S2.E3 - We Are The Church

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 2 Episode 3 - We Are The Church

Pastor Glenn Shaffer, Destiny Life Church, Claremore, OK talks about the Church as it is described in the New Testament and how seeing the body of Christ with fresh eyes can help us. What does it mean (Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds, and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ) to equip the saints for the work of ministry? What is a proper understanding of the role of each member of the body in relation to the leaders? Positional mentality, performance mentality, and personalities are three areas Glenn talks about in this context, as hindering the church’s work of ministry. You’ll want to hear this.

QUOTES:

“There’s something about the New Testament understanding of what the church really is, that transforms you.” -Glenn Shaffer

“Sometimes we don’t realize how valuable Christ’s gifts are in the church and how much we need one another.” -Glenn Shaffer

“Something that is really burning on my heart is that we would emphasize placement in the body, as the scripture does, and not position…Placement is where Christ has set us; position is where man has set us.” -Glenn Shaffer

“We don’t go to church. We are The Church, going.” -Glenn Shaffer

One Piece of Advice | Leading from the Inside

Kevin Saxton, a pastor at Family Church in Downtown West Palm Beach, FL, shares his one piece of advice: Lead from the inside. We need to remember that our role as a pastor is as one of the family, one who is on the inside of the body of Christ. Our role as a leader does not place us above or outside of that. We are a part of the body, just as they are. “This is a people business. People really do matter."

QUOTES: 

“There’s no one who is a believer in Jesus who doesn’t belong in the church of Jesus.” -Kevin Saxton

“Being a leader in the church means the you don’t lead from outside the body of Christ, you lead from inside the body of Christ.” -Kevin Saxton

“We actually get to serve in such a way that we are a part of the family.” -Kevin Saxton

Links: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S2.E2 - Comparison

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons 2 Season 2 Episode 2 - Comparison

Bryan Saylor, Young Adults Pastor at Calvary Chapel, Melbourne, FL, talks about the problem of comparison, what happens when you begin to evaluate what God is doing in your ministry by comparing it to what God is doing in someone else’s ministry. This can be a result of insecurity or of pride. Someone else’s ministry looks better, so you feel bad. Or someone else’s ministry looks less than, so you are filled with pride. Either is dangerous because it distracts us from what God has called us to do in ministry. Bryan shares three important questions God asks us, questions that will help us identify the root of comparison and eliminate it from our lives. “When it comes to comparison, my prayer is that we would preach the gospel to ourselves and remind ourselves of the glorious riches that we actually have in Christ.”

QUOTES: 

“Comparison is one of the greatest things that can derail us or distract us from the mission God has given us.” -Bryan Saylor

“Comparison can be insecurity, but it can also be pride. Either way you look at it, it is dangerous.” Bryan Saylor

“These questions are gut punchers—they are difficult to hear. But as we wrestle with them, we discover the true heart of God and the fact that God wants us to move closer into trusting Him.” Bryan Saylor

One Piece of Advice | Who Am I?

AJ Pierre, Lead Pastor at Empower Hope in West Palm Beach, FL shares his one piece of advice: Ask yourself this simple question—who am I? You have to deal with this issue in your life. God has created you for a specific purpose at this exact time. Figure this one thing out and reconnect to what God uniquely created you to do.

QUOTES:

“This is a question I believe we all have to eventually answer in our lives—who am I?” -AJ Pierre

“You have been created by God for this exact time for a specific purpose to accomplish a specific task. For that to happen, you have to be authentic. You have to be exactly who you’ve been called to be.” -AJ Pierre

“There are people out there whose ears are tuned to your voice. The only way to reach them is if you are functioning in who God has truly called you to be.” -AJ Pierre

Links: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S2.E1 - The Blessings of Unity

EELeaders | Leadership Lessons Season 2 Episode 1 - The Blessings of Unity

Pastor Daniel talks about the blessings of unity among God’s people. David wrote of this blessing in Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! (Psalm 133:1) Verses two and three of this psalm describe God’s blessing on those who practice unity. We may come from many different backgrounds and tribes like David and the 12 tribes of Israel, but God wants us to walk together in unity as one people—the body of Christ, the Church. Unity is extremely precious and valuable. Seeing the power of God work through the unity of His people is a great witness to the world of who God is. It brings glory to Him. Daniel shares some ways that local churches in Delray Beach. FL are working together in unity. How can we practice this unity that pleases God today?

