We all know the Great Commission,

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in^[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

Jesus said this to his disciples just before he left as he was preparing them to become the future leaders of the Church. This is still the basic instruction for the Church today. There seems to be a pretty easy distinction between churches that are doing it and churches that aren’t. From a distance, we can look and identify churches that are fulfilling the instruction that God has given us, but it’s probably not some of the barometers that we normally use. Read the rest of this entry »

Been thinking recently about what it means to be a servant-leader.

Chris Sligh (formerly of American Idol) has a great new CD with a song called “Empty Me” in which he confesses “I’ve seen enough of the bright lights…to know what happens to me…so empty me of me so I can be…filled with you”

What are the visual images which come to mind when we hear the word…servant?  When we think of the term…do we think of slaves or people humiliated with drivel?

Serving is a strong term and it is beginning to mean more to me than ever.  Serving another is an even stronger concept for me.  Jesus was strong in his approach and instruction to the disciples when he teaches that to be first–you must be last–you must serve others.

I once heard that General Wilkes Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, sent a telegram to the International Salvation Army convention with this one message…OTHERS!  Such an attitude is rare in this world which is so self-focused and even rare in the body of Christ where we love the uppermost seats and recognition. I’ve said on this board often but I will say it again…THERE IS TOO MUCH EGO IN THE MINISTRY!

How do we change that?

Is it possible to change that?

I love what Andy Stanley said at Catalyst two years ago…people love humble leaders and the challenge is the more humble you become the more people want to put you on a pedestal.  He’s right.  We all love affirmation but it can be intoxicating and can cloud your vision.

I’ll have more later…

Care to jump in?

Link to Forward Leadership Blog