Elasticity

I often hear talk about the need for flexibility in leadership–flexibility being defined as being adaptable and responsive to change as opposed to being rigid. Elasticity has a similar but slightly definition: it describes a quality that enables a substance to change its length, volume, or shape in direct response to a force effecting such a change and to recover its original form upon the removal of the force.

If God has called you into leadership, you can pretty much count on the truth that He wants to stretch you.  He wants to stretch your faith muscles.

There are those times when God puts us under pressure. It is as if we are the silly putty and God is the one doing the stretching. Sometimes He stretches us by putting us in situations that require love and patience. Sometimes He stretches us by allowing us to be irritated by some individual. Sometimes God stretches us through some temptation that comes our way. Or we find ourselves in a situation that really causes a lot of frustration, which in turn stretches us.

But here is the question. If God is stretching us, what is His end game? Is He just allowing us to get stretched out of shape so we will be some distorted Christian? I see a lot of distorted Christians. These are Christians who actions and words do not appear to be Christian at all. To be honest God is not trying to cause distortion in our lives. He purpose is to make us more Christ-like. When He stretches us, He is showing us areas of our life that are not like Christ. He is chiseling on us and pulling on us to make us look more like Christ.

Wisdom in Location

Is it hard to find

Are the roads under construction?

Resources: Free and Premium

What is the difference between “free” and “premium” resources?

As time went by, much of the general information included in the books had been covered in some form or fashion on the website blog.  So, we created “retreat guides” which include only theme-related material.

Working with Volunteers

In most situations in a church setting, you are working with volunteers.  In fact, you’re the leader–and you, also, are a volunteer. Leadership of a ministry is a calling too–it’s true! But there is still that volunteer aspect to it for most of us. As you work with volunteers, there is a similarity to a boss-employee relationship. Certainly there needs to be one who is in charge and others who submit to that leader; otherwise there can be chaos. Yet, because you work with volunteers, they could lack the commitment and loyalty…and even the motivation that would be there if you had paid help.

How do you deal with volunteers?  Lovingly. Kindly. With grace. With gratefulness.

Yes, we need to give guidance and direction, but not as a dictator. Not lording over. Maintaining control without being controlling.

How did Jesus do it?  He led in such away that men wanted to follow Him. He was a servant-leader.