How to Keep Criticism in Check by Steven Furtick

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and people shouted before him, “Make way!” 
Genesis 41:41-43
If you saw Joseph in his prime, you’d probably think, “Oh, that must be nice.” Or negatively, “He’s sold God out, and all he cares about now is power and money.”

Really? Here’s the backstory:
Betrayed by his brothers and thrown into a pit. Then sold into slavery. Then falsely accused of rape by his master’s wife. Then thrown into prison. All this over the course of thirteen hellish years. And the Bible says that through it all, God was positioning him to save a nation and his family.
Jealous now?
Critical now?
We’ve got to be very careful about being jealous over other people’s blessings without knowing the backstory. It can be so easy to look at someone who’s in a good position or a church that’s really successful and be envious of what God has given them. Or be critical of it.
But you don’t know the road that person had to take to get to where they are today. You don’t know the price they’ve had to pay to get their church to where it’s at today.
They might have had to go through hell. Just like Joseph did. And they might have been faithful through it all. Just like Joseph was.
Would you still want their blessing if you knew the backstory? Would you be willing to go through the same thing to get it? Would you be as critical if you knew the whole story?
God’s blessings were never meant to trigger envy or suspicion.
Don’t waste any more time being jealous of someone else’s blessings. God has given you exactly what you need to do exactly what He’s called you to do.
And don’t be critical of other people’s blessings either. God’s given them exactly what they need, too.
Don’t envy where God has taken other people. Stop lamenting the hand He’s dealt you. It’s better than you think.
So good, in fact, that there’s someone else in the world that would probably be jealous of it.

All Copyright belongs to Churchleaders.com and Steven Furtick!

Steven Furtick is the Lead Pastor of Elevation Church, an incredible move of God in Charlotte, NC with more than 6,000 in attendance each week among three locations. He is the author of the forthcoming book, Sun Stand Still. He lives in Charlotte with his wife Holly and their two sons, Elijah and Graham.More from Steven Furtick or visit Steven at www.stevenfurtick.com

8 Things That Will Change You and Your Church by Perry Noble

1. Ask God to absolutely set you on fire…to ignite you with passion that consumes you so that you are not merely working in a job but fulfilling His vision for your life.  People who work a job make a living…but people who are fulfilling their passion/calling make a difference!  (See Jeremiah 20:9)
2. Make the decision that you are going to lead out of CONVICTION of the Holy Spirit rather than theCONVENIENCE of doing what is easy rather than what is right.
3. Beg God to allow you to see people the way He sees people.  I think one of the fundamental problems in the body of Christ is that our eyes no longer see as His eyes see!  However, if we take off our “church colored glasses” and begin to see the world the way HE sees it…it changes EVERYTHING!  (See II Corinthians 5:16)
4. Make the decision that you don’t have to have all of the answers before you obey the voice of the Lord.  I once heard Francis Chan say, “When I read the Bible, it makes perfect sense not to know what is going to happen next!”  THAT might be one of the most freeing statements I’ve ever heard!  Hebrews 11:1 and Hebrews 11:6 have been HUGE for me personally in this regard.  YOUR church can do EXACTLY what God has told you to do…GO FOR IT!
5. Understand that everyone is NOT going to understand you…and that you can’t make it your goal to make sure that everyone understands and approves.  (See Galatians 1:10 and Proverbs 29:25)

6. Quit running to the online audience that will never darken the doors of your church to seek their approval.  Enough said!
7. PRAY BOLD PRAYERS for your church!  The early church prayed for boldness…we pray for safety.  The early church prayed for people to come to Christ…we pray for Sister So-and-so’s hangnail!  The early church prayed for the church to expand and the Gospel to advance…we pray that we can keep our churches small and safe.  Let’s BEG God for things to happen in our churches that are UNEXPLAINABLE and UNDENIABLE so that HE can receive ALL the glory!
8. STOP trying to be everyone else and be who God called you to be…your church should be a result of responding to the REVELATION of God and not the IMITATION of others!

