Wed, 20 Mar 2024 18:21:30 -0400WeeblyThu, 09 Feb 2023 21:15:38 GMThttp://greggtjohnson.com/blog/the-lucifer-complex​Church leaders who do not esteem their spiritual authorities should be fired – immediately! They should be fired for two reasons: first, they are operating under the spirit of Lucifer and second, Lucifer wouldn't resign, he had to be fired.

The first criterion for being a leader in the Kingdom of God is not talent; nor is it competence. The first and foremost qualifier for becoming a leader in the Kingdom of God is character. Why character? Because leaders in the church are primary targets of attack who hold great influence over the congregation. If individuals in leadership lack character, the church is exposed to great spiritual danger and deception. Therefore, upright character is non-negotiable; furthermore, lapses in character must be addressed without hesitation.

Theologians speculate that Lucifer was the worship leader in heaven. Many believe this because of certain descriptions of his being that include musical ability connected to worship and leadership (Is. 14:11-12 & Ez. 28:13). Unfortunately, instead of directing worship to God, he diverted it from God and unto Himself. As a result, the first church of heaven split in two with one third of the angels following their new leader into a path of rebellion (Rev. 12:4).

What about your ministry? Do you have any spirits of Lucifer in circulation? While this is an unpleasant and most regrettable question, it is a question that should be asked. Most churches have high-capacity leaders, but those who lead must evaluate themselves to ensure their motives are pure and their attitudes are righteous. If not, their influence will bring disruption, division, and destruction to the work of God.

The Lucifer Complex Promotes Itself.
'I will ascend into heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation" Isaiah 14:13

For Lucifer, ministry was all about him. He wanted a position, not so he could direct worship to God but divert it to himself. He lusted for attention. He wanted admiration to be upon his own beauty and unique giftings. A longing for respect, recognition, and praise were the motivators that secretly drove him in his duties. He was not concerned about how much glory God received; he was mostly interested in how much glory he received.

Likewise, the Lucifers in our churches are not concerned about the well being of the church or the glory of God, they are concerned about how they look, how highly they are esteemed, and how many people pat them on the back at the end of their service and say, "Wow, you did a great job. What talent you have!"

Every leader must take heed against such prideful motives. Ministry is not an opportunity to showcase abilities or draw applause of people. It is not a spotlight to demonstrate how skillfully one can play an instrument, preach a sermon, "hit' the high notes with their voice, or lead a team. Kingdom leadership is about one thing: bringing glory to God. Any motive for self promotion is rooted in the prideful exaltation of Lucifer and is an unacceptable offering of ministry.

The Lucifer Complex Challenges Authority
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High. Isaiah 14:14 

The hallmark characteristic of Lucifer was that he challenged the authority standing over Him, the very authority of God. His motivation for this rebellion is clear. Lucifer wants to be in charge. His will, his way, his wants are all that matters. The voice of authority over him is not a guiding influence to be esteemed, it is an obstacle standing in the way of personal ambition. Further, anyone that contradicts his "authority" is to be put down and cast aside.

It is for this reason that the Lucifer Complex can't stand lead pastors. The lead pastoral office is a position of authority; in fact, it is the highest office of authority in the local church. As such, it is a threat to the "authority" of Lucifer and the most detested by him. In fact, this power struggle between subordinate leaders and the senior pastor is the foremost indicator that a spirit of Lucifer is at work in the church.

For example, consider this dynamic when it relates to worship leaders. Often, in the true tradition of Lucifer, those in the worship ministry will consider themselves the "elite" when it comes to worship and "the things of the spirit." The pastor (and others in authority who don't "submit" to their opinions) are judged as "immature" in spiritual things. For example, if the pastor's redirects the service during worship, his actions will be viewed as an "interruption of the flow of the 'spirit.'" Further, under the guise of spiritual concern, there will often be prayer requests and discussion among those in the worship ministry regarding the authority's lack of sensitivity. I have even seen where team members have "eyed" one another or made suspicious glances during church services when a pastor steps forward to assert his rightful direction over the service.

The first lesson of church governance that the leader of worship must learn is that he or she is not first worship leader of the church, the pastor is. The pastor is the shepherd of the flock, and the headship of Christ is administrated through this office. Therefore, the ultimate responsibility for ensuring worship is done right in the church lies with him. He is the spiritual headship in the church who eventually answers to God for all that occurs in the life of the church. While the one who leads singing and music may be the worship leader in terms of title and ministry function, the ultimate worship leader in the church, in terms of accountability and authority is the pastor.

The Lucifer Complex Resists Accountability
You were the anointed cherub…you were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, 'till iniquity was found in you. By the abundance of your trading, you became filled with violence within, And you sinned; Ezekiel 28:14-16 

Scripture reveals that Lucifer was very active (the abundance of trading), but not under accountability (became filled with violence). There may have been other cherubim that tried to warn him about his ways; in fact, God Himself may have offered correction. But Lucifer wasn't interested in anyone's opinion but his own. In his mind, his way was the only way; he didn't need instruction--he should have been instructing everyone else.

This spirit is no different in the church. When a leader believes his way is the only way and no one else's opinion really matters except his own, he is operating under the spirit of Lucifer. The best indicator of this is how the leader responds to the instructions given him from his authorities. Does he seek to fully understand them, or does he dismiss them outright? Does he endeavor to openly communicate and provide updates on the ministry or does remain elusive and vague? Does he disregard meetings or appointments? Does he cooperate with directives, instructions and recommended changes or does he ignore them? In essence, Lucifer suffers from a confusion of ownership about his ministry. He believes the ministry is his and only he has the right to govern it.]]>Tue, 23 Aug 2022 15:59:59 GMThttp://greggtjohnson.com/blog/should-your-child-be-on-social-mediaIt’s an important question that not many parents are actually asking. Unfortunately, as more kids and teens use social media for longer periods of time, we have a better understanding of the effects that digital platforms are having on them—and the results are not good. Here are seven reasons why it may be too soon for your child to be on social media:
 
1. Your child’s brain isn’t developed enough.
Kids’ brains are impulsive. They crave immediate gratification and become easily addicted to low-effort, high-reward stimuli. With every post, comment, like, follow and share, your kid becomes easily addicted to dopamine driven feedback loops. Sadly, once addicted, it's hard to get them free.
 
2. Your child will lose his ability to focus and concentrate.
The low-effort, high-reward activity of pings, updates, notifications, likes, and comments kill your child’s imagination and creativity. They begin to find pleasure in the immediate feedback of electronic digital rewards instead of developing a capacity to concentrate on real-life experiences. Simply things like reading, studying, and memorizing become nearly impossible for the digital junkie.
 
3. Your child will get stressed out over managing her image on social media.
Kids aren’t just interacting with friends on social media, they are actually curating an image—creating a personal brand. It quickly becomes a full-time obsession to monitor the likes and comments, to post the next perfect selfie, or to keep a particular Snapchat streak alive. It's no wonder why young kids are obsessed with their smartphones and can't put them down.
 
4. Your child will struggle with depression and anxiety.
Social platforms foster unhealthy competition, comparison, and expectations. When a girl posts a photo of herself and invites others to judge her, it affects her. In fact, a 10-year study from Brigham Young University revealed that as social media use increases among girls, so does their risk for suicide. Social media has become a social contagion significantly impairing young females and escalating the rates of mental illness.
 
