Vetrean Pastor, Life time Learner, Problem Solver, Servant-Leader and Motivational Speaker.

Warning.....video could be scary but it communicates: Praying for Child Soilders around the world!!!Facisnating......WAR SCHOOL on Vimeo

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via vimeo.com

Two Lessons from Vacation Bible School 2011 at North Mason Bible Church....

 

            One of the highlights of my summer was allowing the Spirit of God to use me as I directed Vacation Bible School at North Mason Bible Church during the last week of July. Our team was a multigenerational group of gifted believers who decided to serve Christ with humble hearts and minds filled with grace and truth. Watching our teenagers cultivate relationships as they served with adults the age of their parents and grandparents was exceedingly delightful and encouraging. The whole team engaged the children in enjoyable activities with the end goal of teaching them more about Jesus Christ. Here are two lessons I learned while serving on our VBS team this year:

• God is not walking around in heaven and analyzing our strengths and weaknesses to see how we can best serve Him. He is not interested in our skills, but rather our availability. A couple weeks before VBS I picked up a charming and delightful couple who were hitchhiking along Highway 101. We exchanged pleasantries, but soon it was clear to me what their names truly were: Miss “Fear of Failure” and Mr. “Doubt.” With the tenderness of a mother, Miss “Fear of Failure” provided me with insights on my character and reputation. She intelligently assessed my struggle to pay attention to details and my tendencies to overcommit and under-deliver. She reminded me of my unfinished projects and unfulfilled dreams, and capitalized on my failures.  Mr. Doubt interrupted his gorgeous loudmouthed wife by passionately reminding me of moments in my life when my good intentions ended in bad decisions. He established a series of reasons why VBS 2011 was not a practical ministry for the twenty-first century church and why VBS could not be executed in three months effectively.  After a couple days in my house I finally kicked these two servants of Satan out of my house. I could not allow them to  dominate my thinking; I simply reminded myself of the message that God gave to Mary: “With God all things.......I mean all things .......all things.......are possible.” Nothing is impossible with God. God is not looking for our ability but our  availability.  Our effectiveness in not only dependent on ability but most mportantly on our ability to listen to God. Listen to God, not your emotion, and  not to people who undermine your work.

• The second lesson I learned is that leaders who listen to godly people around them will see God use them in ways better than they ever expected.  Good leaders who refuse to listen to godly people will be surrounded by morally good people who may not have anything godly and wise to say. The book of Proverbs warns “the simple” against being “wise in their own eyes.” God labels a person “a fool” as someone who listens to one’s heart over the advice of godly people in their lives.  At a couple of the VBS 2011 preplanning and training meetings, I enjoyed listening to God-loving teenagers, Christ-serving adults, and Scripture-loving grandparents as they deliberated on ways to make to make VBS 2011 a blessing to families in our community.  Groundbreaking ideas flowed from their minds and lips like water from an Alaskan Glacier. I drank those ideas like a thirsty Nigerian con-man looking for new words to develop his next email Internet scam. I implemented four out of every six ideas I received and it was such a blessing to see how God used those ideas to make our VBS 2011 the most attended VBS in the past four years.

            When it comes to administration and people management, my skills are greatly lacking. However, my willingness to listen to the group of people serving Christ with me allowed over 80 children in our community to enjoy themselves and learn about Jesus Christ in a safe environment. I am truly blessed at North Mason Bible Church to be surrounded by gifted and dynamic people who are learning to love God with their heart, soul and mind. Thank you to those who gave and prayed. Thank you for those who encouraged me to allow God to show Belfair how much He loves them.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor James Owolabi

PS. Thanks to Kate for a great job editing this article. You did awesome

 

DERAILED: An amazing read on the dark side of Leadership......

