Oscar Wilde once said, “Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.” But did this great author and conversationalist have it right? I think not!

Ralph Waldo Emerson seems to agree with him when he once said, “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by statesmen and philosophers and divines!” Emerson qualifies his comment by the addition of the word “foolish consistency.”

But did he really understand the character trait of consistency? I think not!

Consistent; this word means to be regular, dependable and constant. To be constant is to be steady, stable even relentless! Consistency means to be persistent, perpetual and unremitting. This sounds like an awesome quality for an individual, a team member, a team even an organisation!  

Being consistent is to be coherent, “in harmony” and uniform – not contradictory or conflicting. A consistent person is someone you can count on to produce evenly and according to a standard.

The term consistent doesn’t presuppose a positive or negative outcome; but when applied positively it carries great weight. None of us would be ignorant of the “foolish consistency” spoken of by Emerson because we all know that there are people who are consistently negative, consistently critical and consistently produce low standard produce.

But what of the person who is consistent in a positive sense? Allow for this type of consistency;

This person is consistently creative

This person is consistently innovative

This person is consistently thinking outside the box

This person is consistently producing work which is out of the ordinary

This person is consistently loyal even in difficult situations

This person is consistently generates work of a high standard

This person consistently does more than is expected

This person consistently surprises the team by finding solutions others haven’t considered

This person consistently responds to difficult situations with a great positive attitude

This person consistently out produces others on the team

This person consistently responds well to challenge, change and conflict

This person consistently shows loyalty, trustworthiness and dependability

WOW – where is the person?? Give me a team of them and watch what my organisation will achieve in the market place!!

The secret of this characteristic is that is available to anyone who desires to develop character and walk in increasing integrity!

Consistency powerfully affects an organisation, impacts teams and continues to produce great value that others will see and earnestly desire.

The good thing about this trait is it is developable, accessible and definitely expandable.

Hebrews 13:7 says in the Message, “Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the word of God. Take a look at the way they live their lives and let their faithfulness instruct you as well as their truthfulness. There should be a consistency that runs through us all. For Jesus doesn’t change – yesterday, today, tomorrow He’s always totally Himself.”

What do you think? Leave a comment today!

Tom Rawls

Lead Pastor Proclaimers

This week I have invited one of my Associate Pastors, Gemma Neill, to share some of her thoughts on developing leaders:

Having served on team with Pastor Tom Rawls for several years now I am continuously inspired by not only his passion for, but his gifting, in developing leaders. I recall a conversation when one church leader asked Pastor Tom where he had ‘found’ so many great leaders for his church, to which Pastor Tom replied, “I didn’t find them, I grew them”.

Pastor Tom’s whole hearted commitment to growing us into all we can be means he has intentionally established a clear and effective leadership development system. One of the most impacting strategies I have observed him to use is what I call, the 5 minute coaching moments.

Pastor Tom is able to make the most of a 5 minute conversation with us to bring encouragement and instruction to our life, or to provide guidance on strategies and wisdom for HR issues within our area of responsibility.

Coaching is a time consuming task and Pastor Tom has invested thousands of hours into developing us, however, coaching doesn’t always have to packaged in a 45minute 1:2:1 meeting at Starbucks! (Although, Pastor Tom does love a vanilla latte with an extra shot!) Significant direction and guidance can be bought to those you are coaching when you stop for 5minutes when you pass them on the stairs, as you share a car journey together, or grab a few moments at the end of an evening.

