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	<title>Leadership Collective &#187; Articles</title>
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	<description>Reaching &#38; Building Leaders</description>
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		<title>Seven Things We Did Right In Tokyo</title>
		<link>http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/seven-things-right-tokyo/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Apr 2014 07:07:06 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[<p>Rod Plumber is the Senior Minister of Jesus Life House in Tokyo.  He shares some insights on what they did [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/seven-things-right-tokyo/">Seven Things We Did Right In Tokyo</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au">Leadership Collective</a>.</p>
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				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Rod Plumber is the Senior Minister of Jesus Life House in Tokyo.  He shares some insights on what they did well when they planted their church.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">After living in Japan for 9 years, we learnt a lot about church planting. Of course we’ve made some mistakes, but mostly it’s been a wild and exciting ride! Here are some things we did right. </span></p>
<p><b style="line-height: 1.5em;">1. Started with a team. </b></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">10 young Aussies came with us and gave a year of service. Each one met and led a few Japanese young people to Jesus. Some of those new Japanese Christians are now pillars in our church. </span></p>
<p><b>2. We had a Word from God&#8230; </b></p>
<p>…about being fruitful and successful here in Japan. When we arrived there were lots of negative voices. You know the ones: ‘graveyard of missions’, ‘spiritual darkness’ etc. We had a Word from God and didn’t let any of that nonsense get into our hearts.</p>
<p><b>3. Simple strategy of evangelism </b></p>
<p>Meet people at coffee shops, universities, street bands etc. We’ve met a lot of people and know a lot about the emerging youth culture. We love them and understand them better.</p>
<p><b>4. Simple discipleship model </b></p>
<p>We need a reproducible process for new Christians to grow in and become leaders. We started cell groups even before the main service and this has been such a blessing in Japan, where people need a small community of strength and togetherness.</p>
<p><b>5. Simple DNA for emerging leaders </b></p>
<p>We have 3 key areas – journaling, simple prayer and a daily heart check with God. Many ask us what our REAL key to growth is, and after much thought we returned to these 3 basic Christian disciplines.</p>
<p><b>6. Great music </b></p>
<p>A team of great musicians obviously takes time to build, but wow … what an impact on Japanese youth!</p>
<p><b>7. Fun </b></p>
<p>We really, really love the Japanese youth. They are crazy, funny, creative, warm people and we love doing life together with them.</p>
<p>You can see a little bit of our world through the website: <a title="Jesus LifeHouse Tokyo" href="http://www.jesuslifehouse.com" target="_blank">www.jesuslifehouse.com</a></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/seven-things-right-tokyo/">Seven Things We Did Right In Tokyo</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au">Leadership Collective</a>.</p>
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		<title>Systems</title>
		<link>http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/systems-2/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Apr 2014 04:19:09 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://leadershipcollective.com.au/leadership_staged/?p=5051</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Systems are a crucial element to the functioning of a healthy and growing church.  In this article, Dr Richard Green [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/systems-2/">Systems</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au">Leadership Collective</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Systems are a crucial element to the functioning of a healthy and growing church.  In this article, Dr Richard Green looks at Systems Development and the ability to build processes that are linked together, the importance of design and clarity, and how the best systems integrate values with processes.</p>
<style type='text/css'>#reading-box-container-1 .tagline-shadow:before,#reading-box-container-1 .tagline-shadow:after{opacity:0.1;}</style><div class="reading-box-container clearfix animated" id="reading-box-container-1" animation_type="fadeInDown" animation_duration="0.1"><section class="reading-box " style="background-color:#f6f6f6 !important;border-width:1px;border-color:#f6f6f6!important;border-left-width:3px !important;border-left-color:#1a80b6!important;border-style:solid;"><a href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au/leadership_staged/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Making-It-Work_Systems_RGreen.pdf" target="_blank" class="continue button large default">Download PDF Version</a><h2>Download Article</h2><p>The complete article on Systems is available for PDF download.<br />
Please click the link to download your copy.</p><a href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au/leadership_staged/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Making-It-Work_Systems_RGreen.pdf" target="_blank" class="continue mobile-button button large default">Download PDF Version</a></section></div>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/systems-2/">Systems</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au">Leadership Collective</a>.</p>
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		<title>Stages Of Development</title>
		<link>http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/stages-of-development/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Apr 2014 04:08:21 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://leadershipcollective.com.au/leadership_staged/?p=5045</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Dr Richard Green examines the stages in the development of a leader and how to identify &#8220;what&#8217;s next&#8221; for you [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/stages-of-development/">Stages Of Development</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au">Leadership Collective</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dr Richard Green examines the stages in the development of a leader and how to identify &#8220;what&#8217;s next&#8221; for you or your team.  The attached article contains a diagram that can be helpful in understanding what is needed when working with others in their development.</p>