5. Your child will miss out on valuable real-life experiences.
Devices are removing kids from significant, memory-making activities and experiences. Because they are glued to their phones, they miss out on real life interactions with important people that build strong emotional foundations. More and more youth are becoming isolated an unable to function socially. This entire generation of youth is in danger of become mentally, emotionally and socially impaired.
 
6. Your child will be influenced more by social media avatars than by you.
While peers are necessary, parents should remain the primary influence in their child’s life. Overuse with gaming and social media causes a premature and unhealthy shift from stable parent attachments to unstable peer attachments. Tragically, most of these attachments are toxic and destructive and lead to unhealthy attitudes and behaviors in our kids.
 
7. Your child will be in danger.
There are some seriously evil characters on social media. Instagram stories, Facebook videos, content on Snapchat and TikTok are full of gratuitous sex, perverse ideologies, delusional beliefs, and predatory people. It’s a place where kids are lost to the ungodly influences and philosophies of this world while parents are usually clueless and completely shut out.
 
How long should I wait before allowing my child to have a phone and get on social media? As long as you possibly can! Can you make them wait until 17, 18, 21 years old? The older, the better. Social media is a cultural cesspool. It offers little value and has tremendous risk. It has become a social contagion accelerating emotional illness, depression, and suicide among the youth of today.

Don’t be eager to throw your kids into this digital garbage heap. Keep them out of it as as long as you possibly can. And when the day comes that you allow them onto social media, you better be diligent. Maintain access to their devices, monitor their accounts, pay attention to what they are posting and shut it down when necessary. Be the parent, not the friend. Take authority and stay in control. Your child’s spiritual and mental health is at stake.]]>Fri, 12 Mar 2021 20:41:28 GMThttp://greggtjohnson.com/blog/ten-hard-truths-about-leadershipIn a recent conversation with some colleagues in leadership, I asked the question, “What do you find to be the most difficult realities for you as a leader?” The responses were very candid and hard-hitting which reveal that being a leader is not always as “glamorous” as it seems. Based on these conversations, I have listed ten hard truths that those who aspire to leadership should be prepared to encounter.

1. As a leader, you’ll often be required to do things you think are “beneath” you.
Some leaders feel their status or skills sets should preclude them from doing some of the more menial and mundane tasks within the team. This is a dangerous place for leaders. Try to avoid any sense of entitlement that allows you to think you’re more important than others. In fact, leaders who are willing to do those “menial” tasks often earn greater respect and devotion for their subordinates who value humility and work ethic from their leaders.
 
2. As a leader, responsibility always defaults to you.
This means two things. First, it means you will be held responsible for actions that may have nothing to do with your leadership. When a subordinate makes a poor decision or fails to preform, you will take the blame of their poor performance. Arnold H. Glasow wrote, “A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit.” Second, it means that regardless of how you delegate, the success or failure of the project will always be up to you. If people don’t do their job, it falls to the leader to step up, take control, and make sure the job gets done. Delegation never removes responsibility from the leader. Always remember, "the buck stops with you."
 
3. As a leader, you don’t have the luxury of having a bad day.
As a leader, attitude is everything. Attitudes are contagious and bad attitudes are more contagious than good ones. It’s impossible to catch “healthiness” from someone, but it’s easy to catch his or her sickness. Leaders, more than anyone, infect others with their moods, emotions and perspectives. So, if you lead, don’t come to work moody because your kid is rebellious, or your marriage is unhappy. Leave that stuff outside. This is what leadership is and if you can’t separate your personal issues from your professional performance, you probably shouldn’t lead.
 
4. As a leader, some will think you are under qualified and unworthy to lead.
There will always be those who think you shouldn’t be the leader. You may be their supervisor, but they think they should be supervising you. Or they may have another person they believe is more capable than you. But in truth, they’ll never know the hours you’ve worked, the time you spent developing your skills, and your many prior accomplishments that have distinguished you for this position. Be confident in who you know yourself to be and refuse to allow other’s opinions to diminish your authority. Be the leader. Lead on!
 
5. As a leader, you will sometimes feel alone.
Leaders carry a burden of responsibility that few others can understand. Leaders realize how far reaching the consequences of their actions, decisions, or even failures can be and often feel like the weight of the world is on their shoulders. Sleepless nights, anxiety and stress, even physical ailments can be the result. Often, in these moments of vulnerability, it is vital that you be intentional about connecting with significant others who are trustworthy peers to whom you can reach out.
 
6. As a leader, you will face criticism and come under attack.
Unfortunately, leaders know that criticism is more common than encouragement. This is especially true with unhappy, insecure and angry people who never have anything good to say. They feel better about themselves only when they are pointing out flaws in others. As a leader, realize this comes with the territory. You should expect complaints, criticism, and even condemnation, but be careful not internalize this negativity or base your value upon them. Most of the time, it’s just people who resent your success and who are trying to increase their own self-worth by diminishing yours.
 
7. As a leader, you care deeply for the people you lead, but most of them will never know.
Good leaders realize how valuable and indispensable their team members are. Leaders wish they could pay them more, offer better benefits or simply provide conditions that would guarantee their success. This is the tension leaders feel when having limited resources prevents them from meeting the needs and wants of their good people. And most of those good people will never know how truly concerned you are about them. Remember, the empathy you feel is a valuable commodity in leadership. Talk to those you care about, express your awareness of their struggles, and offer to help in any way you can. They may never know how much you care, but they can certainly know that you are not aloof and out of touch with their needs.
 
8. If you are a married leader, you cannot leave your spouse behind.
Remember that your spouse is part of your team. Even though he or she may not show up at your office or in the field, your spouse sill shares in your struggles, successes, frustrations, and failures. So, go ahead and talk through some of these challenges with your husband or wife. Remember, no one will support you, pray for you, and guard your back like your spouse. He or she is the crucial partner God has given you to empower you in your leadership journey.
 
9. As a leader, very often, you will not receive credit for things you taught people, programs you initiated and successes you achieved.
Quite often, someone will comment how a special speaker or presentation made a dramatic impact on his or her life and transformed their entire outlook, only to leave you thinking, “I’ve been telling you the same thing for years. How can you say this is the first time you’ve heard it?” Other times, achievements or projects will be successful and the subordinates around us will be affirmed for their part without any acknowledgement of the leader’s initiative or supervision. It’s the nature of leadership. Many times, the lectures we give, the standards we set, often fade into the background without being specifically noticed. That does not mean our influence is insignificant. Quite the reverse, your influence is crucial and shaping the culture dramatically. But like sunshine on a warm day, it's simply taken for granted and not appreciated for its real significance.
 
10. As a leader, the appreciation you fail to give today will become the resentment you’ll confront tomorrow.
This is one truth leaders cannot afford to miss. If you don’t show appreciation to your workers, you will regret it. People who do not feel valued or respected for their work will eventually give way to complaining, resentment and bitterness. They will become discouraged, demoralized and infect others with their offense. Take the time to appreciate and thank those who serve faithfully. Your encouragement will be to them like verbal sunshine. It energizes, comforts and inspires those who receive it, especially when it comes from their leader.
 
