"The Great Interrupter" In Ministry And Leadership

It is estimated nearly 11,000,000 million workers will lose their jobs in the next 1-2 years . To put that number in focus, 8,000,000 jobs disappeared from the horizon in 2008 -2009, at the height of the last recession. The way of doing things is changing due to what I am calling the “Great Interrupter” - Technology. Have you been to a once busy supermall lately? Have you noticed how many storefront displays are down and how the mall looks like a casket? Not long ago, I visited a small town in rural America and was struck as I walked down the streets of the town by how many doors were draped with a CLOSED sign. The town was literally decaying, as was the life of the community. I observed that brick and mortar and retail space are giving way to the touch of fingers on an Ipad and phone. I noted companies like Amazon and Apple have just received the dubious award of being the first Trillion dollar companies in history. Things are changing and very quickly. Along with this, the battle over speech and freedom of expression has reached the boiling point. Social media and communication are now the expression of choice for many. But Truth is now determined by those wanting to take away choice, and instead dictate what you are to believe and what you are not allowed to believe. As I write this, Facebook and Twitter are under the microscope of the United States Congress for selection of what they have determined their truth to be. Censorship is no longer highlighted by book burning. It is highlighted instead by algorithms and “hate watchers.” With more and more people turning to Alexa or google for their answers to questions, the fact is it is easier than ever to lead the masses where technology wants them to go, whether right or wrong. Money and power in the wrong hands become a brew for enslavement and desperation. I’m afraid Man himself, in all his own wisdom, is painting themselves into a corner. The fact is we are hooked and it is going to take the spirit of God to help us discern and direct us through this maze of mixed blessings in the age of “technocrats.” Never has it been more important to preach and teach the truth of God. The Word of God is the plumb-line for building successful and lasting lives. We are now more than ever called to the front lines in this battle. We must especially focus on the children that are facing these realities. The children who are growing up without Jesus, in a world that is becoming more and more antagonistic to anything Christian. We in ministry must be the messengers of hope and excitement about our lives in Jesus. We in ministry must create the environment of peace, hope, joy and long suffering in the midst of trouble. We, who are in ministry, must rejoice always, teach peace and to be still and know I am God, to the little ones observing these changes. We must show that ministry is a blast and not drudgery. We must make ministry, culture and the environment irresistible in order to attract talent to help us further ministry. Ask God to bring the talent and gifted to work alongside you as the leader. We need talents that are wise as serpents, but harmless as doves to see the importance of reaching our children. We as a ministry must now align and realign to attract the called and gifted, and to keep them. People ask me why the young, vibrant, and healthy people don’t flock to ministry. I think it is because of a major change in education. Students graduating from college and universities today have unprecedented loans which must be paid back as soon as they finish their studies. The public and private schools have huge endowments and have become sanctuaries for indoctrination. Many universities have as much money as some of the nations in our world. The system is fraught with fraud and greed. We need to rethink education and how it is administered. Satan is having a field day tying our youth to debt. As many Christian colleges strive to be accredited, they will soon find themselves enmeshed in the worlds university dictates. All this with robotics and driverless vehicles on the horizon, put the world either on a collision course for disaster or on the launch pad to worlds unknown .. depending on your point of view. Oh...and by the way, It is anticipated - Some “experts” expect another 4 billion new people will come on line in the next 4 years! What does this mean to missions, and especially ministry to children? The truth is, missions are Gods thing and will only be needed till Christ returns. He has given us the command to Go and he has provided a supernatural helper ...His Spirit. The preacher, John Piper says it so well, “You cannot commend what you do not cherish.” Ask yourself, do you cherish Jesus? The Bible says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and give glory to your father in Heaven .” Matthew 5:16. 10 Things to think about in missions today -Passion and deeply held beliefs from God’s Word and our experiences with Him should highlight our lives. Your testimony counts! -Inspiration and influence should be focal points in our leadership. -We as leaders will need to maximize our influence by living lives that glorify God. -Excellence and Effectiveness should be central in our thinking. Let’s do better at being first class in everything we do and present to our world. We serve the universe leader and creator of all. -Kindness is what those around us must see as the world becomes less kind and civil. How did you show someone God’s Love today? -Teach the power God has given all believers, the Holy Spirit; the added advantage to all our lives. Our identity in Christ is a Huge deal! -Call on God to give you, as the leader, wisdom and knowledge. There is more information readily available more than ever. Just ask google. The ongoing problem is wisdom ... the Bible says, “The fear of The Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” -We as leaders will need to learn to lead without hierarchies our managers. -We must do a better job of attracting young people to the ministry. We must attract the talents and skills in God’s people to serve and glorify the Master. -We must not ignore the tools of technology, but instead embrace them as gifts to further expand the ministry. Creative and imaginative ideas should always be looked at and weighed as to their effectiveness. Get a team around you of capable people and begin the journey of missions on a new level. Value based and Godly leadership will become more distinct as the world and its leadership blur the lines and seeks to confuse. As the storm clouds gather, the light of the Spirit of God beams it's glory of light through the threatening weather. There are some things technology and robots cannot do. They may have knowledge but no soul. Alexa may be able to rattle off words and machines may be programmed to take away your job, but they cannot show emotion or love. There are two things the human mind will never comprehend and duplicate... Excitement and Curiosity. Learn how, as a leader to use these two of elements of leadership that cannot be taken away from you by the “Great Interrupter”.