core values
I don’t believe there is a hopeless situation. There is always a solution for every situation I face. Leaders are brokers of hope--Napoleon Bonaparte. This is one of the most important core values to have as a leader. Somebody has to hope if transformation, change, and breakthrough are to occur. Hope must be an anchor. MT 17:20 He told them, “It was because of your lack of faith. I promise you, if you have faith inside of you no bigger than the size of a small mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move away from here and go over there,’ and you will see it move!There is nothing you couldn’t do!
I am intentional about my relationship with Jesus. In Acts 6 the apostles set the example by selecting deacons so they could give themselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. (Acts 6:1-4) Jesus also prioritized himself for His father. LK 5:16 But Jesus often slipped away from them and went into the wilderness to pray.
I want to inspire people to love His word and consistently read it. We must create a contagious love for the Bible if we are leading others to Jesus. Acts 17:11 They found that the Jews of Berea were of more noble character and much more open minded than those of Thessalonica. They were hungry to learn and eagerly received the word. Every day they opened the scrolls of Scripture to search and examine them, to verify that what Paul taught them was true.
I avoid the appearance of evil in all I do. I realize as a leader I am held to a higher standard in what I do in my life. I not only teach with words but more importantly by my actions, including what I do and don’t do. Therefore I restrict myself to not participate in behaviors that would cause others (those who maybe struggling believers) to stumble. I am not constrained by religious legalistic rhetoric. I gladly embrace limiting certain things I do as an act of love and maturity in my leadership. Rom 14:13 So stop being critical and condemning of other believers, but instead determine to never deliberately cause a brother or sister to stumble and fall because of your actions.
I purpose to have my family respect me more than the people I lead respect me. My real ministry starts when I wake-up each morning and when I walk through the doors of my home. My ministry to my spouse and family is more important than my ministry in the church. 1 Timothy 3:4 His heart should be set on guiding his household with wisdom and dignity; bringing up his children to worship with devotion and purity. 5 For if he’s unable to properly lead his own household well, how could he properly lead God’s household?
I always give others the benefit of the doubt. I have high-level beliefs about the people I lead and desire to influence. 1 Corinthians 13:7 Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others.Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up. I realize the same environment that created 11 world changers also exposed a Judas--If my goal in ministry is to prevent a Judas, I probably would have no world changers. I will not allow disappointment or even betrayal diminish my belief in the church or others I lead. I expect those I lead to change the world.
My identity is only defined by Father God & His words. I fill my thoughts with declarations of His truth regardless of how I feel. Jesus did not think His way out of the wilderness in Matthew 4, but He spoke His way out. One of the greatest tools for mind renewal is having the habit of making declarations. Genesis 1: 26-7... 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them... Ephesians 1