Radiate

The last two days have been intense 9 hours of teaching each day from various speakers at Willow Creek Community Church. I have heard:

Randy Frazee - Neighbourhood Strategy
Brian McAuliffe - Operations
Kyndra Singer - Community Care Ministry
Gordon McDonald - Self Leadership
Nancy Beach - Arts

I have tried to make copious notes of all that God has been telling me through these great people. Once I have assimilate my thoughts and actions I'll write more on that.

What speaks to me more is the people themselves. The spirit in what they communicates shouts louder tan what they actually say. Each of them exude passion, humility, authenticity and what I can only describe as a tender heart for both God and people. Each of them had a crystal clear understanding of the vision and ethos of their church and more importantly understood clearly their contribution to the collective whole.

I copied this quote from our time with Gordon McDonald today:

"Into the hands of every individual is given a marvellous power to do good or do evil. The silent, unconscious, unseen influence of his or her life. This is simply the constant radiation of what a person is, not what that person pretends to be. - William Jordan.

To often we live behind a mask. We try to be something we are not in the hope that we can convince another we have some worth even if we do not believe it ourselves. What we must realise is that as we do not fool ourselves we do not fool others. We are constantly radiating who we are. What we radiate will also affect others. It will either build them them up or bring them down. It so important that we do not shortcut the vital ministry of self leadership as if we do it will not only radiate into our ministry but also the people we touch.

Young pastor Timothy received the following advice from his mentor.

1 Timothy 4 v 12 - "be an example to the believers with your words, your actions, your love, your faith, and your pure life. 15 Continue to do those things; give your life to doing them so your progress may be seen by everyone. 16 Be careful in your life and in your teaching. If you continue to live and teach rightly, you will save both yourself and those who listen to you."