<style type='text/css'>#reading-box-container-2 .tagline-shadow:before,#reading-box-container-2 .tagline-shadow:after{opacity:0.1;}</style><div class="reading-box-container clearfix animated" id="reading-box-container-2" animation_type="fadeInDown" animation_duration="0.1"><section class="reading-box " style="background-color:#f6f6f6 !important;border-width:1px;border-color:#f6f6f6!important;border-left-width:3px !important;border-left-color:#1a80b6!important;border-style:solid;"><a href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au/leadership_staged/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Keeping-It-Moving_Stages-of-Development.pdf" target="_blank" class="continue button large default">Download PDF Version</a><h2>Download Article</h2><p>The complete article on Stages Of Development is available for PDF download.<br />
Please click the link to download your copy.</p><a href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au/leadership_staged/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Keeping-It-Moving_Stages-of-Development.pdf" target="_blank" class="continue mobile-button button large default">Download PDF Version</a></section></div>
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		<title>Creating An Atmosphere Necessary for Growth</title>
		<link>http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/creating-atmosphere-necessary-growth/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Apr 2014 04:04:01 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://leadershipcollective.com.au/leadership_staged/?p=5042</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>By definition an engineer is one who “plans, constructs or manages an enterprise.” Those who would plant churches have a [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/creating-atmosphere-necessary-growth/">Creating An Atmosphere Necessary for Growth</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au">Leadership Collective</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>By definition an engineer is one who “plans, constructs or manages an enterprise.” Those who would plant churches have a unique opportunity to plan, construct and manage an environment that will lead to healthy disciples and a growing church body. Like anything that grows, a church needs both the elements of growth and an atmosphere or environment that permits growth. Along with passionate and well trained leaders, a clear vision and foundational values churches need a healthy environment to grow. What do we mean?</p>
<p>Scripture declares “you shall know the truth and the truth will make (or set) you free.” But what is truth? It may be “true” that previous attempts to plant a church in a certain area have been unsuccessful but that history is not a gauge of our future success. It may be “true” that our financial resources appear limited but the value of our experience, the mentors in our lives, the creativity in the local church body can be of greater long term value than would come from a donor writing us a cheque.</p>
<p>A leader’s ability to influence the future is his or her most powerful tool. It has been determined that 80% of all cultures are negative cultures. As such most people measure themselves according to their perceived limitations and their past failures. In a new church plant, the leaders have the opportunity to make the gatherings a place of possibility and potential. They have the opportunity to create an atmosphere of acceptance and celebration. Imagine a place that constantly celebrates the victories, small and large of the people. Imagine a place where failure is seen as temporary and encouragement thrives.</p>
<p>A few years ago my wife took golf lessons. The first week all the class did was grip a club. The second week after reviewing their grip, they began to swing the club. It wasn’t until week three that a golf ball teed up for the students to hit. As the first student gripped the club and began to swing, the excitement grew. Unfortunately as she made contact the ball screamed off in a most undesirable direction. Immediately the student turned to the instructor and asked the question “what did I do wrong?” The wise instructor, the one responsible to set the atmosphere for success asked his own question, “Why, do you want to do it again? Now grip the club and swing it like you know how.” The eager student did as she had been taught, dismissing her failure and hit a most excellent golf shot.</p>
<p>As a church planter you have the opportunity to birth a people and a place where people will be free to excel, doing what you have helped them learn to do.</p>
<p>By Bill Howell</p>
<p>&#8211;<br />
1 The Free Dictionary (Farlex)<br />
2 John 8:32<br />
3 Mike O’Brien, Culture Specialist, Star Performance Group</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/creating-atmosphere-necessary-growth/">Creating An Atmosphere Necessary for Growth</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au">Leadership Collective</a>.</p>
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		<title>Disqualifiers in Ministry</title>
		<link>http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/disqualifiers-ministry/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Apr 2014 03:57:24 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://leadershipcollective.com.au/leadership_staged/?p=5031</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Dr Richard Green looks at some of the consequences of negative beliefs and values and how we can avoid disqualifying [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/disqualifiers-ministry/">Disqualifiers in Ministry</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au">Leadership Collective</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dr Richard Green looks at some of the consequences of negative beliefs and values and how we can avoid disqualifying ourselves from effective ministry.</p>