Wow!!!! This is the kind of book that I would require all my pastors and lay leaders read when I become a Senior Pastor. This book has caused me to revisit my presuppositons about the darkside of leadership and the facade in my own life. I am deeply appereciative to the King of Heaven that in His soverignty, He brought this book across my path. After reading this book, I immediately ordered four copies for  four leaders in life.  If you are a leader who is linchpin in your orangization and deisre a book that will rock your personal space and cause you to access your character. Email me @ jaylabi@gmail.com with your address in the next 24 hours and I will ship in copy in 5 weeks. On the grounds that you will write me a one page paper about this  book by Dr. Tim Irvin. Here are some quotes from :

1. Leaders make mistakes.
2. It cannot be overstated how stress impacts behavior...Stress is one this pressure that squeeze out what really inside us.
3. When arrogance blossoms into hubris, a sense of entitlement results. “This place can’t function without me, and I deserve special perks.”  I’ve seen it in secretaries of mom and pop companies. It’s not a function of the size of the organization or the level of the person in that organization.
4. Some leaders blinded by their own success even begin to treat the company like their personal ATM.
5. We all posses a dark curiosity about the misfortunes of others. Would we rather watch a new program about ten trains arriving at the station on time or a story about a train that derailed, with vivid images of brave rescue workers removing bleeding survivors from the twisted wreckage?
6.  To see clearly we must sometimes look into the darkness. To see what is really there, we must be willing to enter space which appears devoid of the normal light on which we so heavily rely..............Paradoxically looking  into darkness can be remarkably enlightening.
7. A given strength can quickly become a weakness.....Similarly a strength over used can become a weakness.
8. Courage is not being unafraid. It’s about choosing to do the right things under difficult circumstances.
9. We need to be ruthlessly intolerant of this toxic character compromiser when we see it in ourselves.
10.  If humility is having an accurate self image and being other-oriented, then arrogance is it’s mirror opposite. Each executive profiled manifested this debilitating quality.

This book has forced me to access my productivity level as Christian leader and to consider character development. I commend this book to every gifted leader and talented leader.

Grace and Peace

Pastor James Owolabi

 

Reading is so important to leading. If I stop reading, I will eventually stop leading effectively. For me it isn't about finding time, but about making time.Leadership Network Author Notes with John Bishop » Leadership Network

Why is reading important to you, and how do you find or make time to read books and blogs?

Reading is so important to leading. If I stop reading, I will eventually stop leading effectively. For me it isn't about finding time, but about making time. I always have two books I am constantly reading - usually one Christian book and one business or secular book. Both have always been important to me, and help me continually evaluate my ministry through new filters and concepts.

What books are you currently reading that you would recommend to our readers?

I have several books on the go at the moment, but two that I would highly recommend to leaders. The first is called In Search of Timothy: Discovering and Developing Greatness in Church Staff and Volunteers.  It really is a great read, both deep in theology, and yet practical in reality. Any pastor or leader who wants to replicate themselves and see maximum potential from those whoare under their leadership will find this book helpful. The second book is Francis Chan's newest book Erasing Hell.  It is a desperately important book in the wake of Rob Bell's book Love Wins. I actually got the book from Francis at a small gathering of leaders in Oregon. I heard his heart why he wrote the book and loved what I heard. It is gaining massive popularity in the evangelical world, and I hope it can help bring good theology back to people.

How do you make time to write books or blog?

For me writing has always been a passion, and it hasn't been until the recent success of Dangerous Church and the response from Pastors wanting to build their churches on a passion for reaching the lost, that I have decided to be more intentional in writing. I am currently working on a second book with Ruth Graham, and I believe if you are called and gifted to write you have to make it a priority. Blogging....let's save that question for a different interview..... I am blogging semi regularly at www.dangerouschurch.com specifically about reaching, evangelism, and cultural issues as related to reaching, etc.

via leadnet.org

Worship-Connection with You and God! Not You and People! « sierranichole.com

I went into this thing expecting an awesome time of worship and a good workshop where I would get some good info and go home. Wow…was I wrong….

On Monday Night Kim lead incredible worship. I was amazed at how easy it was for her to get lost in the Presence of God.

Tuesday morning however was the major killer for me. God messed with my heart for an hour and a half of Kim teaching. Here are the highlights I walked away with:

1. At one point Kim had joined the School of Ministry at Bethel and no one there knew she sang and she was going to audition for a Worship Team and the Lord told her not to audition, not to even tell anyone she could sing and anytime she tried to sing around people she couldn’t! The Lord told her she had found her identity in her gift and he was taking it for a while to give her time to find her identity in Him and not her voice.