Bonus: If you are a leader, there is no greater privilege than to serve the Lord and His people knowing that Christ is glorified, people are edified, and you have faithfully fulfilled your calling. Sure, leadership has some hard truths. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth it. To lead is a high calling, a great responsibility. And there is no greater joy than to know your initiative and influence has made an impact in the Kingdom of God, the lives of His people, and culture we are called to reach! If you're a leader, LEAD ON]]>Thu, 11 Feb 2021 14:49:54 GMThttp://greggtjohnson.com/blog/10-truths-to-avoid-a-moral-fallIn my ministry journey, I experienced the devastation of a moral fall, twice. Two out of the three pastors I served under fell into sin, had adulterous relationships, and left their ministries.
​     Having served closely with these men taught me two important truths. First, a moral fall does not happen in one tragic event. It is typically a gradual decline marked by a series of subtle—yet significant compromises. It is death by a thousand cuts.  Second, every leader is vulnerable to a moral fall. This means all leaders—including you and me—need to be on guard. Determined vigilance is essential. No one drifts toward a life of faithful service; no one maintains victory by accident. Leaders who avoid moral falls are intentional. They are deliberate about personal safeguards and professional standards that keep them safe.
     King Solomon, a man who knew well the consequences of a moral fall, left us this warning: “His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, and he is caught in the cords of his sin” (Proverbs 5:22). In other words, it is the traps we set for ourselves that ruin us. The devil is not to blame for a fall, it is our own lack of ethics and low personal standards that facilitate our demise.
     The following are ten truths that can help any leader avoid these traps. These are attitudes and personal protections, that if implemented, can position us for years and years of honorable, ethical, life-giving ministry.
 
1. Walk with Humility
     No person enters ministry expecting to fall. Most ambitious young leaders tell themselves, “It won’t happen to me. I could never fall like ‘that guy.’” But sadly, it happens too frequently. Men and women who begin with powerful gifts and great dreams can end in a twisted heap of betrayal and disgrace—their families, ministries, and all they have done for Christ, in shambles.
     The potential for failure is in all of us. None is exempt. You may not feel vulnerable now, but seasons will come that bring unexpected vulnerability. Times of stress and burn out, hidden roots of anger and resentment, feelings of offense, frustration and fear, disappointment in marriage, and detachment from family—these are the cycles of life and ministry that often provoke the flesh toward some immediate gratification and destructive patterns.
     It is the leader who understands his or her own weakness that finds strength in Christ and remains vigilant. James 4:6 tells us that “God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.” To deny one’s vulnerability is to deny the wisdom God offers to the humble, and the power He provides to the weak. We overcome, not by human will and determination, but through the indwelling Spirit who always causes us to triumph through the grace of God.
 
2. Beware of Blind Spots
     The anointing is a dangerous thing. Many have been deceived by the very unction that empowered them to lead. Such was the case with Samson. He was a man anointed with great strength. But he was deceived by that anointing.
     Samson had reckless standards: he saw what he should not have seen, he went where he should not have gone, he did what he should not have done with people he should not have known. His own carelessness facilitated his fall.
     The worst part is imagining how Samson must have justified his sin. Scripture describes how he spent the night with a harlot, but at midnight went out and ripped up the gates of the city. He would lay down with heathen women and rise up to defeat the Philistines. He would spend hours in Delilah’s chamber but demonstrated his strength to break the ropes around his wrists. After each sin, Samson proved that he was still anointed. He still had his strength, he still had his power, his calling was still secure—or so he thought. The anointing on his life became a blind spot. It deceived him into thinking that sin had not impaired his standing with God.
     It is the “Samson Syndrome” and so many ensnared by it today. Many leaders are making moral compromises but convincing themselves all is well because they still have God’s power and presence. They say, “I still feel God’s presence in worship. I still preach the Word with unction. I still have his anointing when I pray for the sick. God is with me; this sin isn’t affecting me.” But what they cannot see is how the Holy Spirit is being grieved. Eventually, He will be quenched and regretfully, if compromise continues, His anointing will depart, and the downfall will come. The anointing is a precious blessing, but it can be dangerous and deadly when it causes blind spots in our character.
 
3. Value Character over Success
     The old axiom is true: charisma may take man to top, but only character will keep him there. Character is like the foundation of a building. If it is not strong, deep, and firmly fixed in place, the man’s life and all he has built will eventually fall. It does not matter how anointed he is, how attractive his ministry or powerful his gifts, without character, all threatens to collapse. Jesus made this point in Matthew 7:24-27 when stating that the only way to stand firm against the storms of life is by building one’s house upon a rock. The winds blow and the rains will come; without a foundation, the house will fall.
     Similarly, leadership will bring tempests that will destroy the man or woman whose character has not been prepared for it. With advancement and promotion in the Kingdom of God come fiercer storms, harsher temptations, and greater attacks. With higher levels come higher devils. Sadly, too many have been promoted before their character was enlarged to support that promotion and as a result, they became top heavy like a tower on an unsturdy foundation and eventually fell.
     Unfortunately, success has made failures of many men. Too many leaders—some very public and renowned—have allowed their leadership gifting to propel them further than their character could support them. It is a scenario repeated too many times: leaders of large ministries, with impressive titles and great anointings, who fell because their integrity did not keep pace with the momentum of their giftedness. Martin Lloyd Jones said, “The worst thing that can happen to a man is for him to succeed before he ready.”
     Rather than praying for bigger success, more anointing and greater resources, leaders should pray for deeper character. Our prayer should be, “Lord, do not allow me to be promoted beyond what my character can support. Prevent me from enlargement beyond what my integrity can sustain. Stop promotion if I am not ready for it. Cancel opportunities if those opportunities will bring pressure I’m not ready to bear.” This is how Solomon prayed on the eve of his enlargement and it provoked the Lord to bless him.
 
4. Create a Culture of Accountability
     Any leader who lacks accountability lacks credibility. Character is essential, but it is not enough. David had character; he was a man after God’s own heart. Yet David committed two tragic sins in the numbering of Israel and the scandal with Bathsheba and Uriah. Being king, he answered to no one, and because no one held him accountable, he fell easily into sin. David became a victim of his own autonomy.
     It is the David Dilemma: autonomy without accountability brings a downfall. Every leader, regardless of strong character, who has no checks on his or her power will use that power in unhealthy ways. Leadership without accountability is leadership without credibility.
     Accountability means one is answerable to another who has the right to question him or her. But let’s be clear: accountability is not a cordial relationship that a leader can turn on and off at his own whim. It is not merely a few friends gathering for coffee and asking one or two questions about internet activity. True accountability is systemic. It is required. It is built into the structure of the organization that the leader leads. It is part of the organizational DNA and demands the participation and submission of the leader on a regular, formal basis. True accountability cannot be avoided, put off, delayed, or shut down.
     This is not a matter of “What people do you surround yourself with?”, this is a matter of “What people are you required to report to?” Who has the right to examine your personal standards? Who can challenge your leadership decisions and question your behavior? In credible organizations, healthy leaders make accountability a predominate feature of the culture. It exists because they have cultivated a freedom in which team members can question, challenge, and speak the truth, even when it hurts. Any organization or leadership model that does not have systems of accountability in place is a train heading for a crash.
 
