As a leader you have to be committed to get commitment. A friend of mine once said to me that a committed leader will draw out of others the commitment needed to fulfil a vision. He's right; you can never expect anyone else to give their energy, finance or talents to a cause if you don't lead the way with commitment faith and passion.
Nehemiah was a guy who was committed and who drew commitment out of others and they finished the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem in 53 days. Now that is amazing! Despite much adversity they were successful. This was a great accomplishment and Nehemiah wrote: 'When all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things....they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God' WOW! I love this and I pray that a similar thing will be said about us at MKCC as we extend and build new facilities. (Wish we could do it in 53 days!)
I want to encourage all of us who are committed to building God's house here in MK and are sacrificing time, finance, energy, skill and the list goes on and on... That we do not labour in vain and our commitment will draw out of others commitment and we will complete the task the Lord has given us to do. We need to keep a few things in focus as we lead:
1. We have a compelling purpose. There is no greater cause on earth to give our lives for.
2. We need to keep a clear perspective at all times and not allow fear to cloud our view.
3. We must pray at all times because I know that this is linked to our humility before God and gains his favour.
4. We need to have courageous persistence and move ahead despite all odds.
Together I believe we will succeed. Let's continue to lead by example.
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
In the hands of the artist
'But now, O Lord, You are our father; we are the clay, and you are the potter; And all we are the work of your hand.' Isaiah 64:8
I was thinking about this verse today and how God has been and is at work in my life over the years. I then begin to think about my responsibility to the people in my life and how I have and am influencing them.
I came across this in interesting story about an English artist named William Wolcott who went to New York in 1924 to record his great impressions of that great city. One morning he was visiting in the office of a former colleague when the urge to sketch came over him. seeing some paper on his friends desk, he asked, 'may I have that?' His friend answered, 'That's not sketching paper. That's ordinary paper. Not wanting to lose the spark of inspiration, Wolcott took the wrapping paper and said, 'nothing is ordinary if you know how to use it.' On that ordinary paper Wolcott made two sketches. Later that same year, one of those sketches sold for $500 and the other for $1000 quite a sum for 1924.
John Maxwell said, 'People under the influence of an empowering person are like paper in the hands of a great artist. No matter what they are made of, they become treasures.'
Let's make a decision to value people around us and with God's help craft a masterpiece!
I was thinking about this verse today and how God has been and is at work in my life over the years. I then begin to think about my responsibility to the people in my life and how I have and am influencing them.
I came across this in interesting story about an English artist named William Wolcott who went to New York in 1924 to record his great impressions of that great city. One morning he was visiting in the office of a former colleague when the urge to sketch came over him. seeing some paper on his friends desk, he asked, 'may I have that?' His friend answered, 'That's not sketching paper. That's ordinary paper. Not wanting to lose the spark of inspiration, Wolcott took the wrapping paper and said, 'nothing is ordinary if you know how to use it.' On that ordinary paper Wolcott made two sketches. Later that same year, one of those sketches sold for $500 and the other for $1000 quite a sum for 1924.
John Maxwell said, 'People under the influence of an empowering person are like paper in the hands of a great artist. No matter what they are made of, they become treasures.'
Let's make a decision to value people around us and with God's help craft a masterpiece!
Sunday, 28 September 2008
Ron Heagy at MKCC NEXT SUNDAY
We are so privileged to have Ron with us next week. I want to encourage you to invite all your friends to what I think will be an amazing Sunday as we focus on a two week series called 'Hope'.
Infocus
Just completed a three weeks series challenging us all to ensure we keep in focus some important truths as we follow Christ. Recap:
wk 1 Focus to your life: Every believer needs to understand that God has a purpose for your life. (Jer 29:11) He wants you to choose his ways and not just your own. God tells us in the bible that his ways and thoughts for us are so much higher than our ways. To live your life just to fulfil your own plans when you know that God has a plan for your life is to live life out of focus.
Once we discover God has a plan for our lives, like the Apostle Paul, we are to focus on giving 100% effort to fulfilling his plan for our lives. Yes, EFFORT, hard work, drive, discipline, diligence commitment, passion and dedication. You run in life knowing that heaven alone is your finishing line.
