Creating a Culture of Excellence, Pt.4

4.LEADERS LIFT UP JESUS IN THE MIDST OF DISTRACTION (no matter what)

Focus is intentional not accidental. Nothing for God happens on accident, only on purpose.

It is naive and silly to think that the spiritual enemy of our souls, Satan, doesn’t want to get his foot in the door of our churches. He will do whatever it takes to distract us, even with good things, just as long as we aren’t lifting up Jesus above everything else!

This fall there will be plenty of opportunity to be distracted from the mission of Jesus and what He has called us to. No hobby, no job, no family picnic is more important than ALTERING SOMEONE’S FOREVER!

Sometimes we can get distracted from the mission of Jesus by being “keepers of the aquarium” instead of “fishers of men”. Jesus said that we would become fishers of men, not keepers of the aquarium.

As a pastor my job is not to keep people from leaving but to call people to excellence, to challenge people to give 100% to Jesus Christ.

In ministry there is always a pressing issue, and there is always a priority issue. The pressing issue (the crisis right in front of you) is not always the priority issue (the call of Christ on your life). Don’t let the pressing issues get in the way of the priority issue.

Every Sunday we do battle with the forces of darkness, and every Sunday there will be distractions, but leaders push through the distractions and lift up Jesus no matter what. Maybe it is the coffee machine freaking out, possibly the guitarist just broke a string, or the sound guy is late, or the host team is smoking on the front steps:) – leaders push through the distractions, constantly reinforce the vision, and continue to lift up Jesus no matter what!

Sometimes a church member will want to push a pet program on you, but if it is not 100% in agreement with the vision Jesus has given to this church through the lead pastor, then it is only a distraction (regardless of how passionate this person is about it – they may leave; but I would rather have a selfish, disgruntled church member leave than have Jesus leave our church).

The VISION OF JESUS IS NOT FOR SALE (thanks www.AnthonyMilas.net)