply drop it and move on?
Men, where do you find yourself? Are you in to process of moving into a leadership role? What about moving out of one? Are you moving to something bigger? Are you wrapping up and preparing for retirement? Just know that wherever you are, you aren't done. If you are blessed to be able to transition like this, take advantage of it, learn from it. If not, then draw closer to God and let Him guide you during your transition as you learn. If you are headed out of a role or into retirement, know that you are not done. God will still use you if you let Him.
Moses wasn't done being used by God. His time was short, but he was still breathing. God was using him as Joshua was being prepared. As long as you are still breathing, you are not done.
May we always be willing to be used by God. May we never be done.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Joshua has been commissioned as the next leader, but he hasn't taken over yet. He has been given some of Moses' authority, and the transition is underway, but Moses is still involved. God is still speaking to him and giving him instructions for the people. Just because a new leader has been appointed, it doesn't mean that the old leader is done.
Again, I think about the situation that took place a few years back at church. Most of the time a pastor who follows a long term pastor at a church usually isn't there too long. There are exceptions, but they are rare. With church, the founding pastor was handing over leadership to a younger man who would be able help the church continue to grow. They didn't find the right candidate and then hand it over the following Sunday. Instead they underwent nearly two years of transition, with the founding pastor gradually handing over authority and responsibilities. And two years in, it seems to have worked very well.
Too often men hand over leadership and then head to retirement, or simply the next assignment. It's as if the old organization is now on their own and the new guy has to come up with structure and vision immediately. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. What if instead, there was always a leadership transition like this? What if it was a gradual thing that allowed the new guy to learn from the experienced leader, and allowed the old leader to not simply drop it and move on?
Men, where do you find yourself? Are you in to process of moving into a leadership role? What about moving out of one? Are you moving to something bigger? Are you wrapping up and preparing for retirement? Just know that wherever you are, you aren't done. If you are blessed to be able to transition like this, take advantage of it, learn from it. If not, then draw closer to God and let Him guide you during your transition as you learn. If you are headed out of a role or into retirement, know that you are not done. God will still use you if you let Him.
Moses wasn't done being used by God. His time was short, but he was still breathing. God was using him as Joshua was being prepared. As long as you are still breathing, you are not done.
May we always be willing to be used by God. May we never be done.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Leadership Shift
"Then Moses spoke to the Lord, saying, 'May the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the Lord will not be like sheep which have no shepherd.'" -Numbers 27.15-17
Moses knows that his time is drawing to a close, and as a good leader he is concerned for the future of his people. He doesn't want them to be leaderless because at that point they most likely would go back to Egypt. They are so close to the Promised Land, and he doesn't want them to lose all of the progress they have made. And so he asks god to give them a new leader. He knows his point of effectiveness is almost over, and he wants a new leader who will continue the work that has been happening.
Leaders have a few options, they can cling to power until they die, they can let their power go too late, long after they have ceased to be effective, they can give up their power too soon, when they still have much to offer, or they can transition out of leadership at the right moment, and the work continues to grow.
The wise "old" Sage I meet with is a good example of the last option. He planted a church in the late 80's that grew to over 2,000 people in the 25ish years he lead it. He could have stayed in leadership there for years, but he knew if he did the church would not be as effective as it could be. They began a search for the next leader, and once God showed them who it was they began a leadership transition that took over a year to complete. It was a slow process, but the work of the church never stopped, and it has continued to work for the Kingdom.
And this transition wasn't something that happened randomly. I recently learned that behind where my friend the Sage used to live was an undeveloped area where he used to walk and pray for the future of the church. Today there is a housing development there, and guess where the new pastor lives. If we would have effective leadership transitions we must be willing to hand over control while things are still going well. We must be willing to pray for our replacement long before it is his time to come. And it is also important to note that just because you hand over leadership it doesn't mean you have to be done. Moses' case was different because he was about to die, but my friend the Sage has stayed on staff and continues to partner with the new leadership. Obviously this won't always happen but, it is possible.
Men, what type of leader do you want to be? Do you want to kill a ministry, or business, because you were too proud, or too afraid, to let it pass on to someone else? Do you want to be angry and bitter and never pray for the one who will follow you? Or do you want to be a humble servant of God who realizes that as long as we are striving to build His kingdom we're all on the same team?
May we realize that we serve God, and that our responsibility is to make sure we work to our full effectiveness, even if that means stepping down and letting someone else take over.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Moses knows that his time is drawing to a close, and as a good leader he is concerned for the future of his people. He doesn't want them to be leaderless because at that point they most likely would go back to Egypt. They are so close to the Promised Land, and he doesn't want them to lose all of the progress they have made. And so he asks god to give them a new leader. He knows his point of effectiveness is almost over, and he wants a new leader who will continue the work that has been happening.
