“Leadership from the inside out”Kevin Harney

LEIERSKAP VAN BINNE AF UIT

INLEIDING: DIE KRAG VAN SELF ONDERSOEK

Leaders today seek to serve in the wake of the countless moral failings, financial misleadings, lapses of integrity, and relational explosions of those who have gone before us. It’s at our own peril that we press on with mindlessly busy schedules, resistance to accountability, and lifestyles that allow us no time to look into our own souls. We need to lead from the inside out. - p13

DIE KRAG VAN SELF-ONDERSOEK

Self examination is essential in the life of every leader. Your personal choices are never just personal; your choices and the condition of your inner life impact others. What you do as a leader, and even your motives, can effect your family, friends, an entire church community. Your life as a leader touches more people than you can imagine. - p16

DIE KRAG VAN SELF-ONDERSOEK

…leaders need people who can help us identify potential areas of trouble we can’t see. ….this means we need to develop the humility to listen to and learn from those who have a vantage point different from ours. We are wisest when we have relationships and networks that fortify our lives as leaders. The best leaders will ask, even beg, others to show them where they need to grow, where they are broken, where sin lurks in the dark corners of their hearts. - p17

DIE LEIER SE HART

If our heart stops beating, we die. Sadly, leaders can mask the reality that their hearts are sick. Sometimes we can even fool ourselves into believing that our hearts are beating strong. It’s possible to preach, hold board meetings, lead an organization, and appear to be very much alive long after we have gone through spiritual cardiac arrest. We all have learned that we can go through the motions of leadership with an empty heart. - p25

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DIE LEIER SE HART – SELF-ONDERSOEK:

Ek bedien meer uit plig as uit liefde vir die Here.

Ek kan vir dae of selfs weke volhou sonder om by Jesus se voete te sit, Sy woord te eet en met hom te gesels.

Wanneer ek preke voorberei, is ek altyd gefokus op dit wat ander gaan leer, maak die waarheid van die Woord selde enige impak op my hart of passie.

Wanneer ek vir iemand bid of gebed lei, klink die woorde reg vir ander, maar klink dit leeg vir my.

Ek beleef die mense in my gemeente as ‘n las wat my verhinder om my werk gedoen te kry.

Ek kom agter dat ek my lewe so inrig dat dit my van mense issoleer.

Ek is so besig met die dinge van die kerk dat ek geen tyd het vir mense buite die kerk nie.

Ek kan nie onthou wanneer laas ek enige pyn of hartseer gevoel het oor iemand anders se verlorenheid nie.

“ENTICEMENTS THAT CRIES FOR 1ST PLACE”

Building a successful and growing ministry

Being loved by the people we serve and keeping them happy

Making a name for ourselves

Making enough money to provide

Feeling important and valuable

Loving and serving the people

p27

“LOVING THE PEOPLE WE ARE CALLED TO LEAD”

As leaders, connecting with God more intentionally and intimately is our starting point; it is the foundation of all we do in ministry.

Jesus understood that an authentic relationship with God leads to a deep love for people.

As leaders we must be sure we never grow to see the people we lead as cogs in a machine or pawns on a chessboard….. If we want to lead like Jesus, we must let the dangerous power of love fill our hearts.

p33

“A FORGIVING HEART”

Mat 18:21-22

There is no better laboratory for learning to love than ministry.

Because pain and heartache are part of ministry, it is possible for every single Christian leader to become angry, hurt, cynical, and insulted. If we don’t learn the wisdom and power of forgiveness, our hearts will die and we will become shells of the leaders God wants us to be.

p35

“A HEART FOR THE LOST”

Too many leaders have become so busy at their churches or in ministries that they have no time to connect with those who don’t know Jesus.

p38

DIE LEIER SE GEDAGTESSELF-ONDERSOEK

Ek kom agter dat ek preke en illustrasies oor en oor gebruik omdat ek niks nuuts meer het om te se nie.

Wanneer ek als gedoen het wat ek moes doen is ek so poot-uit dat ek net voor te TV sit en niks doen.

Wanneer ek dink aan die term “lewenslange student” lag ek binne, en wonder ek hoe iemand kan tyd maak vir dit.

Ek het ‘n spul boeke wat ek wil lees, maar ek weet ek gaan nooit tyd kry daarvoor nie.

Ek lees my Bybels of boeke slegs vir voorbereiding vir ‘n boodskap of kursus of as deel van formele opleiding en studie.

