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Leadership

But Leaders Aren’t Supposed To Have Problems

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If you're a leader, you don't have to hide your problems lest people think you unspiritual. Click here for an encouraging word! By Jamie Rohrbaugh | FromHisPresence.com

If you’re a Christian leader, you’re not allowed to have problems. At least, that’s what some people will tell you.

Have you ever noticed that? We Christians seem to have certain expectations of leaders. Whether you’re a leader of:

  • a volunteer group…
  • a Sunday School class…
  • a church ministry…
  • or even an entire church…

… there is a stigma that people who are in leadership, or have reached any level of spiritual maturity at all, are not supposed to have problems. Or, if they do, we seem to believe that their battles should be against big things of organizational, community, or nationwide importance.

This stigma says leaders shouldn’t struggle with personal battles like doubt, or discouragement, or fear. It says that that leaders shouldn’t feel disheartened or want to walk away.

And if you’re a leader who’s struggling, it can feel like there’s no help for you.

  • You might feel like there’s no way out.
  • You might feel like you have no one to talk to.
  • The enemy may even be plaguing you with a fear mindset that says: “If I admit I’m struggling, people will think I’m unspiritual.”

You might feel you will lose favor or influence. You might even be concerned you will be removed from leadership. And if you’re in full-time vocational ministry, you might even be concerned you could lose your job–your livelihood, your ability to provide for your family–if you admit you are anything less than perfect.  [Read more…] about But Leaders Aren’t Supposed To Have Problems

We ARE Our Brother’s Keeper

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We ARE Our Brother's KeeperI had a new believer tell me recently that Christians are really friendly at church. My friend said that they’ll tell you “Hi, so good to see you, I’ll pray for you this week.” But then they say, “See you Sunday,” and you get to endure your week all by yourself.

Unfortunately, I had to agree that too many of us do that exact thing. It’s sad, though, because we ARE our brother’s keeper. I am my brother’s keeper. And if you are a  Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, so are you.

But when was the last time we really took care of our brothers and sisters in Christ?

  • When was the last time we sat across the table over lunch, and just listened as our brothers and sisters poured out their hearts about whatever’s going on in their lives?
  • When was the last time we invited another family or couple over for our family movie night?
  • When was the last time we asked someone to lunch?
  • When was the last time we organized a potluck, a game of kickball, or a trip to the zoo with other believers?

We sit back and enjoy our lives. We are glad to have friends when we need them. But way too often, we let everyone else do the reaching out, and assume that they are actually reaching out. We take and take and take, but rarely give. We rarely give of our time or our conversation. We rarely include others in our fun. We stick to ourselves and our own family circles.

But there are people out there who have no one.

There are people out there who are starving for godly companionship.

There are people out there whom you think don’t need you, but who would actually give an arm and a leg to have you reach out and spend time with them.

“Why don’t they ask?” you say. Well, they don’t ask because they refuse to be so petty as to hold it against you that you don’t make an effort to spend time with them. But they are lonely anyway. They are islands, and they don’t know how to reach the shore.

When will we start reaching out?

When will we develop give-and-take relationships where we take care of one another, instead of letting everybody just take care of us?

When will we truly love our brothers? When will we get life-on-life with the people that we claim to be family with?

We ARE our brother’s keeper. {Click here to tweet this!}

I am my brother’s keeper, and you are your brother’s keeper.

How are you doing at this work of keeping?

If you’re doing a terrific job, I’m proud of you. But if you’re not doing so great, how can you change that?

  • Can you invite another couple out to lunch, dinner, or a movie?
  • Can you invite another family to go the park with you?
  • Can you invite people to your home for a meal together–just because?

We’ve got to get better at this, Church. We’ve got to start loving people:

  • We’ve got to spend time with them because we love them, not because they can do anything for us.
  • We’ve got to take care of one another.
  • We’ve got to get back to the work of keeping one another; of getting life-on-life with the people we love.
  • We’ve got to reclaim hospitality, even if the kitchen’s not clean, the floor isn’t vacuumed, and the food isn’t perfect.

I am my brother’s keeper, and so are you.

Who can you help keep today?

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This post is linked up at JuanaMikels.com.

Birthing the Ministry of Reconciliation

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birthing-the-ministry-of-reconciliationI have written quite a bit about the need in the Body of Christ for a heart of restoration: for mercy to triumph over judgment, and about how all of God’s people are continuously being restored to His original intent for mankind.

I’d like to expand that train of thought today, to address the actual ministry of reconciliation:

  • what it is;
  • why we need it;
  • and the special promise it carries when we birth it in our churches.

