Leadership

Leaders, please stop operating on empty. 

Operating from empty causes us to hurt the ones we love. It’s not always intentional but too many of our children have been hurt by parents behaving badly. They are doing too much and are often tired and irritable. Running on empty means that the neglect will take place in one form or another emanating from forgetfulness through to anger and frustration. Tolerance level is always low when tiredness is the order of the day and with tiredness unchecked, we become exhausted and burnout will be the end result.  

Our children cannot thrive in an environment that is hostile.  

Church leaders say they are doing it for the ‘Kingdom’ but that’s a poor representation of the Gospel. God is being misrepresented and His children are experiencing unnecessary pain; often bearing the weight of confusion on their own and sometimes leaving the church. Such behaviour is discouraging some believers who are weak in the faith from committing to and staying the course. In some cases, it repels others from coming to the church and/ or making that step to follow Christ.  

Leaders must take time-out to recharge so they can serve from a place of health. In so doing, they will teach their children and the people under their leadership, how to behave.  

Advice to Leaders: 

Speaking on behalf of children and church volunteers who are hurting, please understand that you are loved and cared for and we do not want to see you operating from a place of burn-out. In that state, you are no good to us. Therefore, we are desperately asking you to, please put in place some boundaries for your personal rest break (whether you are single or married) and time for your spouse and children (for those who are married and have a family).  

The past year and a half would have been more stressful, due to the demands of operating in unchartered territories. Now that church buildings are open again, there are added layers of stress: ensuring government rules are adhered to; local responsibilities to the individuals who choose to attend in-person services and those who are still fearful to attend—still coming to grips with the reality of Covid-19. With all that responsibility, it may seem beyond your reach to step into such a position of rest and you may be tempted to put it off for a later date but this is when you need it most.  

My Prayer For You: 

I’m praying that as you read this article, you will hear God’s gentle whisper, saying, ‘My Child, come unto me and rest’ (Matt. 11:28). He loves you with an everlasting love. A love that is never-ending. He wants you to ‘cast all your anxieties on Him’ (1 Pet. 5:7) for He cares for you just as much as He cares for the people you serve. I pray that you will feel His loving arms wrapped around you as you enter into His rest.  

He wants you whole so that is where my prayers are currently focused, in this season of my life and ministry. When praying for leaders, my prayer is that you will find more quiet time with God away from the preparations for church service and church activities. The more that is required of you, the more ‘quiet time’ with God you will need. He wants you to lay down the multitude of rules and requirements at His feet and take His burden because His burden is light. He is the one who works through you and you get more done operating in His strength than when you try to do it in your own strength. Give it all to Him. Give Him all of you and allow Him to reach His children through you. 

Pray like David did in Psalm 51. Ask for a cleansing (v. 7); ask for restoration: ‘Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me’ (V.12). Then you will teach transgressors His way and sinners will turn back to Him because His Spirit is at work in you, drawing all men unto Him as your tongue sings of His righteousness. So, pray, “open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise.”  

The invitation: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mat. 11:28). Now that you’ve given Him the burdens, just be still (Psalm 46:10). Rest in His presence and allow Him to do the work of restoration.  

Isaiah 61 reminds us that, He will comfort all who mourn; provide for those who grieve, bestowing to them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of despair. 

Here’s to a healthier you! Let the healing begin!