“The Lord is my Shepherd.”
That makes me His sheep. I was bought with a price. The payment for my relationship cost the Shepherd His life. I do not own me. I am His and my identity is complete as His slave.
Father God, I pray that You would help me completely identify my life as Your servant. You are the Master and I have been purchased by You for Your work and glory.

“I shall not want.”
There is no greener grass or better water than what God provides. My vision does not allow me to see what is over the horizon. The Lord, however, knows everything. He knows what I truly need, when I need it, and how I should receive it.
Father God, I want to trust You with all my heart. I want to leap when You say “leap” and stay when you command me not to move. I need You to provide my mind with an immovable trust in You.

“He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside  quiet waters.”
I am prone to wander. I chase after that which looks appealing and fulfilling. Yet, I cannot discern from the kudzu (good for sheep) and the “Lily of the Valley” (which would be fatal to eat). I am excited by the thrill of the rushing waters. But God knows the danger of the current in which I could drown. His guidance is perfect. The Lord’s path is always best.
Lord God, I pray that I would become content with Your plan and Your guidance. Where I am now and where I am going is in Your hands.

“He renews my life; He leads me along  the right path for His name’s sake.”
God does not lead me today so that I can live in luxury and pleasure. He does not redeem my soul and rescue me from Hell because I deserve a better life. He renews my life and leads me “for His name’s sake.” He saves people by His grace to bring glory to His work. What brings God glory may not be what I think is best. My way, filled with familiarity and security, may not be the way that brings glory unto Him. In fact, I shudder at the fact that most followers who brought God glory during the first few centuries after Jesus’ resurrection were killed for their faith. “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…” is not typically our idea of the wonderful, Christian life. (2 Timothy 3:12)
To the God who made me, You lead into places and circumstances unexpected. If you lead me, You have a plan. You will be glorified when I follow Your plan. If you lead me to face persecution or death, You are at work and will receive glorify. I can endure any trial or difficulty, if You are with me. My life is not mine, anyway.

 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
What is a larger force in our lives: the pain of our struggles or the power of our God? King David reminds people of their greatest fear- death. Then he shatters the fear by reminding us of God’s presence. When I face a dark and difficult moment, I am tempted to wonder where God is. He is right there. His staff is a comfort, for it is more than a stick. In the hand of God, anything is sufficient to demonstrate His power. His “rod and staff” can bring me peace because God is neither surprised nor overwhelmed by any event in my life. May we stand with the Apostle Paul and state, “If God is for us, who [or what] can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
Lord and Master, I am not praying for You to keep me from life’s storms. I am asking You to show me that You can and will handle anything that causes me fear. May I have faith in Your power.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
My idea of an overflowing life has nothing to do with material possessions, financial security, or the recognition of man. I have met some of the poorest people on earth in sub-Sahara Africa and deep in the Andes Mountains. Without any of the world’s treasures, the joy of the Lord overflows from their lives. My life overflows when it is filled with God.
Father, I pray that my life would be filled with You and emptied of the distractions of idolatry, lust, and pride.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwellin the house of the Lord forever.”
Jesus continually pointed His disciple to real hope. His concern was much more focused upon eternity over the temporal. He wanted His disciples to impact this world with the Gospel and give God the glory through their action. Their eyes, however, were to be fixed upon life everlasting.
Lord, I look forward to the time when I am unhindered in my relationship with You. I look forward to eternity, as You perfect all things and we enjoy life together as You created it to be.

In the glorious name of Jesus I pray.

Throughout my high school years, I enjoyed the sport of Track and Field. The relay races were some of the most interesting. Four runners who were faster than any other team did not necessarily win the relay race. A smooth transition of the baton between runners is critical to maintaining speed and balance. Christ-honoring leaders pass the baton though intentional  preparation and Spirit-led timing.

Business leaders understand the value of intentional mentoring. This concept is embraced by corporate leaders and first-year laborers alike. Mentoring builds stronger organizations and ensures a brighter future. Yet, long before Donald Trump hired his first apprentice, Jethro mentored Moses, Moses instructed Joshua, Samuel guided David, and Solomon shared his wisdom with his sons.

