Leadership at FirstB
Last night I was able to take in the "Summer Leadership Series" with Wayne Cordeiro. Here are my notes... it was very good!“When the Music Fades”
Dealing with Discontent
Wayne Cordeiro – July 18, 20076So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7Just as you received Christ at first... remember those days?As leaders we all have moments of discontent.At first our “Sense of Privilege” canister is at 100% full. We are grateful; thankful. Over time there is an “erosion of privilege” in serving. As your sense of privilege in serving Christ declines, the “Capacity for Discontent” canister increases. Things that you expect to happen in the church don’t. Discontent. What we must do to enjoy life is to push the levels of discontent down. There are unhealthy ways to lessen our levels of, or feelings of, discontent.
• Grumbling and complaining to others decreases the feeling of discontent, temporarily.
• Get mad; fight; bail. These are not socially acceptable for the Christian, so we grumble.And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.
Grumbling masks our discontent and opens a door to the devil. He wants to get a foothold in the life of the church and he often does through grumbling.ILLUSTRATION: The Great Wall of China
4000 miles of impenetrable wall to keep the Mongols out.
The Mongols got in. HOW? They bribed one of the gatekeepers.As a leader you must learn to manage discontent in ministry. Discontent will happen to you. Betrayals happen. People will hurt you. By the way, the “Capacity for Discontent” canister is a sealed canister. Nobody can pour discontent into your life. You increase of decrease the levels.There are REAL problems in ministry and there are PERCEIVED problems in ministry. You cannot emotionally tell the difference between real and perceived problems.Another thing we do is stuff our discontent underground. Two levels: offense; bitterness. Discontent stuffed will cause an offense and if continued to be stuffed will allow bitterness to grow in your life.We also have a “Capacity for Joy” canister.Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
Nehemiah 8:10
To decrease discontent the healthy way is to increase our joy. We do this by keeping our sense of privilege in serving the Lord. We also need to do these three things:1. Pray – thinking deeply about things in the Presence of God. We need to respect His principles and respect His Presence at all times.2. Daily Devotions – the Word of God will guide us, leading us to joy as we walk in obedience to the Lord.3. Find a Mentor – somebody that you’ve given permission to to speak into your life. The “higher” you go in leadership the more you need accountability. You need someone who loves Jesus and loves you – in that order! Somebody who can serve as a “lightning rod” and will ground your negative processing. This person will help you process unto resolution.A danger in complaining to a friend or spouse is that they will shoulder your offense.Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.
“Restore unto to me the joy…”
The devil has no authority to steal your salvation (it’s wrapped up securely in the blood of Christ). He has no authority to steal your marriage. He has no authority to steal your ministry. So what the devil does it go after the JOY of your salvation, marriage or ministry. If he can strip you of the joy, you’ll forfeit it on your own because you DO have the authority to bail if you so choose.When discontent rises, remember when you first came to Christ and privilege it was to serve Him AND pray Psalm 51:10-13.
Dealing with Discontent
Wayne Cordeiro – July 18, 20076So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7Just as you received Christ at first... remember those days?As leaders we all have moments of discontent.At first our “Sense of Privilege” canister is at 100% full. We are grateful; thankful. Over time there is an “erosion of privilege” in serving. As your sense of privilege in serving Christ declines, the “Capacity for Discontent” canister increases. Things that you expect to happen in the church don’t. Discontent. What we must do to enjoy life is to push the levels of discontent down. There are unhealthy ways to lessen our levels of, or feelings of, discontent.
• Grumbling and complaining to others decreases the feeling of discontent, temporarily.
• Get mad; fight; bail. These are not socially acceptable for the Christian, so we grumble.And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.
1 Corinthians 10:10
Grumbling masks our discontent and opens a door to the devil. He wants to get a foothold in the life of the church and he often does through grumbling.ILLUSTRATION: The Great Wall of China
4000 miles of impenetrable wall to keep the Mongols out.
The Mongols got in. HOW? They bribed one of the gatekeepers.As a leader you must learn to manage discontent in ministry. Discontent will happen to you. Betrayals happen. People will hurt you. By the way, the “Capacity for Discontent” canister is a sealed canister. Nobody can pour discontent into your life. You increase of decrease the levels.There are REAL problems in ministry and there are PERCEIVED problems in ministry. You cannot emotionally tell the difference between real and perceived problems.Another thing we do is stuff our discontent underground. Two levels: offense; bitterness. Discontent stuffed will cause an offense and if continued to be stuffed will allow bitterness to grow in your life.We also have a “Capacity for Joy” canister.Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
Nehemiah 8:10
To decrease discontent the healthy way is to increase our joy. We do this by keeping our sense of privilege in serving the Lord. We also need to do these three things:1. Pray – thinking deeply about things in the Presence of God. We need to respect His principles and respect His Presence at all times.2. Daily Devotions – the Word of God will guide us, leading us to joy as we walk in obedience to the Lord.3. Find a Mentor – somebody that you’ve given permission to to speak into your life. The “higher” you go in leadership the more you need accountability. You need someone who loves Jesus and loves you – in that order! Somebody who can serve as a “lightning rod” and will ground your negative processing. This person will help you process unto resolution.A danger in complaining to a friend or spouse is that they will shoulder your offense.Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.
Psalm 51:10-13
“Restore unto to me the joy…”
The devil has no authority to steal your salvation (it’s wrapped up securely in the blood of Christ). He has no authority to steal your marriage. He has no authority to steal your ministry. So what the devil does it go after the JOY of your salvation, marriage or ministry. If he can strip you of the joy, you’ll forfeit it on your own because you DO have the authority to bail if you so choose.When discontent rises, remember when you first came to Christ and privilege it was to serve Him AND pray Psalm 51:10-13.
