God

Fruitful Leadership #6: Goodness

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When God created the world, Genesis tells us he made this statement five times: “And God saw that it was good.” On the last day, he looked at all he had made and the Bible declares: “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” The word declaring the absolute best or the perfection of what God created was “good.” Today, good seems like it’s not enough. We use words like amazing, excellent, incredible, and on and on.

As we continue to work our way through the list of Spiritual gifts found in Galatians 5: 22 and 23 we come to the fruit of “goodness”. Again, in today’s thinking, at least in mine, “goodness” seems like a bland word compared to what one might use. So, let’s look at the word before we look at how we would invite the Holy Spirit to make it a fruit we are producing in our life.

“Goodness” or “good,” according to Strong’s concordance, is meant to convey something intrinsically good, or something which “originates from God and is empowered by Him in their life, through faith.” (https://biblehub.com/greek/19b.htm)  This is not a bland statement but one that is intended to show the goodness of God, all the good of the creator being lived out in his creation. Really, it is reflecting the goodness of God in our life.

If we want to lead with the Spirit’s fruit of goodness in our leadership, we look to lead like God would in the situations we find ourselves in. We ask the Spirit to make us good like God in how we act toward other people and how we live our lives before them. As we lead, we do so from the goodness of God already in us through the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives.

To lead with the fruit of goodness in our lives is impossible unless we have come into fellowship with God through faith in Christ. Then, as his Spirit takes up residence in our lives, we can invite him to express himself through us in our words and actions.

While kindness is focused on others and how we care for them, goodness is a focus on God that allows his Spirit to work through us as we put God first in all of our lives. As we focus on God, he works through us.

The development of this fruit then begins with a continued desire to know God better. Goodness, that intrinsic, God-empowered fruit, depends on how well we get to know God and allow him to fill us with his goodness. A leader who desires to produce the fruit of goodness cannot just try harder or look at ways to be good and nice to people. It will not happen by our own efforts. It cannot be the result of a seminar or training exercise. It is only the result of spending time with God in his Word and in prayer.

As you are filling yourself with goodness in your relationship with God, you can then produce goodness in your interactions with your team and others you serve. It can only be an overflow of spending time in God’s goodness first.

Leading with goodness is a great desire. Spend time with God regularly so the Holy Spirit will produce goodness in you and your leadership.

Keep looking up,

Andy Wiebe

Fruitful Leadership #5: Kindness

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The spiritual fruit of kindness in a leader is different than how we often think of kindness.

We tend to think of kindness as “being kind” or “being nice” to someone. It is the opposite of being mean or rude. It is the sense of treating each other as we would like to be treated. This is recognizing each other as humans who need to respect and care for each other as such.

The spiritual fruit of kindness, though, is not so much about holding back our anger and frustration and being nice to those around us. Kindness, as presented in Galatians 5: 22 in the list of spiritual fruit evident in those who are filled with the Spirit, is about practical care for others.

While the word portrays goodness and gentleness, it could be thought of as “useful kindness.” This is about practically being kind by doing something nice for another person that is useful to them.

A simple example would be to show up with coffee and donuts for your team at coffee time. Not only are you doing something nice, but it could also be useful to them, especially if they need a little energy.

So how can we be kind in this way as a Christian leader? How can we meet real needs of those we are leading?

Why not begin by finding out what the real needs are?

Instead of assuming, take time to talk with people and get to know them and what is going on in their lives. If your team is too big to talk personally with everyone, talk with a few. Or send out a brief survey or questionnaire inviting your people to let you know how you can be of help.

Here are a few thoughts on how you could extend useful kindness to the people you work with.

  • Have an open-door policy – even for certain hours if it doesn’t work all the time.
  • Offer financial help to those who might benefit from counselling.
  • Make lunchtime easier. Provide a small kitchen for staff to use. One employer I had brought in a catered lunch occasionally.
  • A businessman offered free childcare in a facility connected to his business for his staff.  If you are not able to do this, can you offer some help?
  • Provide appropriate training regularly.
  • Ensure your team has the tools and resources they need to do their job well.
  • Keep organizational structure and communication clear.

The spiritual gift of kindness can be a powerful tool in a leader’s pouch to build loyalty and camaraderie with the people you lead. As you extend mercy and grace in practical ways, people will respond with respect and loyalty. As you reach out with benevolence and generosity, they will respond with a desire to do their best for the team.

We should be nice to those we lead, but we can go beyond that and provide useful and practical help as well.

Keep looking up,

Andy Wiebe

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

Half a Century of God’s Faithfulness!!

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I just realized the other day that I have been a follower of Jesus for 50 years – and God has sure proven His faithfulness! I was about seven years old when my dad prayed with me, and I surrendered my life to Jesus. Next month I turn 57. And God has never failed me over all those years. I have experienced what Deuteronomy 7:9 declares, “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God.”

God has proven his faithfulness in always being there for me, in good times and bad. He has been there when I was so disappointed in Him that I deliberately tried to ignore Him for a period of time. I was frustrated how my life was going and began to wonder if God would ever intervene. That attempt to give God the cold shoulder didn’t last for too many days, because no matter what, God has always been there. He was never far from me. Romans 3:3-4 declares God’s faithfulness even when we are not. “What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all!” And God has shown His faithfulness as I have learned to get to know Him better over the years. When I think back to the simple faith of seven-year-old me and the way God has proven His love in ever deepening ways, I am so thankful that faithfulness is one of God’s attributes!

I have experienced God’s faithfulness in his forgiveness. As scripture declares in Romans 5: 8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He loved me while I was a sinner, and he loves me as I continue to struggle with sin. And like the patriarchs of the Old Testament, God has used me in meaningful ways even as I fall short of His best for me. God working in and through me has allowed us to be part of some unique experiences like helping a church grow in a school and then move into its own building, and putting on Easter events for the community that drew three times as many people as we usually saw on a Sunday.

