Dear Fellow Young Leader,

 Let me first start this off with saying I am young, I am 24 years old and have been in “full-time” “vocational” ministry for about 3 years. In my short 3 years of ministry I have learned a lot and I constantly am looking to learn more. I felt a burden and an obligation to write out a few things I have learned and that have tremendously helped me as a leader. Over the next few days I will post more lessons I have learned… Hope these help…

1. Your effectiveness as a leader is only as deep as your personal walk with Jesus!

Let me say it a different way… Maybe you are not where you want to be in your leadership… I would ask if you are truly where you need to be spiritually…

 Simply put…  Read your bible (Daily), Pray (continually), Listen to the Holy Spirit and other, older, wiser leaders (always). 

 Matthew 6:6 New International Version (NIV)

6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father,(A) who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Luke 6:45 New International Version (NIV)

45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

I am most on top of my leadership “game” when I am most filled spiritually.

      2.    Be Present!!!

God often looks for those of us who are available… Bottom line you aren’t available to be used when you are always on your phone!!!

The best gift you can give the people you lead is your full attention.

Jesus the greatest leader ever made it known that He is always present…

Emmanuel = God with us…

If Jesus is always present I better at least try my best to be present and live in the moment I am currently in. Thats where God uses us the most!!! 

Show the people that you are with, whether in a meeting or just hanging out, that you actually care enough to be with them! 

Leading Through Transition…

Transition is never easy. Recently I have been walking through a transitional time and have been learning a lot about it, more specifically transition in the local church. God has been teaching me a lot on how to continue to lead and lead strong through a time of transition.

I am going to list below a few of the lessons God has been teaching me through this time of transition.

1. Don’t knock what God is calling someone else to do.

Often times we love to doubt what God has put on the heart of someone else to do. Saying things like “Is that really God” , “I can’t believe they would do that” , “They are just using God to fulfill their own selfish desire”… I have found myself guilty of saying things like this before.

It is easy to begin to doubt and knock at what God is calling someone else to do but it takes a true leader to honor the process and obedience of others.

2. God’s Church was never built on man.

I think there is a song that all of our church’s have been singing recently that Hillsong has put out that reminds us of who is the cornerstone and foundation that Church is built upon. Jesus is the cornerstone of the church and God is building His church, we should not put our faith in a man but in God.

Your reaction to transition shines light into where you put your faith.

3. Lead Strong

Often in times of transition we feel like pulling back and maintaining that in which we lead. In times of transition people are looking for strong leadership to cling to. One of the biggest things I am learning is to not allow others decisions to get in the way of your obedience to God. We reap the biggest blessings in life when we are operating in complete obedience to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

There are still sinners to win to Christ, believers to grow, and leaders to release. LEAD STRONG!

4. Enjoy the process

Life is more about the process than the destination. Enjoy and always be looking for things to learn. Trust me, you can learn so much in times of transition. Yes you have a vision of where God is leading you but please don’t neglect to enjoy the journey along the way.

If God ordains it, He will orchestrate it! 

Comfort Zones…

 Been thinking a lot lately about the idea of “Comfort Zones”… We all have them in certain areas of our life and we all often operate with in them. As we begin to think about our own “Comfort Zones” we become increasingly frightened with the idea of breaking out of them. As Christians the depth in which we experience the fullness of God’s plans for our lives is often related to our willingness to step beyond our comfort levels. 

I am reminded of Abram in Genesis 12, where God calls Abram and his people to get up and leave what they have been comfortable with… Sounds great but the real stepping out of Abrams “Comfort Zone” came in the ladder part of verse 1 where God calls Abram to go to “The land I will show you”… No GPS system to an exact destination, it was simply an “Ill show you a long the way just be obedient to me” kind of call from God Almighty. As the story continues, Abrams obedience and faith in God allowed the promises of God to go fulfilled which leads to the child-hood song “Father Abraham”…

 A few things God has taught me about “Comfort Zones” recently. 

• Stepping out of your Comfort Zone” is a huge sign of spiritual maturity!

Simply put, the obedience to the prompting of the Holy Spirit often leads us to step beyond our comfort zone.

Occasionally you will run into those people who actually put the “Great Commission” into practice and it’s those people who often inspire others to live passionately for God… Which I think there is a section of scripture about how God loves people who are on fire (Revelation 3:15-17)

• God leads you out of your “Comfort Zone” so you can experience His full protection!

You want to experience more “God Interventions” in your life? Step out of your “Comfort Zone” more often…

Too many of us get bound by the fear of the unknown when throughout scripture God clearly promises to be our protection.

•  Your “Comfort Zones” are often built by your insecurities.

 Too many of us battle and deal with all sorts of insecurities. The truth is when you find your security and self-worth in Jesus you are more in tune to operate beyond your level of comfort.

Let me just add this to insecurities. For the most part insecurities are just a sneaky form of pride. God has the remedy for that…