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	<title>encouragement Archives - Passion for Planting</title>
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	<title>encouragement Archives - Passion for Planting</title>
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		<title>Need Encouragement? 6 Invisible Things Church Leaders are Doing Really Well Right Now</title>
		<link>https://church-planting.net/need-encouragement-6-invisible-things-church-leaders-are-doing-really-well-right-now/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Sean Cronin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Feb 2021 10:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Church Planting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Leadership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Carey Nieuwhof]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[character]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[crisis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[criticism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[culture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[encouragement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[potential]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[quitting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[resilience]]></category>
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<p>By Cary Nieuwhof: Feel like you need some encouragement? Doesn’t every leader right about now…? Most of what’s come at you in the last year has been discouraging…criticism from every side, events that are completely out of your control, operating in anything but ideal conditions. It’s a long list if [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://church-planting.net/need-encouragement-6-invisible-things-church-leaders-are-doing-really-well-right-now/">Need Encouragement? 6 Invisible Things Church Leaders are Doing Really Well Right Now</a> appeared first on <a href="https://church-planting.net">Passion for Planting</a>.</p>
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<p>By Cary Nieuwhof: Feel like you need some encouragement?</p>
<p>Doesn’t every leader right about now…?</p>
<p>Most of what’s come at you in the last year has been discouraging…criticism from every side, events that are completely out of your control, operating in anything but ideal conditions. It’s a long list if you think about it.</p>
<p>So, this short post is designed to do one thing: Encourage you.</p>
<p>I love the word encouragement.</p>
<p>As a young leader, I never knew what to do with encouragement. Discount it? Shrug it off? Live for it?</p>
<p>I think I did all of the above.</p>
<p>But, the longer I’ve led, the more I realize how valuable encouragement is.</p>
<p>Think about the etymology.</p>
<p>To <em>encourage</em> someone literally means to <em>give courage</em> to them. <em>Encouragement</em> derives from an old French word that means ‘to make strong’ or ‘hearten.’</p>
<p>So, in the hopes of encouraging you and your team, here are some rather invisible things you’re doing really well right now as you’re leading.</p>
<p><a class="ss-ctt-tweet" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=To+encourage+someone+literally+means+to+give+courage+to+them.&amp;url=https://careynieuwhof.com/feed/?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=SocialSnap&amp;via=cnieuwhof" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-title="Click to Tweet">To encourage someone literally means to give courage to them.</a></p>
<p><a class="ss-ctt-link" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=To+encourage+someone+literally+means+to+give+courage+to+them.&amp;url=https://careynieuwhof.com/feed/?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=SocialSnap&amp;via=cnieuwhof" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-title="Click to Tweet"><br />
Click to Tweet<br />
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<h3><strong>1. You Haven’t Quit</strong></h3>
<p>Some of the most important moments of leadership have come for me when, discouraged, someone pulls up alongside me, puts their hand on my shoulder, looks me in the eye and says, “Hang in there.”</p>
<p>When I’ve hung in there, I’ve never regretted it.</p>
<p>So, leader, you’re hanging in there. You’ve made it this far. You haven’t quit.</p>
<p>I’m not saying you can never quit. But here’s a good rule: Never quit on a bad day.</p>
<p>If you’re going to quit, quit on a good day.</p>
<p><a class="ss-ctt-tweet" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Never+quit+on+a+bad+day.+If+you're+going+to+quit,+quit+on+a+good+day.&amp;url=https://careynieuwhof.com/feed/?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=SocialSnap&amp;via=cnieuwhof" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-title="Click to Tweet">Never quit on a bad day. If you&#8217;re going to quit, quit on a good day.</a></p>
<p><a class="ss-ctt-link" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Never+quit+on+a+bad+day.+If+you're+going+to+quit,+quit+on+a+good+day.&amp;url=https://careynieuwhof.com/feed/?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=SocialSnap&amp;via=cnieuwhof" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-title="Click to Tweet"><br />
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<p>Then, at least you have a level head, have thought about it, prayed about it and hopefully talked to some really wise friends.</p>
<p>You haven’t quit. And, that thing you’re developing, as a result, has a name. It’s called resilience.</p>
<p><a class="ss-ctt-tweet" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=You+haven't+quit.+And,+that+thing+you're+developing,+as+a+result,+has+a+name.+It's+called+resilience.&amp;url=https://careynieuwhof.com/feed/?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=SocialSnap&amp;via=cnieuwhof" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-title="Click to Tweet">You haven&#8217;t quit. And, that thing you&#8217;re developing, as a result, has a name. It&#8217;s called resilience.</a></p>
<p><a class="ss-ctt-link" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=You+haven't+quit.+And,+that+thing+you're+developing,+as+a+result,+has+a+name.+It's+called+resilience.&amp;url=https://careynieuwhof.com/feed/?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=SocialSnap&amp;via=cnieuwhof" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-title="Click to Tweet"><br />
Click to Tweet<br />
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<h3><strong>2. You’re Learning to Lead in Constant Uncertainty</strong></h3>
<p>Remember predictability in leadership? You could look ahead six months and have a relatively clear idea what was going to happen.</p>
<p>That, of course, is completely gone.</p>
<p>You’ve had to lead through crisis and are still facing tremendous uncertainty ahead…uncertainty that’s likely to remain for a while longer, even after the pandemic ends.</p>
<p>In the midst of it, perhaps without even noticing it, you’re developing an agility you’ve never known before.</p>
<p>In uncertainty, agility is ability and flexibility is a superpower.</p>
<p>Hint: Agility is an incredible skill to keep honing in leadership. Agile leaders have done better than inflexible leaders for years. In a highly disrupted world, they’ll do even better.</p>