Unlike business which are focused on profits, Christ-honoring leaders mentor out of love. A deep love for Christ will result in obeying His command to “…make disciples of all nations…” A genuine love for people will result in leaders investing in those who will take the Gospel into the next generation and beyond.

Unfortunately, discipleship in many churches has been redefined and reduced to a video course to watch or a class that is offered at the least opportune time during the week. A Christian leader must be a disciple-maker in order to be obedient to the call of Christ. Gene Wilkes says, “Servant leaders are not a success until they mentor successors to carry on the mission.”

No person is biologically born a leader, but every born again believer in Christ has been given spiritual gifts and a calling to lead. When Jesus called the first disciples, he commanded them, “Follow Me… and I will make you fish for people.”In this, Christ has given us a vision to embrace, gifts to be used, goals to be met, and a legacy of faith to leave with the next generation.

Christ-honoring leadership occurs when a believer follows the commands of Christ, utilizes his gifts for ministry, wholeheartedly seeks God’s will, and makes disciples of others. Jesus is Lord and the master leader. He was worthy of trust, inspired multitudes, was humble at heart, and displayed perfect love. He guided, empowered, encouraged, and replicated His mission to those He led. Leading as Christ led brings personal fulfillment and glory to our God. Becoming a leader is who we are created to be.

Three Suggested Resources that I have read and highly recommend  (click on the image for a link to CBD or Amazon):

This article is the last of a series on Christ-honoring Leadership. If you missed one of the previous posts, the inks are provided below:
Everyone Leads Others, Somewhere (Leadership Overview)
Can You See to Lead (Leadership Distinctive- Vision)
Trust Me…  (Leadership Distinctive- Encouragement)
How to Get People to Follow You (Leadership Distinctive- Inspiration)
How Good Leaders Get Things Done (Leadership Distinctive- Humility)

Feel free to post your opinions on these topics in the “Comments Section” below.

Here is a point in which some leaders stumble. Should we focus on the goals or the people? Goals are essential. People are essential. Yet, it is possible to become so consumed by the goals that the leader neglects the growth of the people. Christ-honoring leaders balance the task vs. people orientation and create a team that gets things done. The key characteristic to goal fulfillment and people development is the same- humility.

Pastor Gene Wilkes defines this humility in a banquet metaphor of the head table and the kitchen. “When given a position, we happily accept the status that goes with it and somehow we believe that we no longer need to go near the kitchen. People who follow Christ’s model of leadership would never be embarrassed to find themselves among the kitchen help.”

The Bob we know and love. “Pardon the glare.”

I love spending time with a man named Bob Bailey. He is a real example to me of a Christ-honoring leader who seeks to serve others. He brings encouragement and honesty to every person and situation. He leads with precise vision and willingly shares leadership with others. He and his wife, Diana, are working to fulfill the dream of opening a “House of Hope” in our community. “The purpose of House of Hope Piedmont is to share the love of Christ while reconciling teens and their parents and to get families back on the right track in life.” (You can visit their website at www.houseofhopepiedmont.org)

Bob reminds me of another great leader who worked “behind the scenes” to encourage and lead God’s people. In the New Testament, we read of a humble leader who followed Jesus. Barnabas was a man who became a “living sacrifice” in fulfillment of the vision to reach the world with the Gospel of Christ. He also knew that sharing the leadership would be critical to the mission. “So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people.” (Acts 11:25-26a)

The leader humbly guides the direction, focus, and accountability for those who are involved. A leader’s communication skills and the ability to pay attention to details become critical. Interest, enthusiasm, and productivity wane when goals are not met. The vision is now in jeopardy of becoming unrealized. Completion of strategic goals and objectives motivate and drive a team toward the fulfillment of the vision.

The question for this distinctive is simple: Are you willing to do what the group needs in order to fulfill the mission? People who are unwilling to “get their hands dirty” or “too good to wait tables” have no place in ministry leadership. Strategic goals are met when teams work together, doing whatever it takes to complete the task. When we work together on God’s team, we bring Him glory and He works through us to accomplish what could never be completed on our own.

