Two Must-haves of a Leader

What are the distinguishing mark of a leader for him to succeed? There are many practical ways of answering this question and yet in my personal journey, these two stand out and remain to be true.

1. Be God-centered.

The way we relate with people reflects our relationship with God. 

Many times, I find myself underestimating or not really trusting others. When they say they can do it, I would make sure that they can make it which communicates a lack of trust or no trust at all. What made me realize this truth in me are the feedback that I get from those I work closely with. How could we get an honest feedback? In my experience, I would intentionally ask for feedback and assure them that I will not defend. At times, I would also find myself so defensive. Thanks for the conviction of the holy Spirit. In my quiet moments with God, thoughts on these lessons keep flowing in my mind. And I keep learning. Trust is the key to relate well with people. You can't open yourself to them unless you give yourself a chance to trust them. It's a choice.

How can you say you love God if you don't love your brothers? 

2. Be Other-centered.

Christian leadership is a calling that acknowledges your personal interests and the interests of others above you. This is about prioritizing others. This is one area I'm trusting God to continually work in and through me. What helped me have a healthy practice of this is by asking questions to my teammates. As they share their thoughts, I would do my best to listen well and to really understand what they mean. Of course, there are also times that I'm so excited in the conversation which means cutting them off in the discussion and I would tend to dominate. :) 

Being other-centered also means cooking my favorite menu (I'm more confident to do this) for my teammates. Listing down the top three qualities of my teammates. Spending time with them with the goal of knowing them. It also means asking them about their needs, praying for them and appreciating them through any valid means of communication. For me, I would say the words straight in front of him or through text messages, emails or FB messages.

Philippians 2:1-5 says, "1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,
2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,"

To be other-centered means others increase while I decrease.

Triple A Leadership

Accept. Affirm. Affect.

Accept. Acknowledge that these are the people of God. In His sovereignty, they are placed or assigned to be under you. One good way to practically develop acceptance of any person I work with is to spend time with him and get to know his interests. Focusing on his strengths would be helpful too. Many times we find ourselves not liking others because of our own issues. Mostly, insecurities, envy, personality differences. But as we continue to get to know them and focus on them, we will see ourselves becoming more other-centered. Pray for a heart that accepts our teammates, whoever they are.

Affirm. We need to realize that they count for something. They are known as critics, supervisors, encouragers. What helped me when I led a team in Mapua campus before was to ask every member of my team to come up with the top 3 good qualities that they want to communicate in front of every team member in one of our staff meetings. This exercise helped us to be more appreciative of others, affirming them of God's unique design and gifting for them. Regarding feedback on something to improve? Well, they also shared only one item. I found this helpful to see my flaws and how to grow more as a leader.

Some of them said:

 I can say that God is at work in your life in the area of leadership - you grow a lot in leading a team, your disciples that results to a good ministry experience and you know how to control your emotions. In the area also of relating to people. In the family- your are more intentional in connecting with them and giving time to spend with them specially the growing kids. Personal- more confident ka na to speak sa tunga ( you are now more confident to speak in front of the crowd).  And ang isa nga na appreciate ko gid sa area sang ministry (one thing I do appreciate in the area of ministry), you walk your talk. Pero may I suggest? Loose weight lang gamay and ang tyan indi gidadakuon. Hehe. Daw mas ok sya. 

As a ccc missionary, you do your responsibilities with excellence. Fruitful ministry is evident in any ministry assignment because you show complete dependence on God. You give high value in your personal walk with God and also value your relationship with the people around specially in your family. I appreciate how you give time to your family in spite of busyness and multiple roles. You also have the heart to serve your teammates and look to their potential than their problems. 

As a missionary, I 'm blessed with your passion to serve and your commitment to develop and raise disciples. As a family, I thank God that you are doinyg your best to strike the balance in giving your best to meet the needs of your family and to see to it that they are happy. As a person, I saw much growth to you and how the Lord gives the desires of your heart. Just keep a humble heart and walk much closer to Him. 

Good evening kuya:) I have seen emotional growth in your life. May self- control  na :) You give more time with your family even though you have a busy schedule. As a leader, you are more secure. You are more open, you welcome comments and suggestions. More open-minded. 

