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Leadership is a tricky thing. Sometimes it seems like there's no set way to lead people and everyone has ideas about what works and doesn't. But if we look at the life of Jesus, we see that He had a unique approach to leadership that was incredibly effective. He didn't try to control or manipulate people; instead, He showed them love and compassion, and they followed Him willingly. One of the best ways to develop your leadership skills is to learn from others. As Pastors and ministry leaders, there is no one we should learn more from than Jesus. While there are many excellent books and articles on leadership, it's worth studying them to see what works and doesn't. You can also attend seminars or workshops on leadership or find a mentor who can help you grow as a leader. As you do, make sure you constantly compare what you are learning or seeing to Jesus. Leadership Skills To Lead More Like Jesus: 1. Be humble and gentle. We must look to Jesus to learn and begin with humility and gentleness. It can be difficult to lead people with humility and gentleness, especially when we are trying to get things done or when we feel like we are under pressure. But Jesus always showed humility and gentleness, even in opposition. He never lost His temper or became defensive; instead, He always responded with love. He only reacted harshly to the religious leaders adding to God's laws, making it hard for people to obey God. Never with His followers or the lost. When you are leading people, remember always to stay humble and gentle. Don't try to control or manipulate people; instead, let them know that you care about them and want the best for them. Be willing to listen to their ideas and suggestions, and be patient with them. People who respond with love and compassion will be celebrated as great leaders. 2. Always put others before yourself. One of the essential principles of leadership is to always put others before yourself. Jesus was a perfect example of this principle; He always put others first, even to the point of sacrificing His own life. He never acted out of self-interest or tried to benefit Himself at the expense of others. When you're a leader, it's important to remember that your primary goal should be to help others succeed. Therefore, you should always be willing to help others, even if it means making sacrifices. Never try to take credit for the work that others have done; instead, give them the recognition they deserve. And be willing to share the burden with others; don't try to do everything yourself. When you put others first, they will be more likely to follow your lead. 3. Lead with love and compassion. Jesus always led with love and compassion, even when people were difficult or challenging to deal with. This type of leadership creates an environment of trust and respect; people are more likely to follow your lead when they feel you care about them. I love the John Maxwell quote: "People don't care how much you know until they first know how much you care." How true. Jesus' leadership and influence always came from His heart of love and compassion. If you want to lead more like Jesus, start focusing on your heart. Make sure you act from a place of love and compassion, even when things are tough. And remember that it's never too late to change; if you've fallen short in the past, don't be afraid to ask for forgiveness and start fresh. 4. Practice leadership daily. Another essential part of developing your leadership skills is practicing them. You need to be willing to take risks and try new things. Sometimes you'll fail, but that's okay; it's all part of the learning process. You also need to be willing to listen to others and learn from their experiences. Whether you're new to a particular leadership position or you've been thinking about a way to get to the place you really want, being a good leader is essential. Everybody can think of at least one "natural" leader in the office, but how do you become a leader if you're not born with those skills? 5. Be yourself. When trying to become an excellent leader, you must first be who God created you to be. Avoid looking like someone who is overbearing or ridiculously ambitious. So, how do you find the balance between the two? Take some time to consider the tips below to help you become a great leader in ministry without looking like a fool. Get to Know Everyone No matter who they are or what they do, whether they're related to your projects, make it a point to get to know everyone you come in contact with. This means connecting with your team on a more personal level. For example: Take them to lunch or, better yet, have them into your home for a casual get-together. Jesus hung out with His team a lot. Stop and talk to people; show a genuine interest in their work. Remember that your staff and volunteers don't just work for you; you are working side by side with them in the mission of Jesus. Ask others about themselves – let them do most of the talking. As leaders, it is easy to make the mistake of thinking we do most of the talking. Great leaders are great listeners. Even if they're not people who can help you directly, getting to know those who are a part of your ministry in any way will teach you a lot about what is happening. You can start making connections between the different individuals you come in contact with, and this can lead to wondrous things later when you need to put together a team. 6. Know When to Turn Down Work Leaders are often considered the go-to guy or the go-to gal, so you might think a leader needs to accept every proposed project. In reality, this isn't true. If you look over a project and determine you can't handle it well, you will be in a much better place by not accepting it. Show respect by helping them find a capable person to complete the project if you cannot do so. Jesus didn't take on everything Himself; He led others to do the work of the ministry. As a leader, never avoid a project because it is too much work. Instead, always cite specific reasons you are choosing not to do it. This shows that you can take ownership of your schedule. Plus, it proves that you only want to provide top-quality results to others, not just rush jobs. A simple "no" can be a great way to get others to take notice, especially if you're otherwise very agreeable. Here are a few positive ways to turn down a project or assignment. "I'd love to help, but I'm just swamped. I'd be able to do it next week, or perhaps I can help you find someone else who can get it done for you. I don't want to do a crummy job to get it done on time for you." "Thanks for thinking of me! I want to help out, but I have a lot on my plate this week. What about we set up a quick meeting to discuss the task and see if I can help you get on the right track, that way, you can get it done on time?" If you are a lead Pastor, you may need to put this into practice with your board, Elders to Deacons. So many times, those meetings can lead to the pastor having more work to do. This is a great time to show them and get them involved in the ideas and ministries they want to see happen. 7. Work as hard as anyone else. One of the outstanding traits of good leaders is their willingness to work as hard as any of their team or staff. If your team is working long hours, work with them. Lead by example and show them you're willing to work and not just sit back and receive the credit. Jesus always leads the way. By showing your team this kind of respect, you'll find they'll respect you in return. 8. Offer solutions and listen for solutions. While you should strive to tackle problems before they happen, from time to time, this isn't possible. So when things are problematic, ensure you step in with a solution you're willing to work on to improve the situation. Also, be ready to listen to potential solutions to problems that others on your team may have. As a leader, you do not always have to be the solution initiator. However, you do have to be the one to make the final decision as to what solution you and your team will pursue. Being remembered as someone who came forward with a solution and is willing to listen to the potential solutions others offer will go a long way to earning respect as a leader. You can become a great leader in your ministry; it just takes a little time and effort, but it'll be worth it! The call of ministry comes with the call of leadership. While God gives us the gifting and ca, we are responsible for developing and growing our leadership skills. Our focus and greatest study is and should always be Jesus.