5. Be Very Careful with the Opposite Sex
     First, avoid being alone with the opposite sex. This means driving in a car, having a meeting, sharing a lunch, holding a counseling session—it may seem innocent to you, but it has the potential of sending the wrong signal. It says, “I’m interested in you, I don’t mind being alone with you,” or even worse, “I enjoy being alone with you.”
     If you must meet with the opposite sex, do not meet in a place where you are alone. Always try to meet with others present in the room. If that is not possible or practical, then always leave the door open or at least ajar. This sends the message, “We are not really alone,” or “I am uncomfortable being alone with you,” or more importantly, “I don’t want to be alone with you.”
     Second, avoid acts of indiscretion. An indiscretion is an act of bad judgment. It is putting yourself in a circumstance that can tempt you to sin or imply that you are interested in sin. This includes avoiding unnecessary physical contact with the opposite sex, avoiding discussions of inappropriate nature with the opposite sex, avoiding special affection, infatuation, and fantasies about the opposite sex. It also means avoiding texting, messaging, and personal social media interactions with the opposite sex. Never send a message that you would not want your spouse, or your accountability team, to see.
     Third, avoid emotional connections with the opposite sex. Such connections occur when one feels more emotionally connected to someone other than one’s own spouse—and his or her emotional needs are being met by someone outside of the marriage. If you want to be around another man or woman, talk to that person, share personal things with that person more than you do with your own spouse, you have developed an unhealthy emotional connection. If you look forward to seeing some sister in the church or can’t wait to be with some brother, talk to him or her, share something personal with him or her, you are potentially committing emotional adultery. Do you think about another person, obsess over them, or daydream about being with them? Do you anticipate seeing them, do you look for them in church or arrange your schedule to see them—if so, you are an emotional adulterer.
     If you are in such a relationship, end it immediately! Stop talking to that person. Stop visiting that person. Resolve to never call that man or woman again. Erase her number from your cell phone and if you happen to be in the same ministry as her, quit it immediately. If you are a pastor and that person is in your church, you need to break that relationship immediately. Keep your greetings curt and avoid any interaction that provokes intimacy between you. Do not worry if he or she gets offended and leaves the church. For your sake, the sake of your family, the sake of the church, and for that person’s sake, leaving the church is the best thing that could happen.
 
6. Counsel with Caution
     Many moral failures in ministry occur in the context of pastoral counseling. While counseling may be a necessary part of one’s ministry, we must be careful not to counsel the opposite sex in a way that promotes an unhealthy emotional dependency.
     There are many people attending churches today who have deep emotional wounds. As pastors, we are called to love these suffering souls with empathy and understanding. As a result, an unhealthy attachment can develop. A hurting sister can easily develop an emotional bond to male pastor whom she sees as her source of encouragement and affirmation. That bond can grow into a dependency, and if that pastor is not careful, he may become the surrogate partner she has always longed for.
     If that is not bad enough, this dependence can affect the pastor as well. It becomes very gratifying for a leader to know that he is so important, so needed, and such a powerful force in someone’s life. In fact, many pastors, who themselves are emotionally wounded and insecure, need to be needed. They need to know they are admired, respected, and appreciated. And it is especially gratifying when the one appreciating that pastor is a younger, attractive member of the opposite sex.
     Be incredibly careful with the opposite sex. Remember the wisdom of Paul who told Pastor Titus to let the older women admonish the younger women; perhaps he knew well the temptations that could occur in the context of pastoral counseling. This is why it is wise to include your spouse when counseling the opposite sex. If that is not possible, refer that man or woman to an elder or leader in the church who is of the same gender. Many times, it is better to refer that individual to a professional counselor and avoid the issue altogether.
 
7. Never Underestimate the Devastation
     There is perhaps nothing as tragic as when a spiritual leader falls publicly in sin. The damage to his or her personal life, the ruin it brings to the marriage and family, the destruction to the church, to the ministry, and the reproach upon the testimony of Christ are incalculable. One need only to look at the example of King David and how he, his partner, his unborn child, his family for generations to come, and the nation of Israel was devastated by his failure.
     Some time ago, I was visiting the neighborhood where my first pastor had repeated moral falls. While I was walking down the street, a man’s voice called out to me: “Have you heard anything from that rascal lately?” I turned quickly and recognized the husband of a women with whom this pastor had fallen into sin. He now lived on that street and still, almost twenty years later, was carrying the pain and the bitterness of what “his pastor” had done to him, his wife, and their family.
     The devil targets spiritual leaders because he knows the havoc and wreckage their fall will bring. It is a devastation that spiritual darkness can leverage for years and years—even decades to come. Disappointment turns to anger and anger to bitterness. Christian people cast off their faith. Subordinate leaders and staff are embarrassed and ashamed. Souls are lost to eternity. Resources are removed from circulation. Rumors defile good reputations. The gospel is thwarted and mocked by the world. Churches close, missionaries lose support, young leaders are ruined, joy filled memories of victory and gladness are ruined and stained by betrayal and pain. The damage is immeasurable; the loss is eternal.
     May every leader carry the image of his wife, his children, his church, his community, and his Lord in the forefront of his mind and count cost too great to bring such reproach upon it all.
 
8. Prioritize Your Spiritual Health
     If you neglect your spiritual health, you will never make it. Period. You can fake it for a while, you can put on a good show, but eventually you will lose your strength, your motivation, your inspiration, and your desire to continue at all. You will burn out.
     The work to which we are called cannot be done through human ability, nor can the temptations, pressures and attacks that come with it be overcome through natural means. It requires divine spiritual power—the kind of power that comes through a vibrant, abiding relationship with the indwelling Person of Holy Spirit. Trying to stand firm and resist a moral fall without daily empowerment of the Spirit is futile; it is like trying to wrestle an opponent without oxygen. It will drain you, discourage you, depress you and destroy you. It is that simple.
     You can go to counselors, you can have a life coach, you can listen to motivational videos but none of that will do you any good apart from feeding yourself spiritually. I am amazed by the amount of people who are desperate for encouragement, struggling to overcome temptation, and battling depression. When I ask them, “How is your prayer life? How is your time in the Word? What scriptures are you meditating on?” they look at me with an incredulous glare, as though I’m judging them or being insensitive. On the contrary, these are the essentials; without them, there is no victory.
     The key to overcoming the snares of the flesh is feeding the spirit. If you are a spiritual leader, a pastor, a church leader, you must have time in prayer, Bible reading, and scripture memorization every day. It is not an option; it is an essential. Without these, you will be subject to every inclination of the flesh, every stronghold of the mind, and every lie of the devil.
 
