The Core of Church Leadership (Part 3)

Nick — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:00:38 +0000

This is the final post in a series of posts where I have been going through the three main goals of a ministry leader. You can read the first two posts here and here. The three items we are looking at are:

Love People.
Lead with Vision.
Live with Excellence.

More often than not in ministry circles, the idea of ‘Living with Excellence’ is understood, but very understated. What I mean by ‘Living with Excellence’ can be summed up in 1 Timothy 3:2-3, “If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach…” As leaders and especially leaders in a church, we are called to not just ‘Love People’, ‘Lead People with Vision’, but our lives should reflect the message we proclaim. We are called to live lives of holiness, above reproach. What that means is this:

There is NO QUESTION to our character.
Our lives become a clear reflection of Christ…this includes our words, actions and attitudes. (Phil 2)
We set a high standard that others we lead can see and strive to follow. (1 Cor 11:1)

Now the problem is, this goes in complete contradiction to our human nature. Our human nature is not to live according to standards, but according to our desires. It’s a struggle that we all face…each of our struggles may be different, but as Christians, and especially leaders, we are called to set the pace of holiness. To live not only godly lives, but ones that are without question. How do we do this? Here are a few tips:

Practice Accountability - the power of secret sin is in its secrecy. We don’t need to tell everyone our struggles, but we should tell someone. Be accountable to a mature believer that you know will ask you the tough questions.
Prioritize Your Time with God - our lives will be a direct reflection of the time we spend with our Savior. The more time, the greater the reflection. Make your time with God a priority each day.
Position Guardrails - Guardrails keep us from going off the cliff on the road and can do the same thing in our lives. Position guardrails, or safety measures in your life, to protect you from making detrimental decisions or placing yourself in compromising situations. If you had an issue with pornography, create a guardrail by not going on the internet when you are alone. As a church we have created certain guardrails. For example, we would not allow a male volunteer to be alone with a female child or teenager. It’s not that we don’t trust the volunteer, but we want to create a guardrail that keeps us ‘above reproach’.

So who is holding you accountable? How is your time with God? What guardrails do you need to put in place for your life, or marriage, or ministry?

Tagged: Above Reproach, Holiness, Leadership

The Core of Church Leadership (Part 2)

Nick — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:31:07 +0000

As a follow-up to last week’s post on the three areas we need to focus on as leaders in the church, I wanted to cover the second area. If you missed the first one, you can read it here. The three areas we are looking at and need to focus on are:

Love People
Lead with vision
Live with excellence

Today, I wanted to cover the idea of “Leading with Vision”. At Calvary, we are constantly looking to improve on what we are doing, which can lend itself to updating/improving things. All of this can bring about change, and change brings with it the possibility for disaster.

Imagine driving to a familiar store and taking a right turn down a street that you’ve driven down hundreds of times. However, this time everything is different. Little did you know, the street was recently changed to a ‘One Way Street’, and now you are driving in the wrong direction. As you come to find out, the change was made to improve traffic flow in that part of town, but it was never communicated to the public. That would be pretty frustrating, and could have disastrous results!! The same is true, if not more so, as we lead change in a church. Here are a few thoughts as leaders we need to remember when leading change:

Remember leadership is not about ‘doing stuff’, but about taking people on a journey.
Expect people to be frustrated if you take them on a journey, but don’t tell them where you’re going. Communication is huge!
Before you share the ‘what’ you need to share the ‘why’. The ‘why’ will make the ‘what’ more understandable.

Tagged: Church Leadership, Lead with Vision, Leading Change

The Core of Church Leadership (Part 1)

Nick — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:00:05 +0000

Over the next few posts, I wanted to pass along a few items I recently shared with our staff regarding the focus of ministry leadership. As leaders, and especially ministry leaders, there are so many expectations and responsibilities that can pull for your attention and energy. But when you look at the core items, there are really three simple things that we need to do to be effective:

Love People
Lead with Vision
Live with Excellence

First, I want to focus on the idea of ‘Loving People’. There are all kinds of structures and processes we need to have in place to minister at greater capacities and with higher levels of excellence, but when you boil it down to the basics, we exist to love people. You can have the “Greatest show on Earth” on a Sunday morning or the most thorough discipleship track in the world, but if you forget the priority of loving people, you’ve missed the mark. In the always stressful world of ministry, our priorities can very easily be sidetracked or hijacked. Whatever your ministry, no matter how large or how small, remember that ministry is not simply about processes or programs, it’s about people. Care for people. Respect people. Love people.

