I have always been drawn towards learning about good leadership and becoming the leader that God has called me to be. God started this process in my life when I was 12 and in the Boy Scouts. For most of my years in the Scouts I was a Patrol leader, then a Senior Patrol leader. In case you don't know—these are elected positions in a troop where you were responsible for planning and leading your group in various functions. So being a leader in the Scouts, plus the fact that most of my friends were younger than me, really helped to train and establish what it meant to be a good leader. I kind of chuckle a little when I look back at my life. I had no idea back then that I was going to be a Pastor and a leader, but God had been preparing me “For such a time as this…”. John Maxwell said in one of his writings- “Every time God has moved in the Bible…he has used a leader.” God didn’t ask All the Israelites what they wanted to do, or where they wanted to go.  He spoke to a leader, and that leader passed on what God said. I know this style is not for everyone, but it is for me. I have seen and worked under many different kinds of leaders and have watched many do some things well and some things—not so well… In the Bible–Jesus specifically encourages leaders:
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 Joh 21:15-17 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”  Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”  The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
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Feed, take care, feed… Being a Pastor and a leader is not for everyone. I tell people that if you can do anything else—then do it. Hear what I am saying. As a man called by God to pastor, there is nothing else in this world that I could do. It doesn't mean that I don't have the skills to do anything else. What it means is, when you are called to a “set-apart” ministry and life you will not be OK with doing anything else. I think about what it would be like to have my own house, make more $, buy more things…but I know that I couldn't do it. I may for a time…but the fire that comes from being called would tear me up. I have my own home now, but I have owned two homes before and sold them both to move where God moved us to. God is moving and He is calling His leaders to stand and lead. I recently received the following in an email and loved it:
Swindoll’s Leadership Lessons
Chuck Swindoll was given a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Catalyst ’09 Conference. During his presentation, he described “10 Things I Have Learned During Nearly 50 Years in Leadership.” Here’s the list:
1) It’s lonely to lead. Leadership involves tough decisions. The tougher the decision, the lonelier it is.
2) It’s dangerous to succeed. I’m most concerned for those who aren’t even 30 and are very gifted and successful. Sometimes God uses someone right out of youth, but usually He uses leaders who have been crushed.
3) It’s hardest at home. No one ever told me this in seminary.
4) It’s essential to be real. If there’s one realm where phoniness is common, it’s among leaders. Stay real.
5) It’s painful to obey. The Lord will direct you to do some things that won’t be your choice. Invariably you will give up what you want to do for the cross.
6) Brokenness and failure are necessary.
7) Attitude is more important than actions. Your family may not have told you: Some of you are hard to be around. A bad attitude overshadows good actions.
8) Integrity eclipses image. Today we highlight image, but it’s what you’re doing behind the scenes.
9) God’s way is better than my way.
10) Christ-likeness begins and ends with humility.
May God cause all of His leaders to rise up to the places they are called to!
Pastor Ray
