Leadership Lesson - You can't do it alone!

We have a saying around CCCC............we shouldn't do anything alone.  We have policies when we work with children there are always 2 adults.  But also when we are leading teams - the motto is the same - don't do it alone.  We are stronger together, safer together, smarter together, it's more fun together, and it is definitely more sustainable together.

Exodus 18 gives us a wonderful picture of this theory.  Moses is the only leader for the people.  They are coming to him all day long to make all of the decisions.  He has no time to rest.  But it seems as if he doesn't have time to finish making the decisions either - like the line of people goes on and on.  People probably waited days for their turn to talk to Moses.  It was inefficient and unsustainable.

In steps Jethro - Moses' Father in Law......  he speaks wisdom to Moses - you shouldn't be doing this alone.  You need help and the people need a better process.  And TA-DA.... a leadership structure was born.  One that we model after today at CCCC in all ministry areas.

Leadership Lesson - you can't do it alone.

This definitely applies to ministry teams and to any work environment.  But it also applies to your home.

I believe God created the family to have a Mom and a Dad because we can't do it alone.  We need each other for strength and energy and to make it more fun.

I think we were all made to live in community, because of that I believe that you also need to lean on Christian friends when you are raising kids.  We need to encourage each other and help each other bear the load.  If you aren't in a Small Group at CCCC - I recommend you find one.  It will be great for your soul - you will grow in your faith, but you will also find strength and encouragement and community for the life road you are on.

Leadership Lesson - you can't do it alone!

Leadership Lesson #3

Everyone has leaders - so obey them.  Make leadership a joy for them.

I know what you are thinking...........whoever wrote that wasn't around for the last couple of weeks when our governmental leaders couldn't get their act together.  They weren't thinking of these guys when people were not allowed to work.  I say I know what you are thinking - actually I'm just admitting that that's what I'm thinking these days.

But these words/thoughts came from the Bible - Hebrews 13:17.

"Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.  Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."

2 learnings for me this week..........

1. I have leaders.  I need to submit to them.  I need to submit willingly.  I need to make it easy for them to lead me.
2. As a leader - I will have to give an account to how I led people.  Did I imitate Christ so others could imitate me and grow more like Jesus?

These learnings are very convicting to me.  I need to lead well.  I need to imitate Christ better.  I need to pray for my leaders and follow them well.

Christ died for the times I don't do these things well............I'm thankful I'm forgiven............I want to grow more like Him.

Leadership Learnings - #2

This morning my research on leadership in the Bible led me to............Leviticus.  Took a couple of cups of coffee but I plowed through - and I learned something!

Leviticus 4:22-26

In the middle of the laws for sin offerings, there is a whole section on what to do when a leader sins.  It didn't say if - it said when.  God so knows us.  He knows that leaders will sin.  All of us sin and are sinners.  When we become a leader over someone or something, we are still the same sinners - just in a different position.  We will sin.

Today we don't have to follow the burnt offering procedures that are written in Leviticus.  We have a savior that offered Himself once and for all for our sins.  We are forgiven.  But..........we still need to ask forgiveness of God and of the people we lead.  We need to restore relationships that our sin breaks.  We are responsible to confess our sin to God and to the people we lead.

Good leadership isn't sin-free...........there is no such thing as that.  Good leadership is being humble, sincere, and responsible when we sin.

You are a Leader whether you wanna be or not!

We are all leaders.............. of something.  Some of us embrace the title.  Some of us wear it as a badge of honor.  Some of us run from the title and never want to have anything to do with it.  But we all lead something or someone.  If you have a pet - you are a leader.  If you have a team - you are a leader.  If you are a parent - you are a leader of your children.  If you are a Christ follower - you are called to lead others to know Christ - to be a missionary.

We are all leaders.........  The key is to be a good leader.  To follow Christ so that others can follow you.

I've been pondering leadership for the past couple of days a lot.  I decided to study leaders in the Bible.  There are a lot - I think maybe that was a bite a little too big!!  But I'm determined to at least skim through the leaders in the Bible and see what God can teach me about leading.  I invite you to join me.

Lesson #1:  How does God lead?
I read Exodus 15.  It says God led in love.  It says He guided the people with strength.  I need to follow God so others can follow me.  I need to lead like Him.  I need to lead with love and strength.  Truth is - for me - I need to concentrate on leading in love.  I need to love the people God gave me to lead.  If I love them, they will trust me to lead them.

Prayer for today - 
please dear God, help me to love my team/my family/the people you give me to lead.  Help me to care for them.  Help me to be a leader that they can depend on and trust.  Help me to lead with your strength, because it is infinitely better than mine.