Christ makes it clear in John 10 that the greatest trademark of His disciples isn’t found in their style. size or necessarily structure, but it is found in their love. “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

So how are you making it a priority to “Love People” in your ministry? Both those you serve and those that serve with you?

Tagged: Leadership, Love People, Ministry Priorities

Responses from Interview with Gary Bruegman

Nick — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:36:25 +0000

A week ago as part of our Sunday Morning service at Calvary Assembly, we had a special interview with guest and marriage counselor, Gary Bruegman, on the topic of relationships. Those in attendance were able to text in questions for Gary. We had so many come in that we were unable to ask them all in the service. So to still provide responses to the unasked questions from that morning, Gary Bruegman has been gracious enough to answer the questions below. If you missed the interview, you can listen to it on our website here.

QUESTION: How do u let the issues of the past not affect your relationships of today?

RESPONSE: I refuse to rewrite history. I am the only one who can make the decision to diffuse the negative messages and behaviors exhibited by other people in the past. I refuse to let past issues have any power or control over me. My relationships with people today are better because I have learned valuable lessons.

QUESTION: Does your wife ever travel and speak w you?

RESPONSE: My wife occasionally travels with me if at all possible. She participates in seminars when asked, but does not teach. She is 100% devoted to praying for every person, couple and marriage seminar I am conducting.

QUESTION: My wife and I find it hard to pray together. What advice do you have for a couple to start praying together?

RESPONSE: Recognize that praying together signifies or reflects the unity that should exist in your marriage relationship. It’s difficult to communicate to God in prayer together if you struggle as a couple to communicate. Be consistent and persistent.

QUESTION: Is it unhealthy for a couple to fight over control?

RESPONSE: It’s unhealthy for a couple to fight over anything. No one likes to be controlled. The goal of two people in relational power struggle is to win or be in control. Healthy marriage is about being teammates. Teammates work together, not against each other. Effective communication is the only way to diffuse individual control in a relationship.

QUESTION: Do you have any advice on how to pray for someone who has been wearing a mask for most of their life?

RESPONSE: Someone who, as u said, is believing lies about them self, has fears, and is seeking approval and their identity from others?. . . . Pray that the individual’s heart becomes open to seeking the truth about themselves. God is the only who can show us the value and worth we possess. It is irresponsible to expect others to make us happy, valued and somehow significant.

QUESTION: How do you reach out to someone who does not want it, to talk about spiritual things?

RESPONSE: Don’t continue pressing to connect with someone when they are resisting your advances. Rethink your strategy. Ask them things about their life, family and interest areas. The opportunity to present spiritual things will come when you gain their trust and respect.

QUESTION: How has your relationship with your mother been effected by your past and now in your present?

RESPONSE: My mother died several years ago. I had the privilege of praying with her and I believe she is saved. I was able to look beyond her weaknesses and dysfunctional life only because of my relationship with Christ.

Tagged: Gary Bruegman, Marriage, Relationships

Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Part 2)

Nick — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:00:59 +0000

You can read what I wrote in my first post here, but just to summarize here’s what we understand:

Our personal mission is to reach and disciple people.
As a church, we do this corporately as we are the gift of Christ to the world.
The Holy Spirit was given to help us continue the ministry of Jesus and connect people to Him.

With that said, where exactly then do the “Gifts of the Holy Spirit” come in? Well, I’m glad you asked! As the Holy Spirit worked through the disciples in the early church, it became clear by their experiences that there were certain ‘gifts’ or ‘pathways’ that the Holy Spirit worked through believers. These ‘gifts’ or ‘pathways’ are outlined primarily in one place, 1 Corinthians 12-14 by the premier New Testament author, the Apostle Paul. (Just a side note, these gifts are not the same as the gifts outlined in Romans 12:6-8 or Ephesians 4:11, which are seen more as offices or roles in ministry.)

So what is the purpose of these gifts? In 1 Corinthians 12:7 Paul makes this very clear, and in fact makes a similar statement a number of times between 1 Cor. 12-14. He says, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (NIV) In the New Living Translation it says, “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” So these gifts are meant for the benefit of others, not necessarily ourselves. Remember, we are called to reach and disciple people in love. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are the means through which God helps us do that very thing.

Now at the end of 1 Corinthians 12 in verse 31, Paul makes a very interesting statement: “But eagerly desire the greater gifts.” Greater gifts? That sounds odd! Are some of the gifts he listed better than others? I would say no. But I do believe that there are gifts that are greater in certain contexts. Let me explain.