Leaders have a few options, they can cling to power until they die, they can let their power go too late, long after they have ceased to be effective, they can give up their power too soon, when they still have much to offer, or they can transition out of leadership at the right moment, and the work continues to grow.
The wise "old" Sage I meet with is a good example of the last option. He planted a church in the late 80's that grew to over 2,000 people in the 25ish years he lead it. He could have stayed in leadership there for years, but he knew if he did the church would not be as effective as it could be. They began a search for the next leader, and once God showed them who it was they began a leadership transition that took over a year to complete. It was a slow process, but the work of the church never stopped, and it has continued to work for the Kingdom.
And this transition wasn't something that happened randomly. I recently learned that behind where my friend the Sage used to live was an undeveloped area where he used to walk and pray for the future of the church. Today there is a housing development there, and guess where the new pastor lives. If we would have effective leadership transitions we must be willing to hand over control while things are still going well. We must be willing to pray for our replacement long before it is his time to come. And it is also important to note that just because you hand over leadership it doesn't mean you have to be done. Moses' case was different because he was about to die, but my friend the Sage has stayed on staff and continues to partner with the new leadership. Obviously this won't always happen but, it is possible.
Men, what type of leader do you want to be? Do you want to kill a ministry, or business, because you were too proud, or too afraid, to let it pass on to someone else? Do you want to be angry and bitter and never pray for the one who will follow you? Or do you want to be a humble servant of God who realizes that as long as we are striving to build His kingdom we're all on the same team?
May we realize that we serve God, and that our responsibility is to make sure we work to our full effectiveness, even if that means stepping down and letting someone else take over.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Another Man Called to Lead
"Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, a good distance from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting which was outside the camp. And it came about, whenever Moses went out to the tent, that all the people would arise and stand, each at the entrance of his tent, and gaze after Moses until he entered the tent. Whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent; and the Lord would speak with Moses. When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would arise and worship, each at the entrance of his tent. Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses returned to the camp, his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent." -Exodus 33.7-11
After the incident with the golden calf Moses goes and makes atonement for the people, and God has them leave the mountain, heading to the Promised Land. But at this point, God Himself no longer goes with them. Instead He sends His angel ahead of them because He said if He were to go with them, He would destroy them. The continue on their journey to Canaan, and when they stop to make camp Moses would set a tent up outside the camp where he would go and meet with God.
Moses and God would talk face to face, as two friends having a conversation. Imagine what that would be like; to have that kind of intimacy with God. And in the final verse we see an essential attribute of a leader. When Moses would leave the tent and return to camp, Joshua would stay behind.
The first time that verse hit me I immediately thought of Joshua 1, as Joshua is preparing to lead Israel into the Promised Land. God promises him to be with him as he was with Moses. Why can this promise be made? Because Joshua sought God like Moses did. When Moses left the tent of meeting Joshua stayed behind. And it is important to note that at this time Joshua has no idea that he will be the next leader of Israel, Moses doesn't even know that yet. It isn't until Numbers 27 that we find this out. Joshua stays behind in the tent of meeting, and does not depart. He can lead like Moses, because he sought God like Moses.
Men, what kind of leader, what kind of man, do you want to be? Who is the man you admire most? Who is the man about whom you say, "I hope I can be half the man he is."? What makes them the way they are? Are you striving to be like them by doing what they do? I'm not saying to copy them in every aspect of their lives, but do you live like they live?
The man I admire most is the wise "old" Sage I've mentioned before. We have different passions, different strengths, and our hearts break for different things, but I want to live as he lives, fully devoted to Kingdom work, always focused on glorifying God. God probably won't use me in the same way He has used this man, we're different people, but if I seek to live as he has lived, God can use me in the same capacity.
Moses and Joshua had very different ministries, but God was with them equally because they sought Him equally. We have no record of Aaron doing this, even as a priest, and Aaron failed. But Joshua ended up being a great leader who began the conquest of the Promised Land. Two men were called to lead, one failed, the other didn't.
You, too, are another man called to lead, what is your approach to the preparation?
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
After the incident with the golden calf Moses goes and makes atonement for the people, and God has them leave the mountain, heading to the Promised Land. But at this point, God Himself no longer goes with them. Instead He sends His angel ahead of them because He said if He were to go with them, He would destroy them. The continue on their journey to Canaan, and when they stop to make camp Moses would set a tent up outside the camp where he would go and meet with God.
