Busunji Uganda

The CFC “Impact The East” Uganda Team has been back in the USA for 3 weeks now. It is so good to be back home with family, friends and our church family.

Here is an update on the final week of ministry in Uganda.

In the last week of the trip the team ministered in the village of Busunji (Boo-soon-joo) we conducted the pastors training just as we did in Mitoma with great results. The pastors were so hungry for this training on the 7 walks of the Christian life that many expressed…”this discipleship training not only lifts us up but now we have the tools for teaching and training our leaders in our churches”. This was very exciting for us to hear, as it is our desire to see nationals teach and train nationals.

Each evening we participated in the outreach crusade. On the first three nights we preached and encouraged the people with the gospel message of salvation and our personal stories of how we became “born again”. We shared often individually, the message of “Yesu Awagala” which means “Jesus loves you”. So many we met were in bondage to sin and the ravages it produces (HIV, rape victims, orphans, broken marriages, poverty etc) that we were moved to compassion. We prayed with those we ministered and as a whole witness much healing and deliverance: physical, emotional, and demonic. To say we were amazed would be an understatement.

In all three weeks we witnessed over 900 commitments to Christ (900 total individuals who asked Jesus into their hearts becoming born again as they were filled with the Holy Spirit) Praise be to God as HE receives ALL of the glory!

A Few Highlights...

900 plus salvations total (adults and children)

600 Pastors were trained.

We each preached in 3 churches.

2 of us shared in the Yesu Awagala Bible Collage bi weekly chapel services encouraging young up and coming pastors.

All three of us shared the gospel to over 700 young students in two schools (public and Catholic) with 8 teachers 1 principal and 400 plus students all becoming born again.

Ministered in two prisons joining the Uganda Christian Outreach Prison ministry team with 24 prisoners giving their life to Christ.

3 people renounced Islam and became born again followers of Christ.

3 American ministers became better men and better pastors with greater passion and understanding of Jesus “Gospel Mission” to reach the world.

The hospitality we received from the people was simply amazing. During this second week we were camping and the accommodations were a bit rough (toilets were mere holes in the concrete) but I think we all felt that this was some of the most memorable times for us as we continued to marvel at the miracles we were witnessing each day.

As I conclude this Uganda portion of the blog updates I wish to acknowledge all the 600 pastors and our ministry partners who taught us much more than were teaching them. Their passion for God and the resilience they showed left us with a great hope for the Bride of Christ (the church) and her future.

Let me say here also that I have gained a new passion for church planting in the Portland Metro area. Pray for our city, less than 6 percent of the population here attends church. There are more adult clubs here per capita than churches. Seeing how the Ugandan believers pray against these kind of strongholds and watch them fall, makes me mindful of the power of our Lord.

Thank you Jesus for entrusting us with the honor of this ministry.

Mitoma Village

We are now at the end of the first full week of ministry in Mitoma Village Uganda, Africa.

How I will express the witness of what we have seen God do while here, to say it was… it is… the continuing story begun and chronicled in the book of Acts would not be an exaggeration I can say this however; Jesus has enlarged our faith and vision for the city of Portland and the PDX metro region as well as Seattle and the reach of CFC world wide… we will never be the same.

Upon arriving in the village we were warmly greeted by the children and the host of the house we were staying. Not long after we were taken by van to Mitoma Worship Center to meet Pastor Bagwa and his wife Charity. The children of the church were rehearing songs in preparation for our arrival. The Bagwa’s are a dear couple so dedicated in their passion and mission to reach this village and way beyond. The Bagwa’s hosted a dinner in our honor and it was in the best Ugandan African tradition a feast that was obvious had been in preparation all day. As we sat in their humble home treated to warm hospitality we could sense that something big was happening… and the food…Oh so delicious we are blessed!

The next day at sunrise we were up early for “morning glory” a time of prayer and worship, what a way to kick off a week of powerful ministry (we did this every morning). Church was to follow were the children sang. The worship lifted the ceiling and Pastor Chris Ward of CFC gave the message on “Peace with God and Peace of God” After, we took a tour of the area. We prayed over the plot of land Pastor Bagwa is believing God to use to build a ministry center. (MWC is renting the local community center now) this land was recently purchased in faith by the church in Motoma.

