PASTORAL LEADERSHIP: DAY ONE

Leadership is not primarily about getting things done, it’s about getting things done through other people. It might be easier, and less time consuming, in the short term to do it yourself. However, you will stunt the growth of your team and the church over the long term if you’re a hoarder. When it comes to delegation remember this: delegating tasks creates followers, delegating authority creates leaders. There is no greater and more important task for any church than to create leaders and build teams.

Ephesians 4:11-13 (NLT)

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

PASTORAL LEADERSHIP: DAY TWO

The great struggle in any growing church is the tension between excellence and effectiveness. Most churches measure effectiveness weekly by the amount of people who choose to worship there. Growth is the goal, excellence is the tool. The thing we have to remember is this: Sometimes better looks like worser. Can someone who is serving in your church do you’re job at 80% of the level that you are? Pastor Chris Hodges says to his staff, "If I catch you doing ministry, you're fired". Just because something is in your job description doesn’t mean that you have to be the one doing it, it just means you’re responsible for it getting done. I’ll say it again, leadership is not primarily about getting things done right, it’s about getting things done through other people. 

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

PASTORAL LEADERSHIP: DAY THREE

Stop managing the process, and begin managing the outcome. The greatest stoppage for most of us empowering others to do things we’re currently doing is, “They don’t do it how I like to get it done.” Something that set me free, and hopefully will set you free as well, is to stop managing how someone does what you do, and manage whether or not they get the job done. It’s not how someone gets to the destination, but whether or not they get there. Empowering is a choice we make. Can we live with the thought that there's more than one way to get the job done, or does it have to be done our way?

1 Peter 5:6-7 (NLT)

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

PASTORAL LEADERSHIP: DAY FOUR

Jesus helped everyone, and he changed everyone he came into contact with. Yet he invested the bulk of his time into a select few. Why? Because Jesus knew that he needed to change the world, and if he was going to be successful he needed exceptional people. The average person has a sphere of influence of 6 people. Exceptional leaders have a sphere of 60 people. Our job as agents of change is to identify the people who will help us change the world. Who are the Peter, James', and John's in your organization? We help everyone, we bring Jesus to everyone, but these are the people that we need to be giving the bulk of our time to. Want to help more hurting people? Multiply yourself. Want to get more done? Multiply yourself. Want to be more effective? Multiply yourself. Identify, recruit, and retain leaders. By growing people, we grow the church. By growing the right people, we grow exponentially. 

Luke 8:38-39 (NIV)

The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39“Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.

PASTORAL LEADERSHIP: DAY FIVE

It's the size of the leader, not the size of the challenge, that determines whether people conquer new territory. As I study Joshua I realize that he was positioned by God to do one task, take the Israelites from SURVIVORS to SETTLERS. We've been given the same commission, HELP PEOPLE WIN. God puts no limitation on faith and faith puts no limitation on God. We have to be leaders with courage to do more than we've ever done, and to help people reach their potential. We have to help our people to understand God's winning equation: courage + obedience = success. Tozer said, "God is looking for people through whom he can do the impossible. What a pity that we plan only the things we can do by ourselves." Be strong and courageous today!

Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

PASTORAL LEADERSHIP: DAY SIX

People’s eternal reward is dependent on us pulling them into ministry. If we’re going to grow we can’t afford not to pull people into ministry with us, and if they’re going to grow they can’t afford not to be a part. We are uniquely dependent upon each other. Great people aren’t attracted to average causes. Thank God we have a GREAT COMMISSION! CHOOSE the right people, EQUIP them with everything they need, EMPOWER them with authority, and RELINQUISH control. Doing this effectively is another step in raising up a group of Biblically-anchored, Christ-centered, world changers. Thankful for each one of you, thanks for all you do to fulfill the great commission in GOD'S church!

Hebrews 6:9b-12 (NLT)

...We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation. 10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers,[b] as you still do. 11 Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true.12 Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.

PASTORAL LEADERSHIP: DAY SEVEN

If we think critically, we were all drawn into ministry because we’ve been called to do something bigger than ourselves. We’ve all been called to make a difference in our world. Our job as leaders is to cast the vision for our people to see the opportunities they have to be a part of what God is doing in and through your church. Experiencing events, and having regular opportunities to serve does for the soul what education does for the mind. These moments help to connect us to the heart of God, they help to grow our capacity to love, and they help to place us inside of God’s purpose for us on the planet: to be his hands and feet. Let’s be creative to find new ways to connect people to ministry. Let’s be the type of leaders who raise up a group of biblically-anchored, Christ-centered, world changing Jesus followers that we see in scripture.

1 Peter 4:8-11 (NLT)

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. 10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 ...Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ.