“Leadership is found in becoming the servant of all” – Richard Foster

Too often as leaders we forsake the true calling of what leadership is.  We become built up with pride rather than lowered in humility.  We struggle for power, when it is meekness that is needed.  We want to be served rather than to serve.  Everything we want to become is contrary to what Christ came for.  In fact, it was Christ who said, “I have not come to be served but rather to serve.”

If the Master came to serve others then that is what we must do.  Leadership is not about being over people.  Leadership is not about having others follow us.  Leadership is not about being in charge.  Leadership is service.  Leading people through servanthood, example and humility.  Sure, leadership means that someone is at the top, but it is the attitude of our leadership that counts.  Respect is earned not demanded. 

I challenge every leader, to serve others.  Let us take Christ’s example to be servant’s of all and lead through servanthood.

I have not played golf in a long time, but this cartoon reminds me of the last time I played.  I love golf, but golf does not love me.  I have never gone as far as this guy in the toon, since I have been saved.  But in my old days I did wrap a 2 iron around an oak tree.  The bad thing was it was my dad’s 2 iron.  Not a good thing!

When a 21 day fast is over, the first major decision to make is, “where do we eat?”  The fast has been a great experience for our church family.  Dozens of people have joined together to seek God’s heart for RFA.  We celebrated communion today and then broke the fast.  It was a great ending to these 21 days of fasting. 

As I was coming in the sanctuary for service today someone handed me a package of Oreos with a bow on it.  It pays to be the senior pastor:)  They took care of me because I told them of the temptation I had with giving Hannah cookies the other night.  I prevailed over eating a cookie and my reward was a whole bag of Oreos.  God is good!

I hear of many plans for the first few meals after the fast.  Some were going to Burger King, others to Braum’s for Ice Cream.  Many were going to Golden Corral and then others, steak dinner at home.  The Cheney’s end of fast meal is tomorrow at Chili’s.  The Cajun Ribeye, medium rare for me.  I can’t wait!

I have enjoyed these season of fasting and prayer because of what it has done in our church family.  When we all are doing the same thing, it brings us closer together because we identify with each other.  This is only the beginning.  We will find many projects and plans to work together on in the future.

Today is the final day of our 21 day fast.  It has been a good 21 days as we have prayed and sought God for the needs of our lives, our nation and our church.  I am proud of the many people in our church family who took up this challenge to fast for 21 days.  I am excited about what God is going to do as a result.

This morning, we will break the fast by participating in the Lord’s Supper together.  I believe it is a good way to end our fast together as we remember Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross.

The last couple of days I have been sharing the value of mentors.  There is a mentor that many never think of that is meant to teach us a great deal.  MISTAKES.  Mistakes can be our friend if we learn from them.  All things work together for the good, right?  Mistakes are inevitable in the life of every person.  If mistakes are a part of life then we must make the most of them.  We must learn. 

The sad truth about many people is that they continue to make the same mistakes over and over again.  Walking down a path of heartache and disappointment.  Others, rarely own up to mistakes.  Thinking themselves as the only ones right.  In the end they stand alone because they are the only ones who think they are right.  Then there are those who will admit mistakes, and learn to take a different approach the next time.

What about you?  Do you learn from your mistakes and correct the problem?  Or do you keep falling into the same mistakes again and again?  Or are you the one who never makes mistakes?

Yesterday I wrote about the value of mentors that are a presence in our life.  Those you can meet with on a regular basis to speak into your life.  There is, however, another type of mentor: the absentee mentor.  These are people who do not know you, but you know them.  Meaning people you admire and would like to learn from.  Again, a mentor isn’t always someone who thinks just like you think.  They are someone who have different thoughts but you can definitely learn from.

In my life, I have made the habit of surrounding myself with absentee mentors.  Many of them I have only read their books.  Others, I read their blogs everyday.  While yet others, I listen to their sermons.  Why?  To Learn!  To learn from their lives, perspectives, giftings and words.  Again, I do not agree with every bit of their theology, but there is alot of great things they share that I can learn.

What about you?  Do you read books that stretch you?  Do you watch others from a distance to see how they do things?  In our ministry roles we should be looking at how others do things, to see if their is something we can learn.  We must always be careful that we do not try to clone their ministry but rather pull ideas from a variety of ministries that will benefit ours.

The following voice mail recording is the reason why I do not get bumper stickers made up for our church.

Listen to this voice mail

Since I started pastoring at a young age (24) I have always found it necessary to surround myself with godly men who would be honest and speak into my life.  For my 12 years of pastoring, I have had one mentor who has meant a great deal to me.  Over the years we have talked often, had coffee together, eaten a few sandwiches and talked about many issues.  This mentor has always been honest with me.  He has given good godly wisdom and encouraged me not to throw in the towel.  He has heard me share my heart and helped walk me through times of hardship in ministry.

Of the many people I left when I recently moved, this gentleman is perhaps the one I miss most.  There is something about having a Paul in your life, when you are a young Timothy.  I value his friendship, respect his counsel and appreciate his willingness to speak into my life.  Since moving, I have needed a few pots of coffee with my faithful friend but we are too far apart. 

Good mentors are often hard to find.  Faithful friends even harder.  As leaders it is important for us to seek out men of integrity and wisdom who can speak into our lives.  Those who are not afraid to challenge our assumptions and tell us the truth.  A good mentor is not someone who always agrees with you but is someone who can reason with you.  The tragedy of many leaders is that they are afraid to ask for counsel because it may ruin their plans.  I cannot tell you how many times, I have been saved from bad decisions because of my friend who helped me see the other side.

If you are in leadership and do not have a mentor, find one.  I always feel it is best to seek one that is a generation apart.  One who has been down the road a little farther than you.  Since I came to Rogers, I have kept my eyes open for someone.  I am glad to say, God has allowed one to cross my path.  No, there will never be one to replace my endeared friend from the South.  But I always have room for two mentors.