“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

Matthew 5:6

There is an old saying that “you can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink.” It means that if a horse is not thirsty he likely will not drink, even if you place some water before him.  The same can be said of our relationship to God.  We can be led to God, but unless we desire Him we will have no interest. So it is important for us to develop a hunger for God and His Word, so that we may be filled with His Holy Spirit.

I once heard the Rev. David Jeremiah identify the difference between “Spiritual Hunger” and “Physical Hunger” in a sermon of his on the radio. He said that with physical hunger, the more you eat, the less hungry you become until you are full. But with spiritual hunger the opposite is true. The more you eat, the hungrier you get.  You can never have enough. For church leaders it is important to encourage others to have a spiritual hunger for God as well.  We can lead them to God but they must have a hunger for God themselves. When God’s people hunger for Him they desire more of Him and thus grow as disciples.

A disciple of Christ should hunger for God as Jesus did. There is a difference between being a “disciple” and just being a “believer.” A Believer is someone who has a firm religious faith that they take as true or honest. A Disciple, on the other hand, is someone who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another. Therefore, a disciple is more than just a believer because a disciple has an active faith. As James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.” There are many Biblical examples of people who hungered for God. They include faithful people like Abraham, Moses, David, Job, Nicodemus, Mary Magdalene, Peter and Paul. If we also want to be a disciple of Jesus then we should hunger for God as these other disciples did.

Today, we need to encourage all believers in Jesus to develop a hunger for God and so become disciples of Jesus as well. Why should we encourage a hunger for God? First, we know that only God can fill their spiritual “void” and give them true peace. God is the only one who can satisfy their spiritual desires and needs. Second, we were all created to be in relationship with our Creator. We have all been separated from God through sin, and He wants us, and them, back! Third, Christ is the ONLY way to salvation and eternal life.  The Bible says in Acts 4:12 that “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” And lastly, we should encourage a hunger for God because of the blessings God wants to give each of us in this life. If we seek Him first, we will receive everything else (Matthew 6:33)!

How can we tell if someone has a hunger for God? First, they love to worship God. Second, they have a desire to know and understand God’s Word and pursue His will for their life. Third, they want to fill the emptiness in their life and have a relationship with Jesus. Fourth, they are willing to submit to God (James 4:7). This means they want to do His will, obey His commands, and go where He leads. Fifth, they have a desire to serve others and to love others as Christ has loved them. Finally, they have a longing to share the good news with others. They willingly witness and proclaim the gospel.

So, how do we help feed the spiritual hunger of others? First, we should encourage the eating of spiritual food, which is to read God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). To grow in Christ they’ve got to know Christ. Second, we should encourage regular worship. It helps them put the focus on God in their lives. Third, we should encourage the resistance to “sweets” (sins of the world) that diminish one’s appetite for God. Remind them to avoid situations that can lead to temptation and sin and separate them from God. Fourth, we should encourage the feeding of others through service and mission.  In order to receive they must first give away (Luke 6:38). Fifth, we should encourage the development of a Godly perspective. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2) And finally, encourage them to develop a strong prayer life. It builds their relationship with their Heavenly Father and reinforces their faith as they see God answer prayer.

Here are a few extra tips on encouraging others to develop a hunger for God:

1. Be an example – Don’t just tell them, show them!
2. Do it together – make yourself accountable to others
3. Focus on the positive – criticism destroys desire
4. Be proactive – don’t wait for them to initiate activity
5. Give all praise and glory to God – It is always about Him!

Encouraging others to develop a hunger for God is an important step in discipling them. Let us be examples and show the way!

(From Chapter 1 in our Discipleship for Church Leaders™ Training Manual, ©2015.)

“Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still;

teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.”

Proverbs 9:9

Leadership is critical in ministry as it is for any organization.  The success of any ministry will rise and fall on its leadership.  Weak ministries can succeed with strong leadership, but strong ministries cannot succeed with weak leadership.  If we are to achieve success in the ministries that God has called us to, then we must become effective leaders in order to fulfill His purpose through us.

