Next Generation Leadership: Shaping the Future Church
We need a new generation of church leaders to believe in what and who the church can be. We need leaders who don’t simply criticize the church, or the way more seasoned leaders have “done church” but we need to get in the game and play a significant role in what the future church looks like, what it becomes, and what it accomplishes. We must remember that when we stop believing that the future of the Church can be better tomorrow than what it is today, that is when we stop leading in the Kingdom of God.
The next generation of church leaders must learn [and be taught and guided by others] how to build kingdom cultures. In other words, we must answer the question: How can we live out and live in the kingdom of God here and now. Jesus taught his disciples to pray for “Your kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven.” How many ministry leaders pray this prayer as an ongoing way of life? And just as important, how many ministry leaders live out this prayer as an ongoing way of life? To read more about how to cultivate kingdom cultures and shape the trajectory of the church’s future, check out a free chapter of my new book, PROTEGE: Developing Your Next Generation of Church Leaders (IVP)
To receive a free chapter, go to:
http://www.stevesaccone.com/protege
Or you can pre-order PROTEGE thru this link:
http://ow.ly/aFtd7
Protege Film Shoot Today
Today, I have a film shoot for my upcoming new book release, PROTEGE (with Intervarsity Press).
I’ll be in Los Angeles with a group of proteges and friends–I’m always taken back with gratitude at the relationships in my life that have lasted over time. It’s rare and unique to have friends whom you feel are truly “for you.” That’s a powerful and meaningful dynamic of community. Today, I stand in awe of God’s work in my life and somehow through my life.
Invest in others. It matters more than you know. Today, I’m reminded of that reality deeply.
Read MoreWhat Jesus meant by “the Good News”
The Greek word, eugelion is translated best as “good news.”
This was not actually a religious word when Jesus said it.
In the first century, there was a dispute over land between the Persians who had attacked the Greeks and took a large amount of their land. The Greeks fought back and they eventually defeated the Persians in Battle of Marathon. As a result, they sent out a herald to proclaim in essence: “Here is the eugelion: We fought on your behalf. We’ve defeated the enemy. You were slaves and now you are free.” That’s a life-changing message and it was and still is good news.
Jesus took that term and says: I will fight on your behalf. I will set you free.
That’s the good news.
In Exodus 14:14, God says to his people what I believe he says today to us: “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Read MoreOne Great Idea to Impact Your City
Our church partners with organizations who are doing good in the world, but who aren’t necessarily part of the same faith or religious affiliation. This isn’t natural for many Christians to do, which to me is unfortunate, but ought to become an important aspect of how they interact with their city. Do we have to agree on everything to partner in anything? I think not. There are some amazing humanitarian organizations, and philanthropists who are working toward doing good in the world, who are partnering with others to seek justice, love mercy, serve the poor, and care for the marginalized…this is God’s heart, and whoever is living toward that end, let’s be a team in our efforts. Build relationships with people who are different than you; serve people with other people who have similar hearts even if all your beliefs don’t align; and let’s stop trying to always reinvent the wheel in the name of making our name or our organization famous or known, or making what significant things we’re trying to do in the world all about our own glory. Is that what we really should be motivated by?
Read MoreThe #1 Thing That Shapes Leadership
Leadership guru, Warren Bennis says, “Leaders learn by leading in the face of obstacles. As weather shapes mountains, problems shapes leaders.”
As a leader myself and a developer of other leaders, 3 of the core tensions we must live in are:
1st: Cultivate the eyes to see what the real problems and obstacles are…too many leaders don’t pay close enough attention and they miss the problems right in front of them.
2nd: Lean into the challenges rather than complaining about them. Face them head on. Bring change…that’s what makes a leader a leader. They are change agents at their core.
3rd: Remind yourself OFTEN, that your ability to engage problems and overcome obstacles will shape your leadership development as much as anything else.
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