I wrote this some time ago...still applies
November 7, 2006 …Is there not a cause?
Pastor Rodney Lord, Valley Harvest Church, Marietta, OH
“Is there not a cause?”…..these words were spoken by a
teenage boy who came upon what was to him an
incredulous scene. An entire army paralyzed in fear over
the threats and cursing of an avowed enemy of God. The
destiny of his nation was being weighed in the balance and
would be determined on that field of blood that day. You
know the story well. David, a shepherd boy, delivering
lunch to his brothers, was suddenly thrust into a moment of
history that would require of him total commitment to what
he carried in his heart.
These same words “is there not a cause” should be echoing in our hearts and
sounding across our nation during this election season. From the pulpits of our
churches, in Sunday school classes, coffee shops, around our kitchen tables and in the media, Christians must be discussing and speaking out on the issues of the day and those who are allied with those issues. Religion and politics are connected, like it or not. It was for both political and religious reasons this nation was formed. Our founding fathers were overwhelming men of faith, many of whom were ordained ministers of various denominations. They engaged in and expected debate from those holding a biblical worldview and those who didn’t. Just as the army of Saul was paralyzed and ineffective by fear, it appears the Christian community is content to be silent while the Godless giants of our day take the center stage. Is there not a cause?
We must change our mindset. Make no mistake, the political arena of this hour and the elections ahead will directly affect our children and grandchildren. There is an invisible path from every politician and every piece of legislation to my children. I cannot overstate this. David took the words of Goliath and the thought of being ruled by Philistines, directly to his own heart. His actions were not out of fear, anger and despair; they flowed out of courage, responsibility and a cause that transcended his life. Blood has been spilled on this battlefield of politics, laws, ideas, and causes. In my lifetime as a Christian, the church remained in the camp of Saul, fearful and ineffective, all the while we became a nation that allowed the murder of over 45 million unborn babies. As the father of seven, I shudder at the thought of witnessing the murder of even one child. Most Christians are greatly disturbed by this thought; they know that it grieves the heart of God, and deeply desire for things to change. Just this week a woman, who was ready to deliver her baby, chose to shoot her fully developed child while in the womb. The judge dismissed the case over the vague language in the state law. The news media showed her walking from the courtroom with lawyers, well dressed and attractive. Her reason: she didn’t want to take care of a third child. Earlier in the year another woman had her boyfriend kill the baby in her womb with a baseball bat. These horrific examples are the result of the culture of death that is now mainstream in a nation living with a seared conscience.
It starts with wickedness in the heart of man and becomes the laws they enact that condone murder of the innocent. This pro-death structure has been allowed to stay in place by the historic apathy in the church across our nation. I recognize we cannot legislate morality, it flows from the heart….but I ask, is there not a cause?
This week my family walked the streets of Marietta for a few hours handing out
literature for pro-life candidates. At one house my eight-year-old daughter and I
stood on the porch of an 83 year old lady who was so loyal and intensely committed to her party that the issue of saving the lives of unborn babies made no difference to her. She could not make the connection with the candidates and issues they stand for to the impact they have on children. My eight-year-old daughter had a better grasp of this as we walked away and discussed the conversation.
If you are a Christian, the account of David defeating Goliath is not a parable or a
cute Sunday school story for children. It is how we are to respond to ungodly,
powerful and deadly enemies. We are to take a public stand without reservation.
Christians must not be silent and continually marginalized by the popular culture. It is not ideas that kill, it is the implementation of those ideas by Godless leaders that causes the shedding of innocent blood. There is a trail of blood from the political arena to the homes of millions of Americans. Is there not a cause?
A few weeks ago I received a letter from a national organization warning me, as a
pastor, not to engage in politics or politically influence those I lead. It is too late. I have read an accurate account of both biblical history and American history. I
clearly understand what David did and why he did it. One of our founders, John
Quincy Adams said: “The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: It
connected, in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government and the
principles of Christianity.” It is obvious the liberal left knows that if the church were to rise up to this her cause, the agendas of darkness would not continue to prevail. Can I as a father, a citizen, and a leader, cower to the voice of anti-God, pro-death liberal leaders whose desires are literally the destruction of my family, my children and my nation? I will pray, speak out, work against, vote and risk offending people because there is a cause. David came over the hill that day and went from being a worshiping shepherd to a willing warrior. “David… served the purpose of God in his generation…..” (Acts 13:36) Will you?
Friday, April 9, 2010
Five Levels of Authority
This is a great teaching by Mark. Enjoy.
Five Levels of Authority
On April 2, 2010, in Alignment Principles,
by Mark & Nicki Pfeifer Ministries
Authority must be both earned and progressive. It works best when it is freely given by those whom it affects (earned) while those who possess it grow proportionately in character with its use (progressive).
Authority “the ability to gain the respect of other people and to influence what they do (Encarta Dictionary)”
In order to exercise true authority in your sphere (home, ball team, work, church, civic organization, etc.) consider these Five Levels of Authority that can serve as a roadmap to ever-increasing effective leadership. These levels reflect the two qualities mentioned above – authority that is both earned and progressive.
Level #1: Positional Authority
This is authority that is gained when someone is given a position. It is the lowest form of authority. Although this may be the starting point of leadership, effective leaders move quickly from this position and onto the next level. Leaders who don’t navigate from this lowly state of authority flex their muscle in a limited sphere but never produce the kinds of followers that can achieve beyond the limits of what is absolutely necessary.
The followers give OBEDIENCE on this level.
People will only do what is absolutely necessary in order to keep their jobs or to stay on the team at this level…but not an inch more! They only follow this type of leader because they have to. Once the limits of the leader’s stated authority have been reached, the follower checks out.