I would suggest that the reason Pastor Tom is able to make the most of moments like this is linked with other systems he has in place in church life:

1. Weekly Headlines – he knows the highlights of what has happened in every area of church life within the last seven days so is ready and able to discuss this with us at any given moment
2. Other reporting systems – Monthly and quarterly reports provide additional qualitative and quantitative detail so he can focus his input on specific issues
3. Personal growth – every member of the team has a personal growth plan, updates from which are provided on a monthly basis enabling Pastor Tom to bring guidance and advice as required
4. Commitment to leadership development – Pastor Tom’s desire to see us grow and develop is clear to see. His earnest desire to bring out the best in us and invest the wisdom he has gleaned in over 30years of ministry keeps our growth at the forefront of his mind meaning he never misses an opportunity
5. Formal and informal socialising – not only does Pastor Tom work directly with us through team meetings, but he and Pastor Denise regularly open up their home to us for meals, they eat at our homes, we go on cinema trips. All providing opportunity to build relationship, from which flows everything else
6. Prayer – Pastor Tom is in regular prayer for each of us and our families enabling him to bring not only practical coaching advice, but powerful prophetic impact, shaping our lives and our leadership.

It’s amazing what can be achieved in just 5 minutes!

Bill Hybels in his latest book "Axiom" talks about his biggest mistake he's ever made as a leader. His response is insightful and an all to often heard comment.

"My biggest mistake has been placing people in significant leadership roles who were not first tested."

For me this has been the most chilling mistake I have ever made. I did it in my early ministry a lot. You'd think I would have learned ... remarkably I didn't! I kept doing it and kept doing it. Thankfully I think I have learned ... fingers crossed!

I ask this question; WHY do we place the wrong people in positions? I have 4 answers ...

1. We like someone and think the chemistry we had with each other would some how carry us through hard times. Invariably this will break down over a whole pile of others issues and you end up no longer being friends.

2. I gave someone a job because I wanted to keep them in church and happy. I learned a long time ago that what ever you compromise to keep you will eventually lose. This includes people you put into positions of leadership. Never put some one in leadership because you want to keep them because you will eventually lose them.

3. They looked good but eventually the real them will be revealed. This is why we need to come back to 1 Timothy 3:10 that says "they must first be tested." I have met a lot of people who look good. They have a "great menu" but have nothing good cooking in the kitchen. Test people first; nudge them in small and gentle ways to find out what's in their heart - do this before you put them in any position of leadership.

4. I have a leadership position "open" and I NEED someone to fill it NOW. Never surrender to the urgency of the moment. Never put some one in positions of leadership just because you are in desperate need. WAIT; PRAY; SEEK; LOOK for some one - but never be in a hurry to put some one in place until they are tested, proved and tried. God knows your need, God is aware of the situation. TRUST HIM.

Just a few thought for leaders in today's church. If you have any other thoughts why not comment below with your insights too.

Thanks for reading I hope this has helped you to become a more prepared leader.

Hear from you soon,

Tom Rawls
tomrawls@proclaimers.com

My Bible School professor would always say that "... delegation is the art of leadership." Sounds good until you start delegating stuff ... hey?

Delegation is vital if you want to lead a growing organisation, compnany or church and strategic systems are vital.

Delegation is to commit or entrust some thing or some duty to another person. It doesn't mean passing the buck to someone else - it means to entrust some one to do something you once did. It implies a bit of training, instructing and coaching. It implies some formal guidelines and may involve correction.

I have a little equation I use when delegating responsibilities. I never delegate 100%. For me it is always 80% with a 10% accountability package and 10% feedback functions built in.

The 80% involves their function and performance. What they are supposed to do and then how they are supposed to do it. The what and how will produce an objective, discernible and measurable outcome.

Look at the outcome; you'll find a 10% accountability package. This is usually me asking them to assure me that the job is being done. I want assurances they are moving along with the process. If I am not assured they are doing the job I keep asking questions and keep going back to them until I am assured. I want to be sure.

During the process there is a 10% Feedback function - this usually takes place via email and incorporates "headlines." Usually a number of bullet points I can scan quickly. If I have a question concerning anything I then write or call and ask for greater feed back from them.

This simple equation of delegation has saved me lots of stress, disappointment and frustrations and has saved a number of our staff and volunteers heart ache.

I hope this works for you as well as it does for me.

Tom Rawls

Have you checked our my latest resource on 21st Century Designs for Personal Growth yet? It is a powerful tool. I hope you buy it today.