QUOTES: 

“If you walk in unity with other brothers and sisters in Christ, you’re going to walk in strength.” -Daniel Williams

“Walking in unity helps us walk in God’s ways.” -Daniel Williams 

“When you walk in good works and you’re doing this together, it makes a powerful statement. People see that strength and they glorify God the Father.” -Daniel Williams

“Unity brings life and nutrition to your soul.” -Daniel Williams

“Unity does not mean uniformity. We can have our own unique heritage, but we are one in Christ.” -Daniel Williams

“Be eager to maintain unity in the body of Christ. Let us learn from one another. Let us grow and develop and serve the Lord with other believers.” -Daniel Williams

One Piece of Advice | Stop Judging and Start Loving

Jim Campbell, retired pastor living in Delray Beach, FL, shares his one piece of advice that God recently spoke to his heart: The kingdom of God needs to stop judging and start loving. How can we stop judging? You can do it with the help of the Holy Spirit. 

QUOTES: 

“We judge in so many different ways.” -Jim Campbell

“Can you imagine what it would be like if every human being on the earth stopped judging and started loving?” Jim Campbell

LINKS:

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

Refresh Conference 2018 | Session 4 - David Guzik

Season II is coming Monday, March 4 with all new episodes!!! But we didn’t want to wait to give you some great content until then so we are releasing the teaching sessions of the Refresh Conference we hosted back in November, 2018.

The Refresh Conference is an event designed to ENCOURAGE and EQUIP the servants of Jesus in the local church in our community.

This year's theme was: GOD IS. We looked closely at God’s goodness and character with guest speakers Pastor David Guzik and Orphanage director Jason Sanchez.

This is session 4 with Pastor David Guzik.

Refresh Conference 2018 | Session 3 - Q&A with David Guzik

Season II is coming Monday, March 4 with all new episodes!!! But we didn’t want to wait to give you some great content until then so we are releasing the teaching sessions of the Refresh Conference we hosted back in November, 2018.

The Refresh Conference is an event designed to ENCOURAGE and EQUIP the servants of Jesus in the local church in our community.

This year's theme was: GOD IS. We looked closely at God’s goodness and character with guest speakers Pastor David Guzik and Orphanage director Jason Sanchez.

This is session 3 with a special Q&A time with Pastor David Guzik.

Refresh Conference 2018 | Session 2 - Jason Sanchez

Season II is coming Monday, March 4 with all new episodes!!! But we didn’t want to wait to give you some great content until then so we are releasing the teaching sessions of the Refresh Conference we hosted back in November, 2018.

The Refresh Conference is an event designed to ENCOURAGE and EQUIP the servants of Jesus in the local church in our community.

This year's theme was: GOD IS. We looked closely at God’s goodness and character with guest speakers Pastor David Guzik and Orphanage director Jason Sanchez.

This is session 2 with Jason Sanchez.

Refresh Conference 2018 | Session 1 - David Guzik

Season II is coming Monday, March 4 with all new episodes!!! But we didn’t want to wait to give you some great content until then so we are releasing the teaching sessions of the Refresh Conference we hosted back in November, 2018.

The Refresh Conference is an event designed to ENCOURAGE and EQUIP the servants of Jesus in the local church in our community.

This year's theme was: GOD IS. We looked closely at God’s goodness and character with guest speakers Pastor David Guzik and Orphanage director Jason Sanchez.

This is session 1 with Pastor David Guzik.

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.E23 - The Weapon of Prayer

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 1 Episode 23 - The Weapon of Prayer

In this episode, Pastor Daniel gets excitied, encouraging everyone to pray! Understand this: prayer is a spiritual weapon. “You are in spiritual battle. If you are ignorant or ignore that fact, you probably aren’t winning the battle.” (David Guzik) The Apostle Peter describes this reality in 1 Peter 5:8: Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. No amount of studying or skill can overcome a lack of prayer. God’s power is activated through prayer. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. (1 John 5:14-15) We all need this reminder of the amazing access to God’s strength and power through prayer.  

In this week’s One Piece of Advice, Pastor Julius Sanna, Joy Church, Delray Beach, FL shares from Proverbs 3:5 about trusting in God with all of our heart.

One Piece of Advice - Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart

Pastor Julius Sanna, Joy Church, Delray Beach, FL shares his insight into the wisdom of Proverbs 3:5 to trust in the Lord with all of your heart. The limits of our own understanding of situations as leaders forces us to sometimes stop or take a pause to ask God what’s next. “God is always available for us to approach. When you lean on God, God is able to direct your path.” During times of adversity and challenges, we need to remember this. Adding fasting to your prayer life can clarify God’s leading. “When I’m calling on God..and I add fasting…it clears my ears so that I’m not only calling on God, but when He speaks, I can hear Him so clearly.” Make fasting a habit of your prayer life. Like Jesus, we need to separate ourselves from the noise of life and listen to the Father. Prayer gives you the strength to apply what God has instructed you to do. 

