S3.E12 - Longevity in Ministry

Leadership Lesson Podcast: Season 3 Episode 12 - Longevity in Ministry

Pastor Daniel talks with Daryl Nelson, Senior Pastor at Calvary Chapel of the Palm Beaches, Lake Worth, FL about longevity in ministry. Daryl started and has pastored this church for 25 years. In what ways have you been discouraged? What are some things you can do to keep your passion and love for God and people alive? Daryl shares how he was saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in ministry? No one is perfect. What are some mistakes you’ve made and grown from in ministry? How important is it to have fellowship/support from other pastors and leaders? Practical wisdom from a humble servant of the Lord. 

QUOTES:

“Because you are a shepherd of the sheep, you love the sheep. They are sheep. Some of them bite.” -Daryl Nelson

“A delay is not a denial. Keep your eyes on the Lord.” -Daryl Nelson

“May my highest height always be at the feet of Jesus.” -Daryl Nelson

“Stay on your knees. Remember that you are a sheep.” -Daryl Nelson

“You are a Christian, a follower of Jesus first. Be close to the presence of God.” - Daniel Williams

“True ministry comes from the overflow, as you are filled with the Spirit. What flows out of you ministers to the people.” -Daryl Nelson

3 MINUTE MESSAGE

THE LORD IS YOUR LIGHT by Ben Courson | Proverbs 4:18

“But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.”

LINKS:

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S3.E7 - The Will of God

Leadership Lesson Podcast: Season 3 Episode 7 - The Will of God

Pastor Daniel talks with his dad, Pastor Joe Williams, Tacoma, Washington about how to make decisions according to God’s will. What is the process for making these type of leadership decisions? First, seek the Lord yourself. God knows your heart and he knows you are trying to do your best. You will make mistakes. Joe talks about some of the ministry mistakes he has made and how God was faithful. Asking God for His will, for peace in making the decision and asking God to close doors where we shouldn’t go. God’s will is revealed one step at a time, by faith. How is patience involved in waiting for God’s will in decision making? God is not on our time schedule. While you are waiting, you are still serving God and carrying out ministry. But you are listening. The Holy Spirit will direct you. How are others in your spiritual community involved in making decisions? Sometimes people can shed light from an angle you have not considered. Seek counsel and ask questions. Always return to seeking God yourself and listening to Him. He is “able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20)

QUOTES:

“No one wants to make a wrong decision. But even when we make a mistake, God’s grace will cover it.”

“I’ve seen God fix mistakes I’ve made over the years. Even in my weakness, He is strong.”

“if I have to make a decision by a certain deadline, I pray about it and when the time comes, I make the best decision I can.”

“You’re going to have to step out to find out.”

“God wants you constantly moving forward, a little bit at a time.”

“Once God speaks to your heart, move out. Because now God is waiting on your.”

“Let’s not get so busy serving God, that we don’t have time for God.”

“All God wants is a vessel He can work through. That’s what we are, a vessel.”

“There is always going to be something there that we are going to have to trust Him for. If we rely upon Him, that is what He wants.”

3 MINUTE MESSAGE:

GOD IS A REFINER by Irene Williams | Proverbs 17:3

"The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts." Proverbs 17:3

LINKS:

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S2.E24 - Prayer & Ministry

Leadership Lesson Podcast: Season 2 Episode 24 - Prayer and Ministry

Pastor Daniel talks with his dad, Joe Williams, pastor of Calvary Chapel, Tacoma, Washington, about prayer and the ministry. Pastor Joe shares his story of how God called him into the ministry, encouraging us that “God uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise” (1 Corinthians 1:27). How has prayer affected and changed him throughout his 37 years as a pastor? This is one man’s journey of prayer and faith throughout his ministry, one step at time, one miracle at a time. “We’ve seen the faithfulness of God.”

