Equipping Thoughts

Sean is an associate pastor at New Hope Windward under Pastor Dave Barr’s leadership. He recently spoke at our School of Church Planters class and I was reminded of a few (of the many) gems I discovered through his experiences.

Some of Sean’s goals as a servant and associate pastor at New Hope Windward:

1. Protect his leaders reputation.
2. Support the God given vision of his pastor.
3. Take responsibility to communicate honestly with his leadership.

Most of us in life, are submitted to someone, a leader, a boss, etc….
The art of submission starts with a heart of submission. I find that the heart of submission is lacking as I observe & assist many relationships and situations. So I’ve turned Sean’s goals into questions:

1. Are you protecting your leaders reputation or planting seeds of discord?
2. Are you supportive of your leaders goals, vision, aspirations (yes, even in the marketplace-when you don’t agree with or like them)? Remember, it’s your heart of submission.
3. Are you communicating honestly with your leader?

Develop your heart of submission in the tough places, among tough situations and even among leaders you may not agree with…as UNTO THE LORD!

Ephesians 6
 5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men,

What a high calling…to develop and equip leaders and the work of discipleship!

But how frustrating it can be when people just don’t get it!!! Sounds familiar? I wonder how Jesus felt with his disciples throughout His journey with them? Disciples fighting for a “great seat in heaven” while Jesus is preparing to give his life and the host of other examples.

Then I hear the excuse, “But I can’t…!” (Some call it weakness or not being called or I’m tired or that’s not my gift or …) It’s more like, “But I don’t want to …submit to the hardship…!”

I think we decrease God’s worth in us when we say “we can’t!” The Holy Spirit’s work in me is Powerful - but I minimize and shrink His worth down, when I beat myself up with excuses and a sense of unworthiness.

We need to stop beating ourselves up – the devil does enough of that! God is worthy in us - and “YES WE CAN!!”

So…Decrease me Lord, so You may increase in and through me!

by Frances Nojiri, Tentmakers Ministry

Often I find myself assessing my heart condition: reason and purpose I do what I do; intent, motivation, etc., etc. I will call it a “spiritual tune-up or check up”. When going about doing God’s business, I must be sure that the Spirit is in the control seat, guiding and directing my attitude, thoughts, feelings, emotions, etc. so that it would be a genuine spiritual act of worship, pleasing to the LORD.

I must admit, there have been times when I feel like I’m running out of fuel (figure of speech). Starting was no problem–pumped up, inspired, . . . but continuing, persevering over time can sometimes be draining. However, I have noticed that when people are involved, they become one of the motivating factors to press on–the desire to be a support, to help them grow and mature in the LORD.

Confession time: I’ve been asking the LORD if I’m to continue sending out devotionals. The intent and motivation from the start and even now, have been for encouragement, to help build up and mature, to share what the Lord has blessed me with, etc. In all that I do, even when I’m tired and weary–in those times I strive to rise above it, I want to be sure that the LORD is being magnified and honored.

Scripture gives some examples of people starting off uprightly, with the intent and motivation to please God, but over time their intent and motivation switched gears because of compromises, unaccountability, etc., and sadly, their ending was sad.

Although Matthew 24:13 (NASB) (”But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.) in context is referring to the end times, as an application, “I will reap what I sow and the work that has been started, unless the LORD redirects its course, must be completed to the end,” all to bring honor and glory to HIM who is worthy, to HIM who is full of grace and mercy. I honor and praise YOU, my Blessed LORD!

JESUS, YOU are my KING! Be Thou Glorified!

Dear Leaders:

Emails are such a great and efficient tool of communication in so many
ways!! …they can be!

My Scenario:
I recently wrote an email to a group of 4 servants. One of them called me
to inform me that I should’ve talked to them about the situation first,
before putting my question out on email to others. Although the email was
specific to an event and I didn’t write with emotional hurt, I appreciated
the servant calling me to discuss their thoughts and feelings, instead of
writing out their disappointment through email…especially if they
would’ve ”copied” the rest of the group.

Emotional emails can be a dangerous tool in the hands of the devil.
Especially emotions that leak a little hurt, disappointment and
frustration. Angry, Jealous, Bitter emotions that spill through emails… are just
plain wrong to write. It’s amazing how many misunderstandings I’ve had to
clear up because emotions were misread and misinterpreted through email.

Pray and think through emails that you write. Pause, sometimes even for a
day to let your emotions settle down, especially if you are responding with
passion or emotion. As a rule, those subjects should be best discussed over
the phone or in person.

Just a thought from…from one email user to another.

Hello leaders:

There’s a certain line, I seem to cross at times. That line is called familiarity.

I get familiar with my surroundings, relationships, circumstances – and around our volunteers. Then I cross the line, not realizing that at times, I don’t speak or treat our volunteers with as much kindness, grace and gratefulness as I should.

…just a reminder, from lessons of my recent “line crossings”
We are a church that depend on our volunteer leaders, shepherds and servants. Let’s be gracious in All our dealings with our teams. You & I set the tone, culture and heart of graciousness and gratefulness.