A few days ago on this blog, I defined the kind of leadership that God honors. A leader is someone who can articulate a God-given vision for ministering to people. By being trustworthy, a leader encourages others to embrace the vision. Through inspiration, a leader empowers followers to use God-given spiritual gifts to fulfill the vision. Humility allows the leader to guide others through a strategic progression of goals. A genuine love for others causes a leader to replicate leadership through intentional mentoring relationships. These aspects of integrity and their corresponding actions are both the litmus test and the definition of leadership.

Read the previous posts:
Everyone Leads Others, Somewhere (Leadership Overview)
Can You See to Lead (Leadership Distinctive- Vision)
Trust Me…  (Leadership Distinctive- Encouragement)
How to Get People to Follow You (Leadership Distinctive- Inspiration)

Tomorrow, I will unveil the final distinctive, the one that makes the difference for the long-term success.
Your thoughts are welcome in the “Comments” section below.

Dr. Ken Coley was my faculty adviser during the three years of study at Southeastern Baptist Seminary. Simple words after my first in-class presentation began a mentoring relationship that I longed to have. Over the next few years, he spent many lunch and supper hours in a booth at the local Red Robin. He asked me hard questions, challenged my viewpoints, prayed for me often, and invited me to spend time with his family (at Red Robin, of course). Moments after my graduation ceremony, he made statements to my parents, pastor, and family friends that echo in my mind today. He empowered me to excel in ministry by exhibiting profound leadership.

“Encouragement without training is like enthusiasm without direction: You move a lot but little gets done.” (Gene Wilkes, Jesus on Leadership ) Mobilizing those whom a person leads can be the most challenging and rewarding aspect of leadership. Partnering with fellow believers accomplishes more that fulfilling the vision, since Christian fellowship brings people closer to Christ and has the potential to be an effective witness to unbelievers.

Given the fact that every believer has been given spiritual gifts for the purpose of glorifying God and edifying the Church, people are the greatest resource of any ministry. A leader inspires believers to discover their unique set of gifts, thus empowering them to lead in an area of ministry to fulfill the vision. When spiritual gifts are understood, followers begin a unique relationship with the leader.

About 500 years before Jesus came to Earth, Nehemiah mobilized people for ministry by empowering them in the way God created them to serve. After the exile of Judah, the people returned to a destroyed and desolate land. Nehemiah had a vision for rebuilding the walls. He faced many troubles, including threats of the enemy nations around Judah. “And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, ‘Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.’

Nehemiah encouraged the people to continue to fulfill the vision of God and work even harder than before to complete the task. “So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. I also said to the people at that time, ‘Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day.’ So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand.” It is significant to note that Nehemiah not only gave instructions, but he led the people face-to-face, as he did the same work as those who looked to him.

Leaders inspire others by inviting them to join the cause. They provide the resources and help others see the gifts and strengths which which God has blessed them. The Christ-honoring leader values the abilities and effort of every team member and inspires him or her to do more. When leaders take a team to the next level, God is glorified and the Church is edified.

Suggestion: Read Nehemiah 4 to see the positive leadership of this man who followed God wholeheartedly- http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nehemiah+4&version=ESV

Questions for consideration:
Who inspires you to do your best?
How can you use the same method/manner/techniques to inspire others?
What should you do if your leader is not an inspiration to you?

In a previous blog (http://t.co/89lWDmTco4), I defined the kind of leadership that God honors. A leader is someone who can articulate a God-given vision for ministering to people. By being trustworthy, a leader encourages others to embrace the vision. Through inspiration, a leader empowers followers to use God-given spiritual gifts to fulfill the vision. Humility allows the leader to guide others through a strategic progression of goals. A genuine love for others causes a leader to replicate leadership through intentional mentoring relationships. These aspects of integrity and their corresponding actions are both the litmus test and the definition of leadership.