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Quotes:

“Many people devote themselves to studying God’s word and preparation but not necessarily prayer.” -Daniel Williams

“If you are strangers to prayer, you are strangers to power.” - Billy Sunday

“We must be aware of the fact that we are in a battle. And we must know how to fight as men and women of God.” -Daniel Williams

“As soon as you pray, God is on the move.” -Daniel Williams

“There is a huge impact on our world when we are men and women of prayer, trusting in God, depending on Him.” -Daniel Williams

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Links:

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S1.E22 - Preach The Word

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 1 Episode 22 - Preach The Word

This week Pastor Daniel talks with Pastor David Guzik, Calvary Chapel, Santa Barbara, CA author of Enduring Word Bible Commentary, which contains written commentary on the entire Bible. David talks about the benefits of studying the word of God and the impact it has had on his life. This is a refreshingly candid talk about the realities of what it’s like to teach God’s word in season and out of season.  “We’re talking about, through both personal study and the power of the preached Word, Jesus Christ coming to his people and those who will become His people through His word.” What is Biblical preaching? What about topical teaching? What is his process for preparing to teach a Bible message? What study tools does he recommend? This is a workshop on expository teaching from one of the best. Follow David Guzik at enduringword.com, on Facebook and Instagram. 

In this week’s One Piece of Advice, Pastor Glenn Shaffer, Claremore, OK, shares his advice on having a passion for prayer.

One Piece of Advice - A Passion for Prayer

Pastor Glenn Shaffer, Claremore, OK offers his advice after 40 years in ministry—have a passion for prayer. Jesus said, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38) “You never reach a place in your  spiritual life where your flesh is not weak.” Prayer is the one thing that is absolutely required for ministry. “It is the foundation of us being Spirit-led leaders. Because without that, we’re just giving information.” Begin to develop time in prayer. “Your people will pray because you pray.” Find out more about Pastor Glenn’s ministry, Apostolic Teams International at apostolicteams.com. 

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QUOTES:

“Personally the greatest benefit [of studying the Bible] has been just wonderful, significant, deep fellowship with God in and through His word. Nothing really replaces that.” -David Guzik

“I meet God in His word.” -David Guzik

“The call we have as ministers—you do it in season and out of season, when it’s evidently bearing fruit and when it’s winter and there’s nothing on the vine.” -David Guzik

“You see the transforming power of God work as Jesus meets people in and through His word.” -David Guzik

“Biblical preaching is preaching that has fundamentally the ideas and themes of the Bible as the ideas and themes of the preaching.” -David Guzik

“Prayer for me is a before, during and after thing…making yourself open to the mind of God.” -David Guzik

“If you’re really called to preach, regard it as your life’s work…If you’re going to fulfill the potential and the giftedness that God’s given you, it’s not going to come on the cheap.” -David Guzik

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LINKS:

Refresh Conference 2018: www.redemptiondb.com/conference

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S1.E21 - Seeing Jesus in All of Scripture

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 1 Episode 21 - Seeing Jesus in All of Scripture

Dr. Warren Gage, Fort Lauderdale, FL, talks about how we understand and preach Christ in all the scriptures. Jesus spoke about this in John 5:39: “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.” What we want to find in all the scripture is the gospel. Using three different passages—the sleep of Adam for his bride (Genesis 2), Daniel in the lion’s den (Daniel 6), and the story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19), Dr. Gage points out where and how the gospel is pictured, sometimes simply and other times with elaborate detail. You can read more on this subject in Dr. Gage’s book Milestones to Emmaus. Follow his leadership ministry at alexandrianforum.org

In this week’s One Piece of Advice, Pastor David Guzik shares his advice about what is most important in teaching the Bible.

One Piece of Advice - The Message is in the Text

Pastor David Guzik, Santa Barbara, California, shares his advice which is specifically in the area of biblical preaching and teaching. “Come to the Bible with the mentality that the message is in the biblical text. You don’t have to create a message.” Your job as a preacher and teacher is to unlock and reveal and explain the message. The idea of having to create a message each time is an unnecessary burden to bear. “Reorient your thinking. Say, ‘The message is there—I just need to let it be exposed, to bring the biblical message.’” Then you can apply all your skills in making that message known. It will make you a more effective church leader. You can find David Guzik online at enduringword.com. 

