March 2012

Teams in Sync

There’s something very fascinating about watching teams synchronize and coordinate their efforts…swimming, dancing, skiing, etc. When ministry teams are in sync there is sweetness in both the execution of gifts and the multiplication of fruitfulness.

Recently the Leadership Transformations ministry team had a day of synchronized service that was delightful…even though on this particular day we were miles apart from one another. One team member was coaching a church in Colorado. Another pair of team members were leading a soul care retreat day for women in MA. Still another team couple was facilitating a church retreat in Vermont. And yours truly was teaching spiritual guides about the soul in MA. All on the same day.

When our team is in sync with one another, there’s an explosion of joy. This happens when we’re serving in the same setting, as well as when we’re separated by miles and time zones.  Relationally we love one another deeply. Missionally we share a common hope for the spiritual formation of leaders. Spiritually we are prayerful in each other’s behalf.  Emotionally we are for one another’s success. Bottom line: it’s very sweet.

The Scriptures are replete with examples of oneness, unity, and synchronized living. The Bible is also filled with stories of disunity and disharmony in the body. Jesus’ arrival on planet earth had an explicit goal of reconciling people to God and then harmonizing their efforts toward the building up of God’s Kingdom. Is that the desire of your team too?

The growing community of those who are crafting a rule of life (www.RuleOfLife.com) are learning that their gifts and talents are to be used in concert with others in the body of Christ. Share your story with those on our team and join the journey today!

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Eph. 4: 3-6).

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Not My Gift – Nor My Talent

When my wife purchased the four foot wide portable closet unit for our basement one of my friends said, “Those are a piece of cake to assemble.” I needed a second person to help me get it out of her car; it’s amazing how heavy particle board has become! Thankfully I now had some help putting it together as well.

When we opened the box, all the parts seemed to be there, but the kick plates were damaged (hint: particle board is heavy but fragile) as were the two front doors. But, we soldiered on, determined to accomplish the task before us. Working on the cement floor was taxing; construction was relatively straight forward; completion was eventual (but not as quick as we had hoped).

After all was said and done, the closet unit now full of supplies, I realized once again: projects like these are not my gift, nor my talent. As a result, rarely a joy.

When I’m using gifts or talents that either come naturally or supernaturally, I’m not only living in my sweet spot, but delightedly so! Here my gifts are given to serve others, for the building up the Church and growing the Kingdom of God. When my gifts are displayed with joy and passion, I’m contributing to the abundance of life in Christ for all who cross my path.

Knowing your gifts and understanding your temperament are important elements for the crafting of your personal rule of life. See how others are leaning into this way of being at www.RuleOfLife and join the journey into the abundance of life in Christ. “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5: 16). Shine on dear friend!

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Sweet Spot

I love watching those around me use their gifts in service to God and others. Ruth has the gift of hospitality. Dave has the gift of leadership. Diana has the gift of teaching. Susan has the gift of wisdom. Rick has the gift of encouragement. And the list goes on and on…

Each of these friends are in their “sweet spot” (a golf metaphor that works well here too!) when living within their area of giftedness. There’s something very beautiful about observing and receiving from others in the body of Christ who know their gifts and fulfill them for God’s glory.

What about you? What are your spiritual gifts? The Bible teaches us about many gifts available to those who lean on the Spirit to release from within their God-ordained gifts. There are lists of such gifts in places like Romans 12, Ephesians 4, 1 Corinthians 12, as well as scattered texts found elsewhere. Here we find gifts such as teaching, administration, helps, evangelism, leadership, mercy, hospitality, and generosity. Each gift comes from the generous hand of God, offered to His disciples, and provided for the edification of others.

When we craft our rule of life (www.RuleOfLife.com) we are invited to consider the discovery of our own gifts. We are urged to prayerfully lean into our giftedness and freely share our true selves within the context of the body of Christ. Life is all the richer when we know our gifts and offer them up as a fragrant symbol of our daily worship and our service to all who cross our path. When we function in our sweet spot, then others are encouraged to do likewise.

“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” (1 Cor. 12: 7).

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A Wise Friend

My spiritual director equates a personal rule of life to a “wise friend” – similar to the relationship we have with someone who has wisdom, strength, courage, conviction, tenderness, compassion, and love. Likened to a person with whom we entrust our lives, having productive conversations, whether easy or challenging, so too will a rule of life always bring about abundance from within.

A wise friend…are you that to another? Do you have such a friend yourself? When I consider my own life, I feel very fortunate to look back and around me, able to list several wise friends who were there for me when I needed them the most. Rich, who wisely led me into salvation. Warren, who wisely welcomed me into ministry. David, who wisely instructed me to pray. Bob, who wisely challenged me in my leadership. Caleb, who wisely came alongside me during a difficult decision. Paul, who wisely chastised me when I chose cynicism rather than forgiveness. Brad, who wisely counseled me to be a more sensitive husband and loving father.

I am forever grateful for my wise friends. They have been like rudders under my ship, steering me away from treacherous shoals, guiding me during turbulent seasons, and sustaining me during calm waters. Their wisdom has been my strength. Their wisdom has been to my benefit. Their wisdom has been pure gift to my soul.

So now I hope I’m able to offer the wisdom of years and experience to those who cross my path. I want to be a wise friend rather than a foolish one. A fool leads others astray, encourages the false self, and looks the other way when another is about to fall. A fool has no grounding, no backbone, and no firm foundation. A fool is unwilling to speak truth in love, doesn’t know the power of forgiveness and grace. A fool is not a friend at all.

We need wise friends. We are called to be wise friends. Our rule of life is like a wise friend, and sustains us in our desire to be a wise friend to another. Keep the conversation alive both with God, your Fount of Wisdom, and with others who come alongside you as your friends. Join the journey with others at www.ruleoflife.com and watch how mentors and wise friends are encouraging the abundant life.

“He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm” Proverbs 13:20.

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