LEADERS FILLED WITH ENTHUSIASM – Part 2

Effective leaders’ hearts are filled to overflowing with contagious enthusiasm, which reveals their excitement toward, and commitment to, what needs to be accomplished. Enthusiasm builds enthusiasm in others and creates positive interaction…

An effective leader knows that enthusiasm can’t be faked. Phony enthusiasm is negative and de-motivates workers. The source of real enthusiasm is Jesus Christ. A Greek word for enthusiasm is en-theos, which means being full of God. When a leader is filled with God, he or she is full of authentic enthusiasm.

A Bible verse that fuels enthusiasm is “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV) 

-- Walt Kallestad in “The Everyday, Anytime Guide to Christian Leadership”

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JUST LIKE US

"The crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: ‘Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them.’"  (Acts 14:13b-15 NIV)

I tend to put other people on a pedestal -- people who appear to experience God and exercise their faith at a level that seems beyond my reach, people for whom God appears to be present, active, and available in ways that apparently don't apply to the rest of us. But we get ourselves (and others) into so much needless trouble when we insist on building these pedestals for people who, underneath it all, are just like us. We must resist our tendency to venerate heroes of the faith, then and now. None of these heroes were intended to be an exception; they are all meant to be an example to us of what happens when an ordinary life intersects with an extraordinary God.  

-- Priscilla Shirer in “Elijah Bible Study: Faith and Fire”

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FLOURISHING IN COMMUNITY

“The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”  (Luke 8:14-15 NIV)

The Christian life flourishes in community. Corporate worship, study, fellowship, and action are the soil in which authentic faith takes root and grows toward maturity…

Worship is one of the most profound experiences of life for humankind. For Christians, gathering around the Lord's Table, the baptismal font, and the Scriptures are essential elements of an authentic life of worship. The congregation where Scripture, liturgy, music, persons in quest of communion with God, and spirit-filled leadership come together will provide nurture and sustenance to all who experience its life. 

-- Rueben P. Job in “Spiritual Life in the Congregation”

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