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Quotes:

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. Luke 24:29

“We have to have the resurrection that validates the work of Christ on the cross, that is the Father’s acceptance of His sacrifice on our behalf in a substitutionary sense.” -Warren Gage

“The core of the gospel is substitution. I would urge everybody that is in a preaching or teaching role—that is the point that needs to be clarified most, the idea that somebody has to understand that Christ died in their place.” -Warren Gage

“We can read the Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible, in such a way as to see the gospel in all the stories. I think it’s the common denominator to every major narrative in the text.” -Warren Gage

“The more of these illustrations that you see, eventually you learn that the gospel really is everywhere.” -Warren Gage

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Links:

Refresh Conference: www.redemptiondb.com/conference

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S1.E20 - Mentorship

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 1 Episode 20 - Mentorship

This week Pastor Daniel talks with Robby Christmas from Family Church in West Palm Beach, Florida about his ministry with their Church Planting Residency Program. This is a leadership pipeline where guys are trained to be church planters, pastors and ministry leaders and then mobilized in teams and sent out to plant churches. In particular, what role does mentoring have in training leaders and what is the benefit of mentoring others? “A mentor is someone who pours into you what God has poured into them,” often through a mentor of their own. Mentors hold you accountable and speak into your life, seeing things you may not be able to see in yourself. It’s all built on a relationship with that person, on true friendship and trust. It takes time. Engage people and ask people about their own life. Robby shares some great stories of finding a mentor and being a mentor and how it can change your life. Find out more about the Church Planting Residency Program at www.familychurchnetwork.com

In this week’s One Piece of Advice, another local pastor, Pastor Andrew Lundy, shares his perspective on mentoring. 

One Piece of Advice | Have a Mentor

Pastor Andrew Lundy, Boca Raton, Florida shares the value of having a coach or a mentor, someone who has walked what you have walked through and is able to walk with you through the challenges and defeats—and the victories, too. Someone to be be a good friend, to remind you of the good news of Jesus. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 4:15, “For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” No one can replace the value of a spiritual father. “I can learn the strategies, read the books, and know the methods but still be a lonely leader, alone in the journey.” We are taught in Proverbs 11:25 that “he who waters, himself will be watered.” As pastors we are in desperate need of the same ministry that we’re giving to others. So make sure you find that friend, that mentor, someone to remind you that your truest identity is that you are a son of God. 

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Quotes:

“One of the biggest benefits to having a mentor is to help you see blind spots. No matter what kind of leader you are, you have blind spots. Having a mentor helps you grow in ways you might not know you need to grow.” -Robby Christmas

“Relationship equals influence. If you are not connected at the heart level, you’re not going to influence that person.” -Robby Christmas

“Mentoring someone takes time.” -Robby Christmas

“When we care for others, there is something inside of us that clicks and goes, ‘Wow, that was right, that was the right thing to do.’” -Robby Christmas

“If you want to be mentored by someone, first look for someone that loves like Jesus. Then you go out and engage that person. Get on their calendar.” -Robby Christmas

“Look for people who are faithful, available and teachable.” -Robby Christmas

“The more the leadership skills you’re passing on are reproducible, the more influence they’re going to have because that person can easily pass it on to others.” -Robby Christmas

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Links:

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S1.E19 - Empowering Others

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 1 Episode 19 - Empowering Others

God has called us to work in teams. The greater the vision, the greater the need for a great team. We need to be learning from mentors and also passing on our influence to others. In this week’s lesson, Pastor Bill Mitchell, Boca Community Church, shares about the importance of empowering others. Pastor Bill started a ministry called BocaLead, hosting a monthly luncheon speaking to over 400 local business leaders, sharing biblical principles with the aim to raise the bar on ethics and integrity in the business community. Here he shares five ways to empower the people who work on your team, distilling the main points of the book The Leadership Challenge by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner, “one of the seminal books on leadership.” 1)Model the way. 2)Inspire a Shared Vision. 3)Challenge the process. 4)Enable others to act. 5)Encourage the heart. Those are the points, but you’ve got to hear him share it. It’s empowering. Find out more at BocaLead.com

This week’s One Piece of Advice comes from Pastor Trip Kimball, Jacksonville, FL about leaders passing on to the next generation—empowering others.