<p><a class="ss-ctt-tweet" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=In+uncertainty,+agility+is+ability+and+flexibility+is+a+superpower.&amp;url=https://careynieuwhof.com/feed/?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=SocialSnap&amp;via=cnieuwhof" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-title="Click to Tweet">In uncertainty, agility is ability and flexibility is a superpower.</a></p>
<p><a class="ss-ctt-link" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=In+uncertainty,+agility+is+ability+and+flexibility+is+a+superpower.&amp;url=https://careynieuwhof.com/feed/?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=SocialSnap&amp;via=cnieuwhof" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-title="Click to Tweet"><br />
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<h3><strong>3. You’re Navigating Deep Divisions and Forging Unity</strong></h3>
<p>Every leader I’ve talked to tells me how hard it’s been navigating the division, tribalization and polarization that’s happening among the people you lead.</p>
<p>Numerous pastors have told me they’ve had to break up public arguments among staff, board members and even prayer team members. Wow.</p>
<p>This too, I hope, will pass.</p>
<p>One of the tasks of leadership is to bring diverse groups together around a common mission and purpose.</p>
<p>The Gospel unites what politics and prejudice often divide.</p>
<p><a class="ss-ctt-tweet" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The+Gospel+unites+what+politics+and+prejudice+often+divides.&amp;url=https://careynieuwhof.com/feed/?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=SocialSnap&amp;via=cnieuwhof" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-title="Click to Tweet">The Gospel unites what politics and prejudice often divide.</a></p>
<p><a class="ss-ctt-link" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The+Gospel+unites+what+politics+and+prejudice+often+divides.&amp;url=https://careynieuwhof.com/feed/?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=SocialSnap&amp;via=cnieuwhof" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-title="Click to Tweet"><br />
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<p>I’m guessing all the division is driving you deeper and deeper into the true mission of the church. That’s never a bad thing.</p>
<p>A divided nation needs a united church.</p>
<p>You’re leading toward that. Way to go.</p>
<h3><strong>4. You’re Bringing Hope</strong></h3>
<p>Hope is what people need right now, and hope is so hard to find.</p>
<p>Church leaders, you’re bringing it.</p>
<p>I know sometimes you look out on a Sunday and see 30% of the people who used to be in the room. Or, you can’t even get in a room with people, so you just look into the lens of a camera.</p>
<p>But, you’re bringing hope.</p>
<p>Every person who watches that video or stops on your post needs it.</p>
<p>Every person you see in those distanced chairs hungers for it.</p>
<p>And every person you’re trying to reach has no idea what they’re missing.</p>
<p>You’re bringing hope. Keep bringing it.</p>
<p><a class="ss-ctt-tweet" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Hope+is+what+people+need+right+now,+and+hope+is+so+hard+to+find.+Church+leaders,+you're+bringing+it.&amp;url=https://careynieuwhof.com/feed/?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=SocialSnap&amp;via=cnieuwhof" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-title="Click to Tweet">Hope is what people need right now, and hope is so hard to find. Church leaders, you&#8217;re bringing it.</a></p>
<p><a class="ss-ctt-link" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Hope+is+what+people+need+right+now,+and+hope+is+so+hard+to+find.+Church+leaders,+you're+bringing+it.&amp;url=https://careynieuwhof.com/feed/?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=SocialSnap&amp;via=cnieuwhof" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-title="Click to Tweet"><br />
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<h3><strong>5. You’re Deepening Your Faith</strong></h3>
<p>You probably don’t even realize it, but your faith is growing.</p>
<p>That’s what crisis does. It forces you to stop relying on yourself and start trusting God at a much deeper level.</p>
<p>I know it’s hard.</p>
<p>But, it’s like deciding you’re going to train for a 5k.  At first, it’s painful, you end up walking 2km of your ‘run’ and you’re so sore you need to stretch five times later that day.</p>
<p>The next day hardly feels easier, and now you’re running sore and through shin splints, but it’s done.</p>
<p>Fast forward to six months later, and you’ve just set a personal best and the endorphins kick in halfway through. Yeah, you’re tired when you’re done. But you’re so much further ahead than you were six months earlier.</p>
<p>Your faith is growing.</p>
<p>Your trust is deepening.</p>
<p>And, your reliance on God is probably more profound than you realize.</p>
<p>Keep going.</p>
<p><a class="ss-ctt-tweet" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Crisis+forces+you+to+stop+relying+on+yourself+and+start+trusting+God+at+a+much+deeper+level.&amp;url=https://careynieuwhof.com/feed/?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=SocialSnap&amp;via=cnieuwhof" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-title="Click to Tweet">Crisis forces you to stop relying on yourself and start trusting God at a much deeper level.</a></p>
<p><a class="ss-ctt-link" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Crisis+forces+you+to+stop+relying+on+yourself+and+start+trusting+God+at+a+much+deeper+level.&amp;url=https://careynieuwhof.com/feed/?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=SocialSnap&amp;via=cnieuwhof" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-title="Click to Tweet"><br />
Click to Tweet<br />
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<h3><strong>6. You’re Learning New Skills</strong></h3>
<p>Every leader ends up in ruts…at least I do.</p>
<p>And right now, you’re learning new skills at a rate you may not have learned them in years.</p>
<p>Take online ministry for example. You probably feel out of your depth. You may be disappointed by the results.</p>
<p>But you’re doing a new thing.</p>
<p>That’s actually rewiring your brain and making you stronger. Cognitive and social engagement have even been shown to <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthy-aging/rev-up-your-thinking-skills-by-trying-something-new" target="_blank" rel="noopener">protect against cognitive decline as you age</a>.</p>
<p>Whether you continue to do everything you’re doing now or not, you’re growing, stretching and learning.</p>
<p>That has long term benefits no matter what’s ahead.</p>
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<h3><strong>engage your congregation and reach the unchurched with the art of better preaching</strong></h3>
<p><a href="https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-better-preaching-open-now/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img decoding="async" style="width: 1200px;" src="https://careynieuwhof.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Carey-and-Mark-Blue.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>Whether you&#8217;re preaching into a camera or in front of an audience, the core principles of sermon preparation and excellent preaching never change.</p>
<p>If you&#8217;re ready to start preaching better sermons and reach the unchurched without selling out, then it&#8217;s time to start using the right tips, lessons and strategies communicating better.</p>