In Acts 4, Peter & John walk up to the gate called Beautiful at the Temple. As they approach this gate, they encounter a crippled man that is begging for money. At this moment, Peter has a choice to operate in one of two obvious gifts…the gift of generosity or the gift of healing. Both would be beneficial and good for the crippled man, but one is greater in this setting. Consequently, Peter operates in the gift of healing and the man is instantly healed through the working of the Holy Spirit.

So the greatest gift is the most beneficial gift in a given context. Paul further illustrates this in 1 Corinthians 14 when he challenges the reader to be aware of unbelievers in your midst when a gift is in operation. Because the gift that is in operation needs to be beneficial not detrimental. It is to be done with the goal of connecting people to Jesus.

You might think? Do we really have any choice in this matter? When the Holy Spirit moves isn’t it meant to be free and somewhat chaotic? Well if that were the case, the Holy Spirit would be operating in complete opposition to God’s nature. God is an orderly God. He is the one that set in motion the setting of the sun and the coming in of the ocean tides. While the Holy Spirit moves and responds, He is still orderly and He choses to partner with us, not apart from us. In 1 Corinthians 14, it says “The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.” So we do play a part and do have opportunity to “seek the greater gifts” in our given situation.

So what do we do with this? Our goal is to “Seek the greater gifts”. The Holy Spirit wants to work through you to do remarkable things in your workplace, home, neighborhood, and school. But as I mentioned, it is still subject to your involvement. Seek the greater gifts and allow the Holy Spirit to work through you to continue to “Connect people to Jesus”!

Tagged: Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Part 1)

Nick — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:00:26 +0000

I recently did a teaching at our church on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and just wanted to share it. Feel free to offer your feedback below!

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are often misunderstood and misdirected. My goal is to provide adequate explanation and direction for the role and function of these important gifts. The premise that I am working from is this: The Holy Spirit exists to connect people to Jesus, both privately and corporately.

With that said, the mission of every believer and church according to Matthew 28 is to “go and make disciples”. Beyond that, in John 13:35 Jesus says, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” So our goal is to work toward that mission of reaching and discipling people through the expression of love. Everything we do should be covered in love.

In fact, one of the more famous verses in scripture, John 3:16, says “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” God gave His Son Jesus as the greatest act of love in history. When Jesus ascended to Heaven, though, the church (known as the “Body of Christ” in 1 Cor. 12), became that gift. We as the church are God’s gift to the world to continue His ministry.

So our target is to reach the lost and make disciples…that is our end goal both personally and as a church. This is something Jesus did on a regular basis. He reached even the worst cases with His love and forgiveness. But when you think about it, Jesus had knowledge that many of us will never possess. He was discoursing with the religious leaders in the Temple as a child. Although this is something Jesus did on a regular basis, how in the world are we possibly expected to do that?

There is no way any of us will have the knowledge Jesus possessed nor be able to communicate with the skill and tact that he did. Of course He was reaching the lost and making disciples, He was Jesus!

But how do we do that? How do we connect people to Jesus?

Well, maybe that’s it.

Remember I mentioned, the Holy Spirit exists to connect people to Jesus…this is why Jesus sent the Holy Spirit!

Throughout the book of Acts we read of the working of the Holy Spirit through the disciples as they continue to do the work of Jesus in the world. The Holy Spirit is working through these men to connect people to Jesus…whether it was in a gathering of believers, an interaction in the Temple courts, or a conversation in the marketplace, the Holy Spirit was working through them to connect people to Jesus.

So up to this point, we understand that:

Our personal mission is to reach and disciple people.
As a church, we do this corporately as we are the gift of Christ to the world.
The Holy Spirit was given to help us continue the ministry of Jesus and connect people to Him.

And we’ll put a comma there, and continue this further in my next post.

How does that sit with you so far?

Tagged: Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Stuck

Nick — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 18:19:59 +0000

Being stuck can be frustrating. If you’ve ever had your car stuck in snow or mud, you know the frustration that follows the moment you realize you can’t get out. Being stuck is not unique to simply driving, though. It also happens on our spiritual journey. As we pursue God’s best for our lives, there are moments that we find ourselves spinning our wheel hoping to eventually move forward again. Avoiding these ‘stuck’ moments can be difficult, but there are practices commonly referred to as ‘spiritual disciplines’ that help keep us on solid ground and positioned in a place to continue to receive from God.

Spiritual Disciplines are items that are not necessarily spelled out in scripture, although they can be very important in our spiritual development. They don’t move the hand of God in our direction, but rather move us in God’s direction. There are numerous spiritual disciplines, some of the more common ones are prayer, scripture reading, journaling, fasting, solitude, among others. The word ‘discipline’ makes these sound very uninviting, but rather than disciplines, think of them as spiritual catalysts. They help propel you forward in the direction God created you to walk.

