1. GIVE your heart (to the Lord). Proverbs 3:5–6
- Ministry is from the heart
- Priorities: God, then family, then ministry
2. GUARD your heart. Proverbs 4:23
- If you don’t make a goal, you’ll hit it every time. Make a plan to care for your heart now.
3. PURIFY your heart. James 4:8
- Live above reproach. As leaders there are some things to avoid even if they seem like they are harmless.
4. STRENGTHEN your heart. James 5:8
- Have enough reserves built up in your relationship with the Lord, so that when the ‘drought’ comes, you’ll be ready to stay close to God.
5. LEAD your heart. Proverbs 23:19
- Direct your heart to hunger for God. You have to take responsibility for how you are being led. You can’t wait on someone else to do it.
- “You are the most difficult person you will ever lead.” -Bill Hybels
Questions to consider:
1. Is my heart for God increasing?
It’s easy to critique.
2. Am I passionate?
Am I operating out of habit?
3. Do I desire recognition?
Do I want to be the one to receive the praise? Is my focus off?
4. Is there any sin I am concealing?
Sin hidden will always grow and get out of control. Confess to someone.
5. Am I allowing anyone to speak into my life?
Let someone speak into the difficult things in my life.
6. Are my family relationships growing?
It doesn’t matter if ministry is going well if your family is suffering.
7. Am I being faithful in my finances?
Poor money management is a top reason why people fail in ministry.
8. Is my pace sustainable?
There are times to speed up, but there must also be times to rest and exercise and care for yourself. Poor physical health can hurt ministry.
5 Things To Consider In Being a Good Follower
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9–10
HUMILITY
This is most important, understanding that you have to think bigger than yourself (Ephesians 4:2). You will need to compromise for the good of the team. Humility and putting others first (Numbers 12:2). Begin to see that it is about the team succeeding. A great leader will lead the meeting so that the team is on board with the idea as well.
HUSTLE
This can be the easiest one. Be very careful to not complain about how hard ministry is to do. It’s the idea of giving my best no matter what. Work harder than you have to. Be a self-motivator. See a need and meet it. You are serving the Lord Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:23). Be a team player that works as hard as you possibly can.
HOSPITALITY
Be hospitable without complaint (1 Peter 4:9). Be kind. Be a good listener. Take criticism well and see if it is true. Be aware of people and what kind of interaction they need now. Know when to serve, when to speak in kind. Do people feel better about themselves by being with you?
HONOR
Understanding authority. Learn to value others more than yourself (Philippians 2:3). Saul envied David and did not honor him (1 Samuel 18:7). Give value to others for who they are and not just what they do. Great leaders pay attention. Poor leaders seek attention.
HIGH CAPACITY
Competency the ability to do your job. High capacity leaders know where we are going and know how to value the right results. High capacity leaders are life-long learners. They will know their weaknesses and seek to grow. Be able to teach others what you know so that they can then train others (2 Timothy 2:2). Multiplication.
Consistency produces a quantity of work.
High capacity leaders are adaptable to the situation. Be willing to adjust to the plans as they change and are able to multitask. High capacity leader can delegate tasks. Invest in leaders within your ministry in order to increase the return on the investment of your time.
All five of these overlap and must be a part of your life. Your target is to improve and become more balanced in all of these areas.