Moses and God would talk face to face, as two friends having a conversation. Imagine what that would be like; to have that kind of intimacy with God. And in the final verse we see an essential attribute of a leader. When Moses would leave the tent and return to camp, Joshua would stay behind.
The first time that verse hit me I immediately thought of Joshua 1, as Joshua is preparing to lead Israel into the Promised Land. God promises him to be with him as he was with Moses. Why can this promise be made? Because Joshua sought God like Moses did. When Moses left the tent of meeting Joshua stayed behind. And it is important to note that at this time Joshua has no idea that he will be the next leader of Israel, Moses doesn't even know that yet. It isn't until Numbers 27 that we find this out. Joshua stays behind in the tent of meeting, and does not depart. He can lead like Moses, because he sought God like Moses.
Men, what kind of leader, what kind of man, do you want to be? Who is the man you admire most? Who is the man about whom you say, "I hope I can be half the man he is."? What makes them the way they are? Are you striving to be like them by doing what they do? I'm not saying to copy them in every aspect of their lives, but do you live like they live?
The man I admire most is the wise "old" Sage I've mentioned before. We have different passions, different strengths, and our hearts break for different things, but I want to live as he lives, fully devoted to Kingdom work, always focused on glorifying God. God probably won't use me in the same way He has used this man, we're different people, but if I seek to live as he has lived, God can use me in the same capacity.
Moses and Joshua had very different ministries, but God was with them equally because they sought Him equally. We have no record of Aaron doing this, even as a priest, and Aaron failed. But Joshua ended up being a great leader who began the conquest of the Promised Land. Two men were called to lead, one failed, the other didn't.
You, too, are another man called to lead, what is your approach to the preparation?
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Monday, July 7, 2014
A Man Called to Lead
"Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it; he shall burn it every morning when he trims the lamps. When Aaron trims the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense. There shall be perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations... Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a year; he shall make atonement on it with the blood of the sin offering of atonement once a year throughout your generations. It is most holy to the Lord... You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister as priests to Me." -Exodus 30.7-8, 10, and 30
God has called Aaron to leadership. He is to serve as High Priest before the Lord, and represent the people. It is his duty, and privilege, to oversee the work of the tabernacle, and to represent the people before God. He is the one who will bring the blood of the sin offering before God to make atonement for the sins of the people. It is a great honor and a great responsibility.
Aaron's job is to point others to God. This is the life God has called him to. He has equipped him with holy clothes that set him apart. He has put him through the ceremony of ordination. Now He lays out specific tasks for him. I wonder how he felt that day? I wonder what thoughts were going through his mind? I imagine he felt a mix of pride and humility, excitement and nervousness, joy and fear. And I bet if we were could ask him, he'd be able to tell you all the details of that day. Where he was, what he was doing.
Men, it is a tremendous honor to be called into the service of God. It is an even bigger honor to be called into leadership for God. All men are called to be leaders. Maybe God has made this calling evident to you already, and maybe He hasn't yet. Maybe you've reached the point where God begins to give you the specifics, and maybe He's still being very vague.
Let us always remember who it is who has called us, and appointed us as leaders. Whether it be leaders of a church, a business, or a family, you have been called to lead by God. May you realize that your position is yours so that you can point others to Him. That He is the one who has called you to leadership, and placed you there.
May our focus always be on Him who called us to lead. Sadly, this isn't what we'll see with Aaron.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
God has called Aaron to leadership. He is to serve as High Priest before the Lord, and represent the people. It is his duty, and privilege, to oversee the work of the tabernacle, and to represent the people before God. He is the one who will bring the blood of the sin offering before God to make atonement for the sins of the people. It is a great honor and a great responsibility.
Aaron's job is to point others to God. This is the life God has called him to. He has equipped him with holy clothes that set him apart. He has put him through the ceremony of ordination. Now He lays out specific tasks for him. I wonder how he felt that day? I wonder what thoughts were going through his mind? I imagine he felt a mix of pride and humility, excitement and nervousness, joy and fear. And I bet if we were could ask him, he'd be able to tell you all the details of that day. Where he was, what he was doing.
Men, it is a tremendous honor to be called into the service of God. It is an even bigger honor to be called into leadership for God. All men are called to be leaders. Maybe God has made this calling evident to you already, and maybe He hasn't yet. Maybe you've reached the point where God begins to give you the specifics, and maybe He's still being very vague.
Let us always remember who it is who has called us, and appointed us as leaders. Whether it be leaders of a church, a business, or a family, you have been called to lead by God. May you realize that your position is yours so that you can point others to Him. That He is the one who has called you to leadership, and placed you there.
May our focus always be on Him who called us to lead. Sadly, this isn't what we'll see with Aaron.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
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