S3.E5 - Race

Leadership Lesson Podcast: Season 3 Episode 5 - Race

Pastor Daniel talks with Pastor Rodney Wilkinson, Gospel Fellowship, Boynton Beach, FL about the topic of race in our culture today. Just as the Apostle Paul addressed current topics throughout his letters to the Corinthian and Galatian churches, pastors need to speak to their people about how the gospel relates to what is happening in our world now. This topic of race and racism has shown up everywhere in recent years. But scripture is clear—God loves all people. So why is racism prevalent? What is going on? “A simple definition for racism is when we treat people differently because of the way they look.” This is an honest discussion about what racism looks like in society and in our churches. Why is it important that we address it? What should be our motivation for having the core value of multi-ethnicity in our churches? Where do we see God address racism in scripture? A fresh perspective from the frontlines of ministry.

QUOTES:

“Paul is not just giving speeches that he wants people to hear. He is contextualizing the gospel to the current day.” -Rodney Wilkinson

“We want to be able to talk about what people are talking about and give it a framework for how you look at current-day issues through the lens of the gospel.” -Rodney Wilkinson

“We want to be multiethnic because heaven is going to be multiethnic. Jesus didn’t die for one race.” -Rodney Wilkinson

“We see racism showing up in the church as distrust between the races. The question on the table is ‘Do I trust my white brother like I do my African American brother, or vice versa?’ ” -Rodney Wilkinson

“The motivation for me is when I look at Christ’s death and how He tore down the dividing wall of hostility.” -Rodney Wilkinson

“In looking at how God has made us in His image and in His likeness, we all have inherent dignity. If you believe that, how can you insult someone based on how God made them?” -Rodney Wilkinson

3 MINUTE MESSAGE:

Revenge by Eric Souza | Proverbs 20:22

"Do not say, 'I will repay evil'; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you."

RECOMMENDED BOOK OF THE MONTH: On Being A Servant of God by Warren Wiersbe

LINKS: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

Leadership Lessons/One Piece of Advice/Blog/Recommended Books: eeleaders.com

S1.E11 - The Importance of Prayer

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 1: Episode 11 - The Importance of Prayer

Pastor Daniel talks about the overarching importance of prayer in leadership. Prayer comes first. Everything we do must be surrendered to God in prayer. A simple definition of prayer is talking and listening to God. “We need to be men and women of prayer who prioritize talking and walking with God, and relying on His strength, His will, His power.” Jesus taught us that when we pray we ought to be asking for God’s will to be done, not our own. Daniel shares his own story of how he grew in this area of prayer through the experience of church planting In Delray Beach, Florida, and being totally dependent upon God. “We really saw God direct us over and over and over again through prayer.” Asking God for opportunities, not knowing anyone in the city, then going out and sharing the gospel with people wherever they went—and people responded to the power of God’s grace. “We got to see God do His greatest miracle—saving a soul.” All of these things happened as a result of God’s response to prayer. When we ask, He moves. Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2). Jesus modeled this for us in His ministry and taught His disciples to pray. Not if you pray, but when you pray. We need to see prayer as a great privilege and to grasp that it is God’s desire to know us and for us to know Him. Prayer should be an integral part of every area of ministry. Seeing God work through prayer builds confidence and trust in Him so that we know whether He says yes or no or not yet, He knows what we need and when we need it. Ultimately prayer changes us. We were made to worship and just as Moses was changed by being in the presence of God, so, too, as we worship Him we reflect Him to the people. Daniel discusses practical ways to build the habit of prayer in your life, For more information and great resources on prayer go to redemptiondb.com/30for30prayer. In this week’s One Piece of Advice, Pastor Eric Souza talks about having godly character (that part of us that is changed to reflect God through prayer) and why it is essential in ministry.

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One Piece of Advice | Having Godly Character

Pastor Eric Souza, Jacksonville, Florida, talks about the importance of having godly character. Having godly character is crucial, really, for leadership but also for Christian living in general. In      Timothy 3, Paul lists the expectations for bishops and elders and other church leaders. And in 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul says to “imitate me as I imitate Christ.” “This should be our verse as leaders. The people we shepherd need to be able to see Jesus in us. They need to be able to look to us as that positive example.” This is the only way to have an effective and fruitful ministry. “If we expect to lead anybody, we need to show them.” The fact is, godliness needs to be real to you. Christianity needs to be real to you. Godly character is incredibly important because it validates our ministry to people. It makes us authentic because we are living what we are preaching. 

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Quotes:

“As His servants, serving His church, it is important to be in communion with Him, to listen to our Master. And when we pray, we actually align our hearts up with His will.” -Daniel Williams

“I think it is so important that we testify of the importance of prayer and how as leaders we see God work.” -Daniel Williams

“God expects His people to pray.” -Daniel Williams

“Jesus wants you to see the blessing in prayer. God wants to have a relationship with you.” -Daniel Williams

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Links: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

Leadership Lessons/One Piece of Advice/Blog/Recommended Books: eeleaders.com