Leadership Insight

This comes from Mike Myatt in Forbes magazine:

Want to test your leadership mettle? See how well you do when leading those not inclined to follow. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people may be comforting, it might even seem like a good idea, but it’s not the stuff of great leadership. The best leaders are not only capable of effectively leading those who hold differing opinions and perspectives – they thrive on it. If unique perspectives, philosophical differences, and dissenting opinions are viewed as an opportunity as opposed to a set-back, growth and development are certain to follow

Click here for full article: http://blogs.forbes.com/mikemyatt/

Dave's Top 10 (no, not Letterman)

At our congregation, we are each choosing our top 10 favorite Scriptures. Then we will gather to discern from that huge list, our top 12 as a congregation and use these as our guide for the new year and beyond.

Here are my top 10. (After choosing these, I realized that there are so many more I could add).

1. John 8:32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
2. Philippians 1:6 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.
3.  1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
4. Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God--what is good and acceptable and perfect.
5. Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--
6. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
7. Philippians 4:6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
8. Psalms 51:1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
9. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
10.2 Corinthians 12:9 My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

These all have special meaning and a story for a particular time in my life. What might your top 10 be? 

We need more control...

Like you, I am saddened by the tragic event that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School. I feel for the families and the community. I feel for the pastors in that area who might be "expected" to have answers - but there aren't any easy ones.

I know the government is now talking about more stringent gun control. I do not own a gun, so I don't really know. But maybe instead of focusing on "gun control" to avert this from happening again, we would do well to focus more on "self-control".

Here are some verses that come to mind:

Proverbs 25:28 (NIV) Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

2 Peter 1:5-7 (NIV) For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

Proverbs 16:32 (NLT) It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than to conquer a city.

Go On

One of the newer television shows that I like to watch is called "Go On". Matthew Perry stars as Ryan King, a radio sportscaster trying to move on from the loss of his wife. His boss, Stephen, makes him attend grief-counseling where he reluctantly joins a support group of misfits who end up becoming his best friends. Even though they all have their own unique set of issues, Ryan eventually learns to love them. He not only shares his life with them, but walks alongside them in their life as well.

Reminds me of how the church is to be...

Dealing with Divisions by Giving Thanks

On Sunday I preached about how to deal with divisions. You can hear the message by clicking here. The apostle Paul began his letter to the people of Corinth with giving thanks. 1Corinthians 1:4 says, "I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus".

With this week being Thanksgiving, I thought of another way we can deal with divisions and that is to focus on being thankful. Try it. When you are in a bad attitude or are tempted to be critical toward someone, stop and thank God for them. Recognize that even though they don't see it your way, God has still created them in His image, too. Yet, we are not all the same. Think how boring life would be if we were all the same. By focusing on giving thanks, it will change our attitude. It will help us to elevate the conversation to see what's really important.

Here's a short list of who/what I'm thankful for:

1. A Savior who came at just the right time and died for me while I was still a sinner.
2. A loving, patient, and supportive spouse.
3. A son who is growing into a godly man.
4. A daughter who is as beautiful and caring as her mother.
5. A church where the Spirit of God is at work.
6. A leadership team of Elders who are prayerful, supportive, and serve with humility.
7. A community of faith that truly cares for one another in so many ways.

Bridging the Gap Between Pastors and Business Leaders

 There seems to be something going on in the Mennonite church—and I like it. Pastors and Business Leaders are talking. I have a great passion for these two groups to connect. I believe the real work of ministry doesn’t just happen on Sunday. It takes place Monday through Friday when Christian businesspeople have opportunity to interact with their co-workers, customers, and community. It’s been said that “Church begins on Monday” so how can the church empower and better equip those to do the work of ministry? (See Ephesians 4:12). Both pastors and business leaders need to recognize that we are in the same business – the “people business.” You can read my complete article by clicking here

An Event to Remember

It was an historic event. No, I'm not talking about the election. I'm talking about our first-ever Election Day Communion Service last night. What a powerful reminder that amidst all of the divided political noise, we could gather in reverence, silence and unity while fellowshipping at the Lord's table.

Last night, as the world turned its attention to who would occupy the most powerful office in this world, hundreds of churches gathered across the United States to worship a servant.
As votes were counted to elect a president, thousands of Christians took the bread and the cup to remember their crucified Lord.

As winners were projected and the electoral map updated, Christians of many denominations sang their praises and proclaimed their loyalty to Jesus.

The Election Day Communion Campaign was started out of a concern that Christians in the United States are being shaped more by the tactics and ideologies of political parties than by our identity and unity in Christ. The practice of Communion is an inherently political act. It is both a pledge of allegiance to Jesus and a declaration of independence from all other powers making claims on our bodies, minds and souls. Too often the church has abandoned its first love for political parties promising protection, prosperity and peace.

 

May we continue to vote each and every day for Jesus in the ways we live, think, act, and serve.

(excerpts from Mark Schloneger - pastor of North Goshen Mennonite Church in Goshen, Indiana.
Special to CNN)