<p><strong>1 Thessalonians 5:23</strong> (NIV)<br />
<em>“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”</em></p>
<p>What we believe has an impact on our spiritual, emotional and physical world.</p>
<p><strong>Galatians 1:15-16</strong> (NIV)<br />
<em>“But when He who had set me apart, even from my mother’s womb, and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me.”</em></p>
<p>What we believe is formed in us through our beginnings – from the womb - our family of origin and life crises/life shifts positive or negative.</p>
<h3>Disqualified from Functioning Effectively</h3>
<p>Because we have been created body, soul and spirit negative beliefs can impact us at any level. Some negative beliefs are so destructive that they can lead to severe mental and physical damage. When a negative belief or dysfunctional value is left undealt with the results can be disastrous. An example would be unresolved anger. The emotion is anger but its underlying cause could be any number of dysfunctional beliefs or inner value statements, for example perfectionism, “I must be perfect to be accepted and valued and you must be perfect for me to value you.” When anger is held and becomes bitterness the brain chemistry is affected. Serotonin, which is found in the synapses, or spaces between our brain cells is released into the blood stream and converted into by-products which in turn gets excreted from out body in our urine. Basically we loose serotonin when we are bitter and when serotonin is lost we suffer symptoms of depression, headaches, decreased energy and concentration, insomnia etc. Serotonin gets restored when a bitter person learns to forgive. The body can hang onto serotonin produced naturally from a chemical called tryptophan (found in foods like bananas, fruit and whole grains)1. If the serotonin level drops and stays low for a long period of time it is possible that a person will develop a more severe form of depression. In some cases severe depression leads to the blocking of another brain chemical, dopamine. When dopamine is blocked a person can become psychotic, thinking they are hearing voices, experiencing delusions, suffering severe paranoia and in some people a extended drop in dopamine (six months or more) leads to a permanent state of psychosis (loss of reality).</p>
<p>No matter how gifted or talented a person may be, if unresolved emotional problems flowing from dysfunction beliefs or value statements are left unattended that person will disqualify themselves from functioning effectively.</p>
<p>Stress added to underlying dysfunctional belief creates the context for the development of considerable psychological and physical difficulties.</p>
<p><em>&#8211;</em><br />
<em>1Dr Paul Meier. (1993) Don’t let Jerks Get The Best of You – Advice for Dealing With Difficult People. Thomas Nelson</em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>This diagram is an adaptation of material by Franklin J.A. (1998) Self-Mastery Training – A complete Home Based Treatment Program for Anxiety, Panic and Agoraphobia, Highland Press. Dr John Franklin (Professor of Behaviour Disorders Clinic &#8211; Psychological Department at Macquarie University) has developed a 30 day self help program that has been used and clinically evaluated with 7,000 patients with a success rate of 85 -90%. This program includes audio material, assessment forms and a work book.</p>
<div class="table-1">
<table width="100%">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Developmental Stages</th>
<th>Factors &#8211; Physical &amp; Psychological</th>
<th>Contributing Factors</th>
<th>Physical Symptoms</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td> Generalised Anxiety Disorder</td>
<td>Stress - Physical and/or Psychological</td>
<td>Personality / Vulnerability<br />
Dependence<br />
Unassertiveness</td>
<td> Shakiness, trembling, restlessness<br />
inability to relax, fatigue, exhaustion,<br />
sweating, heart racing, dry mouth,<br />
poor concentration, insomnia,<br />
muscular tension, headaches</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>Anxiety</td>
<td>Low self-confidence<br />
Need to achieve</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>Over breathing</td>
<td>Anxious<br />
Worrier<br />
Over concerned with health</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Panic Disorder</td>
<td>Hyperventilation<br />
Panic Attacks<br />
Misattribution &amp; conditioning</td>
<td></td>
<td> Light-headedness, Dizziness,<br />
weakness in legs, palpitations,<br />
tightness in chest, sounds appearing louder,<br />
tingling sensations in hands and face</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Simple Situational Phobia</td>
<td>Avoidance</td>
<td></td>
<td> Symptoms a of heart attack,<br />
fainting, blurred vision, colour changes</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Agoraphobia</td>
<td>Generalisation</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Ministry Contexts</h3>
<p>Ministers and pastors of churches are at higher risk than many others because of expectations (external pressures) placed on them. In many cases, expectation heightens the potential for pressure to be applied onto our dysfunctional beliefs. It is the combination of the stress of the context plus our internal beliefs that cause us difficulties.</p>
<p>With the above in mind think about the stress the following causes:</p>
<p>• Church members expect their pastor to juggle on average 16 major tasks.<em>3</em></p>
<p>• Pastors who work less than 50 hours a week are 35% more likely to lose their job.<em>4</em></p>
<p>• Nearly 70% of pastors reported that their congregation experienced a conflict during the past two years.<em>5</em></p>
<p>• 80% of pastors say they have insufficient time with spouse.<em>6</em></p>
<p>• 56% of pastors’ wives say they have no close friends.<em>7</em></p>
<p>• 66% of pastors and their families feel pressure to model the ideal family to their congregation and communities.<em>8</em></p>
<p>• 70% of pastors do not have someone they consider a close friend.<em>9</em></p>
<p>• 57% of pastors do not have a regularly scheduled and implemented exercise routine.<em>10</em></p>
<p>• 70% of pastors say they have lower self-esteem now than when they started.<em>11</em></p>
