I tend to be more productive in my work when I include other people. I’m a team player. The engagement and interaction with people sharpens me and my work. But that isn’t the only reason I need people.
Working on my own, under my own strength, leads to devastation.
- One fault is I begin to think “I did it.” Pride gets me when I can take credit.
- And second, I don’t offer much value on my own.
Will you join me in the effort to love, serve and change? I’m looking for partners. My help comes from God and those committed to pray for the ministry.
“For you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now (Phillipians 1:5, NLT).
The Newspiration newsletter is filled with opportunities for prayer. Yet, I’m looking for a few select prayer warriors to share more pressing and intimate prayer requests. I may be under a pressing deadline, dealing with a health issue complicating a speaking engagement or sensing a spiritual struggle related to an audience, event or writing project. This inner circle prayer-partners will be contacted about both ministry related and personal walk with Jesus related requests.
The requirements to participate are as follows:
- Faithful to pray
- Follow God’s leadership
- Willing to partner in prayer to give God glory
- Take part in a ministry effort with a big picture vision
Sign up using the form below for the inner-circle partnership and the emailed prayer requests. And if you will, please send a short sentence about yourself and why you joined the Partnerships in Prayer to Robin @ RobinBryce (dot) com.
Newspiration news and inspiration to boot.
Make sure the checkbox remains checked to activate the proper list.
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May God be honored and glorified in our partnership in the gospel!
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(Images courtesy of sxc.hu)
12 Leadership Checks for Making a Kingdom Difference
While praying about multiplying our small group and the possibility of planting a church, I began reading and studying every related resource I could find. Many cite leadership as a key element to starting and/or maintaining a ministry.
Leaders teach Bible studies, organize and administrate offices and households, train children, balance budgets and bills then decide what’s for dinner. Leaders are everywhere, and I’m sure you’re one of them.
Leaders can lead large groups, but they must lead one: themselves. Leadership is pioneer work: heading out where no one goes but God. There are many challenges and it is easy to slip into NOT leading. In Exponential: How You and Your Friends Can Start a Missional Church Movement by Dave and Jon Ferguson, I found a cool check list for leaders to monitor themselves and make sure they lead well.
Twelve indicators that leadership is lacking
1. I wait for someone to tell me what to do rather than taking the initiative myself.
2. I spend too much time talking about how things should be different.
3. I blame the context, surroundings, or other people for my current situation.
4. I am more concerned about being cool or accepted than doing the right thing.
5. I seek consensus rather than casting vision for a preferable future.
6. I am not taking any significant risks.
7. I accept the status quo as the way it’s always been and always will be.
8. I start protecting my reputation instead of opening myself up to opposition.
9. I procrastinate to avoid making a tough call.
10. I talk to others about the problem rather than taking it to the person responsible.
11. I don’t feel like my butt is on the line for anything significant.
12. I ask for way too many opinions before taking action.
The list made me uncomfortable. Yet I’m not called to be comfortable. I am to serve even when it hurts. Fear immobilizes me and I’m guilty of allowing it to keep me from leading. This list inspired me to take a risk, to step up and really lead as God directs.
How about you? Where has God been leading that makes you uncomfortable, or like your neck is stuck out? How do you put fear aside and adventure forward with God? Please answer in the comment section.
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This post is part of the Insights into Ministry & Leadership Series. If you enjoyed it you may also like the Living and Working on Mission Blog Series, the Spiritual Journey’s Gentle Nudges Series or the other Blog Series.
(Images courtesy of sxc.hu)
The Creative Need in Leadership
A visionary leader casts the vision, obtains the buy-in of key people, and garners the support of a following, but it’s not until afterwards that the hard work of making creative adjustments begins. To bring the vision into reality and keep the momentum going, constant evaluations and adjustments are necessary. The vision, buy-in, and support are important, but without creativity and change the whole effort might tank or at least become fruitless, like beating a dead horse. Creative leadership is a must for continued progress.
An ordinary man named Nehemiah showed awesome leadership skills. His leadership began with a passion and brokenness over the state of disrepair and neglect of his native land, Jerusalem. A vision of Jerusalem’s repair began forming. When the king asked about his downcast demeanor, Nehemiah took advantage of the opportunity to persuade the king, an obvious key person, with his vision and plan. After gaining the king’s support and upon entering Jerusalem, he obtained the buy-in of its key leaders followed by the support and following of the whole community. For an ordinary person Nehemiah began his leadership well.
Good leaders make the most of starting out great while remaining open and creative to make necessary changes. Well thought out modifications keep the momentum headed towards success. When things don’t go smoothly, which happens, a good leader has to make adjustments. He must be willing to change methods, be creative and proactive in the face of challenges, and continually inspiring to his followers.
Nehemiah fulfilled this need for creative leadership.
I want to be a creative leader too. So I asked God, “What are the creative adjustments I need to make?”
Still struggling with the “answer” to that question, I wonder if you’re seeking to be a creative leader as well.
Do you feel like you’ve hit a wall, making no progress, or needing a creative improvement? What changes are you willing to make? How has God led you to adjust your approach? What is your experience with the creative need in leadership? Please answer in the comment section.
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Check out the options for subscribing here! That way you won’t miss a post. And if you really think it’s tops, Twitter it and like the FaceBook page! If you’d like to partner in prayer sing up here.
This post is part of the Insights into Ministry & Leadership Series. If you enjoyed it you may also like the Living and Working on Mission Blog Series, the Spiritual Journey’s Gentle Nudges Series or the other Blog Series.
7 Tips for Women to Help in the Ministry
Unpacking the Pastor’s Workload: 7 Tips for Women to Help Out
All hands on deck! The job is big and the pastor can’t do it alone. Women can help unpack the pastor’s workload and make a powerful impact in the lives of those in the community and the church. As I mentioned in the previous post, Partnership with Pastors, I have a desire to help the ministries of the church be effective in their mission. The following is part two of that post and lists seven tips for women ministering to women. Ladies, you can do this.
*- Realize you have something to offer. A listening ear. Wise counsel. Party planning. Training expertise. Organizational skills. Bake and Take friendship talent. You can always offer relationship to women who need relationships.
- Pray for a discovery of where you can help both in the community and in the church.
- Look for opportunities to serve women by determining their needs
- Communicate your availability and interest in helping your pastor reach the women of the church and community. Be sure to express your intentions of strengthening the church and families.
- Ask the leadership, pastor, or women’s ministry leader, what needs they see and how your skills and talents can help meet those needs.
- Learn the skills necessary to become more useable. Be teachable and always adapting to changes.
- Believe that God can use you to make a difference in the lives of others. No task is too small to make an impact, nor too big for you to do your part.
You can make a difference. With so many needs in our communities and churches, you have a great opportunity to assist life change by joining others and partnering with pastors.
* photo from www.jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu.
Please contribute your comment below. I’d love to know about your interest in ministry and leadership.
This is part of the Insights into Ministry & Leadership Series. If you enjoyed it you may also like the Living and Working on Mission Series, the Spiritual Journey’s Gentle Nudges Series or the other Blog Series.
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