Leadership is tough. Here are 5 key ways to become a better leader in any circumstance.
1. Effective Leaders HUMBLE themselves and allow God to USE them as leaders! (1 Peter 5:16, Phil. 2:5-11)
2. Effective Leaders FOLLOW AFTER Jesus instead of RUNNING AHEAD on their own!
(Mark 10:43-44)
3. Effective Leaders GIVE UP selfish desires to find true satisfaction in SERVING OTHERS! (Mark 10:45)
4. Effective Leaders TRUST God with all of their life and BELIEVE that God has a PLAN for everyone to be SAVED! (Proverbs 3:5-6, Jer.29:11-13)
5. Effective Leaders FOLLOW Jesus’ example of LEADERSHIP and are willing to REACH OUT to others!
(John 13:4-5, 12-17)
As you follow the Lord, He will keep making you an effective leader that He can use to reach others!!
(Adapted from Jaye Martin)
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Connect Groups Starting in June!
We are starting our Connect Groups in June! If you would like to lead a small group Bible study please let Barbara Parker know (women@hillcrestbc.com). The following is by Rick Howerton on small group influencers:
In the small group world we often talk about those things that influence the lives of the individuals small group leaders lead. Things like family, churches people have attended in the past, past or present sins an individual has committed or is presently engaged in, etc… are all illustrations of those things that influence individual lives.
A small group leader would be wise to know about and understand four influencers that affect the way the small group they lead thinks and processes during a conversational Bible study. Four of these would be…
1. Sermons preached at the church the group members attend. If your pastor has a particular theological bent, the sermons preached will reflect that theological perspective. Intuitively small group members are hearing and accepting that perspective. Not only that, if a series of topical sermons are preached, when your group does a study on that particular topic (even if the series was preached three years ago), the thoughts and ideas portrayed in the sermon series will most likely come out during the group meeting.
2. Politics. While I wish it were not so, politics are way too meshed with the Christian faith. Some small group members spend much more time learning about and embracing the morals, standards, and arguments of a particular party (Republican or Democrat) than they do reading, learning, and embracing biblical truth. Fox News or MNBC is the place these group members gain much of their understanding and passion. Because of this, when they speak they are speaking based on a political perspective they honestly believe is biblical and, because of this, there is a hint of competitiveness in their hearts.
3. Truths instilled in Bible studies the group has done in the past. One of the reasons it is vital to choose Bible studies that are written for small groups by people who understand and instill basic evangelical theology is due to the fact that small group members will learn and hold to what they have been taught during past small group meetings. A small group leader would be wise to review past studies and see what they say concerning a particular topic when they know a discussion is soon to take place that revisits a topic or passage from past Bible studies.
4. Acceptable expectations in the congregation the group are part of. Every church has her “acceptable expectations,” unstated or stated voluntary requirements for followers of Christ. In some churches it is anticipated that every person is involved in a daily quiet time that includes Bible study, Scripture memory, meditation, elongated times of prayer, etc… These churches may also speak often of meeting with two or three others for accountability and edification. In other churches the only expectation is that people show up for weekend worship services. It would be wise for a small group leader to know what is norm in the church that they lead a group for. If a small group leader leads a group and serves a church where expectations are high, the group they lead will have a much greater chance to go deeply into Scripture, ask for group members to spend time meditating on what God is saying to them, and expecting the group members to sincerely cry out to God on behalf of one another. On the other hand, if the group leader leads a group where the expectations of those involved in the church are minimal, they must remember that they are leading mostly spiritual infants and be careful to feed them milk, not meat.
In the small group world we often talk about those things that influence the lives of the individuals small group leaders lead. Things like family, churches people have attended in the past, past or present sins an individual has committed or is presently engaged in, etc… are all illustrations of those things that influence individual lives.
A small group leader would be wise to know about and understand four influencers that affect the way the small group they lead thinks and processes during a conversational Bible study. Four of these would be…
1. Sermons preached at the church the group members attend. If your pastor has a particular theological bent, the sermons preached will reflect that theological perspective. Intuitively small group members are hearing and accepting that perspective. Not only that, if a series of topical sermons are preached, when your group does a study on that particular topic (even if the series was preached three years ago), the thoughts and ideas portrayed in the sermon series will most likely come out during the group meeting.
