Category Archives: Connection

Posted on

10 Things Pastors Should Give Their Leaders

Ghostwriter and contributing editor for Inc. Magazine, Jeff Haden has written a number of articles on how CEO’s and other department Supervisors are to relate to employees and vice-versa. This has provoked thought on faith-based initiatives and how Pastors should relate to those they are attempting to lead. While there are similarities there are many subtleties in applications. The relationship within for-profits corporations is based upon performance – paycheck rewards. In non-profits the relationship is far more communal/relational and not paycheck rewards driven.  There are ten things that faith-based leaders should provide for those serving them.

Ownership

Churches are not manufacturing facilities in that we are producing shapes, colors, and designs. We are shaping people for Eternal Kingdom purposes. Therefore, engagement and satisfaction is based upon ownership. Do your leaders own the vision? Have they bought into you as a leader first? When that happens, leaders will obtain a sense of satisfaction that will be based upon their freedom to be responsible for the outcomes. Autonomy and independence plus freedom breeds’ innovation and dreams.

Clear Expectations

The old adage is true: If you do not know where you are going, then any road will take you there! The one true litmus test of casting clear vision and expectations is the ability to write it down on paper. If it cannot clearly be communicated in writing, then we are daydreaming. In the book, The Advantage, the author obsesses over the fact that communication must be ridiculously redundant.   When in doubt communicate!

Purposeful Goals

While the corporate world is controlled by the bottom-line, non-profits should be controlled by a higher purpose. The leaders we train need to know their effort serves greater purposes than “branding/marketing” agendas. To leave a footprint in life is a great accomplishment. Legacy building starts today!

A True Sense of Purpose

The Latin meaning for our word “religion” is ligare’. This implies my effort to link back to a creator or that, which is bigger than myself.  Vision needs to be tied to a greater community good. We are not just in the Brand Building business – we are in the Influence Building business. The highways and hedges mentality is worthy of time and resources to implement community-influencing strategies.

Provide Significant Input

The pathway to exchange ideas should be wide-open, accessible and honored. Pastor honor those who offer suggestions about the work they are involved in. Understand they are thinking about the what and where we are doing and headed. Those ideas that seem to be in left field are great teaching moments to assist those people through a “critical thinking” process, helping hem to evaluate their ideas differently. This is serving them and adding value to them. The absolute last thing you would do is to criticize their idea. They will shut down immediately.

Connect

Pastor you need to understand that people volunteer for more reasons than being rewarded. They want to follow someone they admire and can trust and in turn know they are admired and trust is reciprocated. Connections are made on a personal basis not just a professional basis. Ask them about their family, children, or hobbies, this will build rapport. Relate to them as human beings and not just workers.

Consistency

As Pastor, people are looking for consistency in conduct, policy, and behavior. They will take tough-mindedness if it is consistent. The more that workers understand why decisions are made the less likely they will consider they are being treated unfairly or assume favoritism.

Private Criticism

No one is perfect – no even pastors! We all need constructive criticism, not public rebuke. Good feedback is always done privately and with dignity. Always have in mind the other person’s growth and influence capability; this will keep personal attacks to a minimum.

Public Praise

Everyone does something that is praise-worthy from time to time. Show appreciation and recognition. Catch people in the act of kindness. The “Five-Minute Manager” book that came out years ago suggested that five minutes be taken to start each day to either call, email, or send a personal note of thanks and appreciation for a job well done. Small acts of appreciation pay large dividends.

Preferred Future

Every area of work within life should have an opportunity of advancement. Pastor, develop the people around you. You cannot influence a community if you cannot influence your closest workers and allies. Invest in other people’s success. Resource them and give opportunities for learning. Don’t go to seminars by yourself; take others with you on the learning journey.

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Key Note Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

Posted on

Psalm 116 – I Love The Lord

Study Guide

I.    What God Does for the Psalmist (116:1–11)

A.   He hears his prayers (116:1–2, 4–7).

B.   He saves him from death (116:3, 8–11).

II.   What the Psalmist Does for God (116:12–19)

A.   He praises the Lord for saving him (116:13).

B.   He fulfills his vows (116:14–15, 18–19).

C.   He serves him faithfully (116:12–16).

D.   He offers sacrifices of thanksgiving and calls upon the name of the Lord (116:17).[1]

What has the Lord done for you lately? There is only one response that is worthy of God’s expressed love for us – “My loyalty to God!”