You've probably heard of the 80/20 Rule, also known as the Pareto Principle. It's the idea that 80% of your results come from just 20% of your actions. Think about it: you wear only 20% of your clothes 80% of the time, and the top 20% of salespeople make 80% of the sales. It's a game-changing concept that can rapidly change your life. Here's how you can apply the 80/20 Rule to create the life you truly desire: 1. Recognize Results Recognize that as a leader, your natural inclination is to focus on the 80% of options that yield minimal results. The Pareto Principle requires a bold and determined mindset. The easy and comfortable actions we tend to gravitate towards often provide little results. The truly meaningful actions or messages are the ones that push you out of your comfort zone. For instance, if you're a pastor leading a church ministry, you might find that 80% of your congregation's growth comes from 20% of your initiatives. You might notice that most of your new attendees come from a few specific outreach programs, or perhaps most of your financial support comes from a small group of devoted members. By recognizing these patterns, you can focus your energy and resources on those most effective 20% areas - perhaps a particular community outreach or a sermon series that resonates with your congregation. This allows you to have the greatest impact on your ministry, reaching more people and creating a more vibrant and engaged community. 2. Apply Pareto To Every Area of the Ministry The 80/20 principle can be applied to nearly every aspect of your ministry. 80% of your church's growth stems from just 20% of your actions. Imagine rearranging your life to spend more time on that vital 20% that yields Kingdom results in growth. Likewise, 80% of the challenges you face in ministry come from just 20% of the people around you. What if you could minimize or eliminate their presence in your life? Dealing with challenging individuals in your ministry can be quite a delicate matter. Simply ignoring them won't do the trick. It's crucial to establish a culture where harmful behavior is not acceptable. This might involve having honest conversations with those whose actions disrupt the harmony of the congregation or team. Share your concerns and the potential consequences to encourage positive change. You might also need to reorganize your ministry to ensure everyone is treated fairly and respectfully. Provide support to those dealing with personal issues. Leadership is arguably the most effective part of pastoring, pulling all elements of a successful ministry together. Embodying genuine leadership is at the core of powerfully implementing the 80/20 rule. A strong leader can identify the 20% of actions that yield the most results and guide the team’s focus in that direction. Great leaders create an environment of trust, allowing team members to feel secure and empowered. They understand the congregation's needs, listen actively to their concerns, and thoughtfully respond in a way that fosters growth and unity. Good leadership involves clear communication, both in sharing the vision for the ministry and in providing feedback and encouragement to the team. Finally, an effective leader is not afraid to make tough decisions that align with the core principles of the ministry, even if they are uncomfortable or challenging. This commitment to strong leadership is crucial in leveraging the 80/20 rule and achieving the most meaningful results in your ministry. Most pastors spend 80% of their time preparing for a sermon rather than leading. The reality is that better sermons are not what grows churches. Sermons that take up 80% of our time typically only yield 20% of our growth. 3. Ask yourself crucial questions using the 80/20 principle. With these answers, you'll be armed with the knowledge to revolutionize your church and ministry. You already know what brings you happiness, joy, and what fosters your success. You also know which aspects of ministry and individuals hinder your progress. - Which 20% of your ministry activities contribute to 80% of your stress? - Which 20% of your ministry activities bring you 80% of your happiness? - Which 20% of your leadership team or staff do you truly enjoy? - Which 20% of your leadership team or staff causes the most pain? - Which 20% of your skills account for 80% of your success in ministry? - Which 20% of your thinking causes 80% of your grief? 4. Put the 80/20 principle into action today. What vision are you trying to achieve? Embracing the 80/20 principle saves you a significant amount of time. As Pastors and church leaders, time is precious. You can reclaim precious time by focusing on the most important actions. Prioritize your tasks, delegate where appropriate, and focus on the most important activities (the 20% that bring 80% of the results) that will lead to success. Consider how you might apply the Pareto Principle as a Pastor or ministry leader. - 20% of your team is responsible for 80% of the work. It's crucial to treat them well to retain their valuable contributions. - 20% of your team is causing 80% of the problems. Consider letting them go. - 20% of your congregation is demanding 80% of your time. Focus on developing leaders who can handle their concerns. - 20% of your actions brought in 80% of your congregation. Concentrate on those actions to attract new members. - 20% of your efforts contribute to 80% of the value you create in your ministry. Devote more time to those tasks. The 80/20 principle can apply to every aspect of your life and ministry where you wish to change and grow. It will save you significant time and help you achieve more for God's Kingdom. Make sure you're dedicating your time to activities that can make the most impact and give God the greatest return On His investment in you.

What qualities do you think a good Church leader should have? You would probably expect them to be powerful, charismatic, and decisive. However, you might overlook the value of being funny. You may already think this blog is nonspiritual; read on. Jesus had many moments of humor that we quickly overlook while sermonizing. Look at Mark 6:48-49 when Jesus is walking on water: “He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost.” We quickly go past “He intended to go past them”. Right about now, some are getting out their commentaries. See what I mean? We quickly come up with 4 or 5 different deep spiritual meanings. What if Jesus was having a little fun? Take it for what it says, and have a little fun with your congregation when you teach it. Research shows that humor has many benefits. Those benefits include bringing people closer, reducing stress, and increasing productivity. Does anyone want a closer church? A less stressful church? A more productive congregation? The truth is most church people need a little cheering up. While the average four-year-old laughs about 300 times a day, they're down to three chuckles by the time they turn 40. On the other hand, there are limits. You know you’ve gone too far if you make someone cry or choose Michael Scott as your role model. Influential leaders know how to use humor to their advantage. Join their ranks by studying these tips for remaining professional while you tap into your funny side. Jesus was great at this. We often overlook His hyperbole that was relevant in His culture. Look at this moment in Matthew 7: “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?” This was one of those moments where I could picture the disciples who were listening rolling on the ground. “Oh Jesus, you are so funny!” Don’t believe me? Illustrate it in one of your messages. I have. I used an 8-foot 2x4’ and held it up to my eye. The congregation couldn’t help but laugh at how absurd it looked and very clearly got Jesus’ point at how ridiculous we look when we do this in our judging of others. And then…in the middle of the laughing, you hit them with the truth. I love to give my most challenging points and teach around moments of the greatest laughter. Look at Jesus’ following words after giving this hyperbolic statement: “Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye” (Matthew 7:5, NLT). If you call someone a hypocrite, it works best by setting it up with a bit of humor! The Benefits of Leading with Humor: Enhance your leadership skills. Laughter can be profitable because it triggers brain chemicals that help you to concentrate and think creatively. A study by the University of Warwick found that introducing comedy into the workday increased productivity by 12%. Want to be more productive in ministry? Or how about helping your staff be more productive? Have fun! Boost your reputation as a leader. Other research has found that leaders who use humor are viewed as more competent and credible and receive higher ratings from their subordinates. Lightening up could help you stand out. Your people love being with those who brighten up their world. After all, we are all about the “Good News”! Reduce stress. Heavy workloads are one of the significant reasons job stress has increased steadily in recent decades. Having opportunities to relax makes it easier to accomplish more. I find ministry to be fun. Yes, it is hard and heartbreaking, and painful at times. But I’m having fun being about the Father’s business. The good and the joy in it all keep the stress level low. Strengthen relationships. Humor is often a social activity. You learn things about your coworkers that may not be listed on their resumes, and you create happy memories that deepen your bonds. We need people in our lives so that we can have fun. As a Pastor or ministry leader, work on and focus on being one of those others look to for a good time. It will strengthen and build relationships. Protect your health. There are also many benefits for your physical and mental wellbeing. For example, humor can help relieve pain, boost your immune system, and lessen depression and anxiety. It’s just a medical fact. It’s one of the reasons vacations and times of being unplugged are so important. Schedule times in