I just returned from one of my Leaders Who Last weekends in Northern California. I had a wonderful time with leaders from around 30 different churches. It is always encouraging to see lots of leaders in their 20s and 30s making a difference by planting new churches and getting the gospel out to new communities.
One of the things I say over and over in a variety of ways at this seminar is that the primary responsibility of a leader is to regularly hear from God. To hear from God, both for their own life and walk, as well as the future vision of the ministry.
It can be easy to get into a rut and check time with God off as a duty, accomplished as you would any other item on your daily do list.
That would be a colossal mistake.
Each leader needs to find his own rhythm and way of meeting with and hearing from God that deepens intimacy and receives empowerment from the Savior. As leaders, we desperately need to hear from Him.
Below are some thoughts from Pastor Steven Furtick (Pastor of Elevation Church with six locations in North Carolina) on finding your own rhythm in your time with the Lord. I am passing this on exactly as he wrote it on October 10th of this year in a blog. Enjoy!
“I get asked all the time about how I approach my relationship with God. The specifics of how I pray, read the Bible, and other disciplines like that. How often? How long? Do I read an entire chapter at a time? A few verses? How do I choose what I read?
“Do I have a set formula in prayer? Do I keep a prayer journal? Etc. Etc. I’m always glad to answer, but I’m also always quick to offer this one caveat:
“You need to find your own rhythm with God. When it comes to the mechanics of engaging with God through spiritual disciplines, I don’t think there’s a one-size-fits-all spirituality out there that suits every person. God has hardwired each of us so differently, with unique ways of learning, growing, and connecting with Him.
“Some of you are morning people who don’t feel like you’ve really met with God if you’re not up at 4:00 a.m. with a cup of coffee in hand. Others of you are convinced that Jesus is more of a brunch kind of guy who doesn’t even answer prayers until after 9:30.
“Some of you like to read whole chapters or books of the Bible at a time. Others of you like to focus on a verse or two at a time. Some of you have to have marathon prayer sessions with God.
“Others of you work best in short 3-minute bursts. Some of you prefer silence. Others of you prefer the Braveheart soundtrack in the background.
“None of these are right. None of these are wrong. None of these are good. None of these are bad. They’re just different rhythms. Each of which might suit some people beautifully. Or feel like Saul’s suit of armor to others. Don’t think you’re inferior if your rhythm is different.
“Don’t think you’re superior if yours is different either. There is no wrong rhythm with God. Except a non-existent one. So find the rhythm that works best for you and get in sync with it.”
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