Pragmatism of Jesus

Matt 11:19b  “But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”

I remember years ago hearing the evils of pragmatism as it applied to the church.  And I do have to say I find it a disturbing thought that if something works within some church or even business, that we think it can and should be applied to the church as a whole or even in our own ministry.

But that being said as wee look at the verse above I think it is interesting that Jesus uses this statement and points to the fact that results is a factor in showing how wise a coarse of action is. Just so we define our terms… “Pragmatism is a philosophical movement that includes those who claim that an ideology or proposition is true if it works satisfactorily.”  As I have been learning to lead and develop system in our church to make things run better smother and more effectively I always ave to struggle with this concept.  I am by nature an unstructured individual.  I at time hate structure becuase it goes against my nature and my desire to “have fun”.  But as I set up systems and ask people (including myself)  to follow the process of these systems (whether they or I like or even agree with them or not)  I find Jesus words smack me right upside the head.  “Wisdom is shown right by it’s results”

So the next time someone decries the evils of pragmatism in the church, reflect on this verse.

Refiner’s Fire

Malachi3:3 says: ‘He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.’

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and Nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention any thing about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, One needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; Then she thought again about the verse that says:‘He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.’

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, ‘How do you know when the silver is fully refined?’

He smiled at her and answered, ‘Oh, that’s easy — when I see my image in it.’

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

Leadership Lessons in Deuteronomy 1:6-8

I am stuck in these verses with the fact that Moses is a man of vision.  I think it is true of any great leader that you must develop the practice of cultivating vision in your life.  I believe that vision is something that God gives to leaders but I also believe that we can cultivate the ability to receive that vision from God in our lives.

Helen Keller was once asked, “What would be worse than being born blind?” and she replied “To have sight with no vision”  I think God given vision is what sets good leaders apart from great leaders. Here are some bullet points that I believe about vision.

1. Vision has a telephoto and wide angle lens – Vision see more than the immediate situation it sees the future but it also see the surrounding impact on the present and is aware of the current complexity of the issue.
2. Vision sees needs and problem as opportunities for God’s greatness
3. Vision is motivating to the leader and the follower.
4. Vision is proactive not reactive.

So how do we cultivate the ability to receive vision?  Well I thing Duet 1:6-8 give us a few things to think about:

First is we must be listening.  I know DUH! but how often do we ask God for wisdom or direction and then just plow forward before waiting for his response.  I think this is one of the things God made the children of Israel learn.  You have to wait and listen for God to speak. Verse 6  says “The Lord our God spoke to us in Horeb”  Horeb was a significant place for Moses.  It was the place of his “first hand encounter” with God through the burning bush.  God spoke to him clearly and gave him direction and vision for his life.  I don’t think it is a coincidence that we see several times Moses returns to this place for direction and vision from God.  Where is your Horeb?  Where is the place you most clearly hear from God?

Second when we get a vision from God we must follow through on it.  God says to Moses.  “Go in and take possession”   God does not give Moses a plan B.  He gives him one vision and expects it to be followed.  That is the great thing about God he never second guesses our call.  Rom 11:29 says ^“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

Third we need to remember that God’s vision for us, our team, or our church is part of a much larger plan!  God had established this plan way before Moses and that plan would not be completed till much after Moses.  God has a purpose and plan bigger than us and we are fortunate enough to be part of it.  The vision God gives us is intended to accomplish something greater than we realize.  What is at stake if we do not act on the vision God has given?

Well that’s all I have for that.  Comments, Questions, Thoughts…. please share!

Situational Leadership

Being a young leader I am always interested in finding tools and resources that make a difference in how I lead.  Well I have to tell you I think I found one of those rare gems that I believe can make a huge difference in how I am able to lead.  Now for some of you this may be old news (if it is why did you not share it with me?)  I was working through a webinar presented by Kerrick Thomas from the Journey Church in NYC.  While going through this webinar he casually mentioned the concept of Situational Leadership taught by Ken Blanchard.  It intrigued me to the point that I began to research it.  All I can say is WOW!  I feel like I now have a piece to the leadership puzzle that I have been searching for.  It is really not that unique or hard to understand, in fact it is fairly simple, but it is a tool to help devise a plan on how to lead someone from new leadership to competent leader of leaders.

