Archive for the 'Pastors' Category
Stephen: A Man of Godly Influence
Today ronniefloyd.com welcomes guest writer Dr. Nick Floyd. Dr. Floyd is a Teaching Pastor of Cross Church Northwest Arkansas.
Stephen: A Man of Godly Influence
We are all stewards – but most of the time we think about and preach about stewardship in relation to the management of our finances or elements of time. But consider this: One of the greatest areas of stewardship within our life is our influence.
Every member of our congregation has an influence, whether that is in the business world, in a classroom setting, within their home, etc. Whatever the setting may be everyone has an element of influence.
This past Sunday I posed a question to our congregation: How will you use the influence that God has gifted you with?
Then I issued this challenge: Use the influence God has given you for His purposes and His glory.
The Story of Stephen
Let’s be honest, most individuals use their influence in the same way — all for themselves and for their own advantage. The book of Acts, specifically chapters 6 and 7, calls our attention to a man of God, Stephen, who used his influence for God’s purposes and His glory. I encourage you to thoughtfully reread Acts 6 and 7 to reinforce how important the story of Stephen is to understanding using personal influence for God’s purposes and His glory.
In your reading you will find that Stephen remains a prime example of a man that stewarded his influence to advance the Kingdom of Christ. The text reveals to us that Stephen was not a pastor or an apostle, but rather “just” a Godly man in the church of Jerusalem. We can confidently assume that Stephen was living in such a way that he was viewed as a man of good reputation who was full of the Holy Spirit and Godly wisdom. Stephen’s faith flowed out of the presence of the Holy Spirit in his life —having great faith is a result of being full of the Spirit.
Stephen stood for Jesus Christ, and his stance for Christ cost him his life. Few of our church members will ever be called on to be martyrs but each and every one of them has been called to die unto themselves and follow Christ no matter what the cost. Standing for Christ will always involve a cost. If your people are ready to stand for Christ, then they need to be ready to suffer for Christ. Satan will wage a war against you and your people, thus it is important to reflect on how Stephen suffered well for Christ and influenced the people of Jerusalem.
Questions for Personal Reflection
Where do I have influence?
How can I use that influence to stand for Jesus?
Will I commit to use my influence for God’s purposes and His glory?
Am I being who I need to be so that when God gives me an opportunity to use my influence, there’s nothing standing in the way?
Pastor, I encourage you to ask yourself the questions above and answer them honestly and often, as I will do the same.
May your influence stand for Christ,
Nick Floyd
Teaching Pastor, Cross Church Northwest Arkansas
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
A Pastor and His Calling
There is nothing like the call of God on your life. Within the last few days, I have heard powerful, dynamic testimonies from 58 new missionaries who will depart soon for lands they have never visited before. Each of them has a unique background and journey they testified about. Their commonality is one thing: God called them to go to the nations of the world.
These days have resulted in me thinking about God’s calling in our lives. Since my Wednesday blog is committed to encouraging pastors and God-called spiritual leaders, I want to share with you a few thoughts about a pastor and his calling.
Your Call from God is Unique
Recent days have caused me to remember my own unique journey of God’s call in my life. I had always wanted to be a football coach — high school, college, and/or professional. After I came to Christ, God worked in my life powerfully and it became very clear to me that God was calling me to the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The trajectory of my life changed dramatically.
Pastor, your call from God is unique. Do not ever forget that. God customized your journey. No one else has been on your journey or is on your journey now. There is no reason to demean your call through the human tendency to compare yourself with someone else. This week, reflect upon your call from God.
Where were you when He began to call your name?
What were you doing?
What had you planned to do with your life?
What is He doing through you today?
If you really reflect on these questions, you will discover how great our God is.
Your Call from God is Part of God’s Plan
When the Lord saved you by His grace, He placed within you unique spiritual gifts. Your “gift package” is unique for you and is a part of God’s bigger plan of extending His glory to the corners of every galaxy in the universe. Your gift package is probably not like the one the Spirit of God gave to your spiritual hero. Why?
Pastor, your call from God is unique! We can get so wrapped up in thinking ministry is all about us personally, or our church, or whatever ministry God has called us to. While we may use the word “kingdom,” the conversation needs to be about the Kingdom of God, not our own ministry kingdom. There is one King, King Jesus. This King has saved you, placed on your life a unique calling, and has endowed you with a spiritual package that He wants you to have, all as a part of His big plan. What a mighty God we serve!
Your Call from God is to do His Will
Just as God changed the trajectory of your life when He first called you, don’t get so settled to think He will not call you to do something different. He may choose to really interrupt your life again.
Pastor, always tell Jesus “Yes.” Even before you know the question, the answer is yes! As a Christ-follower and a God-called leader, fulfill God’s will — whatever it is. Try these on when you pray:
*Lord, I am willing.
*Lord, I am available.
*Lord, whatever, whenever, wherever, the answer is yes.
Yes, those are scary phrases. In one way they should be and in another way they should not. When we look back on our calling, it was supposed to be about having the kind of heart that is willing and available to do whatever, whenever, and wherever. By the way, that has not changed.
Your Call from God is to Go Wherever He Leads
I was raised in Texas. I have served 26 years as Lead Pastor of Cross Church in Northwest Arkansas. There have been times it appeared that God was about to call me to somewhere new. Thus far, every time something has proven it was not the will of God. Please understand: Never have I let geography determine my calling from God. Sadly, it sometimes appears that pastors and spiritual leaders often determine where they will go by their own personal preference, rather than by being completely open to God’s will.
Even after all these years leading a wonderful church, having family and close friends with me, and the trust of God’s people, I am willing to go wherever He leads me to go. I will go one step further: I will do whatever He wants me to do. Even though I have pastored all these years, if the Lord would so choose me to do something else, I would do it. You see, years ago I resolved one thing in my life: I am His. I report for duty early every morning. My answer is yes.
What I Have Told my Wife for Years
For years I have told Jeana something and I mean it with all of my heart. We have practiced it. I tell pastors and spiritual leaders this as well. Today, I share it with you:
Always live your life like you will be where you are for your entire life; however, at the same time, always have your bags packed in case He calls your name.
Be willing and be available to go anywhere, at anytime, to do anything.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.