On Monday 10/26/09 the weeklong pastors training begun. We taught on the “7 Walks of the Christian Life” D.E.P.T.H.S. (Developing Empowered, Passionate, Transformed, Humble Servants for Christ). Let me just say a word to Pastor Blaine Yeager of CFC who developed this curriculum, it is changing the lives and ministries of these dedicated pastors. Many stated that as they have not had formal instruction they were finding the mind and ministry vision expanded. They said, “We will be teaching D.E.P.T.H.S. in the churches”. Praise Jesus, Viva The Revolution!

In addition to this week of training we ministered in the community during our off time of teaching.

Some highlights of the week…

• 450 children at the primary Catholic School gave their life for Jesus (born again) after the Gospel was shared and we answered their questions.

• 260 children at the primary public school gave their life for Jesus saying they wanted to be born again.

• One woman was delivered from alcohol abuse and after being prayed for she became born again coming to our teaching sessions each day after. She told us that she no longer wanted to be under the control of the drink as she does bad things during that time I brought some of the MWC women to here to meet and asked them to watch over her, they said they would.

• Several men from the village were born again and will be coming to Motoma Worship Center for discipleship and continued fellowship.

• Another lady, a school, teacher shared she is always having bad dreams. We ask if she is born again, she said yes and I ask her to explain what it means. She did understand, so after better understanding her situation and the anxiety she was feeling (worry over her students) I explained that her dreams were normal and that she is a teacher who deeply cares for here students. I encouraged her in prayer and in faith, told her that “this night you will have good dreams” The next day she came running over to tell us “pastor pastor, I have a good dream last night” I wrote it down…LOOK HERE! She wrote “my children are precious as gold” The joy in here eyes…amazing!

• One orphan boy handed a note which read “please take me to America that I might go to school and come live with you” Both of his parents have died recently. I brought this to the attention of Pastor Bagwa and he said he would see if this boy could become a “feed his lambs” sponsored child. His name is Ivan and I told him that he has a father in heaven that loves him. I explained the gospel and asked him if he would like to be born again he said, “yes very much”, we prayer, he prayed to receive Jesus. I gave him two of my tee shirts (all week he wore the same clothes no shoes). Please be praying for Ivan and his orphan friends.

So much more happened praise be to God. Please be watchful and pray as we are next headed to a new village. There, we will be conducting training and a crusade each night. Our day will begin at 5 am and end around midnight. This is a heavy Muslim region…Pray pray pray!
I will update upon our return. Many blessing to you all…

Beautiful Uganda

Hello again everyone Uganda is such a beautiful country and the people are more beautiful still. Our hearts are swelling as we are becoming more familiar with the culture and the people of Uganda. The church here is refreshing in it’s resilience and passion for Jesus. The worship is endless all around us and it is a good reminder for us that in a country which has seen so much hardship we are still to put God in the first position no matter the circumstances. Given the depth of the of the Body of Christ here in Uganda it is not without its irony the we 3 men have been called here to teach a curriculum called DEPTHs (Developing Empowered, Passionate, Transformed, Humble Servants for Christ) it is very humbling.

Boda Bodas and Prison Ministry

Today we were up at 4am to get out at 5am. While still experiencing jetlag and on very little sleep, we were able to get up at 4am. After 2 and half hours on a rural road ways, trying to avoid the many “Boda Bodas”(Motorbikes) we went west bound toward the Congo. We finally arrived at Mwera Prison. It is a prison for “idling”. There were 24 prisoners, and all 3 of us spoke about Jesus. Then an invitation was given, and 9 accepted Christ. Then we were off to another prison to minister. After about a half hour drive, we arrived at Mityana Prison. We were led into a building for approximately 40 prisoners came in, mostly male with 3 or 4 female. After an awesome time of worship with drums; there were 3 drums and much enthusiasm. We all spoke, and by the Power of God, 14 came forward in the beginning, and another one spoke to Tim, who happened to be a Muslim. He wanted to receive Jesus and renounce Islam, and wanted to know how to be disciple, this man was afraid to make this decision as it could cost him much persecution both in prison and upon his release. Pastor Tim encouraged him in his walk with Christ and assured him that no matter the cost he will always be close to Jesus secure forever.. We finished up with praying for the sick and handing out food. As the inmates were saying their goodbyes with smiles and waves each of us could sense that God was smiling down on us once again. Afterwards we rode home tired but encouraged.

Tudors and Lefty Mini Coopers

Cars cruising on the left side of the roadway can mean only one thing we made it to London for our 9-hour layover at Heathrow. Kudos to British Airways for a very smooth fight and the service was excellent. The team is rummy and everyone wants to sleep but alas we brave three are toughing it out and doing whatever we can to stay awake. On a “Kewl” note we have met others heading to Uganda to serve in missions of their own. It is such a blessing when one can see the heart of God to reach people realized in the diversity of the body of Christ. Well gotta “jet”…Would someone PLEASE get us a triple espresso?