Read the previous posts:
Everyone Leads Others, Somewhere (Leadership Overview)
Can You See to Lead (Leadership Distinctive- Vision)
Trust Me…  (Leadership Distinctive- Encouragement)

Until we meet again, your thoughts are welcome in the “Comments” section below.

Trust in the leadership is essential to the fulfillment of the vision. Followers will not commit to anyone who fails to walk in notable integrity. In The Leadership Challenge, James Kouzes and Barry Posner propose that a leader with integrity is one who strives to do what he says he will do.  Without assurance that the leader is trustworthy, the best response that one could hope for is half-hearted. This reservation will prevent followers from completely buying into the vision and the necessary effort to meet specified goals.

In the Bible, Joshua was a man who lived in such a way that others trusted him. As he served the Lord, he made decisions that were profound but not always popular. He saw circumstances through God’s eyes and walked in faith. People not only respected Joshua; they were willing to place their lives on the line. Joshua proved himself under the mentorship of Moses. When Moses died, the people trusted Joshua to follow the God’s vision and plan.

If the vision is not dependent on the collaboration of others, then the vision cannot be from God. Therefore, it is necessary to cast the vision in such a way that stirs others to want to join the team. People have a deep desire to be a part of something that will make a difference. When a leader presents a vision that meets this need, people will respond if they trust that the leader has what it takes to fulfill that vision. A follower who fully embraces the vision is a powerful resource and a gift from God.

When people trust their leaders, an even greater effect occurs than accomplishing goals. People are encouraged in their serving. Trust creates an environment that lead people to wanting to be a part of a team. What athlete would hesitate to play on a team with a trustworthy coach?  Coaches with integrity build great teams because the players want to be lead by a person who can be trusted.

My grandfather was a man of great integrity. He never led a large group or organization. Yet, whatever he was doing, other people wanted to be a part of it. Whenever people had tough decisions to make, they would turn to my grandfather for wisdom. People trusted him because he walked with Christ, loved people, and was a man of his word. His honesty and humility was magnetic. Everyone wanted to be around him.

Questions for Consideration:
Who is a person in your life that exemplifies integrity?
What does it take for you to trust someone?
What role does trust play in your current ministry leadership?

In the previous blog (http://t.co/89lWDmTco4), I defined the kind of leadership that God honors. A leader is someone who can articulate a God-given vision for ministering to people. By being trustworthy, a leader encourages others to embrace the vision. Through inspiration, a leader empowers followers to use God-given spiritual gifts to fulfill the vision. Humility allows the leader to guide others through a strategic progression of goals. A genuine love for others causes a leader to replicate leadership through intentional mentoring relationships. These aspects of integrity and their corresponding actions are both the litmus test and the definition of leadership.

Yesterday, I posted on the issue of vision in leadership. You can check it out here: http://wp.me/p1BrJl-h7

Tomorrow, I will show you what inspires others to follow you. If you subscribe to this blog in the upper right sidebar, you can have these post delivered to you automatically.
As always, your thoughts are welcome in the “Comments” section below.

Seventeen years ago, I met a man of vision. He was a college student who was gifted in preaching/teaching and had a vision for reaching people with the Gospel of Christ. Clayton King formed Crossroads Worldwide, which host a major summer camp each year and connects the Church with missions all around the world. God gave Clayton a vision. He took a “country boy” from Fountain Inn, South Carolina and transformed him into a leader that reaches millions of people around the world with the Gospel of Jesus. (visit his site at crossroadsworldwide.com)

George Barna states, “If you want to be a leader, vision is not an option; it is part of the standard equipment of a real leader.”  Without vision there is no destination at which to arrive. “Leaders have a clear idea of what they want to do- personally and professionally- and the strength to persist in the face of setbacks, even failures. They know where they are going and why.” (George Barna, Leaders on Leadership)

Vision, for the Christian, has to be inspired by the Spirit of God. This is the foundation upon which leadership is formed. If a man has no personal vision for ministry, then he has not been called to lead God’s people. People will follow a leader only when they understand where they are going to be led.

