God-given dreams

Fruitful Leadership #4: Patience

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This is the fourth blog in a series about leading with the fruit of the Spirit. The fourth fruit listed in Galatians 5: 22 is patience. A few versions use “forbearance” or “longsuffering,” but patience is the word we would most likely use today.

There is an old joke about praying to God, “God, give me patience, and give it to me now.” Patience takes time. Patience is needed when there is an ongoing situation that requires waiting or enduring. No one needs patience for something that happens in the moment.

Patience is the ability to wait, or to continue doing something despite difficulties, or to suffer without complaining or becoming annoyed (Cambridge Dictionary).

So first, to demonstrate a character of patience, we need to learn to wait. As Christians, there are many times where, by faith, we wait for God to act. This is often the case when we have a need we have prayed about for a long period of time, and we trust in God and know that He will act in His timing and according to His will. So we wait. I had to do this for a couple of years. I had concluded my time at a church and was waiting for the next pastoral position to open up for me. And it was not happening. As I sent out resumes and prayed and waited – sometimes very impatiently – I sensed God was telling me to wait because He was setting up a new opportunity for me. Some days I felt very patient, others I did not. It took about three years for me to finally see this new opportunity that God was preparing for me. In the waiting, I kept doing what I could to be faithful and wait. Waiting takes patience. Patience means waiting.

An example of patience is found in the story of Abraham and Sarah. God had promised them a son, yet they had no children. No son was born. They waited for years and years. Abraham was 100 years old when Sarah finally gave birth to the son God had promised. Patience takes time.

Patience is also visible in a person when they are continuing to persevere despite difficulties. There are times when we, as Christian leaders, believe God is calling us to move the church or organization in a certain direction and not everyone agrees. Patience may mean continuing to push ahead slowly and steadily even though there is opposition. A Christian leader may see the need to be patient as they look to pursue a vision God has given them, yet they do not see it becoming a reality yet. Patience is pushing ahead even when facing opposition.

There are times when Christian leaders see the frustrating situations around them and would much rather complain and show their annoyance, yet as we allow the Spirit to encourage us, we can respond in a joyful and peaceful manner. Combining joy and peace with the act of patience will make the waiting experience more enjoyable.

Patience is called a fruit of the Spirit. This means we will produce this fruit more naturally if we continue to depend on the Holy Spirit than if we think it depends on our determination alone. We can bring all our concerns to God in prayer, and then depend on Him to give us patience when we would rather give up or respond with criticism and frustration.

May God give you patience as you continue to trust in Him.

Keep looking up,

Andy Wiebe

Fruitful Leadership #2: Joy

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Would you include the word joy in your description of your workplace, or to define your leadership? In Galatians 5: 22 -23 we read a list of nine fruits of the Spirit. These are characteristics that should be evident in anyone who is a follower of Jesus. In this second post on fruitful leadership we will focus on how joy can be evident in your leadership.

Joy. Somehow the word just makes me smile. It elicits happiness even in those three letters. Its funny how a smile on your face can take a load off your shoulders. Just try it. Smile. Doesn’t that simple act make you feel a little happier already?

Joy is not often a word used to describe one’s workplace. More common would be words like boring or duty or frustration or feeling useless. 

Joy is defined in the Miriam Webster dictionary as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.” It is about delight. Maybe that is why joy is not often present in a workplace because we always want more. We do not often possess our desires or even accomplish the goals of the company. There is always a push for more. It is more common to experience a sense of frustration than joy because there is always another goal to push for. As a leader, we can get so caught up in climbing that next hill that we don’t take time to enjoy the accomplishments of today.

Now, if we want to be a Christian leader who is radiating the Holy Spirit’s fruit, our joy cannot be dependent on our accomplishments or about having everything we desire. Our joy has to come from our relationship with Jesus and the experience of His Spirit in our lives. Our joy is then not based on our work and the level of success we experience but in our relationship with Jesus. Being in a state of is not dependent on outside influences or accomplishments but primarily on the fact that we have a God who loves us and cares for us. Our joy comes from knowing that we are in God’s hands, and He will look after us whether business is going well or not.

When I first became a pastor, I was told by a few people that I looked mad all the time. I did not realize this. It may have been my nervousness or my determination to focus and do a good job, but my expression on my face communicated that I was mad. I think I am smiling more. I have not had that comment for many years, and I am glad. Yet we do need to realize that people read our expressions and make assumptions. As leaders, we need to be aware of what we communicate – intentionally and unintentionally – and how this reflects the fruit of the Spirit.