each day like you schedule your vacations to have fun. Get with your staff and make them all tell a joke. Develop a culture where they can’t wait to tell you a funny story that happened to them. Lead the way. Tips for Using Humor in Your Sermon: Stay safe. Many stand-up comedians try to be controversial, but you must watch out for your job security and reputation as a Pastor. Steer clear of sensitive topics that offend people. I often say I don’t mind offending people with the gospel if they find it offensive. I don’t need to offend with humor. Pace yourself. Surprise your congregation with a witty remark now and then. If you joke around throughout the entire message, it will be difficult for them to take you seriously when they need to. And make the most of a humorous moment. I often hit people with the hardest Biblical truths after a moment of laughter. That is when they are most open. So, yes, I work on planning that in my teaching. Consider your church culture. Every church and every congregation has its own culture. Please pay attention to how the congregation reacts to gauge whether you’re amusing or offending them. If people think you shouldn’t have fun at church, they probably won’t attend the church I pastor. It’s a part of our culture. As the leader, you are the one who leads the way in setting your church culture. Liven up meetings. The joke for church “board” meetings is often that they are “bored” meetings. Make your meetings more memorable by setting your presentations to music or throwing in a few pop culture references. We always laugh in our meetings, even when dealing with a series of decisions. We say, “While we take God and what we do very seriously, we never take ourselves seriously.” This helps us as a team have fun together. Share content. You can send your team entertaining video clips and news stories, even on busy days. Searching for content about penguins and cheese rolling takes a few minutes. Is it spiritual? It’s relational, and relational is spiritual. This is good to share on your social media for the church body. Let them get to know you by sharing what you consider funny. They will feel they are getting to know you better as a leader. Tell stories. Humor can be especially meaningful when you tie it into an appropriate narrative. Strengthen your connection by revealing something about your personal life. Find a case study that backs up your point. Especially in your sermons, tell stories. Jesus did: “Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand. In fact, in his public ministry, he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them” (Mark 4:33–34, NLT). Play games. Make office tasks more like your favorite video game by awarding points and rewards for submitting your timesheets when they’re due. Keep a jigsaw puzzle in the break room for anyone to work on while passing through for a cup of coffee. You will keep good staff members longer when they have fun in ministry with you and the rest of the team. Your church needs to see that you and the staff have fun together. Stage events. Encourage friendly competition with your own office Olympics. Host a movie night with popcorn and retro candy. As you plan many other things in your ministry schedule, plan fun for the staff and leadership team. They will thank you for this. As a leader, you can make your team and your church laugh without getting into trouble or offending people. Who knows, it could be a part of the secret sauce for attracting people to your church. After all, most people think you can’t have fun in church, let alone have fun when you are a Christian. Nothing could be further from the truth! Shouldn’t we, as Christians, have the most fun in this life? After all, we are free, we know we are forgiven, and we know where we go when we get to the end of life. We have a lot to celebrate and be joyful about!

Leadership is a key component in any organization, and it is especially important in the church. Pastors are responsible for not only guiding the congregation spiritually but also for helping to develop the next generation of leaders. It can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to leadership development, but there are a few basic principles that can help get you started. One of the most important things to remember is that leadership development should be a continuous process. It’s not something that happens overnight, and it takes time and effort to truly nurture leadership potential in someone else. There are a few things you can do to help the Next Generation in your church grow up and be more productive leaders. Understanding the Basic Principles of Leadership 1. Develop emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is the basis for sound leadership. Every age group can work on accurately identifying specific feelings in themselves and others and managing them constructively. This way they'll solve emotional issues more easily, get along better with others and avoid destructive behavior. 2. Generate compassion. Keep the focus on caring for others. Jesus was clear that we are to "love one another". Let young leaders know that the purpose of becoming more influential is to have a positive impact on society for the sake of God's kingdom. God has made each of our lives to be full of opportunities to serve others with compassion. 3. Take personal responsibility for your life. Show the Next Generation they can take an active role in making things happen. Help them to understand that God has given them the responsibility to make their own choices and that He will guide them. Teach them that leadership starts with leading yourself first and foremost. Leadership Development Strategies Most of these go against our cultural norms. Following Jesus and His leadership typically does. However, to be great in His Kingdom as His leaders we need to follow His plan. These strategies are great for partnering with the parents in your church. Here are several leadership development strategies for parents of younger kids: 1. Delay gratification. There are valuable life lessons in learning to plan ahead and work for rewards. Jesus did this often when He said "my time has not yet come." He led the way in waiting for the Father's time. 2. Learn to read emotions in faces. It's important to become sensitive to non-verbal cues. Great leaders in life have to be able to read people. Parents of younger kids can play games with their own facial expressions or draw pictures. Discuss how someone may look if they were preparing to eat an ice cream cone versus being surprised by a loud noise. 3. Choose your words carefully. Parents and church leaders should encourage kids to select words that convey their affection for others. Ask them to talk about what they like about their siblings or friends. 4. Practice teamwork. Demonstrate that it's fun and effective to cooperate and serve with others. Provide opportunities for families to do service projects together in your ministry. Encourage them to serve along side their kids to help their kids learn the art of teamwork. 5. Mind your manners. This is a great way to challenge and partner with the parents in your ministry in how they are reflecting Jesus. Their kids are watching them to see how to act appropriately in different social situations. Encourage the parents in your church in this. And help them to learn how to encourage their kids for mastering these skills. Leadership Development Strategies for Preteens and Teens 1. Engage in conversation and public speaking. Communication skills play a big part in leadership. Provide opportunities for an in-depth discussion of current events with families. Simple questions to talk about on the car ride home about what they have learned at Church can go a long way in this. I like to call them "car questions". Teaching the same Biblical principle to all generations each week through "One Voice" helps perpetuate this time of communication. As a church and ministry, make opportunities for preteens and teens to speak in Sunday School or youth group meetings. Perhaps you as a Pastor can even give them opportunities in your sermon to share their testimony. 2. Set goals. Kids naturally become more motivated and accomplished when they take ownership of their own goals. Present options to your students but encourage them to choose the objectives they want to pursue. The youth ministry setting is a perfect place to empower students to do this. And it should always be shared with parents so they can be a part of this development process. 3. Think like a critic. Support your students growing capacity for critical thought. This is especially important regarding the application of scripture in their lives. They can evaluate how well they did in living out scripture in different situations to identify areas where God would have them improve or where they want to improve. Even TV shows can be a trigger to discuss peer pressure and making moral decisions. Use illustrations in your messages that parents will be able to talk about at home with their students. 4. Take on leadership tasks. Learning to motivate people and delegate tasks requires practice. When you as a Pastor talk about taking the initiative in the ministries of your church be sure to include and encourage students to do so. It could be as simple as putting together a potluck or family event as an outreach. 5. Develop organizational skills. Young people can hone their management skills by overseeing complex projects. Appoint your students to take charge of the logistics for summer camp or Vacation Bible School or all of the ministry for a few weekends a year. Help guide them in these projects and reach across the generations as a lead pastor. Getting the next generation in your church off to a good start with leadership skills can create a better life for them and help them to become positive influences on others. It will bring new life to your entire church. When the next generation learns to manage themselves and get along with others, they're better prepared for all that God has for them and for the church.