John Maxwell, a leading authority on leadership, says that while some people are born with natural leadership ability, leadership is also a skill that everyone can learn and develop. Therefore, it is important for pastors and church leaders to continue to learn and develop their leadership skills.  A good leader never stops growing and learning.

It is my belief that if pastors and church leaders work at developing the following 7 leadership skills they will become more effective leaders.

1. Communication

Effective communication is perhaps the most important skill that a leader can possess. Without good communication skills it will be difficult for a church leader to communicate Biblical Truth or influence their followers. Being able to speak clearly, succinctly and effectively enables a leader to motivate, encourage and direct their followers to necessary or desired courses of action. Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” There are 3 skills leaders should develop to become better communicators. First, develop your public speaking and presentation skills. Leaders are frequently called upon to speak to large groups or present solutions to church issues. If your speaking and presentation skills are poor then your results will likely be as well. Second, learn to be clear & concise. Leaders often confuse people when they ramble on about something or wander from the topic at hand. And third, and most important, remember to communicate to be understood, not to be heard. If people only hear your message but do not understand it then they will not be educated, motivated or encouraged by it.

2. Listening

Many people become leaders because they are able to communicate and articulate issues, ideas and solutions to others in a way that inspires confidence and trust in their ability to lead. But being able to listen carefully and thoughtfully to the ideas of others helps a leader make better decisions and manage the resources of the church more effectively. It is often said that God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason! The Bible says in James 1:19 that we should be “quick to listen and slow to speak.” Furthermore, in Proverbs 1:5 it says, “Let the wise listen and add to their learning.”  Consequently, a good leader is a good listener and good listening results in added knowledge and understanding.  It can also prevent us from speaking incorrectly or poorly (e.g. – putting our foot in our mouth!). A good listener also demonstrates concern and care for others.

3. Wisdom

Decision making is probably the main factor that separates good leaders from great leaders. Often, great leaders emerge because of the way that they handled a crisis and demonstrated wisdom in the process. The Bible says that, “Wisdom is supreme; therefore, get wisdom.”  (Proverbs 4:7)  Notice that it says wisdom and not knowledge. Knowledge is simply having information about something. Wisdom, on the other hand, is the appropriate application of that knowledge. As leaders we must continue to learn and acquire knowledge (Proverbs 10:14), but we are also called to use wisdom in applying that knowledge as we lead. How does a leader get wisdom? Ask God for it. God says He will give us His wisdom if we ask for it (Matthew 7:7-8)!

4. Follow Through

I read a study some years ago where CEO’s of major corporations were asked if they had any regrets about their leadership over the years. The most common response they shared was a lack of follow through.  In other words, when they delegated tasks or responsibilities to others they had failed to follow up to ensure they were done correctly or on-time. They all recognized that many problems could have been avoided if they had taken the time to simply follow up on what they had given to others to do to make sure it was on target. Assuming things are on schedule and lack of follow through had frequently led to poor results.  Leaders must hold others accountable by following up so as to ensure what they expect to be done, gets done!  Proverbs 14:15 says, “A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.”

5. Flexibility

Leaders are wise to recognize that not all of their followers will agree with them 100% of the time.  There are always different perspectives on most issues and so leaders must be flexible. Leaders must be willing to consider other points of view and solutions while holding on to their principles. Effective leadership requires learning which battles to fight and which ones not to. There are often many ways to accomplish the same goal. Consequently, leaders should remain flexible and weigh all the options before making any critical decisions. The Bible says, “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.”  (Proverbs 19:20)

6. Encouragement

Everyone needs encouragement. Effective leaders understand that a few encouraging words can go a long way in developing people, raising up leaders and growing an organization. Criticism and harsh words, on the other hand, tear people down and hinder organizational progress. Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica to encourage them with these words, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11) Therefore, speak encouraging words to those you lead – it will inspire them to do better. Show encouragement to others – it will create more effort in the future. And don’t criticize a good effort, praise it!  It will pay big dividends!