That struck me. While she was talking about that experience I immediately started panicking thinking, “Maybe God will take my voice away! What will I do without it?!”

The Lord showed me that I am way to secure in my gift as a singer and not secure enough in my identity as a His Child. This blew me away! Until that moment I thought I was secure in God, but in a moment God showed me where my identity truly was hiding-in my voice and singing ability.

After the session I was able to talk with Kim for a few minutes and she encouraged me (and I encourage you) to really begin to seek Gods heart out. When we realize how much GOD LOVES US, then we can find our security in Him. Its when we fall in love with God that we find our identity in Him. Seek Gods heart out! God has a “Sierra Shaped” hole in in heart where I fit! Its amazing!

2. As a Worship Leader its not about your connection with the “crowd” during worship, but your connection with God! You connect with God and bring them with you as you connect with God!

CONNECTION! ITS ALL ABOUT CONNECTION WITH GOD!

If we make it about the people then our focus if off, if we as Worship Leaders are focused on “me and God” first and foremost and our connection from Heaven to earth then that is what we are accountable for. I’m not accountable to God if the people just stand there and don’t respond to the Holy Spirit moving. I’m responsible to worship until the Presence and Glory of God shows up and lead the people with me into the Presence of God! That’s my job as a leader. Its not my job to try and force people to sing, dance, clap, etc. Its not my job to bring hype to a service and try and make it this emotional experience that is only an inch deep. I would rather have the Glory of God manifested and the Presence of the Holy Spirit present in such a way that we are in awe and adoration and going deep deep deep!!!

I desire to see the Church get to the place that there is no need for Hype! As a Worship Leader we shouldn’t have to hype the Church into Worship! We shouldn’t have to stand there and say, “Press in! Press in!” etc etc.

via sierranichole.com

5 reasons you’re not encouraged by your leader and/or boss

1. Leaders are insecure

While we often assume those in charge to have a strong sense of self and security, it’s not always the case. Many leaders are deeply insecure and their insecurity has been the fuel that has driven them to acquire the position. They’ve reached high status with a low regard for their own.

2. Insecurity creates self-centeredness

Leaders don’t focus on others and the need for encouragement when they’re focused on themselves. Insecurity is a void that longs to be filled, and the more insecure one is, the more he/she will try to fill that emptiness. It’s tough to think about strengthening your insecurity when you’re thinking of yourself.

3. Leaders assume people already know their strengths, qualities and skills

Some leaders treat others as if the paycheck is all the encouragement that’s needed. If they’ve still got a job, it can be assumed their doing a good job. Getting paid should be encouragement enough.

4. Many leaders don’t realize the power of encouragement

Words hold great power—they can shape or shatter a life. Intentional, thoughtful and caring words are tools by which others grow. It’s not uncommon to run into leaders (even a successful one) who don’t appreciate the life-giving power of words and therefore hold onto compliments as if they were crumbs during a famine.

5. Natural encouragement wasn’t modeled

I’ve had leaders tell me, “I’ve just never seen effective displays of affirmation.” Sad, but true. Many leaders are products of an affirmation-free environment and honestly don’t know the power of encouragement, nor even seen encouragement liberally handed-out.

via www.dougfields.com

Celebrate His Grace and Truth.....Take Your Vitamin Z: Four Kinds of People in the World

Four Kinds of People in the World

Guest post: Brad Andrews

Tim Keller:

...There are four kinds of persons in the world:

#1 Law-obeying, Law-relying: These people are under the law, and are usually very smug, self-righteous and pharisaical. Externally, they are very sure they are right with God, but deep down, they have a lot of insecurity, since no one can truly be assured they are living up to standards. This makes them touchy, sensitive to criticism and devastated when their prayers aren’t answered. [This includes members of other religions but here I am thinking mainly of people who go to church.]