<p><a href="https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-better-preaching-open-now/">The Art Of Better Preaching is a 12 session video training (and comprehensive workbook) that will help you create, write and deliver more engaging sermons. It&#8217;s the lessons that Mark Clark (Lead Pastor of Village Church) and I have learned, taught and used over decades of preaching. </a></p>
<p>It&#8217;s the complete course you need to start preaching better sermons, including: A <i>new bonus unit on preaching into a camera The 5 keys to preaching sermons to unchurched people (to keep them coming back) How to discover power in the text and use it to drive your sermonWhy you need to ditch your sermon notes (and how to do it far more easily than you think) How to keep your mind and heart fresh over the long run </i></p>
<p>&#8230; And much more!</p>
<p><a href="https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-better-preaching-open-now/">Check it out and get instant access today.&#8221;,&#8221;container_class&#8221;:&#8221;&#8221;,&#8221;element_class&#8221;:&#8221;&#8221;,&#8221;wrap_styles_border&#8221;:0,&#8221;wrap_styles_width&#8221;:&#8221;&#8221;,&#8221;wrap_styles_margin&#8221;:&#8221;&#8221;,&#8221;wrap_styles_padding&#8221;:&#8221;&#8221;,&#8221;wrap_styles_float&#8221;:&#8221;&#8221;,&#8221;wrap_styles_show_advanced_css&#8221;:0,&#8221;label_styles_border&#8221;:&#8221;&#8221;,&#8221;label_styles_width&#8221;:&#8221;&#8221;,&#8221;label_styles_font-size&#8221;:&#8221;&#8221;,&#8221;label_styles_margin&#8221;:&#8221;&#8221;,&#8221;label_styles_padding&#8221;:&#8221;&#8221;,&#8221;label_styles_float&#8221;:&#8221;&#8221;,&#8221;label_styles_show_advanced_css&#8221;:0,&#8221;element_styles_border&#8221;:&#8221;&#8221;,&#8221;element_styles_width&#8221;:&#8221;&#8221;,&#8221;element_styles_font-size&#8221;:&#8221;&#8221;,&#8221;element_styles_margin&#8221;:&#8221;&#8221;,&#8221;element_styles_padding&#8221;:&#8221;&#8221;,&#8221;element_styles_float&#8221;:&#8221;&#8221;,&#8221;element_styles_show_advanced_css&#8221;:0,&#8221;cellcid&#8221;:&#8221;c8094&#8243;,&#8221;key&#8221;:&#8221;the_preaching_cheat_sheet_1603377863588&#8243;,&#8221;drawerDisabled&#8221;:false,&#8221;wrap_styles_background-color&#8221;:&#8221;&#8221;,&#8221;wrap_styles_border-style&#8221;:&#8221;&#8221;,&#8221;wrap_styles_border-color&#8221;:&#8221;&#8221;,&#8221;wrap_styles_display&#8221;:&#8221;block&#8221;,&#8221;field_label&#8221;:&#8221;The Preaching Cheat Sheet&#8221;,&#8221;field_key&#8221;:&#8221;the_preaching_cheat_sheet_1603377863588&#8243;,&#8221;id&#8221;:595,&#8221;beforeField&#8221;:&#8221;&#8221;,&#8221;afterField&#8221;:&#8221;&#8221;,&#8221;value&#8221;:&#8221;</a></p>
<h3><strong><i><a href="https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-better-preaching-open-now/"><strong>engage your congregation and reach the unchurched with the art of better preaching</strong></a></i></strong></h3>
<p><a href="https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-better-preaching-open-now/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img decoding="async" style="width: 1200px;" src="https://careynieuwhof.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Carey-and-Mark-Blue.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>Whether you&#8217;re preaching into a camera or in front of an audience, the core principles of sermon preparation and excellent preaching never change.</p>
<p>If you&#8217;re ready to start preaching better sermons and reach the unchurched without selling out, then it&#8217;s time to start using the right tips, lessons and strategies communicating better.</p>
<p><a href="https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-better-preaching-open-now/">The Art Of Better Preaching is a 12 session video training (and comprehensive workbook) that will help you create, write and deliver more engaging sermons. It&#8217;s the lessons that Mark Clark (Lead Pastor of Village Church) and I have learned, taught and used over decades of preaching. </a></p>
<p>It&#8217;s the complete course you need to start preaching better sermons, including: A <i>new bonus unit on preaching into a camera The 5 keys to preaching sermons to unchurched people (to keep them coming back) How to discover power in the text and use it to drive your sermonWhy you need to ditch your sermon notes (and how to do it far more easily than you think) How to keep your mind and heart fresh over the long run </i></p>
<p>&#8230; And much more!</p>
<p><a href="https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-better-preaching-open-now/">Check it out and get instant access today.&#8221;,&#8221;label_pos&#8221;:&#8221;above&#8221;,&#8221;parentType&#8221;:&#8221;html&#8221;,&#8221;element_templates&#8221;:[&#8220;html&#8221;,&#8221;input&#8221;],&#8221;old_classname&#8221;:&#8221;&#8221;,&#8221;wrap_template&#8221;:&#8221;wrap&#8221;}];nfForms.push(form);</a></p>
<h3><strong>Keep Going (Share and Leave a Comment)</strong></h3>
<p>So, keep going.</p>
<p><a href="https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-better-preaching-open-now/">If you need some more reasons not to quit, </a><a href="https://careynieuwhof.com/why-you-shouldnt-quit-ministry-right-now-even-though-you-feel-like-it/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here are some more</a>.</p>
<p>If you want to encourage someone, share this post on social or with your team.</p>
<p>And, leave a comment about how you’re growing and what you think you and your team are doing well right now.</p>
<p>Let’s encourage each other.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="ss-hidden-pin-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/careynieuwhof.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_571105930.jpg?fit=1000,587&amp;ssl=1" alt="Feel like you need some encouragement? Here are 6 invisible things church leaders are doing really well right now, even in a pandemic." data-pin-url="https://careynieuwhof.com/need-encouragement-6-invisible-things-church-leaders-are-doing-really-well-right-now/" data-pin-media="https://i0.wp.com/careynieuwhof.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_571105930.jpg?fit=1000,587&amp;ssl=1" data-pin-description="Feel like you need some encouragement? Here are 6 invisible things church leaders are doing really well right now, even in a pandemic." /></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://careynieuwhof.com/need-encouragement-6-invisible-things-church-leaders-are-doing-really-well-right-now/" rel="nofollow">Need Encouragement? 6 Invisible Things Church Leaders are Doing Really Well Right Now</a> appeared first on <a href="https://careynieuwhof.com" rel="nofollow">CareyNieuwhof.com</a>.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="https://careynieuwhof.com/need-encouragement-6-invisible-things-church-leaders-are-doing-really-well-right-now/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wplink-edit="true">Need Encouragement? 6 Invisible Things Church Leaders are Doing Really Well Right Now</a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://church-planting.net/need-encouragement-6-invisible-things-church-leaders-are-doing-really-well-right-now/">Need Encouragement? 6 Invisible Things Church Leaders are Doing Really Well Right Now</a> appeared first on <a href="https://church-planting.net">Passion for Planting</a>.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Staying Positive During Quarantine</title>
