I was reading Jeremiah 7, and a few things jumped out at me, especially vs 22-24. Take a second and read them. The first thing that stood out at me was a lack of self-leadership a topic I covered last week. But secondly, I noticed a complete lack of any leadership. No one setting the standard, no one living according to God’s commands, no one calling others to repent. Just the prophet speaking the words of God, which God assures will fall on deaf ears. Don’t let that be you, your church, your family, your city. Live and lead according to God’s commands.

I also read an awesome blog by Perry Noble on Church. What it should be, what it can do, and how if we follow God, He will lead us to make an eternal difference in peoples live. Check it out here.

Then I read a great blog book review of De-Railed by Tim Irwin. The book talks about the failures of leadership and the impact it has. Then the blog list 5 specific failures. Check it out here.

Lastly I read an article on “Breaking the patterns of worry for your team.” It was a really good read, even if things are going well in your organization, it doesn’t mean things are going well with your people. It is also  has a link to a worksheet to help people work through what maybe causing worry. Check it out here.

Just wanted to share those few things with you and hope they are beneficial to you.

First, for our church…

At Crosspoint every  December we take up a special Christmas offering that is above and beyond our regular giving. This offering usually goes to help set up the new year with either funds for new intiatives, events or staffing needs so we can make a big impact. Last year we were able to get some very necessary equipment for expanding our worship space and adding another children’s room.

This year we feel led to use only a small portion for our children’s ministry and to use the other 80% to help set five other ministries national and international up for a big impact in 2010. We are going to build a well in Africa for a village, support a native American ministry to teens on the reservation in Washington state. We are helping a church start in Michigan, and supporting a new church in Ocala, FL. And here in hernando county we are helping out Love Your Neighbor an organization that feeds the needy, clothes the naked and ministers to the homeless in our community.

I am so excited to be able to help those ministries and to help them this December by giving to the Christmas Offering so they can be set up for maximum imp;act in January. For Erin and I, it is an opportunity for us to give our best gift to God this Christmas.

We also focus in very intentional on Christmas Eve. We have found that is one of the greatest days to invite friends, neighbors and family members to church. We make a huge push to connect and serve our community and then invite them to share in our Christmas Eve worship services. It is a chance to share the reason of Christmas with love, grace and compassion and to offer hope to all for a truly divine new life in the new year. Starting this week we are adding 100 more seats to each service and 200 more for our Christmas Eve services. We are making room for people.

So that is what we as a church a doing in December to to fuel a great January.

Secondly, for me personally…

Every January is a big deal for Crosspoint as we kick off a new year, new series, new small group semester and try to connect with people as they are longing for the new year to be better then the last. Because I need to me ready and energized to lead and serve in those areas, it is key that I finish December strong and end 2009 well and then rest.

The best way I have found to be ready for the new year is to make sure I did everything i was called to do this year. So i take sometime to look over my 2009 goals and see where do i need to step it up in order to hit them before years end. I also take some time to reflect on what we have done and how that turned out, it gives me perspective.

Lastly, I spend a few days resting. I need some time off. I can’t burn it at both ends and expect to have what it takes to get me through another year without a few days to recharge mentally, spiritually, emotionally and to focus on my family. I can accomplish a ton of stuff for the Kingdom of God, but I only have one wife and one daughter and they need me too. So, I end each year with a week with them. Resting, Playing, Enjoying what God blessed me with.

So that is is how I focus and work hard in December to fuel a great start in January.

Will you join me this December to set yourself  and Crosspoint up for the best year yet?

It is the hardest part of leadership for me to get right. For me it is easy to lead others, to tell them what to do, to accomplish a task, to achieve something bold. But when it comes to leading myself…well that seems a little more difficult. The reason it is so hard to lead myself is because I am such a tough follower. And to be a good self-leader you must first be a good follower.

In order to lead myself, I must be following some example or guide for personal growth, discipline and hard work. For me, my example is Jesus. So I ask myself before I face the day, “to be a good leader today where do I first need to follow.” I spend some time reading the Bible and in prayer and seeking God. I am not always aware of where I am not being a good self-leader and I need God’s objective eyes to see those areas. This time helps me get a better handle on following and setting me up for self-leadership success.

Another way to think about self-leadership is the term self control. If I am leading my self then I am in control of what I am doing and not doing at all times. At the end of the day the only one responsible for me and how I lived is me.

For all of us who are called, gifted or reluctantly find ourselves leading, make sure you are being a faithful self-leader by being a good follower.

Proverbs 25:28
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.