In the Bible, Noah led his family with faithfulness and obedience to God when all of humanity had turned against the Lord. When God called Noah to build a boat, his mind had never conceived such an idea or even the need for a floating vessel. Abraham was called to leave the comfort of Ur and lead his family into an unknown land, with an impossible promise made by a previously unknown God. Without vision, Noah or Abraham would have never experienced the grace and power of God. A Christ-honoring vision always leads us beyond our abilities and resources to something greater and miraculous.

The vision should be razor sharp in its focus, yet broad and versatile in its application. This means that the vision should be clear and concise so that the average church member can recall it from memory. It must be broad in spectrum to allow for the uniqueness of the different spiritual gifts of the fellowship. The vision from God is what sustains the man of God on the most difficult days and directs him away from the continual diversions of Satan.

Questions to Consider:
Do you believe that all leaders must have vision?
What is the vision for the ministry God has called you to lead?
How can leaders define/refine the vision for their current context?

In the previous blog (http://t.co/89lWDmTco4), I defined the kind of leadership that God honors. A leader is someone who can articulate a God-given vision for ministering to people. By being trustworthy, a leader encourages others to embrace the vision. Through inspiration, a leader empowers followers to use God-given spiritual gifts to fulfill the vision. Humility allows the leader to guide others through a strategic progression of goals. A genuine love for others causes a leader to replicate leadership through intentional mentoring relationships. These aspects of integrity and their corresponding actions are both the litmus test and the definition of leadership.

Check back tomorrow as we examine the issue of trust and its effect on leadership.
In the meantime, your thoughts are welcome in the “Comments” section below.

This week on the Follow One, Lead Others blog, I will outline five distinctives of Christ-honoring leadership.
1. Embracing a God-given Vision for Ministry
2. Instilling Trust that Encourages Teamwork
3. Inspiring Others through Empowerment
4. Competently Guiding Others to Achieve Strategic Goals
5. Modeling a Genuine Love for Others that is Replicated

A leader is someone who can articulate a God-given vision for ministering to people. By being trustworthy, a leader encourages others to embrace the vision. Through inspiration, a leader empowers followers to use God-given spiritual gifts to fulfill the vision. Humility allows the leader to guide others through a strategic progression of goals. A genuine love for others causes a leader to replicate leadership through intentional mentoring relationships. These aspects of integrity and their corresponding actions are both the litmus test and the definition of leadership.

Check back tomorrow, as we examine the concept of a God-given vision.

Some questions for thought:
What is your definition of leadership?
What makes the difference between a good leader and a poor leader?
Do you agree that everyone is a leader in some way?
Let me know your thoughts in the “Comments” section below.

There is, however, much more that you may not know about the shoe box. In addition to the children, entire villages and regions of the world are transformed.  Something  that seems so small is being used by God in a mighty way.

This reminds me of the five loaves of bread and two fish that Jesus transformed into a feast for over 5000 people. Our Lord took the simple gift and made an enormous impact. When we spend $25-$30 dollars to fill a shoe box, God takes the effort and multiplies the impact for His glory and to build His Kingdom. I have listed below some aspects of Operation Christmas Child that may be unknown to you:

1. The Support of Church Planting Efforts
The future of the Church worldwide is the work of Christ through church planting. New church planting efforts are reaching into the unreached areas like never before. Samaritan’s Purse does not plant churches. However, Operation Christmas Child partners directly with church planting efforts in some of the most difficult places to take the Gospel. For example, when a Samaritan’s Purse project leader helped deliver 275 shoe boxes into a small village in Honduras, he had little idea that God would use this effort to plant a church, build an orphanage/clinic, and become the catalyst for the Gospel in surrounding towns. “’Now the Gospel is moving in seven different communities,’ Melvin said. ‘And it all started with 275 shoe boxes.’”