Journal Notes

List God’s answered prayers in the last 30 days

Write out your PRAISE to the Lord 

What are the unfinished commitments you have made to the Lord?

What tweaks need to be made to raise your level of service to the Lord?

What are the 10 statements of praise that you have in your heart for today?

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Key Note Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

[1] Willmington, H. L. (1999). The Outline Bible (Ps 116). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

Posted on

5 Things Your Future Self Will Thank You For

When life pushes you over, stand up and push back even harder. Where there is a fork in the road and choices to make, make the ones your future self will thank you for. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13.

Today, start…

1. Choosing to be YOU. – Wearing a mask wears you out. Faking it is fatiguing. The most exhausting activity is pretending to be who you know you aren’t. No matter how loud their opinions are, they do not choose who YOU are. Choose yourself even if nobody else is choosing you.

2. Being positive. – You can’t live a positive life with a negative attitude. Heaven on Earth is a choice we must make, not a place we must find. Let every day be a dream you can touch. Let every day be a love you can feel. Let every day be a reason to live. Life is too short to be anything but positive.

3. Letting go. – The only thing that makes it a big part of your life is that you keep thinking about it. The biggest step in changing the world around you is to change the world within you. Don’t cry over the past, it’s gone. Don’t stress about the future, it hasn’t arrived. Just live in the present, concentrate on the things you can control, and take one small step at a time. Live fully in the present! Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord – Acts 3:19 NIV

4. Picking yourself back up. – Where you are in life is temporary; where you end up in life is permanent; how you get from here to there is entirely up to you. So don’t give up. Sometimes when things go wrong it’s because they would have turned out worse if they had gone right. Be careful what you seek in life! Be glad some things do not work out and that God has saved you from yourself.

5. Taking action. – The happiest and most successful people are usually those who have broken the chains of procrastination, who find satisfaction in doing the job at hand. They’re full of eagerness, passion, and productivity. You can be too. Remember, success in real estate is about location, location, location. Success in life is about action, action, action. 

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Key Note Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

The genesis of this article came from authors Marc and Cheryl Chernoff.

Posted on

Heartburn Triggers

Here are some common triggers for heartburn: Tomato based products, high citrus foods, garlic, vinegar, onions, chocolate (that hurts), coffee (that really hurts), high fatty foods deep fried, carbonated drinks, certain spices. Of course we have to look at the lifestyle habits that can cause heartburn also: eating large meals too fast, laying down right after eating, eating close to bedtime, stress, anxiety, exercise immediately after eating. 

What if I told you there are Spiritual triggers for “heart-burn.” Consider Luke 24:30-32;  “When he was at the table with them, he took the bread and sblessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 tAnd their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And uhe vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, v“Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he wopened to us the Scriptures?”[1](emphasis added).

What was the effect of this heart burn for the Emmaus Road disciples? Immediately, they rose from the table of presence and went to Jerusalem and witnessed of the risen Lord. I will take this type of heart burn all day every day! Isn’t this type of heart burn at the foundation of discipleship? Pastors do not speak to be speaking – their heart has been set ablaze with a fresh word from God to the people. Disciples are equipped enough to recognize the presence of God in our culture that makes them “counter-cultural” citizens. This type of heart burn causes us to share our faith “for such a time as this!”

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Key Note Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

s See Matt. 14:19

t [ver. 16]

u [ch. 4:30]

v Ps. 39:3

w ver. 45

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Lk 24:30–32). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Posted on

Relay Racer

Tips For Running Well

We are in a season of endurance and transformation. That requires understanding your role, finding your pace, and communicating understanding so there will not be misunderstanding.

