tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293540640598329846.post7788893086621108348..comments2011-03-30T21:17:47.045-05:00Comments on Cody's Contemplations: Ministry...Codyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09435608793854987008noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293540640598329846.post-78395019599043578432011-03-30T21:17:47.045-05:002011-03-30T21:17:47.045-05:00I heard a quote that really stood out to me on the...I heard a quote that really stood out to me on the Holy Spirit. It was by David Timms. What he said was, "The gifts that the Holy Spirit gives us is not for us, but it is for others given THROUGH us." We have to realize that as leaders in the church, we are never to think or act upon the belief that the glue that is holding this church together is us. It is God's love, power, strength, mercy, and grace.<br /><br />We as leaders should never think that because we are leaders we should serve. Rather, we should believe that our leadership is nothing more than an overflow of our servitude. Because we serve God and his people we get to be leaders, not the other way around. <br /><br />I think too many churches and church leaders have this completely backwards.I know it has been a struggle of mine as well. But I believe that it is one of the most important realizations that we can make in the church. One of the reasons is because it goes completely against what people the church is or should be. This kind of mentality is almost becoming purposefully "irrelevant" to the culture around us. And I believe that it is one of the most attractive and contagious things that a church can do. There are many churches out there that are doing this and God is using them in huge ways. I believe that if we show this kind of model to people, it not only will give the message of eternal life to people, but also the message of a better life. Great thoughts Cody. Thanks!Drew Meyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12790700736265681051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293540640598329846.post-203837903213553092011-03-30T20:21:57.541-05:002011-03-30T20:21:57.541-05:00One thing that keeps coming back continually to me...One thing that keeps coming back continually to me is that when we pray for something, we expect it to just be granted to us, like God is some kind of genie. <br /><br />I pray for patience, so I expect God to just give me patience.<br /><br />In reality, God hands us opportunities to BE patient, and gives us those things for us to practice our patience. <br /><br />Not sure if this was where Platte was going with that idea about prayer. Thanks for the book updates/applications. I'll have to check it out.Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17826222504827194000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293540640598329846.post-44424868273356445812011-03-30T16:54:58.930-05:002011-03-30T16:54:58.930-05:00It was a huge shock for me going from being fully ...It was a huge shock for me going from being fully focused on school, where everything is about ME getting the paper finished, or ME doing the project, that when I moved into a ministry position, it's not about me. Yes I play a role in ministry, but I can only do my part, and then the Holy Spirit does His. In a sense it is a relief because then I am not responsible for 'saving' people, but then it is also difficult because I have to continually be asking if I am doing my part. <br /><br />Thanks for your words Cody! I appreciate your thoughts!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com