QUOTES: 

“Be flexible, be open. God knows what He is doing.” -Joe Williams

“Your faith grows as you see God move.” -Joe Williams

“Just because God is silent does not mean He is not working. God works everything out in His own time.” -Joe Williams

“You get experience by doing it. You have to move forward if you’re going to see God move.” -Joe Williams

“You never really need faith when thing are going right. You need faith when things are going wrong.” -Joe Williams

“Be faithful where God has put you and you will see the hand of the Lord.” -Joe Williams

“Ministry is not easy. Ministry is work. You have to be a prayer warrior.” -Joe Williams

One Piece of Advice | Don’t Leave Your Family Behind

Rodney Wilkinson, Gospel Fellowship Church in Boynton Beach, FL, shares his one piece of advice: Don’t leave your family behind. From his own experience growing up the son of a preacher where the family was not a priority, Rodney knows this well. Make your family a priority. Remember that Jesus is the Shepherd of the church

“Create balance in your schedule. If you’re overworking, here’s what you’re probably not trusting, that Jesus is the Shepherd of the church anyway. He’s the one that does the work.” -Rodney Wilkinson

“Don’t honor people at the church and come home and dishonor your family. Take care of the home and let ministry flood out of your house.” -Rodney Wilkinson

“Take care of your home. Love your spouse. Do whatever it takes.” -Rodney Wilkinson

LINKS: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S2.E17 - Preaching In A Different Culture

Leadership Lesson Podcast: Season 2 Episode 17 - Preaching In A Different Culture

Pastor Daniel talks with Alex Fuentes, missionary and church planter in Colombia, South America. Pastor Alex talks about how God called him and his wife, Inez, to come alongside an existing ministry in Colombia and what is happening in their life now as they have moved to another—and very different—mountain community there. As they are going specifically to sow the gospel in this community, how important is it to understand the local culture? God used both his Colombian background and his wife’s Cuban heritage to prepare them for their current ministry. The process of becoming familiar with a people and their culture can be challenging, but it is all about investing time in getting to know people personally. Because they know these people and what the particular issues are for them, they can address those from the word of God. From there it becomes about discipleship, which is rooted in love.

QUOTES: 

“It doesn’t matter who we are or what our context is. Ultimately just understanding them helped me to be able to come alongside them and do life wherever it is that the Lord has us.” -Alex Fuentes

“I don’t need to know all, see all, or have all. I just need the Lord to show me where, how long, and who.” -Alex Fuentes

“God really does equip the called.” -Alex Fuentes

“Don’t get discouraged—just be faithful to continue to build that relationship.” -Alex Fuentes

One Piece of Advice - Expectations

Pastor Esteban Valenzuela, church planter in Madrid, Spain, shares his advice about expectations. We all have expectations in ministry, we have a picture of how God’s going to do things, how it’s going to go. Not all expectations are bad, but we need to prepare ourselves for the reality of unmet expectations. Don’t be surprised when things don’t turn out like you planned. “Allow God to work in His time. Have a confidence in your calling, that Jesus has called you, that He is going to do things that you cannot do.” In watching his own son plant seeds and patiently wait for them to grow, even when there was no visible evidence of it, Pastor Esteban was encouraged by God. “No matter what he saw, he was going to keep watering, and he expected fruit to come.” So hang in there. Opposition may come. The Lord allows difficult times to shape you and mold you for His kingdom. Because it’s all about Jesus. We bring our own expectations to the table, but it is God who chooses whether to remove them. He wants to glorify Himself in you and through you. That, you can expect. 

LINKS:

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S2.E16 - Preaching To Yourself

Leadership Lesson Podcast: Season 2 Episode 16 - Preaching to Yourself

Pastor Daniel talks with Ben Courson, founder of Hope Generation, about the value of preaching to yourself. David preached to himself in Psalm 42:11, Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Ben shares his own painful experience with hopelessness and how God brought Him through it and gave him a message of hope in Him. He gives seven keys to defeat depression, which he discusses in his new book, Optimisfits. It’s a message we all need to hear.

‘You can’t go through life without having problems. In the world you will have tribulation.” -Ben Courson

“Hope is the antidote to anxiety.” -Ben Courson

“Sometimes as leaders we are waiting for other people to encourage us when, really, we need to encourage ourselves.” -Ben Courson

“When God healed my heart, when God gave me hope, that became the one theme that would become my message.” -Ben Courson

One Piece of Advice | Always be Willing to Grow

Kelly Nothnagle, Associate Pastor at Calvary Chapel Boynton Campus, shares his one piece of advice: Always be willing to grow. The sabbath principle of rest and focusing on the Lord is a key to growth. Being open to and listening for God to speak to you and tell you what He has for you.

