Above All Else

For the past two weeks my Pastor, Steve Parrish, has been speaking a series titled “Create in me a Clean Heart”. (click here to watch these messages) I have found them to be incredibly challenging and thought provoking.

For the past few years I have been learning to think of and view things from a leader’s perspective. This has never been so evident as in the last two weeks in regards to matters of the heart. When we lead, it is completely a heart matter. Without question we will fail, sin, offend and alienate people. Do we want to? Of course not! Does it happen? Unfortunately, yes. So then the heart becomes the balance.

King David sinned. Yet his heart was still moldable and he repented. King Nebuchadnezzar’s heart was so hard that he praised God one moment and refused Him the next. He ended up spending 7 years away from human society, eating grass like a cow and forgetting all aspects of cleanliness. After that horrific event, his sanity finally returned and he once again praised God.

As leaders, are our hearts more like David or like Nebuchadnezzar? Do we fight the humbling hand of God or do we submit to it? I want to encourage you to stand up under the grace of God and submit yourself to God’s mighty hand. We will all fail, but not all of us will get back up. Your ability to remain and succeed in leadership is a matter of the heart.

Prov 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (NIV)

Personal Worship Leader Goals: 6-10

6. To be pastoral, not just musical

7. To lead with tenacity and compassion

8. To set a standard while living under grace

9. To allow my creativity to flow in preparation

10. To sing from the heart and mind, not either/or

Personal Worship Leader Goals: 1-5

1. To sing "You are" more than "I feel".

2. To motivate rather than manipulate

3 To lead instead of command

4. To structure my creativity without stifling my creativity

5. To lead people and follow Jesus at the same time