All copyright belongs to Perry Noble and Churchleaders.com

Perry Noble is the founding and senior pastor of NewSpring Church in Anderson, Greenville and Florence, South Carolina. At just nine years old, the church averages over 10,000 people during weekend services and is launching another campus in Columbia, South Carolina. Perry is convicted about speaking the truth as plainly as possible. A prolific blogger, he’s also the author of Blueprints: How to Build Godly Relationships.More from Perry Noble or visit Perry at www.perrynoble.com

6 Warning Signs of Leadership Failure by Gary Foster

Our local churches (and huge, publicly traded companies) go down in flames under the guidance of capable leaders with questionable ethics. In the recent past, we've witnessed the public downfall of leaders from almost every arena of society. One day, they're on top of the heap; the next, shame and infamy are heaped on them.
While our outrage at disgraced leaders may be justified, we fail to realize how quickly "they" become "us." The distance between beloved leader and despised failure is shorter than we think. Fallen leaders never set out to sacrifice their integrity, abandon ethical behavior, or exploit those they lead. But it happened! Their failures should be our cautions. Mark Sanborn, in his article "Why Leaders Fail," gives us six warning signs of leadership failure we should heed:

The distance between beloved leader and despised failure is shorter than we think.

Warning Sign #1: A Shift in Focus
Leaders are usually distinguished by their ability to "think big." But as their focus shifts, their thinking shrinks. Often, leaders simply lose sight of what's important. They micromanage, get caught up in minutiae, and succumb to perfectionism in trivial decisions better left to others. Even more subtle is an obsession with "doing" rather than "becoming." A leader's greatest influence flows from inner vision and integrity, but it's possible for a leader to become infatuated with action and, in the process, lose touch with the all-important development of character. Busier isn't always better. What is your primary focus right now? If you can't write it on the back of your business card, then your leadership suffers from a lack of clarity.
Warning Sign #2: Poor Communication
Lack of focus disorients a leader and sets the stage for poor communication. Followers can't possibly understand a leader's intent when the leader isn't even sure what it is! Sometimes, leaders delude themselves into believing that committed followers can sense their goals and carry out their wishes without being told. When misunderstandings arise, managers blame their people for lack of effort (or commitment) rather than recognizing their own communication negligence. "Say what you mean, and mean what you say" is timeless advice, but it must be preceded by knowing what you mean! Clarity of purpose is the starting point for all effective communication.
Warning Sign #3: Risk Aversion
Past victories create pressure for leaders: "Will I be able to sustain outstanding performance?" The longer a leader is successful, the higher his or her perceived cost of failure will be. When driven by the fear of failure, leaders are unable to take reasonable risks. They limit themselves to tried and proven pathways. Attempts at innovation—key to their initial success—diminish and eventually disappear. Which is more important to you: the journey or the destination? Are you still taking reasonable risks? Prudent leadership avoids reckless risk, but neither is it paralyzed by fear.
Warning Sign #4: Ethics Slip
A leader's credibility depends upon two qualities: what he or she does (competency) and who he or she is (character). Deficiencies in either create an integrity problem. The highest principle of leadership is integrity. When ethical compromise is rationalized as necessary for the "greater good," a leader is on the slippery slope of failure. All too often, leaders see their followers as pawns, mere means to an end. As a result, they confuse manipulation with leadership. Such leaders rapidly lose respect. To save face, they cease to be people "perceivers" and become people "pleasers," using popularity to ease the guilt of lapsed integrity. Are there areas of conflict between what you believe and how you behave?
Warning Sign #5: Poor Self-Management
If a leader doesn't take care of him/herself, no one else will. Unless a leader is blessed with unusually perceptive followers, nobody will pick up on signs of fatigue and stress. Leaders are counted on to produce, but they aren't superheroes with limitless energy. While leadership is invigorating, it is also tiring. Like anyone other mere mortal, leaders are susceptible to feeling drained, depressed, and demotivated. Those who neglect their physical, psychological, emotional, or spiritual needs are headed for disaster. Make time for refreshment and replenishment. Take care of yourself. Self-preservation isn't selfish; it’s vital to the health of those you lead.
Warning Sign #6: Lost Love
Leaders face impending disaster when they abandon their first love. The hard work of leadership should be fulfilling and fun. However, when divorced from their dreams, leaders may find the responsibility of leadership to be frustrating and fruitless. To stay motivated, leaders must stick to what they love and rediscover what compelled them to accept the mantle of leadership in the first place. To make sure that you stay on the track of following your first love, frequently ask yourself these three questions: Why did I initially pursue leadership? Have those reasons changed? Do I still want to lead?
The warning signs in life—from stoplights to prescription labels—are intended for our good. They protect us from disaster, and we would be foolish to ignore them. Don't be afraid to take an honest look at yourself.

All copyright belongs to Gary Foster and Churchleaders.com

Adapted from Mark Sanborn, "Why Leaders Fail" Leadership Wired, 08/08.