7. Passion

One of the marks of a great leader is having a passion for what they are doing. Another word for that is commitment. Leaders must be committed to the goals and vision God has given to them and do whatever it takes to succeed within Godly principles and behavior.  Effective leaders NEVER, EVER give up!  They know that, “God’s work done in God’s way will have God’s supply in God’s time!”  Proverbs 16:3 confirms this and says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed.”

(From Chapter 4 in our Management for Church Leaders™ Volume #2 Training Manual, ©2016)

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down,

shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.

For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Luke 6:38

It seems that one of the hardest things for church and ministry leaders to do is to motivate people to serve the Lord with their time, talents and treasures.  Some people are too busy, some do not feel that they have anything to offer, and yet others are simply not interested in investing their time or resources in the Lord’s work, preferring to “leave it to the professionals.”  As one digs deeper into God’s Word there is no doubt that all of us have gifts we can use to further God’s kingdom, that God calls us to serve Him and others, and that we are all part of His purpose and plan.  If that’s true, then why do so many Christians fail to honor God with their time and resources?   It is important that we first recognize our role as stewards of what God owns and has given to us to manage for Him. Then, as we learn to become a true disciple of Jesus, stewardship naturally flows out of our love and desire for God and His purpose in our lives.

What is Stewardship?

By definition stewardship is resource management. The dictionary says stewardship is “the conducting, supervising, or managing of something, or the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.” In other words, it is managing the resources that you have been given or that belong to someone else. The Bible says in James 1:17 that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” God not only created everything (Genesis 1:1) but everything we have comes from God! In simple terms it means that we manage what God owns for His benefit! This is a crucial point that we as Christians must understand if we are to manage the resources we have been given appropriately and effectively. These resources include our time, our talents and our money. And for church leaders this includes these same resources that God gives His church.

Jesus taught six principles about stewardship in several parables. In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus teaches that 1) we will have to account for what we did with what God gave us, and 2) that whoever is faithful with what he has, more will be given to him. In the Parable of the Wise Manager (Luke 12:35-48), Jesus says 3) we should be watchful and ready in case the owner comes and asks us to give him an account of his resources and 4) that “whoever is entrusted with much, much will be expected.” And in the Parable of the Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1-13), He tells us 5) that “Whoever can be trusted with little can be trusted with much” and 6) that we “cannot serve both God and money.” These 6 principles show us that we must manage what God has given us well and to do it for God’s glory and not our own benefit. God will also hold us accountable for what we did with what He gave to us. This applies to us personally as well as to the Church.

Stewardship is not a matter of “if” or “when”, but “how.” It is also not subject to our circumstances but is rather an attitude of the heart. As disciples, we are called to give to God (Matthew 22:21) and to give cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7).  God also calls us to give sacrificially (Matthew 19:21) and generously (Romans 12:8). Since God first gives to us we should also want to give back to Him as well as to others. We must recognize that God is the true motivator for our giving and understand that He created us for a purpose. We are all gifted by God and called to use ours gifts to serve and build up the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7). This means that we are to give of our time, talents and treasures in ministry to others. It’s not just money that is His, it’s EVERYTHING we have! And how much we give will be a measure of our love for Him and what He has done for us.

Stewardship Flows Out of Discipleship

So why are there Christians who give so little time or resources to the work of the Lord? Within each of us there is conflict between our human nature and our spiritual nature. In Galatians 5:17 Paul writes, “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.” Our sinful nature tells us to keep everything we have for our own needs, to take care of ourselves first. We need to deny the sinful nature that is within us which produces greed and selfishness.  Instead, we need to take on the spiritual nature that the Holy Spirit gives us that will produce service and sacrifice. We do that through the process of discipleship where we strive to be more like Christ.

