Blog

Author:	jimwideman	Created:	6/12/2009 10:52 AM
This is where the description of the Leadership blog category goes.

Developing Depth In Your Ministry

By jimwideman on 6/27/2010 11:22 PM

Over the years I have learned the hard way that doing the job alone, just doesn’t work. I should have listened to Three Dog Night. They tried to teach me that “One Is The Loneliest Number That You’ll Ever Do”, but I just would not listen. Being a avid football fan I should have noticed that the teams with the most depth at key positions always win championships! (Roll Tide, Go Saints!) Moses also learned the hard way about doing the job alone. In Exodus chapter 18 we are told about how Moses did everything in ministry by himself and it was causing problems on the job. It was hard on the people as well, it was also not good for Moses, and it was not good for his family. Jethro, Moses father-in-law gave him some very wise advise and counsel. Simply put he was told to build depth!

Leaders Are Examples -Part 4

By jimwideman on 6/23/2010 11:04 PM

Third we should be examples of commitment and faithfulness. It takes time to establish relationships. Every time I commit more and practice being faithful to establish deeper relationships I grow as a leader. Helping others find their fit within your team will help them make and model commitment. Kids today as well as adults need an example of consistency. Always come when you are needed. (It’s sad you can stick out in ministry by being on time. My mom always taught me early is on time. Dependable people can be leaned on. The question here can you be leaned on for no matter what? Go to church. Ministry is like a checkbook you have to make deposits before you can write checks. Model faithfulness to take in as well as to give out! Desire to be an example for others.

Be an example to your workers what you want them to do, be an example to parents what you want them to do also. Model to the kids what you want them to be and give them the word on it! It’s up to each leader to make their “want to” the same as what is expected and what is right.

Leaders Are Examples -Part 4

By jimwideman on 6/23/2010 11:04 PM

Leaders Are Examples -Part 3

By jimwideman on 6/22/2010 11:01 PM

Children need role models, so do the adults we lead and the staff we direct!

If leaders are to desire to be examples, what should we be examples of: First we should be an example of Christ Jesus and be a follower of Him. Salvation is the starting place, not the end. The great commission isn’t to go make decisions but disciples. It’s simple we must be a disciple to make disciples.

A follower is more than a believer they are also a doer of the Word. John 14:15 is very plain Jesus said “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”

Whatever requirements to serve we have on our worker applications they should me modeled in our own lives. I desire that my life and choices show I have been

born again, that I’m in agreement with my church’s Statement of Faith. (Agreement means practice) It’s always the correct choice to practice what we preach, to live the Bible twenty-four, seven! To me holiness is not just saying no to wrong things, it’s saying yes to the right things. It’s always the right thing to model being a giver. Make it a practice to run from the appearance of evil just like the real thing. If you’ve heard any of my leadership lesson or read any of my books you know I believe your family is your greatest sermon. Leaders must have your home life in order. I love Proverbs 28:2 it says “When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.” This begins with evaluating daily if Christ is truly king of our hearts and our choices. A question I ask myself on a regular basis “Has there ever been a time in my life where I have been more in love with Jesus than I am right now?” If I can ever say yes, I fix it!

Leaders Are Examples -Part 2

By jimwideman on 6/21/2010 11:55 PM

You’ve got to get your own house in order before trying to lead others. Are you willing to be a leader who doesn’t just talk about integrity but lives it? This kind of leader desires to become examples, worthy of being imitated. What and who we are shapes what we do. Christ Jesus did not tell His disciples to believe in Him but to follow Him. (Mark 2:14) The key to being His sheep is following Him. John 10:27 tells us “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 12:26 also says “Whoever serves me must follow me.”

Leaders Are Examples

By jimwideman on 6/21/2010 1:49 PM

Have you ever been told “Do as I say, not as I do!” when I was a teen it made me mad. I still don’t like it when leaders think there is a different set of rules for themselves than the rules for the people they lead. In1Corinthians 11:1 Paul let’s us know that leaders should be examples by writing “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” The starting place for any leader is to give themselves a check-up from the neck up and examine their integrity. Integrity is uprightness of character. It’s honesty. It’s lining up with God’s Word. For people with integrity, their word is their bond. When they say they’ll do something, they do it. Promises matter. And what they say they believe is reflected in their actions.

Renew and You- Part 3

By jimwideman on 6/8/2010 11:14 PM

Over the years I’ve heard every excuse for new over renew; It’s leaderships fault, the size of your congregation, workers attitudes and on and on. The bottom line should be, “I know where God has called me; I won’t let the devil or anything, or anybody affect that. I will learn how to renew my thinking and my ministry as well as myself. Don’t minister from an empty vessel. Ministry is spending. You can’t live off credit, you must make deposits. Remember we were made to worship not to minister. Invest in your relationship with God before you need it. Here are ten secrets I’ve found to stay renewed.

Renew and You- Part 2

By jimwideman on 6/6/2010 11:09 PM

A big enemy to art of renew is we start too many things too quickly. Watch out for too many babies in the crib. Let what you start get to growing before you start something new. There are four stages of birth. Conception brings anticipation then there’s birth, which brings excitement, then there is nurture. Here’s where the demand comes (poop, feeding, and teething.) There is a temptation to start something new rather than finish strong. Next comes maturity. This is where your leadership and influence gains momentum and credibility. People listen because you have a track record. Don’t just talk about building a great ministry, build it. I know ministers who are a
legend in their own minds. Let things mature before you start something new .

Renew and You

By jimwideman on 6/4/2010 11:59 PM

Everything you manage has to be maintained and cared for if it’s going to last. To me the secret of longevity in ministry is to learn how to choose to be renewed. There is a difference between new and renew. Recently I dropped my phone and broke the screen of my almost new treo. I was given a choice new or renew. To get a new phone it was easier and quicker, but it was more expensive. To get this one fixed (renew) it was complex, a longer wait, but less expensive. Too many people throw away good stuff because they don’t want the work involved in renewal. If you don’t practice the habit of renewal you’ll jump from one thing to the next. This is true in every area of life even ministry. Where do I start?

Thoughts Before The Next Infuse Retreat

By jimwideman on 6/1/2010 10:09 PM

When I first came up with the idea for infuse I thought I was coming up with a way to bless and help others see their Children's ministry dreams come true. I was but it's a whole lot more than that. Infuse has been the most fulfilling and personal leadership experience of my ministry. Tomorrow afternoon kicks off my eighth infuse retreat. The crazy thing about these retreats are that each one is different, just like people they all have had their own personallies.