Gary D. Foster founded and leads Gary D. Foster Consulting, a marketing and management service specializing in helping religious product companies and ministries discover and optimize new revenue streams and to better leverage existing ones. He served as an executive with Focus on the Family, where he managed their award-winning book publishing operation and $110 million direct-mail fundraising division. He also spent 12 years with the Christian Booksellers Association, where he served as President and CEO of CBA Service Corporation. He also served in executive product development and marketing positions with Cook Communications Ministries, Moody Press and Moody Magazine. Learn more about Gary at www.GaryDFoster.com.

A21 Campaign MARCH 2011 UPDATE

This last month we saw an HISTORIC victory in Greece as another trafficker was convicted!! This time, the penalty given was unprecedented!Here is a brief snapshot into the courtroom…

As Katrina* approached the witness stand, her heart was beating like never before. This was the moment she had been anxiously waiting for, and it was going to take all of her courage to testify. With tears in her eyes, she stood face to face with her trafficker. All of the horrible memories began to flood her mind, but she pressed through the pain and began to speak every shocking detail of what she had endured at the hands of her trafficker. She said to the judges, "I am here to say to everyone, I am not a prostitute as they call me. I am a girl who came to Greece for a better life, and they raped my body and my soul. They exploited me."

As the trial proceeded, witness after witness were called in against Katrina,* and seven lawyers spoke in the defense of her trafficker. Many false accusations were made against her, and they did all they could to instill fear through methods of intimidation, threats, and embarrassment. One of our lawyers had the privilege of representing Katrina* in court, and was able to shed light in a very dark situation.

When the judges retreated to form their final decision, Katrina* sat in anticipation, unsure if her abuser would be imprisoned or walk free. When the judges entered the room after 1.5 hours of deliberation, there was a death-like silence in the atmosphere. Then the Chair of Court read aloud the court's final decision.

Katrina's* trafficker was found GUILTY of trafficking in persons, prostituting, and repeated rape. He was sentenced to 15.5 years in prison, and a € 108,000 Euro fine ($150,000.00 USD)! Thanks to Katrina's brave testimony, and the determination of our lawyer, one more trafficker has been taken off the street.

This conviction is unprecedented in Greece, and will serve as an example for many future cases.

It is our hope that Katrina's story will be one of many victorious endings for the millions of girls who are currently trapped in a living nightmare of sex trafficking. In order to make this dream a reality, we believe that it is going to take all of us playing our individual part to truly end this injustice.

This is one of the reasons why we have created a resource to equip both students and adults to make a difference. The A21 Abolition Pack is a great tool for people who want to take action to see human trafficking abolished. These packs include a leadership and events manual, two A21 promotional videos, and PDF versions of our brochure and prayer guide. If you are interested in ordering this resource, or A21 merchandise, please visit our webstore.

Thank you so much for your passionate pursuit of justice and generous support. As we continue to take steps to expand our efforts on the ground throughout Eastern Europe, we recognize that all of our efforts would not be possible without individuals around the globe taking action to see girls, like Katrina,* walk in FREEDOM.

Do you have a facebook account? The A21 Campaign is excited to announce that we are going to be launching an A21 Fan page on the 21^st of March! This is going to be a great tool to spread awareness about human trafficking and will be a place where you can post your ideas and photos, comment on our discussion board, and will be an interactive way to stay connected to the cause. In the meantime, be sure to stay connected through the A21 Facebook Cause and Twitter.

Of Mints & Musicians by Phil Christensen

Melrose Community Church was dying. Literally. With a congregation of mostly senior citizens, Pastor Martin scheduled many more funerals than newcomer desserts.
Martin almost hated following up visitors, because he kept hearing the same thing: "You have a nice church..." then they'd fumble for the right words. "But good worship is really important to us. We'll keep looking."
As a worship development missionary, I was asked to help Melrose improve the quality and depth of their worship. New to Melrose, Pastor Martin believed that attractive, fresh praise was a key part of renewal.
"We've got a good guitarist and a percussionist in the wings," he told me, "but Cookie, our pianist, is...a little difficult. She's never played with other musicians, and our first practice is in two weeks."
Cookie, now in her 40's, had played piano at Melrose Community Church since she was a little girl. She'd suffered through a bitter divorce and her grown children avoided her. Undoubtedly, Cookie found great comfort in her role as church pianist.

