"Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed," (Proverbs 15:22, The Message).
There’s something about a lively discussion with a group of people who love God and His purposes. We had a great leadership team meeting yesterday with our Lead/Executive Team members as we discussed the next season of our church.
We threw out several questions that revolved around our vision, our culture, our behaviors and our lingo to the team and then listened, prompted, listened, challenged, listened, questioned, listened, prodded and listened some more.
It was great! The input was fantastic and Spirit-led! One of the best parts of the whole experience was that many of the comments, ideas and thoughts that came forth confirmed and expanded on things the Lord has put in our hearts. Getting their good counsel reinforced and strengthened us as we make plans for the future, and infused us with encouragement for good success.
One of the most interesting dynamics of the group time was hearing from the various generations in the room; the under-30 crowd and the over-30 crowd. All views were valuable, excellent and needful.
As leaders, our job is to take all of that information along with the direction the Lord has put in our hearts and develop a strategic plan that will move our church down the track of God’s plan. I think we all left that meeting energized and excited about what the Lord is putting together!
So, how about you? Do you feel like a lone-ranger or do you have a team to call upon for good counsel? Is it you against the world or do you have some go-to people who will help take things to the next level?
If you are a leader, you need people who will provide good counsel and different perspectives on the various things you are doing. If you don’t have a staff or a strong team of wise people to call upon, why not get started? Who’s in your life that believes in you—and more importantly—in God in you? Who is in your sphere of influence that “gets it”? Who understands the call? The vision? The culture? The purpose you are trying to fulfill? Invite them to be on a short-term “group think” team and see what kind of input you get. Ask questions then listen, prompt, listen, challenge, listen, question, listen, prod and listen some more. You’ll get a boatload of good input!
At the end of the day, you’re still the leader and you will have to make the prayerful decisions, but in the multitude of counselors there is wisdom and safety!
"Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety," (Proverbs 11:14, NKJV).
Say It: “Father, thank You for the help You give me in the multitude of many counselors. Give me ears to hear and then a mouth to speak. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
