As leaders today, it’s easy to move at or allow a relentless pace. We can be driven by external factors like what’s trending on social media, news headlines, pressure to please people or impress, fear of missing out, expanding technology, tools and more.
In many ways, you can build a life and leadership rhythm that never slows down long enough to actually feel connected. To live your actual life. Always running. Always being reactive. Or staying at a surface-level - instead of going deeper to grow, love and lead with God and others.
I want to encourage you today … there is a better way … yet we have to choose it every day.
We can choose to be grounded in what matters most. And it starts with this question: What is most real, genuine and foundational in my life and in my leadership?
This is essential: starting every day, every project and every season connected to Him. As Christians, our real life and leadership starts with connection to the Lord first and foremost. Deep, slow and humble connection. We get to (and need to) begin with Him. To pray, to sit with the Lord, to be in His Word, to worship, and to listen and discern where His Spirit is moving.
We can continually pray, listen and ask - Lord, how can I walk more closely with you and bring you glory this day? Where are you at work? And where are you asking me (and those I lead) to join you as your Spirit moves?
This is what is real. This is what we have to actively choose. Ahead of the many demands and noise of our day. It is an act of self control and discipline. It’s not easy or natural. But such a joy as we follow Christ to be obedient and submit to Him every day.
Following this deep, slow and humble connection with the Lord, we choose others. Real leadership is deeply relational. We look for people. We see them. We take time to listen. Really listen. We take time to care. We move forward to serve, journey and lead with them. At home. In our churches and ministries. All around us.
And it’s not perfect. There are highs and lows. Sometimes we’re intentional, patient and kind. And other times we’re not. But we keep striving to choose others. Again and again.
This is real. Loving God. Loving others. Sometimes getting it right, and sometimes not. We humbly surrender to this priority and heart posture each day.
Then, yes - we are living in a time with incredible opportunities for more information, more ideas and more efficiencies. We recognize that and want to consider and use the available tools responsibly.
Stewardship is vital! As you are connecting with the Lord and others every day, then … yes, technology, AI, advancing systems and tools can be used to enrich our planning and work.
Yet these tools must support our real lives, leadership and the mission of your church/ministry - not replace things like deep connection, relationships, discernment, thoughtful sharing and ongoing discipleship.
Throughout your ministry and work - and especially as you implement AI tools to brainstorm, plan, create, build efficiencies and more, these key questions should be asked again and again.
These questions and the ongoing prayer and discussion that result are critical to staying connected to God, others and to your ministry and work all throughout the process.
Real questions to keep you connected to God, others and your ministry:
Did I connect with the Lord today in prayer and His Word?
Where do I sense His Spirit is moving (in me, in others and in our ministry)?
Does what we are planning/providing genuinely reflect who God is calling us to be?
Is what we’re developing and communicating authentic and meaningful to our audiences?
Is our hospitality and sharing genuine and focused to serve? (In person and online)
Are we creating environments/experiences where people are known, personally cared for and being discipled?
Are we encouraging and offering ministry (for everyone involved - leaders, staff, volunteers and everyone participating) that is life-giving and life-changing for God’s Kingdom?