There are so many things in life that bring people together. Things like movies, music, vacation, sporting events, theme parks, etc. No matter the age, we come together and have commonalities. One of my favorite things to do with my family growing up was to go to the movies. That might seem like a no-brainer, but my family had 6 people in it. There are four kids and an age gap of 13 years. Yet, the movies brought us together. But the movie was not the best part of the experience for me and neither was the popcorn or candy. The best part was when we all got in the car together. The movie gave us all something we could talk about. We would laugh at the funny parts of the movie and retell the jokes. We would all talk about the parts we did not like or that we enjoyed. We would talk about the parts that confused us and work together to resolve the confusion. The same was true for my friends. If we all saw the movie on different days and in different theaters, we could still talk about it. The movie gave us all something in common to talk about and we could all connect. Why doesn’t the church do something similar? You might be saying “it does – we are Christians coming together to learn about Jesus and worship Him.” And I agree, we do that at church. But why doesn't church give us something we can all talk about together from grandparents to two-year-olds? We come to church together, but once everyone is inside and the kids are checked into class, we all learn something different. We learn about Jesus, but we all learn different principles or topics. The adults might be learning about generosity, the teens learn about purity, and the kids are simply learning a Bible story about Jonah and the whale. When that family comes back together in the car and the famous question is asked, “what did you learn today?” The answers are all different. They range from “I don’t know” to “some guy lived in a whale.” There’s no commonality. Why not? Because we have missed what church is all about. It is about discipleship and building each other up. We can not do that with excellence when we are all on different pages. How do we experience church together? We have to align the teachings that each age group learns on the weekend. At One Voice we are committed to helping churches align the Biblical principle or topic that each age group is learning at an age-appropriate level. We want to join with you and your church to change the conversation on the car ride home, around the diner table, and throughout the week. Many churches have tried to tackle this problem by bringing everyone into the same room for the same teaching. Unfortunately, kids are bored listening to a teaching for adults and adults don't get much from kids teaching. If adults are learning about generosity and tithing, teens and kids should be learning about generosity at their level. When the family gets in the car, they can talk about the things they learned. There is so much the church can learn from the movie theater experience. It's an opportunity for discussion, growth, and unity. If the Church can do this, then we are truly partnering with parents and bringing families together.

Trying to squeeze too many activities into too few hours can leave you overwhelmed. Especially in ministry. You may be bragging about how busy you are to other pastors or your church members because it secretly makes you feel important and successful. But you need to realize that it’s not good for you personally and it doesn’t make you look like a better leader. More likely than not, it makes you look like you’re not a good leader. This may take a bit to shift your thinking but your ministry will be much better off when you break the cycle of excessive busyness. The epidemic of excessive busyness among ministry leaders often leaves us feeling rushed, discontent, and short on time. Hurting our walk with God because we think that He will surely understand why we don’t spend more time with Him. After all, as Pastors and ministry leaders we are doing His work! However, we all know that God cares more about our relationship with Him than what we produce. Choose your priorities. In order to choose my priorities, I have to be intentional about them. I start by asking myself what is most important to me and what God has called me to do. From there, I make a list of the activities that fit into those categories and try to focus on those things each day. It's not always easy to stick to my list, but it's important to be intentional about how I'm spending my time. Here is a sample of what I have done as a Pastor to make sure I stay on my priorities each day and week: 1. Monday - Confirmation: I spend time confirming what God has done in people's lives over the weekend services. And do what follow-up is necessary to solidify that work in their lives, be it through calls, emails, staff, etc... 2. Tuesday - Concentration: This is my time to study and prepare for next weekend. No doubt there is more study and prep than just Tuesdays, but that is the priority on a Tuesday for me. 3. Wednesday - Conceptualization: This day's priority is vision. On Wednesdays, I make sure to have meetings and time set aside to focus on moving the vision for the church and ministry forward. As Pastors, we need time weekly to keep the church focused on the vision God has for us. 4. Thursday - Compilation: All those great ideas for creative messages that come from Tuesday study times have to be put together. Illustration material gathered etc. (I must confess, as our church staff has grown many times a staff member will do this for me on a Wednesday nowadays.) 5. Friday - Cessation: Cease working. Wow, what a novice idea for us as Pastors and ministry leaders! Actually, I think it is pretty much God's idea for us. To cease work doesn't mean I just lay around being bored. I heard Rick Warren speaking on this year ago. He said if you work with your mind, rest with your hands. If you work with your hands, rest by doing something with your mind. For instance, I don't read on my day of rest, I don't want to. I have to read so much for work, that sitting and reading a book does not sound enjoyable to me. I like to paint - use my hands - I find it very relaxing. 6. Saturday - Contemplation: On Saturday I want to start internalizing my message. Letting my heart and mind contemplate all that I feel the Lord has given me to teach this coming weekend. While I may do fun things with the family, I guard what they are to not allow the priority of contemplation to be stolen. 7. Sunday - Communication: It's what we do in ministry. Communicating the Good News. My priority for this day is just that. But not only giving a sermon but communicating with everyone relationally as much as possible. My priority is to be available for them before and after services and even through scheduled meetings. (For several years now we have done Saturday services so the communication priority overlaps Saturday evening and Sundays for me.) I recognize that bits and pieces of all of these priorities happen every day in ministry. the intent of living by these priorities is not that we live such orderly lives that we only communicate with our people on Sundays or only study on Tuesdays. But living by a system of priorities allows you to schedule accordingly and to have staff volunteers on the same page. They often protect and make sure you are able to do what you need to do. By living by a system of daily/weekly priorities, I have had the time to focus on so many other visions that God has placed in my heart, like writing books and devotionals and even doing a little blogging. I'm sure that as a ministry leader you have some of your own. Take it and make it your own. Move the days around according to the flow that works best for you. By getting a system of priorities in place for your days, you can begin to break the cycle of excessive busyness and enjoy the journey of ministry once again. Here's to living in the joy of Jesus every day through the ministry you are called to!

