5 Ministry Thoughts and Leadership Principles

1. When leading people EMPOWER them. By this I mean see where they are gifted and strengthen them, resource them, mentor them, and let them loose in that area of giftedness.

2. When leading people give them CONFIDENCE. Lead so that everyone you lead can do your job. Give people opportunities to do what you do so that when they are in that situation they can have the confidence they need to lead effectively.

3. When leading people lead in such a way as to REPLACE yourself. You aren't going to be in your position forever. What better testament is there of your leadership than seeing the people you mentored succeed far beyond what you did?

4. Lead with your HEART. If you are connecting with God then your heart will be in line with God's heart and when your heart and God's heart are one you can't be stopped.

5. Attack your dreams with your GIFTING. Maintain your weaknesses but really focus on your strengths and use them.

What is your life about?

Kelly and I just went to the movies last night for the first time in a while. We decided to watch 10,000 B.C. I thought it was good. It was a classic fight for the girl/underdog story but I love that story so I liked the movie.

The question that was the climax of the movie was What is your life going to be about? Is it going to be just about a small circle with just a couple of people like your family? Is it a little bigger than that like your immediate family and extended family and friends? Or is it about a larger group of people including your family? As I was watching the movie I was thinking about that question for my own life and I have been praying about that today. Jesus was about all of humanity including his close friends and family. Jesus answered that question with the cross. I think Jesus is asking me what I want to do. I know Jesus will be happy with me if I just focus on a few and passionately do that. I know he will be happy with me if I decide to pursue the larger group. In some ways just looking out for a few is easier because there are only a couple of lives at stake. Looking out for more is a risk because many lives are at risk. Looking out for more is dangerous. In the movie he could have been killed, lost the fight, lost his girl, etc. But when he was successful it was incredible. In my own life if I go for the more I could fall on my face, fail, lose out on my goals, etc. But when I am successful the view will be incredible. If I go just for the few then I know I will succeed, reach my goals, and be safe.

In the end I want to go where Jesus is and Jesus is obviously in the riskier side. I mean he went all the way to the cross. I can risk all I have for Him. And besides with Jesus with me I could not be more safe.

Madness!!

It is March Madness time. It is probably my favorite time of the year. Basketball. Basketball. Basketball. I will be honest when I was a kid my mom would let me stay home to watch the games. I always fill out a bracket. Some years are better than others with my picks. Join our Facebook Group and fill out a bracket on Facebook.

Running to Jesus

In John 20 the disciples found out that Jesus had risen! How cool is that? You find out that someone who was dead is now alive especially someone you were bestfriends with and loved deeply. This is where we find Peter and John. Throughout scripture Peter was always the first to do things (walk on water, deny Christ, cut off ear, throw nets to other side, etc) but when he finds out Jesus is alive he was the slowest to getting to Jesus. How is that? John beat Peter. Based on what has taken place throughout scripture Peter should have beat John. Why? What was stopping Peter from beating John? Peter had not mended his relationship with Jesus. Peter knew that the last thing he had done was deny he ever knew Jesus. There was a wall between Peter and Jesus. Peter did not want to face Jesus so his running was hindered. Where are you hindered when you run to Jesus? What is holding you back? Are you even running to Jesus? Why or Why not? Deal with the sin in your life so you can run free. God is calling each of us to RUN to HIM!

Palm Sunday Immerse

We have Immerse coming up this Sunday night from 5-7pm. Someone in the church has volunteered to make us all dinner. I am excited about what that is going to be. Give me food! We are going to focus on the communion elements during this Easter season. Come ready to engage with God and each other.

Community

It was cool to connect with our community group on Sunday night. Everyone in our group is having babies or already had a baby. Our group is why our nation is in a baby boom. It is crazy. We talked about Isaac and Rebekkah's relationship together and how that ties into our own marriages/relationships. We each shared the stories of how we met each of our spouses. It was cool to hear everyone's story.

As a community group we are going to a group home to hang out with kids. It is going to be a cool experience for everyone.