		<link>https://church-planting.net/staying-positive-during-quarantine/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Sean Cronin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 01 May 2020 09:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Church Planting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Leadership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coronavirus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[COVID-19]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emotional health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[encouragement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mental Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[positivity]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://newchurches.com/blogs/staying-positive-during-quarantine/</guid>

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<p>Home &#62; Blog &#62; Staying Positive During Quarantine Staying Positive During Quarantine By Brad Hambrick Let’s start by being honest. During a season of extended quarantine, it’s hard not to grow irritable, anxious, discouraged, and weary. There’s a bit of relief in just admitting, “I’m struggling,” and realizing you’re not [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://church-planting.net/staying-positive-during-quarantine/">Staying Positive During Quarantine</a> appeared first on <a href="https://church-planting.net">Passion for Planting</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img width="290" height="290" src="https://church-planting.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/NewChurches-Small-Border-Logo-250x250.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full wp-post-image" alt="www.newchurches.com" id="featured-image" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" /></div><div>
<h4><a class="breadCrumbNc" href="https://newchurches.com">Home &gt;</a> <a class="breadCrumbNc" href="https://newchurches.com/blog">Blog &gt;</a> <span class="breadCrumbNcActive">Staying Positive During Quarantine</span></h4>
<h1>Staying Positive During Quarantine</h1>
<h4>By Brad Hambrick</h4>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" src="https://newchurches.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/kal-visuals-Jd6HNk1qsJE-unsplash-e1587647907670.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" /></p>
<p>Let’s start by being honest. <em>During a season of extended quarantine, it’s hard not to grow irritable, anxious, discouraged, and weary</em>. There’s a bit of relief in just admitting, “I’m struggling,” and realizing you’re not alone. When you feel pressure to do as well as you imagine everyone else is doing, that only compounds the intensity of whatever unpleasant emotion(s) you’re prone to feel during quarantine.</p>
<p>Here’s the thing about a sour disposition: it’s contagious and it gathers momentum. If you have others in your home or apartment, your negative attitude is likely to spread. Also, as you feed your negative attitude with more “cognitive airtime,” it only gets heavier. So, <em>while its natural to be struggling with our attitude right now, it’s not healthy. We can be honest about it (authentic) and make efforts to change (grow) at the same time</em>.</p>
<p>So, let’s ask the question, “What section of Scripture captures the emotional experience we’re having right now?” I’ll propose that one excellent place to look is the exodus account. You may say, “This feels more like being a captive in Egypt.” I get your point and feel your pain. But I’m focusing on the emotional experience more than the physical experience.</p>
<p>What was the defining attribute of the emotional experience of God’s people during the exodus? Grumbling. If you read the books of Exodus and Numbers, you’ll notice that God’s people grumbled frequently. This seems to be one of the chief concerns God had about His people during this time.</p>
<p>Why is that? Was God the irritable parent who had been cooped up with His children too long and started sniping back, “Stop complaining! If I hear one more negative word, you don’t want to know what I’ll do!”? While that’s humorous to consider, I don’t think its accurate.</p>
<p>Let’s think about <strong>what grumbling does</strong>. Grumbling does three things:</p>
<ol>
<li>Grumbling <em>fixates</em> on something bad (cognitive focus).</li>
<li>Grumbling <em>believes</em> that this bad thing is the most important thing about life (emotional impact).</li>
<li>Grumbling <em>talks</em> about the bad thing frequently (interpersonal effect).</li>
<li></li>
</ol>
<p>Let’s look at one example of what God’s people grumbled about during their exodus journey.</p>
<p>“Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, ‘Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.’” Numbers 11:4-6</p>
<p>Do you miss getting to go out to eat? Me too.</p>
<p>God’s people had better food options in Egypt. Food was easier to come by. Their spice cabinet allowed them to make the food tastier.  On their journey from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land they grew weary of eating manna three meals a day.</p>
<p>Now we begin to see the problem with grumbling. <em>Grumbling reduces life to a sound bite and focuses that soundbite on the worst parts of life</em>. So, <strong>what is the alternative to grumbling?</strong> I would suggest it is <strong>encouragement</strong>. Let’s contrast the <strong>three things that encouragement does</strong> with grumbling.</p>
<ol>
<li>Encouragement <em>focuses</em> on good things within the hard.</li>
<li>Encouragement <em>believes</em> that the good things God has done and is doing are most important.</li>
<li>Encouragement <em>talks</em> about the good things frequently.</li>
<li></li>
</ol>
<p>On their exodus journey the cognitive airtime God’s people gave to grumbling consumed their opportunity to consider, “Well, the menu may be monotonous, but we’re free and going to better place. The journey is hard, but I trust the God who freed us from Egypt to get us to the destination.”</p>
<p><strong>Notice</strong> that <em>healthy encouragement is not all positive</em>. Fake-happy is just pretending and people who relate that way are annoying (maybe, I’m getting grumpy as I type). Encouragement can acknowledge a monotonous menu and the difficultly of the journey. It just doesn’t declare them most important. Don’t pretend that hard things aren’t hard. Just don’t let hard things be the defining thing about your day.</p>
<p><em>Now we can see that encouragement is both healthier and holier than grumbling</em>. The <strong>health benefits of a positive attitude</strong> which focuses on the blessings of life are bountiful. <a href="https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/positive-thinking-overview#1">According to WebMD</a> they include better physical health, greater resistance to illness (seems important right now), lower blood pressure, better stress management, better pain tolerance, more creativity, greater problem-solving skill, clearer thinking, better mood, better coping skills, and less depression. Sign me up!</p>
<p><em>But healthiness and holiness are not the same thing</em>. <strong>Healthiness</strong> is doing what is best for us (actions) because we want a better life (motive). Because God loves us, His ways are healthy; in the same way that a loving parent’s expectations for their child will result in a flourishing life. But there were plenty of good things our parents wanted us to do that we just got tired of and chose to do our own thing.</p>
