After the twelve apostles surrendered their busyness to God and worked with the people to raise up seven more men to help meet the needs in their growing midst, the church continued growing. The apostles could have said, “We’re the top guys. We’re not sharing our platform with anyone.” Instead they saw their platform as a place to better serve ...
Peter and John were willing to be jailed for doing what they believed was right. They didn’t know if they would get out of jail, but they followed what they believed was right according to the words of Jesus Christ. Because of Peter and John’s quiet courage, many people followed them. These two apostles never campaigned to become leaders, they ...
Many years ago, Integrity Resource Center launched a concept called “Pastor/Business Forum.” The idea was to get pastors meeting with business leaders to learn about the challenges leaders face in living out their faith in their workplace. Our desire was to help the pastors see the importance of equipping their members for their workplace. One business leader was convinced his ...
Years ago, my senior pastor, Tom Nelson, delivered a series on the importance of work to God that led to Tom writing a book called “Work Matters.” This book dramatically changed the direction of Tom’s ministry. Tom has since spoken to many church leaders and seminaries about the theology of work and the importance of pastors equipping the saints for ...
According to “Christianity Today,” on February 7, 1837, Florence Nightingale was barely 17 years old when she believed God called her to future service. She courageously pursued this calling against the wishes of those around her. Her parents were wealthy, and, expected her to marry well and settle down. She turned down an easy life and two suitors’ proposals to ...
Over the years, I’ve met many leaders who have a very limited view of the purposes God has for our work. Some of the reasons God intended for our work include purpose, provision, productivity, pleasing to the eyes, and providing order. Let’s begin with Purpose. Think of God as a General overseeing a war. Many of his people are soldiers, ...
Recently, Kathy and I visited a church that hosted a video message from Will Graham, Billy Graham’s grandson. Will highlighted a story when King David asked God if he could attack the approaching Philistines. God gave David permission and victory. But soon the Philistines decided to attack again in the same place and same way. Once again, David asked for ...
Speaking at the 2017 Leadercast event, Pastor Andy Stanley had some great insight on purpose. Andy proclaimed that purpose is often found at the intersection of a broken heart, opportunity and skills. Jess Ekstrom, also one of the speakers at Leadercast, modeled Andy’s quote. She was broken-hearted by children with cancer who had lost their hair. Jess saw an opportunity ...
In a President Harry Truman biography, I remember reading that a reporter once asked President Truman, “What do you think about your father never amounting to very much?” Truman’s retort was classic, “I don’t know that he did so bad, after all, he raised the President of the United States.” Some people don’t fully value the unpaid work God may ...
An old friend’s life had taken a dramatic turn from our last conversation. He had sold his business and began using his persuasive personality to convince others to be generous. As we talked, he stunned me by pointing out God had used me in his transition. He went on to say, “Had I not met you, and the people you ...
Equipping Others to Do Work Differently