9. Invest in Your Marriage.
      When a leader falls publicly, it is usually because he has already fallen privately. He failed at home. His marriage is a mess, and his children are strangers to him. It is a great tragedy for a man or woman to win the world to Christ but lose his family to the devil.
     The number one, most important relationship a leader has on this earth is the relationship he has with his wife—or she has with her husband. God gave you that partner to stand with you, to fight alongside of you, to encourage and inspire you. When you invest in your family, you are investing in yourself. If you neglect your family, you are diminishing yourself.
     When I counsel couples who are struggling, there is usually one issue they all have in common:  a failure to communicate. At some point in the relationship they stopped spending meaningful time together and lost the ability to connect through communication. As a result, they don’t understand each other, they are easily offended by one another and begin to resent the relationship altogether. This is fertile ground for temptation and the enemy will always use it to his advantage.
     Communication is essential. Quality time together is non-negotiable. It is how we maintain relationship. If you are feeling distant and disconnected from your spouse, the way back is to communicate. It is not that complicated. You will have to make time to talk and share, to listen and hear one another. You will need to be intentional and deliberate. Plan a date night. Sit by the fire. Turn the TV off. Close the laptop. Do something meaningful together. Remove the distractions and reconnect. Invest in your marriage and stay connected. Failure to do this is setting a trap for destruction.
 
10. Integrity will keep you secure
     Proverbs 10:9 tells us, “He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known.” It means a person of integrity is safe and secure. He or she is not vulnerable to scandal or moral fall because their integrity has provided them with safe pathways through life. Their life is marked by principles and practices—safeguards and standards that enable them to avoid the traps and snares that have brought ruin to so many.
     By contrast, Proverbs 11:3 says, “The perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.” In other words, those who compromise their integrity will be destroyed by their own foolishness. Their own poor judgment and a lack of discretion makes them vulnerable to failure.
     Pastors are called to shepherd and lead in a world full of temptations and snares. This is a hostile environment where the lion roars and his fiery darts are flung. The leader’s integrity, his or her commitment to walk with safeguards and lead with principles will empower them to finish their race and obtain that crown of righteousness. Those who fail to guard themselves, who put little value on strategic safeguards, will remain unprotected and vulnerable, to be numbered among the ranks of the fallen. May we be leaders of integrity who walk securely through paths of righteousness.]]>Thu, 01 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMThttp://greggtjohnson.com/blog/signs-of-a-jealous-leader
Great leaders are known for their generosity with praise, appreciation and support of other's successes. They are genuinely interested in seeing their colleagues and their subordinates overcome obstacles and achieve great things. Poor leaders, however, are known for being hyper-critical, envious and jealous of others who are popular, talented and successful. Which one are you? The following are several signs that jealousy could be an issue you need to overcome.
 
If you can’t be happy for someone else’s success.
When you find it hard to celebrate a colleague’s success, this could be a sign of jealousy. It could be that you are resentful they achieved a particular status that you have been unable to achieve, or that they attained it sooner than you did. You may resent them because you feel that your tenure, education, talent or hard work makes you more deserving or entitled than they are.

If you personalize another’s success as proof of your failure.
Jealousy hurts. It causes you to compare yourself to another who is successful and makes you feel inferior to them. As a result, you tend to internalize a perception that what they have achieved is proof of your deficiency. Essentially, their success makes you feel shame and the only way you can feel better about yourself is by tearing them down or seeing them fail. 

If you  secretly hope for others to fail.
Because someone else’s success makes you feel inferior, you need them to fail to vindicate yourself. Secretly, the jealous leader hopes for others to make mistakes, stumble or even fall. It is a twisted attempt to boost one’s own self-esteem and indicates a corrupt motive for leadership. Leadership should never be about serving one’s own need, it should always be about promoting others and celebrating their successes. 

If you are vindictive and prone to gossip.
Jealous people love gossip. It makes them feel better to tear others down and expose their faults—especially if that person is successful or in some way perceived as superior. If you are quick to listen to, or repeat gossip, if you love to hear criticisms, or often become critical of others who succeed, it is likely you have a jealous, bitter root that is bearing bad, toxic fruit. 

If you resent another's popularity.
A jealous leader wants to be the center of attention and is angered by sharing the spotlight. Jealous leaders are insecure and thrive on affirmation. They fear losing their popularity and are threatened by the gifted and talented among them, who they perceive may steal their affirmation. As a result, they jealously hold others down, belittle their contributions, criticize their efforts and generally try to diminish their value any chance they get. 

If you are possessive of information and resources that others need to succeed.
Jealousy is often demonstrated by a leader who acts vindictively—even toward team members and subordinates. Jealousy causes sins of omission as much as sins of commission. They withhold pertinent information, they prevent training opportunities and promotions, and they limit resources that can cause others to move forward and succeed. 

Don't be a jealous leader. Jealousy is a cancer that eats away at the leader's integrity, reputation and effectiveness. Be the type of leader that rises above envy to celebrate those around you. Become known as one who cheers others on and roots for their success. Do that, and you'll be a leader who adds value, is known as kingdom minded, and respected as a servant leader who empowers and pushes others forward.]]>Mon, 25 May 2020 04:00:00 GMThttp://greggtjohnson.com/blog/george-floyd-national-tragedyOn May 25, 2020, George Floyd was handcuffed by police officers in Minneapolis and placed face down on the road next to a patrol car. The video is horrific. A police officer has his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck while appearing to ignore his victim’s pleas: “I can’t breathe!” After eight long minutes, George Floyd goes unconscious and succumbs to death. It is an outrageous display of brutality and injustice that has shaken our nation, breaks the heart of God, and demands a response from your pastor.
 
FIRST, WE EXPECT JUSTICE
He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? – Micah 6:8
It is impossible to watch the video and justify the actions of those police officers. It was an abuse of power and a betrayal of their pledge “to serve and to protect.” Earlier this week, the officer who victimized Mr. Floyd was arrested and charged with murder. Let us pray that our system of jurisprudence brings the justice we expect. Let us also continue to pray for the law enforcement community as we know the actions of this officer do not reflect the vast majority of police officers who serve with excellence and professionalism.

SECOND, WE ACT WITH COMPASSION
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous. - 1 Peter 3:8
The fact that the officer charged with murder was white and the victim who died was black has torn open wounds that—for many—are real and very painful. Those in the African American community view this tragedy through a lens that many White People do not fully understand—myself included. It is a lens which reveals elements in our society that remain broken and continue to oppress minorities. It is not my place to elucidate those feelings but to simply embrace my brothers and sisters with compassion, empathy and support. To our family members at The Mission Church who are hurting over this tragic injustice, please know that when you hurt, we all hurt—and as your pastor, I hurt. We are here for you, we are praying for the family of George Floyd, and for the Black Community across our nation.

THIRD, WE VALUE UNITY
But Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. – Matthew 12:25
The enemy loves nothing more than to tear the Body of Christ apart. He seeks to leverage differing viewpoints to create offenses, prejudices and judgments in our hearts against one another. My brothers and sisters, we must be better than this. This is our moment in history to stand with those who mourn, not to argue our viewpoint. A man is dead. Families are grieving. Our nation is divided. Let us move forward with mercy, justice and humility advocating for the marginalized and mistreated among us. Furthermore, let us be careful how we frame our words in conversations and social media posts. This is a time to listen and understand rather than argue and divide.

Family, let’s be reminded that we live in a broken world. Sin has brought hatred, racism, injustice and suffering on many levels. As Christ’s Body, our place is to be salt and light, pointing every soul to Jesus Christ who alone brings peace to our turmoil. Let us continue to pray for our nation, for one another and speak words of truth, hope and life to the world.

