Category Archives: Leadership
Have you run out of good Ideas?
“…….!
No you haven’t!
There is an illusion most people are under. “It’s all been done….!”
All the great ideas have been thought of or exhausted. Hence, we settle for the status quo, an attitude of ‘go with the flow’, living in mediocrity and letting others do all the thinking for us.
God gifted every human being with a ‘brain’ for a specific purpose – TO THINK!
Our problem is we have been conditioned to contemplate within limited parameters set by our upbringing, education, culture, community and so on.
When I read about the lives of people like Albert Einstein, Walt Disney, Thomas Edison, it just does not make any sense. These people were regarded as under achievers by society, soared big time. In fact they have done a lot of thinking for us. (I’m grateful)
I believe there is a measure of creativity in all of us. We have not run out of ideas. We just need to think, process, plan and commit to action.
Nothing good ever happens accidentally. Wishful thinking will get you nowhere, but to Wishful-land with a wish list. To become successful requires intentional strategic thinking, planning, and intentional actions.’
Ok, now I need to eat my own words. I have a lot of thinking to do over the next few weeks even more so, a lot of praying that my thoughts and ideas are aligned with the will of God.
GE – Your Enemy!
There is an enemy for everything.
The enemy of life is death. The enemy of health is sickness. The enemy of good is evil. The enemy of your tomorrow is your today. There enemy of where you could be and need to be is where you are right now. The enemy of your future accomplishment is past achievement. The enemy of excellence is best. The enemy of best is ‘good enough’.
Reaching your potential comes when you are dissatisfied with the ‘good enough’ mindset. (GE)
GE attitude is an enemy of your Potential.
GE says: It’s done.
Potential says: I am sure I can do it better.
GE says: That’s how it should be done.
Potential says: Lets try a different way.
GE says: That’s the expectation.
Potential says: I am not moved by people’s expectation. I am motivated by the potential in me.
Good Enough attitude produces average results. Don’t subscribe to it. You are not an average person.
Don’t accept the ‘GE’ attitude of society. ‘Good Enough’ restricts Potential and destroys Purpose.
Destroy the enemy today!
Live GE Free!
Leadership Questions?
Its 3:38am Thursday morning and I am wide awake. I’m asking myself why I’m up so early?
Got me thinking about some questions leaders need to ask themselves in order to check whether they are consistent in their vision and passion.
What keeps you up at night? It is either something you are excited or nervous about.
What makes you cry? Your passion! Is it still the same?
What annoys you? Usually its a call to action!
What are the things that nag at you? hint!! hint!! – Procrastination kills passion and vision slowly.
What must I do today that no one else can do but me?
Help me Lord!
What are your Goals as a Pastor?
This question came from a total stranger a few weeks ago at a cafe. He probably overheard my conversation with another pastor friend of mine. When he left, this stranger approached me, sat across the table and fired some questions at me. He was very genuine, not a church goer but believe in the role of church in the community!
I have many goals. I remember making a long list the other day. Most pastors have similar goals but here is the one that I am passionate about at this stage of my life and leadership.
Raise Leaders:
I personally believe that this is one of tasks of every leader, is to raise more leaders. Leaders in the Church, leaders in the market place and leaders in the community.
I think it was Bill Hybels who said: “If you change a church leader, you change a church. When you change a church, you change a community, and when enough church are changing you can affect a region, a country and eventually the world with Life-Changing power of Jesus Christ”
In our Vision Statement as a church, we say “………. We see a church that is raising, training, empowering, and releasing a generation……………”
My heart is to see new, godly, wise, spirit filled, young, humble, courageous, vibrant and dynamic leaders released to their full potential to impact the world with the Gospel.
Why are young people IN church?
Some feedback on Facebook from some of our young people (and some not so young ones)…..Switch is our Youth Ministries at www.LifeChurch.co.nz
- Rachel hey pastor,
- M0ki and i are new to switch but wat drew us was
- #1. It was real , th word, th people, not phony
- #2. It was relatable, to our age groups , yous dnt pretend to knw our faults u do knw becos difrent ones have ben thru them. & it helped us open up n0t feel always like th ‘evilest new sinner’ etc
- #3. Theres so much on & always exciting having non repeditive games, music, fun , activities, chats, word time. Always fresh. So 4 me personaly
- Because th heart of switch is dedicated to serving our generation th attractivenes was fully God in people without their pride geting in the way. X
- Pam……..adding to that is ACCEPTANCE, FUN & THE WORD….from the youngest SWITCH member hehe,….
- Rachael i remember you saying that pastor… other churches stay years back but you want to be with God right next to him so you move with the times… that is one thing i will always remember you saying and i think thats what pulls youth into the church… you keep it pumping, fun and modern and you and your family also make it easy to respect and love you all… you never introduce yourself as Pastor but as Lui…
- Nesi hha yea i remember the first time I came to church you introduced yourself and I didn’t realise you were the Pastor til the sermon started lol!…. to answer your question Pastor EVERYTHING is relevant. The sermons are delivered with truth even when the truth is harsh lol. You know your church and the people in it. Seeing other young people on fire for God is also attractive =D makes me want to know God even more because of the changes which are evidently happening in their lives.