2. Politics. While I wish it were not so, politics are way too meshed with the Christian faith. Some small group members spend much more time learning about and embracing the morals, standards, and arguments of a particular party (Republican or Democrat) than they do reading, learning, and embracing biblical truth. Fox News or MNBC is the place these group members gain much of their understanding and passion. Because of this, when they speak they are speaking based on a political perspective they honestly believe is biblical and, because of this, there is a hint of competitiveness in their hearts.
3. Truths instilled in Bible studies the group has done in the past. One of the reasons it is vital to choose Bible studies that are written for small groups by people who understand and instill basic evangelical theology is due to the fact that small group members will learn and hold to what they have been taught during past small group meetings. A small group leader would be wise to review past studies and see what they say concerning a particular topic when they know a discussion is soon to take place that revisits a topic or passage from past Bible studies.
4. Acceptable expectations in the congregation the group are part of. Every church has her “acceptable expectations,” unstated or stated voluntary requirements for followers of Christ. In some churches it is anticipated that every person is involved in a daily quiet time that includes Bible study, Scripture memory, meditation, elongated times of prayer, etc… These churches may also speak often of meeting with two or three others for accountability and edification. In other churches the only expectation is that people show up for weekend worship services. It would be wise for a small group leader to know what is norm in the church that they lead a group for. If a small group leader leads a group and serves a church where expectations are high, the group they lead will have a much greater chance to go deeply into Scripture, ask for group members to spend time meditating on what God is saying to them, and expecting the group members to sincerely cry out to God on behalf of one another. On the other hand, if the group leader leads a group where the expectations of those involved in the church are minimal, they must remember that they are leading mostly spiritual infants and be careful to feed them milk, not meat.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
The Lamb
Mary had a little lamb
Its fleece was white as snow
Every where the blood was applied
The shadow of death could not go.
Covered by the blood of the Lamb
My sin made white as snow
Everywhere that Mary went
The Lamb was sure to go.
Not by the blood of goats and lambs
His precious blood was shed
Before the world was made, God planned
To redeem us , though spiritually dead.
Oh Gracious Savior, Lamb that was slain
You stand beside the throne
Thank you for giving your life for me
And making me your own.
Poem inspired by Beloved Disciple Bible study
~2004~
G.Harlin
Its fleece was white as snow
Every where the blood was applied
The shadow of death could not go.
Covered by the blood of the Lamb
My sin made white as snow
Everywhere that Mary went
The Lamb was sure to go.
Not by the blood of goats and lambs
His precious blood was shed
Before the world was made, God planned
To redeem us , though spiritually dead.
Oh Gracious Savior, Lamb that was slain
You stand beside the throne
Thank you for giving your life for me
And making me your own.
Poem inspired by Beloved Disciple Bible study
~2004~
G.Harlin
Jesus, Behold the Lamb*
During this Easter season, the Lord has impressed upon me the tremendous need to bathe my mind and spirit in songs based on His Word, about His Son’s sacrificial blood. So while I walk by the nearby creek, I have been drinking in songs from Glad, Shelia Walsh, Twila Paris and others, as they proclaim the majesty and cleansing of the blood of the Lamb. I am reminded that I cannot stand on my own righteous, but I must come by Jesus’ holy shed blood. My soul is glad because all my debt has been paid up in full! Oh, Lamb of God, wash me in Your precious blood.
The Lord has also brought to mind the contrast of another ceremony of shed blood that I learned about five years ago, while in Cairo on a mission trip. Before entering a factory shop, my friend pointed out “bloody” handprints on the outside of this business and explained the religious tradition/superstition of killing an innocent goat or lamb during the festival, 'Id al-Adha . This represents the day when Abraham was ready to sacrifice his son, Ishmael (as the Muslims are taught) in the name of God. This festival is celebrated after the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca and pilgrims are mandated to sacrifice an animal, at the sacrificial altar. Even those who do not make the physical trip to Mecca, still commemorate this “holy” day and the shed blood of any number of animals, including camel, is placed on anything that is precious to them (children, place of business etc.), for protection against evil spirits. Much feasting and celebration concludes this time, as they eat the sacrificed animal. Reminds you of the Jewish Passover in several ways, but misses the main point!
