Servant Leadership (Part 2): Leading by example; Serving!

Matthew 25:35-40

^"35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"

Need I say more? This is the direct reflection of Christ to His servant leaders. This is also what He tried several times to show the disciples. This means doing these things without expectation of return or gratitude. God rewards us in earthly and spiritual ways; We may not see the fruits of this labor until we reach heaven.

 Our presence on stage is not a reflection of these acts. It's a result. We are placed in areas of leadership because God is rewarding our labors and entrusting us with greater responsibility. Reflect on the parable of the bags of gold just prior to the above passage in Matthew 25:14. God does not automatically provide all things to us upon bestowing responsibility. We are to grow, invest, and seek out ways to further the things God has given us. That is why it's called a harvest; not just of souls for Him, but for the growth of the things He has provided us with. This is our proving ground to make the absolute best out of what God has given us, no matter how great or small the responsibility. 

In the process of growth and expanding our responsibility/talents, God is also refining us all. To refine: to free (as metal, sugar, or oil) from impurities or unwanted material; to make improvement by introducing subtleties or distinctions(source: http://www.merriam-webster.com). Refining metal takes heat; sugar takes sifting, oil takes separating. This is a process or trial and not always pain free. The end result, however, is the goal, and is well worth the journey. 

What can I do better? I try to ask myself this question often. It's answering it that becomes more difficult ;). As I become set in my ways, thoughts, and ideals, I tend to think of this less and less. However, I need to constantly evaluate what I can do better in all aspects of my life and walk with Christ. Because, until I reach heaven, I ain't perfect, not even close. 

This all requires inner focus. Luke 6:41 "
⁴¹ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"  

So we need inner focus. Let us examine ourselves constantly instead of looking to others. If everyone is doing this, no one should be able to look at the other and find fault. God has called and chosen every one of you. These are steps to make us all better at what he has called us to do. I believe we need to be faithful with what we are given, so we can further serve in His Kingdom and be used as a mighty tool for His Glory. Remember, not one of us is above taking out the trash, picking up garbage, or cleaning floors. Humble beginnings brings greatness. Let God have complete control over you and keep you humble, serving in any available way. True Servant Leaders. This is the standard of excellence our team will strive for. Amen.  

I want to leave you with this encouragement: 

Psalms 18:2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  


^{Thank You All,
Tyler}  

Housekeeping.

Good afternoon. Today I'm going to be working on housekeeping items within the site. I will be expanding and sorting the different topics to different pages to their respective topic. This will include a music page where there will be links to the songs and any available chord charts/music/leadsheets/overheads. I am also creating a schedule page that will need to be checked frequently for changes and updates. This will also help me to see the division of labor and make sure one person(s) is not overburdened. God continues to speak to me, and I am in the rough draft stage of Servant Leadership part 2. God is also calling me to more team building things. I am toying with the idea of getting together once a month and doing something fun and not "work" related. This can be anything, a dinner, bowling, game nights, etc. Be thinking of ways we can fellowship and become a more unified group as we pursue the presence of God. He loves it when brethren dwell in unity together, and also tells us to know those who labor among you. God has definitely convicted me that I am not as close to you as I should be as a leader.  Thank you for your patients with me. I love and thank you all. I have found my prior email newsletter and posted them here as "archives". These are great things from God, and I was blessed to read back through them. God Bless.
Tyler

Obedience: The Key to Servant Leadership (part 1)

Servant Leadership; A term widely used in today's church. I believe all people involved with our worship ministry are called to be servant leaders. But what does that really mean? For me this means our leaders are obedient to those above them and are an example of this to others around them. Obedience requires faith, trust and a willing heart. This is not as easy as it sounds. I can remember all throughout my early years as a worship team member thinking "why do i have to do this?" or "what does that have to do with worship?" Little did I know that sometimes, God was using those situations to prepare me for being a leader, as I can still see no other reason. :)

It is part of natural human nature to question that which is asked of and told to us; some more than others. I always have questions (that's not always a good thing). God is still refining me through this process, even as I am leading. Our leadership is responsible to God just as we are. Hebrews 13:16-17 ^"Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you."
Our leadership is responsible for us, as well as themselves. The higher the calling, the higher the responsibility. 


If you have faith in God, trust your leaders. God has specifically placed leaders according to his will for all our lives. Have faith in God that he knows what he is doing. That does not mean that as leaders we are not wrong. Quite the opposite. I am wrong a lot. It's how we handle these situations, as leaders and as servants, that make us great in Him. James 1:3-4"because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." 1 Peter 1:6-7  "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise (worshipers praise God, right?), glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." Amen.

