Leadership Factors adapted by Rev. E. Anderson

July 24, 2008 at 7:46 pm (Leadership Factors)

                                                       

Rev. E. Anderson

Presented to you is a Christian Leadership Course that is purposed to provoke many to embrace the call of Christ to leadership within His Church. The series will come in the form of a study each week, which will be in two parts thus covering two weeks over the site. My prayer and desire is that such will help many in the summons of Christ to serve Him in these tremendous days.

 

CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP COURSE

 

Study 10    THE PRIORITIES OF CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP      (Part 1)

 

Reading     Matthew 6

 

·       Throughout this chapter on the Sermon on Mount, Jesus Christ affirms a lot of distinct priorities that should characterize Christian life and especially Christian leadership. A priority is that which is given specified and precedent attention above others and assumes first consideration on the agenda of life and work. As can be seen from the passage, there are a number of things that should have uppermost place in thought, consideration and action. For example, Christ certainly gives a priority in v33 – “Seek first the kingdom of God . . . .” In Christian leadership there has to be a learning how to put things in their proper order and an honest and earnest endeavour to see them direct one’s being, belief and conduct. There are factors that must head the list in service and ministry that if adhered to assure success and lasting approval from Christ see also –Psalm 90:12

·       It does not mean that others things are not attended to. We have to discover and discern what is major and minor and keep them in perspective and give the right and appropriate time to all so that there is no unbalance in any area. It is imperative to know the things that differ and to learn to concentrate on the essentials in daily life and work so that the most may be achieved.  This is what prioritizing enabled to effect: the maximizing and production of the greater factors that enrich the person and the Christian community besides the society around.

·       Christ seeks to teach and inspire on this point. Peter was to learn a lesson very early on this matter from Christ – Mark1: 32—39. The Lord had the previous evening been giving out in ministry to countless people and they had made great demands on Him and His time and energies. Early the next morning, before sun was up, Christ was in communion with His Father. Peter is in quest for Him and mentions that everybody is in search of Christ – v37.  Christ did not respond to this because He had His priorities and Peter was to learn this. One, that it was important to receive daily direction from God as to His will, where he should go and what He should do. Two, that the pressure of human demand elsewhere was not the main consideration. It has its place, time and schedule but it is not the directing factor. His commission was elsewhere v38.

 

The following are priorities to be given utmost thought and commitment: God, family, people, work and service, leisure, gifts and their developments etc. There is much to invest time and labour in and all must have their place and yield their profit and pleasure. Here are some helpful points and tips to aid on this issue.

 

DETERMINE WHAT IS ESSENTIAL FROM THE NON-ESSENTIAL

 

·    Things to be done immediately because they are really urgent and pressing – John 4: 4 “He must needs go through Samaria.” This was a pressing meeting and interview with a Samaritan woman. It was not only what was to be wrought in her but in others in the city and the recorded divine teaching that would be available for posterity. It would be seed that would be sown that would be productive throughout the forthcoming centuries.

·    Note those matters and factors that can be postponed and left in abeyance because they can be fulfilled satisfactorily at a later date/day – John 11: 6. Christ postponed going to the immediate relief of Lazarus and the family because other factors had to develop. Even Christ had to be prepared to misunderstood as He seem to linger around and delay to go out to assist in at an hour of major crisis with people He affectionately regarded. A discernment was prevalent in Him that put the whole thing in correct perspective and saved Him from moving in ahead of divine schedule. On this occasion the ‘time factor’ was important. When things should be attended to requires the wisdom of foresight.

·    Seeing what can be rightly delegated to others who can perform the service more satisfactorily and successfully – Exodus 18: 1-27. Moses listened to the wise counsel of his father-in-law and so advanced the peoples and his own standing and situation. He appeared to be one of those indispensable individuals especially in terms of leadership. The people could trust His integrity and judgment and this posed problems because his time and energy was exceptionally loaded. The problem could have a debilitating effect and impact his greater usefulness on the larger front and so the need to have and train others in responsible roles. It would enable him to be most effective where it mattered.

·    Realizing that there are certain issues that do not warrant any thought or attention and can be utterly sidelined or rejected completely – John 21: 22 Christ straightened Peter out here – “what is that to you? You follow Me.”  Whilst it is right to have a genuine interest in another’s calling and vocation, the priority is we should make doubly certain of our own. There are matters that should not claim our thought, attention and involvement because they are truly none of our business. Some people spend much time trying to sort others out and yet their own lives and service requires personal attention.

 

AIDS IN ASCERTAINING AND ESTABLISHING THE ESSENTIALS

 

·    Procure and possess the long term vision and goal on matters. The eternity focus always needs to be present to sort out and sanctify – Philippians 3:12-15. It is quite easy to become bogged down by only observing the immediacy of things and what it occurring. Whilst it is imperative to have real insight into what is taking place, an awareness should be present as to where things are to ultimately end. If the focus is wrong then it will dramatically affect judgement.

