people didn’t want to go home after the evening service - we worshipped for hours. That was a great season. I remember when we used to pray from 10.00pm to 2.00am each Friday night. Now that was a good season, but I don’t think I could do it now. I remember the conflict season when everyone seemed to see the problems and I wondered if anyone really wanted me to lead. I was glad to see that season pass. All seasons (both good and tough) pass. We can’t hang on to them, even if we want to. God sends the seasons. I just have to be faithful. Sometimes I can contribute to a particular season, but often it’s God’s work and I just go with the flow. Do I like this? Not particularly. I wish that I could change lots of those seasons. But it has helped me survive in leadership, knowing that ultimately I’m not responsible for the season, just how I lead in the season.
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Speaking out
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The challenges, problems and opportunities we face as leaders are a huge bonus. They keep us on our knees.
barbecue, but in my office. However, I doubt whether I would have got this far without my friends. God has been my rock, but sometimes I have needed his presence through my friends.
my Bible reading and prayer time every day, but I was not desperate. It felt more like a good habit than a need. It’s so good to be back, holding the leadership reins - desperate and needy again.
Now I can’t think what it would be like to lead alone. It sounds unbearably hard to me.
The challenges, problems and opportunities we face as leaders are a huge bonus. They keep us on our knees. They keep us dependent. They keep us humble. They keep us close to God. So don’t run away from them or close up shop.
3. Need God My last thought may sound obvious, but actually it’s not. It is easy in our culture to set up our lives in such a way that we have little need for God. Everything moves along just fine, and our relationship with God unintentionally dies bit by bit. Then we suddenly hit a problem or some pressure and it’s too tough. We bail out. We prefer the comfort of control. I had a small taste of this on my study leave over the last three months. I can research and write just fine. Oh I had
I hope that I will lead and influence as long as God allows. And I pray the same for you. By the way, the Malyon Graduation will be at 7.30pm on Monday night 22 Feb at Bridgeman Baptist. We’d love to have you celebrate with us. John Sweetman Principal, Malyon College
2. Rely on friends I’m a fairly independent person. In my early years in leadership I thought that I would be strong enough by myself. But I wasn’t. I hit some rough spots and really needed friends who accepted me and loved me despite all my weaknesses and brokenness; friends whom I could trust not only to encourage me, but also to challenge me when I needed it.
1. Flow with th
e seasons
2. Rely on frien
ds
3. Need God
I’m such a nerd. Most of my friendships have been built, not in coffee shops or on the sporting field or around the www.qb.com.au The qb FEBRUARY 10
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