One of the most important jobs you have as a parent is to teach your children to pray. You want them to have a joyful and easy relationship with Jesus. You want them to be able to talk to Jesus about anything. For example, during his nightly prayers, Jason, age 5, pleaded with Jesus to help him be able to put his face in the water the next day during swimming lessons. Up to that point he had been terrified of doing so. Since swimming classes were part of the after-school program, his parents wouldn't be there during the lesson. When his mom picked him up, he jumped in the car and excitedly said, "Let's hurry and get home so I can tell Jesus how I put my face in the water. His mom grinned and responded, "Let's tell him right now." Helping Your Child Learn to Pray You teach your child this important skill through your own example! Let's look at these important steps: 1. Show them how you pray. They won't know how important prayer is if you don't show them. Show them how to integrate prayer throughout their day. Express gratitude before each meal. Give thanks for the meal and for anyone who had anything to do with bringing the meal to the table. Mention the cook and those who prepared the table. You can also go around the table and share something that happened that day for which each person is thankful. 2. Be with them to end each day with prayer. During this special time, guide them in ways to pray. Teach them to give thanks for what they're learning, the time they have to play, and the people in their lives. Share what you’re thankful for. What do they need help with? This can be school work, a teacher or peer they're having difficulty with, or putting their face in the water even when afraid. Model for them your own prayers for assistance. Who do they want to pray for? Once children get the hang of this, you'll hear them ask for blessings and help for parents, grandparents, friends, cats, dogs, and almost anyone. 3. Pray with them for healing. Bumps, bruises, and hurt feelings occur throughout the day. Teach them to ask God to heal them of these hurts. A powerful way to pray is to gather your family together and one at a time pray that God gives them all the love they needed that day but didn't receive. Rarely does anyone receive all the love they need. 4. Pray for forgiveness. During night prayers, when there is tension or harsh words, teach them how to ask God for forgiveness. This isn't a time to shame or embarrass them. Tell them they simply need to say, "Jesus, please forgive me for being mean to my sister." As difficult as it may be for you, use difficult situations for you to show them how to do this by praying. It can something as simple as, "Jesus, please forgive me for losing my temper with my children." 5. Teach them short prayers. Put "short prayers to teach children" in your internet search engine and you'll have a number of options. Of course, when they're old enough, teach them The Lord's Prayer or special verses from scripture. 6. Read them children's books about prayer. There are numerous books about prayer for children. Again, your search engine is your friend. 7. Bless them before they leave for their day. When you take a minute to send your child off to school with a blessing and then end the day with night prayers, you demonstrate how God is with them all day, every day. Praying is a skill that will benefit your children for the rest of their lives. Teaching them to pray will come easy to you if you have an active prayer life yourself. Use these ideas to get you going. Your children will pick up praying as a regular part of their daily routines.

As a parent, you want to guide your child in making healthy decisions. An area of frequent battle for Christian parents is whether or not you should monitor your child's music. There are many opinions out there on this topic. Some parents feel that it is their responsibility to carefully listen to all of their child's music and talk to them about any questionable lyrics. Other parents believe that as long as they know their child well, they will be able to tell if a song has a negative influence. Of course, your child will tell you their music is a personal choice, and you're too old to understand. However, you may remember saying the same thing to your parents if they brought up the topic. The Power of Music: Think about what happens when you hear a favorite song from your past. Some songs bring pleasant nostalgia, and others remind you of something painful. Music has the power to reach into our emotions and affect us in a way that few other things can. It can influence our mood, change our outlook, and affect our behavior. For better or for worse, music is a powerful force in our lives. This is especially true for teenagers. They are going through so many changes physically, emotionally, and mentally. They are trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in. Music can be a source of comfort or a way to rebel. Consider music in the movies: If you were to pair exciting music with a research laboratory scientist, you would be prepared for a fantastic discovery. If it's ominous or foreboding, something terrible or horrifying will happen. Another way of saying it is that music influences your emotions. The same is true for your teenager. The words in songs are subliminal. The words affect the mind without the person realizing what is happening. Just like a commercial can influence you without realizing it, the same is true of music. The lyrics of a song can sneak up on your child and have a lasting impact. See how unwanted messages from songs can sneak up on your child: Even when they don't consciously listen. Your teen may say, "I don't listen to the words. I feel the music." However, the message of the words still enters your child's subconscious mind and can affect what they believe about themselves and others. It's easy for teens to get caught up in the moment and not think about the long-term effects of the music they are listening to. But unfortunately, many songs contain messages that are not consistent with a Christian worldview. These messages can be subtle or overt, but they can influence your child's thinking and behavior. The power of repetition: The more someone hears the subliminal messages, the more it affects them. Consider advertising, which is often subliminal. The more people see the advertising, the more likely they want the product. The same is true of music. The more your teen hears a song with anti-Christian messages, the more likely they will believe those messages. Music and lyrics affect people differently: Think of yourself. Some music is meaningful to you and resonates with you, and other music turns you off. For example, do you like country music or rock? Do you like a hard beat and loud music or soft and gentle music? Does the type of music depend on your mood? If your teenager is sad, sad music may make them more miserable. However, it could also help because it allows them an outlet to express their feelings. For instance, listening to a song about the pain of breaking up when they've just broken up with someone may assist them in working through their feelings. However, if they are angry, they may want to listen to music that reflects their anger. This can intensify their emotions and make it harder for them to work through their anger in a healthy way. The same is true of other intense emotions like fear, anxiety, or depression. When you talk with your teenager about the music they are listening to, be aware of how it affects them. If the lyrics are anti-Christian, that's something you'll want to address. But also pay attention to the overall tone and message of the song. Is it a positive or negative message? Is it helping or hurting your teen? What If the Lyrics are Against Everything You Believe? As you know, the standards of a Christian are different than those of much of the world and undoubtedly different from the standards of the music industry. Music about sex, rape, suicide, and murder is perfectly legal. But that doesn't mean you want your child to listen to it. You may also ask, "How can I stop my teenager from listening? Let's address these two issues: What if the songs give a message contrary to Christian morals? Think back to your teen years. Did your favorite music, which you may still enjoy, proclaim the Christian message? Unless you listened to Christian music, chances are it didn't always. How can you address this with your teen? Ensure what you listen to is in alignment with what you're telling your teen. If it isn't, remember that it's essential to match your walk to your talk. You must lead the way with your faith journey! Talk with your teen, not at your teen. If you have concerns about the music your teenager is listening to, don't hesitate to talk with them about it. Have a discussion. This means a give and take. Express your views as clearly as possible and give them a chance to share their thoughts if they will. You may also want to consult with your teenager's youth pastor or another trusted adult for guidance. Understand that songs about rape, murder, and suicide are dangerous. If violent messages resonate with your child, they may have an issue that your minister or a counselor could better address. A depressed child listening to music about suicide may need professional help. How do you stop your teen from listening to inappropriate music? The truth is you can't. You can, however, set standards in your own home. If you don't want certain types of music played, make that clear to your family. You may forbid your teen from listening to music in your home, but you can only control their actions to a limited extent. Phones, computers, and tablets make it challenging to ensure they follow your rules. If you forbid certain music in your home, ensure you have had clear conversations about why. Never try to get away with "because I said so." That usually means you are not clear as to the reasoning yourself. Keep the lines of communication open. Watch for warning signs of a teenager in trouble (depression, anxiety, anger), which differ from the typical angst of adolescence. Get help when appropriate. Above all, pray for your teenager. Pray that God would give them wisdom in choosing the right kind of music to listen to. Pray that their music would be a blessing, not a curse. And pray that God will give you wisdom in dealing with this issue. Guiding your teenager about their music, or anything else, can be tricky. Be vigilant and strengthen your communication. You don't want to push them away, yet ensuring that they're safe and understanding what can influence their lives is important. Share this article with your church!