“I have found when we take that time and establish that rhythm just to slow down our mind and connect with the Lord, it’s amazing how big you can see God is.” -Kelly Nothnagle

“To think that He has called us and allowed us to be a part of His plan, it encourages me to want to experience all that God has for me.” -Kelly Nothnagle

“Live in that space where you are looking and you are excited for what God would have for you, and that you want to grow.” -Kelly Nothnagle

LINKS: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

Ben Courson at Hope Generation: https://www.bencourson.com

S2.E15 - The Ways of The Cross

Leadership Lesson Season 2 Episode 15 - The Ways of the Cross

Pastor Daniel talks with Josiah Graves, Calvary Chapel, Deerfield Beach, FL about the ways of the cross and how that relates to ministry. How do we share the paradox of the cross, that it is good? And why is it important for us as leaders to continually be looking at the ways of God’s kingdom as we do ministry? Part of it is to make it a daily practice to preach the cross to each other, in the way we live our lives, in our conversations, in the things we do. It is not something we attain, but we are constantly aligning ourselves with God,  What are some practical ways you can do this in your daily life? What are the blessings of the ways of the cross? “When you understand the cross, that Jesus saved me, that I’m the chief among sinners, I’m that fool…it changes how we speak.”

QUOTES: 

“The ways of the cross, the ways of the kingdom, are a paradox. They are different from the ways our flesh would say to go.” - Daniel Williams

“A lot of our job is just trying to keep the cross at the center of everything we do, keep it the focus, the foundation, the goal—everything.” - Josiah Graves

“Our hearts are prone to move from the cross.” - Josiah Graves

“We want to do ministry flowing from the Spirit, and the Spirit bringing us to back Jesus.” - Josiah Graves

“It starts with us. We want to lead out of a place of brokenness and also of power. That goes back to the paradox of the cross.” - Josiah Graves

“Be Spirit-dependent, look to the Word, and let God give the increase.” - Josiah Graves

One Piece of Advice | Don’t Give Up

Cody King, pastor at Redemption Calvary outside Denver, Colorado, shares his advice from Galatians 6:9, And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap a harvest if we do not lose heart. The whole point behind this is just don’t give up. There are seasons of planting and seasons of harvest, and they are not the same season. Lifelong faithfulness is what it’s all about. It’s going to get hard. Trust Jesus and just don’t quit.

“We tend to overestimate what we can do in the short-term and underestimate what we can do in the long-term.” -Cody King

“If you really want to see God use you in the ministry He’s called you to in the context He’s given you…then you need to think long-term, long view.” -Cody King

“There’s a real enemy who hates you. And he wants to get you to quit.” -Cody King

LINKS: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S2.E9 - Leadership Pipeline

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 2 Episode 9 — Leadership Pipeline

Pastor Daniel talks with his friend and fellow pastor, Pilgrim Benham, Shoreline Church, Bradenton, FL, about leadership development pipeline. What is it? Using lots of sports analogies, these pastors discuss the process of leadership development by having a long-term plan of how to disciple leaders through every stage, no matter the starting point. Why is a process of leadership development so important for the church? What if we don’t have one? The point is, people need guidance, they need vision. They need encouragement and a plan. As a shepherd/leader, we are called to know the condition of our flocks. And then to equip them for the work of the ministry so they can equip others. For an in-depth look at this topic, check out Pilgrim’s new book, Five Ships. 

QUOTES:

“We need to have a plan now, of who we’re going to be raising up and what does that game plan look like?” - Pilgrim Benham

“People need to know: I’m going to come alongside you and guide you.” - Pilgrim Benham

“It’s not on us to find spiritual fathers. It’s on us to begat spiritual children.” - Pilgrim Benham

“That’s where we start, is the people right around us. Who can we invest in and start spending some time with?” - Pilgrim Benham

“The most important thing is that you’re able to identify where someone is at and what resources they need to take them to the next level.” - Pilgrim Benham

“It’s about next steps in the process. The pipeline is flow of that next step in the process to get them somewhere else.” - Daniel Williams

One Piece of Advice | How to Overcome Obstacles

Daniel Fusco, Lead Pastor at Crossroads Church, with campuses in Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR, shares his one piece of advice about how to overcome obstacles. Don’t be surprised at obstacles—expect them. The incomparable value of being conformed to the image of Christ through obstacles is evident. What is your plan for dealing with obstacles? You expect, you plan, you overcome. 