One Piece of Advice | Invest in Others

Pastor Trip Kimball, Jacksonville, Florida, talks about the most important thing he has learned through his many years of ministry: invest in the lives of others. There is a football team whose mantra is “Next Man Up.” This is the idea of having someone always ready to step in and do the job. “You need to be raising someone up behind you, because you don’t know what’s going to happen with you. God may call you to another role or move you on.” Do you have someone you’re raising up? It’s basic discipleship. It’s something that seems to have been lacking in the churches in America. It doesn’t just happen. It’s intentional. It is relational. Jesus set the perfect example for us with His disciples. But it isn’t just a pattern or a program—it’s a responsibility. Look for people who are attentive and responsive to the Holy Spirit, who love the Lord. Take the time and invest in the younger generation.

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Quotes:

“You don’t have to be a leader of hundreds or thousands or a movement, you can just be a leader with one other person. Leadership principles work in your home as well.” -Bill Mitchell

“You and I as leaders have to model the way for other people.” -Bill Mitchell

“Help people see the future where you’re heading, but also help them do away with the things that don’t apply today.” -Bill Mitchell

“Challenge the process is really looking to see how it can be done better, quicker, less expensively—whatever is important in your industry—but doing it honestly, doing it with inspiration, doing it with competence.” -Bill Mitchell

“The ability to enable somebody to use their gift allows great things to happen.” -Bill Mitchell

“Ultimately as a leader we’ve got to go deeper than just the top, physical things that we’re doing. If you encourage the heart, you will stand out…Just be kind to people, be compassionate to people, show a little generosity.” -Bill Mitchell

“I would suggest to you that you develop a consistent way in which you lead, so that when people come they will see a true vertical.” -Bill Mitchell

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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.E18 - Recruiting & Retaining Volunteers

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 1 Episode 18 - Recruiting & Retaining Volunteers

In this week’s episode, Pastor Daniel talks about how leaders can encourage people to become actively involved in serving God through serving others. Jesus demonstrated this active service by washing His disciples’ feet. “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” (John 13:14-15) The idea of encouraging others to serve is a natural part of leadership. From Jesus’ example in Mark 3, Daniel shares practical ways to help us in recruiting and retaining people for ministry. Have the right attitude. Ask people personally. Give clear instructions. Lead by example. Explain the why of what we do. Be real. This is hard work. People need encouragement. Give them the word of God. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58) Show appreciation to your volunteers. Rely on God. “What we’re doing is impossible without the Holy Spirit. It is God working through us.” We have to be able to choose people and then depend on God to do the work. Pray and ask for the Lord to do it, for His kingdom and His glory.

This week’s One Piece of Advice about shepherding your team comes from Dr. Warren Gage, who serves in Fort Lauderdale.

One Piece of Advice - Seek a Pastor’s Heart

Pastor Warren Gage, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, shares the advice he received himself as a young preacher from his own mentor, Dr. W.A. Criswell to seek a pastor’s heart, a shepherd’s heart. “To seek a shepherd’s heart is to share in the heart of Christ himself.” In seeking this heart you will receive insight into the scriptures that very few people have. You will see God’s word through the heart and eyes of Jesus, the Great Shepherd. “Be encouraged. Seek that heart. Study the Savior. Learn His love for His people—the good shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep.”

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Quotes:

“We have to work together to get great things done.” -Daniel Williams

“We want to encourage and persuade people to serve God by serving others.” -Daniel Williams

“Serving is a part of our faith. It’s how we grow. And we should want to recruit people to mature and to grow in the body and to serve one another.” -Daniel Williams

“It is an incredible privilege to serve Jesus. People follow passion. They follow conviction. If you have the right attitude that says it is worth it, people will follow that.” -Daniel Williams

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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.E17 - A Team Approach

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 1 Episode 17 - A Team Approach

Peyton Jones, Longbeach, California, is an author, church planter, leadership trainer, podcaster, and writer. In this week’s episode, Peyton talks about the strike team approach to ministry, based on the model of Paul, what a strike team looks like and what it’s made up of.   We know from his epistles that Paul did not go alone and that he moved very quickly in teams. Ephesians 4 describes the roles of team members as they have been gifted by God: He gave gifts to men…And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.(Ephesians 4:8, 11-12). Jesus is the only one who embodied all five of these Himself, but He has given these gifts individually to those He has called to equip the saints. How are these gifts different from each other? What is their purpose in ministry? “If you had all these guys working together, imagine the powerful combination that would be. That’s what Paul imagined. In fact it’s more than what Paul imagined—it’s what he saw. And it’s what he did.” Read more about Peyton Jones and his ministry at peytonjones.ninja

This week’s One Piece of Advice about team leadership comes from Pastor Kevin Day, serving in Pastor Daniel’s home state of Washington. 