Uganda via Seattle

The “Impact The East” Team Uganda is in Seattle getting ready to soar into the friendly skies, first to London England then after a nine-hour layover off to Uganda. The team will arrive around 7:45 AM local Uganda time on Wed the 21st, which is 10 hours ahead of the PNW. Last evening we gathered with the CFC family for a time of worship and prayer in an "advanced celebration" of Jesus, in anticipation of the good things to come in Uganda. We have now been sent with the laying on of hands, anointed with oil, and prophetic encouragement. Thank you all again for your support and prayers, in doing so you are there with us also. May the Lord bless you richly… – Pastor Tim

"Impact the East" Mission Uganda

Hello friends, it has been waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to long since my last blog…a whole year…man this dude is BUSY! Okay Okay just lazy I guess.

Anyway, I am back at it and I wanted to share some exciting news. In just a few days I will be joining two of my fellow pastors on a trip to Uganda Africa. During this short-term time of serving we will be conducting pastors training to a group of 650 pastors in two regions of Uganda we will be partnering with many local churches in nightly Christian outreach gatherings and preaching in local churches. We are expecting God to move mightily.

Please be in prayer for us as we travel through the Ugandan countryside and camp in bush country.

I will be add regular mission updates as time and access allows so please check back from time to time.

The Lord's blessing to you all,

Pastor Tim

Changing the Method not the Message fulfills our Mission. Adult Ministry and Learning Dynamics.

As a former Adult Education Vocational Computer Instructor, and Pastor I find this subject very interesting and important, as it is a subject that at times is not well understood. The following is a few of my observations over the years and I hope it will in some ways be helpful.

In teaching adults I often found that many were truly interested in continuing to expand their knowledge base. It is always a hoot to see ones eyes light up when a new fact or skill was acquired. Most of my class roster consisted of senior adults. Many were very much older being in their 80’s and even older in some cases. These people were delightful for the most part. I was touched by how warm they often were with me. Knowing the life many of them had lived, being a part of World War 2 for example, really made me very sober minded regarding the honor I felt in having influence in their lives. For this reason understanding how adults learn and having a strong adult education processes in the church is crucial to over all discipleship. Understanding how adults learn best will help raise the bar of biblical knowledge and application.

I observed during my 5 years teaching in Adult Public Education and later 3 more years working as a customer trainer & technical instructor for the Canon Semiconductor Division, and later still as a Pastor, a number of interesting dynamics concerning human behavior. Here are a few of my personal observations.
1. People learn better when they are encouraged and not made to feel dumb when the learning curve is steep.
2. People excel when praised.
3. People’s motivation drops if the environment becomes dry and sterile. It is better if the material is interactive and fun.
4. Testing is not a true measure of an individual’s knowledge of the subject.
5. Everyone does not learn at the same pace.
6. Demonstrating mastery of a skill, results in better retention.
7. Humor relaxes the class.
8. Course and teacher evaluations help the instructor develop better teaching aids.
9. Student evaluations keep order and discipline in force
10. Some adults are visual learners others learn and retain from lectures.
11. Maturity is not necessarily a natural result of age.
12. Experience and age generally correlate.
13. The older the generation the deeper the moral virtues (though there are exceptions).
14. Lowering the difficulty in learning without lowing the standards yielded better results.
15. High academics do not always translate into intelligence and vice versa.

My observations are based primarily on personal interaction with my students over the years. I have come to believe most Adults have a short attention spans. This is an important understanding because if it is true and if it can be verified through empirical data than it might change how we minister and teach biblical truth in the church. For example if a person’s attention were to wander say after 20 or 30 minutes might it behoove us to create shorter sermons? Perhaps but I will caution here that we do not want to create 30 minute disciples. We must be discerning on this matter.

This leads us to explore how we are teaching spiritual truths. Perhaps we would discover that there are better methods than just preaching to teach the bible. I am convinced that people want to participate in the process of learning. I would explain this as an experiential approach. Get the listener into the story. This could happen through methods such as Q and A sessions. Worship painting as a visual aid; other things might be using smells, light, sounds, etc. Touching the human senses to stimulate the mind to learning might be highly effective. It is interesting that children often learn this way and if you think about most of us adults are nothing more than big kids we are after all God’s children.