<p>&#8211;<br />
<em>3 Barna Research Online, September 25, 2001</em><br />
<em>4 LaRue J C “Pastors at Work: Where the Time Goes” Leadership Journal.net January 3, 2001</em><br />
<em>5 Pulpit and Pew: Research on Pastoral Leadership www.Presbyweb.com. April 10, 2002</em><br />
<em>6 Focus on the Family questionnaire, 1997</em><br />
<em>7 London H.B. (2003), Pastors at Greater Risk. Regal p118</em><br />
<em>8 The Parsonage, August 10, 2002, www.family.org</em><br />
<em>9 London H.B. (2003), Pastors at Greater Risk. Regal p264</em><br />
<em>10 The Parsonage, May 11, 2002, www.family.org</em><br />
<em>11 London H.B. (2003), Pastors at Greater Risk. Regal p172</em><br />
<em>12 Cloud H, (1990), When Your World Makes No Sense, Oliver Nelson</em></p>
<p>The consequences of negative beliefs causes problems creating balance in life. People with dysfunctional beliefs don’t develop healthy boundaries.</p>
<div class="table-2">
<table width="100%">
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th>Can&#8217;t Say</th>
<th>Can&#8217;t Hear</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>&#8220;NO&#8221;</td>
<td> Feels guilty and/or controlled by others</td>
<td> Wants others to take responsibility for him/her</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>&#8220;YES&#8221;</td>
<td> Self-absorbed; doesn’t respond to others’ needs</td>
<td> Can’t receive caring from others</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Negative consequences are not only experienced at the individual level. Because leadership is about influence the dysfunctional beliefs and values of a leader will influence the culture of the organisation they lead. In the case of a church leader systemic problems within a church can often be traced back to the leaders own implicit value and belief system.</p>
<style type='text/css'>#reading-box-container-3 .tagline-shadow:before,#reading-box-container-3 .tagline-shadow:after{opacity:0.1;}</style><div class="reading-box-container clearfix animated" id="reading-box-container-3" animation_type="fadeInDown" animation_duration="0.1"><section class="reading-box " style="background-color:#f6f6f6 !important;border-width:1px;border-color:#f6f6f6!important;border-left-width:3px !important;border-left-color:#1a80b6!important;border-style:solid;"><a href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au/leadership_staged/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CoreStrength-DISQUALIFIERS-IN-MINISTRY.pdf" target="_blank" class="continue button large default">Download PDF Version</a><h2>Download Complete Article</h2><p>This is part one of the article Disqualifiers In Ministry by Dr Richard Green.<br />
To keep reading, please download the PDF version.</p><a href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au/leadership_staged/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CoreStrength-DISQUALIFIERS-IN-MINISTRY.pdf" target="_blank" class="continue mobile-button button large default">Download PDF Version</a></section></div>
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		<title>Balance</title>
		<link>http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/balance/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Apr 2014 03:16:29 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[<p>Everyone wants to succeed in life and deep down everyone has a philosophy for success. Earlier in his life Oscar Wilde said, [&#8230;]</p>
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				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Everyone wants to succeed in life and deep down everyone has a philosophy for success. Earlier in his life Oscar Wilde said, “Moderation is a fatal thing, nothing succeeds like excess”. Was Oscar Wilde right?</p>
<p>Balance is not the equal amounts of the opposites, or having half good, and half evil. Balance is about maximising our strengths while working on our weakness, so that we don’t become self destructive. Success is living the life God created you to live. For this to occur we need to order our lives. When we have purpose, live by principles, have a plan and connect with people, our lives become ordered, ready to succeed.</p>
<h3>Purpose</h3>
<p>Our purpose (or vision) flows from our priorities. Our priorities flow from our discipline. Discipline flows from devotion.</p>
<p><em>“You will become as small as your controlling desire; or as great as your dominant aspiration.”</em><br />
- James Allen.</p>
<p>Vision is not a single act. It is ongoing and must be nurtured or it can die. Vision flows out of our heart. If our heart is full of God, our vision will be of God. Vision gives focus, focus creates clarity and clarity builds energy. Vision from God leads to God’s energy &#8211; we become enthusiastic (in theos in God).</p>
<h3>Principles</h3>
<p>To order our lives, we also need principles. Principles support purpose &#8211; purpose empowers principles. The following are just a few examples of principles that have been taken from the scriptures:</p>
<p>Proverbs 29:18 &gt;&gt; Romans 7:17 &gt;&gt; Law is holy and good</p>
<p>Psalm 111:7-10 &gt;&gt; Exodus 34:21&gt;&gt; “Six days you shall labour, but on the seventh you shall rest; even during the ploughing season and harvest you must rest.”</p>
<p>Reap what you sow. Want friends? Be a friend.</p>
<h3>Plan</h3>
<p><strong>Proverbs 14:22</strong> (NIV)<br />
<em>“Those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.”</em> (Significance and security).</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><strong>Proverbs 16:3</strong> (NIV)<br />
<em>“Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your </em></span><em><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">plans will succeed.”</span></em></p>
<p><strong>To plan we need to take into account the F.A.C.T.S:</strong></p>
<p><strong>F</strong>eelings: What I am feeling?</p>
<p><strong>A</strong>ctions: What actions are needed? Actions don’t occur in a vacuum.</p>
<p><strong>C</strong>hoices: What choices? (‘no’ to some things and ‘yes’ to others).</p>
<p><strong>T</strong>houghts: What thought processes need challenging? Romans 12:2 says <em>“Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”</em></p>
<p><strong>S</strong>pirit: What help do I need? 2 Timothy 1:7 <em>“God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love and a sound mind.”</em></p>
