From The Edit Desk …
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As leaders, we are constantly
driven to perform with
excellence and the utmost
accuracy our various roles and
functions. However, we mostly
attempt to be who we are and
what we should be through an
almost impossible balancing
act.
When attending the circus
as a child, one of the most
entertaining parts, was the
juggling and balancing act. I
would sit in amazement as we
watched him or her balance and
juggle with extreme skill and precision. The more things
that were thrown at them, the more they would juggle.
Although entertaining, life as a leader was not meant to
be lived as a road show act in which passersby applaud us
while we bounce a ball on our head, twirl a ring on one
foot while hopping on the other one, play the harmonica
with our mouth, bounce a ball with one hand and juggle
dishes with the other! Instead of guiding, we are playing to
a crowd who is constantly applauding for more tricks while
we are attempting to balance family life, budgets, counseling
sessions, meetings and etc. while becoming a burned out
freak show in the process!
Many, if not all, of the items that are on our desks or that
fill our days and planners are crucial. However, integration
must be key so that our existence as leaders produces a,
unified and operative whole, called an abundant, Kingdom
life.
A great jewel of wisdom that I remember from my biblical,
theology training at Oral Roberts University was from Dr.
Arden Autry, who once said, that as leaders, we are to live
integrated lives. One definition of the word “integration” is,
“to form, coordinate, or blend into a functioning or unified
whole: unite” (www.merriam-webster.com). As leaders, our
challenge is to form into a cohesive and functioning unit all
of the gifts and responsibilities that have been entrusted to
us.
Regarding our personal life, Steve Lewey tells us In
Leadership is an Inside Job, that for outward leadership
to be effective, it must flow from the cohesiveness of our
inner life. Additionally, Monica Lloyd warns leaders of the
varied and hazardous pitfalls to avoid in Leadership With
a Purpose – Who’s Leading Who? Further, David Burrus
encourages us to strive for leadership with integrity in The
Pandemic of Bootleg Leadership.
In our cover story, Latrice Leake also shares poignantly
what it means to be Saved, Single and Kingdom Leading, as
a woman in the field of ministry.
With regard to our financial life, Dr. Sharon R. Ruff, in
The Power of a Seed – Part 2 teaches us to deal with a key
factor that undermines the manifestation of our harvest
from giving, namely poverty. Additionally, Antonina D.
Geer instructs us on how to keep our financial house in
order in Financial Leadership in Your Ministry Starts With
You…. Furthermore, because we are here to “implement
God given initiatives,” with our finances, Ytevia Watts gives
a systematic plan of action in Godpreneurs: How They
Advance The Kingdom.
In order to successfully and purposefully integrate those
on our team into the vision that has been given to us,
we must learn to whom what can be entrusted, and the
necessity of clear teaching according to Jackie Golden,
in The Portrait of the Five-Fold Ministry Teacher…Got
Milk or Meat? Likewise, Billie Miller demonstrates in
YOU CAN’T CONNECT IF “YOU” ARE IN THE WAY,
that to interact with people genuinely, we cannot be ego
driven, and that everything cannot revolve around us as
the leader. Moreover, Lolita Cleveland stresses the need for
discernment, inventiveness and creativity in Evangelism: A
New Birth, if we are going to bridge the gap to those who
don’t know the reality of Kingdom living.
So let’s put down the balls, plates and harmonicas. We are
not a circus sideshow, but Kingdom leaders. Therefore, let
us begin to prayerfully coordinate and blend our lives into
the successful whole that it was purposed to be and start
living the Kingdom life now.
Remember, the applause of men is a poor substitute for the
silence of Heaven.
Kevin & Candace
http://kingdomexec.com
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