QUOTES:

“As a church planter, you should go into every single day, every single season of life expecting there to be obstacles. -Daniel Fusco

“You’re learning this stuff now so that when Jesus calls you to go plant a church, you know that He loves you enough to kill you.” -Daniel Fusco

“Obstacles become leverage for us to take more ground…to see the gospel go forward.” -Daniel Fusco

“Every single day you need to re-up your commitment for doing what you’re doing.” -Daniel Fusco

Links: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

Five Ships Book: https://www.amazon.com/Five-Ships-Pilgrim-Benham-ebook/dp/B07N151NDH/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=pilgrim+benham&qid=1553893889&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmrnull

S2.E8 - Culture

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 2 Episode 8 - Culture

Pastor Daniel talks with Dave Simiele, Christ Fellowship, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, about culture, what it is and how it works within the context of a church. Lance Witt, a mentor of Dave Simiele, defines culture as “the collective personality of an organization, composed of assumptions, beliefs, traditions, values and attitudes.” Why is important to know the culture of your church? This is a subject that Dave Simiele knows well. He discusses how Christ Fellowship implements this idea of culture through their mission, vision and values. How and why is it taught? What is the result? “We are expressing culture intentionally in almost everything we do.” It is a collaborative effort. People know what the values of Christ Fellowship are because they are clearly expressed, everywhere, all the time. There is a lot to digest in this discussion. It’s worth your time.

QUOTES: 

“Culture is hard to define and easy to experience.” - Dave Simiele

‘Mission and vision are important to execute culture, but if you don’t have the right culture, you’re not going to be able to execute that vision that God has given you for your church.” - Dave Simiele

“Because we’re so clear about mission, vision and values, that allows us to have what I would say are gates to our culture.” - Dave Simiele

“We want there to be congruence between what we say and what people experience.” - Dave Simiele

“Church is not a building you walk into, but it’s a family that you belong to.” - Dave Simiele

One Piece of Advice | Leading Yourself

Thane Ringler, Los Angeles, CA, shares his one piece of advice: you have to lead yourself well before you can lead others well. Jesus demonstrated this by His example and it is true for us who are leading and shepherding others in the body of Christ. It is a daily practice. It takes self-discipline for these things, making time to develop intimacy with God, to take time to rest. Ultimately it means being faithful. 

QUOTES: 

“What this means is we are taking action and ownership of our lives and we’re never settling for less than what God has called us to.” -Thane Ringler

“It means not trying to be superman. A lot of times we take on and try to be Christ when we need to look to Christ and what He’s accomplished.” -Thane Ringler

“How can we be faithful today?” -Thane Ringler

Links:

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

Thane’s First Book & His ministry at www.thaneringler.com

S2.E4 - The Beauty of The Church

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 2 Episode 4 - The Beauty of the Church

Pastor Daniel talks with Pastor Ron Jones, Coastal Chapel, Lake Worth, FL about how he and his wife, Erin, came to plant their church in Florida and what his thoughts are about the church in general. “I don’t think when Jesus first used the word church, he was describing a building. He was looking at people.” What is so important about seeing the church as people? It is not about success; it’s about fruitfulness. The fruit that is produced through relationships with people and for the kingdom of God is the fruit that remains (John 15:16). What is the importance of being connected with a local church, having fellowship with other believers? Every person in the church has been gifted by God and plays an important role in the health of the body of Christ. This is a great discussion about the vital role of the church and how we can reach people saturated with social media and not feeling the need for anyone or anything to give them more input into their lives. What is the beauty of the church?

QUOTES:

“The church has been the church throughout history….We have a great lineage…that great cloud of witnesses.”

“I don’t tell my kids we’re going to church. I tell them we’re the church that goes.”

“If we’re using our gifts, our talents, our skills and our experience, and we’re pouring into people, then we’re building the church—we’re building Jesus’ church. And it’s going to be fruit that remains.”

