#340 Joseph, Serving with Silence
December 14, 2022 This Christmas season believers all over the world reflect on the amazing story of God entering our world as baby. It is a story filled with angels, dreams, miracles, and awe. At the center of the story we find Joseph and Mary on a journey to Bethlehem, finding a stable in which […]
#339 Serving with Authority: Release It
December 7, 2022 Serving leaders don’t keep authority, they release it! They follow the example of Jesus whose final words were about authority. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the […]
#338 Serving with Authority: Use It
November 23, 2022 Serving leaders don’t avoid authority, they use it to serve! They welcome authority as a way to build others up, move the organization in the direction it needs to go, etc. Paul, as we saw in the last issue, used authority to build others up. Now, let’s reflect on a short statement […]
#337 Serving with Authority: Accept It
November 9, 2022 Serving leaders respect the authority of those over them but they also accept the authority invested in them. They recognize and accept that every legitimate leadership role brings with it the authority to carry out the expectations of that role. Paul spoke clearly about his authority as an apostle. So even if […]
#336 Serving with Authority: Respect It
October 26, 2022 Serving leaders, like all leaders, have and use authority. Authority is the legitimate power that gives them the right to act in their role as a leader. But many serving leaders may find the subject of authority a bit awkward. Is authority good or bad? How does it fit with the concept […]
#335 Barnabas: Serving with Character
October 12, 2022 We have observed several of the actions that made Barnabas an effective serving leader. As we conclude this review of his life, we’ll look below the surface to observe where these actions were rooted. In one of the first mentions of his life we learn that he was a ‘good man.’ 22 News […]
#334 Barnabas: Serving with Failure
September 28, 2022 Barnabas was a great leader and we have reflected on many great things from his life. But he was not perfect! Two incidents are recorded for us that reveal his imperfections. 36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we […]
#333 Barnabas: Serving with Humility
September 14, 2022 There’s not a specific verse in scripture that talks about the humility of Barnabas, but there is plenty of evidence that he served with deep humility. First, while he was a prominent figure in the life of the church, when the people chose the first deacons, his name was not included (see […]
#332 Barnabas: Serving with Availability
August 31, 2022 One of the greatest ways Barnabas served the early church was simply being available. Several times his story includes a situation where he was sent by the church leaders to fulfill a specific mission. He was first sent by the apostles to the new church in Antioch. News of this reached […]
#330 Barnabas: Serving with Worship
August 17, 2022 Serving leaders can learn many actions from Barnabas that can increase their leadership skill and capacity. We have already reflected on his generosity, his encouragement, and his work within a team. A closer look at his story reveals the source of these positive attributes. 1Now in the church at Antioch there were […]