This applies even when we think we know better than the leader (or even God). Look at Abraham and Sarah, regarding God's promise of a son born of their own flesh (Genesis 15:4). In chapter 16 it had been 10 years since God's promise to them, so Sarah and Abraham decided to take matters into her own hands. This showed a lack of faith/trust in God's promise to both of them. She instructed Abraham to sleep with her servant. Abraham did so, and bore Ishmael. This was not God's will, as he later fulfilled his promise to them nearly 14 years after Ishmael was born. In Chapter 17 God gives instruction to Abraham: "When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”"

So whether you believe your leadership is incorrect or just questioning them in general, remember to walk faithfully and be blameless. Let God do His work and reveal His plan in your life and those around you. Learn from those around you, and take the first opportunity to learn what God has for you. I know from personal experience it is MUCH harder the second, third and fourth times around. Obedience is not struggling to maintain or following a long list of rules, it is a natural flow from God when you are in his will and in touch with His Spirit.Today I leave you all with these verses:

Romans 8:18 and 28 "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."  Let God's glory be revealed in you through your trust, faith, and obedience. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Amen

Tyler

Archive 2 (from newsletter email)

This week I want to speak with you a bit further in depth about God’s calling on our lives, and working through the struggles that bind us. For the past 3 months, I feel we have been under attack. I can personally say this, as well as regarding the work to be done at the Tabernacle. Through the last 3 months, God specifically speaks the same phrase to me over and over when I come to Him. At the times He speaks this to me, I am at the point of giving up, regarding work, home, church, and so on. God tells me “Continue the good work I have begun in you.” I reach a point where I feel that, again, I cannot go on. God again tells me “Continue the good work I have begun in you.” So wanting to become better and further the ministry I have been called to do, I began researching worship leading/team building and so on. God directed me to Phillipians. This is not where I had been reading, as I told you last week God has been speaking through the trials of David and his entry into His Kingdom’s work. However, I believe this is directly related to what God has been showing me.

                Phillipians 1:6 says: “⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Cool, huh? The funny thing is, the worship workshop video talked about the second chapter, but I thought, read the first, I mean why not? It’s relatively short. And then…WHAMO! God’s Word directly confirms what He has been pressing on my heart for nearly 3 months. Confirmation is a beautiful thing, and builds mountains of faith. I feel strengthened even as I write this. So I continued…and in verse 15 I learned that people taught the Gospel, just to “spite” Paul. Paul goes on to say no matter, the Gospel is still being preached! I believe this is an amazing attitude, and this continues in chapter 2. Please read Phillipians 2:1-18. I believe this directly parallels the story of David playing for Saul to soothe his spirit. David had nothing to gain from this action, quite contrary; David nearly lost his life several times in doing so. David did this in direct reflection of Phillipians 2:4 “⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” -willingness to serve others regardless the cost, for the Glory of the Lord. Make these 18 verses a prayer to Him. He will be the one to exalt you to the highest place when you serve. David had no ambitions that the Bible speaks of regarding taking Saul’s place as king. Even as he was chosen from his family, David was not boastful, and took on a servant’s duty even after this, taking food to his brothers who were fighting a war. David arrives on the battlefield, and is angered righteously by Goliath. He had no intentions of self service or glory as a result of the altercation. It was to better God’s people and silence the voice of evil speaking against the One, True, God. Let us remember, through every song and every moment as worshipers of Christ, this is for Him, and Him alone; He gave His life selflessly for us. That is why we praise and worship Him.

Tyler

Archive (from newsletter e-mails)

Hello all,

   

    This is volume one, issue one, of what I plan to be our weekly worship team update/newsletter. I would like to try 2 new songs this evening, they are attached to this email. Tyler, these are chord sheets, if you need them with words only to add them to the projection, just let me know. Stanton, can you give me Sara's e-mail, I would like to include her in these, along with every one on the worship team. I will try to remember to speak with the singers tonight to get email addresses from them. If any of you have e-mail addresses for any of the singers, please send them to me so I may update them with new songs, practices, and requests. 

    Each week I will try to include a bible verse or passage. I believe God is speaking with all of us, and we need to stay plugged into His word and be in prayer for our team. Satan has planned and executed many attacks on all of us and the only way to combat this is to stay close to Him, be in prayer, and put on the Armor of God, and read His word. This week I have been reading the story of Saul and David. Please read 1 Samuel 16:14-23. This re-affirmed in me that God is mighty through worship, and spirits are cast out by praise and a willing heart. I believe that the spirit that God allowed to plague Saul was the Holy Spirit convicting him, and when David played, it soothed and calmed the Spirit of God, comforting Saul knowing that God still chose to bless him with His presence, in spite of his prior bad acts. Saul knew the power of worship, and David was God's tool. I believe this was the beginning of David's music ministry. He was discovered by a servant of Saul playing to the Lord when no one was around. David's praise and worship was his direct link with God. David's relationship with God was so advanced by his worship, that God called David a man after His Own Heart. This exemplifies the heart of a true worshiper, what we do in private we will also do in public. If we can't worship on our own, in our home, tucked away by ourselves,  we cannot effectively lead others into true worship; worship that touches the heart of God and draws His people close to Him and into His presence. Let this ring true in all our lives. Let's worship God in private, in the quiet times, and God will bless us when we lead his people into his presence. Worship breaks bondage, heals His people, and WINS battles. Do not let satan steal your worship time with Him. Satan knows how important this is, and he will put many things in your path to keep you from it. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!!!! 

Last but not least,

Thank you all for your dedication and service to the team. I appreciate each and every one of you and your willingness to sacrifice, sleep, family time, and yourselves for God's work. God's rewards for His servants are great!!!

Sincerely,

Tyler C.