Due to the reading on leadership and time of self-reflection, I have identified some areas in which I need to change concerning my own leadership skills. First, I must constantly develop my own personal relationship with Jesus. In order for me to leave a legacy to my family and my congregation, I need to ensure that my personal relationship with …
Due to the topic of leadership being such a discussed issue, it is easy to neglect the process of personal development. Since I desire to have a meaningful ministry and an effective presence for Jesus in this world, then I must commit myself to continual development. Since Jesus continues to work on me in this life (Phil 1:6), I must …
In John Maxwell’s book, entitled Developing the Leaders Around You, he focused on the intentional development of other potential leaders. In one lesson, Maxwell stated, “The greatest leadership principle I have ever learned in over twenty-five years of leadership is that those closest to the leader will determine the success level of that leader.” While I truly believe that previous …
For my reading for my last seminar, I choose two of John Maxwell’s volumes on leadership that I had not read previously. Through this reading, I learned some valuable lessons concerning leadership. The first lesson was concerning influence. In Developing the Leader Within You, Maxwell wrote, “Leadership is influence. That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less.” Since I have influence, I …
I once read a quote from John Hancock Field in a great point concerning accomplishments. Field stated, “All worthwhile men have good thoughts, good ideas, and good intentions, but precious few of them ever translate those into action.” This thought truly resonated with my current work. I feel as if our church has never had so many opportunities to reach …
John Maxwell once wrote, “When I have integrity, my words and my deeds match up.” As a leader, it is possible to confuse influence with actual integrity. Just because my reputation with people is positive does not mean that my character before a holy God naturally corresponds. I desire that what those around me perceive of my character line up …
While I have been in school, I have been blessed to have some great professors pour into my life. One such mentor was Dr. Chuck Lawless while I worked on my Master’s degree from Southern Seminary (he is my adviser now for the current degree). In a course focusing on the logistics of ministry, Lawless gave the class practical tips …
God has blessed me with many positive male ministerial mentors in my life. Through their example, I have learned what it means to be a husband, father, and pastor. With so many negative examples of ministers, certain men’s faithfulness to Jesus and to their family have kept me encouraged and hopeful. From these men, I have learned to seek balance …
One leadership principle that impacted me in a pivotal way in college was a message that I heard from Dr. Frank Page. Page spoke during a spiritual emphasis week at North Greenville University when I attended (the year was probably 2000 – I’m getting old). During one of his messages, he spoke about a leadership principle from an obscure Old Testament story. While …
A couple of years ago, I read a line in a book called Big Idea by Dave Ferguson. In this book, he lays out how his staff handles a logistical nightmare in how they plan. The way their church organizes around one thought and gets so much accomplished requires a ton of work. When I read it, I was a …