I visited Melrose the following week, but nothing could have prepared me for Cookie's piano playing.
Her ragtime left hand bounced octaves like a pogo stick. Her classical right hand was a whirlwind of melodies and counter-melodies and trills and runs. An eternal sustain pedal gave new meaning to "blended worship." If she had an arpeggio in mind, she'd slow the song down to make it fit!
Worship with Cookie was a loud and wild ride, and this was clearly one reason people were avoiding Melrose Community Church.
At the end of the service I introduced myself to Cookie, thanking her for her faithfulness. I asked if we could spend a few moments talking about the upcoming worship team; she agreed as she nervously bundled up her sheet music.
I asked if she'd played much with other musicians. She said she hadn't, but was sure she'd do fine.
It was time to jump the big hurdle.
"You've been serving the Lord here at Melrose since you were a kid, haven't you?" She nodded.
"These upcoming weeks," I told her, "will be a great time for you to learn and grow." I asked if I could show her a couple of ideas about working piano parts around a guitar. Cookie agreed.
Sharing the piano bench, I played the simple descending chords of "As the Deer." I explained that I'd chosen half-notes to leave room for the flow of the strumming guitar.

When I asked if this made sense, Cookie floored me with her response. "Sir," she looked me straight in the eye, "your breath is so offensive, I could not possibly concentrate on anything you're saying."
Apologizing, I asked her if she had a breath mint. She glared at me, folded her arms, and simply said, "no."
I excused myself and found an Altoid, but when I returned to Cookie, she was in tears. Her voice trembled and she waved a thin finger at me, "everyone's always telling me I'm not good enough! I'm sick of hearing it! I AM good! I AM talented!" Her shoulders heaved while she sobbed uncontrollably.
I may have had coffee breath, but I suspect Cookie was mostly bothered by the words on my breath. I had come to her with words of change.
I apologized for upsetting her and assured her she was quite talented.  She could not stop crying, though, and I excused myself while Pastor Martin attempted damage control.
Cookie never was able to change, but renewal finally prevailed at Melrose. After months of musical train wrecks, the church bought her a synthesizer that could be turned down in the mix. Not ideal, but workable, I suppose.

I learned at least three valuable lessons from Cookie, and pass them along to others who work with church musicians.
First, like "iron sharpens iron (Pr. 27:17)," musicians need to spend time working with other players. Years of solo work can cause us to become musically eccentric and ingrown. Good tempo, tasteful arrangements and a sense of flow are usually developed as players mutually submit to one another.
Second, if you need to approach an emotional artist with a sensitive issue, don't put it off. Be bold and "speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15)." Through 30 years -- and a half-dozen pastors -- Cookie was apparently never challenged to temper her musical bad habits. She and the church suffered as a result.
Third, and though I don't have Scripture for it, keep mints with you. If you must speak words of change, let them be carried on the sweetest breath possible.

All copyright belongs to www.churchleaders.com and Phil Christensen.

Phil is a husband, father, and worship pastor. In Autumn 2010, he will begin his 10th year of service at Stonebridge Church (The ministry formerly known as CHEF.
More from Phil Christensen or visit Phil atwww.philchristensen.com

The L-Myth by Paul Andrew

In his bestselling book “The E-Myth” Michael Gerber attacks some common misconceptions around what it means to be an entrepreneur. He debunks why people become entrepreneurs, what a business really is, and helps explain why so many people struggle with their small business that was supposed to give them “freedom”.

I believe there’s an L-Myth too. The Leadership Myth has kept many a capable person from believing they could lead others.


Millions of people have accepted fallacies like these-
* “Real leaders are born leaders” – as though it’s a birthright… yet so many of us need to lead, even when it doesn’t come easily
* “You need to be an extrovert to be a leader” – as though it’s a personality type… yet some of the best leaders in history were quiet achievers or introverts
* “The leader has to be the smartest person in the room” – as though it’s an IQ test… yet many smart people don’t lead, and many world-class leaders didn’t finish school let alone their PhD
* “You can’t learn to be a leader” – as though it’s a completely mysterious art… yet there is a science of leadership too

In many ways I write these articles on The Leadership Coach™ for the 90% of leaders who find themselves leading out necessity. Not because they were born leaders. Not because they love the limelight or were the best and brightest. But because there was a need or an opportunity and they stepped up.


I actually believe that leadership is more an attitude than it is a position. That it’s more about the way we carry ourselves and our organisations than it is about the corner office or the fancy title.


Everyone leading. That’s the goal. Thinking like leaders, acting like leaders, making choices like leaders, carrying the vision like leaders, taking responsibility like leaders.


So great companies don’t build leadership structures, they build leadership cultures. They harness the latent leadership in all of us.


It’s time we rethink leadership.


So what do YOU think are the myths or half-truths people believe that keep them from becoming the leaders they could be?

Check out more of Paul Andrew's Stuff, here.