Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Mentoring Your Team

One of our challenges as leaders is the Spiritual Formation of our people.
 
Those in leadership aren't just responsible for the work output of our people.  God places vs. over our team so we can help them grow professionally, personally, emotionally and spiritually. 
 
That doesn't mean we preach all the time or put Bible verses all over the building.  But it does mean that we model a life of integrity and kindness; that we mentor them for greater effectiveness and nurture them to be better employees, family members, friends and citizens.
 
You can shape lives not just in terms of work productivity but also personal effectiveness and even spiritual maturity.
 
Paul said to his team:  Follow my example, as I follow Christ's example.
 
~Wayne
 
 

Monday, November 09, 2009

Unforced Rhythm of Grace

Steve Smith, of The Potters Inn in Colorado says: "Busy-ness is the only sin that the church celebrates with gusto.”

Most of us wear our busy-ness as a badge of pride. We brag about our full schedules, our Gold status with the airlines, and our hundreds of emails.

But in the Psalms , God reminds us to Be still and know that He is God.

In the Chinese language, when you write the two characters for Heart + Annihilation together, the character means=Busy-ness. Busy-ness produces annihilation of the core of our being.

Try taking the night off. Enjoy a weekend without email. Take that much deserved vacation.

Jesus reminds us to learn the unforced rhythm of grace.

Friday, November 06, 2009

A one year milestone

A Word From Wayne

It’s been one year since I began as president of HCJB Global. Here’s what I’ve learned as I look back on the past year:

I’ve learned to totally depend on God. No way could I do this job without God’s enablement. Each day I pray for the mental capacity, the spiritual resources and the physical endurance for the task. God has been faithful in leading us through challenging times with minimum of harm.

I’ve learned God uses everything in our lives to prepare us to serve Him. My times at Northwestern, Mission America, Bethel, Moody, even NRB prepared me for this present assignment.

I’ve learned that it’s not about money. Even with the financial challenges, God has allowed us to move forward in amazing ways.

I’ve learned it’s not about owning stuff. We don’t have to own things to be effective for God.

I’ve learned it’s not about our strategic plan. God has brought us ministry unimaginable opportunities we could never have planned. God will direct our steps if we take time to listen to Him.

I’ve learned the future is more important than the past. We appreciate the miracles over the years. But God has wonderful things in our future. Like good drivers, we look at the windshield more than the rear view mirror.

I’ve learned relationships are more important than tasks. Having been task-driven most of my life, I realize what we accomplish is based on our relationship with Christ and our partnership with one another.

I’ve learned the value of good counsel. I’m surrounded by a team that provides good counsel and great advice for the challenges and decisions that impact HCJB Global.
I’ve learned the value of pacing and rest. The job keeps coming at you. There’ll always be articles to write, calls to return and emails to read. But we need to work at God’s pace and build margins of renewal, rest, recreation and relationships in our life.

I’ve learned Jesus used His voice and His hands. We declare and demonstrate God’s love through media and healthcare—the voice and hands of Jesus to our needy world.
I’ve learned it’s all about introducing people to Jesus. Our bottom line is transformed lives. As we invite people from every culture around the world to follow Him we obey His command.

Monday, November 02, 2009

Another Lesson for Leaders

One of the challenges for a leader is NOT to spend the majority of time solving problems, but rather modeling LIFE as Christ intended it and to cast the vision for where we need to be going together.

Too many of us are lost in the size of our task, or the lack of resources and insufficient wisdom to accomplish the assigned work. We must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus if we are to maintain our own balance and joy…and to encourage our people to do the same.

Jesus said, “I am the way the truth and the life.”

Eugene Peterson’s comments on John 14:6: “Most Christians are experts on THE TRUTH; most are dropouts in THE WAY and so most miss out on THE LIFE.”