“We’ve got to find our place in the local body and be connected to God’s house.”

“You can get information online or listen to a message and hear a good word, but you will never get the spiritual dynamic of God’s impartation—what God puts in people and us receiving from the fruit of other people’s lives.”

“Every person has a spiritual gift. Every person in God’s body is a gift to the body, and there is strength in just them being there. There’s a spiritual gift in them, there’s a measure of grace that they have.”

“Our story is the platform that God uses to really minister to people. We inspire people with our strengths, but we connect to people with our weaknesses.”

One Piece of Advice | You Go First

Mike Lawrence, Port Saint Lucie, FL, recently returned with his family from 13 years as a church planting missionary in Costa Rica to start a new work in Florida. This is his advice: You cannot lead people where you have not first allowed God to lead you. You have to be willing to let God work in your own heart and life first. Your personal experience will give you greater authority and compassion to lead others through similar things. “We are surrounded by people who need to know that the gospel is not only for heaven, it’s for today. They need to know how God is working in your life, so that they, too, can find encouragement that God will do the same thing for them.”

QUOTES:

“We see this principle throughout scripture, that when God is going to call someone into leadership, He is going to do a work in them before He does a work through them.”

“We have to be wiling to be vulnerable and transparent about who we are and where we’re at.”

“While there are qualifications for leadership, perfection is not one of them.”

Links: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S1.E24 - Spiritual Warfare

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 1 Episode 24 - Spiritual Warfare

It’s the final episode of EE Leaders Season 1! (Don’t worry, Season 2 is coming up.) It’s been a great first season, and as Pastor Daniel says, “It’s all been by God’s grace.” If you haven’t heard all the episodes, they are available now to watch or listen to and share with your friends in ministry (see link below). In this episode, Pastor Daniel talks in depth with his dad, Pastor Joe Williams, Calvary Chapel of Tacoma (Washington) about spiritual warfare, what it is and how it affects the daily life of every Christian on earth. What does the Bible say about demonic activity? Every person who lives for God is going to face opposition. But Satan is a defeated foe. God has given us the tools to fight to defeat him. As Christians, we need to learn to use the weapons of spiritual warfare that God has given us. Knowing the word of God, spending time in prayer with Him, and gathering together with other believers to stand united against the enemy. Pastor Joe gives us a great encouragement to walk in the power of the name of Jesus Christ. You’ll be blessed!

In this week’s One Piece of Advice, Jason Sanchez, Director of House of Blessing Orphanage in Bachiniva, Mexico shares his advice about the importance of humility.

One Piece of Advice | Humility

Jason Sanchez, Director of House of Blessing, Bachiniva, Mexico, shares his advice to stay humble. “Humility is crucial for leaders and pastors because it is our human nature, especially in a position of leadership and power where people look up to you…to naturally, in our flesh, let that puff us up.” We end up thinking we’re something we’re not and somehow we reach a status where we’re not so reliant on the Lord. James 4:10 instructs us: Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. This is the great lesson the Lord taught Jason when he and his wife moved from Washington to Mexico to start an orphanage. The move put him in an unfamiliar position of receiving praise and applause not only from believers but especially from unbelievers in the local communities. “Directing an orphanage, working with orphans, draws the attention and admiration of everyone—the affirmation from unbelievers put me in a scary spot. That’s when the Lord brought it to my attention, to stay humble.” Jason talks about how you can do that.  “Put checks and balances in your life where you can humble yourself. Sweep a floor. Take the trash out. Keep it in the forefront of your mind.” You can follow Jason at thehouseofblessing.org

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Quotes:

“The devil is real…Whatever you do for the kingdom of God, he is going to try to stop you.” -Joe Williams

“Wherever the gospel is preached, there’s always been opposition. You will have opposition.” -Joe Williams

“Spiritual warfare began when you became a Christian.” -Joe Williams

“God has given us the tools to defeat the enemy.” -Joe Williams

“Don’t walk in fear of the devil. Fight spiritual warfare in the power of the Spirit and the word of God.” -Joe Williams

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Links:

Links: Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S1.E16 - Taking Ventures of Faith