·    Consider the right amount of hours, thought and energy to be given on a daily basis to what is to be done and achieved – to prayer, study, visitation and contacts, family, leisure etc. An ordered life and work brings all these things into play and fulfilment. There is always the grave danger of extremism in one direction or another, therefore, everything needs to be addressed and attended to so that good balance obtains in all. This involves matters both spiritual and natural and they need to be integrated.

 

Oswald Chambers spoke of “being naturally spiritual and spiritually natural.”

 

·     Knowing when to say ‘NO’. John 4:46-54 Jesus did not need to go to the home of the nobleman to heal his son when requested.  There are those who find it difficult and an embarrassment to say no and so put themselves under unnecessary pressure. One has the perfect and legitimate right to say no under certain circumstances and one must not entertain guilt feelings as a result. It is a sign of wisdom and sound learning and sense when certain restraints are adopted for greater effectiveness.

·   Being sympathetic to godly counsellors and counselling. Even this outstanding monarch needed people at times to come alongside in order to help make the right decisions and to keep a sense of priority. He was about to a minister what he considered justice to Nabal because of his evil behaviour but was wisely restrained by a woman, Abigail. She gave him a due sense of priority in a difficult situation and was grateful to her for a quick intervention - 1 Samuel 25:33. Other people, at times, are given to us so that can get a better perspective so that we can assess what should take precedence in situations and it is sensible to listen and know.

·       Knowing the difference between the good and the best – Ecclesiastes 7; 1-8. It has been said ‘that the good can be the enemy of the best’. This is certainly true at times and it is important to view things completely so that there can be a clear distinguishing in order that the best is chosen. One is assisted greatly in the programming of life and work when this principle is in action. It makes for greater progress and results.

·       Possessing divine insight into what is occurring and should be. Christ always seemed to be in control and ever making the right choices and He knew when challenged and somewhat chastened by His mother, Mary, where His priority lay - Luke 2:49. He was by no means being her offensive to her in His remarks but was highlight what took ascendancy and held worthy significance. He was ever aware in His consciousness of what the Father required of Him and His disposition was set in this direction - John 9:4. He knew what was on from a heavenly standpoint and had no difficulty of lining up with it. Spiritual insight is a tremendous aid in sorting out those things that should hold priority.

·       Having God’s inward peace that serves as an inward umpire and director – Colossians 3: 15. It is remarkable how that a divine peace settles in mind and heart when there is ascertaining of what should engage the attention and action. The thing that is to be priority may be most challenging and demanding and could be off-putting, but composure of a spiritual nature assists in assuring this is what should be done.

·       Assurance of resources to meet the current demand of the program – Haggai 2:8; Matt. 6:33. When called to tackle a thing of major significance which in point of fact is a priority, one can be aided in commitment and action in the knowledge of the provisions accorded and afforded to bring to fruition and achievement. Nehemiah was called to a task of priority but there came a divine adequacy to meet the whole affair.

 

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A Time for a Laugh served by Rev. E. Anderson

July 24, 2008 at 7:40 pm (A Time to Laugh)

                                                

Rev. E. Anderson

COMMITMENT

 

There were two men shipwrecked on this island. The minute they got on to the island one of them started screaming and yelling, “We’re going to die! We’re going to die!  There’s no food!  No water!  We’re going to die!”

The second man was propped up against a palm tree and acting so calmly it drove the first man crazy. “Don’t you understand?!? We’re going to die!!”

The second man replied, “You don’t understand, I make $100,000 a week.”

The first man looked at him quite dumbfounded and asked, “What difference does that make?!?  We’re on an island with no food and no water! We’re going to DIE!!!”

The second man answered, “You just don’t get it. I make $100,000 a week and I tithe ten percent on that $100,000 a week. My pastor will find me!”

TODAY’S THOUGHT

 

Did you hear about the Broadway actor who broke through the floor boards? He was just going through a stage.

 

 

OPEN WINDOWS

 

There are three engineers in a car: an electrical engineer, a chemical engineer and a Microsoft engineer. Suddenly the car engine shuts off, leaving the three engineers stranded by the side of the road.

 

All three engineers look at each other wondering what could be wrong. The electrical engineer suggests stripping down the electronics of the car and trying to trace where a fault might have occurred. The chemical engineer, not knowing much about cars, suggests that maybe the fuel is becoming emulsified and getting blocked somewhere.

 

Then the Microsoft engineer, not knowing much about anything, comes up with a suggestion, “Why don’t we close all the windows, get out, get back in, open the windows again, and maybe it’ll work?”

