Maybe this is the time to go learn more about it.

Arizona Wait No More Promo Video from Focus on the Family on Vimeo.

To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.

The "Resurgence," site gives you four things to think about when choosing future servant leaders:

1. Are they connected to Jesus
===================

Are they connected to Jesus. Nothings is more important then this. When you look at their lives do you see Jesus? Kindness. Patience? Love? Humility? Joy? Passion?

2. Are they connected to You as the Leader
===========================
Do they believe in your commitment to Jesus, encourage you, enjoy working with you? Or, are they always not quite pleased with you as a leader? Are they able to disagree with you and still strongly support you - then you know you have a great servant leader who will speak the truth and still stand by you -trusting in God to grow you.

3. Are they connected to the Vision
======================
Do they believe in your top five visions - and are they "foot-to-the-floor," committed to the things your church (Jesus' gospel and mission) is committed to? For us, at AMADEO, that is:

a. developing an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ
b. loving others as Jesus loved us
c. making new disciples
d. making mature disciples
e equipping and sending out leaders

4. Are they connected to Others
====================

Do they connect with others like Jesus did? If they do not feel connected, appreciated or loved - this could mean they are waiting to be served rather than busy serving others. Do people just want to hang out with them? Are they making the most of every opportunity to be connected to others?


Read more: Click Here

Labels: Picking Leaders

What are the things you should be doing, or the person you need to become now to prepare yourself for moving into ministry full time?

1. Are you shepherding people at different levels:

a. Do you meet with people who can bring you nothing right now - you are just believing in the value of caring for people. We are called to love people - period. Not, love people if they can give you something of benefit. Not, love people who are able to make up some deficit of your own.

b. Do you have puppies. Are there people inside and outside of the church that are seeking out your leadership? Have you raised some people up to serve under your ministry so that they stand in the gap for you when you are not able to be around?

c. Do you meet with people who are qualified and effective in their ministry post - and are they willing to follow you?

d. Do you make yourself available to people in authority in your local church?


2. Are you a servant-leader? Do you get offended easily?

a. Have you sat at the lowest seat at the table long enough without trying to move your seat up towards the head of the table yourself. If you are trying to advance yourself you are already setback. If you are able to humbly say "show me how to serve," and if you do not get your "briefs" in a bunch when people pass you over - you are probably nearer your goal then it might appear. In our church the humble are always advanced - while the clamoring individual seem to find themselves held back. One can be humble and passionate in offering one's body and energies to service - but pride is seen in the one that is easily offended or hurt. This is a sign that more training is to come.

b. Has your leader offended your sense of personal worth? If so, you may not be ready to serve.

c. Are you available to serve in all the small areas? If you take care of the big things and the small things - it is a sign that you see the things a pastor needs to see.

d. Even if you are not recognized by leadership - do you find a way to humbly lead others in the church?


3. How's your shepherding resume look so far?

a. Have you done family & is your life in order as a whole. Do you have a wife and kids? If you have a family and can prove that they are developing into healthy people who can relax, discuss kingdom concepts intelligently and with joy - and are not starving emotionally, intellectually, socially or financially - then you will have a better chance of succeeding. Nothing causes you to grow like long term two way relationships. If you have been through the fire of marriage and family and are thriving - there is a good chance you may be able to pastor others.

b. Have you been faithful to pastor/shepherd/mentor people.

---Do you do it regularly?
---Do you have a strategy that moves people to fall deeper in love with Jesus?
---Do the people you meet with start meeting with others?

c. Do you have an intimate relationship with Jesus

---Are you joy filled - and people see it
---Are you spending regular time with Jesus - in His Word, praying, with His people
---Do you go out and tell people about Jesus - if you are with Jesus you will be talking to people in the streets as he did.


4. How is your demeanor?

a. Do people trust you?

b. Do godly people look up to you?

c. Do you appreciate and praise those in leadership over you?

d. Do you have a problem with the pastor regularly?

e. Have you ever gotten to the point of disillusionment in the church - but still humbly cared for and praised it anyways? Diestriech Bonhoeffer, in the book "Life Together," reminds us that true Christian community doesn't begin until you reach the point of disillusionment in achieving your own hopes and dreams, and disillusionment with your local community as a whole. Not until a person reaches that points - and THEN still chooses to love the community is there any chance for authentic Christian community.

f. Do you talk bad about leadership and people in the church behind their backs.

g. Are you generally optimistic about Jesus' work in your local community? Do you trust him to make up for any deficiencies a church might have? And are you willing to stand in the gap for the areas where there is a deficiency, or trust God to work the community through these limitations?

Labels: Lessons learned from being a pastor

1. You have tried to be their friend more than be their spiritual leaders

2. They are following how they have seen you treat others and talk about them

3. They have not seen you respect people in authority yourself

4. You don't know how to tell them no regularly

5. You don't spend enough time with them one on one

6. You haven't taught them to consider other's needs over your own.

7. They have not seen you love on your spouse

8. You need to pray more for your kids

9. You are no fun

10. They Need Jesus

1. Humble people are added to your number
2. Volunteers are birthed from prayers rather than expectations
3. What would normally seem like work - feels like an adventure.
4. Those not previously interested in the kingdom stuff - are suddenly fascinated.
5. The proud are humbled
6. God does pruning - see Gideon
7. People have more fun
8. God's provision comes in - in ridiculous ways
9. People write new songs, create beautiful things
10. Jesus is the only big idea in people's minds

Another Earth

I have always believed that the best movies are ones you discover when you weren’t looking for them. Another Earth, the movie, was one of those surprisingly quirky, thoughtful, and heart moving tales of people finding themselves in difficult situations. It is packed mildly in science fiction genre packaging – but it is a tale of young idealistic hope and promise that is immediately slapped down with the existential reality of life and tragedy. All of that happens within the first 10 minutes – and the rest of the movie is a tale of redemption, self -discovery, forgiveness, reconciliation, hope, starting over and sacrificial living.

It is artfully done - slower and thoughtful, philisophical. If you want action - this is not the movie for you. If you want a kind hearted movie that is also realistically painful and full of redemption and hope - then you will like this movie.

There is no nudity or foul language but some suggestively intimate moments - and an attempted suicide.

If you don’t want any more spoilers stop reading now.

Click Here for whole review.