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Leadership Lids 5 (of 5)
Ignoring God
Perhaps the biggest leadership lids form when a leader ignores what God is saying.
- Perhaps the leader might ignore some of God’s moral laws.
- Perhaps a leader might ignore some of God’s biblical ministry mandates.
- Perhaps a leader might ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
When God directs us, we must follow him by faith.
As I think back over the years, I can remember too many times that I didn’t do what I thought God was telling me to do. Some of the times, I was afraid. During one assignment, I was afraid of the certain criticism I’d draw. Several times I just felt too exhausted to extend the energy of obedience.
Each time I created a lid of disobedience.
When was a time you ignored God’s direction? Is there anything God is calling you to do that you aren’t doing?
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“I DID IT… MYYYYY WaY !…” The (Frank Sinatra) theme song of my teens and twenties. Even in some of my baby thirties, this song resonated, but a different spin …”I DID IT ..YOURR WAY” (recovering approval aficionado)…wow…that song needs to be outlawed!
So what have a learned on these disoriented field trips?… “Father Knows Best!” I pray every day that God “keeps” calling me and wanting more from me. I can and WILL rest for an eternity… so NOW is the time to “GO TO WORK… “HISSS Way!”…( great! now this song is stuck in my head) :)
I’m with Jenn. Though I could never put it so eloquently. I have avoided what God has asked me to do. Paralyzed by intimidation. I’m grateful for God’s patience with me. And I’m praying that He continue to reveal when I create this lid.
The biggest time for me was when I needed to fire a worship leader. God specifically spoke to me about getting rid of this guy. I just kept dragging my feet because I was so concerned about feelings getting hurt, what I would do with the position being vacant. It took me about 6 months to finally get it through my thick head that I needed to just act in faith believing God would take care of the church. It was very difficult. The big thing was the uncertainty around the corner, and that is what faith is all about…believing God when YOU are not certain.
What first came to mind, Craig, is a bit of a twist on this.
In early 2001, I was just a months-old Christ follower and - according to leaders around me - on a sort of “fast track” in my growth. That also was when I unwisely decided to begin a dating relationship that quickly got physical (I could have been an example of what not to do during your SEX ED series :)).
The Lord was amazingly gracious; the relationship ended the fall of that year - though not because of any newly-found self-leadership.
I had ignored Holy Spirit-fueled warning signs, and that season of being in the “far country” nearly took me out of commission for a lot longer than it did. I repented, healed, and gradually was entrusted with leadership opportunities.
More importantly, I got an enduring lesson on the categorical difference between obedience and disobedience. There were consequences to my actions; but, more importantly, there was forgiveness.
Craig - didn’t get a chance to welcome you to ARC a few weeks ago. I pastor a church in Memphis, TN and am a part of the board of directors for ARC, met you in Austin. Its so awesome to have you as a part of ARC and I look forward to hanging out some more. Thanks for the HUGE impact you’re having on the body of Christ. Love, John
When I look back on a couple of moments where God told me to help that beggar or homeless one…and I didn’t. The regret of those moments really stinks!
When you first called Chris to come to OK back in 2001. We DELIBERATELY disobeyed God and said NO! We were scared to death to leave our comfort. God got our attention in a big way that also happened to be very painful before we left our old church.
What have we learned from it? We have learned that obeying God is far more peaceful than remaining in a comfortable environment.
5 years ago we came to a “Crisis of belief” (as Henry Blackaby calls it) in our church plant. I tried to take matters into my own hands and left for what I thought was a stable church staff position. However, the church split and the church cut all of our salaries by significant amounts. I paid for my disobedience for 5 years until last month when I agreed to step out in faith and join the staff of a new church where I’m having to raise half of my support. In fact I’m sending out letters now. I pray I won’t make that leadership mistake again.
Right now the church I work at is going through Simple Church. For the last year our church has been slowing losing momentum. Our church is the example of complex. People are maxed out, our elder board and pastor of 28 years came to a mutual agreement that it is best for the pastor to leave. All the while the elder board has no plan to move forward. The church has multiple mission statements, and we clearly lack vision. Not to mention we do not have a process in place to disciple the people.
I’ve been following along with LifeChurch.tv, and my wife and I started a Life Group out of our home, that is growing and now meets in our church’s youth room. Our Church that is slowly dying has asked us to “possibly” take over the Saturday Night Service - LifeChurch.tv style.
So last week I drove from MN to OKC to truly experience what LifeChurch.tv is all about. [Wow] I talked with a lot of leaders and volunteers. I know God wants me to do something… is it a network church in this town (have no idea what to do around starting a church) or wait for the church to decide if we take over Sat. night in June? To be honest I’m scared, and confused, but I know God is good!
This is a huge one for me… God has called me to write a book. About a month ago I was ignoring HIM… now, I’m obeying and the peace is amazing.
Shar Shalom… you’re SO right, Craig… Jesus can remove his peace until we obey what He’s calling us to do…
Right now, I believe God wants me to continue to use my game room and video projector to allow Lifechurch.tv to be broadcast on Saturday nights at my house. Sometimes I want to quit because either nobody comes or just one (other than my immediate family) and there hasn’t been any growth.
My struggle is to continue to do what God wants me to do even though I don’t see results or the results don’t meet my expectations.
Jim-I was in a similar situation last February. I knew without a doubt that God was calling me to lead a lifegroup, but I was terrified to start one. I kept “waiting for a sign,” and He brought it and slapped it on my forehead. I finally broke down, putting aside my own desires for God’s plan. The first months of my lifegroup were tough. Few people came, and even fewer returned. It felt like a drought. All this planting, but the water wasn’t there. I knew that God wanted me to have a lifegroup, but I had no idea why it wasn’t successful. So I prayed. And prayed. And prayed. Then God revealed to me that I was doing okay, but that wasn’t good enough. He wanted me to be a great leader. I needed humility. He brought it. I needed patience. He answered. Only now am I starting to see the fruits of my obedience. My group is stronger because of what God taught me during the drought. I know it can be frustrating when you don’t see the results immediately, but keep persevering.
Kim, thanks for the encouragement. I do need to pray more for this and for the people who do not yet come to our home for Lifechurch.
You are brave for praying for patience. A quick story -
One night last summer, we were praying for our Lifechurch night and not really knowing what to pray for or how to pray, I prayed “God just surprise us tonight”. So our night went on - we only had one person come and as I was walking her out, it was already dark and I got bit by a rattlesnake and spent the next 3 nights in the hospital (my first time in the hospital). So we were definitely surprised. Since, I have been alot more careful as to what I ask God for.