2

“PRIORITIES MATTER”

Christian leaders, especially those in church ministry, are often tempted to substitute their lesson preparation for personal time of feeding on the rich banquet of Gods Word.

p47

“ALLOWING OTHERS LEVERAGE IN YOUR LIFE”

…commitment to be a student of God’s Word is essential for maximum effectiveness.

Wise leaders know how to leverage every relationship as a tool for spiritual growth.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN READING LATELY?

A wise leader must learn how to mine for intellectual gold in the growing mountain of books.

p51

“MENTAL EXCERCISES”

Conferences & Seminars

Magazines, Internet portals, newspapers, blogs.

Movies & TV shows.

Continuing education classes.

Colloquy groups.

Too many leaders shift their mind to neutral after they begin their full-time professional lives.

I even suggest that leaders read books written by authors who challenge their worldview and rattle their cage.

p55

DIE LEIER SE ORE

Ps 46:10 – Be still and know that I am God.

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DIE LEIER SE ORESELF-ONDERSOEK

Dit irriteer my as mense praat van hoe hul “God met hul hoor praat het”.

Ek sal graag God wil hoor praat maar ek dink ek is geestelik doof.

Partykeer dink ek dat ek God hoor praat, maar ek is bang dis dalk net my eie idees.

Ek maak die meeste van my besluite self, en kry nie sommer raad by ander nie.

Ek het talle mense om my vir raad en insette, maar die waarheid is dat ek hul nodig het om met my saam te stem, en ek hou nie van iets wat my dalk teegaan nie.

Ek vra bitter min enige iemand vir insette omtrent my menswees en my bediening.

“HEARING GOD’S VOICE”

God is speaking. The question is: are we listening?

In a noisy world, our hearts should long for wisdom from above. Leaders need to receive direction, insight, and inspiration from God.

Hearing and recognizing Gods voice isn’t just for the monastic or the zealot. It should be the normative daily experience of every Christian leader.

P62, 63

“LISTENING TO THE GENERATIONS”

A wise leader longs to be challenged and stretched by people who have travelled farther down the leadership road.

Everyone of us has received the gift of proximity. God has placed people close to us, at various seasons of our lives, who can mentor and teach us. The question is, do we take time to listen? Are we humble enough to acknowledge that we do not have all the answers?

p65

“LISTENING TO THE GENERATIONS”

Wise leaders learn to identify people who have the experience of years of walking closely with Jesus. And when they get close to these people, they listen, ask good questions, watch and learn. The best leaders know that the long journey of faithfulness and effectiveness is well-marked by others who have gone before them.

p67

“LISTENING TO PEERS”

It is time for Christian leaders to humbly invite our peers who know more than we do to give us directions.

Let’s be honest, we don’t have all the answers. And we don’t have to re-invent the wheel every time we want to go somewhere. God has placed people all around us who have a great deal to offer. I have discovered that most are more than willing to share their wisdom, expertise, and even failings, if asked.

p72

“HEARING CONCERNS AND CRITIQUE”

Leaders in Christian ministry will be criticized, critiqued, and evaluated… constantly. It’s part of the deal. The key is to recognize unhealthy criticism and ignore it. At the same time, we must know how to identify helpful critique and listen so we can learn.

God is speaking…. Listen.

p75

DIE LEIER SE OË

Leaders need to have sharp eyes to see culture as it is, to see the intricacies of human relationships, and to see what lies on the horizon.

p80

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DIE LEIERS SE OËSELF-ONDERSOEK

Ek sien probleme makliker raak as wat ek die krag van God daaroor raaksien.

Ek is bewus van die geestelike wereld om my, maar ek het geen idee hoe om dit te onderskei of raak te sien nie.

Soms dink ek God laat my iets raaksien, maar dan onderdruk ek dit as onsin of onveilig.

My oe is altyd op die toekoms gerig, en ek kyk moeilik terug na die verlede.

“WISDOM OF THE PAST”

Leaders are visionaries. They tend to look forward, aspiring to what is next, not lingering on the past. Sometime we are forward-looking to our own peril. Wise leaders discover the wealth of wisdom from the past.

p85

“LOOK AROUND AND NOTICE WHERE GOD IS AT WORK”

Healthy leaders look back to learn from the past; they also know how to read the times and see what God is doing now.

p93

DIE LEIER SE MONDSELF-ONDERSOEK

Ek weet dat ek mense in my gemeente moet bemoedig, maar ek is geneig om eerder hul swakpunte en foute raak te sien.

