“We who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:18-19)
I don’t know what kind of a year you have had in your church; it most likely has had its share of difficult challenges, good opportunities, some disappointments and certainly the need for adaptation. As we come down to the end of the summer and gear up for a great fall, here are three simple attitudes/actions to think about and reflect on.
1) Warm conversations always beat cold debates.
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). An honest conversation with differing views is always healthy if everyone involved wants to keep on learning. If you feel that only one person is right and someone else has to be wrong, you aren’t learning from other people’s points of view. Test the quality of your relationships – if it's better after the conversation, you are obeying Proverbs 15:1.
2) You don’t have to know the future to lead into it.
“Jesus already had in mind what he was going to do” (John 6:6). You’re not Jesus. You don’t know everything that is going to happen. But here is the good news. It is very possible to lead effectively even when you don’t know what may be around the corner. If you keep on learning, the good news is you now know more than you did last year! Every failure is not a failure if you let it be an education. You are better equipped today because of what you have already experienced. Cast vision for a shorter period of time…if it doesn’t work like you planned, adapt and go a different direction. Most everyone else is doing the same thing. Trust Jesus because He knows the future!
3) People are hungry for hope.
“Hope never disappoints us…” (Romans 5:5). People are hungry for a spirit of optimism. They need leaders who offer them hope. We will never stop having big problems to solve, but you can be a leader who in the midst of great challenges, looks people in the eye and says, “We’re going to get through this.” You don’t need to pretend to have all the answers; just like Jesus to His disciples in the storm; remember, “we are going to the other side” (Mark 4:35).
Thanks for all your church is doing to take new steps forward by focusing on the basics of what the Lord has revealed to us for a healthy future:
mobilizing everyone in unity
blessing your community
bringing people to Jesus
becoming Christlike disciples
Also, thank you for serving so well on the Chicago Central District. Let’s continue to be Christ in Action. You are loved.
Larry McKain, Superintendent
Chicago Central District
Church of the Nazarene