<p><strong>Holiness</strong> is doing what honors God (actions) because we love him (motive). A desire for holiness is what sustains our morale when we’d rather just quit or don’t care anymore. Think of the parents who get up at all hours of the night to care for a crying infant. Do they feel like it? No. But love compels them. Love calls them beyond their self-centeredness (i.e., “I just want some sleep”). <em>Without a desire for holiness, pursuing healthiness – focusing on encouragement over grumbling – in hard times is just good intentions</em>.</p>
<p>So, I ask <strong>an important question</strong>: <em>do you have the kind of relationship with God that compels you to pursue following God’s teaching because you love Him, not just because it works?</em> Here are some questions, with key passages of Scripture, to help you make this assessment.</p>
<ol>
<li><em>Do you recognize that we live in a broken world where things like pandemics happen</em> (Romans 8:22-23)? During a global crisis, we can shout “Amen!” to verses like these.</li>
<li><em>Have you seen that the brokenness of the world is present in you</em> (Romans 3:23)? The problem isn’t just “out there.” Doubtless you’ve gotten to know your own sinfulness more acutely in recent weeks. Quarantine didn’t create our sinfulness. It only reveals it.</li>
<li><em>Have you recognized that sin is not something we can will away</em> (Romans 5:6)? Sin is not a problem we can just “try harder” and make it go away. We were born with a self-centered nature.</li>
<li><em>Have you accepted that God sent Jesus to live the life we should have lived and pay the price our sin deserved</em>(Romans 10:9-10)? Accurate ideas about God don’t save you. A restored relationship with God by placing your faith in what Christ did on your behalf saves you. It is one thing to know that God is available. It is another thing to embrace God’s offer.</li>
<li><em>Does this forgiveness and hope change how you respond to temporal difficulties</em> (Romans 8:38-39)? After we place our faith in Christ, hard things don’t cease to exist. They just become incapable of separating us from what is most important.</li>
<li></li>
</ol>
<p>The gospel is the only foundation for <strong>ultimate encouragement</strong>. If you don’t have ultimate encouragement, then any attempt to remedy the unpleasant emotions you feel come across as “going to your happy place” or “counting to 10.” Admit it, that’s what you thought this article would say and were ready to dismiss as trite and cliché.</p>
<p>But what about <strong>temporal encouragement</strong>? Ultimate encouragement without temporal encouragement feels like “just wait for heaven” kind of advice. That’s like saving all your money for retirement and being miserable until you get there. It doesn’t seem very satisfying. God cares about you here and now.</p>
<p>For growing in temporal encouragement, consider Philippians 4:8-9.</p>
<p>“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”</p>
<p>This was Paul’s instruction to an early church on how to endure hard times. He wrote those words from prison and was well-acquainted with hard times (II Corinthians 11:23-28), so he was applying these words as he penned them. My suggestion is that you use it as a <strong>scavenger hunt</strong> during your day. Paul says, “Think about these things.” Well, when your day is monotonous, that means you must, “Look for these things,” because your mind isn’t going to drift in an encouraging direction.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Just</strong> – Where do you see people going out of their way to make wrong things right and hard things better? Search for examples. Share them via social media. Cultivate encouraging conversations around them. You don’t just encourage yourself when you do this, you spark creativity about how we can be salt and light during a dark time (Matthew 5:13-16).</li>
<li><strong>Pure</strong> – Where do you see honesty, integrity, or vulnerability? It may be in a friend who confides their emotional struggles. Affirm their courage to not “taint” the truth to try to appear more together than they feel.</li>
<li><strong>Lovely</strong> – Where do you see people using their talent to make uplifting music, writing, or art to encourage others? Share that. Beauty reminds us the best things in life and pulls out of dark thoughts. Watch a sunset. Walk in a forest and marvel at nature.</li>
<li><strong>Commendable</strong> – What are simple acts of virtue and maturity you see in the people in your home? Affirm those things as evidence of God’s grace in their life. Seize every opportunity to encourage them. Go out of your way to catch people doing something right.</li>
<li><strong>Excellent</strong> – Who is using this extra time of quarantine to make a good thing great? Affirm the quality of their work. Consider what you can take from good to great during this time and enjoy the process. This is a way to give meaning to monotony.</li>
<li><strong>Worthy of Praise</strong> – Find ways to encourage any healthcare workers and workers in businesses (i.e., groceries, pharmacies, etc.) you know for the sacrifices they are currently making. Invite others to participate in these efforts in appropriate ways.</li>
<li></li>
</ul>
<p>Notice what Paul tied these things to – the readers’ observations and experience with him. Paul lived his life to be an example of encouragement during hard times for others. He probably picked the habit up from his good friend Barnabas who mentored him in the early years after he became a Christian (Acts 4:36).</p>
<p>Remember, that these temporal encouragements are merely “thought diversions” without the ultimate hope of Christ. With Christ, however, we don’t have to feel like the orchestra playing beautiful music on the sinking Titanic. With the foundation of ultimate hope, <em>encouragement mirrors grumbling in another way: it’s contagious and it gathers momentum</em>. During this hard season of quarantine be an agent of spreading both ultimate and temporal encouragement to counter the negative momentum that is so pervasive in times like these.</p>
</div>
<p>Source: <a href="https://newchurches.com/blogs/staying-positive-during-quarantine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-wplink-edit="true">Staying Positive During Quarantine</a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://church-planting.net/staying-positive-during-quarantine/">Staying Positive During Quarantine</a> appeared first on <a href="https://church-planting.net">Passion for Planting</a>.</p>
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		<title>Scripture Memory</title>
		<link>https://church-planting.net/scripture-memory/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Sean Cronin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2020 09:00:11 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Discipleship]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Church Planting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[encouragement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[meditation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[replicate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[scripture memorization]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spiritual discipline]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[transformation]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://discipleship.org/blog/scripture-memory/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<div><img width="600" height="600" src="https://church-planting.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Square-cover-A.png" class="attachment-full size-full wp-post-image" alt="www.discipleship.org" id="featured-image" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" /></div>