Last week in part 1 of this blog, we looked at how leading the church is a delicate balance between managing it like a family and running it like a business. Like our families at home, someone has to pay the bills, make sure the taxes are up to date, and keep the electricity going through a reasonably healthy budget. In other words, every family has a business that needs to be taken care of, and God's family is no different. As pastors and church leaders, we must remember that both are important to ensure the health of God's kingdom here on earth. We must be willing to make tough decisions while still protecting and nurturing our culture as Jesus would in His own family. It takes intentionality, self-discipline, courage, and faithfulness - all qualities that should come naturally when leading with love for God’s people. In part 2 of this blog, I want to look at some practical day-to-day leadership applications for living and leading the family/business of God. 1. Establish clear policies and expectations. Establishing clear policies and expectations is essential to maintaining the health of the church's business and family operations. First, it is beneficial to have a mission statement that outlines what the church stands for, its core values, and its vision for the future. This will help to provide clarity on where the church is headed. Second, it should be established that the pastors and leaders of the church are responsible for setting priorities within the church. Policies should also include procedures for making decisions, handling finances, and running worship services. Having a set of standards will create consistency and help avoid hurt feelings when people understand the expectations. Third, the roles and responsibilities of church leaders should be established to ensure everyone is on the same page. This will foster accountability among members as they understand their role in contributing to the health of God's family. Finally, pastors and leaders need to create a culture that encourages feedback and dialogue with church members. This will help build relationships and develop trust with the congregation and provide a space for people to express their opinions in an atmosphere of mutual respect. By establishing clear policies and expectations, pastors and leaders can ensure that the church's business and family operations are taken care of. 2. Foster an open dialogue between leaders, congregation members, and staff. Open dialogue between leaders, congregation members, and staff is critical to developing a healthy church. Open dialogue enables everyone involved in the church to express their thoughts and opinions in an atmosphere of mutual respect. This builds relationships and trust among members and provides a platform for constructive feedback that can help address any issues or concerns. Leaders should also intentionally create opportunities for members to get to know one another better. This could include small group gatherings, prayer meetings, or even casual events outside of church services. By creating a family-like atmosphere within the church, relationships between church leaders and members will naturally grow and develop. In addition, pastors and leaders should be open to hearing concerns and feedback from congregation members. This can help identify any issues that may need to be addressed and provide insight into how people feel about where the church is headed in terms of leadership. As a Pastor, this is always considered only in light of God's Word and the vision that He has you leading the church in. You may find with feedback that you need to speak vision and mission more often and with greater clarity. 3. Encourage members to be actively involved in church life and decision-making. Encouraging church members to be actively involved in the life and decision-making process of the church is an integral part of leading God’s family. By enabling members to have a voice, pastors, and leaders can ensure that everyone is heard and valued. This will also help foster a sense of unity and ownership among the congregation. The decision-making process should be outlined in policies and expectations. In this way, no one is overstepping the bounds of responsibility. For instance, when my kids were younger in our family, we gave them options to decide. They were not at liberty to make the decisions that only I could make as their dad, but I would get their involvement through options and choices that did not deter our family from our family vision or DNA. God has given you the leadership mantel. You cannot and must not abdicate responsibility. 4. Be intentional in creating opportunities for involvement. Creating opportunities for involvement is essential to leading God's family. It is important to intentionally create these opportunities so that members of the congregation can have a voice and feel valued. And as a family, there are gifted experts in all the different areas of business that are needed for the church family to operate and function healthily. Getting those experts on board with the church family's mission and adding their expertise will add value to the church and to you as a leader. We often think of the standard ways for Church involvement—volunteering in the nursery leading a small group, or serving on the church board. But think in terms of your people's skill set and expertise. For example, asking someone who runs a multi-million dollar company with 100 employees to do an admin task would be a big miss. Instead, consider creating a vision or expansion team that someone with their skill could run. When creating opportunities for involvement, always begin with the skill set of the people God has given you to lead. Like any family or business, allowing members to help makes them feel involved and appreciated. When someone sees their contribution as valuable, they will have a greater sense of belonging and ownership for the church family. And that sense of ownership provides for healthier relationships with God, leadership, and one another. 5. Celebrate successes together. Celebrating successes together as a church family is an important component of leading God's family. Not only does it promote fellowship, but it also helps to build relationships with church members and inspire those that are involved in the leadership of the church. As a Pastor, you can use these times to reflect on how God has moved in your midst and how the church family has moved forward together. This can and should include the family side of things as well as the business side. When celebrating success, it is important to remember that we are all part of one body in Christ and every contribution to the vision matters regardless of size. Celebrating small victories as well as large ones helps foster a sense of unity within the church and encourages people to keep going in times of difficulty. It's both a privilege and a responsibility Leading God’s family is both an amazing privilege and a huge responsibility. It can be hard to balance leading the church as a family and leading it like a business, but in order for the church to be healthy, it must be done with intentionality. By enabling members to have a voice, creating opportunities for involvement, and celebrating successes together, we can lead the church as a family and a business in the way God intended. Leading God’s family is not just a business strategy or a family approach but both. We, as leaders of the Church, must seek to balance both sides of this equation to be successful and effective. Through intentionality and prayer, we can lead a healthy church God desires for His people.