#2 Law-disobeying, Law-relying: These people have a religious conscience of strong works-righteousness, but they are not living consistently with it. As a result, they are more humble and more tolerant of others than the Pharisees above, but they are also much more guilt-ridden, subject to mood swings and sometimes very afraid of religious topics. [Some of these people may go to church but stay on the periphery because of their low spiritual self-esteem.]

#3 Law-disobeying, Not Law-relying: These are the people who have thrown off the concept of the Law of God. They are intellectually secular or rather relativistic, or have a very vague spirituality. They largely choose their own moral standards and insist they are meeting them. But Paul in Romans 1 says that at a sub-conscious level, they know there is a God who they should be obeying. [Such people are usually happier and more tolerant than either of the above groups. But usually there is a strong liberal self-righteousness They are definitely earning their own salvation by feeling superior to others. It is usually a less overt kind of self-righteousness.]

#4 Law-obeying, Not Law-relying: These are Christians who understand the gospel and are living out of the freedom of it. They obey the law of God out of grateful joy that comes from the knowledge of their sonship and out of the freedom from the fear and selfishness that false idols had generated. They are more tolerant than #3, more sympathetic than #2, and more confident than #1. [Most real Christians tend toward the errors of #1, #2, and even #3. But to the degree that they do, they are impoverished spiritually.]

via takeyourvitaminz.blogspot.com

Celebrate His Grace and Truth.....Take Your Vitamin Z: Four Kinds of People in the World

Four Kinds of People in the World

Guest post: Brad Andrews

Tim Keller:

...There are four kinds of persons in the world:

#1 Law-obeying, Law-relying: These people are under the law, and are usually very smug, self-righteous and pharisaical. Externally, they are very sure they are right with God, but deep down, they have a lot of insecurity, since no one can truly be assured they are living up to standards. This makes them touchy, sensitive to criticism and devastated when their prayers aren’t answered. [This includes members of other religions but here I am thinking mainly of people who go to church.]

#2 Law-disobeying, Law-relying: These people have a religious conscience of strong works-righteousness, but they are not living consistently with it. As a result, they are more humble and more tolerant of others than the Pharisees above, but they are also much more guilt-ridden, subject to mood swings and sometimes very afraid of religious topics. [Some of these people may go to church but stay on the periphery because of their low spiritual self-esteem.]

#3 Law-disobeying, Not Law-relying: These are the people who have thrown off the concept of the Law of God. They are intellectually secular or rather relativistic, or have a very vague spirituality. They largely choose their own moral standards and insist they are meeting them. But Paul in Romans 1 says that at a sub-conscious level, they know there is a God who they should be obeying. [Such people are usually happier and more tolerant than either of the above groups. But usually there is a strong liberal self-righteousness They are definitely earning their own salvation by feeling superior to others. It is usually a less overt kind of self-righteousness.]

#4 Law-obeying, Not Law-relying: These are Christians who understand the gospel and are living out of the freedom of it. They obey the law of God out of grateful joy that comes from the knowledge of their sonship and out of the freedom from the fear and selfishness that false idols had generated. They are more tolerant than #3, more sympathetic than #2, and more confident than #1. [Most real Christians tend toward the errors of #1, #2, and even #3. But to the degree that they do, they are impoverished spiritually.]

via takeyourvitaminz.blogspot.com

NYTimes: Bishops Criticize Tough Alabama Immigration Law

From The New York Times:

Bishops Criticize Tough Alabama Immigration Law

A group of church leaders has formally denounced Alabama’s new immigration law, calling it mean-spirited and un-Christian, and has vowed not to obey it.

http://nyti.ms/rnwYrs

Sent from my iPad
Grace & Peace
Pastor James Owolabi
13604717260

NYTimes: Maybe It’s Time for Plan C

From The New York Times:

Maybe It’s Time for Plan C

Low pay, long hours, no benefits: Plan B careers aren’t always the dreams people hope for. A bakery or antiques shop can be just as stressful as that corporate job.

http://nyti.ms/qzAr23

Sent from my iPad
Grace & Peace
Pastor James Owolabi
13604717260