1 Corinthians 9 says... 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
To me, this verse speaks of being INTENTIONAL in our spiritual growth! We can't just sit back and hope it happens. We must PURSUE Jesus Christ and His work in our lives! My desire for each of you, as we work together in ministry, is that we don't just run aimlessly. That we're not just showing up to our church activities and "beating the air" - just following what's on the schedule. My desire is that we are seeking supernatural intervention in every opportunity! That we follow God's leading in how to minister to the people we've been entrusted with...and what we need to do in order to bring other people to Christ. We all know that doesn't happen by accident!
Can you look back at the last 6 months and identify areas of your life in which you made specific effort to grow? That’s a very pointed question. To be "realistic", I know that we cannot continuously strive, and wrestle, and struggle...we would burn out pretty quickly. But we should be able to identify some things that we are doing to GROW OUT LOUD and on purpose! So in January, we are going to begin a Yankton 1st A/G Signet group. It will last one year and will include lay leaders who are currently active in leadership.
Here are some of the expectations over the course of this year:
- The purpose of this leadership development group is to grow as Christian leaders and increase our level of influence in the areas we lead.
- We will read 2 assigned books during the year together. You will not have to purchase these books, and I'm working on selecting those books right now and will develop a reading schedule.
- You will also select a personal growth book to read during the year. That will be your choice – and your expense. It should be a book that focuses on something that you feel is an area that you need to improve in.
- You will be asked to blog about the reading once a month. For those who are not "computer savvy", you can email your thoughts to me (or call me, or keep a journal of notes and give it to me) and I will post them on the blog for you. Just because I get wordy in my blogs, you are not required to have a certain number of words or anything. :o) I am just asking for at least a couple of thoughtful sentences about what you read...why it was significant to you, if you think it will change your spiritual life in any way, if you disagreed with anything you read, etc. The purpose for blogging is two-fold: accountability and to stretch one another! Proverbs 27:17 says "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
- You will be asked to set goals at various times – it will vary – 30, 60, 90 day goals. The goal should be focused on your own personal growth and your growth in leadership. I will give some examples, and I can help you formulate one if you need it. The goal should be measurable and provide action steps for how you will work on it.
- We will have a Signet conference every 3 months. Typically, we will meet for lunch after a Sunday morning service (since we all eat at that time anyway). At the conference, we will discuss the book in more detail, we will talk about how we're living the values of Hunger, Humility, and Excellence, and we will give an update on our goals.
Why “Signet?” (copied from the District Signet blog which is where I first encountered this process)
At the end of Haggai, the Lord speaks directly to Zerubbable and says “I will make you my signet ring.” I believe he says this for three reasons.
- A Mark of Envelopment: Having the signet ring meant you knew who you worked for. You belonged to the king and represented him when he was not visible. Lest we forget that we are representatives of the Most High, we are enveloped in His purpose for our life and ministry.
- A Method of Encouragement: To know you are the “signature of God” is encouraging. Many leaders today simply need encouragement. Participants of Signet may be challenged and stretched, but we are here to encourage each other in leadership development.
- A Means of Empowerment: Having the “signet ring” meant power or authority. Signet should provide a sense of empowerment that says to each leader “I can do this.” As we grow together we should become more confident of leadership abilities that we are developing. (Thanks Pastor Mark.)
Well, by now, you're probably either feeling invigorated for the challenge...or a bit overwhelmed. I truly do not intend this to cause you stress, but it will be inconvenient at times. Growth always is. I guess I don't apologize for that. When I look back on the years I spent as a volunteer, I can definitely say I was under-challenged. There were very few opportunities available to develop my leadership life. It's just something most people either do on their own, or they don't, and they end up stuck in the same spot for years. So I present this opportunity to you...it will be good for you. And it will probably be hard sometimes. But I look forward to the sharpening process! Prayerfully prepare yourself...this is gonna be quite a ride. :o)