Leading and pastoring the church is a complex task. On the one hand, it requires a sense of family—a loving, caring atmosphere that reflects the love of God for His people. On the other hand, it also necessitates an understanding of business principles to ensure its growth and sustainability. It's easy to understand why many pastors struggle with how to lead their churches; do we prioritize being a family or running a business? The truth is that to have a healthy church, we cannot lead it as "either or" but rather "both and". We are a family, God's family, and we have a business that we must ensure is in order. Like any family, someone has to make sure the bills are paid, taxes are taken care of, food is provided, repairs are made, etc... Jesus, Himself, tells us that He was about His Father’s business. "And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49, NKJV) And that business is a part of God's family, "So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family." (Ephesians 2:19, NLT) As Pastors and church leaders, we are not only called to shepherd God's family but to lead, oversee, and ensure the business is in order. In this blog post, we will explore how leading the church as a family and business can bring out its full potential as God's beloved community on Earth. Many church issues that make the news and cause splits result from not taking care of one or the other, the family or the family business. 1. Understanding the Tension of Leading and Pastoring a Church A big part of the tension we experience as pastors and church leaders is between best practices and faith. God is a God of miracles, the One who parted the Red Sea and closed the mouths of the Lions, and raised the dead. Unfortunately, we often lead with a dependence on the Red Sea, closing the mouths of Lions, and raising the dead miracle in mind. All the while, God calls us to lead His Church, His business, and His family with best practices. Best practices that He has given us in His Word. Please don't misunderstand, God is a God of miracles, but far too often, we are looking for those miracles to cover our lack of leadership or laziness. As in all families, there is tension that must be managed. As a young dad, I wanted to take my kids to Disney for a vacation, and the kids (the family) all wanted to go. The tension I had to manage was between our desire to have a vacation at Disney as a family and the budget. It can be done; it was done, but only done successfully because I was willing to work with and manage the tension. This is done best by understanding and living by priorities. 2. Lead by priorities To successfully manage the tension between family and business as a Pastor or church leader, you must lead by priorities. God gives us some clear priorities in His Word for the Church, and He gives us priorities as Churches based on the vision He has for us. It is essential for any church leader to have and lead in the priorities of God to effectively manage the tension between family and business. This requires intentionality, self-discipline, and the courage to make tough decisions. Many times as church leaders, we end up managing dysfunction rather than dealing with it simply because we lean into the excuse of "we are God's family," all the while allowing God's family to suffer. For instance, no one wants to fire a family member from the family business. I get that, but would you be willing to let the family business go under because of a family member working in the business but not doing their job? That's a picture of the church often. A staff member or pastor (could be a volunteer) who is not doing their job gets by because we are a place of grace and mercy. Yet God does not love, encourage, or want laziness in His kingdom. If a staff member can't fulfill the priorities of the ministry job, we are going to have to make some tough decisions. And the church is watching our leadership to see how we handle the Kingdom's priorities in these circumstances to see if we can be trusted to lead in His family and His business. 3. Guard the family culture (DNA) A healthy family culture is a place where the atmosphere is love, care, and acceptance. A place where we are living out The Fruit of The Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). That means being patient, understanding, and forgiving of one another. It means learning how to express and receive emotions in healthy ways properly. And it means learning how to approach issues and conflict from a Biblical perspective that honors God's teachings and commands (Matthew 18). A healthy church family, like any healthy family, requires a clear understanding and the ability to live in healthy disciplines. This includes setting clear boundaries, expectations, and consequences for behavior. With love, patience, and understanding, these should be administered in a way that honors God’s teachings and His commands. It requires knowing how to motivate and encourage people to live up to their potential without relying on guilt, manipulation, or other negative tactics. All the while leading clearly into the future that God has for the church to live out His mission. Great businesses are run on Biblical principles. If you read and keep up with current business books, you will easily see the roots of the principles they teach in God's principles. They may not know or understand the history and roots of all they are writing about, but it takes little Biblical understanding or research to see them. ________________ Leading the church is a delicate balance between managing it like a family and running it like a business. As pastors, we must remember that both are important to ensure the health of God's kingdom here on earth. We have to be willing to make tough decisions while still protecting and nurturing our culture as Jesus would do in His own family. It takes intentionality, self-discipline, courage, and faithfulness - all qualities that should come naturally when leading with love for God’s people. With these principles, we can lead confidently, knowing that by doing so, we will honor Him, who has called us into this ministry! Next week in this blog, I will continue with part 2 and give some practical day-to-day leadership applications for living and leading the family/business of God - both/and.

