4. Crucial Conversations
Our days as church leaders are filled with people. That’s a good thing, it’s why we do what we do. We encourage, teach, equip, pray, guide, disciple, empower, etc., and mostly importantly we love and serve.
But as leaders one specific exchange stands out as life-changing second only to love and that is conversation.
Few things move life forward according to God’s plan more than prayer and intentional conversations. Talking with God then talking with people connects the divine to the daily in a life changing way.
Over the course of a year we have thousands of conversations—from casual small talk to life’s most critical matters. And it’s our responsibility to make sure we have the essential conversations with the right people at the right time.
These are often the more difficult conversations. This doesn’t mean they are negative, or necessarily problematic, just challenging.
Here are just a few examples:
- Speaking belief into someone
- Challenging a leader to step up to their potential
- Communicating the gospel to a friend
- Confronting sin
- Inspiring a small group, like the church board, to a greater vision
- Handling a situation of conflict
Our conversations can hurt people or help people. Our words can set people free or take them emotionally captive. We can speak belief or criticism. Our conversations can cause division or bring unity. Our words change lives.
This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.Â