What is the ministry of reconciliation? [Read more…] about Birthing the Ministry of Reconciliation

The Worst Discipleship Technique That Made No Disciples Ever

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Why leaving people alone is the worst discipleship technique ever... and what we can do to reach people. By Jamie Rohrbaugh | FromHisPresence.comCan I shoot straight with you today? There’s a disturbing trend going on among Christians that I want to talk with you about. It’s a certain, modern discipleship/”mentoring” technique that Christians seem to have come up with just recently. It’s definitely NOT in the Bible, and it wasn’t in the early church.

And because of this modern discipleship technique, people are getting hurt.

Because of this modern “mentoring” technique, people are NOT getting reached for Jesus… and disciples are NOT being made.

This is a problem, and frankly, it’s time to talk about it.

Now, I admit right away that this may disturb some people’s theology. It’s definitely going to disturb people’s pride and ego. But it really needs to be said anyway.

Are you with me? Ok, here we go… hang on tight!

The worst discipleship technique that made no disciples ever is:

“Call me if you need me.”

You could also call it “Out of sight, out of mind.” Or “I don’t have time to chase you; if you need me, you’re going to have to reach out to me.”

Yup. You could call it that. I’ve heard people say (or heard of people saying) all three things, and at different times I might have even said any of them myself. Because, frankly, I’m one of the busiest people I know, and I really don’t have a lot of time these days.

And the reasons I’ve heard for this terrible discipleship method are:

  1. “People have to want to change.”
  2. “I don’t have time.”
  3. “I’m too important/high-level/titled to reach out.”
  4. “They know where to find me.”
  5. “If they need me, they’ll reach out.”
  6. “He/she says that because he/she came up under _____ as a spiritual father, and that’s what his/her spiritual father does.”

And every single one of those reasons are total hogwash. Let’s address them in easy, numbered format, corresponding to each reason excuse listed above: [Read more…] about The Worst Discipleship Technique That Made No Disciples Ever

How To Become A Spiritual Warlord

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Part 1 of "How To Become A Spiritual Warlord" by Jamie Rohrbaugh | FromHisPresence.comWould you like to be a spiritual warlord? Would you like to walk in power and authority, knowing that what you say goes, and what you decide becomes reality?

As Christians, we are each called to be spiritual warlords.

You might not have thought of yourself like that before. You’ve probably heard people talk about “gang lords” and “drug lords,” but I’m here to tell you that we serve THE LORD, and we are called to walk in more power and authority than the world can ever offer.

And as God’s representatives on earth, we are to become like Jesus, who was definitely a warlord:

  • Jesus spoke a thing and it was done. At creation, He SAID “Let there be light,” and there was light.
  • Jesus cursed the fig tree, and it withered immediately (Mark 11:12-25).
  • Jesus SAID “Follow Me,” and His call birthed in the disciples both the desire and the power to perform it.
  • Jesus healed the sick, raised the dead, and cast out demons with a mere word or a touch.
  • What Jesus said went, and nothing could stand against Him.

So what is a spiritual warlord?

Spiritual warlords are those who walk in the same power that Jesus had. Spiritual warlords speak a thing and it is done. They ENFORCE the will and Word of the Father on the earth. Spiritual warlords call those things that are not as though they already were until they become. [Read more…] about How To Become A Spiritual Warlord

Prayer #2: Ask God To Perform the Duties of a Father For You

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Prayer #2 of 7 Life-Changing Prayers For People Who Feel Forgotten: Ask God To Perform the Duties of a Father For You by Jamie Rohrbaugh | FromHisPresence.com

Did you know that you have certain legal rights as God’s child?

It’s true, and this truth will change your life if you will grab onto it today. Let me explain your legal rights first (this will fire you up); and then I’ll share my personal story at the end of this post.

Here’s what I mean by “legal rights as God’s child”:

Children, by default, are legally entitled to certain things. Every child has these rights simply because of who they are. It’s not because the child is or isn’t smart, well-behaved, pretty, handsome, or gifted. Every child has rights simply because he or she belongs to his parents.

And you have certain legal rights with God–certain things you can expect Him to do for you–simply because YOU are His child.

What are your legal rights as God’s child?

Well, even though I’m not going to go into all of your rights as God’s child today (because that’s what part of my book is about–watch a 2-minute video of me talking about my book here), I will tell you this key point:

You have a legal right for God to grow, develop, and promote you into your destiny–just because He is your Father. [Read more…] about Prayer #2: Ask God To Perform the Duties of a Father For You

Hang In There, Hang In There, Hang In There!

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Hang In There, Hang In There, Hang In There! by Jamie Rohrbaugh | FromHisPresence.com Blog

If you’re tempted to quit something God has called you to do, I have an encouraging word for you today:

Hang in there!

I’ve been tempted to quit some things recently. Some of these are things I need to quit, but others are things to which God has called me. The going hasn’t always been easy, though. Sometimes, when things are hard, it seems easier to walk away than to stick with it.