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 1: Episode 16 - Taking Ventures of Faith

Pastor Daniel talks with his friend and fellow church planter, Pastor Esteban Valenzuela, Madrid, Spain about taking ventures of faith. In 2010, God called Esteban and his wife Tifiny to plant a church in Madrid, Spain. It would be five years before they would embark on their mission. In 2015, they left for Spain. Esteban talks about the ongoing role of faith as the work in Madrid continues. “God has taught me a lot since then. Each step of this journey has required faith. There may be giants in the land, there may be obstacles, but if God is with us, these obstacles are nothing. We are going to keep moving forward.” A large part of the walk of faith requires stepping into the unknown. Esteban shares what this looks like in daily life and ministry and how God has taught him what it means to lean on Him. Ask God to help you discern the difference between what might be a work of the flesh and waiting on God to move. What do you do with disappointment and unmet expectations in ministry? Are you expecting God to do what He has not said He would do? It’s all about submission and surrender to Him and taking actions of obedience and trust. “God is our inheritance. Jesus is our prize.” Stay connected with Valenzuelas at vtribe4jesus.com. Both Esteban and Tifiny are on Facebook. 

In this week’s One Piece of Advice, Pastor Joel Turner, Calgary, Alberta shares his advice on keeping faith, even when you don’t feel like it.

One Piece of Advice - Keeping Faith

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) In other words, faith is the substance of what you know is coming your way, even though it’s not yet seen. It is not wishful thinking. “Whether I see it presently, whether I understand it intellectually or experience it immediately, I know what God says, He’ll do.” In the gospel account of Jesus calming the storm, He told His disciples that they would go to the other side. They didn’t remember it when the storm hit, but Jesus kept His word. We need to trust the one who sits in the boat with us. He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.” (Matthew 8:26) He has promised to get us to the other side. You may not feel it, but you can faith it. 

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Quotes:

“Faith is understanding God’s plan or will, His speaking to you, and then even though you don’t see it, like a door you can put your hand on and open, you begin to move, you begin to act.” -Esteban Valenzuela

“Sometimes faith is in your heart. It’s a position you take. I am going to believe that this is what God has spoken to me and I am going to believe that this is what He has for me.” Esteban Valenzuela

“We find our security in things that we can touch and hold and control. And God calls us to something that is outside of our control. God is operating outside all of those calculations, so He gets all the glory.” -Esteban Valenzuela

“I don’t think that God tells us to do something without our understanding because He’s cruel, I actually think it’s for our own good. It’s for His glory.” - Daniel Williams

“Pray about those steps you take. Be willing to wait on God.” -Esteban Valenzuela

“Praying through scripture has absolutely been a lifeline for me—just taking a chapter of the Bible and praying through it and crying out to God.” -Esteban Valenzuela

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Links:

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

Refresh Conference 2018: redemptiondb.com/conference

S1.E9 - Being Flexible

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 1: Episode 9 - Being Flexible

It’s no surprise to any of us. Things don’t always go as we planned. And so we have to be flexible. In this week’s episode, Pastor Daniel talks with his good friend Jason Sanchez, Director of House of Blessing Orphanage in Bachiniva, Mexico—a man well acquainted with the need to be flexible. Jason and his wife Jackie moved with their daughter Ayantu to Bachiniva in 2012 to start an orphanage, House of Blessing, where they are co-directors, along with a staff of four and interns and volunteers who serve short-term. They currently have 15 children in the orphanage, 5 boys and 10 girls, ranging in age from 3 to 16 years. How has he seen his plans not go according to plan in his ministry there? “My plans never go according to plan, especially in Mexico…Even now, five years later, it is still hard to get used to.” So how did being flexible work with that, how did you deal with it? Jason describes the process of first trying to fix it, to change the way it was and seeing his efforts prove to be futile, then crying out to God for help in getting done what God had clearly called them to do. Most of us know Proverbs 16:9: The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. We can quote it, but then when it actually happens that our plans don’t work out, we don’t like dealing with it. But you have to be flexible. God is the one in control. Where does planning fit in being flexible? Looking to Jesus as our example, we see that He knew where He was going, He was headed in a certain direction, but He stopped for people and gave them His time and attention, even when it was difficult or inconvenient. Jesus dealt with interruptions and distractions as opportunities to fulfill the Father’s plan. We need to know that God has the final say. And work on not stressing out when things don’t go the way you planned. …do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6) Some final words of encouragement from Jason: If you really want to grow in this area of flexibility, look for an opportunity for a cross-cultural experience. Go on a missions trip. You can reach Jason at thehouseofblessing.org on FB as Bachiniva Orphanage. This week’s One Piece of Advice fits right in with this idea of learning to handle stress—don’t freak out. God is in control.