<p>by Replicate: The discipline of scripture memory has become, without a doubt, the most significant of the disciplines in my life. God has used scripture memory to not only bring about change and transformation in my life, but has used it to challenge and encouraged other believers. As we consider [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://church-planting.net/scripture-memory/">Scripture Memory</a> appeared first on <a href="https://church-planting.net">Passion for Planting</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img width="600" height="600" src="https://church-planting.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Square-cover-A.png" class="attachment-full size-full wp-post-image" alt="www.discipleship.org" id="featured-image" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" /></div><p>by Replicate: The discipline of scripture memory has become, without a doubt, the most significant of the disciplines in my life. God has used scripture memory to not only bring about change and transformation in my life, but has used it to challenge and encouraged other believers. As we consider this discipline I want to share my story and attempt to answer several commonly asked questions about the discipline.</p>
<p>In the summer of 1972, I had an encounter with the Risen Christ that totally rocked my world and radically changed my life. I was delivered from the bondage of sin and given new life through the Gospel.</p>
<p>One thing I remember vividly was that I had an insatiable desire for the word of God. I loved to hear it taught and preached and I read the scriptures every day, sometimes for hours. I was amazed and enlightened by the word of God. The Word became my spiritual food.</p>
<p>After settling into a church, our Youth Pastor challenged me to “hide the word of God in my heart”. I accepted the challenge and began, as a new believer, to memorize scripture. That initiated a lifelong discipline that God has used profoundly in my life.</p>
<p>When I got to LSU for college, I began to meet with some guys in the dorms to pray, study, and memorize scripture, to hold one another accountable and encourage one another. I have been meeting in D-groups ever since, disciplining, loving, challenging and encouraging others for Christ’s sake.</p>
<h2>What Do We Mean by Scripture Memory?</h2>
<p>Scripture Memory has been classified by Donald Whitney as “a sub discipline” of Bible intake. Scripture Memory, according to Whitney is “storing the scripture in the mind.”</p>
<p>It is committing God’s word to memory so that it can be recalled and put to use.</p>
<p>You would search in vain to find a verse in the Bible that actually explicitly command one to memorize scripture, However, there are several texts that seem to imply the discipline.</p>
<p><em>These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. (Deuteronomy 6:6, CSB)</em></p>
<p><em>Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (Colossians 3:16, CSB)</em></p>
<p><em>I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11, CSB)</em></p>
<h3>This blog is from our partner Replicate. <a href="https://discipleship.org/#newsletter">Sign up here to get updates sent to your inbox</a> about ministries like theirs so you can grow as a disciple maker.</h3>
<h2>Why Should We Memorize Scripture?</h2>
<p>There are many reasons why you should memorize scripture. Here are just a few.</p>
<p><strong>To share a “word fitly spoken”</strong></p>
<p><em>A word fitly spoken is as apples of gold in the setting of silver. (Proverbs 25:11 NKJV)</em></p>
<p>We have countless opportunities to share a word of encouragement or witness with others. When we have the Word committed to memory we can share as we are prompted by the Holy Spirit.</p>
<p><em>But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. (1 Peter 3:15, CSB)</em></p>
<p><strong>To overcome temptation or discouragement</strong></p>
<p><em>How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping your word. I have sought you with all my heart; don’t let me wander from your commands. I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you. (Psalm 119:9-11, CSB)</em></p>
<p>When faced with temptation the Lord Jesus responded by saying “It is written.” We too must wield the “sword of the spirit” when we battle against our enemies.</p>
<p>In addition to temptation, we all face discouragement. One tactic of the enemy is to try to get us to dwell on those things that are not profitable. We must meditate on God’s truth.</p>
<p><em>Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8, CSB)</em></p>
<p><strong>To renew your mind</strong></p>
<p><em>Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2, CSB)</em></p>
<p>Our minds are renewed by the Word of God. One wonderful way to renew your mind and embrace God’s truth is to memorize and meditate on the Word.</p>
<h2>How to Memorize Scripture</h2>
<p>This is the step by step process that I have used for years.</p>
<p><strong>Step 1</strong>– The first step to memorizing scripture is to find a verse that you find particularly helpful and that you would like to know by heart.</p>
<p><strong>Step 2</strong>– Write this verse down in a journal designated for verses that you intend to memorize and begin to meditate on the verse as you are writing it.</p>
<p><strong>Step 3</strong>– Then write that same verse on a flash card with the reference (i.e. John 1:12) on one side and the verse (i.e. “But to all who did receive him…”).</p>
<p><strong>Step 4</strong>– Begin memorizing this verse, starting with the first phrase. After you’ve memorized the first phrase, build on it by memorizing the second phrase. Continue this process until you have memorized the entire verse word-perfect.</p>
<p><strong>Step 5</strong>– After you have memorized the entire verse word-perfect, recite the verse to yourself at least 20 times without looking.</p>
<p><strong>Step 6</strong>– Finally, and this is absolutely crucial to Scripture memory, you must review the verse daily. Set aside time each day to work on reviewing the verses you have memorized.</p>
<p>There are also a variety of tools available to you to help you, including apps for your smartphone or tablet. One popular one would be Fighter Verses which has apps for both Apple or Android smartphones. There are many ways to memorize scripture, the most important thing is to find one that works well for you and do it.</p>
<p>Originally posted on <a href="https://replicate.org/">Replicate’s blog here</a>. Used by permission.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://discipleship.org/blog/scripture-memory/" rel="nofollow">Scripture Memory</a> appeared first on <a href="https://discipleship.org" rel="nofollow">Discipleship.org</a>.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="https://discipleship.org/blog/scripture-memory/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-wplink-edit="true">Scripture Memory</a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://church-planting.net/scripture-memory/">Scripture Memory</a> appeared first on <a href="https://church-planting.net">Passion for Planting</a>.</p>
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		<title>Dear Discouraged Leader (5 Questions to Ask Before You Implode)</title>