I find it interesting as well that in the bible much teaching and fellowship happened around a meal. Could it be that we are more receptive to teaching when the pleasure centers of the brain are activated. Food makes us feel good, but more importantly it makes us satisfied and relaxed. When we are relaxed we enjoy life more and community and fellowship are enhanced as a result.

Have you ever noticed how music makes us feel better also? Just look at a little toddler. Often when the music is playing they just can’t help themselves they start moving and bopping about. In adults we tend to want to stomp our feet or get up and move or dance. It stimulates a pleasure center of our mind. We use music in worship. Could it be that it makes us feel better and more open to the presence of the Lord. I think it does, for that reason also It can be a way to teach about God and his character.

As an educator and now as a Pastor I have learned one important truth, for people to learn they must be motivated. *One study by Stephen Lieb, Senior Technical Writer and Planner, for the Arizona Department of Health Services and part-time Instructor, at South Mountain Community College made the following observations.
*At least six factors serve as sources of motivation for adult learning:

• Social relationships: to make new friends, to meet a need for associations and friendships.

• External expectations: to comply with instructions from someone else; to fulfill the expectations or recommendations of someone with formal authority.

• Social welfare: to improve ability to serve mankind, prepare for service to the community, and improve ability to participate in community work.

• Personal advancement: to achieve higher status in a job, secure professional advancement, and stay abreast of competitors.

• Escape/Stimulation: to relieve boredom, provide a break in the routine of home or work, and provide a contrast to other exacting details of life.

• Cognitive interest: to learn for the sake of learning, seek knowledge for its own sake, and to satisfy an inquiring mind.

I believe these are some excellent points. As churches we must make sure that we “bore no more”. If people are not having a good time in church, if we are working them to hard, not making it fun, not showing them we value them than how will they be motivated to listen to our message? Will we kill the motivation or encourage it? If we are willing to look at how we can change while maintaining our purity and biblical integrity we can change our methods without changing our message thus fulfilling our mission.

** In Michael J. Anthony’s Book “Christian Education” contributor James A. Davies writes concerning Adult Ministries that the bible is predominantly an “adults oriented book” “It was written by adult for adults”. So it follows that we might want to understand better how to teach and preach to adults. Again it is interesting to me that Jesus taught in parables. Stories to help reinforce his simple yet profound truths. Now I will admit that in Jesus day many were probably uneducated. In some ways however that is still true if not in a broad societal since certainly in a spiritual one. Ironically many believe that Christianity is of little or no value in gaining spiritual truth. It is analogist to driving around in ones car saying to yourself how much you wish you had a cup of coffee and on each street corner is a Starbucks yet you believe you cannot find any coffee to drink. People are doing the same thing saying, “by golly I need a spiritual shot and pick me up” and they walk or drive by the First Baptist, Methodist, Assembly of God, Lutheran, Church of Christ, Foursquare, Presbyterians…well you get the idea. They say, “nah surely I cannot get what I need there, A church…certainly not”. How sad that most adults are so susceptible to the influence of the world. Yet the church is not so influential, why? Could it be the world does it better? Is what they offer better? What could possible be better than Jesus? I would suggest that they do not do it better really; it is just that we are so resistant to change that in the eyes of the world we look out of place. This is why it is necessary to understand how people learn and how they are influenced. It is by accident that Satan used a piece of fruit to entice Adam and Eve. Look we need to understand that he used something very familiar to them. He used an object that looked pleasing and tasted good. If Satan gets how humans work, than don’t we think that attractive methods will work today for the church? I don’t mean compromise our message. I am talking about making our self and the church, more relevant by making what we have more attainable and delicious. We know already that Jesus is the tastiest thing of which we will ever partake. The world needs to see that as well; and it might take unusual methods for that to happen. Understanding again how people learn can help. The church must be so passionate about people that nothing will stop us from reaching them for Jesus. We must make hard choices in the church today and not be afraid to throw the box away. Can the church teach the world? Yes…can the world teach the church…you bet? The better question here is who is teaching whom with more influence?


Sources:
* http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/adults-2.htm
** Michael J. Anthony “Christian Education” contributor James A. Davies Chapter 24

Want to make an IMPACT in the Portland Metro area?
Contact Pastor Tim at... impactinglives4jc@gmail.com

Could it be that God is the original “out of the box” thinker?

Romans 1: 20 - From the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly observed in what he made. As a result, people have no excuse.