Sometimes perseverance seems like more trouble than it’s worth. Is anyone else with me on that?

It was during one of those times recently that God spoke to me from Galatians 6:9:

Start-quoteAnd let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

 And Papa told me to hang in there.

The thing that struck me most about this passage was that we are not to grow weary “WHILE” doing good:

  • WHILE we’re still in the process.
  • WHILE we are sowing, but haven’t seen a harvest yet.
  • WHILE we are working and working with nary an end in sight.

It’s true that I might be working and not seeing my harvest yet, but God knew when He wrote this verse that I would have to work awhile before the harvest comes. He knew the journey might feel long. But He also knew that something great lies at the end of the road… if I can just hang in there!

What are you working toward? What do you feel like quitting?

In Galatians 6:9, God is promising you also that if you will not lose heart WHILE doing good–while you’re still in the process–that in due season YOU will reap. You will reap the harvest God has promised you.

YOU will see the fruit of your labor.

Ecclesiastes 9:11 contains another promise that your time of victory will definitely arrive: [Read more…] about Hang In There, Hang In There, Hang In There!

Is Your Church An Un-Church?

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Is Your Church An Un-Church? By Jamie Rohrbaugh | FromHisPresence BlogI heard recently about an un-church service that was held not for Christians, but for positive thinkers.

Certain people in an American city wanted the opportunity to make new friends, have camaraderie, and hear a positive message. They didn’t want anything to do with God, but they thought a lot could be said for the way Christians have church.

So they held an un-church service for themselves. They put a motivational speaker at the pulpit. If I remember the story correctly, they put their arms around each other’s shoulders and they sang “Lean On Me.” Then they all left feeling happy about themselves.

I wonder if the American church has, in many cases, become an un-church just like that.

Oh yes, the sign out front still says something about God. The bulletins [Read more…] about Is Your Church An Un-Church?

When Loving Your Sheep Hurts: How I Found Healing After Betrayal

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When Loving Your Sheep Hurts: My Story of Healing After Betrayal In Ministry by Jamie Rohrbaugh | FromHisPresence.com BlogHave you ever noticed how God loves to turn awful things around for our good?

Awhile back, someone knifed me in the back really hard. It was a horrible situation, and it hurt. Badly. I didn’t know if I’d ever heal…

But I found out that healing after betrayal is possible, because God healed me.

It took some time, and during that time God led me through 3 very specific steps to heal me from this betrayal. Then, after a number of weeks, something really weird happened (read about it here in 3 Things I Learned From Surviving a Mockingbird Attack), and God used that weird experience to heal me instantly from all the remaining pain. THANK YOU, HOLY SPIRIT!

But you know what the funniest thing is? Out of that experience of deep betrayal, pain, and HEALING, God gave me an article called “When Loving Your Sheep Hurts.” And that article was published today on Christianity Today’s online magazine called Gifted For Leadership.

It’s the amazing beauty and justice of God that took something so hurtful and turned it around for my good and the good of others:

  • He healed me completely and now I am shepherding my flock with more love and passion than ever before.
  • Writing for Christianity Today by my 35th birthday was one of my life goals… now accomplished! 🙂
  • Best of all… the enemy wanted to take down one leader (me) with that experience, BUT GOD is going to use my story to minister to AND HEAL who knows how many other leaders who have experienced betrayal as well.

The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy, according to Revelation 19:10. I’m believing God to take my story and put it in the hands of the right people at the right places at the right times, to bring healing to the hearts of many wounded leaders. (So please, hop on over here to read the article, and I’d be honored if you’d share it on social media with your friends. You never know who might be hurting that you can reach with this word of hope at just the right time.)

So what the enemy intended for evil, God turned around for my good… and He’ll do the same for you.

That reminds me of [Read more…] about When Loving Your Sheep Hurts: How I Found Healing After Betrayal

Why the Church Needs Teamwork, Not Independent Cowboys

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Why the Church Needs Teamwork, Not Independent Cowboys by Jamie Rohrbaugh, FromHisPresence.comThe church is no place for independent cowboys.

What’s an independent cowboy? 

An independent cowboy is someone who likes (or tries) to operate on their own, without help, without covering, without using other people’s gifts.

A cowboy, in a negative sense, is someone who pays no attention to protocol or to raising up other people. A cowboy likes to make the show all about himself or herself. A cowboy thrives in the spotlight, and wants to keep it on himself as much as possible.

An independent cowboy treats the church like his or her own personal thrill ride, trying to do whatever they like without accountability.

Related: Why You Definitely Want a Spiritual Father (Reason #1: Covering)

The church is no place for independent cowboys. The church is the place for teamwork. (#SorryNotSorry)

Last time I checked, [Read more…] about Why the Church Needs Teamwork, Not Independent Cowboys