  • One is too small of a number for greatness! A relay race starts with one but you cannot remain there. Your purpose is to build bigger, better, and more influential team members behind you.
  • Your success is dependent upon others. You need a team that will run stronger and go further than you are capable of. The leadership Law of Accountability states that you count on others when it counts.
  • The Teams success will depend on you. They need your skill to raise their performance. Raising your skill is not a “sometimes maybe” effort – IT IS A DAILY EXERCISE!
  • The goal is more important than the role. There are times that you need to lessen the role in order to accomplish your goal. No one is so great that they do not need others.
  • Individual talent will get you on a team, but it is TEAMWORK that will keep you on the team.

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Key Note Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

Posted on

Everything Worthwhile Is Uphill

Many leaders have “Uphill Dreams” but practice “Downhill Habits.” 

While writing this article we are eight weeks into our national quarantine. This period of time is quite revealing. In the faith community we have moved from the majority of pastors stating this crisis will only last two weeks and we will be back in our churches. In the first two weeks 15% of pastors stated they were not confident their church would survive. That 15% if applied nationally equals just under 50,000 churches. That figure has now improved to 3% of pastors saying they will not survive – cautious optimism. The faith community in America was in a panic mode over the idea of having a digital Easter – this was “anathema” in many circles. We are now in process of re-opening our country which means that churches are now planning for a return to church in our buildings. It is interesting to see the impact of the Covid effect upon our thinking – we may not be as ready to return as we thought. There is a guarded hesitancy in people’s minds at the present. The good news is that we will eventually get there, just not in the way we imagined.

Everyone wants to know what our world will look like post pandemic. The answer is: nobody knows with clear certainty. Since everything worthwhile is uphill this is a great time to evaluate the negotiables and non-negotiables in our life. Are we attempting to take everything uphill? Can we lighten our load while going uphill? What that will look like will be different for each person and church. Jesus is our illustration on the non-negotiables. He taught eternal principles, was a servant leader, He wept-touched-held-grieved-fed-discipled-impacted religious systems-infiltrated community power structures to name a few items. Christ was human and Divine at the same time – Son of God – Son of Man! I must live in this flesh and blood body infused with the eternal Savior of the world. That is worth the uphill climb.

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Key Note Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

Posted on

Courage

9 year old Lin Hao 2008 Olympics

In the book The Courage Quotient author Robert Biwas Denier states, “If we choose courageous roles or think of ourselves as filling courageous roles, we are more likely to act boldly when the need arises.” He relates a story of a young boy, Lin Hao. “A perfect example of this is the action taken by nine- year-old Lin Hao in Suchuan, China. On May 12, 2008, Sichuan was struck by a magnitude 8.0 earthquake that left buildings flattened and more than 69,000 people dead. Among the most tragic losses on that day were the countless children whose school buildings collapsed. Lin Hao was in such a school and was able to rescue two of his second-grade classmates from the rubble before saving himself. When asked about his courage, this young boy simply explained that he was the hall monitor and that it was ‘my job’ to save the other children. Lin Hao quickly became a symbol of virtue in China and led the opening procession of the 2008 Olympic Summer Games.”

How do you see yourself and what role of courage are you attempting to display to the world? When you come across a story like Lin Hao’s you can’t help but think of other illustrations in history. For example, what about Victor Frankl a Psychotherapist that survived Auschwitz. How about United States Vice Admiral James (Bond) Stockdale that survived 7 years at the Hanoi Hilton.  How about ­­­­­­­­­­­­­____________(Insert Your Name)_______________, survivor of the 2020 Global Pandemic. What is your testimony? What version of courage are you displaying to the world?