The best resource I found online for this was at Ken Blanchards website.  The PDF can be found HERE

To sum the concept up simple it identifies four styles of leading (directing,coaching,supporting,delegating)  and helps through a series of 4 questions to analyze what style or combination of styles is appropriate in a given situation.  I am so excited about this because I have already used a few times and it seems to really make a big difference in how I am able to lead people.

I will keep you apprised as to how it is going if you want more information.  If you know much about me one of my gifts is teaching, so my plan is to teach this to as many leader I can.  I am thinking if possible at our next New England Pastors meeting I would like to take 30 min and teach this if they are not familiar and using this tool.  We will see if it changes how we lead and hopefully I can give back to the many great leaders in that group a little of what they have given me!

Thanks guys

Leadership Lessons from Deuteronomy – First in the series

OK, let me explain. I am working my way through the book of Deuteronomy and I have decided to use this as an opportunity to fill my blog.   I am not sure how long this is going to take but I think it will be a great “Journey” to take me to the “Next Level”  and maybe even start a “Dialogue” (that’s a shout out to my friends).  So here we go.

A few things struck me in the first five verses.

1.  Moses understood that atmosphere can impact the message.  We see that Moses when he delivers his first message is in a specific place… “this side of the Jordan”(vs 1).   I am sure he is tapping into this place to remind people of what has happened in their wanderings.  We cannot underestimate the power of visuals to relay the message we have to give to people.  This is not only true in preaching but also in leading.  Information is not enough we have to connect peoples minds and hearts to see true change come about.

2. Moses spoke the right message.  We see specifically that Moses spoke “according to all that the Lord had given him”(vs 3).  Not only did he speak ONLY what the Lord had given him but he spoke ALL of what the Lord had given him.  I find in my own leadership this is so hard.  Not only to speak only when I know something is from God but also to speak all that Go tells me. This kind of goes back to my previous post on confrontation.

3. Moses spoke with confidence in God.  Finally we see that Moses spoke after significant victories (vs 4).   Moses taps into the power of celebration in what God can and has done to encourage his people with the message God has given.  We often underestimate the power of celebration, but if we learn to use it we will see it can lead us to “The Big Mo” as John Maxwell calls it.  Not that is not the Moe and the big exit of veggie tales lore ( although I really enjoyed that one).  I am talking about Momentum.  Maxwell says that when momentum is good your people will achieve the impossible, but when it is bad they will fail to achieve even the possible. Encouragement and celebration must become a part of everything we do if we want to see God’s power in our lives.  We must thank Him and celebrate His victories!

Well that is all I have for this one.  If you have any thoughts please comment.

Confrontation

Why is confrontation so hard with some and yet it is so easy with others?  Have you ever experienced this?  As a pastor and leader I really hate confrontation.  I know that might sound weak, and at times that is how I feel about my disdain for confrontation.  WEAK.  You see I have heard it said “It is easy to confront when you have nothing to loose”.  But what is it that I have too loose?  I think when it comes down to it I am afraid that my words might push someone further from God instead of draw them closer.  I also think in some way I might harm my influence with them.

The big problem is that when i come to that point I am operating  my ministry in fear.  2 Tim 1:7 says “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

Now I know the context of that verse is really about sharing your faith.  But in a sense, I think that is confrontation.  Confronting people with their sin. Warning people of the consequences of sin and  telling them they don’t have to walk that way because God has made a way for them to walk differently.

In the context of the church and scripture Matthew 18:15-20  makes it clear how we deal with confrontation.  But it is not easy is it?  I don’t know that I have and answer for this desire to not do it. I just know as a leader I MUST!

God grant me the strength the courage and the love to confront in a way that draw people to you, not pushes them from you.  May it be your kindness Lord that leads us to repentance. (Rom 2:4)

First Post

Ok, So here it is my first blog post.   I cannot guarantee that you will find anything of value in this blog.  I can only say I feel this is one of the disciplines that I need to develop in my life and begin to write the things that God is teaching me.  So stay tuned!