It’s an honor to reach people for Jesus with you,
Rod

No doubt - email has become a vital tool to communicate, to people around the world and those around the corner in our workplaces. The church is no different from any other organization, using email to communicate quips, quotes and jokes to crucial, timely information that requires immediate attention and action.

Have you ever been misunderstood through an email you sent? I’ve witnessed relationships being damaged and divided because of misinterpreted words. Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise. We may need to consider this passage when writing emails. Especially in the context of discussing relational matters or topics that can be personal and sensitive.

When using email to communicate, here are some tips to consider to build bridges, not damage relationships.

~ Be careful when you are upset, emotionally involved in a situation you are addressing. Be aware of your feelings and attitude when you are writing or responding to a sensitive issue or topic.

~ Remember, you don’t know the frame of heart or mind of the person when they “finally” receive or open your email. If this is a time sensitive issue or if you respond too quickly to a “sensitive” email, the recipient may not catch “your intentions or heart” behind the email.

~ When in doubt, when emails are being shot back and forth discussing or trying to resolve something, PICK UP the PHONE! We can tend to hide behind email communication.

Let’s build winning teams by building winning relationships through winning email communication!

In this season of my life, I’ve never been more motivated to improve. To improve my relationship with God, attitude, roles as husband, father, leader and servant. To improve my quality of life, health and gifts. The desire and willingness to improve in life has increased immensely since moving back to Hawaii 8 years ago, rubbing shoulders and hearts with Pastor Wayne and the people of New Hope! There is an incredible heart attitude amidst the servants of New Hope. I think we are trying to live out one of our Core Values…God is worthy of our very best, therefore a spirit of excellence should permeate everything we do (and everything we are!).

As leaders, our goal is to ultimately please God first, not people. Many of us get trapped by being people pleasers, limiting our forward movement and progress. Some leaders fear change for fear of complaints and unsatisfied people.

A willingness to improve will always require change. I’m so glad I’ve upgraded my computer along the way from 18 years ago. If I were unwilling to change or satisfied with what I had, my productivity would be greatly hindered. I love the “Mac” God provided! See if some of my thoughts below can benefit you to adjust your attitudes and convictions towards helping people through change.

1. Believe in people to make necessary changes. Be positive communicating the “why’s” and potential fruitfulness.
2. Believe in the “whys” of your direction to change. Especially when the change is direction from your leadership. Be sure to own the heart and the conviction of your leadership during change. This is a must…very critical! Under shepherds or leaders (middle management) can spoil the hearts of others if their hearts aren’t right! I can’t over emphasize this one!!
3. Be willing to listen to others along the way. Don’t be stubborn about listening to resistance. Others resistance may contribute elements that could sharpen the pathway to change. In other words, be OPEN to CHANGE too.
4. Decide not to compromise your convictions to make others happy. Maintaining healthy relationships is essential but not at the expense of compromising your conviction to lead others through change.
5. Be consistent to evaluate everything and everyone involved to progress towards God’s very best.
6. Upgrade towards improving people, productivity and programs.
7. Make it your desire to make God happy by leading people through change that will produce
8. Help people to understand the purpose behind the change. They may not always agree but the communication will build healthy relationships.
9. I must be willing myself, to step aside for other ideas, people to lead through change - as it is appropriate. Sometimes leaders aren’t willing to lay their lives (ways, thoughts, plans) down to make room for a better plan, idea or direction. That attitude may have a little to do with PRIDE.

Lord…help me to hear Your voice to lead others to grow in their relationship with You, through change. Help me to always be willing to improve through change. Change me O’ Lord!

In a conflict I was mediating, one person saw only one solution, the other person saw another solution - both leading to different results. “You don’t see any other alternatives?” I asked. “If there was another possible solution, would you both consider working towards resolution?”
My way or the highway attitudes can poison people and teams. Holding on to “your way or idea” as the best answer or solution can be endangering.
Conflicts will occur on teams. Differing views, opinions, ideas and solutions to challenges are a part of diversity. There are 3 ways or attitudes to choose from.
1. My way.
2. Your way.
3. The “Win-Win” way.
The Win-Win alternative may very well be the other answer or solution. It may be the better way - maybe even better than my way.

1. W - Welcome others ideas with an open heart.
2. I - Initiate solutions beyond your preferences & likes.
3. N - Never say never. In other words, don’t think and speak your mind about an idea being stupid or never working before hearing all the facts and giving thought and time.

Romans 14:19
Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

31.) Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch with them.

32.) Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.

33.) Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. God provides remember?!

34.) The best is yet to come. (in Heaven)

35.) No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

36.) Do the right thing!

37.) Call your family often.

38.) Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: ‘I am thankful for __________. ‘ Today I accomplished _________.

39.) Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

40.) Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don’t want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

21.) You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22.) Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.

23.) Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24.) Ladies - Go on and burn those ’special’ scented candles, use the 600 thread count sheets, the good china and wear our fancy lingerie now. Stop waiting for a special occasion. Everyday is special.

25.) No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26.) Frame every so-called disaster with these words: ‘In five years, will this matter?’

27.) Forgive everyone for everything.

28.) What other people think of you is none of your business.

29.) Time heals almost everything. Give time, time!

30.) However good or bad a situation is, it will change.