Bible Teacher. Pastor.Educator.

Thank you Pastor Jim Porter and North Mason Bible Church

   A week ago I had the honor and privilege of preaching at North Mason Bible Church. Every time I get invited to preach it is always a special experience, however this particular trip really made me reflective and thankful to God as I transition this year into a new ministry as a “traveling preacher”. By the end of 2019 alone I will have been in over 25 different venues and  spoken to over 5,000 people.   

North Mason Bible Church of Belfair Washington (NMBC) has been sowing seeds into my life since I started Seminary in 2002. When I became a part of the ministry I was young, prideful, immature, and totally clueless about God’s calling on my life. Full time ministry was something I knew I wanted to do, but I felt so unsure of how, when AND IF that desire would ever become something in real life. Pastor Jim, the church family and his wife Carrie were put in my life by God to disciple me, mold me and teach me what I needed to know.

 For TEN years they mentored me, loved me and cared deeply for me and I would not be the man I am without them. My parents taught me in Nigeria about Jesus and led to the beginning of my walk with God then the Lord orchestrated everything in a way that Pastor Jim, committed members of the church and Carrie his wife could further cultivate and nourish my feelings towards the Lord

    The congregation at NMBC as a whole was incredible. The church community surrounded me with kindness and  displayed to me genuine faithfulness to serving God and good stewardship. The members were mostly retired or blue collar workers that had thriving family lives and incredible wisdom. The multi generational community of men and women who were diverse in politics, childhood experiences and life seasons all moved as a unit when they worshipped God. They adopted me as one of their own to the point that I had moments where I forgot I was an immigrant from West Africa. They believed in me for ten years  more than I believed in myself and their encouragement was vital to nourishing my young restless heart. The gifts, words of encouragement, and love from that time are still fueling me today.

Pastor Jim affirmed me privately and called me a catalyst for evangelism and always validated me by telling me that God had exceeded his expectations with my coming. Anyone who knows my immense struggle with speaking insecurity, depression as a teen, seasons of insomnia, and lifelong dyslexia disabilities could imagine what a 22 year old James was like to work with …. YIKES. However, Pastor Jim saw something deep inside of  me that I could not see despite the deep insecurities, impulsive actions, reckless ideas, and outward flaws.

Through God’s grace the church allowed me to grow and learn as a young bible teacher by encouraging me to be disciplined in every area of my life. My fellow youth leaders were extremely patient even when I was insensitive and stubborn (which was often). They would pick me up each time I fell flat and I appreciate that so much when I look back. I spent 10 years there as a youth Pastor and grew so close to Pastor Jim even with our contrasting personalities. He had an open door policy with me where I could always come to him with ideas and problems at any time! Trust me I took full advantage of that access and with each visit he would fill my empty cup with improvements and practical action steps that I could use to move forward. He calmed me, evaluated my sermons and challenged me to be great.

My budget for the youth was over $10,000 per year and this church paid me better than anyone since, I had health benefits, they allowed me to travel for speaking opportunities and paid me full time. I did not know how AMAZING I had life at the time and I wish I could go back and be more grateful. That unconditional love and nurturing is the main reason I can stick it out in Chicago during tough days. That season trained me in being diligent.

God allowed me to grow a fruitful and lively youth there where we had 50+ students attending youth in a church of 160 members. It was my guinea pig ministry. Fast forward 20 years and I work with over 150 teens per week and have spoken to thousands across the nation. God used a little church with less than 200 ppl to equip me as a Bible teacher who travels the world. How great is our God!

I would be remiss to leave out this last crucial part that I hope many leaders will take note of and apply with the young leaders around them. While I was at NMBC they affirmed me as a single man. They never made me feel like I couldn’t fulfil my calling without a wife. Years 30-35 while I was serving were difficult in the love life departments because I had many failed relationships and even a cancelled engagement that threatened to shake my confidence permanently. However, the community supported me as I dated with intention and never tried to force marriage on me.  I look back with fond memories and such deep joy. My prayer is that in the next 20 years I can provide that same kind of encouragement for young gifted leaders who are asking God to open doors for them.

Pastor Jim if you are reading, this I love you. You and many other godly couples helped me become the man that I am. Additionally, to the wonderful men and women on my youth ministry team while I was there, thank you for putting up with me. I was young and stupid (which I did not realize then) please forgive me for all the hurt I was in the process. I am a better man for it today. I pray many blessings on you all.