<p>Make them as practical and concrete as possible.</p>
<h3>People</h3>
<p>To order our lives for success, we need purpose, principles, plan and people. There are three types of emotional deposits in relationships, shown in the table below.</p>
<p>We need to ensure that we have a balance between those that deposit positively into our lives and those who “take out” – make withdrawals from our emotional life.</p>
<div class="table-1">
<table width="100%">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Emotional Deposit</th>
<th>Positive or Negative</th>
<th>Type of Person</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Put In</td>
<td>Positive</td>
<td>Encouraging People (EP)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Take Out</td>
<td>Negative</td>
<td>Confronting People (CP)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Take Out</td>
<td>Negative</td>
<td>Draining People (DP)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>Nice People (NP)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<h3>Final Thoughts</h3>
<p><strong>Proverbs 18:24</strong> (NIV)<br />
<em>“A man of many companions may come to ruin but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”</em></p>
<p>So, was Oscar Wilde right when he said, “Moderation is a fatal thing, nothing succeeds like excess?” Consider what Wilde wrote towards the end of his life as he spent several years in prison for homosexual offences. He died in poverty and exile four years later in Paris.</p>
<p><em>“Desire at the end was a malady, madness or both. I grew careless of the lives of others. I took pleasure where it pleased me and passed on. I forgot that every little action of the common day makes or unmakes character&#8230;</em></p>
<p><em>I made art a philosophy, and philosophy an art &#8230; I altered the minds of men and the colours of things &#8230; I treated art as the supreme reality, and life as a mere mode of fiction &#8230; I awoke the imagination of my century so that it created myth and legend around me &#8230; I let myself be lured into long spells of senseless and sensual ease. I amused myself with being a flaneur, a dandy, a man of fashion. I surrounded myself with smaller natures and meaner minds. I became the spendthrift of my own genius, and to waste an eternal youth gave me a curious joy. Tired of being on the heights, I deliberately went to the depths in search of new sensations&#8230; </em></p>
<p><em>I ceased to be Lord over myself. I was no longer captain of my soul. I allowed you [Douglas] to dominate me, and your father to frighten me. I ended in horrible disgrace. There is only one thing for me now, absolute Humility.”</em></p>
<p>From De Profundis,<br />
Letters to Alfred Douglas, 1905</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/balance/">Balance</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au">Leadership Collective</a>.</p>
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		<title>10 Characteristics of Leadership</title>
		<link>http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/10-characteristics-leadership/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Apr 2014 01:23:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Leadership Collective]]></dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[<p>Wonder what a leader looks like?  Here are 10 characteristics from Dr Richard Green. 1. Call • Strong sense of [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/10-characteristics-leadership/">10 Characteristics of Leadership</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au">Leadership Collective</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Wonder what a leader looks like?  Here are 10 characteristics from Dr Richard Green.</p>
<p><strong>1. Call</strong></p>
<p>• Strong sense of why.<br />
• Mark 1:38 NIV</p>
<p><em>Shift from need to call</em></p>
<p>2. Ideas</p>
<p>• Vision based on revelation flowing from devotion<br />
• Proverbs 24:3-5<br />
• Quality of thought determines quality of desire<br />
• “As a man thinks so he is ”Proverbs 23:7</p>
<p><em>Shift from doing to thinking</em></p>
<p>• Mark 3:13<br />
• Up on the mountain (get perspective)<br />
• Called then he wanted (space to select the right people)<br />
• Appoint then (effectively release people)</p>
<p><strong>3. Values</strong></p>
<p>• Lives Biblical Principle and an informed conscience<br />
• Proverbs 11:3<br />
• Integrity = Consistency between heart, head and hands<br />
• What you feel, think and do</p>
<p><em>Shift – from doing things right, to doing the right things</em></p>
<p>John 5:19 – Jesus did what he saw the Father doing</p>
<p><strong>4. Energy</strong></p>
<p>In Theos Latin “In God We ”Romans used the term to describe what they saw in Christian Martyrs. The ability to motivate people and create a positive environment.</p>
<p>1 Cor 15:10<br />
• Go with your gift<br />
• Work beyond performance expectation – Grace frees us</p>
<p><em>Shift from doing many things to the one thing</em></p>
<p><strong>5. Edge</strong></p>
<p>• 2 Tim 1:7 &#8211; Sound Mind<br />
• Prov 29:25</p>
<p><em>Shift from the ministry question “The How To” to the leadership question “The Why Do”.</em></p>
<p><strong>6. Clarity</strong></p>
<p>1 Cor 14:8<br />
• Warfare is never simple it is complex and chaotic.<br />
• Everything drifts to complexity.</p>
<p><em>Shift from complex (conceptual and deep) to being clear (applicable).</em></p>
<p><strong>7. Developer &#8211; A message and a life reproduced</strong></p>
<p>Matt 4:19</p>
<p><em>Shift from information to life transformation. Move from what your teaching to what your doing to transform others. Help people identify where they have came from and where they are going (John 8:14)</em></p>
<p><strong>8. Action</strong></p>
<p>James 2:20</p>
<p><em>Shift from opinion to action. Outcome focused over contents.</em></p>
<p><strong>9. Capacity &#8211; Built through nurture and challenge</strong></p>
<p>Phil 1:23-25 progress and joy</p>
<p><em>Shift from time focus to energy focus</em></p>
<p><strong>10. Composure</strong></p>
<p>Ps 139:23 – self awareness.</p>
<p><em>Shift from external motivation to internal motivation.</em></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/10-characteristics-leadership/">10 Characteristics of Leadership</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au">Leadership Collective</a>.</p>