2. The Discipleship Training of Local Leaders and New Believers in Christ
In 2009, Samaritan’s Purse increased the discipleship component of the ministry by offering “The Greatest Journey” curriculum in 65 of the countries served by OCC. In the last three years, over a million children have completed the 12-week Bible study! Those who distribute the shoe boxes often have the opportunity to share the Gospel and disciple the children and their families, too. Those who participate in “The Greatest Journey” not only find out more about Jesus and His Word, they are challenged and equipped to share their faith with others immediately.  (For more info: www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/the-greatest-journey/)

3. The Impact upon Families
At Christmas, I do not have to get a gift to receive joy. I enjoy seeing the smiles and excitement of my children when they open a package. Parents of children receiving shoe boxes through Operation Christmas Child must experience the same joy. Hope is contagious. The real gift inside is the message of Jesus Christ. Unlike the toys which may become broken or worn and the hygiene items that will be expended, the Gospel of Christ will forever remain in the hearts and minds of the children, their parents, relatives, neighbors, schoolmates, and the entire village.

4. The Hope for Orphans
Not every child who receives a shoe box has a family. A large percentage of the boxes are delivered to orphanages in the poorest areas of the world. This shoe box may be the only gift these children receive. Through Operation Christmas Child, the fatherless boys and girls hear from a Samaritan’s Purse volunteer or local church leader about their Father God, who never leaves them alone.

5. The Unity of Christ’s Body
Few events or organizations mobilize the Body of Christ like Operation Christmas Child. Last year, over 76,000 local churches in the United States participated in sharing the Gospel through OCC. In November 2012, I stood in the center of the Charlotte processing center, surrounded by an ocean of people as far as I could see in every direction. People from a large variety of states, ages, ethnicities, and denominations worked together on the assembly lines. Operation Christmas Child erases the lines of division under one goal: take the Gospel of Jesus into the world!

6. The Training of a Massive Volunteer Force
I am amazed at the number of wonderful people who sacrifice time and energy to volunteer with Operation Christmas Child. In the processing centers, I have met people who have spent their vacation time and consider their work as a “mission trip.” This army of volunteers could fill almost any stadium, as 110,000 people volunteer to pray, contact their local media, connect with churches/organizations/businesses, and prepare the shoe boxes for shipment. In addition, 7500 volunteers have been trained to work year-round in high impact leadership positions.  (Become a volunteer: www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/volunteer/)

7. The Encouragement and Involvement of Individual Believers and Families
Our family has been encouraged and blessed by the ministry of Operation Christmas Child. For many years, my three boys, my wife, and I have packed shoe boxes. The last few years, we have delivered these to the warehouse in Boone after Christmas. For the last two years, our boys have asked family and friends for shoe boxes [to take to OCC] rather than gifts for Christmas. We did not solicit this response, but the boys get it. Life is about what we give not what we get. OCC has provided us with a strategy for Kingdom praying, as we remember the boxes and those who will deliver and receive the packages of God’s love. Samaritan’s Purse has assisted our family in maintaining a missional focus. For that fact, we are extremely grateful.  

Here’s my point: Every shoe box you pack for Operation Christmas Child has a great impact for the Gospel and for the Church. If your local church is looking for a mission project or partner organization, I want to encourage you to consider OCC. The task is simple, the supplies are readily available, and every member of your church can be involved in missions by simply packing a small box. God will take what is small and miraculously transform it into a great miracle of love, hope, and forgiveness.

For more information about this opportunity, visit the website

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/

Note: Much of the information and statistics for this blog were obtained from the Operation Christmas Child “Special Report.” 

Has Operation Christmas Child impacted your life? I would love for some readers to post stories in the comments section.

Jim Putman believes that church leaders have one role: to shepherd people. He has translated his sports experience to the church in a very effective and applicable way. Everything in this book revolves around the concept of team. Putman explains this theory by stating, “… I believe that the church is supposed to be a collection of transformed individuals molded by God into a team. The Christian life is a team sport.”

Putman defines the word church as “a body of believers working as individuals and together as a team to achieve the Lord’s goals. Our winning team reaches the world with the message of the gospel then disciples those who have been won to obedience and replication.” The premise of this book is neither original nor innovative, yet it surfaces as one of the best on the subject.

