Against The Flow

Michael, the Pastor of Oakleaf Church has a great thought on Change.

He shares:

The church has been accused of being one of the last things to change. That’s because, historically, we have placed our man-made traditions up there with Bible verses. We get sold out to the application of the principle, not the principle itself.

In order to reach people in this day and age, we are going to have to evolve. We’ll have to change the way we think, act, communicate and relate. What worked yesterday might not work tomorrow. What mattered yesterday might not matter tomorrow.

To read the rest of his thought go here.

From big city Atlanta to small town Laurens, the church will have to “evolve” if we are going to be relevant in our communities.

Notes from Dan Allendar’s book, ‘Leading with a Limp.’

1. Paul was a weak leader

- Paul had his thorn in the flesh
- People will follow leaders who operate out of weakness
- Operating out of weakness forces reliance on God
- When stay in our strengths, we tend to control people
- Leaders who try to control will hide
- Thorns are God’s grace, forcing you to dependance

2. Paul was a reluctant leader

- As a leader, you will dissapoint everyone
- Constantly dealing with people, systems, plans
- Constantly making decisions
- Leaders will be lonely
- ‘No one really understands.’
- ‘I wish I didn’t have to do this.’
- Your biggest problem is you.
- Filled with insecurities
- Improperly motivated
- People will follow a reluctant leader (not a rock star)

3. Paul was a sin-confessing leader

- People follow leaders who confess sins
- 1 Timothy 1:8ff
- Need to confess our ambition
- Need to confess we’re controlling
- Confess in real time (not just about things from your past)