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This is a guest post by DJ McPhail, senior leader of Liberty Church. Follow him on @saintdj and his blog.
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After founding a church and leading it for the past 20 years I learned:
God has a purpose for everyone!
- We are all leaders:
God’s purpose thrusts us all into leadership. Everyone influences someone; thus we are all leaders.
- Always encourage people to lead:
As a leader, my responsibility and privilege is to respect every person, irrespective of age or gender, and to inspire them to lead in life.
- My family is my responsibility:
When it comes to priorities, family is the first arena of leadership. It carries the most profound consequences to a person’s joy and a sense of significance.
- Most people are not thinking as much about you as you think:
Among those you lead, some will love you, most will like you and few will criticize, oppose and resist you. Be grateful for those who love and support you, be gracious to those who like you and don’t worry nor waste any energy or time on the others.
- Hold people lightly:
People come and people go. They are God’s children not mine!
- Never be a threatened leader:
Encourage people to make decisions, show initiative, take responsibility and lead. No one can threaten my job or position, as I don’t have a job. I have a call from God and there is more than enough for all of us to do.
- Only God:
When I do what I can do for His Glory then He will do what only He can do, and that makes all the difference.
- Never complain:
Church leaders often complain they are tired and feel used. But they forget that when we met Jesus and were consumed with His love, grace & mercy for us we prayed, “Lord use me”. Stop weeping and start sweeping, serving, and leading!