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7 Temptations That All Leaders Face

It has been a while since I have shared many posts.  I normally share things that really challenge me or helpful resources that you could use in your ministry.  One of my favorite writers is Perry Noble, and he writes a lot of helpful leadership blogs.  Here is one of them:

“Seven Temptations that Leaders Face:

1. Wasting Time

We live in a world where it is easier to waste time than it ever has been before.  Comment wars on blogs, tweeting arguments, browsing through random Facebook pages, and numerous other things can absolutely distract us from what we were put on this planet to do.  (BTW…I don’t think the world will EVER be changed because of the comment section on a blog!!!)

2. Cruise Control

Leadership is exhausting, and so we must constantly battle the desire to just allow things to be the way they are.  This mentality will put us on course towards an iceberg that will sink even the largest ship!  (“I won’t ever let go, Jack!”)

3. Excuse Making

When a problem/difficult situation arises we can either deal with it or simply excuse it away.  And people who make excuses rarely make a difference because they are way more obsessed with doing what is easy rather than doing what is right.

4. Being Passive

This is a cousin of #3, but passivity has no place in leadership.  Ignoring a problem does not make it go away; in fact, it often makes is become larger and, in many cases, overwhelming.  If a problem comes to your attention, DEAL WITH IT; don’t deny it.  God brought it to your attention because you are the leader, and you are the one called to make the tough decision.

5. Copying

We should NEVER be ashamed of borrowing ideas from others!  I honestly feel that there really aren’t any original ideas on the planet…and even if the idea is “original,” that person was given the idea from the Holy Spirit…so it actually isn’t original in the first place.  However, when we build a ministry based on the imitation of others rather than revelation from God, we do so out of laziness…and God NEVER honors laziness.

6. Meaningless Fights

Someone IS going to attack your church/ministry…and one of the easiest ways to get sidetracked is to begin to fight with people who don’t know you, care about you, or care about your church.

7. Playing It Safe

When a leader stops taking risks because there is too much to lose…he is closer to losing everything than he actually realizes.  We don’t follow a Savior who played it safe; if He said, “Take up your cross and follow Me,” then we need to understand that sacrifice and risk WILL be involved if we want to go where He is leading.”

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joshhevans@churchleaders.com'
Josh Evans is the family pastor of the Oakleaf campus of Trinity Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL. He has served in this position since June of 2014. Before that, Josh had been a mentor and pastor to students since 2006. Josh is passionate about seeing life change in families and teaching them the truths of the Word of God. Josh is a blogger, speaker, family pastor, and die-hard Duke Blue Devils fan! Josh and his wife Abby were married in February of 2008, and those years have been the happiest years of his life. Josh and Abby have two kids. Lynlee and Cameron. Josh and his family live in the Jacksonville, FL area. You can connect further with Josh on this blog or send him a direct email at joshhevans@gmail.com.