As I have pondered this religious “holy” day for Egyptian Muslims and all Muslims worldwide; it is once again reveals how the truths and principles of God are often twisted and distorted by the “Father of Lies”, Satan. The focus of Jesus the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, is downplayed and sidestepped. Hebrews 10:4 and 9:2 says “it is impossible for the blood of goats and lambs to take away sins; without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.” The costly blood of the perfect Lamb, without blemish or fault, is the one who sets captives free, by covering ones sin and appeasing the wrath of God on our behalf. It is only then, that we can come into His throne room of grace and mercy. Yet another song depicts it so well, as it decrees that, only by grace can we enter, only by the blood of the Lamb.
I am so thankful, those 30 years ago during the month of April, Truth was revealed to me and I was washed by the blood of the Lamb. I have the privilege to daily come into His presence so He can cleanse me of my sins as I confess them to Him, asking for the ability to resist the temptation and flee to the arms of Jesus. Because God has promised never to leave or forsake me, it is not necessary to put the blood of a goat or lamb on those precious to me like my family, my church, workplace, possessions and numerous friends like you for protection from evil. Ps. 91:4 says that “His faithful promises are our shield and protection” and by humbling myself under the authority of God and calling on the name of Jesus, the enemy must flee. James 4:7-8.
During this 2011 Easter celebration, may all of you rest in the mysterious, yet absolutely beautiful way in which God has reconciled Himself with us, through His only Son, Jesus. What we do not deserve, He has lavishly poured out on us in the form of forgiveness, salvation, protection and peace.
Hallelujah what a Savior!
Gail
*Title of a S. Walsh song
~ Gail Harlin April 2006, revised 2011~
The Lord has also brought to mind the contrast of another ceremony of shed blood that I learned about five years ago, while in Cairo on a mission trip. Before entering a factory shop, my friend pointed out “bloody” handprints on the outside of this business and explained the religious tradition/superstition of killing an innocent goat or lamb during the festival, 'Id al-Adha . This represents the day when Abraham was ready to sacrifice his son, Ishmael (as the Muslims are taught) in the name of God. This festival is celebrated after the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca and pilgrims are mandated to sacrifice an animal, at the sacrificial altar. Even those who do not make the physical trip to Mecca, still commemorate this “holy” day and the shed blood of any number of animals, including camel, is placed on anything that is precious to them (children, place of business etc.), for protection against evil spirits. Much feasting and celebration concludes this time, as they eat the sacrificed animal. Reminds you of the Jewish Passover in several ways, but misses the main point!
As I have pondered this religious “holy” day for Egyptian Muslims and all Muslims worldwide; it is once again reveals how the truths and principles of God are often twisted and distorted by the “Father of Lies”, Satan. The focus of Jesus the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, is downplayed and sidestepped. Hebrews 10:4 and 9:2 says “it is impossible for the blood of goats and lambs to take away sins; without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.” The costly blood of the perfect Lamb, without blemish or fault, is the one who sets captives free, by covering ones sin and appeasing the wrath of God on our behalf. It is only then, that we can come into His throne room of grace and mercy. Yet another song depicts it so well, as it decrees that, only by grace can we enter, only by the blood of the Lamb.
I am so thankful, those 30 years ago during the month of April, Truth was revealed to me and I was washed by the blood of the Lamb. I have the privilege to daily come into His presence so He can cleanse me of my sins as I confess them to Him, asking for the ability to resist the temptation and flee to the arms of Jesus. Because God has promised never to leave or forsake me, it is not necessary to put the blood of a goat or lamb on those precious to me like my family, my church, workplace, possessions and numerous friends like you for protection from evil. Ps. 91:4 says that “His faithful promises are our shield and protection” and by humbling myself under the authority of God and calling on the name of Jesus, the enemy must flee. James 4:7-8.
During this 2011 Easter celebration, may all of you rest in the mysterious, yet absolutely beautiful way in which God has reconciled Himself with us, through His only Son, Jesus. What we do not deserve, He has lavishly poured out on us in the form of forgiveness, salvation, protection and peace.
Hallelujah what a Savior!
Gail
*Title of a S. Walsh song
~ Gail Harlin April 2006, revised 2011~
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