Jesus said, do not store up treasure on earth but store up treasure in heaven. Eternal rewards are real and Jesus said make sure you see this as a priority in your life
wk 1 Focus to your life: Every believer needs to understand that God has a purpose for your life. (Jer 29:11) He wants you to choose his ways and not just your own. God tells us in the bible that his ways and thoughts for us are so much higher than our ways. To live your life just to fulfil your own plans when you know that God has a plan for your life is to live life out of focus.
Once we discover God has a plan for our lives, like the Apostle Paul, we are to focus on giving 100% effort to fulfilling his plan for our lives. Yes, EFFORT, hard work, drive, discipline, diligence commitment, passion and dedication. You run in life knowing that heaven alone is your finishing line.
Jesus said, do not store up treasure on earth but store up treasure in heaven. Eternal rewards are real and Jesus said make sure you see this as a priority in your life
Wednesday, 24 September 2008
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
MKCC Worship leaders forum
I spent just over an hour with our worship leaders this evening which was brilliant. These guys are an inspiration to me and have a tremendous influence in our church. Each Sunday the sound, the choice of songs, the visuals, the arrangements and creativity just seem to get better and better.
We are working hard to align our songs and visuals to coincide with the series we running. Our challenge is to leave the people at MKCC in no certain terms clear about the overall theme or point that week. Good planning is crucial here and we continue to learn the importance of it.
Diversity is strength and I think we have that in our worship leaders. This empowers us to impact a wider group of people in our city through our music.
I love discussions with creative people who are passionate about life and music but especially when they are sold out to Jesus and desire to tell our city and the world about him.
I really value and appreciate you guys!
We are working hard to align our songs and visuals to coincide with the series we running. Our challenge is to leave the people at MKCC in no certain terms clear about the overall theme or point that week. Good planning is crucial here and we continue to learn the importance of it.
Diversity is strength and I think we have that in our worship leaders. This empowers us to impact a wider group of people in our city through our music.
I love discussions with creative people who are passionate about life and music but especially when they are sold out to Jesus and desire to tell our city and the world about him.
I really value and appreciate you guys!
Monday, 22 September 2008
An amazing weekend
Wow...what a weekend it was absolutely mad, it has left me, my family and our leaders spinning and needing a few good nights sleep. Here are a few highlights:
Friday
1. The Final adjustments were being made ready for the big move of our Day Nursery into other parts of MKCC's facilities and portacabin while our building developments and refurbishment take place.
2. Kidz Church leaders were preparing for the huge changes to the way it will operate now spread across our facilities.
3. Preparations for the Partners evening on Saturday were also taking place. Catering, videos, PowerPoint slides, talks, notes, music etc....
4. There was also an ITC Trustees meeting on site.
5. Building works were in full swing securing the site and preparing us for the weekend services and making it safe for a turf cutting ceremony due to take place. The site also had to be ready and secure for our Day Nursery operations on Monday.
The adrenaline seemed to be racing through the veins of all at MKCC as we were gearing up for a big weekend.
I raced home at 6.00pm to collect Mitchell who had football training ready for a cup match tomorrow. I have always made every effort to be there at his traing and every match I can to support him. However, my mobile never stopped ringing and a burned through 1/2 my battery life! When I got home I had enough time to climb the ladders to finish off some painting before it got dark that I knew I needed to finish. It was now late and I enjoyed a long awaited shower, hot curry and a cuddle with my lovey wife.
Sat
1. Catering preparations and hall set up for our Partners evening started just after 9.30am. I said goodbye to Alison for the day as she went shopping and then spent the day at MKCC with Judy and other volunteers.
2. In the morning I took Mitchell to his football match, he played really well. (His team is awesome and he is getting to be a little Rooney - Just a proud dad speaking) They won!!
3. Ian and Mike came in to paint fences ready for Monday morning.
3. We had a wedding at MKCC in the morning followed by blessing which took place in the couple's garden in the afternoon with 150 guests who thought they were coming to a house warming party. You should have seen the look on their faces as we started the vows, it was awesome!
4. The Partners evening took place from 7.00pm and it was excellent. The food was excellent, the videos were inspiring and our leadership presentations were well recieved. I was extremely pleased with the evening. The feedback from our partners was very positive. We cleared up and set up the hall ready for church service the next day. I fell into bed at just after midnight.
Sun
1. MKCC is buzzing with life every Sunday morning from 7.00am preparing for our three services. This sunday was no exception! Kidz Church faced the challenge of running their programmes in new areas. All ministries leaders and volunteers were so busy pulling all areas of our operations together in order to serve those who would attend this week: Transport, traffic, stewards, kidz church, youth, musicians, video and PA, hospitality etc.. The services were excellent!