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One Piece of Advice | Don’t Freak Out

Pastor Adam Parsons, Orlando, shares his advice on not freaking out when you experience what the Bible calls tribulations. “Things going wrong? That’s like my field; that’s what I can talk about!” Jesus has told us not to worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:34). And in Romans 5:3, Paul encourages us to actually exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance. We are meant to rejoice in our sufferings. “It is just the reality of life. Suffering is not the result of God being angry with us or God pushing us away. Try to think about suffering in another light. “We think of God working through us in ministry. God wants to work in us through ministry." Pastor Adam gives us 4 Ps to help us remember what to do when we’re tempted to freak out in suffering: Pray: Talk to God about what is going on. Preach to yourself: Remind yourself what God has said in His word about suffering. Press forward: Trust in the sovereignty of God. “Anything that has come into my life or your life, God has a unique purpose for.” And finally, Promise: Remember that God has promised to bless us when we are faithful. We can count on Him.

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Coming up…Refresh Conference | Hosted by Redemption Church

November 9 & 10, 2018 | Veteran’s Day Weekend

Cost: $50 includes lunch on Saturday

Guest Speakers: Pastor David Guzik (enduringword.com) & Jason Sanchez (thehouseofblessing.org)

Register: www.redemptiondb.com/conference

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Quotes: 

“God, if we’re really going to live down here and do this, then you’ve got to change me, personally, in how to adapt to this. Because it was very hard and very, very frustrating.” -Jason Sanchez

“In America, we go, go, go. We do, do, do. Maybe it’s planning your schedule to allow for some flex time.” -Jason Sanchez

“Pray: ‘God, give me the spirit of flexibility.’ Pray for openness. ‘Lord, I literally want my plan to go according to your way.’” -Jason Sanchez

“We think of God working through us in ministry. God wants to work in us through ministry." -Adam Parsons

“Anything that has come into my life or your life, God has a unique purpose for.” -Adam Parsons

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Links:

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

Refresh Conference: www.redemptiondb.com/conference

S1.E5 - Alignment

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Episode 5: Alignment

In this episode, Daniel talks about alignment—implementing mission and vision in your church, with Pastor Bruce Zachary, Senior Pastor of Calvary Nexus in Camarillo, California (calvarynexus.org). Bruce is also founder of VELO Church Leaders (velochurchleaders.org) and serves as Co-Director of Calvary Church Planting Network, a global church planting initiative. Why does your church need a mission or vision statement? It is important to understand the difference between a mission statement and vision. A mission statement is the core values of a church that don’t change over the course of time; they are longstanding, maybe 20 years. Vision may change. But a mission statement is “a compass, a true north.” Bruce discusses five characteristics of what a mission statement should be and why each is important. What it shouldn’t be is someone else’s mission statement, no matter how much you like it. “The problem is that you can’t take on somebody’s DNA. In other words, if you’re looking at another church and thinking we’ll just do what they’re doing…if it’s not your DNA, it’s not going to be effective.” What are some practical ways to communication your mission? Repeat it. Get it out there in as many different forms as possible—and be consistent. “The best way to stay on target is not to get distracted by things that are not your vision or your mission.” Evaluate everything in terms of its impact on your mission. Then implement it. Most leaders don’t have all the skills necessary to accomplish every step in implementing the vision. This is why it is important to have a leadership team and work together strategically. Strategic implementation is the subject of this week’s One Piece of Advice with Pastor Mitch Thompson.