Gregg Johnson
Lead Pastor - The Mission Church]]>Fri, 01 May 2020 04:00:00 GMThttp://greggtjohnson.com/blog/what-to-do-when-the-offering-is-quarantinedMany churches are struggling right now financially. This COVID-19 quarantine has forced faithful givers out of work, prevented public gatherings where offerings can be received, and have caused many to limit their generosity out of fear of looming financial crisis.
 
The good news is there are some very practical steps pastors can take to prevent or reverse this trend. In fact, some churches, due to their proactive approach, have experienced an increase in receipts. While every church is different, and there are no guarantees of such results, the following may be helpful as you navigate your church through this financial crisis.
 
DON’T AVOID THE TOPIC OF GIVING
Unfortunately, some pastors have always struggled with the topic of giving. They think tithing messages are painful and offerings are offensive. This attitude has crippled some church leaders with a fear of speaking about money—like it should be avoided or done apologetically. This is a mistake. Tithing is not something to apologize for, it is a principle of blessing and increase provided to us by our Heavenly Father. It is not to be obscured or avoided; it is to be celebrated and practiced as an act of worship that demonstrates our submission to the authority of God over our lives. Even more, it is an act of faith that positions us under the open windows of heaven with blessings too great to contain.
 
REMIND PEOPLE OF GOD’S PROMISES
For those pastors who see tithing as a burden, this season of quarantine brings even greater challenge. Instead of encouraging their people to press into the promises of God, they may be reluctant to discuss giving at all, believing it will put too much stress on their parishioners. I believe however, the opposite approach should be taken. If God’s promises are true—which they are—then they are true in times of plenty as well as in times of want.
 
In this season of struggle, people need to be reminded that this not the time to pull back on their faith and doubt the promises of God. As spiritual leaders—as pastors, we should encourage people to be confident and trust God’s Word. We should remind them that faith is not just for prosperous times, true faith is demonstrated in the lean and difficult times. So, challenge your people, remind them to trust His Word, and do not hold back on addressing the principles of tithing, giving and receiving offerings.
 
Having said that, we need to be sensitive to the monetary struggles people are having during this season. Pastors should never use pressure tactics, guilt or condemnation and should always remember that people need to be encouraged and inspired, not pressured and berated. Indeed, we should talk about giving, but we must do so with wisdom, empathy and compassion.
 
USE SCRIPTED EXPLANATIONS 
Because we are in a challenging season right now, and because people may be under financial strain, it is important that our language be carefully crafted for greatest impact. We also need to be intentional in expressing our compassion and sensitivity to the challenges people are facing. To ensure this is done appropriately, it may be useful to develop scripts which can be memorized for Livestreams or read from teleprompters during recordings. This is especially beneficial when numerous individuals will be making the appeals over the course of the quarantine. This ensures consistency in the messaging. The language should convey sensitive reminders about tithing, giving and generosity as well as clearly explaining the vehicles through which people can deliver their donations. For examples see this link.
 
PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ONLINE GIVING
In this digital age, online giving platforms have become a safe and popular option for congregations. More and more people are moving away from carrying cash or writing checks and are paying bills through electronic means. While it’s true some people may never trust online giving, the vast majority of congregants under 40 are already doing it. If you want to maintain consistent levels of income, especially while church services are suspended, digital giving is a vital tool. Check out this article by Outreach.com that explains the options.
 
MAIL ENVELOPES TO THOSE WHO WON’T GIVE ONLINE
There will always be people who prefer not to use electronic means for giving. Overlooking them is a huge mistake. Just as millennials and gen-xers correctly advise older folks to provide solutions for online giving, it is equally important for the older folk to remind younger pastors not to neglect those who still prefer to write checks. In fact, some of your most faithful, generous and disciplined givers will be the seniors who esteem giving as a regular part of worship. Do a mailing to this demographic of your congregation and include some giving envelopes—if possible, provide self-addressed, stamped envelopes for quick turnaround. Pastors who are doing this report amazing surges in receipts in the weeks following.
 
CONNECT WITH TOP GIVERS
Don’t assume your top supporters are connected, committed or even concerned. Reach out to them and stay in touch. Assure them of your prayers and availability during times of stress. This is a crucial task for the primary leader or lead pastor to undertake. Be sure to tighten the bonds with those who enable your ministry. Remember, the enemy is not practicing social distancing and is actively seeking ways to pull your team apart.
 
COMMUNICATE FREQUENT UPDATES – AND REMIND PEOPLE TO GIVE
In times of crisis, leaders need to communicate more frequently. This is not to say that pastors should flood their Facebook with devotionals and a plethora of electronic media. It is to say that (from an organizational perspective) people need to be informed regarding the status of the church, opportunities for ministry and vital information that may be of interest to them. Essentially, they need to know their leader is visible, accessible, aware, in charge and (as much as possible), in control. These updates could come in the form of a weekly email, a video on YouTube or social media posts. One thing that should be present in every update is a reminder about giving—using the scripts mentioned above. People need to be challenged in their faith, reminded that the promises of God are still true, and they can give with the assurance that God is in control.
 
DEMONSTRATE CREDIBILITY
The greatest asset a pastor has when encouraging his people to give is his own integrity. People do not (and should not) respond to emotional appeals or manipulative gimmicks. Sure, some preachers have used these ploys and have seen short term spikes in giving—but in the long run, their credibility weakens, people feel abused and the kingdom of God suffers harm. Never resort to hyped up appeals, guilt and condemnation, or twisting of scripture to motivate giving. Instead, lead with integrity and allow your humility, honesty and transparency to inspire people’s trust when responding to your appeals.
 
HIGHLIGHT INTEGRITY
George Barna, when noting a declining trend in tithing and giving, stated the foremost way a church can get its people to give is to enhance its own integrity and credibility. He wrote “[Church leaders must] show how efficiently the church uses money… they must demonstrate the impact of the ministry… and establish trust and confidence in the leadership of the church.” When church members know that reputable individuals are in place to temper decisions and establish policies, they will be more inclined to support the ministry with generous offerings. It’s about credibility. People need to trust the integrity of the church, and those leading it, if they are to remain faithful in their giving. To that end, remind the church that their trusted leaders are still monitoring the operations of the church, controlling budgets and overseeing spending.
 
EMPHASIZE YOUR VALUE
It is important to inform people that the monies they give to the church are being used for important causes such as community outreach, benevolence projects and support of missionaries. Don’t assume people are aware of the many essential ministries and services of the church—especially those that continue to operate during a quarantine. Share testimonies of how lives are being impacted, how the community is being served, how the gospel is still penetrating nations and how their financial gifts are the key to providing these valuable services]]>Sat, 04 Apr 2020 04:00:00 GMThttp://greggtjohnson.com/blog/best-practices-for-pastoring-in-a-quarantineOver the past few weeks, I’ve been privileged to connect with numerous leaders across New York to learn how they are shepherding their people during this quarantine. Video conferences with pastors, presbyters, and credential holders as well as conversations with business professionals and community leaders have helped to define some “best practices” for pastoring in a quarantine.