In order to do that we need to read and study God’s Word so that we can learn His ways. Then, as we become obedient to His commands and submit to His will, we begin to live Holy lives and develop a heart like His. When we do that, we draw closer to God and begin to see things the way God does. And when His Holy Spirit is active in our hearts and lives, we will be convicted to give, serve and love like Him so that stewardship naturally takes place. As our faith grows, we will not need to be told to give, serve and love, we will be compelled by His Holy Spirit to do so with everything we have!

Stewardship is a response to God, not a prerequisite for faith. It flows from a heart responding to the grace that God has given to each of us. Stewardship does not produce faith. It is faith that produces stewardship.

Consequently, if the Church wants to see more stewardship then its leaders must focus on discipleship. When Christians are discipled and develop a heart like God’s, they will respond to meet the church’s needs because they will already be compelled by the Holy Spirit to do so.

(From Chapter 4 in our Discipleship for Church Leaders™ Training Manual, © 2015)

What’s Your Leadership Style?

“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the Body of Christ may be built up”

Ephesians 4:11-12

God has called each leader to lead according to their own abilities in order to prepare God’s people for works of service and to build up the body of Christ.  How we each lead, however, is a matter of personal style and comfort.  As leaders, we typically lead, manage, and operate in a way that suits our own personality, giftedness and experiences.  In some circumstances the way we lead can be very effective while in others they can be ineffective.  Understanding our leadership style and the styles of others, therefore, can help us to be more effective in how we apply our leadership abilities in various situations.

According to George Barna in his book “A Fish Out Of Water” (Integrity Publishers, 2002), there are 4 styles of leadership that emerge from his research on business and church leaders. First, there is the Directing Leader. This type of leader is typically a visionary person who focuses on action and results, not details. Second, there is the Strategic Leader.  This type of leader likes to analyze information, evaluate different scenarios, and develop and shape plans to achieve goals. Third, there is the Team-Building Leader.  This type of leader is more concerned with people relationships and the inclusion of people and likes to organize people to achieve goals. Finally, there is the Operational Leader. This type of leader develops processes to implement plans and likes to build systems to track and monitor results.

According to George Barna, each leader tends to be dominant in one of these 4 styles.  However, all leaders have some aspects of each style and are often able to use each one as needed. Nevertheless, he suggests that leaders surround themselves with other leaders who have different leadership styles. In this way they will complement your leadership style and will often see things in a way that you do not. Scripture reminds us that, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22).

It is critically important that leaders also understand situational leadership. A leader’s dominant leadership style will not always be effective in ALL situations. So leaders must first determine which leadership style will be most effective for a given situation. For example, if a leader is setting a new course for their ministry then a leader should use the Directing leadership style because action is needed.  If on the other hand a leader needs to develop plans for their ministry they should use the Strategic leadership style because analysis and planning are needed. If a leader needs to resolve conflict in their ministry then they should apply a Team-Building leadership style because it involves working with people. Finally, if a leader wants to incorporate new technology in their ministry, that would call for using the Operational leadership style because systems or processes are needed.

While any leader can employ every one of these 4 leadership styles themselves, they should consider letting another leader on their team who has the appropriate leadership style as their dominant one manage the situation.  So if a situation calls for the analysis of a problem and the development of a plan, the leader could delegate the leadership of that project to another leader who has the Strategic leadership style as their dominant one. This would likely produce the most effective outcome.

It is also important to keep in mind that applying the wrong leadership style in a situation has consequences. First, your leadership could be resisted if it doesn’t fit the situation. Second, you could damage your credibility if your handling of the situation fails because you used the wrong style. Third, you could create unwanted conflict that arises from using the wrong style to resolve an issue. And finally, the ministry could stagnate or suffer because the style that was used does not resolve the problem at hand.

So what’s your dominant leadership style? For some of you it may be obvious. But for others it may not be. There is a test you can take to determine your dominant leadership style. Click here to take the test.