		<link>https://church-planting.net/dear-discouraged-leader-5-questions-to-ask-before-you-implode/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Sean Cronin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 29 Apr 2019 09:00:18 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Church Planting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Leadership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Planter Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Calling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[discouraged leaders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[discouragement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[encouragement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[endurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[perserverance]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://careynieuwhof.com/dear-discouraged-leader-5-questions-to-ask-before-you-implode/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<div><img width="250" height="250" src="https://church-planting.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/carey-nieuwhof.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full wp-post-image" alt="www.careynieuwhof.com" id="featured-image" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" /></div>
<p>by Carey Nieuwhof: Dear Discouraged  Leader, Being a leader isn’t the easiest thing in the world. But it isn’t the hardest thing in the world either. You’re not alone. Leadership is hard at times. In fact, if you’re really leading, there’s rarely a season that isn’t filled with challenges. Just [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://church-planting.net/dear-discouraged-leader-5-questions-to-ask-before-you-implode/">Dear Discouraged Leader (5 Questions to Ask Before You Implode)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://church-planting.net">Passion for Planting</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img width="250" height="250" src="https://church-planting.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/carey-nieuwhof.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full wp-post-image" alt="www.careynieuwhof.com" id="featured-image" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" /></div><p><a href="https://thehighimpactleader.com/open-now"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-81672" src="https://i0.wp.com/careynieuwhof.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/shutterstock_1160115889-1.jpg?resize=1000,668&amp;ssl=1" alt="" width="1000" height="668" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<p>by Carey Nieuwhof: Dear Discouraged  Leader,</p>
<p>Being a leader isn’t the easiest thing in the world. But it isn’t the hardest thing in the world either.</p>
<p>You’re not alone. Leadership is hard at times. In fact, if you’re really leading, there’s rarely a season that <em>isn’t</em> filled with challenges.</p>
<p>Just as you solve one problem, two more pop up. You solve them, and out of the corner of your eye, spot the next one.</p>
<p>I get it.</p>
<p>After seeing leader after leader struggle with discouragement and want to quit long before their calling ran out, I wanted to write this note (<a href="http://caseygraham.com/dear-discouraged-business-owner/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">HT</a> to Casey Graham).</p>
<p>None of us really feel like the most successful person on earth. I don’t. You don’t.</p>
<p>And even though things are going well at the moment and I have so much to be thankful for, I spend too many days wondering whether I’m missing something or feeling like we should be making more progress than we should.</p>
<p>You know what it’s like… The weight of:</p>
<p>Budget and expenses<br />
People who promise the moon but never even deliver the earth<br />
New people who say they’re in and then walk out<br />
Your leadership feeling like it’s always under a microscope<br />
Not being where you thought you would be at this point in your leadership or life<br />
Uncertainty. Constant uncertainty.<br />
Team members you’re struggling with and just don’t know how to deal with<br />
Knowing your organization isn’t perfect and wishing it would be but knowing it won’t ever be<br />
Lack of gratitude; in others and in you<br />
Feeling let down by others<br />
You letting yourself down<br />
Seeing other people’s organizations &amp; speaking &amp; believing they have it easier than you do</p>
<p>And on and on and on it goes…</p>
<p>This is the side of leadership they never teach you in college.</p>
<p>So I want you to know something.  The discouragement you feel inside is real &amp; coming from somewhere. Think about this and let this sink in for a while today:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">The happiest and healthiest people are those whose expectations meet reality.</p>
<p>What do you do with that?</p>
<p>Here are five questions every discouraged leader would do well to ask themselves before they give up or give in.</p>
<p><em>The happiest &amp; healthiest people are those whose expectations meet reality.</em><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://careynieuwhof.com/dear-discouraged-leader-5-questions-to-ask-before-you-implode/&amp;text=The happiest &amp; healthiest people are those whose expectations meet reality.&amp;via=cnieuwhof&amp;related=cnieuwhof" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Click To Tweet</a></p>
<h2><strong>1. What Do I Expect My Organization to Give Me?</strong></h2>
<p>No organization will ever give you ultimate peace, fulfillment, joy, purpose, or anything like that. Not even a church.  If you are expecting that from being a leader, you won’t find it.</p>
<p>If you are constantly discouraged or frustrated about your organization, it might be because you are hoping it will give you something only God can give you.</p>
<p>And when you look to people or things to give you what only God can give you, you’re signing up for misery.</p>
<p><em>When you look to people or things to give you what only God can give you, you&#8217;re signing up for misery.</em><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://careynieuwhof.com/dear-discouraged-leader-5-questions-to-ask-before-you-implode/&amp;text=When you look to people or things to give you what only God can give you, you" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Click To Tweet</a></p>
<h2><strong>2. Who Do I Hope Will Affirm Me?</strong></h2>
<p>This is a big one.</p>
<p>We all look for affirmation from people.</p>
<p>Here’s something someone told me a long time ago that I really don’t like because it’s really so true: <em>Never expect the people you lead to affirm you. </em></p>
<p>It’s not fair to them. And ultimately it’s not fair to you.</p>
<p>Your job is to lead them, not to get them to try to affirm you.</p>
<p>Hey, if it comes…awesome. Consider that a bonus. But if you keep looking to them for their praise, you’ll end up sliding down the slippery slope under question 3….</p>
<p><em>Never expect the people you lead to affirm you. (Your job is to lead them, not to get them to try to affirm you.) </em><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://careynieuwhof.com/dear-discouraged-leader-5-questions-to-ask-before-you-implode/&amp;text=Never expect the people you lead to affirm you. (Your job is to lead them, not to get them to try to affirm you.) &amp;via=cnieuwhof&amp;related=cnieuwhof" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Click To Tweet</a></p>
<h2><strong>3. Who Am I Trying to Please?</strong></h2>
<p>You will never please your employees or the people you serve fully.  It’s impossible because we are imperfect people &amp; they are as well.</p>