MAINTAIN YOUR SPIRITUAL HEALTH
Don’t neglect your relationship with Jesus. This is a season of stripping and refinement. God is allowing us to be isolated from the supports we’ve relied upon for years. He’s reminding us that our strength is only in Him. Don’t pull back from prayer, don’t neglect the scriptures. Lean into God. Study the Word. Memorize blocks of scripture. Now, more than ever, our people need pastors who hear from God and bring a in word in season from the Holy Spirit.

GET OUT IN FRONT
Be visible, be heard. Leaders communicate more in challenging times. Failure to get in front, frame the dialogue, and explain the strategy can damage your credibility for years to come. Leaders need to be seen and heard. Hold Zoom conferences, record videos, make phone calls. There’s no excuse in today’s media driven environment for leaders to not be seen and heard. For more about this, check out Leading Through Crisis.

GET BUSY WITH PHONE CALLS
Organize your leadership teams (pastors, deacons, board members) to get on the phone and connect with people. Everyone in the church should get a call—and more than once. If you can’t get a hold of people by phone, then send a text or Facebook message. Somehow, make the effort and keep trying until you connect.

MEET REGULARLY WITH MINISTRY STAFF, DIRECTORS AND KEY INFLUENCERS
Meet regularly with the people you’re leading—and those who are influencing others. Provide opportunities for updates, feedback, team collaboration and creative problem solving. Failing to communicate and keep key leaders informed is the number one reason why leaders are criticized during crisis. Never underestimate the value of communication.

PROVIDE FREQUENT UPDATES TO YOUR CHURCH
You don’t need fancy equipment, just use the camera on your phone. Record a general greeting, or an update about your church and post it online—and do it regularly. It’s a great way to remind people of your online services, media for children and encourage them to remain consistent in their giving. You can upload these videos to YouTube and send the link in an email, text it, or post it on social media.

OFFER ONLINE MINISTRY
Many churches are feeling the urgency to provide an online or “Livestream” format of church services. If you’ve chosen to simply to “wait it out” and are expecting the Coronavirus quarantine to end soon, I hope you’re right and respect your decision to do so. But if you’re among those looking to expand their ministry to an online format, there is help. The NYMN website provides some excellent resources at this link.

PRE-RECORD MEDIA FOR FUTURE BROADCASTS
For the present, most counties in New York State are still allowing churches to gather small teams (10 or 20 depending on where you are) for the purpose of recording services or facilitating livestreams. In addition to the streaming format, some churches are pre-recording extra worship sets and sermons in the event our state escalates the quarantine and we are no longer allowed to gather small teams. Having a stockpile of media will allow you to facilitate ministry for future seasons—kind of like Joseph who stored up grain for times of famine.

REMEMBER THE YOUTH AND CHILDREN
Many families are looking for their church to provide ministry to their kids. They appreciate when their children can find a familiar face—such as their children’s pastor or youth leader—who provides a lesson or devotional through YouTube or social media. The key is to inform the parents as most moms and dads will eagerly engage their children and youth in these efforts. Even better is when ministry leaders conduct video conference calls with kids. The children love it and the parents will love you.

ENCOURAGE GIVING AND TITHING
In seasons of struggle, people need to be reminded that this not the time to pull back their faith and doubt the promises of God. Encourage people to be confident and trust God’s Word. The principles of tithing and generosity are not merely for the “good times” when incomes are high, and our lives are cozy. True faith is demonstrated in the lean and difficult times. Be careful, however, not to use pressure tactics, guilt or condemnation. Be sensitive to how people are struggling and need to be encouraged and inspired, not pressured and berated.

PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ONLINE GIVING
In this digital age, online giving platforms have become a safe and popular option for congregations. More and more people are moving away from carrying cash or writing checks and are paying bills through electronic means. While it’s true some people may never trust online giving, the vast majority of congregants under 40 are already doing it. If you want to maintain consistent levels of income, especially while church services are suspended, digital giving is a vital tool. Check out this article by Outreach.com that explains the options.

CONNECT WITH TOP GIVERS
Don’t assume your top supporters are connected, committed or even concerned. Reach out to them and stay in touch. Assure them of your prayers and availability during times of stress. This is a crucial task for the primary leader or lead pastor to undertake. Be sure to tighten the bonds with those who enable your ministry. Remember, the enemy is not practicing social distancing and is actively seeking ways to pull your team apart.

VIRTUAL CONNECT GROUPS
Conference platforms such as Zoom, WebEx and GoToMeeting offer opportunities for churches to facilitate regular meetings online. Churches can organize their pastors, leaders and small group hosts to meet regularly (via video) with networks of people throughout their faith community. The purpose of these meetings is not to conduct ministry business or conduct strategy, but to connect personally, convey concern, discover needs and pray for one another. It’s simply a way for people to stay connected and build relationships.

POINT PEOPLE BACK TO CHRIST
As we endeavor to provide ministry to our people through social media and online formats, let’s remember that the most important function of a spiritual shepherd is to point people to the Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Let’s be careful not to create a greater addiction to social media or a deeper reliance on pastoral personalities. This is a season when God has allowed a separation to occur—even an isolation. Let’s remind people that before they seek us out on Facebook or tune into our clever sermons, that that they need to connect to Jesus—personally and privately. Remind people to feed themselves with the Word, to be regular in the discipline of prayer, and worship without someone leading them. This is a time when faith is being refined, the lukewarm are being tested and the hot will burn hotter for Jesus Christ. If we want revival, it’s not going to happen because of our great preaching; its going to happen because people learned how to go deeper in Christ without depending on us.]]>Fri, 27 Mar 2020 04:00:00 GMThttp://greggtjohnson.com/blog/leading-through-crisisFor leaders, crises are defining moments. And this current Coronavirus crisis will either amplify your competence or magnify your faults. Never will your aptitude as a leader be more closely examined than when crisis hits. If the leader fails to lead, is absent, silent, or slow to respond, he or she may never be forgiven - so it is essential that we leaders step up, get out in front, and lead. The following are ten practical suggestions to help you lead with excellence in this time of crisis.
 
1) RECOGNIZE THE CRISIS
Be realistic and affirm the crisis as a current reality. Unfortunately, some leaders fail to do this. When crisis hits, they slip into denial, hope for the best and lack the foresight to navigate appropriately. They believe it is better to avoid risky initiatives and settle back into a laissez-faire style of leadership. But by failing to be proactive, leaders set themselves up for conflict, criticism, turmoil and disruption.
 
2) GET OUT IN FRONT
James Witt wrote: “Although it seems unreasonable, unfair and impossible, it is the role of the leader to be many things at many times. In crisis, a leader must be visible, poised, courageous, committed, and attentive. At no other time is a leader’s character more on trial; he must lead and do it well. He must understand that people need to see him and hear him face the challenge head on, even if it puts him at risk.” Harvard Business Essentials states, “During periods of crisis, people look for a strong leader. They don’t look to committees or to teams; they look for a confident, visibly engaged leader to pull them through.” Unfortunately, leaders who don't respond quickly may damage their reputation forever. When hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, President George Bush lacked initiative—a mistake he never overcame.
 
3) CAST THE VISION
When crisis comes, many organizations descend into general sense of “what should we do?” This is why leaders must articulate a direction for their group—a practical strategy for dealing with their crisis. Although he or she should have a team helping to develop solutions, it is the leader who must ultimately step forward, create forums for clear thinking, decisive direction, and point the way.
 
