10 THINGS I'VE LEARNED IN LEADERSHIP

1. LEAD WITH INTEGRITY
2. OPERATE WITHIN YOUR OWN UNIQUENESS AND CREATIVITY (No copycat Ministry)
3. YOUR CONTEXT IS NOT DESIGNED FOR EVERYTHING (Just because I see someone else doing it doesn't mean I'm supposed to be doing it)
4. BUSYNESS DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN EFFECTIVE/PRODUCTIVE
5. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH LIKE-MINDED PERSONS
6. INVEST IN TRAINING THOSE YOU LEAD
7. DON'T TRY TO DO EVERYTHING (learn to say No to some things)
8. JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT PRESENT DOESN'T MEAN THE SHOW CAN'T GO ON.
9. BE REAL AND AUTHENTIC
10. GET REST


Until next time,

PV

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FATIGUE AND LAZINESS

Some have mistakenly concluded that
Fatigue and Laziness are the same thing.
There is a clear distinction between the two.
One is Intentional and excuse-driven while the other is unplanned and unintentional.
Here they are by definition:

1) LAZINESS: the quality of being unwilling to work or use energy

2) FATIGUE: extreme tiredness, typically resulting from mental or physical exertion or illness.

So here it is, we can’t necessarily help but become Fatigued at times,
but Laziness should be both avoided, because truthfully it can very Costly
and disastrous in the end. However it’s something that we can conquer and overcome.

- PV

A PASSAGE FOR EVERY PASTOR

1 Peter 5:1-4 (NLT) "And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: 2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor".

ACCOUNTABILITY

What's up everybody! It's been a minute since I've Blogged! I wanted to come on and share something from one of our ManUp Men's Prayer call. This morning we talked about "Accountability" and the benefits and blessing of having an Accountability partner. As Men, or just a person for that matter, many of us have to constantly deal with our flaws, faults and failures. One of the most powerful things we can do is become accountable for those flaws, faults and failures. This would call for us to get an accountability partner, someone we can share those flaws, faults and failures with and someone that will challenge us to do a self-evaluation and assessment in becoming an improved version of ourselves despite those flawed areas of our lives. 


Here's the challenge, becoming accountable to someone take us being Honest and Vulnerable. It's challenging because many of us have Trust issues and this is usually a hindrance to Accountability. That's why it's important to connect to a trustworthy individual that has already proven themselves trustworthy, someone you can share your flaws, faults, habits and addictions with in confidence and not feel judged or condemned for doing so. Maybe this accountability partner is your Pastor, a family member, a church member, a ministry partner/team member, a coach, a mentor, a counselor or clinical Professional.


It's all about "taking ownership" and connecting to someone that will challenge you do better and allow room for growth in the areas where there is deep struggle. The best part of you and I has yet to be revealed, as there is untapped potential and promise that has yet to be released and a great place to start moving toward that untapped potential and promise is by way of Accountability. 


Be blessed,
-PV

EVOLUTIONARY

About 2 months ago our Church, Canaan Christian Fellowship Church (CCFC) started something for Men called ManUp Men's Power Prayer Call, where the men of our Church and Community gather via conference call from 6:00 - 6:45  a.m. every Monday for Prayer and Devotion empowering men to be all that God is calling them to be in Christ. Over the past few weeks we have been discussing the topic of: "EVOLUTION". 

In short Evolution has to do with the process of Advancement, Change and Growth. We've been looking at different steps we can take as men to be Evolutionary, not allowing Pride and Shame to block us from making progress in our unique and individual journeys. The two steps we've discussed so far in our quest toward advancement, growth and change are; we need to be 1) GOOD LISTENERS and we need to be 2) TEACHABLE. 

Those who listen are those who learn, Having good listening skills will pay big dividends in the end. Our future highly depends upon our willingness be a good listener. Also we must be Teachable, and I don't just mean from the context of a classroom, conference room or pulpit, but being teachable means we must find a lesson in the classroom of Life, I mean in every detail of our lives, Even in the smallest most minute moments in life, we must allow ourselves to be trained and taught in those moments. Part of Evolving means ever learning, ever being a good listener and being teachable is something that must be consistent and ongoing. We should always look for ways and opportunities to become better and do better. Be Encouraged Somebody!


- PV

BEWARE OF SELF-CENTEREDNESS

SELF ABSORBED/SELF CENTERED: "Only Caring About and Interested in Self"

Self Centered individuals are easily identified but difficult to deal with. Self-centeredness is toxic and poisonous to any relationship and association on any level. It is no doubt a very annoying, disturbing and at times obnoxious behavior. Little to nothing can be accomplished with someone that is self-centered and self-consumed. Now I'm not saying don't love yourself and give attention to the details of your own life, but you cannot be so consumed with you, that you become unaware of those that socially exist within the world you live.  