Having a job like a pastor, boss, manager, or supervisor does not mean you are a great leader. Anybody can get a position, be promoted, and be in charge of people. But living in the role of a great leader takes dedication, growth in your personality, and focusing on becoming a quality leader. Excellent leadership skills are something most people can develop over time. While some people already have an innate God-given ability to be a great leader, most of us need to build our leadership skills from the ground up. Suppose you're in a position where you need to showcase your leadership side; no worries. The following tips give the guidance you need to build your ability as a great leader. Try these strategies: 1. Know what kind of leader you want to be. Becoming a great leader is hard if you don't know what one looks like. I look to the most outstanding leader of all time, Jesus. So when I am questioning how to live out leadership, I always look to Him, His Word, and His life on this earth. It would be best if you had a general idea of how you'd describe a strong leader so you have a benchmark. ● An excellent way to start is to look into some inspirational figures in your industry. Then, think about the leaders that appeal most to you and determine their leadership styles. ● Transformational leaders stand out because they're empowering, positive, and inspiring, but each person approaches their role differently. ● If you're unsure what your leadership style is, you can take quizzes online to help you find out. ● Once you know what kind of leader you are and who you want to become, you can start planning a route to living as the great leader you want to be. 2. Encourage creativity. If you want to achieve incredible things, it's important to encourage those around you. A creative team is more likely to develop positive ideas for growing your ministry or business and generating new opportunities. Great leaders are not people who do it all. Looking to Jesus, He ultimately raised a team of leaders and gave away all His leadership influence. ● With that in mind, be sure that everyone on your staff feels comfortable sharing their thoughts. ● Offer challenges to your team members and ask them to share their best ideas. You could also ensure that it's easy for people from all over your ministry or business to provide feedback about the ideas they like most. 3. Embody the values you want to see. Leaders are there to guide and inspire the people around them. If you want to see incredible things from your staff, give them a model to replicate. Jesus did this; it is His model of influence. ● Although it can be challenging to present yourself as a role model, particularly if you're new to leadership, it all starts with understanding your values. It's much easier to do this when pointing people to Jesus. Think about what matters most to Him and you as a leader and what you want to see in those you lead. ● When you showcase the things you ask for from your staff, you'll notice that they can more often imitate the actions you want to see. For instance, if you want your team to be passionate about their roles and responsibilities, show evidence of your passion often. 4. Invest in Communication. Strengthen your communication skills wherever possible. This includes ensuring that you can effectively communicate when you're chatting with people in all forms of communication, in person, through written messages, or via video calls. As a Pastor, I am constantly working to improve my communication abilities. Yet, I'm always surprised to hear from peers who never listen to their messages to improve. Or never go to workshops or seminars or take continuing education classes on communication. You may feel like you have been preaching or communicating for so many years that you got this down pat. But I assure you, you have room to improve and add value to your leadership. ● Great leaders should always work on being better communicators in all areas as often as possible. ● This includes leaving the lines of communication open, so your team can come to you with any feedback they haven't been able to share in a group meeting or recent session. ● Ensure that no one ever feels nervous about coming to you with insights or questions about what to do next. 5. Encourage and motivate your team. As a leader, you can judge yourself by your team's successes. But, ultimately, the wins of the people you lead are your wins too. Therefore, it's important to constantly encourage, motivate, and inspire your team members to achieve the best outcomes. ● Avoid taking all the spotlight in any situation. ● Ask your team members to give their input as often as possible. You can also make it easier for less extroverted people to share ideas. ● If you have trust issues on your team, you may want to start by providing a digital environment where people can submit insight anonymously until you can see a cultural shift in trust in your group. ● In others, it might be helpful to sit down with team members face to face every so often, so you can discuss their goals and how they align with the overall targets of the ministry or business. Strengthen your leadership skills with these strategies and become the leader God created you to be and the leader you aspire to be.

Leadership is an essential quality to have to be successful. But developing that skill can sometimes feel daunting and overwhelming. Fortunately, we don't have to go it alone – role models are a great source of inspiration and guidance for those looking to hone their leadership skills. Here are some benefits of having healthy role models: 1. Role models are a source of inspiration to us. They motivate us to achieve more than we think is possible. Looking at their successes and impact, we gain the conviction that we can also be like them. 2. They help us build our self-confidence. Role models help us see the vision of what we want to become. It gives us the confidence to thrive during challenging times of our leadership adventure. 3. Role models help shape our personalities. They influence professional and personal decision-making. Their impact also enables us to build great character. 4. Role models show us the way. It is said that everything we dream of doing is not new anymore. They inspire us to keep going, take risks, and try new things. 5. Role models show the standards we set for ourselves. All great people confess to having had someone they idolize growing up. When we choose the right role model, they can guide us as we learn how to lead effectively. Additionally, having a positive role model helps us stay focused on our goals and encourages us when faced with adversity or uncertainty. Above all else, Jesus should always be our primary example of leadership; He is the ultimate leader who has gone before us in every way imaginable! With Him as our cornerstone, here are some tips for choosing worthy role models whose examples will help you develop your leadership skills: 1. Consider Their Character When choosing a role model to help you develop your leadership skills, it is essential to consider their character. A worthy role model should have qualities such as integrity, honesty, humility, and resilience. Character qualities that line up with those of Jesus. They should also have a track record of success in the areas you want to emulate - for example, if you're looking for leadership skills in business, find someone who has succeeded in that area. Additionally, look for someone who has made an impact in their field and can serve as an inspiration for what can be accomplished - their accomplishments serve as evidence of their leadership potential. The example they set will help motivate you to reach higher goals. As a pastor, find a pastor who is further down the road. I have had mentors and role models my entire life. 2. Watch How They Treat Others It is also essential to look at how your potential role models treat people around them. The best leaders are kind, compassionate, and motivated by helping others grow rather than being propelled by personal gain or power. Jesus made it clear that He "came to serve and not to be served." (Mark 10:45). Choose someone who displays the qualities of Jesus not only while they are leading but also when they are just spending time with others. Seek out role models whose behavior is aligned with His values and yours; this ensures that your values remain intact while you strive to learn from this individual's example. 3. Look at How They Deal With Pressure When learning from a role model, use the opportunity to observe how they practice self-discipline and self-regulation when it comes to controlling emotions and responses in difficult situations or when faced with challenging decisions. They should be able to stay calm under pressure, think through problems strategically, and thoughtfully communicate their point of view, even when it's unpopular or controversial. Their ability to handle challenging situations gracefully will provide invaluable lessons on how leaders maneuver complex scenarios without compromising their morals or values. Jesus faced the ultimate pressure and stress while on this earth, and through it all, He lived the Father's will and was obedient. 4. What Do They Do With Mistakes Finally, ensure that your chosen role model takes accountability for mistakes or missteps during times of adversity - this shows true leadership potential as it indicates a willingness to learn from mistakes and an openness towards growth and development as a leader. The good news is as we look to Jesus, He was and is perfect. So He is our ultimate role model for our spiritual journey and character. We can and should look to Him without reserve. However, when you start thinking about things you are looking for as a role model in your work environment, you realize that Jesus never developed a website. Jesus never wrote a book. Jesus never had a spouse or children. You can quickly think about areas of your life you want and need a role model that you know Jesus didn't have to deal with. We are talking about role models in places like these in our lives that God has blessed us with people to look to as role models. Learning from such a person can provide invaluable insight into understanding different perspectives, which will ultimately help you evaluate potential issues more effectively and make more informed decisions when necessary. Prayerfully and Carefully Consider Role Models Carefully consider these criteria when seeking out appropriate role models for developing one's leadership skills, we ensure that we choose those who possess desirable qualities within themselves, which will ultimately serve as inspiring examples from which we can learn valuable lessons about effective leadership. Mentors and role models are an integral part of leadership success. For many of us, they help shape who we want to be when we grow up. They help us dream, imagine and plan for the future. You cannot overstate the importance of role models. They are not superheroes, rock stars, or celebrities. People who work hard to achieve their goals and earn respect from others are what they are. They can help us learn and grow in our careers. Ultimately, having an influential role model in our lives is essential for authentic leadership development. When we keep Jesus at the center and choose wisely who will join us on our journey, we can be sure that our leadership skills will grow and develop with each passing day. So choose carefully – make Jesus your cornerstone and have worthy role models to guide you along the way!