2. At the end of the services we went outside into the garden area at MKCC where works would start on Monday. We dug a turf marking the start of our building programme and we stood and committed the future to God in pray. I am so thankful to God for the faith, generosity and commitment of our people to this project.
3. As our services concluded it didn't finish there. As the final bus came back into the car park, the Made for Ministry course started in the main hall running through the afternoon.
4. Volunteers also arrived at MKCC at 2.30pm to move equipment out of the Day Nursery into other areas in the facilities of MKCC getting the Day Nursery ready for Monday morning.
5. No it doesn't end there! At 6.00pm saw 'Base' our youth programme explode into action. At around 8.30pm MKCC was closed for the night. What a weekend! Time for a rest. However, in just a few hours we open again!
We achieved so much over the weekend. What a privilege to serve with an awesome team who have given their lives to this ministry for the glory of God. Thanks guys for all your hard work, you are all an inspiration.
Friday
1. The Final adjustments were being made ready for the big move of our Day Nursery into other parts of MKCC's facilities and portacabin while our building developments and refurbishment take place.
2. Kidz Church leaders were preparing for the huge changes to the way it will operate now spread across our facilities.
3. Preparations for the Partners evening on Saturday were also taking place. Catering, videos, PowerPoint slides, talks, notes, music etc....
4. There was also an ITC Trustees meeting on site.
5. Building works were in full swing securing the site and preparing us for the weekend services and making it safe for a turf cutting ceremony due to take place. The site also had to be ready and secure for our Day Nursery operations on Monday.
The adrenaline seemed to be racing through the veins of all at MKCC as we were gearing up for a big weekend.
I raced home at 6.00pm to collect Mitchell who had football training ready for a cup match tomorrow. I have always made every effort to be there at his traing and every match I can to support him. However, my mobile never stopped ringing and a burned through 1/2 my battery life! When I got home I had enough time to climb the ladders to finish off some painting before it got dark that I knew I needed to finish. It was now late and I enjoyed a long awaited shower, hot curry and a cuddle with my lovey wife.
Sat
1. Catering preparations and hall set up for our Partners evening started just after 9.30am. I said goodbye to Alison for the day as she went shopping and then spent the day at MKCC with Judy and other volunteers.
2. In the morning I took Mitchell to his football match, he played really well. (His team is awesome and he is getting to be a little Rooney - Just a proud dad speaking) They won!!
3. Ian and Mike came in to paint fences ready for Monday morning.
3. We had a wedding at MKCC in the morning followed by blessing which took place in the couple's garden in the afternoon with 150 guests who thought they were coming to a house warming party. You should have seen the look on their faces as we started the vows, it was awesome!
4. The Partners evening took place from 7.00pm and it was excellent. The food was excellent, the videos were inspiring and our leadership presentations were well recieved. I was extremely pleased with the evening. The feedback from our partners was very positive. We cleared up and set up the hall ready for church service the next day. I fell into bed at just after midnight.
Sun
1. MKCC is buzzing with life every Sunday morning from 7.00am preparing for our three services. This sunday was no exception! Kidz Church faced the challenge of running their programmes in new areas. All ministries leaders and volunteers were so busy pulling all areas of our operations together in order to serve those who would attend this week: Transport, traffic, stewards, kidz church, youth, musicians, video and PA, hospitality etc.. The services were excellent!
2. At the end of the services we went outside into the garden area at MKCC where works would start on Monday. We dug a turf marking the start of our building programme and we stood and committed the future to God in pray. I am so thankful to God for the faith, generosity and commitment of our people to this project.
3. As our services concluded it didn't finish there. As the final bus came back into the car park, the Made for Ministry course started in the main hall running through the afternoon.
4. Volunteers also arrived at MKCC at 2.30pm to move equipment out of the Day Nursery into other areas in the facilities of MKCC getting the Day Nursery ready for Monday morning.
5. No it doesn't end there! At 6.00pm saw 'Base' our youth programme explode into action. At around 8.30pm MKCC was closed for the night. What a weekend! Time for a rest. However, in just a few hours we open again!
We achieved so much over the weekend. What a privilege to serve with an awesome team who have given their lives to this ministry for the glory of God. Thanks guys for all your hard work, you are all an inspiration.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)