Soul
As leaders, it is our charge to be men and women who care for the soul of our flock. We are called to love, nuture, feed and take care of His sheep. Period.
I see too often we can get "busy" to the point where we neglect the aspect of tending and nuturing - caring for their soul. Caring and loving them just for who they are, as a person to include their hurts, struggles, wounds and all. Sometimes if we are not careful, we can become too busy and neglect the soul tending aspect and begin to tend and deal with people for what they can do for us and for our ministry. This is why many churches have a big problem with burn out, resentment, tiredness and compromise. We don't give our very best to God when we are burnt out. Are our people overworked and underloved? Though we may have pure motives and desires to see the expansion of God Kingdom grow, we can go about it an unwise way and leave room for the enemy.
God is a God of order. First, people always need to know that they are loved and cared for just for who they are even if they were never able to contribute or do anything for the church. Period. We must focus and retarget the way that Christ has modeled and shown us. As we seek to love and build a healthy deposit of love, letting them know that we are for them and not just for them while they are still useful and beneficial to us, doing ministry, getting people to volunteer and participate and keeping people loyal without fear of gossip and betrayl will not be an issue down the road. When people feel accepted, received and loved just for who they are, they will naturally soar in their area of gifting at the appointed time. Even when they waver, sin or fail, unfailing love carries them through. No more begging and pleading because it will be a natural overflow for the individual to want to serve and give because of their love for God as it is displayed in the way we love them. And as they soar in their gifting, they will be able to reproduce their life to those new sheep and the constant flow of growth takes place.
For too long we have been going in circles, expending energy over and over because we failed to get it right the first time.
1. Love, love, love. accept, nuture, build a strong relationship letting them know we are for them. From this stage, God will place in them a desire to overflow.
2. ID their gifting
3. Place them in an area of service where they can soar.
4. watch them soar and love them from a distance, doing periodic checkups and seeking opportunities when available to remind/affirm them of your love.
Because a strong love tank was built initially (when it is suppose to be), as we journey and the individual matures and grows, they will not need to be as dependent upon as as they mature in their love of God and begin to make their own spiritual babies.
The enemy knows the power of love. He also understands the danger of busyness and being too "ministry" minded that we forget the people of the ministry. As a result, we can see the breakdown and the cycle the enemy wants us to fall prey to.
When we love people and they know that we love them, care for their soul, when challenging times come and changes and transition take place, they will remain loyal when the enemy attacks because they know of your love and care for their life that stands the testing and attacks.
IF they know that you are for them, that is powerful. We are called to nuture and care for their soul. There is a natural order to all things. God is a God if order. He makes sense!
I see too often we can get "busy" to the point where we neglect the aspect of tending and nuturing - caring for their soul. Caring and loving them just for who they are, as a person to include their hurts, struggles, wounds and all. Sometimes if we are not careful, we can become too busy and neglect the soul tending aspect and begin to tend and deal with people for what they can do for us and for our ministry. This is why many churches have a big problem with burn out, resentment, tiredness and compromise. We don't give our very best to God when we are burnt out. Are our people overworked and underloved? Though we may have pure motives and desires to see the expansion of God Kingdom grow, we can go about it an unwise way and leave room for the enemy.
God is a God of order. First, people always need to know that they are loved and cared for just for who they are even if they were never able to contribute or do anything for the church. Period. We must focus and retarget the way that Christ has modeled and shown us. As we seek to love and build a healthy deposit of love, letting them know that we are for them and not just for them while they are still useful and beneficial to us, doing ministry, getting people to volunteer and participate and keeping people loyal without fear of gossip and betrayl will not be an issue down the road. When people feel accepted, received and loved just for who they are, they will naturally soar in their area of gifting at the appointed time. Even when they waver, sin or fail, unfailing love carries them through. No more begging and pleading because it will be a natural overflow for the individual to want to serve and give because of their love for God as it is displayed in the way we love them. And as they soar in their gifting, they will be able to reproduce their life to those new sheep and the constant flow of growth takes place.
For too long we have been going in circles, expending energy over and over because we failed to get it right the first time.
1. Love, love, love. accept, nuture, build a strong relationship letting them know we are for them. From this stage, God will place in them a desire to overflow.
2. ID their gifting
3. Place them in an area of service where they can soar.
4. watch them soar and love them from a distance, doing periodic checkups and seeking opportunities when available to remind/affirm them of your love.
Because a strong love tank was built initially (when it is suppose to be), as we journey and the individual matures and grows, they will not need to be as dependent upon as as they mature in their love of God and begin to make their own spiritual babies.
The enemy knows the power of love. He also understands the danger of busyness and being too "ministry" minded that we forget the people of the ministry. As a result, we can see the breakdown and the cycle the enemy wants us to fall prey to.
When we love people and they know that we love them, care for their soul, when challenging times come and changes and transition take place, they will remain loyal when the enemy attacks because they know of your love and care for their life that stands the testing and attacks.
IF they know that you are for them, that is powerful. We are called to nuture and care for their soul. There is a natural order to all things. God is a God if order. He makes sense!
Comments