10 Signs You Are An Insecure Leader!
By Perry Noble
#1 – You see people as working for you and not with you.
#2 – Everyone who pushes back on any of your ideas is automatically branded as disloyal. (Because for you “ loyalty” is defined as, “loving everything I say and do!”)
#3 – Every time someone begins to say something good about someone else you always have to be the person who says, “yes, but what you don’t know about them is…” and from that point tear them down under the disguise of being concerned about them.
#4 – You get jealous when someone on your team receives any sort of public affirmation but you are not mentioned at all. (Remember how Saul felt when it was said, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”)
#5 – You cannot celebrate what God is doing in other churches. (OR, you always critique instead of celebrating!)
#6 – You always believe someone on your staff is going to attempt a coup and try to take over your role as a leader. (This leads to suspicion and distrust, which will destroy ANY team.)
#7 – You dismiss what God is doing in another ministry because it does not line up exactly with where you are theologically.
#8 – You lead through intimidation, always threatening to “fire someone” if things “don’t shape up around here.”
#9 – You really do like the fact that people on your staff are afraid of you.
#10 – You feel the need to prove yourself in every meeting you are in by seizing every opportunity you have to speak, believing that everything in the meeting is not going to be its absolute best until you have had your say about it.
Enjoy The Ride,
Cecil
Thursday, February 16, 2012
What Smell Do You Give Off?
Hebrews 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
The word sacrifice stands out as I read these verses. What is sacrifice? It consists of two things: a) something has to be slaughtered; b) something has to go up. When you read the Bible, in the Old Testament times, when people offered a sacrifice, "it" had to be killed and then burned by fire. I'd like to focus on the part where something has to go up.
I can picture charcoal, like the ones used for bar-b-q cooking. When the coal is lit on fire, the smoke that is produced will give of a unique smell. Some like it, some don't. In most cases, its an odor that you can live without. I can also picture a beautiful candle. Before it burns, its potential of filling that environment with an inviting and comforting aroma is endless. It starts to burn and the smoke produced simply can carry that aroma to fill it's environment.
First, would you burn charcoal inside your home or a candle outside your home? It wouldn't make sense to fill my home with the stench of burnt charcoal. It wouldn't make sense to waste the potential of a candle burning outside in the open air. God doesn't want to smell the stench coming from our lives. He rather burn it off by the power of blood of Jesus and let the stench of burnt sin be whisked away by the winds of the open air. In similar fashion, God delights in and abides on the praises of His people. Let our sacrifices of praise be a sweet fragrance captured in the presence of God.
Second, if we were in the place of the charcoal or candle, when our lives get lit up by fiery situations, what smell do we give off? When an unexpected event occurs, how do we react? When a driver cuts us off on the road, how do we respond? When we lose something precious to us, what's our reaction? When we get accused wrongly of actions, what do we do? When our children does not listen to us the first time, where do we go? However our lives might get lit up on fire or we get burned, our response will emit either a stink or a fragrance.
A stink repels people, favor, kindness, etc... A fragrance attracts those and more. God is expecting a sweet aroma of worship and praise to reach His presence from us who were created to worship Him. We have that privilege because Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice. He was slaughtered on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, healing, victory, and eternal life. He gave off a beautiful fragrance when He went thru the fiery times of His life by being a blessing to all of humanity. Praise Him in the good and bad times. Praise Him in the middle of tears and laughs. Praise Him at all times. Do we give off a stink or a fragrance?
Enjoy The Ride,
Cecil
The word sacrifice stands out as I read these verses. What is sacrifice? It consists of two things: a) something has to be slaughtered; b) something has to go up. When you read the Bible, in the Old Testament times, when people offered a sacrifice, "it" had to be killed and then burned by fire. I'd like to focus on the part where something has to go up.
I can picture charcoal, like the ones used for bar-b-q cooking. When the coal is lit on fire, the smoke that is produced will give of a unique smell. Some like it, some don't. In most cases, its an odor that you can live without. I can also picture a beautiful candle. Before it burns, its potential of filling that environment with an inviting and comforting aroma is endless. It starts to burn and the smoke produced simply can carry that aroma to fill it's environment.
First, would you burn charcoal inside your home or a candle outside your home? It wouldn't make sense to fill my home with the stench of burnt charcoal. It wouldn't make sense to waste the potential of a candle burning outside in the open air. God doesn't want to smell the stench coming from our lives. He rather burn it off by the power of blood of Jesus and let the stench of burnt sin be whisked away by the winds of the open air. In similar fashion, God delights in and abides on the praises of His people. Let our sacrifices of praise be a sweet fragrance captured in the presence of God.
