It was Christmas Eve, 1910. General William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army was bedridden and near the end of his life and it was impossible for him to attend the Army’s annual convention. It was suggested that the General send a telegram to be read at the opening of the convention to the many Salvation Army soldiers as an encouragement for their long hours of labour serving others.
Funds were limited, and telegrams were charged by the word. General Booth decided to send a one-word message. It had to be one word that would summarise his life, the mission of the army and encourage the soldiers to continue …
Category: Mission
DEFINING MOMENTS…..that give perspective to God’s unfolding purposes for our lives.
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
“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
- 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,