Intentional Leadership

Last night's Men's Conference on Intentional and Thoughtful leadership was a good night of food, fellowship, and encouragement for spiritual growth.  
This post is not meant to be an overview of the whole night.  It is more, some takeaways and thought I took from the evening.

If there are any takeaways you would like to share, leave them in the comments section.  

In the opening remarks, Pastor Jason reminded the men that there is often a disconnect between who we know we should be (better husband, better father, better worker, and ultimately a better man of God) and what we actually do and think.  This disconnect is between intentionality and thoughtfulness.

This intentionality is not about personalities and practicalities.  If you are a follower of Christ, you are commanded to be intentional throughout scripture.  Pastor Jason shared these verses.

• Set your minds on things above…” (Col. 3:2)
• “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature…” (Col. 3:5)
• “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness…”(Mt. 6:33)
• “Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” (Rom. 12:9)
• “Honor one another above yourselves.” (Rom. 12:10)
• “Be very careful then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity…“ (Eph. 5:15-16)
• “…make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” (Rom. 14:19)
• “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.” (Prv. 27:12)
• “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.” (2 Cor. 13:5)
• “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.” (1 Jn. 5:21)
• “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing…” (Heb. 10:24-25)
• “This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.” (Hag. 1:7)
• “Husbands, in the same way, be considerate as you live with your wives…” (1 Pet. 3:7)

The panel times were filled with good questions from Pastor Jason and each of the tables.

I (Pastor Dave) want to revisit three of the questions.  Each of the questions is a paraphrase of what was actually asked.

There were many great challenges tonight for men and for husbands.   What are we to do after the conference time?  How do we incorporate all of the things we were challenged with?

I want to tweak the answer I gave last night because it was specifically addressed to men with children.  This answer is relatively the same 

 The more general answer is HOPE, LOVE, and DO ONE THING. 

HOPE includes praying for yourself and others. 

LOVE those God has brought in your life (wife, kids, co-workers, friends).  Think about how you could better love others.  Don't focus on doing more stuff. 

DO ONE THING.  Pick one thing to work on.  Remember ONE THING is better than nothing. 

I know this overwhelming feeling happens at the end of any conference, which is why the Church Ministries Conference decided to create a pre-conference workshop video (10 minutes long) on "How to Attend a Conference."  While this video talks about our church and ministry ideas, I can also be applied to our loved ones and personal holiness.  

 With all of the things going on in the world around us, what advice do you have for families with young children?

Remember you are not the answer to your childrens' needs.  Jesus is. 

I got a little emotional when answering this question because it is a question I struggle with as dad.  And I want to protect my kids.  I always need to be reminded that in this world my goal needs to be godly living for myself and my family.  Not necessarily easy or safe.  I want my children to grow in the hope they have in Jesus Christ because "he who promised is faithful (See Hebrews 10:23)

I am not going to be able to help them through every problem, difficulty, challenges, and sin they will face but I can help them see how to love God more and live a godly life (See Hebrews 10:24).  

A great resource, not mentioned last night, is Tim Challies' Do More Better www.challies.com/do-more-better/
The author offers a definition of productivity that is very similar to Pastor Jason's explanation of being intentional.

ONLINE RESOURCES

• Articles about Intentional Parenting by Pastor Dave at tbcgrkidz.org
• Articles by Pastor Jason at www.biblicalcounselingcoalition.org
• Trinity Life Podcast Episodes at www.anchor.fm/tbcgr
• Dave Branon on career choices and using retirement well (1/24/23)
• Steve DeMan on leadership habits and mistakes (2/12/23)
• Kurt Ellis on leadership habits and mistakes (12/18/22)
• Zac Harmon on growing up in church and serving Christ as a young adult (10/18/22)
• Garrett Jones on cultivating relationships and leading a family (12/22/22)
• Sam Plakmeyer on marriage, using time well, and church involvement (11/19/22)
• Richard Van Vels on game nights and evangelism (10/16/22)

BOOK RESOURCES

• 10 Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health
• 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You
• The Disciple Making Parent's Donut Date Journal:   70 Questions to Connect to Your Child's Heart
• Disciplines of a Godly Man
• Discipling:  How to Help Others Follow Jesus
• The Exemplary Husband
• Habits of the Household, Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms
• Service:  How Do I Give Back?
• Spiritual Leadership