Second Only To Love

In talking to pastors and church leaders, we’ve found that Finances is an area where many struggle due to lack of training and limited resources. Did you know that the Bible has more than 2300 verses about money, second only to Love? Or that 2/3 of Jesus’ parables were about wealth, possessions, giving and stewardship?

Why the emphasis on money? Because it’s where we are tempted...humbled...and where we often struggle to trust in the Lord. It’s a source of life and blessing, but can also be a trap Satan uses to separate us from God. It’s the means by which we can do God’s work and bless others. And it’s a powerful witness, positive or negative, to Believers and non-Believers alike because it captures everyone’s attention.

How we manage our money – whether we have a lot or a little – reflects our relationship with God. So on June 13th, we pressed in to managing our money God’s way. Our workshop topics included having the right attitude about wealth, achieving financial freedom, tithing and giving, goal-setting and budgeting, and teaching biblical principles in the church.

When I asked the pastors how many had ever developed a budget or used one to manage their church or business finances, no one raised their hands. By the end of the workshop, all agreed that the information learned and practiced would be helpful in leading their congregations.

“As the teaching was given, I learned that I must do things God’s way, then implement what I learn in my life, business and church. I will teach my church the importance of tithing 10%, and also managing the other 90% well as stewards of what God provides.” – Pastor Thulo Shadrack Mile

“I will teach the church God’s principles about money and how to implement them. I will also apply what I have learned for myself and my household so that I can model what I teach.” – Pastor Stella Charlotte Molefe

Please join me in praying for these leaders as they model and teach what they have
learned.

Heal Our Land

On Sunday people from different churches within Harrismith gathered together for the Global Day of Prayer. It was amazing for me to see! And it reminded me of the EACH movement going on in metro-Detroit.

South Africa is such a beautiful and diverse country – and this gathering was just as beautiful and diverse. Black and White. Old and young. Different native languages. Different denominations and styles of worship. All united to pray and honor our one true Savior - in a small town in the middle of South Africa, across the nation, and around the world.

Check out www.globaldayofprayer.com for more info including statistics on each country participating. It’s pretty interesting.

In the 10 days leading up to this we had been praying for different things each day – for God to revive and unite His people, for Him to reveal Himself in mighty ways and be the Lord of every area of our lives, for transformation and provision, for forgiveness and reconciliation, and that the Lord be glorified across the world.

As we prayed, we also studied and reflected on Joel 2:12-32 which calls God’s people to return to Him, gather, reignite hope, celebrate all He is doing, and trust in His promises. The passage is a good reminder that even as Believers we can drift away in the currents of day-to-day life.

2 Chronicles 7: 14 “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Who could use some healing these days?

From Survival to Significance

After success rebuilding the walls, Nehemiah becomes governor of Jerusalem and then governor of Israel. Nehemiah’s leadership path takes a turn and everything changes – scale of responsibility, scope of duties, and complexity of role. Is Nehemiah still the right man for the job?

When Jerusalem was rebuilding the walls, their primary need was for survival and protection from their enemies. That’s a pretty strong motivator and unifier of people. We know Nehemiah faced challenges, but they were very different than what he faced as governor. After the walls were up, the need became for significance, restoration and renewal – spiritually, politically, and socially.

So Nehemiah jumped in with both feet.

Nehemiah began by reestablishing the spiritual, moral and legal foundation. They “assembled as one man” to hear Ezra read the law. They confessed, repented, and celebrated their newfound freedom and potential. Next they signed a binding agreement to show their commitment to God’s commands.

Nehemiah appointed leaders over the towns and provinces, and people resettled into their homes. We already know from previous experience that Nehemiah is gifted at motivating and mobilizing people, and the people had learned to respect and trust him. Next Nehemiah tackles economic reform – establishing a national treasury, making the first and largest gift himself, and revising tax practices to promote equity and protect the poor. And these are just a few of his accomplishments…

Nehemiah’s character and spiritual maturity served well in this new role as governor. Nehemiah also proved he could adapt his leadership to the new situations, and make decisions for the greater good often at personal cost.

The last year at Thrive Africa was survival mode and ultimately the Lord launched Ignite South Africa so that the work could survive. In some ways we’re still in survival mode as we build and gain momentum. I thank the Lord for his faithfulness and provision. For providing the leadership, vision, and resources we need. For raising up prayer and financial partners who make our work possible. For miraculously meeting our needs each month. I praise God for all these things. He’s clearly still with us.

And I look forward to the course in front of us – a journey that is rounding the corner into significance, restoration and renewal.

If our crucible experiences refine us as leaders, what can I learn from Nehemiah’s next one? What can you learn?

Graduation Celebration

One of the highlights at our recent Enrich conference was honoring the 5 graduates of our Foundations for Christian Growth class. The course was a rigorous 13 weeks complete with attendance requirements, homework, extra books to read, and TESTS! Pastor Abram and I took the class as well so we’d be officially certified to teach future classes.

After we presented the certificates, each graduate shared what the class meant in their lives. Joy in receiving the certificates. Heartfelt thanks for teachers, interpreters and tutors who helped them succeed. Gratitude for everyone who gave generously to equip them as leaders. And most importantly, praises to God for helping them make it through a challenging course – “with great sacrifices come with great rewards”.

“I’m so thankful for the classes and graduation. What I liked most was how Mme June taught with the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and how through each lesson the Holy Spirit worked in me. I got so much out of each class. They increased my knowledge and strengthened my spirit. I greatly encourage others to take this course as well. It’s important for us leaders because God works in us through these classes. They equip us and give us solutions and answers. Thank you Ignite South Africa.” – Pastor David Moeti

Our next course begins June 30th and we’re excited that these testimonies encouraged so many to step out and sign-up.