God has been faithful in giving me a great family! I have a beautiful wife, who is clearly a gift from God. We have two beautiful and competent daughters! Again, clearly gifts from God! And He has helped us through many difficult things. We have had family health scares but known God’s peace in those as He walked with us. We have had times of financial strain, without a house, without a job, and unsure about what was next. God arranged for a job that provided us with enough finances to buy a house after two years. We have experienced answers to prayer, from finding skates for a great deal to healing when we needed it.

The faithfulness of God is evident as I look back over the years to how God directed us to certain churches and communities to live and serve in for awhile. While there were a few disappointments along the way, it was clear that God directed us to the places where we could fit and serve Him well. He has given us many great memories from the different places we served.

God loves people. He loves to welcome them into His family. And He loves to walk with them for the rest of their lives! I have experienced that in many personal ways. It is so good to never have to worry if He will still love us if we do something wrong, or if He might ignore us or no longer respond in love. “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God.”

Keep looking up,

Andy

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.

SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP: Moving People on to God’s Agenda – by Henry & Richard Blackaby

Spiritual Leadership is one of the better leadership books I have read. The authors highlight that spiritual leadership is all about God. It is about moving people in the direction God wants them to go, about listening to God for how to lead well, and listening to God about what direction to lead. I appreciate how they point out that spiritual leadership is not the same as leadership in general. In fact, they begin the book with this statement: Spiritual leadership is not an occupation: it is a calling. Christians in any area of leadership should be spiritual leaders. This is a great book for any Christian who wants to lead well.

What Energizes You?

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A friend of mine is going through a difficult stage in life. His job is not what he would like and leaves him exhausted at the end of the day when he wants to spend time with his family. He has a large debt that he is working to clean up among other issues that stress him out. When I asked him what fills him up, he answered, “Right now, I have no clue.” He is so overwhelmed with life that trying to think of something that would help energize him seems impossible.

What fills up your tank? There is value in finding something that energizes you.

Being in nature fills me up. I love driving through the mountains, enjoying the scenery and watching for wildlife. My wife and I stopped at a little heart-shaped lake in the Pine Pass in northern British Columbia this fall. Heart Lake is nestled at the foot of some mountains, surrounded by towering pines and spruce. When you walk out on the little dock, the water is so clear you can see right to the bottom of the lake. We enjoyed sitting at a picnic table, reading, then pausing to take in the scenery, and repeating that process. It filled me up.

Sometimes spending time with the right person fills me up. We all know there are certain people who drain you. They draw energy from you. But there are others who make you feel good. There have been times when my wife has told me, “You should really talk to so and so.” Or “you should have lunch with your friend.” There are a few men in my life, who, when I spend a little time with them, leaves me encouraged and energized.

Some of you might get energized by reading a good book. I love to read. It might be a novel or a book that challenges me spiritually. I love to learn, and reading helps me to do that. And it can fill up my tank.

I’m also a project person. I love working on a project where there is a clear goal in mind that I can work toward. I get filled up when I can contribute to something meaningful that cumulates in a well-done finished project.

What fills you up? If you are not sure, maybe you need to ask someone close to you. They may have seen where you shine and where you seem to act happier. As I said earlier, my wife sometimes reminds me to take time to be with one of my energizing friends.

If you feel you have no idea what energizes you it may be time to try new things. Even though it sometimes doesn’t seem like it, you are in charge of your calendar, and your time. I know that we all have demands on us from work and family and other commitments we are tied to, but we should all have even a few minutes here or there to spend on our own well-being.

Identifying what fills you up, and then spending time doing that activity is an important way to fill us up amid the stresses of life. When we get hungry, we eat. When we have been giving and giving too long, we begin to lose ambition and get short-tempered. We need to “eat” something that will restore joy and inner peace.

Some pastors take a sabbatical for a period of weeks and months. While time off is good, even in that scenario, the true value comes not just from taking time off to rest but spending time in our “tank filling” activities. If you are married, you might want to help each other enjoy your energizing activities. This could look like covering for each other in the home for half an hour or so occasionally so the other person can have a few moments to spend on themselves.

Let me finish with one more suggestion, probably the one we should have started with, and one that should remind us that any “tank filling” attempts fall short if we are not right with the One who created us and wants to walk through life with us. A key “tank filling” experience is to have some quiet time to spend with just you and God. You could read scripture. The Psalms may encourage you as the psalmist cries out to God with the same emotions you are feeling. Or you can read the Old Testament stores and be encouraged that God uses even the busy and messed up people for his purposes. You could spend some time talking with God. Think of it as a conversation. Ask him for encouragement and joy. You might want to sing songs of praise, or one of the old hymns. Taking time to be with God can fill a person up.

Remember that God created us all unique, with unique ways of being re-energized and filled up for the next day.

Keep looking up,

Andy Wiebe

The Birth of Jesus! The Story of Christmas.

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Luke 2

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

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.

THE PRACTICE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD – By Brother Lawrence

This book describes how Bother Lawrence practiced the presence of God in the mundane practices of life. It was in 1666 that he became a lay brother among the Carmelites at Paris. His main role was to work in the kitchen. He practiced the presence of God in his everyday activities, so much so that he felt that time for devotions distracted him from his time with God. He was continually aware of God’s presence, as if he had a continuous uninterrupted conversation with God. “I desire only Him, and to be wholly devoted to Him. He pointed out the need to be fully committed to God, “no soul which delights in earthly things, can find full joy in the Presence of God.” This is a little old book that packs a big punch if you want to draw near to God.