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me – Philippians 4:13

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Key Note Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

Posted on

Courage Quotient

Joshua in the Old Testament records the words of the Lord following Moses’ death; “6 iBe strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and jvery courageous, being careful to do according to all the law kthat Moses my servant commanded you. lDo not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success1wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but myou shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? nBe strong and courageous. oDo not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” [1]

The Hebrew word for courage is emas and there are 41 occurrences of this term in the Old Testament. This term is predominately translated as courage or courageous. The context for Joshua was a change in national leadership. This was a crisis moment for Israel, the Promised Land was set before them. Which force would prevail – Fear or God Words (v.8)? If these verses were applied to a mathematical equation it would be:

COURAGE = Application of God’s Words

Fear

Simply stated, the greater our application to the God’s Word the greater our ability to crush fear out from our lives. What was at stake for Israel – Promised Land inheritance! What is at stake for us post-Covid – Revival and Discipleship strategies that have never been attempted. King Jesus’ arrival is getting closer! Notice the three occurrences of “strong and courage.” When applying God’s words, it is helpful to understand the trajectory of the words. The origin of action starts within a person choosing to take their comprehension of God’s words to new levels coupled with application (v.8). The result; FEAR is conquered. The courageous person walks, acts, and sounds differently than a fearful person.

Here is one question and one statement of fact.

  1. QUESTION: What is one micro-step that you can take today that will improve your study of scripture by 50%?
  2. FACT: History records that all previous pandemics have come to an end.

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Keynote Speaking, and Executive Coaching. Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

i ver. 7, 9, 18; Deut. 31:6, 7

j ch. 23:6

k ch. 11:15

l Deut. 5:32; 28:14

1 Or may act wisely

m Ps. 1:2; 119:15

n ver. 6, 7, 18

o Deut. 1:29; 7:21; 20:3; 31:6, 8

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Jos 1:6–9). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Posted on

Perspectives of A 45 Year Veteran

The biblical Hebrew cultural motif on age refers to 60 as old age, 70 the hoary head, and 80 special strength. In 1stSamuel chapter 8 we find a perspective of an aged leader who could have been disappointed in his old age, but he remained faithful. We learn in earlier chapters that Samuel was disappointed in Eli’s sons because they chased after lust and lasciviousness. We learn also that Samuel’s sons disappointed him because they misaligned their use of money. However, Samuel remained faithful in the face of these disappointments in his old age. Notice 1 Samuel 8:4-7; “Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at pRamah 5 and said to him, “Behold, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. uNow appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” 6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, vfor they have not rejected you, wbut they have rejected me from being king over them”.[1]

Notice the following trajectory of reason….

  • Notice the Elders Calling Samuel “old.” This is like one old person calling another old person OLD!
  • Samuel’s sons were disappointing because of their misaligned thirst for money.
  • The Elders desired an earthly king to replace and Eternal King.
  • God comforted Samuel, “…. they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me…”

APPLICATION

What do you do in the face of sudden change in life that diminishes your hopes and dreams? After 8 weeks of our national quarantine, we are starting to emerge from our social distancing to engage society once again. Make no mistake about our reality, we are emerging to a different country today than on January 1, 2020. This global event has marked us as a society. There are new challenges that we all are going to face. It will take months if not years to fully understand the impact of this global pandemic. However, there is a great lesson that we can learn from Samuel in the Old Testament. Even though he saw disappointing days in his life span, he remained faithful to the God. That is our ultimate challenge today. We’re going to see many difficult days, however, intentionality in our faith is what matters the most. Even though generations of people may disappoint, our eyes are fixed on eternity and a loving God. Samuel also teaches us the power of flexibility. Not every dream or hope that we have in life is going to be fulfilled. Even though Samuel was disappointed with previous generations and his own sons he remained flexible to follow the voice of God. That flexibility and trusting an almighty God will save us from misappropriated dreams and hopes. We do not always understand the plan of God, but we know that the plan of God is always correct. Remain flexible, remain hopeful, and always remain intentional in the development of your faith. 

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Key Note Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

p [See ch. 7:17 above]

u ver. 19, 20; [Deut. 17:14; Hos. 13:10; Acts 13:21]

v [Ex. 16:8]

w ch. 10:19

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 8:4–7). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

“Not only does the experience of tragedy give us an exceptional opportunity for growth, but some sort of suffering is also necessary for a person to achieve maximal psychological growth. In his study of self-actualizers, the paragons of mental wellness, the famed humanistic psychologist Abraham Maslow noted that ‘the most important learning lessons… were tragedies, deaths, and trauma… which forced change in the life-outlook of the person and consequently in everything that he did.’”

 

Thanks (New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2008), 256