Unfortunately and sad to say this behavior/spirit at times will show up in the church. This is something that we need to constantly and consistently guard against. In fact being self-centered and self-consumed is something that God disapproves of, and it can lead to division and disunity, especially as it relates to how the Bible calls for us as Believers to Love and relate to one another. 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7(NLT) says this to us... "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance"

So here it is, being Self-centered and never putting it in check will cause one to become directly opposed to Loving according to the Bible's standard for Loving others. The answer to being self-absorbed and self-centered is HUMILITY, taking on the mindset that "it's not all about me". James 4:6a. says God "...gives grace to the Humble".  So let's make a conscious effort to be less self-centered and more Love-Centered keeping the interest of others in mind. 

- PV

TRANSPARENCY

I believe in and am one that is all for being Transparent. I believe that when one (especially a leader) is Transparent it brings light to the fact that this individual is far from being Perfect and is in need of the same Grace that everyone else is. However, with that said, I also believe there should be a balance when it comes to being transparent. 

We should not showcase and spotlight our flaws, frailties, mishaps and dysfunction without there being some balance between that and our attempt to live lives that are morally and spiritually exceptional. Transparency does not excuse one (especially leaders) from working to pursue a life of integrity, honesty, self-control, Godliness and exemplary character.

We must remain accountable to how the bible calls for us to live and lead as Leaders. Don’t get so caught up in being Transparent that your Transparency overshadows and undermines your need to continue to train yourself to be a person of Discipline and exemplary character. The energy I put into being transparent, should also be put into showing and sharing with others that I am pushing to pursue a life of Holiness in Christ Jesus!

Yes, I believe we should "keep it real" and "Keep it 100" with people, but our lives should daily reflect and be a demonstration of the fact that although we're not perfect, we are availing ourselves to be Transformed by the sustaining and life-altering power of Jesus Christ, daily moving toward a life of Godliness and Christ-likeness. Thanks for reading y'all! - PV

KEEP MOVING FORWARD

Moving Forward can sometimes be difficult! Even in my own life I found this to be true. Moving Forward is even more difficult when we allow other people's opinion to be an influence, especially when their opinion opposes our decision to move forward. 

I've discovered that people can hold up the necessary progress that we at times so desperately need to make in our lives, because of their unwillingness to embrace our need to move on and move forward to something fresh, new, innovative and exciting. Stop surrendering to what people "think" you should do and move on what you "know" you need to do. Just KEEP MOVING FORWARD! 

DEPENDABLE HANDS

Most people that know me, know that I’m a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan, so this Blog is not easy for me to write, Lol! Well, in 2007 which was probably one of their best Seasons it came down to one play in an NFC Conference Playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks, that would determine the next step in the Destiny of the Dallas Cowboys. It came down to a 19-yard winning field goal for the Dallas Cowboys.

However, when the long-snapper snapped the ball to the holder who was Quarterback Tony Romo at the time, something tragic happened, Tony Romo fumbled the snap. The thing that was given to him, the thing that was entrusted to him, the thing that he was supposed to safely take care of until it was successfully kicked through the uprights for a win, he fumbled, he lost, he negligently mishandled, all because his hands could not handle what was given to him.


The Cowboys went from a possible win to a sure defeat all because of the unsure hands of Tony Romo. I said all of that to say that when it comes down to your dreams, when it comes down to your aspirations, when it down your corporate and personal vision, when it comes to your life goals unlike the football in Romo’s hands in 2007, God will not fumble or mishandle what you place in His hands. You and I must understand that success and victory will not come if our dreams, our aspirations and desires remain in our hands, we have to learn to put them in the Hands of the Lord! In fact, if it's in your Heart, it's better off in His Hands! In  Psalm 37:4-5 (NLT) the Bible says... “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you” 

Listen y'all, trust God with everything that has to do with you and watch Him do what you can't do with what you give to Him. His Hands are sure, reliable and dependable!


- PV

I'M HURTING BECAUSE YOU'RE HURTING

Romans 12:15b. admonishes believers to "...Mourn with those that Mourn", as a way of taking on and sharing in  the hurt of our Brothers and Sister in Christ. This is a critical time for us as believers to show forth this kind of compassion as we continue to pray for our brothers and sisters at the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, SC. The families of those Victims that were gunned down by a lone 21 year old gunman following a Wednesday Night Bible Study will forever be affected by the murderous Act carried out by a young man who is lost, misguided, racist but most of all Unsaved! Although many of them have offered their forgiveness, they will no doubt continue to painfully try to get through life with this senseless act being a haunting memory. My heart aches for them and for the Emanuel Church, that is now without a Senior Pastor. I am trusting God that he will continue to bring healing and comfort to the families and to the community where this heinous crime took place. Charleston you are in our Thoughts and Prayers!


- PV