Developing Leaders all the Time

"Investing in young leaders is a sure sign that we're thinking about the future and not content with mere short-term success." -Scott Thomas

Even though the language of "developing leaders" is a little different from the Biblical command of "making disciples", I think the idea of developing leaders within the church is along the same heart as Jesus words and actions. Jesus chose a handful of persons to grow close to and invest in more specifically. Below is an article that will help you develop your own heart for investing in the lives of those around you. 

http://www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/2013/winter/developing-future-leaders.html

To view this article, you must first register for free. If you're not able to do that, here's the 7 principles the article suggests for "Training the next generation of church leaders."

1. Nurture Their Inner Lives
2. Focus on Their Potential
3. Let the Lead (and fail) and Lead Again
4. Encourage Innovation and Risk Taking
5. Think Long-term and Short
6. Help Them Create Life Plans
7. Model Humility

I think the article is a great reminder that we must invest in people. The people we are investing in are humans. They live, breath, and make decisions every day. The truth is that humans, unlike robots, have a tendency to be messy. As living organisms, there is a process of growth that must also have the capacity to fail. Without that capacity, no life could come. 

May we be a Church searching after people to walk beside in their mess, encouraging them along the way to grow in the grace and love of Christ.  

Lessons Learned in Worship Leading by Taya Smith (Hillsong)

Hillsong is one of those international bands that have been in front of millions throughout their existence. Their impact and continuous synergy has encouraged the church around the globe toward being followers of Christ in many ways. 

When I found this article I was particularly appreciative of how this tenured group was still driven to "Watch, Listen, and Learn every chance you get." It is so very important for us to continue our striving and learning of our craft and betterment no matter how long or how educated we might consider ourselves. Check out this blog post to see some other lessons learned from one of Hillsong's leaders. 

http://hillsong.com/collected/blog/2014/09/10-things-ive-learned-about-worship-leading/#.WI78kLGZORs

Space for the Artists in your Group

It's easy to get stuck in a rut of offering the same methods and spaces to engage with God. Sometimes it's important to have some new ideas on how to create something which will open the door for others to engage. Here are a few ideas for how you might create space for the artists in your community to engage with whatever theme you are teaching these days. 

http://www.youthworker.com/encountering-god-celebrating-art-in-worship/

Myths about Pastors of Small Churches

There was a key moment in a church retreat when our lead pastor realized we were never going to be the larger churches on the other side of town. He rejoined the rest of the leadership group and said "We are Park Place Church and in our neighborhood for a reason. Let us not try to be someone else, but work to be the best Park Place Church we can be." This moment was extremely important for the next 3 years of ministry. 

Many times it's easy to compare our selves, our churches, and our people to those down the street. This practice usually doesn't bring life, but only discouragement and distraction. This article speaks specifically to the leadership of small churches and looks to be an encouragement to those who give their lives in service. 

http://www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/2014/february/5-myths-about-small-church-pastors.html

A Beautiful Gift and No Place to Give It.

I wonder how the story would go... A girl walking down the street with a great big box that is wrapped all nice and neat. She passes person after person who askes, ''What's inside the box?''  "Can I show you?" she replies. Time and again as she begins to unwrap the box, but the person says something like "I don't have time for this or I'm sorry I have to go." Finally she takes this box to the one place she expects to find appreciation for her gift, the church.  She sets it down in the middle of the lobby and begins to unwrap it, "You can't do that here" says the head usher. "You'll have to find somewhere else. So she takes it to a side room and begins to unwrap her gift, "I'm sorry young lady, you can't do that here" says the teacher of the Sunday School class who will meet in that room just 5 minutes from now. So the young lady takes her gift carefully to the sanctuary. This is the sacred space where she's met with God on many occasions. She takes her gift to the front corner of the space where there is some open floor. As she begins to open it the pastor comes over, "Excuse me young lady, but this is where the communion table must go, as this is the first Sunday of the month." The young girl takes her gift and leaves the church building.

What was the girl's gift? Is this a story that play's out in our church communities as people enter our spaces with incredible gifts and talents that don't fit the normal church model? Take a look at this article to discover what some of those gifts might be and how to make space for such people.  

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/most-ignored-gifts-church