One Piece of Advice | Build Trust

Pastor Kevin Day, Kent, Washington shares his advice on the importance of building trust, particularly when it comes to leadership. Over the past five years, Pastor Kevin and his church leadership have developed this idea using the TEAM model: great teams TRUST each other; great teams ENERGIZE each other, great teams APPRECIATE each other, and great teams MAXIMIZE each other. But the idea of trust became the foundational element, based on three steps. 1)Trust must be intentionally developed. 2)Trust must be intentionally nurtured. 3) Trust must be intentionally rebuilt. But how do we do this, how do we build trust? It takes time and transparency. It takes truth and testimony. There is no growth without change. There is no change without loss. There is no loss without pain. “The degree to which we are willing to change is the degree to which we will grow. No change, no growth. No growth, it’s a slow death. And we don’t want to see that. What we want to see is a living, growing church.”

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Quotes: 

“Although Jesus died on the cross, and we know that His work was finished on the cross, for our justification, Christ’s work of kingdom expansion was not finished and He left that to us. He passed on the ministry of spreading the word of what He did on the cross…His ministry continues through us.” -Peyton Jones

“Not all leaders are going to be alike. The body of Christ needs to grow and grow until it fills out that Jesus-shaped hole that was left. And it will only happen as these gifts are working.”  -Peyton Jones

“Apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers…That strike team packs a powerful punch. It’s a team impacting the community around it. It’s what I call the A-Team. They are frontline.”  -Peyton Jones

‘Paul knew he only had a limited amount of time. So he would identify their gifts. He would strategically get them raised up. And then he would deploy them outward. And not just outward from their church, but into their community.”  -Peyton Jones

“If the church will go back to this, we will begin to pack a punch. We will have people who not only know good theology, but they know how to do practically what they’ve been reading about or teaching about.”  -Peyton Jones

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.E15 - Spiritual Disciplines

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 1: Episode 15 - Spiritual Disciplines

In this episode, Pastor Daniel talks about ways to cultivate our faith through the practice of  spiritual disciplines and why these disciplines are so vital. In his book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Donald Whitney says, “In my own pastoral and personal Christian experience, I can say that I have never known a man or a woman who came to spiritual maturity except through discipline. Godliness comes through discipline.” In 1 Timothy 4:7-8, Paul instructs Timothy to undertake this training: Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. Spiritual disciplines do not need to be complicated. It is more about seeking to be in the presence of God and using spiritual disciplines as a way to get to know Him and trust Him. Making the word of God your first priority, worshipping God through singing, fasting and praying, practicing a Sabbath day of rest, giving thanks to God, having fellowship/community with other believers, serving others—these are just some examples of spiritual disciplines that will draw you closer to Jesus. How are you seeking God’s presence through spiritual disciplines? What is the next step for you? “From faith to faith. Step by step. There is profit in godliness. The way that we become godly is by being with God.”

One Piece of Advice | Proverbs & Spiritual Discipline

This week’s One Piece of Advice, is actually taken from a 3-Minute Message series on  Proverbs that Redemption Church did last summer. In this video, Pastor Robby Christmas, from Family Church in West Palm Beach, FL encourages the church to be diligent in practicing spiritual disciplines. 

Link: https://redemptiondb.com/the-book-of-proverbs-3-minute-messages

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QUOTES:

“To have spiritual disciplines cultivates our faith, it takes work, it takes time, it takes effort—but it is definitely worth it.” -Daniel Williams

“So many times in our life, we don’t want to do things that make us uncomfortable, that are hard—even the word discipline, that you practice this effort—but the Bible says if we are going to grow in our faith we need to practice spiritual discipline.” -Daniel Williams

“We want to do things that help our faith grow, to trust in Jesus more. In any good relationship, there’s work.” -Daniel Williams

“We can actually limit God in our lives because we lack faith and trust in Him. We don’t do what He says because we don’t believe what He says.” -Daniel Williams

“The best thing for you as a ministry leader is this—to be in the presence of the Lord. This is how I view spiritual disciplines. We get to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord, and we get to seek Him. That should be your top priority. And that should be my top priority.” -Daniel Williams

“Knowing the living God—Jesus, the King—changes everything. Out of that intimacy flows ministry.” -Daniel Williams

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Links: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

3 Minute Messages by Redemption Church Delray Beach: https://redemptiondb.com/3-minute-messages/

S1.E14 - From Faith to Faith

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 1: Episode 14 - From Faith to Faith

