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Archive for July, 2011
Keep on keeping on (Part 8 of 8)
Thursday, July 7th, 2011
One of the most discouraging elements of leading is the cycle that we seem to find ourselves in from time to time. We come to a new ministry. It’s fresh and exciting. So we start off excited. We become very motivated to learn and grow. We’re trying new things. But we can’t keep the pace up week after week, month after month, and year after year. The “work” of the ministry begins to take a toll on us. Slowly it becomes de-motivating. We feel as though we’re simply, “keeping the machine running.” Have you been there? Well, here’s what need to happen. Keep the cycle going! Find something inspiring! Get re-inspired. How? Here are few ideas:
Go to a conference.
Create your own conference at your church.
Read some books.
Write a book.
Take a class.
Take a vacation.
Talk to a friend.
Talk to an enemy.
Network
Do something; just don’t stay right where you are. Even Jesus got overwhelmed and discouraged from time to time. Jesus often retreated and left the crowds and went away to pray and to be rejuvenated. Keep the cycle going. We all have discouraging times, but that’s when we need to be reminded to keep on keeping on. Ask yourself these questions:
1. Why did you get into this line of work in the first place?
2. What are you doing right now that you love?
3. What are you doing that you wish you didn’t have to do?
4. How often do you delegate responsibilities?
5. When was the last time you learned something new?
6. What inspires you?
7. With whom are you surrounding yourself?
8. How much time are you spending in the Bible?
9. What could Jesus be teaching you about yourself during this time?
10. What will it take for you to be re-motivated just one more time?
Remember that story at the beginning of the chapter. That triathlon was the first of many for me. My times have improved and so has my confidence. I learned so much during that struggle. Most importantly, I learned what I was made of! I’m not the kind of guy that gives up when it gets tough…really tough. I’m the kind of guy that might just go down swinging someday. Ministry is tough. It’s so much tougher than what people give it credit. We feel the need to clean up our answers a bit and tell everyone something like, “but it’s all for Jesus.” This may be true, but it really doesn’t mean it’s not exhausting. We all go through seasons- some easy, some rough. What concerns God isn’t how we can get the job done. Most of the time He’s concerned with how He can use the job to get us done.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
- 2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV)
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Communication is Key (Part 7 of 8)
Monday, July 4th, 2011
Proverbs 25:11 “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”
We communicate with what we say. What kinds of things are you talking about every day? Do you spend your time talking about problems or do you spend your time talking about solutions. When someone comes up to your desk, are they usually there to be encouraged or are they generally there because they know that you’re a great person with whom to gripe.
Let’s look at some basic communication 101:
1) We communicate by what we say and how we say it.
We need to: Listen first
Process our response
Respond
2) People will react the way we do, so watch your:
1.Attitude
We never question leadership openly
“I know, I disagree too, but that’s what they said…”
“Don’t focus on what we can’t do”
“We never apologize for passion or our standard for consistency”
2.Tone of voice
Remember sarcasm is rarely appropriate.
3.Facial reactions
Stay calm in all situations.
kingdom in BIG ways this fall. Have a great week of service!
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