As a leader, knowing your leadership style can help you to be more effective in managing people and projects within your ministry. Applying them correctly will also enable you to be more effective as a leader.

(From Chapter 3 in our Management for Church Leaders™ Volume #1 Training Manual, ©2010.)

“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.  All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines”

1 Corinthians 12:7, 11

The Bible says that each Christian is given a spiritual gift(s) for use in building the Body of Christ.  But what exactly are spiritual gifts?  Are they the same as our skills and talents?  How do we know what spiritual gift(s) we have?  Why are they important? And how do we know when and how to use them?  These are typical questions many Christians ask when it comes to understanding their role in the church or in the Body of Christ.

What Are Spiritual Gifts?

Spiritual Gifts are those abilities that the Holy Spirit gives to the followers of Christ to equip them for ministry. As we see from the Scripture above from 1^st Corinthians 12 they are given for the common good and as the Holy Spirit determines. In other words, we cannot manufacture them ourselves. They are gifts from God. Also, the Holy Spirit gives them as they are needed to whomever He chooses. Our skills and talents may be Spiritual gifts, but only to the extent that we use them for God’s purposes and not our own selfish ambitions.

Spiritual gifts fall into 3 main categories. First, there are Ministry gifts. These are the gifts of Apostle, Pastor, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher. These are mentioned by Paul in Ephesians 4:11 when he wrote that “It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers”, and are often referred to as the five-fold ministry. Second, there are Practical gifts. These are the gifts of Service, Encouragement, Giving, Leadership, Mercy, Helps, and Administration, and can be found in Romans 12:7-8 and 1^st Corinthians 12:28. These are gifts God gives to enable Christians to minister to others. Thirdly, there are Charismatic gifts. These are the gifts of Wisdom, Knowledge, Discernment, Prophecy, Tongues, Interpretation, Faith, Healing, and Miracles, and are found in 1^st Corinthians 12:8-10. They are spiritual manifestations and powers and are the ones most often associated with the general term of Spiritual gifts.

(There are other gifts mentioned through the Bible, but these 21 gifts are the ones that are specifically mentioned in the New Testament.)

Why Are Spiritual Gifts Important?

Spiritual gifts are important for the church because they form the foundation of each Christian’s call to ministry. God has gifted every Believer with gifts He wants us to use to further His Kingdom here on earth. These gifts were given to each of us so that we can use them to serve others according to God’s calling and purposes. Paul says in Ephesians 4:12 that these gifts were given to us “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”  Since all Believers are part of the Body of Christ, we all have a role to play in expanding God’s Kingdom on earth. And that role is largely determined by our Spiritual giftedness. In other words, every Christian is called to be a minister for Christ and is equipped to do so with the spiritual gifts God has provided.

How Should Spiritual Gifts Be Used and Applied?

There are 4 ways we are called to use our spiritual gifts:

1. To build up the church

“Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.” 1 Corinthians 14:12

2. To serve others

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10

3. To glorify God

“If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.  If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” – 1 Peter 4:11

4. To reveal God’s character

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. – Galatians 5:22

Notice that these are all God focused and not man-focused. Each of us is gifted to serve the Body of Christ. That does not mean that we are called into full-time ministry. Some are and some aren’t. But we are all called to be ministers for Christ in our homes, workplaces and anywhere we may go. And if we don’t use our gifts to minister to others and build up the Body of Christ then we are neglecting our call and responsibility to God.

So How Do We Find Out What Our Spiritual Gifts Are?

There are many spiritual gift assessment tests that are available on-line to determine your spiritual gifts. One that I have used and found to be quite helpful can be found at http://www.kodachrome.org/spiritgift. After answering all of the questions they will email you the results with a nice analysis. They do ask for a small donation to help their ministry if you take their test, but it is not required.

Knowing our spiritual gifts is an important factor in determining how God may be calling each of us to minister inside and outside of the church. I would encourage all of us to know our spiritual gifts so we can prayerfully consider where we may be called to be a minister for Jesus!