Please pray for our recent FCG graduates, our next group of leaders taking the course, and for Abram and me as we prepare to teach. It’s such a joy to build-up leaders and to see God use them in incredible ways.

Lead by the Spirit

On May 25th, more than 100 leaders joined us for our second Enrich leadership conference of the year.

We continued our Kingdom Leading series digging deep into leading by the power of the Holy Spirit. June taught on our identity in Christ and how our spirits, souls and bodies are transformed by the Holy Spirit. I taught on the fruit of the Spirit as evidence of that transformation (Galatians 5:16-25), and how the Holy Spirit gifts us with power for building ourselves up and leading our churches (I Corinthians 12:1-12). June followed with teaching and prayer for baptism in the Holy Spirit, and Pastor Abram concluded with a powerful lesson on healing for our bodies and minds.

“but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…” (Galatians 5:22-23)

We need the Holy Spirit working in us to bear this fruit in our lives. Given our human natures, we need supernatural help to love the way God does, have supernatural joy and peace through difficult times, remain faithful through all circumstances, and have self-control when our flesh wants what it shouldn’t have. As followers of Christ, we will be recognized by our fruit.

“God has given me power to go out to the world to show His power and lead people to salvation. This conference has given me courage. I have learned that God wants us to be complete and filled always with His Spirit, and I have gained insight about God’s Spirit in me.” – Nakeli Masilo Shadrack

Treasures in Heaven

I hit the ground running when I arrived back in South Africa. We had just 2 weeks before an Enrich conference and then June heading to the US for 6 weeks. We were also blessed with 2 ministry guests who stayed with us for a week, getting to know Ignite and serving with us. I’d like you to “meet” them…

Alison and Doug are fellow missionaries with an organization called Love For the Sake of Love (http://www.loveforthesakeoflove.com/). I met Alison when she served as a summer intern with Thrive Africa 2 summers ago. Afterwards, she felt called to help launch a new ministry for college students. L4L’s heart is to help students discover Christ’s calling on their lives, and to mobilize them to use their gifts to serve others. They accomplish this through both local outreach and global mission trips. I know what a life-changing experience a mission trip can be, so I love that L4L’s heart is to facilitate serving opportunities for students.

While here, Alison and Doug spent time with our FlashPoint coaches, attended an FCG class getting to know some of our local pastors, and served at our Enrich conference. They also helped with a HUGE book project – sorting and inventorying the more than 1000 books we have in storage. Wow! I’m sure there will be treasures in heaven for that tedious project!!

And I’m soooo excited about it because it helps us make these much needed resources available to our coaches, pastors and church leaders. My heart is to have a small library someday where they can study for classes, access books and other materials, prepare for sermons, ask questions, etc.

It has been such a blessing to get to know these young leaders. I’ve been so impressed by their vision, leadership, focus on Christ, and heart for fellow college students. I recommend you check out their site for more information, especially if you have a heart for students, or a student of your own.

Leadership Lessons Learned

Despite numerous challenges, the walls of Jerusalem were completed in 52 days. Pretty amazing really! I love that the Bible says the people worked with all their heart – that God noticed and acknowledged it in His very own Word. This speaks highly of the people and also of Nehemiah’s ability to lead.

There are soooo many lessons we can learn from Nehemiah. I’m just going to brainstorm some that I gleaned from my self-study and from reading David L. McKenna’s book “Becoming Nehemiah – Leading with Significance.”

Character

Nehemiah was a man of great character. He demonstrated traits such as integrity, courage, confidence, self-sacrifice, loyalty, authenticity, and consistency. Character is key because it transfers into any leadership situation. Competencies, skills and experience don’t necessarily.

Nehemiah also had great compassion. He personally identified with the needs of the people. So often leaders are chosen based on vision, initiative, creativity or charisma, but unless these gifts are matched to the needs of the people, they can become what McKenna describes as “self-serving handicaps of personal ambition.”

Spiritual Maturity

Nehemiah demonstrated spiritual maturity in that he was fully devoted to God. He had confidence in the sovereignty of God. He prayed regularly in confession and worship, for wisdom, protection and guidance. He did not compromise his faith when faced with challenges. And his trust in the Lord was evident and a witness to others.

Leadership Traits

Nehemiah was a servant leader. He served the king as cupbearer, and excelled in menial tasks as he rose in responsibility and trust. He served his people as well. He felt their needs and responded, and was willing to do whatever he asked them to do.

Nehemiah also proved he could motivate, mobilize, and direct people, adapting his approach as needed. Mobilizing “employees” of the king would have been very different than mobilizing “volunteers” building the walls. If you’ve led both, you know what I’m talking about… With “volunteers” Nehemiah motivated people by their felt needs, mobilized them by their personal relationships, organized and energized them through manageable tasks, rewarded them by tangible results, and encouraged them by working the hardest of them all.

Nehemiah learned to serve under authority before leading others. That way, he knew the importance of authority – inherited and earned – and did not take it for granted. He also adapted well to new situations, challenges, and crisis, taking ownership of issue resolution.
Nehemiah succeeded, but he also failed. Leaders can (and should) learn from both.

Competencies and Practical Skills

Nehemiah also possessed the competencies and practical skills to get the work done. He observed, analyzed, planned, organized, and implemented in order to achieve measureable results. He was a quick learner who could see a broad field of vision, as well as attend to detail. Spiritual maturity is not a substitute for practical skills - Christian leaders need both.

There are so many rich lessons to learn from Nehemiah. Another important one is that he was just an ordinary man that God used to accomplish extraordinary things. Sometimes I forget that part.