Seven Things I Learned Leading From the Number One Seat

As I have taken a step in a new direction and started a new ministry assignment, I wanted to share seven things that I have learned in the past seven years as I lead from the number one seat. 

1. Pray
2. Flexibility. Scripture tells us that God orders the steps of the righteous. Scripture also tells us that God has plans that He knows of for each of us. This means we need to remember to be flexible in where the Lord is leading us. Change is a good thing. Change is also inevitable. I had to remember to not get so locked into my own ways that I was inflexible and unwilling to change. So, with being flexible remember that change is your friend.
3. Focused. I learned no matter what happened from year to year that I as a follower of Christ needed to keep my eyes, heart, and mind on Jesus. The focus was not on what was going on around me, but on what was in front of me and who was leading the way. Holy Spirit helped me lead through many tough years, but I stayed the course with my eyes, heart, and mind focused on God.
4. Faithful. After Moses had spent time with God on the mountain, he was given 10 things that would be written on tablets but should be written on our hearts. The first thing that God told Moses, was that God should be the number one priority. We are called to be committed to God and God alone. When we lose focus on making God number one, we become unfaithful, and our commitment becomes shaken. Matthew told us what Jesus said, to seek first the kingdom of God and everything else around us will be taken care of. This only happens when we put God first. 
5. Futuristic. The best days are in front of each of us. This can be hard as we get older and see things the way they were. Sometimes we like the way it was before, but this is part of the flexibility. God never intended for us to stay the same. He has a great future. When the children of Israel crossed the waters they wanted nothing for what was in front of them. They wanted what they received while in Egypt even though God had a great plan in front of them. I learned that it is important to start believing in tomorrow. This does not mean that I focus all my attention there and forget about the present, but I learned that God has great things for me that will help me to continue to grow in my trust and relationship with God. 
6. Fearless. Trust the Lord and where He is leading. The wisest man once said, trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. Solomon was right when he wrote these words. I learned that it is important that I trust and depend on God as I took each step fearlessly and with faith. In doing so, I found time and time again that God was walking with me and would smooth out and remove the rocks that were in the way. 
7. Pray

During my time in the lead seat, I faced many challenges from ministries drifting away from the mission to mission realignment, leading through ambiguity during a pandemic, political unrest, and more. Everyone was looking to the number one person, the lead pastor, to make decisions that either would set things up and help move things forward or set things on fire. Through it all, the two "P's" and five "F"s" helped me to lead where God was wanting to take His church. However, it was me who God was leading and the church was following where God was leading me. The Apostle Paul said it this way, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1, NIV). 

God has an adventure for each of us. All that He asks is that we are obedient to where He is calling each of us. Take heart and be encouraged as you pray for opportunities and wisdom, be flexible, stay focused on what is most important, walk-in faith, think futuristically, lead fearlessly, and when you have done all that you can, stand firm and continue praying.