<p>If you are trying to please other church leader or get recognized, you will be miserable.  You can never keep up with anyone else’s expectations. And you’ll let yourself, your family and ultimately God down.</p>
<p>If you focused on being liked, you won’t lead. You’re insistence on pleasing everyone will mean you ultimately please no one.</p>
<p>Not to mention yourself.</p>
<p><em>If you focused on being liked, you won&#8217;t lead. You&#8217;re insistence on pleasing everyone will mean you ultimately please no one.</em><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://careynieuwhof.com/dear-discouraged-leader-5-questions-to-ask-before-you-implode/&amp;text=If you focused on being liked, you won" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Click To Tweet</a></p>
<h2><strong>4. How Honest Am I Being With Myself and Others?</strong></h2>
<p>If you stuff your leadership failures &amp; missed expectations instead of dealing with them, you will implode or explode one day.  Your discouragement &amp; mine often comes from stuffing things we should just admit and deal with.</p>
<p>If you have a problem with another person, be completely honest with them.  If you are mad at somebody, tell them.</p>
<p>If somebody let you down, let them now.  If you have let yourself down, tell a friend.</p>
<p>Lying and pretending leads to misery.  Just say it. I have done this numerous times and it’s terrible up front but so freeing in the end. And you know what?</p>
<p>Much of the time you end up saving the relationship.</p>
<p>If you won’t be honest with others, you also won’t be able to truly lead them.</p>
<p><em>If you won&#8217;t be honest with others, you also won&#8217;t be able to truly lead them.</em><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://careynieuwhof.com/dear-discouraged-leader-5-questions-to-ask-before-you-implode/&amp;text=If you won" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Click To Tweet</a></p>
<h2><strong>5. What Lie Am I Believing?</strong></h2>
<p>Gurus make it seem so easy don’t they? Go to their conference or buy their product and all your problems disappear. Did you ever buy into that lie at some point?</p>
<p>Chances are you thought leadership would be easier. Well, that’s just a lie.</p>
<p>Identify the lie you are believing &amp; you will crush some of the discouragement.  The lie that marketers sell you is really killing your spirit. We only need to look at the scripture to discover that leadership was rarely easy.</p>
<p>Your discouragement isn’t just discouragement.  It’s a symptom of something deeper going on.  If you want to create a healthy culture in your organization, you can’t live mad all the time.  You can’t be frustrated 24/7.  Take a step today &amp; answer these questions honestly.</p>
<p>I believe it will help you beat your discouragement &amp; get back on the growth track.</p>
<p>It’s a lie to say leadership is easy. It’s the absolute truth, though, that humble, determined, committed leadership is worth it.</p>
<p><em>It&#8217;s a lie to say leadership is easy. It&#8217;s the absolute truth, though, that humble, determined, committed leadership is worth it. </em><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://careynieuwhof.com/dear-discouraged-leader-5-questions-to-ask-before-you-implode/&amp;text=It" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Click To Tweet</a></p>
<h2><strong>Let’s Get You Thriving</strong></h2>
<p>You know what makes leadership harder than it needs to be?</p>
<p>Overwhelm. And almost every leader I know is overwhelmed.</p>
<p>Let me show you how to beat that.</p>
<h2></h2>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-76271" src="https://i0.wp.com/careynieuwhof.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Open-Cart-3.png?resize=1024,1024&amp;ssl=1" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" data-recalc-dims="1" /></p>
<p>Want to find far more time at work and at home?  Want to really crack not just getting a day off, but finding more time for what matters most every single day?</p>
<p>It’s very possible…and I’d love to help you get on top of your everything so you can get your life and leadership back.</p>
<p>If you’re trying to find the time for what matters most in life, my <a href="https://thehighimpactleader.com/open-now" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">High Impact Leader course</a>, is my online, on-demand course designed to help you get time, energy and priorities working in your favour.</p>
<p>Many leaders who have taken it are recovering 3 productive hours <em>a day</em>.  That’s about 1000 hours of found time each year. That’s a lot of time for what matters most.</p>
<p>Here are what some alumni are saying about The High Impact Leader Course”</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>“Thank you, thank you, thank you for providing the course again. It has absolutely made an impact in my life and family already that I can’t even describe.” – First Priority, Clayton County, North Carolina</em></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>“Carey’s course was the perfect way for our team to prepare for the new year. Our team, both collectively and individually, took a fresh look at maximizing our time and leadership gifts for the year ahead. I highly recommend this leadership development resource for you and your team.” Jeff Henderson, Gwinnett Church, Atlanta Georgia</em></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>“A lot of books and programs make big promises and cannot deliver but this is not one of them. I have read so many books and watched videos on productivity but the way you approach it and teach is helpful and has changed my work week in ministry in amazing ways.” Chris Sloan, Tanglewood Church, Kingston, North Carolina</em></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>“Just wow.  Thank you, thank you.” Dave Campbell, Invitation Church, Sioux Falls South Dakota</em></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">“<em>A game changer.” Pam Perkins, Red Rock Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado</em></p>
<p>Curious? Want to beat overwhelm and have the time to reinvent yourself?</p>
<p><a href="https://thehighimpactleader.com/open-now" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Click here</a> to learn more or get instant access.</p>
<h2><strong>What Helps You Beat Discouragement?</strong></h2>
<p>We all get discouraged. What helps you beat it?</p>
<p>Scroll down and leave a comment!</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://careynieuwhof.com/dear-discouraged-leader-5-questions-to-ask-before-you-implode/" rel="nofollow">Dear Discouraged Leader (5 Questions to Ask Before You Implode)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://careynieuwhof.com" rel="nofollow">CareyNieuwhof.com</a>.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="https://careynieuwhof.com/dear-discouraged-leader-5-questions-to-ask-before-you-implode/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-wplink-edit="true">Dear Discouraged Leader (5 Questions to Ask Before You Implode)</a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://church-planting.net/dear-discouraged-leader-5-questions-to-ask-before-you-implode/">Dear Discouraged Leader (5 Questions to Ask Before You Implode)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://church-planting.net">Passion for Planting</a>.</p>
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