They're also good, but I find something misleading about the idea of "leadership" seminars. Everyone wants to be part of leadership--in church, secular or whatnot. But I wonder if anybody would be as interested about "followership" seminars? The kind that will empty you of yourself and make you the least, a faceless nobody in a dimly lot corner in the background?
The kind that will often put you on mute.
Don't get me wrong. You're NOT a "nobody" if you're really in Christ. In fact, the Word says, "do not throw away your confidence" because "it will be richly rewarded." But this is Jesus confidence, not the self confidence or arrogant pride of the world. And what exactly is "Jesus confidence"? He was very confident that he emptied himself and took the form of a slave. Only extremely confident folks (non-joiners) can risk something like that. Insecure individuals will hold on to their ego.
To me, there are no leadership seminars except in the twisted minds of fallen man. Real leadership, as Jesus demonstrated, stems only from real, down-to-earth followership. In other words, you learn true leadership only if you become a real follower. Jesus obeyed the Father, an "obedience unto death." He literally subjected himself to the worst and degrading treatments as the Father wanted him to. He didn't attend seminars or conferences or read books. He actually emptied himself. Zero. Nada. Pfft.
Same thing with his apostles. He didn't make them attend seminars and get certificates. He made sure they saw his kind of followership and told them to do the same--"pick up your cross daily and follow me." Jesus' followership has two components:
- Pick up your cross daily. Spiritual crosses kill the flesh. These crosses punish and starve the flesh and ego to strengthen the spirit. Part of Jesus' own cross was how he kept quiet when persecuted or belittled, how he restrained himself from proving to Satan that he is the Son of God (when you're challenged to prove your worth, that's Satan telling you. So don't.), became low profile and waited for the Holy Spirit to announce and promote him, and touched what people dared not touch (lepers, the sick, the unclean). Wondering what cross you can start with carrying? How about cleaning dirty toilets secretly? To me that's real leadership training.
Then volunteer to care for the invalid aged and clean their butts after they poop. Clean up their mess and give them baths. These are good starts. Don't tell anyone. - Follow Jesus. The way you pick up crosses must be exactly the way Jesus did it. Jesus picked up his in exactly how the Father wanted him to. Jesus was innocent as a dove but wise as a serpent. Remember, when some people (especially in church) see your humility, they'd want to make you carry crosses they've designed for you, exactly how the Pharisees tried to design crosses for Jesus. Don't.
Finally, a lifestyle of meekly following will mold you into a true leader, the kind the Father wants you to be. And yes, I quickly add here a lifestyle of doing things for God in secret and letting the Holy Spirit make people see your good deeds, not you. The Word says, let your light shine, not "make" your light shine. It should be HIM alone who promotes you.
You want to be a true leader?
Just email me at nonjoiners@gmail.com and get an email back in 20 or 30 seconds with a download link to the e-book, "Your Power Within." It's FREE! You also get my GCash details in case you decide to donate P40, P50, P100 (or any amount) for the e-book to help my ministry. But with or without donation, the e-book is yours 😄. With the e-book you get my short NONjoiner Off Limits (NOL) emails (things you probably haven't heard of) on potentials, life, family, success and failures, all tied up somehow with some unique insights about Jesus Christ. You may unsubscribe anytime.
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NONJOINER discusses how you can quit joining the crowd and see how the bible helps you think independently to develop your unique person as God wants you to and develop an authentic social life.