John the Baptist: Raising Leaders
Issue #177, March 23, 2016 We usually think of John the Baptist as a prophet and preacher, raising his voice alone in the desert. But an integral part of his ministry was identifying and raising leaders around him. Although we don’t have much information about John’s disciples, a careful reading of his story shows that […]
John the Baptist: Communicating for a Change
Issue #176, March 9, 2016 John is well known for baptisms. But it was the message he communicated that actually produced change in people’s lives. His message produced the baptisms. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. John said to the crowds coming […]
John the Baptist: Clarifying His Identity
Issue #175, February 24, 2016 The first recorded words of John the Baptist focus on his identity. The Jews sent people to ask John who he was. They thought perhaps he was the Messiah for whom they were waiting with expectation. But John quickly said he was not the Christ, Elijah or the prophet. They […]
John the Baptist: Preparing to Lead
Issue #174, February 10, 2016 John the Baptist is not the center of attention in the gospels. John’s leadership lasted only a few years and he was killed just as Jesus’ ministry was gaining momentum. But John’s role was so crucial that Jesus said, “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there […]
Position and Privilege
Issue #173, January 27, 2016 What challenges did you face when you were 16 years old? Most 16-year olds are more concerned about finishing High School or learning to drive a car than leadership. But in Israel, 16-year old Uzziah became king soon after his father, the previous king, was killed. Two words summarize his […]
Lead On His Mission in the New Year
Issue #172, January 13, 2016 New Years is a time leaders reflect, recalibrate, and refocus for the year ahead. Servant leaders do the same but as they do so they also ask, “What are God’s goals for my life and what do I need to do this year to accomplish them?” We may need to […]
A Couple of Servant Leaders: Mary and Joseph – Part 2
Issue #171, December 23, 2015 This Christmas we are looking at Mary and Joseph, both great servant leaders and together one of the most influential couples in history. In this issue we’ll turn our attention to Mary, the better known of the two and the one often mentioned first. In Luke 1:26-56 the story of […]
A Couple of Servant Leaders: Mary and Joseph
Issue #170, December 9, 2015 As we enter the Christmas season let’s look at one of the most influential couples in history, Mary and Joseph. Both were great servant leaders and as a couple they were powerfully used of God to shape our world. In this issue, we’ll look at Joseph and how he led […]
Watch Over Others
Issue #169, November 25, 2015 Paul’s instructions to the church leaders in Ephesus are good advice for servant leaders in any position of responsibility: “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers” (Acts 20:28). In the last issue we looked at what it means to “keep […]
Watch Over Yourself
Issue #168, November 11, 2015 Paul gave instructions to the church leaders in Ephesus, which are good advice for servant leaders in any position of responsibility, “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers” (Acts 20:28). This simple instruction calls us to “keep watch” over ourselves […]