Autumn “Tune Up”
A warning chill hangs in the morning air. The blackbirds are congregating for their pre-migration conference. It is re-engagement time for ministry leaders across our District. I trust that the summer has been kind to you despite the incessant rain and violent storms.
Here are a few thoughts about preparing for the September “ramp-up” in your leadership life.
Pause – Take some time to thank God for the ‘off’ time, the ‘family time,’ the ‘relax time’ of the last few weeks. The rush of life around us can push us into the unintentional mode of ingratitude. Jesus was sad when only one of the ten healed lepers returned to Him to say “thanks” (Luke 17:11–19). An ‘attitude of gratitude’ is a great way to move into a brand-new season of ministry.
Ponder – Take some time to think about your call before you plunge into your schedule. It is the call that holds us in ministry for the long haul. Undoubtedly, you will face challenges in the coming months. That is an integral part of leadership. It helps to remind ourselves that God’s call is the reason and rationale for our ministry.
Proceed with both Confidence and Caution – Leadership is about change. Success in leadership is about the wise management of change. We should be confident in the direction the Holy Spirit is leading us to lead others. However, we should also be cautious and wise in the way we implement change. Maintaining the ‘status quo’ will produce stagnation, but dictating rapid change will spell disaster. Don’t make multiple changes at once. Lead your people through change but never attempt to push them through it.
Prioritize people – As we strategize and plan, our focus can easily shift to executing well-developed programs. There is nothing inherently wrong with programs. Without them, there is chaos. But remember that programs are only the vehicle we use to reach people. Our focus is on people. Jesus died for people. It is people to whom God wishes to be reconciled. Determine that you will continually point the members of your committees, the ruling council of the ministry and volunteers back to God’s love for people.
Prepare for Fruitfulness – Jesus promised that if we would abide in Him and He in us, we would produce much fruit and that fruit would remain (John 15:5). Enter the next season of ministry expecting fruit. The harvest is more ready in Canada than ever. People of every age, race and station in life are hungry for truth, reality and hope. As you are thinking of the coming months, three emphases in teaching, preaching and leading should dominate:
Preparing your people to be harvesters
Planning your activities around reaching people in your community with the Gospel
Pinpointing your own sermons and lessons to connect with those who are not yet believers.
Happy Fall to each of you. Let’s get a ‘joy party’ started this Fall that will resound throughout heaven as a multitude of people find hope in Christ.
“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” - Jesus - Luke 15:10 (NIV).
Al is an experienced pastor and counselor who works out of our ABNWT District Resource Centre in Edmonton as the Pastoral Care Coordinator. A pastor to the pastors, Al is a friend, mentor, and confidante to all.