Second, if we were in the place of the charcoal or candle, when our lives get lit up by fiery situations, what smell do we give off? When an unexpected event occurs, how do we react? When a driver cuts us off on the road, how do we respond? When we lose something precious to us, what's our reaction? When we get accused wrongly of actions, what do we do? When our children does not listen to us the first time, where do we go? However our lives might get lit up on fire or we get burned, our response will emit either a stink or a fragrance.
A stink repels people, favor, kindness, etc... A fragrance attracts those and more. God is expecting a sweet aroma of worship and praise to reach His presence from us who were created to worship Him. We have that privilege because Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice. He was slaughtered on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, healing, victory, and eternal life. He gave off a beautiful fragrance when He went thru the fiery times of His life by being a blessing to all of humanity. Praise Him in the good and bad times. Praise Him in the middle of tears and laughs. Praise Him at all times. Do we give off a stink or a fragrance?
Enjoy The Ride,
Cecil
Monday, February 13, 2012
My Resignation
After much prayer and reflection, I have made a private decision I need to make public here today. Effective immediately, I am resigning as the Leader of our church. You ask why? The answer is simple: The challenges of leadership here are simply more than I can currently handle. It is difficult for me to admit, but I have been in over my head for some time now. I am inadequate to lead this church. I simply cannot do it alone or be in charge any more. For a long time, I have carried the burden, the decisions, the pain, and the weight of trying to lead this church to greatness.
I thought for a long time I could do it. I thought I could help our church grow and reach more people. I thought I was capable of leading our team and our leaders in accomplishing our mission. I have worked hard to discipline and grow myself as a leader, preacher and visionary for our church. More so than ever before, however, God has shown me that I am not the man for this job. For reasons like this, I have made the decision to resign.
All that being said, I have no plans to leave the church. I just don't want to be the leader anymore. My plan is to continue to serve here, and you will see me around. I may not be as visible, but I will be here. Don't be alarmed by this course of action. When new leadership is securely in place, I covenant to you as a church family: I will follow His leadership.
In fact, I have no intentions of resigning from my actual responsibility as Pastor of First COG Community Worship Service. I am confident that God called me here for a purpose. I know for today that God has called me to be Pastor here. Therefore, I am not resigning from my responsibility as Pastor.
I am simply resigning of any desire to be THE LEADER of CWS. That is not my rightful place as Pastor. Jesus is the Chief Shepherd, and I am accountable to live under His leadership and authority. I confess to you that this has often not been the case. I have usurped His authority. I have disobeyed His commands. I have done what I wanted to do at the expense of what he has told me to do. For that, I am sorry. I have already repented to God. Today, I repent to you, this congregation.
Another caution: this will not be my last resignation. My tendency will be to try to take over God's role in our church from time to time. I will unconsciously try to steal His glory and His position again. So I plan to make resignation as leader of this church more a daily practice in my life and ministry.
In fact, I think it will be important for all of us to remember that Jesus is the Leader of our church. No matter how long we have been at this church or how long we have been Christians, I would be remiss not to admonish us all that none of us deserves to be in charge of His church. Honestly, there are some others among us who think they are. Others of us wish we were at times. For that, all of us need to repent.
This letter serves as notice that every single church leader that calls our church home needs to tender their resignations, as well. None of us have a right to lead this church. None of us can hold on to leadership if we want our church to be successful. We all must resign from leadership. We have all held on to status, position, and control too long. This is not our church. It belongs to Jesus. We all will resign regularly as long as I am the Pastor.
As you tender your resignations, let me encourage you by saying that every time I resign, the craziest thing happens: an amazing transformation happens in my life. I feel liberated. My burdens feel lighter. I feel a sense of incredible relief. I feel relieved to know that I don't have to be the change agent for people. I feel relieved to know that I don't have to envision the future for our church. That's His job. I feel relived to know that I don't have to make things happen through brilliant strategy, leadership, or clever preaching. Life change and church growth is His job. I wish I would have never taken that job away from Him. He is so much more capable than I am.
I'm sorry I ever took that role away from Him, as well. I have resigned. I'll keep on resigning, too. Why? So God can do immeasurably more than I could ever ask or imagine in and through my life; and build HIS church THROUGH me! If that sounds desirable to you, would you join me in tendering your resignation today?
