LIVING ON THE EDGE

Have you ever heard the term “POSER”? Those people who act like or want to be something they’re not? (The movie “WILD HOGS” comes to mind here). These people are often called POSERS!

Well there’s another term you may have seen or heard and it’s called “PLEASER”-those who want or need to please people for the sake of not offending or avoiding conflict. Churches are full of PLEASERS.  For some reason we have decided that being a PLEASER is safer than being a LEADER. WRONG!!!!!

When you have made as many mistakes in leadership as I have over the course of my life and then you try to correct those errors, it’s hard for some of those people you are trying to lead to get on board with what you are doing and they begin to push back.  They have a sense of entitlement to tell you what to do and lead you and in some respects they are correct. It’s not all their fault. But nonetheless it’s tough for them to understand what real leadership looks like when they have not seen it or had it modeled before them.

For most of my 36 years in ministry I have had this desire or should I say “compulsion” to please everyone I work with or have led and relegated pleasing God last. I know that’s wrong but it is what it is. I’m a people pleaser.  So shoot me.

This character flaw has been my albatross for years. Don’t get me wrong here, I love people and really enjoy meeting their needs but as a leader you cannot please everyone or be every ones “buddy”.  Once you cross that leadership line from leader/pastor to buddy, it is next to impossible to go back. You can go back across, but in most cases the people you need to lead will become frustrated, hurt, offended or just plain ticked.  Trust me, I know. People are looking for and need strong leaders. They may not say it but it’s true just the same.

In the process of crossing back over that line again to leader you have to make some very strategic moves and make some very difficult hardcore decisions. That is the process I am in at this very moment in my ministry. It has not been easy and I would never recommend this course for anyone.  Learn NOW how to be a leader and avoid as much of the pain as possible.

I have sought God and the counsel of those I consider to be very Godly men and women concerning this issue of crossing back over the leadership line and have begun that journey. Not sure yet how it will turn out but I do know that as long as I strive to please GOD FIRST then I trust that those I am leading will be satisfied and fulfilled in their quest to know HIM and please HIM as well.

In 2 Samuel 8:15 it says “David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.”

David pleased the people (2 Samuel 3:36), not because he tried to please them, but because he tried to PLEASE GOD. Many times those who try the hardest to become popular never make it. We should never spend our time thinking up ways to become accepted by our peers or the public. Instead we should be striving to do what is right, and both God and people will respect our convictions.

This week has been great thus far. My times with God have been awesome and very intense. He has really been speaking to me about WC, our mission and what He has planned in the very near future. The REVISION in January is becoming more and more clear and laser focused.

One area God is speaking to me about is LEADERSHIP. This is an area that has been lacking and in need of re-focus. God has always worked in and through leaders to get His will done. He has used some strange people that I’m sure you and I would never have dreamed of using. God was very plain when he said WC needs LEADERS who have been CALLED by God to help lead His people.

All through scripture you find men and women who were “called” to lead. Many stepped up and others didn’t. They made excuses or just walk away. They missed it. God never calls only the rich or the pretty or the best looking or those with the best skill set. He always equips those he calls. But too many times in church we find people who have been “romanced” into ministry and not ever called. What I mean by that is they were “stargazers”. They viewed the pastor or worship guy or Kids Pastor as some sort of celebrity, thinking how much fun that would be and then wanting to be like that. After all, “pastors only work one day a week. How hard can it be? They never fully understand all the ramifications of their decision. All they think is “GOD CALLED ME”. When in reality it was the bad pizza the night before or something mama told them they should do. So when it gets hot or the people they deal with start looking like SATAN incarnate, they bolt and run. And…they will use all sorts of excuses for quitting. I’ve heard them all and even thought of some in 36 years of ministry.

I believe God wants a Pastor and a people who are sold out to HIM, HIS vision. People with palms up ready and eager to receive from God. People who are hungry for and expecting a move of God where lives are changed for eternity. Not people romanced by a ministry or a personality but called out to radically impact this world for HIS Kingdom right here at WESTCHESTER CHURCH.

God works through leadership…I’ve seen it all through the Scriptures. And He will not give WC more people and resources than we, the leadership is able to handle.

God is speaking. God is calling. God is moving and greater things are yet to be done in this city.

Well after a month and half off I decided to mouth off about this captain who was held captive for several days by a bunch of thugs from Somalia. This whole thing has me baffled. Not that he was held captive but for how long he was held and how our president didn’t seem to have the time to even mention the issue during a press conference when he was asked a direct question concerning it. AMAZING!

Now that the brave men of the Navy Seals have rescued him and risk their lives to do so, we now have this debate in the main line media outlets on who should get the credit? The Navy Seals or should Barack Hussein Obama get the credit? AMAZING! Our president didn’t even have time to mention the issue four days ago but now that he gave a politically expedient order to OK the rescue, he wants full credit. AMAZING!

Yeah. I know. “Damned if you; do damned if you don’t”. We lived with that sentiment for eight years in the Bush administration. But now that it’s the “anointed one” we’re not allowed to question his motives or his decisions even if we all know what his motivates are: SELF PROMOTION.

Well, I for one know who gets the credit for the rescue; our military that put their butts on the line every day to keep us safe and free from idiots like those Somalia thugs who tried to take an American ship. I applaud them and honor their service to not only this captain but to all of us who live in America. We owe them a debt of gratitude.

If you see a military person in uniform today or know one personally, buy them a cup of coffee or buy them lunch. Just let them know how grateful you are for their service.

It’s AMAZING what a little praise will do for their spirits.