It is interesting that upon refection of my life there was a time when I did not know God. Now that I do know Him this former life of ignorance is very foreign to me. If I think hard however, I can remember that I often wondered about my own existence and purpose. Along the journey of my life God awakened my soul and spoke to my heart. Using His creation; most notably the stars in the universe, I began to hear his voice and the stage was set for an ever-increasing desire for God knowledge and to serve him fully. So I made that commitment and the integrity of the Lord compels me to fulfill His calling in my life and to honor the Lord in how I live, and serve Him.

Over the years the knowledge of God has created a paradox. The more I know about God the less I know about…God. It is a wonderful paradox because what it speaks of is the limitless nature of God. This is a bedrock doctrinal truth, I am that I am (Yahweh) Jehovah…The Lord God Almighty. So I ask, who is bigger than God? People often say that leaders should “think outside the box” It seems to me, with God, this was His original idea. It is incredibly profound and deeply personal spiritual truth.

As I have grown in faith in God I have come to more fully realize that my purpose in this life is to worship the one true living God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Now one might assume that God needing worship would make him some sort of megalomaniac but really He is all sufficient so He really does not need me at all, and that is the beauty of it. He does not need me, but he does want me. So my real true purpose beyond worshiping Him is to have a relationship with Him. One that was once separated because of my condition of sin, which he took care of freely giving himself as the payment or judgment for my guilt. This is what is known as propitiation. I was found guilty in the universal court of God’s lawful holiness, but Jesus said I will take the death penalty for you. Incredible, knowing this how can I NOT worship Him?

Engaging in the act of worshiping God involves not only the raising of my voice in song, but in how I serve people as God’s ambassador. Worshiping is to glorify and lift up the Lord with how I live. Each time I serve someone by setting aside my own desires in favor of the other person’s needs I am glorifying Him and thus worshiping Him. This is very cool because in having a relationship with God I partner with Him in His mission to bring Jesus “good news” to those who are still far from Him. That I get to do it is truly an honor.

The very personal “Revelation of God” in my life makes this doctrine especially meaningful.

Want to make an IMPACT in the Portland Metro area?
Contact Pastor Tim at... impactinglives4jc@gmail.com

20/20 vision

Today I stand in awe, aware in my own limited fashion of the true magnificence of our creator.

Yes I believe in a divine creator and one who is not dead but very much alive and involved in the affairs of mankind. You might wonder what draws me to this conclusion…its simple really. I looked, I mean, I REALLY looked HARD, hard into the invisible places of God's domain and suddenly I realize he is not invisible at all. I see him clearly as with twenty twenty vision.

Yes I saw him today, again fresh and new.

I saw him in the face of a tiny baby as I felt those little fingers wrap around my thumb and I could smell him too in the scent of baby’s sweet skin.

Later I saw him…just a little yellow flower lit by the sun. Or was it the purple one in corner of the yard?

I ate a piece of chocolate candy this afternoon, one brought home by my wife and what do you know I saw him there too. He made the flavors of the chocolate, sugar, and vanilla.. And, what about the mystery of a wife whose love for her husband compelled her to bless him with a gift for no reason at all. How can one explain such love?

Every now and then one finds them in a state of awe. For example, have you ever witnessed a truly unselfish act? I mean the kind servant giving totally devoid of “self”?

If you have seen this then you too have seen Him…But if you cannot see him maybe it is not that you are blind maybe you just need to update your prescription, so that you too will have twenty twenty vision.

Then if you look…I mean really look… I know you will see him also.

Want to make an IMPACT in the Portland Metro area?
Contact Pastor Tim at... impactinglives4jc@gmail.com

Poetic Wisdom

There is a lot of talk these days of “change” It is especially true in the U.S.A. political arena. I think change is good but I also believe that there is such a thing as tried and true wisdom. One must examine from time to time why we want change. Most often we desire change just because we perceive something to be “broken”. This may or may not be the case and each situation will be different for each person. One thing for sure however, age old wisdom suggest that ones stability is a process of “changing us” self policing as it were, remaining on course in those things which are stable and tested.

All to often our tendency is to run away from difficult situations rather than embrace the hardship and learn from it. Life is wrought with one type of trouble or another. I have observed that the issue(s)in many a circumstance which, when faced with the pressure, ones true character and lack of integrity come to the surface. Many like to point out another’s leadership as somehow being flawed because the results were not to their liking while never examining their role in the problem. This is often the case in the American political process and sadly, all to common a problem in the church as well. This is classic blame shifting.