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		<title>Your Growth</title>
		<link>http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/growth/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Apr 2014 01:03:29 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://leadershipcollective.com.au/leadership_staged/?p=5018</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Dr Richard Green looks at how your growth is one of the greatest assets to the planting of a church. [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/growth/">Your Growth</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au">Leadership Collective</a>.</p>
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				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dr Richard Green looks at how your growth is one of the greatest assets to the planting of a church.</p>
<p>The ‘within factor’ causes us to grow. Jesus said the influence of his rule and reign is within.</p>
<p><strong>Luke 17:21</strong> (KJV)<em><br />
“Neither shall they say, Lo here! Or, lo there! For, behold, the Kingdom of God is within you.&#8221;</em></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">It is the ‘within factor’ that will be our greatest asset. There is no </span>doubt at all that personal growth is at the core of all other growth. If we want to help others to grow, we ourselves have to be growing. Inner growth precedes external growth; private victories come before public victories. Our external weightiness flows from the strength of our inner life. Integrity of heart is the foundation of true character.</p>
<p>Management of others is directly related to our ability to manage ourselves. Self-control enables us to direct our life; therefore self-control is a pre-requisite for directing others. Harry Truman said, “In reading the lives of great men, I found that the first victory they won was over themselves – self discipline with all of them came first”.  Robert A. Cook declared, “There is no substitute for character. You can buy brains, but you cannot buy character”.</p>
<p>People without self-control have no root:</p>
<p>Self-control &gt;&gt; Inner strength &gt;&gt; Deep root</p>
<p><strong>Luke 8:13</strong> (Paraphrased)<br />
<em>They receive the word with joy, but they have no root. They believe for a while but in time of testing they fall away. </em></p>
<h3>
<div class="one_half">People Without Character</h3>
<p>Do what’s easiest<br />
Are controlled by moods<br />
Look for excuses<br />
Quit when challenged<br />
Rely on external motivation<br />
Words and actions don’t match<br />
Choices lead to failure</div>
<h3><div class="one_half last">People With Character</h3>
<p>Do what’s right<br />
Are controlled by values<br />
Look for solutions<br />
Persevere when challenged<br />
Rely on internal motivation<br />
Words and actions agree<br />
Choices add up to success</div><div class="clearboth"></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Focus &gt;&gt; Connecting with God</h3>
<p>There are six practical steps to staying right with God. These are:</p>
<p>&gt;&gt; Daily reviews</p>
<p>&gt;&gt; Journal keeping</p>
<p>&gt;&gt; Repenting</p>
<p>&gt;&gt; Confession</p>
<p>&gt;&gt; Cleansing</p>
<p>&gt;&gt; Mentors / Coaching / Spiritual fathers and mothers</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>1. Daily Reviews</strong></span></p>
<p>Daily reviews are like windows into the health of our soul. Pause and be still, ask yourself questions about your actions or inactions.</p>
<p>&gt;&gt; Why did we do what we did?</p>
<p>&gt;&gt; Why did we not do what we could have?</p>
<p>&gt;&gt; The most effective reciews are done at the end of the day</p>
<p>Sit in a comfortable chair in a quiet place, ask the Holy Spirit to show you where He was at work in your life and how you responded. Thank Him for being at work.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>2. Journal Keeping</strong></span></p>
<p>We all need to increase our ability to hear and act in obedience to the Lord’s leading. Keeping a journal enables us to practice the art of holy listening. The first word we need to hear is the word of the Lord, so start with his word. Pick a book of the bible and work through it systematically. Choose only a small portion and listen as you read. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you and record the phrase that stands out.</p>
<p>Once you write down the phrase turn the phrase into a prayer. Having prayed the prayer, then turn the prayer into an action and pray for the Lord to help you act on it.</p>
<p>Having listened to his word, recorded it, prayed it and made a plan to act on it, be still and ask the Lord to speak whatever He desires and write that down. At this point you are trying to develop your listening in a deeper way – don’t be too concerned at this point in setting an action, unless what you hear is totally in line with scripture.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>3. Repentance</strong></span></p>
<p>Turning away from our sin and to God is something we need to do daily; it brings refreshment.</p>
<p><strong>Acts 3:19</strong> (NASB)<br />
<em>“Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord”</em></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Be committed to a lifestyle of turning to God. Do it </span>daily and often.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>4. Confession</strong></span></p>
<p>Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you have failed and confess that to the Lord. Confession is powerful not just in dealing with sin, but also in appropriating the promises of God. Take the passages that the Lord has spoken to you during your prayer and journal time and confess them aloud. Turn the passages into proclamations through confession.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>5. Cleansing</strong></span></p>
<p>Many people repent and confess but don’t know how to receive cleansing. Cleansing comes through applying the word to your area of weakness or failings.</p>
<p><strong>John 17:17</strong> (NASB)<br />
<em>“Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth.”</em></p>
<p><strong>Ephesians 5:26</strong> (NASB)<br />