In this week’s episode, Pastor Daniel talks about having faith in different seasons of life and ministry, how important it is for us as church leaders to trust God no matter what is going on at any given time. “It is from faith to faith that we are to live, to walk by faith and not by sight.” This type of faith is cultivated. It grows and changes. What may have taken a huge step of faith in our life three years ago may not be the same today. God grows our faith step by step. What is faith and why is it important for us as ministry leaders? “Faith is trust in someone or something. Our salvation comes by faith. We are saved by grace through faith. We trust that God has the power to do this.” In Chapter 11 of the book of Hebrews, we are given great examples of faith and this definition: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) One of the temptations of having the gift of leadership is to begin to trust in our own abilities rather than trusting in God. But we need to constantly remind ourselves, through prayer and intentional reliance upon Him, that God Himself is the source of our plans and any success we may have. Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? (Galatians 3:3) How can you cultivate your faith today? What is God telling you to do that requires faith? Daniel gives four reasons why faith is important in this and every season of life. You don’t want to miss it. You will be encouraged.

In this week’s One Piece of Advice, Ben Courson, founder and director of Hope Generation, shares his advice about how to cultivate our faith by taking risks in ministry.

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One Piece of Advice | Don’t Be Afraid to Take Risks

Pastor Ben Courson, Medford, Oregon shares his advice based on Proverbs 14:14—Where no oxen are, the trough is clean. But much increase comes by the strength of an ox. Ben describes this as a farmer who is proud of his pristine barn when, in reality, he has no animals. What is the point in having a clean barn if there is no produce? “I would rather have a messy, pig stye, productive life than a pristine, problem-free, pointless life.” Sometimes we think the purpose of our lives is to to keep our lives clean, to never take any risks. But the truth is, every failure and mess you learn from is a step toward the victory. “God turns massive messes into messages for the masses.” Many famously successful people have a long track record of failures: Reggie Jackson, Walt Disney, Dr. Seuss, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Abraham Lincoln…they didn’t let their failures keep them from pushing headlong into life. “We might fail, but God’s love never fails—that’s what counts. Don’t be afraid to take risks. You might have a messy barn, but at least you’re going to have some produce! It ain’t about how high you climb, it’s about how high you bounce back when you hit bottom.” You can follow Ben and his ministry, Hope Generation, at bencourson.com

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Quotes:

“Seasons were given to us by God. They’re for a reason. Without change, without seasons, we can become stagnant and just take for granted the season we are in.” -Daniel Williams

“We need to cultivate our faith. We need to exercise our faith to get stronger like a muscle, and we need to continue to put on more weight and to continue to walk by faith, one step after another.” -Daniel Williams

“As Christians our faith is based on God’s word, based on what He is telling us. He asks us to listen to His voice, to understand who He is, and to base our lives off of who He says He is and the promises that He tells us to walk in.” -Daniel Williams

“We will be blessed when we trust in Jesus and His word.” -Daniel Williams

“You are the mission of Jesus…He puts us in situations to build our faith. He is sovereign. He is good.” -Daniel Williams

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Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S1.E13 - Memorizing Scripture

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 1: Episode 13 - Memorizing Scripture

This week Daniel talks with his friend Ben Courson, the hope-full and hope-filled founder and director of Hope Generation, an international ministry including television, radio, podcast, YouTube and Instagram. He also pastors in Medford, Oregon. And he memorizes a LOT of scripture. In this lesson, Ben talks about how he does it and why it’s important. What motivated him to get started memorizing scripture? Growing up as a pastor’s kid and listening to scripture songs started Ben on this lifelong practice of memorizing scripture. “It’s just easier if it’s set to music.” What does the Bible have to say about the power of God’s word in our hearts? Psalm 1 speaks of the blessing that comes with meditating on the law of God day and night. It gives you strength. So what is the key to memorizing scripture? You just have to do the work. The Bible talks a lot about diligence, sticking with something. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men (Colossians 3:23) Ben himself followed the 10,000 hour principle of mastery, devoting that amount of time over a 5-year period to studying, memorizing, writing and teaching about God’s word. But you start where you’re at. If you have an hour a week, memorize one scripture. Sometimes you don’t have anyone around to encourage you. David encouraged himself in the Lord. You can, too. Ben’s favorite verse? Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord and He will also give you the desires of your heart. Follow Ben at www.bencourson.com. Here is the link to his YouTube video: www.bencourson.com/hope-generation-creative-1/1/21/2017/promises  In this week’s One Piece of Advice, Daniel’s dad, Pastor Joe Williams, Tacoma, Washington, shares encouragement through the scriptures. 