Affect. We need to affirm verbally or by any valid means of communication. We need to be truthful. This is leadership.

Maximizing Your Holy Week

In any parts of the globe, many are observing the Holy Week, which commemorates the Passion of Christ, begins on Palm Sunday 2013, which falls on March 24, 2013. Holy Week 2013 ends on Holy Saturday 2013, which falls on March 30, 2013.

Many people would go somewhere like beaches, pools, mountains and the like. It's a holiday for many, if not for everybody. You would love to drive along EDSA.

But what is the real essence of Holy Week? Maundy Thursday? Good Friday? Black Saturday? Easter Sunday? I asked a friend some tips on how to maximize this week and he said, "read the bible." That's true. As I pondered about this season, I'm brought back to my knees, thanking Jesus because it's all about Him. There's nothing we can do that could pay back what He did on the cross for us. He did it because of the Father's love for us. He doesn't want that any man should perish but for everyone to have a full life in Him through His Son Jesus Christ who died on the cross once and for all. It's painful for a Father to allow His son to die for you and me, but His LOVE overcomes. 

This week, it's but proper to meditate on what He did for us, and if we haven't made a commitment yet to surrender our life to Him, you can do it so by expressing something like this...

"Lord Jesus,  I admit that I am a sinner and I live a life on my own. I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I surrender my life to You, so You can make me the kind of person you want me to be.  Thank You for forgiving my sins and for giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life and make me the kind of person You want me to be. Amen."

Have a meaningful week. Jesus Christ is the reason. Take time to be alone with Him and thank God for what He has done. Our response should be to worship Him, adoring Him for who He is. 

Watch this video link (http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KGlx11BxF24). 

What lessons did you learn during this week? How would you apply it personally?

Journey in the WORD

Thank You for Your Word!

1 Peter 5

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

What comes to mind?
In my present situation, I just need to humble myself before God which means to just rest in Him, wait upon the Lord, trust in His goodness and faithfulness. To humble means to submit to His Lordship, perfect plan and timing. It means being confident in the Lord and His might. I will not put myself on the top nor work for recognition. Even with this leadership journey. A proud person doesn't normally listen to others. He thinks to have the best idea. With this, I pray to have a listening heart and mind to God - to really be humble before Him and take time to listen to His still, small voice.

"In that proper time he may exalt you."  God is the One who will protect you and promote you. So, in my situation, I should not fret whether I will be recognized or not with what I do.
It is a good reminder that God cares for me and all I have to do is to cast all my cares to Him. What are my cares that I need to surrender to God now? MPD in the next few days, condo unit, family, health, role for Southeast Asia Campuses, and the list may go on and on...

"Be on guard, feed my mind with His word, be observant, careful, discerning..." - paying attention to God and His word. The devil is looking for opportunities to destroy God's wonderful plan for my life but I have to be grounded in His word, I have to be on guard, wear the weapons of faith (Ephesians 6).
By His grace, I will always pray that God will cover me with His power to resist the devil and be firm in faith. God will ultimately work in and through my life as I surrender to His Lordship and power. I can't do it on my own.

As I go through the sufferings of this life, focusing my eyes on Jesus, only God will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish me as I obey Him in His eternal purpose and glory in Christ.

What's your journey with God's WORD lately?

Transition

After All

It's been weeks that I haven't updated my blog with what's the latest about me and His appointment with me. The past few weeks have been quite challenging on my part having experienced sorrow for the passing of my sister because of complication in pneumonia, tb and diabetes. It's quite a long story to tell- story that grieves my heart in pain as God allowed it to happen. I hope I can put them in writing. Lately I have been reminiscing those childhood days and those good memories with her. And the moment I remember the pains in life that she was going through the past 5 years, I feel sorry for her. And yet, this story that God allowed for us to read helps me grow more in Him - that He is in control, He knows what's best and with these situations He is allowing me to go through, I learn to continue to yield in Him and trust His goodness and faithfulness. After all, He is my God. I am His child. I will continue to learn to stay calm in the midst of the storm. 

July Ministry Update