 

Respectfully,

James Owolabi

The Importance of Accountability in Leadership

I recently received a letter from a young and gifted leader, asking about a leader on his team who does not value his desire to lead with accountability. When I realized how important this is, I asked for permission to share it with others, also:

 

God Values Accountability

God values accountability, and uses it to shape individuals. For instance, the cross is a reminder of God’s commitment to be accountable for my sin through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 

Preparing Yourself for Accountability

You must be prepared mentally and emotionally for gifted people on your team who do not want to be held accountable. For as a leader, your need to remember that you are accountable to God for your moral purity, and to the people you lead to provide moral clarity. You are also accountable to God to provide mental clarity. People do not care how much you know until they know how much you are committed to moral clarity and moral purity.

We live in a culture that demonizes moral clarity, and rewards moral and mental confusion. But accountability is a gift to any organization. Our social economic status affects our ability and willingness to be accountable. Leaders who pursue moral clarity and mental clarity will experience an unleashed attack from the enemy of their soul, for the devil’s goal is to attack your mind and distract you from holding people accountable on your team. Be wise in your words and in receiving compliments. Moral purity and clarity in the life of a leader unleashes the attack of the enemy on the leader.

Accountability is Crucial in Leadership Positions

The creation story in Genesis confirms my belief system that many individuals resist any form of structure of accountability. Remember that the natural tendency of any person is to resist accountability and structure. For instance, we have a generation of girls who are mothers and have not been transformed into godly women - they do not value accountability. We also have a generation of “boys” who refuse to get married because they do not value accountability. Leaders who do not want accountability will destroy your organization. He may be highly-gifted, but he’s not teachable. If a leader is not committed to learning and growing from you, then you should not invest your time in that leader.

Ask God for to protect you from "unreasonable fools" who resist accountability and structure. Ask God for strong leaders who are men and women of character, who are generous to you, and who will allow you to teach them. Strong leaders will never intimidate you with their gifts, but instead convict you with their character. Strong leaders will not manipulate you with compliments and words of affirmation to subject you to their personal agenda. So prayerfully lead your team with  with accountability and structure.  

 

Respectfully,

Pastor James Owolabi

 Edited by Andy Gehron (DefendingTheLord.com)

 

Three Leadership Lessons I learnt in September 2015 from Coach Eastman.KevinEastmanBasketball.com

Three Leadership Lessons I learnt in September 2015 from Coach Eastman:

1. Building a team is a gradual process that must include: the right people; with the right skills; in the right roles; with a shared vision!-
2. Three C’s important to Success. Control what you can; commit to what you must; and change when needed & before it's too late!
3.  Teams that reach their potential are the ones that have clearly defined roles but more importantly, understand the need & value of that role! 

May the Lord send you a team of godly men and women to empower you to do His will.

With love and truth

James Owolabi

Pastor James Preaching to 4th -6th grade Students on trusting God.

 

I love Dave Kraft and Micheal Hyatt: Leadership from the Heart - Posts - Are you operating in your strengths zone?

Then I read, Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton’s bestseller, Now, Discover Your Strengths. At the time, both men worked for Gallup. The book was based on their research there.

They had a simple but powerful thesis. The best way to get ahead in your career and be satisfied in your job is to focus on developing your strengths. No matter how hard you try, you really can’t improve your weaknesses. You are wasting time and energy trying to do so. The best thing you can do is discover your strengths and then find a role that allows you to use them.

At the time I read this, it was revolutionary. It still is.

In their extensive research, Buckingham and Clifton identified 34 different strength themes. They also developed an online strengths assessment that identified your five top strengths.

Since the book originally came out, Buckingham left Gallup and went on to write several more bestsellers. Sadly, Clifton passed away.

However, Tom Rath, another Gallup employee, picked up the torch and refined the research. He used the results from the four million people who took the first test to develop an even more accurate, reliable, and faster assessment tool.

In 2007, he wrote a follow-up book called StrengthsFinder 2.0, documenting his research. Gallup then made the new assessment available online, renaming it “Clifton StrengthsFinder 2.0” in honor of Donald Clifton.

The last time I took the test was more than four years ago. However, I review the results annually to make sure that I am still operating in “my strengths zone.”

I was especially interested in doing it this year in light of my transition from CEO of Thomas Nelson to my new role as a full-time writer and speaker. My top five strengths, along with the descriptions I received in the customized report are:

1. Achiever: People who are especially talented in the Achiever theme have a great deal of stamina and work hard. They take great satisfaction from being busy and productive.
2. Intellection: People who are especially talented in the Intellection theme are characterized by their intellectual activity. They are introspective and appreciate intellectual discussions.
3. Strategic: People who are especially talented in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.
4. Futuristic: People who are especially talented in the Futuristic theme are inspired by the future and what could be. They inspire others with their visions of the future.
5. Relator: People who are especially talented in the Relator theme enjoy close relationships with others. They find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve a goal.

via davekraft.squarespace.com