Let me encourage all of us to apply the tested timeless wisdom of Rudyard Kipling…imagine what the world could be…what the CHURCH could be… were everyone to live like this… what “if” I wonder.
--------------------
Rudyard Kipling

If

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

Want to make an IMPACT in the Portland Metro area?
Contact Pastor Tim at... impactinglives4jc@gmail.com

One Pastor’s Leadership Strategy

Webster’s Dictionary defines leadership as...“The ability to guide, direct, or influence people”. Within this definition lay three very key elements crucial to the development of a fully functioning church organism. A leadership training strategy will be the most central and necessary aspect of any organization seeking to obtain maximum effectiveness in their mission. In the case of “Church Ministry” it is paramount to achieve growth, health, and vitality. Before any ministry programs building blocks can be assembled and a foundation laid, one must set a leadership cornerstone. Leadership is the first layer upon which everything else will be built. Leadership guru John C. Maxwell wrote: “The higher the Leadership the greater the effectiveness“ [1]

I believe it to be a recent phenomenon initiated by the Holy Spirit within the last 20 or so years that leadership and its need in training has shifted from the business community to the business of “church building”. (Example: The leadership summit hosted by Willow Creek Church for the past 13+ years and the many other such venues worldwide) We as the body of Christ do well to heed the voice and move of the Holy Spirit in directing us to better understand the value of good leadership. It is not without a since of irony that Lord is “leading” in this way.

To begin an effective strategy we must first establish a model for such leadership. Much in the way an architect might make a miniature model from the blueprints. For the church this model must be Jesus. We need to examine how he leads and the virtues of his character (Honesty, integrity, covenant, demonstration though example, confidence in his disciples, giving the hard word, etc) and look for such virtues in those we partner in leadership with. They must be people who possess the natural and spiritual gift of leadership noting that leaders can be made and as one matures the spiritual gifts often emerge as well. When one is confident that skilled and competent leader(s) are partnered with them the process of influence and shaping can begin. I see it in the following way, using these three “macro” elements or components of leadership, Guide, Direct, and Influence.

Guiding: One who is in a head leadership position has a responsibility to get “buy-in” from the team. Leadership is best implemented as a team effort. Guiding implies taking one by the hand. While this might seem offensive to some, the servant leader will have no problem with this concept. Once the “guiding” (Goals, core values, vision, mission, etc, all of which need “buy-in”) have been established one can move to a leadership management role…directing.

Directing: A good strategy for a leader in directing is to lay out a path perhaps set timelines and expectations, suggestions, bullet points of an idea, then let the team or individual flesh it out all the while reviewing their progress without impeding the progress. For example, if one is desiring to develop a new ministry a head leader (Lead Pastor etc) must allow for the idea to take shape, change, evolve, be tested, and so forth. In directing one helps the micro leader to develop the idea(s) using the ministries core values, mission, vision etc as a filter. It is also imperative that one not micromanage the team. Keeping them focused and on track is necessary however to prevent a future derailing and team train wreck. This is important because such team train wrecks often lead to demoralization of the team and a since of failure and doom. It might be at times hard to intervene in a micro leaders idea (speeding train) and it most certainly will not make you popular in the short run but it will earn you respect if the team knows you respect them and trust them. Then all the more they will follow where you are leading. This by definition is influence.

Influence: You have influence by virtue of how you lead. John C. Maxwell defines leadership as “influence”[2] period. Where I do agree in principal I think this definition is limiting. It would like to suggest that leadership is influencing yes, but perhaps it is best when it is “influence in the form of promotion”. In other words, it is our highest goal to promote others, to acknowledge them and show that you value them, and care about them over what they can do for you. Influence should be in promoting others ideas openly an in support of vision beyond you. Fact is “we just ain't all that” It is never about us. It is about the macro vision of reaching people far from God. We serve the most creative being in the universe and the Holy Spirit is constantly working in the hearts of people to develop His next big idea and guess what, it probably wont be my idea but if I get this, and allow for other to be promoted (seen) then I will have (I believe) ultimate influence and growth in my team and we will be effective in our mission.

The best strategy in leadership training is to raise up servant leaders who understand that service to our Lord and each other and the people we are called to minister is the highest form of worship. It is a matter of the heart. This is the kind of influence I want to have. This is my strategy.

Source: [1] [2] Leadership 101 – John C. Maxwell

Want to make an IMPACT in the Portland Metro area?
Contact Pastor Tim at... impactinglives4jc@gmail.com