For a two-year period, I worked at a job I did not love. I dreaded going to work every day. So, I began praying that God would give me joy at work. A few days later, as I was busy loading deliveries onto my truck, I suddenly paused. I had been whistling as I was moving pallets around! God was giving me a joy that I was not finding in my work. I was feeling lighter and not carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. It may be that we need to pray diligently that the Holy Spirit would fill us with His joy so that we can produce the fruit of joy as we lead people.

Joy in the workplace lifts people’s spirits. As leaders, we have a large role to play in creating the atmosphere in which work takes place. Let’s make sure that we are doing all we can to contribute to a joy-filled environment.

Keep looking up,

Andy Wiebe

A Good Team Produces Good Work

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Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their labor:
 If either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
    and has no one to help them up.

Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10

As a pastor, much of my work is a solitary effort. I work on my sermon on my own. While I consult resources such as commentaries and word studies, I am responsible for creating the sermon myself. When I teach a Sunday School class, I generally work on it on my own. I am co-teaching a class on Acts right now. Though we spend some time discussing the scriptures together, we take turns preparing the lessons on our own. When I teach and lead, I build on all I have read and seminars I have attended, learning from the authors and presenters. Yet much of my job as a pastor I do on my own.

This last week I was reminded of the value of working with a team. Our church is in the middle of a Three-Week Prayer Focus. We will conclude with a Solemn Assembly on a Saturday, a Prayer Vigil where people will sign up to pray for an hour or more through the night, and then a Celebration Service on the Sunday morning. This has become a much better event than I first envisioned because others have helped think through how to make it the best event it can be.

When I presented the idea to the chairman of the church board, he instantly saw my vision and began to dream with me as to what we should plan and how to roll it out to the congregation. As we, together, dreamed about how the event might work for our church, we got more and more excited. We could see how to invite people to participate and even how to get them to step into some new experiences of prayer in the process. I had not thought of a prayer vigil through the night, but he suggested it.

This chairman suggested we shoot a promo video with interviews of people from our congregation telling us what they thought of prayer. He knew of someone who could create the video. He asked someone to round up people to participate, and several people did, resulting in a very effective promotional video.

He suggested that we make some promotional posters. Again, he knew of someone who would do a good job with this. Now we have some great posters for the event, and even a prayer guide for the event that people are now using to guide their prayer times. Other board members were willing to sign up to help coordinate and lead the prayer vigil. They have also volunteered to make announcements and lead group prayer times.

If I had only depended on my own dreams and skills, we would still have had an event, but it would not have become the great experience it now is. I needed the Board Chair, the other board members, the promotional materials designer, and video producer to make the event that much better.

We need others to team up with if we want to do a good job on many things. Inviting others into the process makes it better because we get to dream with others and bounce ideas off each other that make the result that much better. Working together ensures no one is left carrying the load, and everyone can use their skills and abilities to expand the capabilities of the leader. Sharing the work with others prevents your project from being a lonely experience; instead, the process becomes a shared collaboration with others who have the same convictions and ideas.

I hope you have a good team around you. If not, then I pray that God will help you to find the right people to join your team.

Keep looking up,

Andy Wiebe

Book Reviews: Andy’s 2024 Reading Experience

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I will be sharing a brief review of every book I read this year. Hope you enjoy and hope it encourages you to keep reading.

GO: Returning Discipleship to the Front Lines of Faith – by Preston Sprinkle

As Preston Sprinkle’s books usually do, this one also pushes the boundaries of what believers are comfortable with and used to.  He does a great job of biblically suggesting there is more to discipleship than just teaching and more to church than just Sunday morning worship. He points out that discipleship is about living out a relationship with Christ, and living it out in real and practical ways as we connect with others in our world. Chapter 9 is worth the cost of the whole book as he challenges believers to consider how much of our efforts and money is wrapped up in putting on nice Sunday services instead of helping people with their real needs. A challenging and encouraging read!

Looking Ahead With Clarity Part 3: Where We Want To Be

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This is the final of a three part series on looking ahead with clarity. Part 1 was about recognizing where we have come from. I discussed the value of reflecting on how God had used us in the past and what God has been teaching us that may give us a sense of what is next for us. In Part 2 we looked at assessing our present reality, where we are, and now in Part 3 we will discuss where we are going.

Knowing where we have been and where we are helps us identify a solid starting point from which to begin moving forward. Now we need to clarify where we are going. What is the goal we are shooting for? When that is clear, we can set appropriate steps to get us there.

There are two kinds of goals: achievement goals and habit goals. Achievement goals are goals we work towards to accomplish at some point down the road. Examples could be losing 20 pounds or running a marathon. These are specific points we can look forward to and measure clearly when accomplished. Habit goals are goals we want to work on regularly. A habit goal for me is to read my Bible every day. Habit goals can help us accomplish achievement goals. My daily reading goals help me work toward reading the whole Bible in a year, an achievement goal.