Fortune favours the bold … or so the saying goes. You, pastor, are a spiritual leader; so be bold and lead; encourage and inspire your people in these challenging times. Have faith!

2 Corinthians 4:13 says confidently, “It is written: ‘I believed; therefore I have spoken.’ With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak.” What an awesome thought!

As spiritual leaders we are responsible to set the spiritual climate, create the spiritual environments and lead our people during this global financial challenge. We lead our people by what we believe about God and money and by what we say! We lead our people by how we walk, how we talk and by the expression of our faith in God.

This economic situation is real and very challenging. But regardless of what we see around us we must point people towards eternal realities. We must inspire them in their faith, teach them about God, how to thrive in these challenging circumstances and that this season will pass.

Things we need to avoid as leaders:

1. Stop listening to CNN (that stands for Constantly Negative News). Read the word; centre and focus your attention on who God is and what God’s purpose is for the church. We provide foundation to faith when we go on to remind people of the positive character and nature of God.

2. Stop ignoring the crunch! Name it as a season of faith; embrace the times; call it a challenge and then encourage your people that we are up for it! Talk about it publically. But be optimistic, full of faith. Start telling your people we can overcome! Inspire faith!

3. Stop worrying. Matthew 6:31, 33 says “Do not worry, but seek first His kingdom.” God’s not running out of cash, God has no toxic debts, and God does not need a bailout plan! Teach people the power of prayer and lead them to “seek first” God’s kingdom and His righteousness. Make sure you pray for your people publicly and privately, in church and as individual. Pray for needs and give reports of God’s provision every week. This is a spiritual problem at its very root, you are a spiritual leader; pray.

4. Stop submitting to the world’s economic system. God laid down clear principles in His word about money, wealth and how the house of God is financed. Boldly communicate His word and its life’s transforming principles. Teach people this is not the time to stop giving this is a time for them to be inspired by God’s word to give … “even beyond their ability; entirely on their own.” (2 Corinthians 8:3). Inspire your people in becoming extravagant givers; continue to teach tithing.

5. Stop looking at the gates of Hell. There has never been such a good time to preach the good news about Jesus and we are seeing in our UK church people coming to Christ in large numbers. It really is Jesus who is building His Church! Keep your focus on Him, inspire people to focus their attention on Him and whatever you do lift Him up!

6. Stop thinking you are in charge! Jesus said, “I will build my church.” He is Jehovah Jireh, God is in charge.  

“Let God arise let His enemies be scattered.” So says Psalms 68:1. I’m sure this inspires us to know that God promises to arise and scatter His enemies. It’s a good prayer especially when we feel the pinch in leadership when people may oppose us.

But God says … “Make sure your enemies are My enemies!”

Matthew 5:44-45 demonstrates another side, “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” The main point is of course our responses to our enemies; love and prayer for them.

But these words of Jesus also make it clear we will have enemies. Jesus had those who conspired against Him; He wasn’t paranoid either; there were real people who wanted Him silenced. There were real people who were trying to kill Him and neutralise His influence.

The truth of the matter is, if we are seeking to fulfil God’s plan and purpose in the earth, we will face opposition. We will come against people who will resist us and many will be unconvinced.  How we respond will frame us as leaders. How we respond to our detractors will define us and determine the level of our leadership.

Jesus said to love and pray for them. 2 Timothy 2:24-25 says we “[The servants of the Lord] must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct.”

The spiritual dimension: Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood.” There is a very real Devil out there who hates you.

The earthly dimension; 2 Timothy 4:14-15, “Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.”

Love and pray for people and remember that God will arise and scatter His enemies; rest in the understanding that nothing can really thwart the plans of the Almighty. Don’t come down to the level of the earthly fray but stay close to Jesus in “heavenly places.”

Isaiah 14:27, “For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?”

We are spiritual leaders. At the end of the day structures, systems and practicalities, vital as they are, pale into insignificance compared to our role as spiritual leaders.