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One Piece of Advice | Be Encouraged

Pastor Joe Williams, Tacoma, Washington shares his encouragement to keep moving forward in ministry—stay the course, stay focused, persevere in the calling. After 37 years in the ministry, Pastor Joe knows something about perseverance. You can feel like quitting, but don’t quit. Sometimes a situation can start out very negative, but it can end up very positive. Consider the lives of Joseph and Job, that all things worked together for their good in the end (Romans 8:28). In his own ministry, Pastor Joe’s church has experienced theft, flooding, financial struggles, difficulties like many of you have experienced. God has been faithful through it all, replacing what was lost with even better things. “Any time you preach the word of God, there is always going to be opposition. You have an adversary. You have an enemy.” Remember that David strengthened himself in the Lord, and that is what we must do. Trust God in every situation. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9). You will see the blessings of the Lord come out of your obedience. “God never calls us to be successful, He calls us to be faithful.” Encouraging words from a true servant of the Lord.

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Quotes: 

“The Hebrew idea of meditation, in contrast with the Eastern concept of emptying your mind, is about filling your mind. So the biblical authors are saying you ought to fill your mind with the word of God.” -Ben Courson

“Faith can move mountains but don’t be surprised if God hands you a shovel.” -Ben Courson

“Success only comes before work in the dictionary.” -Ben Courson

“If you’re constantly speaking scripture into your soul, you’re going to be a lot more joyful, you’re going to be a lot more spiritually healthy, you’re going to be more physically healthy because the book of Proverbs says “a merry heart does good like medicine.” -Ben Courson

“Even start with one verse and just repeat it until you know it backwards and forwards for a week and you watch how it will galvanize you for the saying of words and the doing of deeds for the kingdom.” -Ben Courson

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Recommended Book of the Month: Brothers, We Are Not Professionals by John Piper

This month’s recommended book by John Piper is the new updated edition of the book originally released in 2003. As one reviewer writes, “I loved this book then and, with several new chapters, I love it even more now.  I hope every pastor reads this book and listens to its sane, practical, biblical advice.” (Kevin DeYoung)

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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.E12 - The Hard Work of Ministry

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 1: Episode 12 - The Hard Work of the Ministry

Pastor Pilgrim Benham, Bradenton, Florida, shares about persevering in the hard work of ministry, challenging us to reset our minds and have a different perspective about work, remembering what it is we are called to do. The great story of Ernest Shackleton’s exploration of the Antarctic and how those who went on that expedition knew what they signed up for is worth hearing. The Apostle Paul writes about what he suffered in the hard work of ministry in 2 Corinthians 11, that he was imprisoned, beaten repeatedly, near death, shipwrecked, tortured, stoned, constantly in danger and suffering from a chronic physical ailment. What kept him going? Jesus did. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (Hebrews 12:9) What is overwhelming you in ministry? Call out to Jesus. Paul also wrote about running this race with endurance—which is very hard work. Endurance is “patience where you sit down and accept the thing that is in front of you. And not just sit down, but master it.” Are you not bearing fruit like you thought you would? Don’t look back. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 Ministry is hard work. But stay focused on Jesus and finish well. He is worth it. In this week’s One Piece of Advice, Pastor Joe Harris, Tampa, Florida shares his advice about working hard. 

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One Piece of Advice | The Hard Work of the Ministry

Pastor Joe Harris, Tampa, Florida, talks about the hard work it takes to be in ministry. “It was cleaning sludge out of gas tanks that prepared me for ministry in a way that even working on staff at mega-church did not. Accepting a call to pastor a church is signing up for hard work and self-denial of the norms that many other people get to experience. We are servants who get dirty and wash the feet of people like Judas.” Like Nehemiah and the Jews in Jerusalem, pastors are blazing a trail with a sword in one hand and a block in the other. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me. (Colossians 1:28-29) It’s hard work and it’s labor, but the blessing of it is getting to see the power of God transform the lives of people.

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Quotes:

“The idea is that when I come to serve Jesus in ministry, I’m not here to get anything back. I’m here to give.” -Pilgrim Benham

“Sometimes giving means struggle, it means suffering.” -Pilgrim Benham

“I want to encourage you to run the race that’s marked out for you—with perseverance, with endurance.” -Pilgrim Benham

“That’s what I long for—to know that the ministry that He’s doing in my life is going to result in fruit, which is souls.” -Pilgrim Benham

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Links: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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