Daar is mense rondom my wat ‘n woord van seen nodig het, en ek kan dit gee, maar ek is versigtig dat indien ek te positief voorkom, hul dalk gaan lyf wegsteek.

Ek sien dinge in ander wat ek kan aanprys, maar dit neem net te veel energie uit my uit, en ek het nie die krag daarvoor nie.

Soms dink ek: Niemand bemoedig my of prys my aan nie. Waarom moet ek dit vir ander doen?

5

“CREATING A CULTURE OF BLESSING”

Wise leaders use their words to build up others and strategically create a culture of affirmation in the church. Although we may be tempted to be critical and negative, the antidote for this behaviour is learning to bless. -101

The book of Proverbs makes it clear that life and death are wrapped up in the power of words. Healthy leaders decide how to bless others frequently and freely. The also create a culture where encouragement is normative, woven into the fabric of the church. -105

“CREATING A NON-GOSSIP ZONE”

We are not allowed to gossip. (Rom 1:29; 2 Cor 12:20)

“CREATING A NON-GOSSIP ZONE”

Christians have conflict with each other. Relationships get strained, communication breaks down, and tension grows. We are just people, and we face the same relational challenges anyone else does. The difference is we have crystal-clear guidelines on how to respond in these times of hurt and frustration. [Mat 18:15-17] - 106

“CREATING A NON-GOSSIP ZONE”

Step 1: one-on-oneStep 2: with one or two trusted ChristiansSte 3: involve church leadersStep 4: reach out with grace

“THE BLESSING OF SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE”

Leaders are called to speak the truth, but always in love. The problem comes when we err on one side or the other. When we speak the truth carelessly or harshly, our words might be true and even from the Lord, but they cut so deeply that the recipient can’t hear what we say. The other extreme is that we are so tender hearted that we refuse to speak the truth when it needs to be expressed. Wise leaders learn to resist these two temptations. Loveless truth can be damaging. Tenderness that refuses to speak the truth is equally dangerous. - 111

“TRUTH TELLING AND CHURCH DISCIPLINE”

For centuries, the church emphasized disciplining members who indulged in unrepented sin, damaging their lives and walk with Christ. Sadly, in many places the practice of church discipline has gone the way of stained-glass windows, choir robes, and Sunday evening services. The few churches that practices church discipline today are vestiges of a day gone by.

Leaders and churches that are committed to speaking the truth in love learn that church is part and package. If we truly care about people, we will not look the other way while they shipwreck their faith, destroy their lives, and run from God. Discipline is not a hammer for crushing the wayward brother or sister. It’s a redemptive intervention that calls people to turn back to the Lord, who loves them. - 115

DIE LEIER SE HANDE

Those who are going to lead learn quickly that serving is foundational to our calling. To lead like Jesus is to offer our hands to take up the cross daily, to pick up the towel and the basin, to serve as He did.

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DIE LEIER SE HANDESELF-ONDERSOEK

Ek geniet my rol as leier want dit gee aan my spesiale voordele en mense doen wat ek se.

Daar is areas van bediening wat ek van ander verwag om in betrokke te wees, maar waarin ek self nie in betrokke wil raak nie.

Ons gemeente se leier en lede beskerm die fasiliteite en geboue teen “misbruik” deur die gemeenskap en omliggende kerke.

Ek sal sekere dade van diens as deel van my amptelike bediening beskou, maar ander dele van my hart en lewe hou ek weg van diegene wat ek lei.

Ek het ‘n gereserveerde parkeerplek by die kerkgebou – ‘n goeie een.

“GETTING YOUR HANDS DIRTY”

Johannes 13……

The way of Jesus is the way of humble service. The hands that washed the disciples feet would soon be nailed to a cross. The ultimate act of service and love cost Jesus His life. Our Lord was willing to get His hands dirty and bloody to show us what a true leader looks like. - 122

“THE DANGER OF DELEGATION”

There is definitely a need for strategic delegation, but we can take it too far. We must be ready to serve no matter how big our churches grow or how specialized we become in ministries.

Hands ready to serve are born of a heart that loves people.