Based on his assumption that a winning church makes disciples, Putman makes the evaluation that most churches are losing. He defines a disciple as a convert who becomes a part of God’s team and is taught to take part in God’s mission. Disciples stand up to the pressures of the world, share their faith without shame, display the fruit of the Spirit, and have healthy and growing relationships with others and with God. Putman declares, “Churches often have stated goals but [they have] behaviors that circumvent or work against them.”

While these goals of disciple-making are shared by all Christian leaders who seek to honor Christ, Putman has a ridiculously simple means by which he fulfills them. He earnestly seeks to connect with every member and looks for ways to empower them to lead in ministry. His weekly routine has not changed from the beginning with 142 people to the over 10,000 members today. Every week, Putman, with the help of his staff, calls each family who missed the Sunday service. “We believe people are not numbers but are family who appreciate their absence being noticed.” This is the essence of caring for his people.

Pastor Jim Putman believes that discipleship is relational. He explains the philosophy that was adopted even before their first church service, “When someone came to the Lord, they needed someone to walk with them; they needed to be taught. When someone was sick, we needed to be there to pray and to help.”

Most churches measure winning by the attendance or offering. Putman has a different perspective as he states, “Numbers don’t mean much unless you are counting the number of people being transformed by the Holy Spirit.” As Real Life has focused on discipleship, God has exponentially increased their numbers.

Putman gives an accurate reading of the scoreboard for most churches in America and these teams are losing. He analyzes that churches have fallen behind in the game because they have forgotten the mission, conform more the world, fail to share the faith, and are biblically illiterate. The problem is that churches have focused on everything but biblical discipleship. In giving the solution, Putman proclaims, “…the answer to the problem starts with the leadership…those that are called to be pastors and leaders- the coaches for God’s team.”

Putman gives a great analogy that identifies a major problem in church leadership. “…Somehow pastors have come to believe that they are paid players, and the people who attend are the fans.” The senior pastor then becomes the star player and he begins to think that gaining a bigger crowd is dependent on his preaching performance. This mentality filters down into every aspect of the church. “Most of the money given by the fans is used for the development of a better show, not for helping people or building new players.” Putman gives the reality that if a church gains people because it has the best show in town, then people will leave when they hear of a better one.

Putman believes that people will stay in church because they know they are loved; they are part of the team. He has a unique way of viewing the preaching ministry of the church. He believes that a sermon will only connect with people when the pastor is constantly investing his time building relationships with them. When a pastor abandons the “big show” mentality that focuses on himself, then he is free to “find and develop players who will later become coaches themselves.” A winning church is one that is working to fulfill the Great Commission.

This book is a “must read” for all church leaders and a recommended reading for all followers of Christ. Jim Putman offers the best overview of a disciple-making church and a practical guide to help leaders implement this philosophy into a current ministry setting. The book is easy to read as it has a logical flow from stating the problem to offering biblically based solutions, with the author illustrating his points by sharing his own stories of failure and success. If creating a culture of teamwork in the mission of Christ is winning, then Pastor Jim Putnam has given the body of Christ a great tool in Church is a Team Sport.

Get your copy here: http://www.christianbook.com/church-championship-strategy-doing-ministry-together/jim-putman/9780801072086/pd/072086?item_code=WW&netp_id=585667&event=ESRCN&view=details

What do you think? Is the church today “winning?” Leave me a comment below.

Real heroes are not normal. They are ordinary people who are empowered by an all-powerful God to do extraordinary and miraculous things. Anyone who trusts in God and follows His will can be a hero.

On November 23, 2008, Angela and I met Jerry and Eileen Mestas at the home of mutual friends, Dwain and Heidi Gullion. We were immediately inspired by the faith in Christ of both couples. This night began a friendship and partnership in international orphan care that the Lord has used to bless a multitude of people. I have heard the Mestas’ faith story many times, presented before our church family and around their kitchen table. Few people have inspired me to trust Christ in all things like these heroes, Jerry and Eileen Mestas. When I heard that Eileen was prompted by the Spirit to write a book on their journey, I could hardly wait to read it.