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One Piece of Advice | Strategic Framework

Pastor Mitch Thompson, Delray Beach, Florida, shares his advice on what his church has recently implemented through collaboration with other churches in their area. It is the idea of having a strategic framework based on strengthening areas of weakness or what Mitch calls “pain points” in their church’s ministry. “We realized we had failed in a lot of areas of being strategic as a church and a staff.” Through their willingness to collaborate with other churches they started a process of creating this framework. “We put together a ministry action plan so they all know what they’re doing that aligns with what God has uniquely called our church to do to move forward.” Mitch encourages this type of collaboration—“Get together, think through what is best practices and take advice from other churches who may not look like you but have been doing this longer and found some great ways that doing ministry has impacted their church and congregation.”

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Quotes:

“Alignment is the arrangement of all ministries and staff around the same simple process of where God is going and how are we going to get there” -Simple Church, Thom Rainer & Eric Geiger

On knowing your mission—“As you contemplate the things that really stir you, that you’re passionate about, those things should be the core or the essence of your mission.” -Bruce Zachary

“The further out you’re thinking, the more that you have to remain steadfast in terms of that vision in order to see it through.” -Bruce Zachary

“Get together, think through what is best practices and take advice from other churches who may not look like you but have been doing this longer and found some great ways that doing ministry has impacted their church and congregation.” -Mitch Thompson

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Links:

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S1.E3 - Pass It On To Others

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 1: Episode 3 - Pass It On To Others

In this episode, Pastor Daniel talks about training leaders with Trip Kimball, Jacksonville, Florida, who is currently on staff with Poimen Ministries, a community of pastors serving pastors. You can find them at poimenministries.com. Trip draws from a lifetime of ministry experience which he shares in mentoring and developing leaders. Why is leadership important? “Just looking at what Jesus did…Jesus invested about three years of His life in the lives of men who became the foundation for the church.” The need for leadership in the church was apparent from the very beginning; you can read it in the epistles. Acts 6 describes a situation where more leaders were needed and how they resolved it: Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. (Acts 6:3) A pastor can’t do it all himself. He needs the help of those gifted and called by God. How do you do it? It starts very simply, working with a group of guys on how to study the Bible, how to put a message together, leadership basics. Then give them opportunities to do the work. Observe those already doing ministry. Who does what well? Pour into them what you know. You have to create opportunities for people to serve, to learn what works and what doesn’t. People learn by doing. Training others teaches you to do ministry better yourself. “I had people in my life who spoke into my life that were mentors. I looked back later at what did they do and then adapted to the situation at hand.” It’s the 2 Timothy 2:2 model, a pattern: …what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. There are times of formal training, but the most valuable times are informal settings where people are free to ask questions. You need to be available. This is the intentional part of discipleship. You have to step up and do it. You need to learn to listen to the person and really hear what they’re saying, so you can respond to them. But you alone can’t possibly know everything. A person needs more than one mentor. This week’s One Piece of Advice is about that. Pastor Pilgrim Benham shares his advice on friendship in ministry and why it’s so important.

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One Piece of Advice | Friendship

Pastor Pilgrim Benham, Bradenton, Florida, shares his advice about the importance of having a true friend in ministry. The friendship of Paul and Barnabas serves as a great example of two men whose relationship endured times of closeness as well as disagreement. It was Barnabas—son of encouragement—who first introduced Paul to the apostles after his conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:27). We need friends in ministry who will pull us, push us and challenge us in discipleship. We need accountability and encouragement. “We need to ‘vent up.’ We need to share our frustration in ministry, but we don’t want to do that with someone who is ministering under our care.” Find someone who is a peer or mentor in ministry, a person with whom you can talk openly and even weather conflict, iron sharpening iron (Proverbs 27:17). This needs to be a priority. “Do you have someone in your life that’s a friend, someone that you can rely one and they can rely on you?”  Find more info on Pilgrim’s ministry at thisisshoreline.com and pilgrimbenham.com.

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Quotes:

“You’re not going to learn all this stuff from a book on leadership. You have to be observant.” -Trip Kimball

“In the process of learning, you also have to be discerning enough to know that’s not something I want to keep doing. But what would work? What would be a better thing to do?” -Trip Kimball

On having more than one mentor: “If they’re only looking at me, they’re only going to get my viewpoint. They’re only going to see things from my life experience. I don’t know everything there is to know." -Trip Kimball

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Links:

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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