Goals help us determine where we wish to be. There is a 2005 Fountain Tire commercial where a man is buckling himself into his seat on a plane, excited to be going to Hawaii, only to find out he used the wrong gate and got on the wrong airplane. “Ok, goin’ to Winnipeg,” he declares to himself. We need to be clear on our goal and then figure out the right steps that will get us to that goal. If we don’t, we may find ourselves “going to Winnipeg” when we were geared up for a holiday in Hawaii.

While goals give us a point to work toward, it is the steps we take along the way that make a difference to where we end up.

Goals without an appropriate plan to achieve those goals are only wishes. When we create a plan with clear steps to take, we are better able to move toward the goals we have set.

Let’s work through an example. If I want to read the Bible in a year, I can break the goal down into smaller steps:

First, I need to determine which Bible I will read from. I like to choose a version I have not usually read, just to change things up a bit.

Second, I need to decide how much I will read every day. This is made simpler by all the reading options available to purchase or download online.

Third, I need to decide when I will read. Personally, I like to read first thing in the morning, right after my shower. This helps me be awake as I read, and is a perfect time to focus uninterrupted as I’m usually up before my family.

Fourth, I need to decide what I will do if I miss a day. Sometimes I miss a day. I have decided to catch up the next time I read. I do not want to skip any parts and I don’t want to fall too far behind. And I will track my progress by following a Bible laid out in daily readings, keeping a bookmark in place to remind me where I left off.

Whatever goal we are working towards, we can set achievable goals that keep moving us forward. We can develop a plan that gives us small enough steps to achieve in the short term but big enough steps that lead us to the goal.

We need to know where we are going and then make a clear plan to get there.

In part one of this series we looked back to see where we have been and if God has been leading us or preparing us in a certain direction. In part two we looked at how to get clarity on our present reality and so we have a clear starting point to move forward from. Now as we set clear goals and steps to get there, we will be moving ahead with a clear plan.

May God help you accomplish the plans He has given you.

Keep looking up,

Andy Wiebe

Book Reviews: Andy’s 2024 Reading Experience

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I will be sharing a brief review of every book I read this year. Hope you enjoy and hope it encourages you to keep reading.

The Family God Uses: Leaving a Legacy of Influence – by Tom & Kim Blackaby

There are many parenting and family themed books out there, but this is the first I have seen that focuses outside the family. Instead of focusing on how to improve one’s family, the Blackaby’s write about how the family can unit around being on mission for God. They write about the value of the family to the church and to God’s work in the world. A number of examples from them personally and others, are included to show how families can serve God together and be used for His glory in His Kingdom. An excellent book for any parents who want their children to grow up with a desire to serve God. Your family can be used by God!

Looking Ahead With Clarity: Part 1: Where We Were

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New Years is often a time of resolutions and goal setting. As we move to a new calendar year, we begin to dream about what could be. I would like us to consider the possibilities of what could happen in this new year. In the next 3 blogs I want to discuss how to look ahead with clarity, covering the following three topics: where we were, where we are, and where we want to be.

In order to look ahead with clarity, we need to first look back to see where we have been. The old Experiencing God bible study by Henry T. Blackaby (click for link to 2022 edition) identified the value of looking back at the past to gain clarity about what step God may want us to take next. Whether we are thinking of ourselves as an individual, or considering our church or organization, knowing and understanding our past can inform our future. It is rare that God will redirect us into a completely different direction than where He has already led.

Looking back helped my dad as he was making a change in his career path. My dad was a truck driver. That was his job. That was how most people saw him when I was young. At one point he decided God wanted him to become a marriage and family counselor. Some people thought this was a strange new direction for him to pursue. Others, who knew him well, said it made complete sense. They had already observed God using him to speak into other people’s lives and giving sound advice in the past. Becoming a counselor was not a drastic change but built on what God had already done in his life.

What Has God Been Up To?

As you look back over the last year or more, think about where God has been working in your life and how God has been using you. Has God been speaking to you about your life? There are times in life when every scripture we read or every time we talk with God in prayer that God impresses something on our mind or heart. There are times when, without us asking for it, a certain theme comes up again and again. Have you asked God what to do with that?

Have you seen God use you in meaningful ways with people and circumstances? Perhaps you’ve agreed to serve in a role because there is a need, only to find that God arranged for you to be in that place at that time to be a blessing to someone in need. God may use circumstances where you are exposed to a need you were not aware of, but God impresses the need on your heart, and you realize God is calling you to be part of the solution.