Delegation and clear ministry responsibilities are valuable. But leaders must always remember the call to serve. - 124

“GENEROUS HANDS”

Leaders are most effective when they are ready to give things away. God honours hands that are open and willing to share. -125

DIE LEIER SE LAGSPIERSELF-ONDERSOEK

Ek kom agter mense wat pret het en baie lag irriteer my – veral ander predikante.

Wanneer ek in die spieel kyk sien ek geen vreugde op my gesig nie. Ek het dit verloor.

Ek kan nie onthou wanneer laas ek so gelag het dat dit seer was nie.

Wanneer ek by ‘n groep aansluit lyk dit altyd asof dit ernstiger word, eerder as meer pret.

Ek wens ek het ‘n paar mense geken wat ek so vertrou dat ek net kon ontspan en myself kan wees. Ek kan nie. Ek is die dominee.

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LAG ‘N SLAG!!!

We can grow our souls and strengthen our ministries by spending time with people who makes us laugh. -145

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DIE LEIER SE LIBIDOSELF-ONDERSOEK

Ek kom agter daar is mense in my gemeente wat my emosionele behoeftes aanspreek wat slegs my eggenoot behoort aan te spreek.

Ek kyk na tydskrifte, websites, flieks en materiaal in ‘n poging om my seksuele behoeftes aan te spreek. As hierdie gedrag bekend moes word sal dit my baie skade berokken.

Ek het ‘n fantasie-wereld in my gedagtes geskep waar ek vrylik seksuele sonde pleeg. Ek sal dit nooit in die regte lewe doen nie, maar ek droom dit wel.

Ek lewe ‘n dubbele lewe. Aan die een kant predik ek moraliteit en seksuele reinheid – en aan die ander kant doen ek sulke dinge self.

Wanneer die onderwerp van seksuele grense na vore kom raak ek defensief, want ek wil nie erken dat ek oor grense gaan jie.

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“THE POWER OF THE MIND”

In as sex-saturated culture, we must guard our minds. A leader whose outer world is squeaky clean can still allow the world of the mind to be perverse.

Healthy leaders inspect their thought lives and make sure they are seeking to live in holiness even in the hidden compartments of their minds.

I believe the best way to practice preventative care for our souls, when it comes to sexual temptation, is to saturate our minds with Gods Word. Meditating on Scripture is a cleansing process, and at any time, we can draw on portions of the Bible we have memorized.

-159

“THE POWER OF ACCOUNTABILITY”

The beauty of accountability is that we can tailor it to our needs. … whatever our needs, a trusted friend who asks us the hard questions as well as encourages and prays for us is an amazing gift.

-165

DIE LEIER SE RUGSELF-ONDERSOEK

Ek kan nie eers onthou wanneer laas het ek gaan slaap met ‘n vrede dat ek alles vir die dag gedoen gekry het nie.

Ek leef elke dag met die gevoel dat ek oorwerk en onderwaardeer is.

Ek beny ander in bediening wat tyd het vir persoonlike ontwikkeling en hul gesin.

Ek het eens op ‘n tyd ‘n visionere dryf in my leierskap ervaar. Tans probeer ek net om mense nie kwaad te maak nie.

Soms weet ek dat ek ‘n sekere rigting moet inslaan met bediening, maar ek weet vooraf wie dit gaan teenstaan, en ek het net nie die energie of temprament om hul teen te staan nie.

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“CARRYING THE YOKE OF JESUS”

The call on every Christian leaders is to receive, with humility, the yoke of Jesus. His yoke will always fit right. When we take on the yoke of Jesus, we can carry the full burden He has in mind for us, but it feels light. We will not be crushed under its weight because Jesus knows what we can handle.

Healthy leaders don’t carry man made burdens, yokes and crosses imposed by those who believe they know God’s plan for our lives. We come to Jesus and take His yoke. We discover that it always fits well. -174

“RECLAIMING THE FORGOTTEN GIFT OF GRACE”

Healthy church leaders are secure enough to embrace Sabbath and walk away from their work for one day each week.

Each time we take a Sabbath, we make three declarations to heaven, earth, the church and ourselves:

We trust that God is capable of running the universe and His church without us.

We are confident that God can provide all we need in 6 days of labour.

We understand that slowing down and meeting with God and His people is a priority in our lives. - 176

“RECLAIMING THE FORGOTTEN GIFT OF GRACE”

Leaders who refuse to take a full day off each week make a profound theological statement: I am more powerful and important than God. Does that sound overstated? Think about it. God, who is omnipotent, took a Sabbath and called you to do the same. -176