by Clarence E. Stowers | Jul 24, 2009 | Accountability, Christian, Christianity, Empowerment, Leadership
Ed Stetzer recently compiled a list of 48 questions to ask yourself for honing your personal accountability. Unfortunately, each year we hear of preachers, politicians, and athletes who compromise their integrity and make life-ruining mistakes. Sadly, many of those mistakes could have been avoided with the right accountability systems in place.
For all 48 questions, you will need to check out Ed Stetzer’s original post. Here are my top 15 personal favorites:
- Have I spent adequate time in Bible study and prayer?
- Did the Bible live in me today?
- Am I enjoying prayer?
- Have I given priority time to my family?
- How do I spend my spare time?
- Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, or habits?
- Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
- Have I been with a woman anywhere this past week that might be seen as compromising?
- Have I been exposed to sexually alluring material or allowed my mind to entertain inappropriate thoughts about someone who is not my spouse this week?
- Have any of my financial dealings lacked integrity?
- Have I secretly wished for another’s misfortune so that I might excel?
- Have I damaged another person by my words, either behind their back or face-to-face?
- Is there anything that has dampened my zeal for Christ?
- Is Christ real to me?
- Have I been completely honest with myself?
What are some of your accountability questions?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jul 20, 2009 | Current Affairs, Leadership, Politics, President Obama
Mr. President,
Congratulations on making history as the first African-American President of the United States of America! I admire you for your courage, passion, and tenacity. Additionally, you have proven that you are an effective leader because you assumed leadership when our country was on the brink of collapse. However, with these achievements, there is also some not so good news.
(more…)
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jul 13, 2009 | Church Issues, Humor, Other Stuff, Sunday Worship Experience
Have you ever been distracted at church even when you came wanting to worship God? Distractions during worship can minimize the powerful impact worship can have. We are easily distracted people. Upon further reflection, I’ve come to believe we have a very low tolerance for distractions (including pastors). Additionally, I’ve discovered that pastoring a large church presents its fair amount of distractions and challenges. It has been said that “confession is good for the soul.” Therefore, it’s confession time for me.
One of the greatest distractions for me: CELL PHONES.
Each week during the sermon I hear cell phones ringing. I wonder how many of these calls have been emergencies?
Let me guess – PROBABLY ZERO!
Cell phones are a great tool for communication but please consider how important it is to get that “important” phone call during church, a movie or anything else where the phone can be a horrible distraction to others. God may speak to you during worship; however, he won’t call you on your cell phone. Here are some alternatives; silent/vibrate mode, off button or leave the darn thing in your car.
While you’re at it go ahead and take the Bluetooth earpiece out of your ear…
it looks ridiculous during worship.
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jul 1, 2009 | Decisions, Empowerment, Leadership, Success
Golf is an EXPENSIVE sport! Honestly, I’m not the greatest fan of golf. I only like a few aspects of the game and lugging a heavy bag of clubs around a lawn looking for a tiny ball and hole to put it in all day isn’t one of them. Honestly, the best parts of the game are driving the ball, putting and driving around in the golf cart.
All three of these skills can better be implemented in any reputable driving range/putt-putt/go-cart facility without having to walk around aimlessly all afternoon (Here’s a million-dollar idea – anyone want to partner with me on this). If you want to master golf, there’s a steep price you must pay mentally, physically, and financially. The same could be said for those who aspire to be great leaders.
Can you drink of the cup that I drink of… (Mark 10:38)
No one should aspire to lead God’s work if they are not prepared to pay a price greater than his contemporaries and colleagues are willing to pay. True leadership always exacts a heavy toll on the leader and the more effective their leadership is, the higher the price to be paid. The cost of every great achievement is not paid in a lump. It is bought on a payment plan, with installments paid daily.
1st Installment: Loneliness
From its very nature, the lot of the leader must be a lonely one. They must always be ahead of their followers. Human nature craves company, and it is only natural to wish to share with others the heavy burdens of responsibility and care. It’s often heartbreaking to have to make important decisions, which affect the lives of others alone. This is one of the heaviest prices to pay, but it must be paid.
Moses paid this price for his leadership – alone on the mountain…alone in the plain…alone when criticized. The socially conscious Apostle Paul (He would’ve loved Facebook & Twitter) was a lonely man who experienced the bitterness of being misunderstood by his contemporaries, misrepresentation by his enemies, and desertion by his friends.
“Most of the world’s great souls have been lonely,” wrote A.W. Tozer. Leaders must be people who, while welcoming the friendship and support of all who can offer it, has sufficient inner resources to stand alone, even in the face of fierce opposition.
As a leader, how do you deal with loneliness?
Coming Soon…2nd Installment: Self-Sacrifice