<em>“That He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.”</em></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><strong>1 Thessalonians 5:23</strong> (NASB)<br />
<em>“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your </em></span><em>spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without the blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”</em></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The cleansing that comes from the word is for every area of our life.</span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>6. Mentoring</strong></span></p>
<p><strong>1 Corinthians 4:15</strong> (NLT)<br />
<em>“For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you.”</em></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">We need to have someone who has an intimate knowledge of us and is </span>committed to our spiritual growth. For many this is a great challenge. If this does not come naturally it is still important to find someone you can meet with regularly who will be willing to listen and ask the right sort of questions keeping you on track in your walk with God.</p>
<p>Whoever it is, they need to be someone who has strength and sensitivity. Strength is required to hold you accountable and challenge you when required. Sensitivity is needed to what’s going on in your life. They need to be a person who knows the word and who is in tune with the Holy Spirit. Mentoring is more than skills. It ought to encompass your head, hands and heart.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/growth/">Your Growth</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au">Leadership Collective</a>.</p>
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		<title>The Right Mind for a Church Planter</title>
		<link>http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/right-mind-church-planter/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Apr 2014 00:40:55 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://leadershipcollective.com.au/leadership_staged/?p=5015</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Dr Richard Green reveals how you can become a possibility thinker and take on the right &#8220;mindset&#8221; for planting a healthy [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/right-mind-church-planter/">The Right Mind for a Church Planter</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au">Leadership Collective</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dr Richard Green reveals how you can become a possibility thinker and take on the right &#8220;mindset&#8221; for planting a healthy and vibrant church.</p>
<h3>How To Become A Possibility Thinker</h3>
<p><strong>1. Remove all excuses</strong></p>
<p>Everyone has something that could limit them. Those who achieve great things don’t allow limitations to become excuses. Excuses are negative not life building.</p>
<p>Try the following exercise:</p>
<p>Step 1 &gt; List all the things that limit you from achieving your “God dream”</p>
<p>Step 2 &gt; Ask the Lord to speak to you about these limiters and record what he says.</p>
<p>Step 3 &gt; Find a promise from Scripture that matches what you believe the Lord would say.</p>
<p>Step 4 &gt; Write and memorise the passage.</p>
<p>Step 5 &gt; Say the passage out loud first thing each morning and last thing before you go to bed.</p>
<p><strong>2. Practice daily thankfulness</strong></p>
<p>The old saying of “count your blessings” is true. The more your thoughts focus on what you have rather than what you don’t have, the less time you will spend sowing seeds of negativity.</p>
<p>&gt; Begin each day with a promise from the Word</p>
<p>&gt; Say and imagine the promise</p>
<p>&gt; Spend some quiet still time, say the word then be still, put images to the words</p>
<p>&gt; Use immediate thought distraction when a negative thought comes</p>
<p>&gt; The brain takes a few seconds before a negative is recorded, if you can quickly move your thoughts to something else, the negative will not lock itself into your memory</p>
<p>&gt; Pray and spend time imagining what you want</p>
<p>&gt; See your life as you believe God would want it</p>
<p>&gt; See your church as you believe God would want it</p>
<p>Be creative with your thinking. What feeds creativity is stillness. Don’t force creativity. Just be ready to accept &#8211; rather than dismiss, thoughts that come to you from left-of-field.</p>
<p><strong>3. Develop a positive habit</strong></p>
<p>Do something every day that becomes a habit. It should be something that takes little effort which you really enjoy. Be opportunity focused, not problem focused. Welcome problems as opportunity for growth.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/right-mind-church-planter/">The Right Mind for a Church Planter</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au">Leadership Collective</a>.</p>
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		<title>Self Awareness</title>
		<link>http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/self-awareness/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Apr 2014 00:24:54 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[<p>Self-awareness and insight give us the ability to know who we are. A self-aware and insightful person can move beyond external [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/self-awareness/">Self Awareness</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au">Leadership Collective</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Self-awareness and insight give us the ability to know who we are. A self-aware and insightful person can move beyond external pressure and rise above any internal insecurity to live a healthy life. This kind of person will grow and promote growth in those around them.</span></p>
<h3>Practical application for developing self-awareness</h3>
<p>To be self-aware, like David, we need to take time out and be still. Take a piece of paper and pen, find a quiet place, pray Psalm 139:23-24 and then ask the Holy Spirit to give you awareness in the eight areas of self-awareness:</p>
<p>1. Awareness of motivation</p>
<p>2. Awareness of abilities</p>
<p>3. Awareness of emotions</p>
<p>4. Awareness of intellectual processes &#8211; thoughts</p>
<p>5. Awareness of functionality and actions</p>
<p>6. Awareness of change readiness</p>
<p>7. Awareness of life principles</p>