The story of their lives is an account of two segments. The first part is quite normal. They were raised in normal families and chased normal American dreams. Success in their careers and endeavors gave way to normal struggles that most families face, including the option of divorce. Then God stepped in, rescued both Jerry and Eileen from the normal (or broad) road that leads to hell and transformed their lives through repentance of sin and trusting in Christ in salvation. From that point, normal is no longer in their vocabulary.

Admittedly, Jerry and Eileen would have no idea how different their life would become. Over the next 25 years of following Christ, God would give them more than they could handle. In addition to their three biological children, God would call them to adopt five, yes five, more children. At one point they had five kids in their home under the age of four during a time when “normal” people were preparing for an “empty nest” and retirement living. As a tangent, but significant testimony, Jerry spent over two years and three months in unemployment, after his employer fired him for providing biblical counsel for a Christian client who was considering an abortion. (God used Jerry to save at least one life!)

When Eileen shared the book idea with me some time ago, internally I wondered about the title. She wanted to call the book, More Than “I” Can Handle. Does God purposefully give us more than we can handle? Eileen says “yes” and I now agree. Biblically speaking, God does not allow temptation to sin beyond what we can resist. However, God can give His children assignments that require His intervention and power. Without His work and resources, we cannot walk by faith. Without God, life is more than we can handle.

With God’s leading, anything is possible. When we settle for “normal,” we miss the blessing God has for us. More importantly, we miss the faith lessons God wants to teach us. We learn the most in the hard places, difficult decisions, and when we are desperately depleted of our own resources. More Than “I” Can Handle is the story of how God has transformed an ordinary couple into what I would call superheroes.

When contemplating this story, it may be easy to compliment Jerry and Eileen for their strength, resolve, and perseverance. Yet, it is refreshing to see that this story is not about them. In fact, Eileen is so transparent about their struggles, failures, and sin that the reader (at times) may be uncomfortable with specific details. To the praise of God, the Mestas are humble in their recollection of events. They point to God alone and daily remain amazed at His power, His work, and His grace. In fact, the Gospel of Jesus permeates each of the 26 short chapters.

As much as I would like to share more the details of God’s miracles in this beautiful family, I will not be a spoiler for the book. In case you are tempted to say, “This is a story about a family adopting some kids. God is not calling me to do this.” You need to read it. This is much bigger than adoption.

This book is about God and how He can work in your life, too. No matter what position or season of life you are now enjoying, you will be inspired and challenged by the ordinary and miraculous. I cannot imagine someone finishing this book and asking anything less than this: “What could God do with my life if I simply obey Him?”

This truth is the key and the point of this writing. Following Christ is not easy. The journey of the Mestas’ faith is not one of comfort and pleasure. The decisions have, however, been simple. Eileen states, “As I learned to hear His voice, I also learned to obey and follow Him.” Not everyone is called to adopt five children in their “mid-life” season, but every person is called to worship God and follow His lead. I am eager to see how God is going to continue to lead the Mestas family.

Could you become an ordinary superhero? With God, anything is possible!

You may be asking: How can I get a copy? Two options:
1. Go to their website-  www.MoreThanICanHandle.com  (I would guess they get a higher royalty percentage from the sales here; and you get an autographed copy.)
2. Get it on Amazon:  www.amazon.com

Some pretty popular people love this family and the story of God’s grace, too.
Mary Beth Chapman (aka Steven Curtis’ wife)- “The Mestas family by faith stepped into the Miracle of Adoption, and with their story of hope, this story will encourage and challenge many on the same journey.” 
Dove Award winning singer Meredith Andrews- “Never have I been so challenged and encouraged to walk by faith. The Mestas family has learned the value of obedience when the odds were stacked against them, and they have watched the Lord fulfill His promises over and over again in their lives.”

Other Books Reviewed (and Recommended) by Jeremy Amick include:

Are You in Sync with God?  (Living Beyond the Limits by Franklin Graham)

Get Out of Church!  (The Externally Focused Church by Rusaw and Swanson)

Me to We (by Alan Nelson)

Everyone Communicates, Few Connect (by John Maxwell)