Leaders' Retreat

Well, it ended up being quite a good weekend. I didn't get a chance to go for a walk or play volleyball, or anything like that, and I don't think I learnt anything new, but the talks by Kel Willis were great butt-kicking talks. It was great to be encouraged to stand firm in your faith and keep running the good race, and being reminded that I'm running the race using God's strength, not my own. Some of the other things that we were all reminded of:

Leaders:

have the capacity to motivate people towards common goals;

are what others are to become;

are sensitive to the Spirit of God;

are committed to teaching the Word;

whatever happens in leaders ultimately effects what happens to the church;

require spiritual qualities, especially godliness

Also:

• shepherd the flock- feed, lead, and protect;
  
• model - the servant attitudeand what others are to become;
  
• and are servants themselves

Leaders are to be:

genuine in

• in speech
  
• in life
  
• in love
  
• in faith (your walk and dependence on God)
  
• in purity

I feel, that after a pretty dry stagnant and spiritually crummy year, rather refreshed, and challenged - challenged by the Holy Spirit to stay focused and having been put in the position of co-leadership, the need for focus seems to be even greater. How to get back on track?... to focus on getting my QT's up and running again REGULARLY. By using the 5 P's during them: pause
peruse
ponder
pray
praise

To be a leader is to be a servant...
The core of servanthood is love. You can't minister to someone you don't love. What does it mean to love each other in practical terms?

Begins with a commitment

is a commandment

to forgive completely as God has forgiven us

Other challenges: provoking each other onto loving others, and unto love and good deeds (Heb 10:23-24)
Rom 12:15 Weep with those who are weeping.
Edify and build each other up.