LET GROWTH BE YOUR PROMOTER
By Rev. Jose Francisco C. Sauco
Bible Baptist Church, Pasay
jfcs04@yahoo.com
I. HOW TO ADVANCE IN PERSONAL GROWTH:
(Continuation from August issue)
2. Let us grow those around us.
Many times, they’ll take you with them; other times you’ll take them with you. But you can’t go together if you don’t keep growing together.
Never accept the lie that growth is difficult for imperfect people. Who is perfect? You see, I’m not perfect, you are not perfect, but we can grow together
3. Let us allow others to grow in their area of responsibility.
Let us make them a producer. But let us be a producer, too. Let us help them develop new ways to increase their and our output, improve their efficiency, and get things done. And encourage them that they don’t need to be afraid to take on tough assignments that no one else wants to do. They might be just what you need to widen your scope of responsibility. Sometimes, all that our members wait for is that you trust them with some responsibility to prove they can deliver.
If you don’t remember anything else I’ve said in this conference, remember this.
It is so important, I can’t emphasize it enough. Don’t rely on office politics, family connections, personal friendships or sheer luck to move your members to the next level--let growth be their champion and your ultimate promoter. If you were to ask me whether or not I’m going to start another building, or what I’m going to do after I equip my members, do you know what I’d say? My answer to any of those questions would be simple: I don’t know, but I’m still growing. You see the ace that I hold in my hand isn’t what I’ve done, where I am, who I am or the position I hold. It’s growth.
If I keep growing, I will be able to build any building I need to build, and do anything else I need to do.
I don’t need a list of career goals to keep me moving forward; I just need to keep growing. That’s because my goals do not insure my future ? my growth does. And the same is true for you.
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
God says, never stop loving me, keep growing. God says, never stop loving my word, keep growing.God says never stop doing right, just keep growing…
II. HOW TO SUSTAIN LEADERSHIP
Proverbs 17:27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
Any person, any leader who keeps on growing keeps on building his character.
And character is the only thing that will sustain you in the ministry. Character is the only way that will keep you in your leadership.
I am presenting two mistakes that I made as a young leader:
1) I thought that leaders distinguished themselves by rising above their people.
2) I thought as a leader, the people should be focused on my agenda.
A third mistake that I made as a young leader was that I used to think that charisma was the most important aspect of leadership.
In the beginning, I focused on charisma because I know that leadership attracts, and leadership influences people.
Therefore I thought, “Well, if I’m going to influence people I’ve got to develop charisma in my life.”
I’ve been around enough boring leaders to say that is a desire that most of us should have! What I learned is that character is the most important aspect of leadership, not charisma.Charisma attracts, but character sustains.
In fact, I think charisma, in the area of leadership, is overrated.
Character embodies who you really are.
It’s the inner fiber of your being.
It is your inner self in action.
It reveals what you are truly made of, it’s your substance.
Character is, as D. L. Moody said, “What you are in the dark.”
If you have charisma without character, it’s only a matter of time before people find you out.
Without character you cannot sustain meaningful relationships, and without relationships your ability to lead and influence others is anemic.
So what is it about character that really makes a difference?