 

 

A STRANGE ORDER

 

A guest at a hotel restaurant called over the head waiter one morning and said, “I want two boiled eggs, one of them so undercooked that it’s runny, the other so overcooked that it’s about as easy to eat as rubber. Also grilled bacon that has been left on the plate to get cold, burnt toast that crumbles away as soon as you touch it with a knife, butter straight from the deep freeze that’s impossible to spread, and a pot of very weak coffee, lukewarm.”

 

“That’s a complicated order, sir,” said the bewildered waiter. “It might be a bit difficult.”

 

“But that’s exactly what you gave me yesterday.”

 

 

 

 

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Children’s Page collated by Rev. E. Anderson

July 24, 2008 at 7:37 pm (Kids Stories)

                                                             

Rev. E. Anderson

The story is taken from a book compiled by the late Rev. Gerald Chamberlain, a great children’s story teller and a person who inspired and influenced many young people. With kind permission from his son, Paul.

 

WHO FLIES THE KITE?

 

Text:       “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building” - 1. Corinthians. 3. 9.

 

 

What a wonderful sight it is to see on a clear, windy day, a boy with a Kite in full flight.   How it rises, controlled as if by magic, and then suddenly it dips almost to the ground only to leap and leap and leap back toward the clouds.

 

But who really flies the Kite?????

 

Who gets the credit for such an exhilarating experience???

 

By the way, I’m always a great admirer of a Gcod, Kite Flier, because when I was a lad, my Kites never seemed to go very high and when they did, (being a City boy) they got caught in the telephone wires or dived to destruction, to be annihilated by a passing lorry….   so three cheers, for Good Kite Fliers, I say, but get out into the Park, or wait until you go into the country or sea-side, its very dangerous in the streets!!!!

 

Well really KITE FLYING IS A TEAM EVENT . . . .  You see there’s the BOY WHO FLIES THE KITE…………..

 

Then there’s the KITE ITSELF, the main body……

 

Then there’s the TAIL, which is vitally important, for balance. . . . . .  . . . .

 

Then there’s the CORD, that controls and empowers the Kite……..

 

Then there1s the WIND, whose power is vital. . . . . . . .

They are all really vital to Good Kite Flying.   Which one can you do without??

 

Not a single one.

 

Christianity is rather like that. While we come to the Lord as individuals and He saves us as individual characters, we become part of a great team.  We’ are co-workers together.   

 

God is calling together a great company of people to do a job for Him throughout ETERNITY…….

                                                    E   T   E   R   N   I   T   Y

And that is going to be a very important and a very, very long job.

 

At the moment He is calling us, training us, and equipping us for that big job……………..Now you may feel that you are like the Tail, always the one that is coming in behind the others.  Rather a bit of a no-body. ….But you will know if you’ve ever tried Kite Flying, that TAILS HAVE TO BE JUST RIGHT.   Not too long, not too short, Not too heavy not too light……Just right.

 

In contrast you may feel you’re like the string.   Just a long, monotonous business is life to you.   Christmas comes so slowly and then its a long wait until next Christmas.   Don’t worry,  wont seem like that in 30 years time. Don’t worry, when you get older they will fly by like Telegraph Poles, when you’re in a car going at 60.m.p.h. But you are very vital to the Lord.   Your   plodding, (the Bible calls it faithfulness) your stability (the Bible calls that enduring) is noted by the Lord and He will make something very important out of you.

 

Or perhaps you’re like the Boy, who just holds on…He is right at ground level.   No Cloud Skimming for him.  Right down to earth sort of character.   But the Lord wants this sort as well.  Joseph was a dreamer and got places…He stacked up the wheat into the Storehouses of Egypt, but someone had to grow the stuff and someone had to Harvest it.  If you feel left on the ground.  You’re one of team, mate, and the L0rd has a good place in Heaven for you.

 

Or perhaps you’re a bit of a Wind-bag.   Always wanting to talk. Beware, when you get older you may become a Preacher…………… But, of course, God wants talkers as well.   Jesus was a Wonderful Talker and He used His ability to talk a lot of people right into the Kingdom.   Yes, there’s a place for the windy ones.

 

Or you may feel like the Kite itself.   Always being blown around. Someone always putting the brake on you.  Tugging you this way and that.    Why doesn’t God leave me alone…you’ve often felt like this.   It’s a good job He doesn’t else maybe you’d beat the Americans to Mars!!!   But that restriction in your life is really your place of power.   When you feel the tug on you,     you know someone has got a vital interest in your progress.

 

I say, this is supposed to be a story book and here I am preaching at you.  Sorry about that, but then this is another of my “stories” and people know if there’s anything that fits the ediitor its Wind. But I hope a little of the Wind of the Holy Ghost as well.

 

 

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