So if you find yourself stuck today, what one ‘catalyst’ can you start to do to propel you forward?

Tagged: spiritual disciplines, Stuck

The Development of ‘The Voice’

Nick — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 18:26:26 +0000

Over the last few months, I have been enjoying NBC’s new show, “The Voice” for it’s unique approach to developing artists. When I first started watching the show, I thought it was just NBC’s version of American Idol, but soon realized, it is so much more than that. I know it’s just a show, but below I listed some of the core ideas in the approach the show took in developing the up-and-coming artists that I really appreciated, and you may like to:

Development was the priority. This may sound kind of obvious, but so often strong leaders can miss this point. Rather than striving to develop, they strive to further their cause, vision or organization at the cost of developing their people. The Voice was so impacting because each of the four all-star coaches (Adam Levine of Maroon 5, Cee Lo Green, Blake Shelton, & Christina Aguilera) were as concerned with developing their artists as they were that they might win the competition. The principle I saw here is developing people should always be a priority, not just getting to a destination.
Fame was a tool not a goal. As is true for most reality shows, superstars use them to continue to further their own careers and reputations. In this show, that was NOT the case. Each of the coaches were adamant in using the fame they had and pushing their artists to the forefront and allowing the young artists to shine in the spotlight, rather than themselves. In doing this, these superstar artists actually further endeared their fans to them, and even caused some of us to become new fans. My wife and I had never even heard of Blake Shelton before this show, and now my wife can’t stop singing his hit, “Honeybee”. The principle that stood out was when you are given a platform, be willing to share it and watch that platform grow.
The coaches invested more than just skill, but heart. Each of the coaches met with their artists numerous times, and in those meetings, they were not simply giving tips and “How To’s”, but they were actually opening their hearts and investing costly emotion into these up-and-coming artists. Blake Shelton made the statement on the last show that his final artist, Dia Frampton, had actually become like a member of his family. I don’t ever remember hearing that take place in any other competition reality shows like this. I loved the emotional investment these coaches made and the lasting relationships that were established. The principle is that, although costly, combining skill development with emotional investment will produce a person not only skilled but walking forward toward success with a valuable advocate at their side.

Maybe you didn’t watch the show (you can watch episodes on Hulu here), but what do you think? Do these principles apply to your leadership or life? Let me know what you think here.

And if you’re wandering, the winner of The Voice was Javier Colon - check out his music in iTunes here.

Tagged: Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Cee Lo Green, Christina Aguilera, Developing Leaders, Leadership Development, NBC's The Voice, The Voice

Steelers Fight Songs

Nick — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 14:00:26 +0000

Every time the Steelers make it into the Super Bowl, I always enjoy the Steelers Fight Songs that come out. They range from rap to country to polka, and everything in between. Here’s one of my favorites from this year’s Super Bowl run. It’s a Pittsburgh rendition of the Mark Cohn hit, “Walking in Memphis”. Enjoy and let’s go Steelers!!

Tagged: Steeler Fight Songs, Steelers, Steelers Fight Songs, Super Bowl, Walking in Pittsburgh

Lessons Learned from Planning a Wedding (Part 1) – The Power of Priorities

Nick — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 16:03:28 +0000

For the last few months, I have embarked on a journey like none I have walked before. Heidi is such an amazing woman of God and I am continually impressed with her strength and encouragement. As we have walked this path of planning out our wedding there are numerous things we have both learned. Over the next few posts, I wanted to post some lessons I’ve learned already over these last few months (although I know there will be many more to come!). These are lessons that I’ve been reminded of or have learned through the process of planning the wedding with Heidi, but apply to life and leadership. So with that said, here is Lesson #1: Pay attention to your priorities.

I know that sounds so basic, but it so often gets lost in the mix. We get wrapped up in getting this or that done, and we forget why we originally started a task or project. It’s not about finishing the job (although that is usually important), it’s about finishing the project with your priorities still in tact. Regardless of what you’re doing, there will always be elements working against your priorities. You will be given numerous opportunities to compromise your priorities or choose an ‘easier route’ to your established goal. The means to the end are not the goal, the end is the goal. As a pastor, leader, or whatever role you may serve in, you need to continually remind yourself of these questions:

What are my personal priorities? Am I living those out or are they just words on a page?
What are the priorities for the organization/ministry I lead? Do those I lead, know those priorities?
What am I doing to strengthen and maintain my priorities?

Tagged: Ministry Priorities, Priorities, Priorities in Leadership, Prioritizing Leadership