Level #2: Relational Authority
This describes a new level of authority that is gained when leaders connect with their followers on a personal level. At this point, people know that the leader genuinely cares for them and has their best interests at heart. This empowers the leader with new authority that can take the team to a higher level of achievement.
The followers give LOVE on this level.
People will genuinely like this leader. They will work a little harder for him/her because they feel like the leader cares for them. They can see the leader’s heart and they like what they see. They view them on a personal level and not just as boss.
Level #3: Experiential Authority
This is authority that is achieved by displaying competency. Leaders at this level must have a track record. They have proven themselves trustworthy over a course of time. They have attained a certain type of knowledge that only comes from experience. By its nature, this level of authority cannot be achieved quickly.
The follower gives TRUST on this level.
It is quite possible for people to love their leaders but not fully trust their competency in certain areas. It doesn’t mean that the leader has done anything wrong; it simply means that they are unproven. Over time, however, leader can earn trust as they display greater degrees of competency through experience.
Level #4: Moral Authority
This level represents what the leader endures over time. Eventually, all organizations face crisis. It could be an attack from within or from without. When this occurs, all eyes are on the leader to see how they are going to handle the stress; the betrayal; the moral dilemma; the ethical situation; the conflict, etc. When leaders hold firm to their ethics and their character stays intact during a crisis, they achieve Moral Authority. This represents a new dimension of authority that gives the leader the right to speak and act in a variety of situations.
The followers give RESPECT on this level.
While people may love a leader because of who they are, they respect a leader for what he/she does. Respect is earned by a leader’s conduct through troubles and trials. When leaders achieve respect through Moral Authority, they can lead people to places that were otherwise impossible.
Level #5: Parental Authority
This is the highest level of authority that a leader can achieve. It represents a place where leaders reproduce themselves in others. Like any good parent, leaders on this level have a desire to see their children achieve more than they have.
The follower gives HONOR on this level.
When followers see a parental attitude in their leaders, they want to be like them. They will honor them through replication. One of the Ten Commandments in the Bible says to honor your father and your mother. In these days of fallen leaders, one can’t help but wonder if people have very many examples like this to follow. Let’s hope so!
…And let us commit ourselves to be one of them!
Five Levels of Authority
On April 2, 2010, in Alignment Principles,
by Mark & Nicki Pfeifer Ministries
Authority must be both earned and progressive. It works best when it is freely given by those whom it affects (earned) while those who possess it grow proportionately in character with its use (progressive).
Authority “the ability to gain the respect of other people and to influence what they do (Encarta Dictionary)”
In order to exercise true authority in your sphere (home, ball team, work, church, civic organization, etc.) consider these Five Levels of Authority that can serve as a roadmap to ever-increasing effective leadership. These levels reflect the two qualities mentioned above – authority that is both earned and progressive.
Level #1: Positional Authority
This is authority that is gained when someone is given a position. It is the lowest form of authority. Although this may be the starting point of leadership, effective leaders move quickly from this position and onto the next level. Leaders who don’t navigate from this lowly state of authority flex their muscle in a limited sphere but never produce the kinds of followers that can achieve beyond the limits of what is absolutely necessary.
The followers give OBEDIENCE on this level.
People will only do what is absolutely necessary in order to keep their jobs or to stay on the team at this level…but not an inch more! They only follow this type of leader because they have to. Once the limits of the leader’s stated authority have been reached, the follower checks out.
Level #2: Relational Authority
This describes a new level of authority that is gained when leaders connect with their followers on a personal level. At this point, people know that the leader genuinely cares for them and has their best interests at heart. This empowers the leader with new authority that can take the team to a higher level of achievement.
The followers give LOVE on this level.
People will genuinely like this leader. They will work a little harder for him/her because they feel like the leader cares for them. They can see the leader’s heart and they like what they see. They view them on a personal level and not just as boss.
Level #3: Experiential Authority
This is authority that is achieved by displaying competency. Leaders at this level must have a track record. They have proven themselves trustworthy over a course of time. They have attained a certain type of knowledge that only comes from experience. By its nature, this level of authority cannot be achieved quickly.
The follower gives TRUST on this level.
It is quite possible for people to love their leaders but not fully trust their competency in certain areas. It doesn’t mean that the leader has done anything wrong; it simply means that they are unproven. Over time, however, leader can earn trust as they display greater degrees of competency through experience.
Level #4: Moral Authority
This level represents what the leader endures over time. Eventually, all organizations face crisis. It could be an attack from within or from without. When this occurs, all eyes are on the leader to see how they are going to handle the stress; the betrayal; the moral dilemma; the ethical situation; the conflict, etc. When leaders hold firm to their ethics and their character stays intact during a crisis, they achieve Moral Authority. This represents a new dimension of authority that gives the leader the right to speak and act in a variety of situations.
The followers give RESPECT on this level.
While people may love a leader because of who they are, they respect a leader for what he/she does. Respect is earned by a leader’s conduct through troubles and trials. When leaders achieve respect through Moral Authority, they can lead people to places that were otherwise impossible.
Level #5: Parental Authority
This is the highest level of authority that a leader can achieve. It represents a place where leaders reproduce themselves in others. Like any good parent, leaders on this level have a desire to see their children achieve more than they have.
The follower gives HONOR on this level.
When followers see a parental attitude in their leaders, they want to be like them. They will honor them through replication. One of the Ten Commandments in the Bible says to honor your father and your mother. In these days of fallen leaders, one can’t help but wonder if people have very many examples like this to follow. Let’s hope so!
…And let us commit ourselves to be one of them!
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