<p>8. Awareness of the long-term</p>
<p>Then, write down your reflections and an action plan to put into practice each of the skills of self-awareness.</p>
<h3>Awareness of the long-term &gt;&gt; finishing strong</h3>
<p>October 1968 – at the Mexico City Olympics, die hard spectators waited for the last few finishers of the marathon. The race was won by Mamo Walde of Ethiopia, one hour before. The crowd started to leave as it was getting dark. However, news was sent through that there was one last runner. The crowd could hear police sirens a way off. John Stephen Akhwari from Tanzania was making his way slowly to the end after having a bad fall – his leg was bandaged and bleeding.</p>
<p>When he hit the last 400 metres, the stadium rose and applauded until he reached the finish line. Awesome. He was asked the question, “Why did you finish the race when you had no chance of winning a medal?”</p>
<p>“My country did not send me to Mexico City to start the race. They sent me to finish the race.”</p>
<p>God hasn’t marked out a race for you to begin, but one to finish. God has given you a vision to complete. And the way we finish is more important than how we begin. And how we finished, is determined by what’s in us. Any true vision for life will increase our ability to give and receive love. What’s the point in life if you gain the whole world but lose your soul? The test of any vision is how much love you have as you journey to its completion.</p>
<p><strong>2 Peter 1:3-10</strong></p>
<p><em>“Seeing that his divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and excellence. 4 For by these He has granted to us his precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. For this reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure.”</em> (NASB)</p>
<p><em><strong>This is all about our whole life, not just spiritual things.</strong></em></p>
<p><strong>1 Timothy 4:8</strong></p>
<p><em>“For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds a promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”</em> (NASB)</p>
<p><em><strong>Relevant to this life &gt; not just the life to come.</strong></em></p>
<p><strong>Isaiah 3:10</strong></p>
<p><em>“Righteous will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.”</em> (Paraphrased)</p>
<p>We can experience a sense of security, direction, permanence when we have a foundation for life.  We escape the transience of this world.</p>
<p>- We have a foundation to build an effective vision for life.<br />
- We have all the resource we need to see that vision happen.<br />
- We need not fear our future, whether single or married, for God gives us a foundation.</p>
<p>God gives us the resources through our relationship with Jesus (promises) – that’s God’s part. Now what follows is our part.</p>
<p>In verse five to seven of 1 Timothy 1 you&#8217;ll notice the starting point is faith and the end point is love. True vision starts with faith and focus, our end point is the increase of love.</p>
<p><strong>1 Timothy 1:5</strong></p>
<p><em>“The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart, and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”</em> (NIV)</p>
<p><em><strong>The goal is love – from a sincere faith.</strong></em></p>
<p><strong>Galatians 5:6</strong></p>
<p><em>“The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” </em>(NIV)</p>
<h3></h3>
<h3>The Starting Point</h3>
<p>Read 2 Peter 1:5-10</p>
<p>1. Faith &gt; a firm persuasion in your vision. Then add:</p>
<p>2. Goodness &gt; a commitment to excellence &gt; with your vision &gt; moral excellence &gt; excellence of achievement &#8211; God’s creation is not half-hearted, it is excellent</p>
<p>3. Knowledge &gt; a transformation of thinking &gt; doing not just thinking (Romans 12:1-2) &gt; it is the will of God for us to live principles rather than idealistic concepts.</p>
<p><strong>James 2:22</strong></p>
<p><em>“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourself. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.”</em></p>
<p>Don’t let your learning lead to knowledge; let your learning lead to action.</p>
<p>4. Self-control &gt; an inner strength</p>
<p>5. Perseverance &gt; an ongoing focus on where we’re going and resistance to pressure. When William Carey was asked the reason for his success as a missionary, he replied, “I can plod”. Perseverance has been defined as sticking to something you are not stuck on!</p>
<p><strong>Proverbs 21:5</strong></p>
<p><em>“Steady plodding brings prosperity.”</em> (LB)</p>
<p><strong>Proverbs 24:16</strong></p>
<p><em>“A good person, though you trip them up seven times, each time they rise again.”</em> (LB)</p>
<p>The National Sales Executive Association found:</p>
<p>&gt; 80% of all new sales are made after the fifth call to the same prospect.<br />
&gt; 48% of salespersons make one call, and then cross the prospect off.<br />
&gt;<span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> 25% quit after the second call<br />
</span>&gt; 12% call three times then quit<br />
&gt; 10% keep calling</p>
<p>6. Godliness &gt; a practical awareness of God in every area of life – devotion</p>
<p>(the balance to perseverance – focus on the end)</p>
<p>7. Brotherly Kindness &gt; a real connection with people  heart-felt warmth –</p>
<p>get rid of your agenda &gt; Proverbs says “An isolated man has his own agenda”</p>
<p>8. Love &gt; a self-sacrificing attitude</p>
<p>Ralph Waldo Emerson said “For everything you gain, you lose something.”  H. Jackson Brown, author of Life’s Little Instruction Book, said,</p>
<p><em>“You pay a price for getting stronger</em><br />
<em>You pay a price for getting faster</em><br />
<em>You pay a price for jumping higher</em><br />
<em>(but also) you pay a price for staying just the same.”</em></p>
<p>If your vision is to be sustained and to produce love in your life and others, you will have to pay a price of a self-sacrificing attitude.</p>
<p>Verse 8 &gt; If you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive.</p>
<p>Verse 10 &gt; If you do these things you will never fail.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au/content/self-awareness/">Self Awareness</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://leadershipcollective.com.au">Leadership Collective</a>.</p>
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