- Lina….. Um the thing that attracted me to Lifechurch was the fact that it was fun as well as being relevant and also very current to young people and the issues we face in our everyday lives
- Carol…….i think also that the youth are made to feel as tho they cn cme as they are..not worrying abt wat to wear. That helps them to be cmfortable, to be who they are..i reckon thats kool coz thats exactly how God takes us..THE WAY WE ARE..
- Nesi Finau Too true! Theas freedm n our church..2 display our individuality..I KNOW WHO I AM! Lord you are my identity! Shot Carol
to see more youth comments go to: http://www.luiponifasio.wordpress.com/2009/02/11/1450/
No Vision No Passion No Direction
Vision – the most powerful weapon that a Leader can use to lead people or an organization. It is absolutely crucial for a leader to have a clear picture of where he/she is going and where he/she is taking the organization to. People like to be lead.
People like follow someone who knows where he is going. It is natural. No one wants to follow a blind leader. Hellen Keller, a well known visionary leaders once said: “The greatest tragedy to befall a person is to have sight but lack vision”. Keller of course was blind physically.
Vision is a picture of the future that produces passion NOW. You can tell a leader with no vision, he or she has no passion for anything, just go with the flow.
No way I’m following someone like that!
Leadership Questions every leader must ask!
Every leader must regularly ask himself / herself tough Leadership questions. Here are some questions I’m currently asking myself?
- What am I doing as a leader that is counter productive?
- Who in my team is the weakest link?
- Will I continue to do what I do if they cut my salary?
- How much time do I give to developing myself as a leader?
- The evidence of leadership is followership. Is there evidence?
- How wide is my sphere of influence?
Random Thoughts & Update!
After a month or so of not blogging, I feel its time to come back. So much has been happening and I can’t believe we have 9 more months to go and then its Christmas all over again.
This is totally Random………… !
- Love what God is doing right now!!. Seriously exciting! watching people stepping up in their faith, love and passion for God is amazing!
- Funny seeing the people who used to frustrate you, grow in the Lord and now really moving forward as God continue to change their lives……..a BIG AMEN & THANK YOU LORD…..for his Grace!
- Church theme for this year is ‘Faith at another level’. This is going to be one year I will never forget as I push myself to be where God wants me to be.
- Church Camp this year was definitely at a nother level! There is another camp coming up next year.
- Been preaching on stepping out of the comfort zone and into the ‘Faith zone’. That’s where God wants me to be.
- FacetheBook Challenge. This year we are encouraging everyone at church to ‘facethebook’ – the Word of God daily. I use Facebook a lot to communicate with church and other friends. It’s a very effective tool. But let me be honest with you, it can be a big distraction and I can end up spending more time on facebook rather than reading the Word. So here is the 2011 challenge: FACEtheBOOK!! And seriously If I want to step in the ‘FaithZone’, there is no way that will happen with out the WORD. Faith comes by hearing the WORD!
- Baby Dedication Sunday. Blessed with many new babies at church and a few more on the way. One last week and hopefully one next week – God willing!
- Baptism: a real joy for me personally to see people come to the Lord and baptised, especially seeing whole families go into the water.
- Met an intercessor the other day, a lady in her 70-80s. She laid hands on me and prayed heaven on me. wow! it was an experience. Nothing like having an elderly woman of God pray for you.
- I am blessed with a group of leaders who are committed to the Vision and Gods House, keeping a kingdom perspective.
- Vision Sunday 2 weeks ago. The challenge to the church was to present the Full Gospel of Jesus. In Words, Signs and Deeds – Acts 10:37-38
- The last 4 weeks we have focused on our Volunteers, Training and Equipping leaders, launching new ministries and new leaders. Reshuffling and re-strategizing as we accommodate growth.
- Harvest Auckland June 2011. Starting to pick up momentum. Pray for a great move of God in bringing people to a relationship with Christ.
- Servolution is just around the corner! 46 Churches coming together 14-20 April to show the love of God through simple acts of kindness.
- Still blown away by the fact that NZ was largely evangelized by Maoris in the mid 1800′s. do it again Lord!!!
- 5 Days of Fasting: God there are some things we can’t do unless we pray and fast.
- Prayers and condolences to the victims of the CHRISTCHURCH Earthquake. Pray -God to shake up the CHURCHofCHRIST. Cause us to pursue you relentlessly and to love others through eyes of Christ.
- We had 5 weddings and a Funeral last year. I am planning to officiate more weddings this year. Not planning to bury anyone!!
- After 18 years of marriage, I am still madly in-love with Ane. She is an amazing woman!
