Comments on: Steinbrenner the Visionary Leader http://www.georgebarna.com/2010/07/steinbrenner-the-visionary-leader/ Facilitating A Spiritual And Moral Revolution Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:46:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Mike Olson http://www.georgebarna.com/2010/07/steinbrenner-the-visionary-leader/comment-page-1/#comment-1833 Mike Olson Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:28:23 +0000 http://www.georgebarna.com/?p=458#comment-1833 I suppose comparing baseball leadership to church leadership is similar in todays model from the standpoint of putting butts in seats for the purpose of paying the bills. Perhaps both could take a lesson from the Head of the Church in that selflessness applies in both instances. It is a given that the whole is greater than it's individual parts. Individuals within the whole sacrificing personal gain and glory for the sake of fulfilling their role within the whole is to be desired and attempted to be attained. It is consistant throughout the N.T. in Jesus teachings as well as His example through the entire Bible. There needs to be a culture in the Ekklesia of laying down a sacrificing bunt to advance a teamate for the good of the whole, lowering your batting average. The hitting of a long sacrifice fly, to score a teamate for the good of the whole, even though it lowers your batting average. Jesus drilled home the truth of the first qualification of a leader as being the least, the last, the lowest, the servant of all.Afterall the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Teacher, Elder/Shepherd, are to be equiping the Saints to do the work of the ministry, not doing it themselves. The sole role is sacrificing their life for the Church, building up the Body, edifying it, being an example. A mother asked Jesus to put her sons at His right and left hand in Heaven. Jesus responded by saying, are you sure, do you really know what you are asking? Can they drink the cup I am to drink? Jesus teaching His Disciples said observe the World system, how they lord it over one another. It shall not be so amongst you. The distinguishing mark of a follower of me is that they will love one another. A love so complete and unselfish that it will draw men like a moth to a flame and build community like no other. He said, "If any man wants to be My follower you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow Me. If you keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake and for the sake of the Gospel, you will find true life." His last meal He took off His outer clothes and took a bowl of water and washed all of the Disciples feet. Some didn't want Him too. He said you must allow me too. Later He willingly gave his body and took our place in sacrifice for us all, giving all. Nothing short of this is expected of a leader, or a disciple also. True Leaders are the most self sacrificing individuals on the team (family). The most humble servant daily day in and day out. It has nothing to do with eloquent speech or sermon delivery. I want to know can you lay down a bunt and get thrown out at first to advance the runner? When it ruins your average and your pay is tied to your average. Can you be just an equal among equals encouraging another instead of promoting your ministry. Do you do the right thing at great cost to you individually? I suppose comparing baseball leadership to church leadership is similar in todays model from the standpoint of putting butts in seats for the purpose of paying the bills. Perhaps both could take a lesson from the Head of the Church in that selflessness applies in both instances. It is a given that the whole is greater than it’s individual parts. Individuals within the whole sacrificing personal gain and glory for the sake of fulfilling their role within the whole is to be desired and attempted to be attained. It is consistant throughout the N.T. in Jesus teachings as well as His example through the entire Bible. There needs to be a culture in the Ekklesia of laying down a sacrificing bunt to advance a teamate for the good of the whole, lowering your batting average. The hitting of a long sacrifice fly, to score a teamate for the good of the whole, even though it lowers your batting average. Jesus drilled home the truth of the first qualification of a leader as being the least, the last, the lowest, the servant of all.Afterall the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Teacher, Elder/Shepherd, are to be equiping the Saints to do the work of the ministry, not doing it themselves. The sole role is sacrificing their life for the Church, building up the Body, edifying it, being an example. A mother asked Jesus to put her sons at His right and left hand in Heaven. Jesus responded by saying, are you sure, do you really know what you are asking? Can they drink the cup I am to drink? Jesus teaching His Disciples said observe the World system, how they lord it over one another. It shall not be so amongst you. The distinguishing mark of a follower of me is that they will love one another. A love so complete and unselfish that it will draw men like a moth to a flame and build community like no other. He said, “If any man wants to be My follower you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow Me. If you keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake and for the sake of the Gospel, you will find true life.”
His last meal He took off His outer clothes and took a bowl of water and washed all of the Disciples feet. Some didn’t want Him too. He said you must allow me too. Later He willingly gave his body and took our place in sacrifice for us all, giving all. Nothing short of this is expected of a leader, or a disciple also. True Leaders are the most self sacrificing individuals on the team (family). The most humble servant daily day in and day out. It has nothing to do with eloquent speech or sermon delivery. I want to know can you lay down a bunt and get thrown out at first to advance the runner? When it ruins your average and your pay is tied to your average. Can you be just an equal among equals encouraging another instead of promoting your ministry. Do you do the right thing at great cost to you individually?

]]> By: Jim Roberts http://www.georgebarna.com/2010/07/steinbrenner-the-visionary-leader/comment-page-1/#comment-1257 Jim Roberts Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:12:31 +0000 http://www.georgebarna.com/?p=458#comment-1257 How does Steinbrenner’s single-mindedness about something that is arguably insignificant – professional athletes winning baseball games – compare to your vision and commitment related to ministry? Psalms 119: 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. (Hint: Jesus at 12 vs the Jewish clergy) 2 Timothy 2: 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. James 1: 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1: 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. James 1: 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. James 1: 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. SP>SP Singleness of purpose >>spiritual perception Failure comes when the thorns, cares of this life, choke out the word. Some call them competing interests. Idolatry or spiritual adultery is the symptom of one who is losing the personal battle against the carnal/fleshly nature. If a pastor can't sense the victory, how can he share this with his audience. Another factor for disappointed or verbally abusive pastors to consider: Pastors are like traveling salesmen. Laity are like satisfied customers. Pastors get paid to be good. Laity are good for nothing. How does Steinbrenner’s single-mindedness about something that is arguably insignificant – professional athletes winning baseball games – compare to your vision and commitment related to ministry?

Psalms 119: 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. (Hint: Jesus at 12 vs the Jewish clergy)

2 Timothy 2: 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

James 1: 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1: 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
James 1: 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
James 1: 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

SP>SP
Singleness of purpose >>spiritual perception

Failure comes when the thorns, cares of this life, choke out the word. Some call them competing interests.

Idolatry or spiritual adultery is the symptom of one who is losing the personal battle against the carnal/fleshly nature. If a pastor can’t sense the victory, how can he share this with his audience.

Another factor for disappointed or verbally abusive pastors to consider:

Pastors are like traveling salesmen.
Laity are like satisfied customers.
Pastors get paid to be good.
Laity are good for nothing.

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