4) DEFINE THE CRISIS; DON’T LET THE CRISIS DEFINE YOU
When crisis hits, the leader must get in front of the situation before it gains too much momentum and define the situation in his own terms. The language he or she uses, the challenges that will be solved, the response that will be taken, the values they will champion, all serve to establish the character and culture of that group. This is not to say that a leader should capitalize on tragedy to promote himself. Absolutely not. Rather, it is an opportunity for the leader to redeem the crisis by defining the powerful response the organization will take towards it.
 
5) FOCUS ON THE CORE PURPOSE
Successful leaders never lose sight of their organization’s core purpose and constantly point people toward it. They make sure the response to crisis is consistent with their values; and if the team wavers, the leader’s job is to pull them back—to make a course correction. This adjustment can be uncomfortable, but leadership is not about coddling people, leadership is about pulling people to place they ought to be, despite their reluctance to go there.
 
6) BUILD THE TEAM 
Any leader who tries to navigate crisis on his or her will undoubtedly fail. Great leaders are great team builders. They “know what they don’t know” and surround themselves with those who do. Moses had the seventy elders of Israel and David had the sons of Issachar who understood the times. Leaders who thrive during crises are leaders who built solid teams by continuously nurturing trust, open communication and personal relationships with key people. During crisis, it is this bond—this sense of trust—that keeps teams united, committed and engaged rather than succumbing to the urge to flee.
 
7) CONTINUOUSLY PLAN
The old saying will always be true: “If you fail to plan, plan to fail.” A key component to crisis management is meeting regularly, with key people, to analyze, evaluate, strategize and assign. Facilitating these meetings is the responsibility of the primary leader. Merely having meetings, however, is not enough. The leader must ensure the meetings are productive and add value to strategy. Never meet just to meet. Frequent meetings without an agenda, relevant data, intelligent brainstorming, and solution-oriented conversation only makes the leader look clueless and confused. Meetings should have a clear purpose, present actionable ideas, and invite open dialogue that allows opposing viewpoints (even with those of the leader).
 
8) ENCOURAGE THE TROOPS
Leaders must always be mindful of how stress, anxiety and discouragement are affecting those managing the crisis. Many people are disabled by fear and uncertainty in the midst of turmoil. When that occurs, leaders need to be present to “encourage the troops” by offering praise and appreciation for the good efforts of those who contribute the most. Positive recognition injects optimism, hope and releases endorphins. Never underestimate the power of these simple acts. Even when you feel discouraged and tired, be sure to bring encouragement. Create of culture of positive energy, high appreciation and hopeful optimism. God is with you, make sure your troops remember that.

9) CONNECT TO YOUR ENABLERS
Every organization (especially not-for-profits) have supporters who provide resources at a greater volume than the average donor. Although a leader should never esteem them as more valuable than those of lessor means, the leader must also recognize the key role they play in the organization’s ability to achieve its mission. Don’t assume your top supporters are connected, committed and cohesive. Be sure to tighten the bonds with those who enable your ministry, especially in times of crisis, uncertainty and financial decline. Remember, the enemy is not practicing social distancing and is actively seeking ways to pull your team apart.

10) CONTINUE EARNESTLY IN PRAYER
Don’t neglect your spiritual health. Crisis can be a season of stripping and refinement where God allows us to be isolated from the typical means of support we’ve relied upon for years. He’s reminding us that our strength is only in Him. Don’t pull back from prayer, lean into God. Study the Word. In times of crisis, more than ever, your people need a leader who hear from God and bring a in word in season from the Holy Spirit.

Never underestimate the impact of a leader’s influence in crisis. His or her presence, posture and poise of is crucial in times of crises. Leaders who meet disorder and disruption head on with clarity, focus and visibility will be distinguished by that crisis as men and women having trustworthy, competent leadership. But figure heads who are absent or silent in such times will not only promote distrust in the organization, they initiate their own eventual downfall. Do not fear crisis. Embrace it. Get in front of it. Take control of it. Recognize it as a natural, healthy cycle of growth. Although the crisis itself is not positive, by demonstrating healthy, intentional leadership, the organization can be made stronger, more cohesive and enduring.
 
An excerpt from Gregg Johnson’s book, Conflict, Crisis and Change.]]>Fri, 13 Mar 2020 04:00:00 GMThttp://greggtjohnson.com/blog/5-qualities-to-make-your-leadership-irresistibleThe world is full of good leaders. But what makes a great leader? What are the qualities that cause certain men and women to lead their teams from merely doing a good job to achieving something great? What is it about them that not only attracts highly competent people, but inspires them to go above and beyond and achieve greatness?

1. An attractive attitude. People today are looking for hope. They have enough disappointment and negativity in their lives. If you are a gloomy, complaining, pessimistic person you will be regarded as another toxic influence to be avoided, especially by healthy, optimistic, high-achieving people. But if you demonstrate a can-do attitude of joyful optimism and confidence, you’ll inspire hope in others and be regarded as life-giving and empowering. High-achievers understand the importance of having such people in their lives and will be attracted to you. They will see you as a source of encouragement and strength in their life that will take them higher in their pursuit of greatness.

2. A compelling vision. People need a sense of purpose. Everyone is searching for significance and has a need to be a part of something greater than themselves. Nowhere is this truer than with high-achievers. They need to know their work matters and is making a difference. Leaders who want great team members must communicate their vision with clarity and passion. They must be compelling, not simply by describing what the future looks like, but by inspiring people to see the significant role they play in the vision—that, in fact, the vision cannot be accomplished without that person’s specific, individual abilities and presence.

3. A smart management style. People today are looking, not only for good leaders, they want capable managers. Unfortunately, not all leaders are good managers and not all managers are good leaders. But the best leaders are also capable managers. They understand, not only the long term vision, but the immediate goals that need to be achieved to reach that vision. As well, they are able to articulate those goals in an inspiring way, connect people to those goals and coach them through the process of successfully achieving them. These leader/managers are exciting. Because of their confident ability to identify goals and coach people toward successfully achieving those goals, they fill their team members’ lives with victories and a sense of personal fulfillment.

4.  A motivating environment. People need to be inspired. Without inspiration, work becomes monotonous and mundane. It’s nothing more than a series of routines that one tolerates until the task is done. Great leaders are able to inspire people. In other words they understand what motivates people internally. They know what people need to hear, see and receive to keep them excited about their work and personally fulfilled. It can be as simple as a sincere compliment, a genuine thank you, a public recognition or a team award. Whatever it takes, the leader keeps the culture of his team lively and exciting by keeping his people motivated and inspired.

5. A high standard. Good people want to be challenged. They’re not looking for the easy way out or the path of least resistance. They work hard and want to know that their hard work is contributing to a worthy cause. If they are not given assignments that challenge them or cause them to achieve higher goals or better themselves, they will be left feeling insignificant and unfulfilled. While leaders should not be overly demanding, neither should they be apologetic for giving difficult assignments. Instead, leaders should convey the value of the task to the organization’s objectives. Raise the standard, but help workers to appreciate the importance of the assignment as a crucial to the mission of the team.]]>