Category: Mission

DEFINING MOMENTS…..that give perspective to God’s unfolding purposes for our lives.

Rod Denton in Discipleship, Leadership, Mentoring, Mission, Resources

WRITTEN WITH MUCH GRATITUDE TO MY LORD IN MY EIGHTIETH YEAR

I have grown to understand that one of the most important qualities a leader can possess is that of perspective which I define as seeing my life through the sovereign eyes of God. This is critical for the very reason Isaiah wrote,

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

A life of perspective is made up of many important experiences that can be seen as defining moments. I …

LEADERS AND VISION

Rod Denton in Christian Living, Discipleship, Evangelism, Leadership, Mentoring, Mission

“Show me your vision and I will prophesy your future.” David Yonggi Cho

VISION IS COMPROMISED WHEN………..

leadership positions are not given to people with vision
“In the absence of great dreams, pettiness prevails.” Robert Fritz
leaders are trained to be maintenance oriented rather than vision/mission oriented.
the majority choose to stay with the status quo.
“We live in a world where the majority dictate the rules and the majority are usually wrong.” Arnold Toynbee
Leaders have a healthy dissatisfaction with the status quo.

PRINCIPLES OF VISION FROM THE LIFE OF A GIANT SLAYER 1Samuel 17

THE SETTING

“Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Socoh …

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT…..The Leader’s High Priority

Rod Denton in Christian Living, Discipleship, Evangelism, Leadership, Mentoring, Mission, Resources

INTRODUCTION – LEADERSHIP IS INFLUENCE

A defining note in my ministry came when I transitioned from seeing the people in my church as followers, and instead saw them as emerging leaders. I was influenced by the words of Jesus who saw people who followed Him as people of influence. The best definition I know of Leadership is that it is INFLUENCE.
Jesus illustrated this in His teachings:

“You are the SALT of the earth.” (Matthew 5:13)
Salt adds flavour, prevents decay and preserves all that is good, it heals and makes people thirsty.
“You are the LIGHT of the world.” (Matthew 5:14)
Light dispels darkness, promotes health and healing,

…

COURAGE…… an essential quality for those who would live out God’s purposes.

Rod Denton in Christian Living, Discipleship, Evangelism, Leadership, Mentoring, Mission

In my developmental years, on certain occasions I battled with the presence of fear. I did my best not to disclose the battle that was taking place within me. However, I paid a price that resulted in me being emotionally drained for a period of time that followed.

Interestingly, as I read my Bible, I have discovered that I wasn’t on my own. In fact, it would appear that courage to overcome fear is frequently mentioned as a requirement to fulfill God’s purposes in our lives. Timothy is a classic example. He was a person with a timid and fearful personality, and on occasions Paul needed to be mindful of …