I know for me; I became convinced of God’s calling on me to be a pastor as I saw how He used me in my pastoral internship. It was while preaching a sermon during that period that I felt a clear call from God to serve as a pastor. That circumstance became a clear on my life. Similarly, a church may see a number of single mothers attending their church and realize God is calling them to a special ministry with them. Has God already been using you in a certain way that may give you direction for what’s next?

Has God been teaching you things that could be preparing you for something new? God can teach us in a number of different ways. It may be formal training at a school or college or hands on training in an apprenticeship. We also learn a lot just from experiences we go through. Each of these ways of learning can help us see God’s direction on our lives. As God teaches us over time, we get a clearer picture of what He is preparing us for next.

Evaluate the past in light of your relationship with God and His work in and through you. Recognize the value of knowing where you have been in order to get a sense of where to go next. What new beginning may be waiting for you as you step into the new year?

Please leave a comment, let me know how your past has helped you see the future more clearly.

Keep looking up,

Andy Wiebe

Leading Without Accolades

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I remember a leader telling me that she was discouraged because she never heard from people if they appreciated what she was doing. We all long for approval and acknowledgement. We want validation because it feeds our desire for people to like us and like what we do. We need to keep leading even when the accolades are not freely given.

The general population is not good at giving approval for something they expect. If we lead well in church, we will rarely get feedback because we are doing exactly what we signed up to do. We are leading in the way we agreed to when we took on the responsibility. Sometimes, when the verbal accolades are not given, we may be able to read the body language of the crowd to recognize their approval. If people laugh at a joke you shared in a speech, take that as an accolade. If they respond with clapping or raised hands during worship you lead, receive that as a sign you are leading well as they are responding physically.

It is also important to recognize that people are more likely to give negative feedback than positive feedback. If there is absence of negative feedback, take that as a good sign. No feedback may mean that people are okay with how things are going.

As leaders, we also need to learn to get our affirmation elsewhere. We cannot depend on the people we lead to be a gauge of how well we are leading. Instead, we need to be clear about what our role is and do it to our best ability. Yes, we love and need feedback, but we must learn to lead without it coming from the ones we lead. And then when we do receive positive feedback, accept it as a bonus rather than an expectation.

Sometimes we can look at the success of our leadership and receive positive encouragement from that, but sometimes our leadership is not met with the success we long for. We may be doing it all right, but still have no success to point to.

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:10

In Galatians 1: 10 Paul points out that our goal should be to please God rather than look for the approval of men. Yes, it feels really good and is affirming to hear the “well done” of people, but it is even more encouraging to know that God approves of us and our leadership. Some years ago, my leadership was challenged to the point that I ended up losing my position. This affected me deeply. It was incredibly encouraging when I was at a pastor’s retreat, and God used others to affirm His love for me. Three different times in those couple of days, God said to me, “You are beloved Son in whom I am pleased.” Once it was a strong impression in my mind and twice it was as different people prayed over me. The approval of God was worth much more than that of men.

It is also valuable to recognize that anything good is done only through the work of Christ in us. 1 Corinthians 3: 7 points out, “So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow”. God equips us and invites us into leadership roles. Our first responsibility is to Him! As we serve in leadership, we ought to serve with a desire to please God first.

When the accolades do not come, continue to lead as God has called you. Do your job well and do it for the Master who called you to that role in the first place.

Keep looking up,

Andy Wiebe

Book Reviews: Andy’s 2023 Reading Experience

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I will be sharing a brief review of every book I read this year. Hope you enjoy and hope it encourages you to keep reading.

PRAY & GO: Your Invitation to Become a Great Commission Christian – by Thom S. Rainer.

Thom Rainer has written a great book that is used for Church Answer’s Hope Initiative, a 30-day journey that can be done as a group or individually. When you sign up for the Hope Initiative you also get other supporting resources and video encouragement in you 30-day journey. The intent of the book is to help you become more active in sharing your faith as you pursue the fulfillment of the Great Commission of introducing others to Jesus. A great book to help you grow as a disciple of Jesus.

Book Reviews: Andy’s 2023 Reading Experience

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I will be sharing a brief review of every book I read this year. Hope you enjoy and hope it encourages you to keep reading.

HOLY CONVERSATIONS – by Gil Rendle and Alice Mann

Holy Conversations: Strategic Planning as a Spiritual Practice for Congregations, is a practical workbook for anyone who is looking to lead a congregation to a unified vision and purpose. This book would be especially appealing to those who have little or no experience in leading a church through vision setting and strategic planning. They offer a number of examples, resources, and tools in the appendix that you could use as is or adapt to your local setting. If you are looking to lead a congregation to become more purposeful and with a unified mission, consider this book as a resource.