Enjoying The Ride,
Cecil
p.s. this revised letter is derived from the original from "My Resignation" - By Shawn Lovejoy
I thought for a long time I could do it. I thought I could help our church grow and reach more people. I thought I was capable of leading our team and our leaders in accomplishing our mission. I have worked hard to discipline and grow myself as a leader, preacher and visionary for our church. More so than ever before, however, God has shown me that I am not the man for this job. For reasons like this, I have made the decision to resign.
All that being said, I have no plans to leave the church. I just don't want to be the leader anymore. My plan is to continue to serve here, and you will see me around. I may not be as visible, but I will be here. Don't be alarmed by this course of action. When new leadership is securely in place, I covenant to you as a church family: I will follow His leadership.
In fact, I have no intentions of resigning from my actual responsibility as Pastor of First COG Community Worship Service. I am confident that God called me here for a purpose. I know for today that God has called me to be Pastor here. Therefore, I am not resigning from my responsibility as Pastor.
I am simply resigning of any desire to be THE LEADER of CWS. That is not my rightful place as Pastor. Jesus is the Chief Shepherd, and I am accountable to live under His leadership and authority. I confess to you that this has often not been the case. I have usurped His authority. I have disobeyed His commands. I have done what I wanted to do at the expense of what he has told me to do. For that, I am sorry. I have already repented to God. Today, I repent to you, this congregation.
Another caution: this will not be my last resignation. My tendency will be to try to take over God's role in our church from time to time. I will unconsciously try to steal His glory and His position again. So I plan to make resignation as leader of this church more a daily practice in my life and ministry.
In fact, I think it will be important for all of us to remember that Jesus is the Leader of our church. No matter how long we have been at this church or how long we have been Christians, I would be remiss not to admonish us all that none of us deserves to be in charge of His church. Honestly, there are some others among us who think they are. Others of us wish we were at times. For that, all of us need to repent.
This letter serves as notice that every single church leader that calls our church home needs to tender their resignations, as well. None of us have a right to lead this church. None of us can hold on to leadership if we want our church to be successful. We all must resign from leadership. We have all held on to status, position, and control too long. This is not our church. It belongs to Jesus. We all will resign regularly as long as I am the Pastor.
As you tender your resignations, let me encourage you by saying that every time I resign, the craziest thing happens: an amazing transformation happens in my life. I feel liberated. My burdens feel lighter. I feel a sense of incredible relief. I feel relieved to know that I don't have to be the change agent for people. I feel relieved to know that I don't have to envision the future for our church. That's His job. I feel relived to know that I don't have to make things happen through brilliant strategy, leadership, or clever preaching. Life change and church growth is His job. I wish I would have never taken that job away from Him. He is so much more capable than I am.
I'm sorry I ever took that role away from Him, as well. I have resigned. I'll keep on resigning, too. Why? So God can do immeasurably more than I could ever ask or imagine in and through my life; and build HIS church THROUGH me! If that sounds desirable to you, would you join me in tendering your resignation today?
Enjoying The Ride,
Cecil
p.s. this revised letter is derived from the original from "My Resignation" - By Shawn Lovejoy
Friday, February 3, 2012
The Church & The Community
This is a copy and link of an article from NY State Senator Jack Martin's website:
Senator Martins Honors Youth Leaders With Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards
Posted by Jack M. Martins on Wednesday, February 1st, 2012
“These awards were developed to honor outstanding young people who have made a difference in our community and are our next generation of leaders,” said Senator Jack Martins adding, “I’m very proud of each and every one of them. They follow a rich tradition of award winners who are outstanding young people who continue to inspire and motivate their peers.”
State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos said, “The young men and women that Senator Martins and I had the privilege to pass this resolution for are some of the most talented young people I have had the privilege to meet and work with. I join their families in congratulating them and thank Senator Martins for hosting this ceremony and providing the opportunity for us to honor them."
Previous award winners of Senator Jack Martins’ “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards” include: Dillon Williams, Brian Wint, Kevin Johnson, Marvin Lee, Goldie Harrison, Qusarn Caldwell and Tyrone St. Louis.
The awards presentation began with Pastor Cecil Mathew offering words of inspiration to all gathered. MC Sandra Smith thanked award winners for their work and leadership in the community. “The honorees we salute display strong character traits, leadership, a sense of community, respect, social justice and scholarship in their everyday lives.”
Qusarn Caldwell, an Elmont Fire Department Explorer, led attendees in the salute to the flag. Caldwell was a 2011 award winner and was recently named an all-county football star for his achievement on the Elmont Spartan Varsity football squad.
Donald Pierre Louis and Goldie Harrison read passages from Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream Speech,” and commented on the power of his words and meaning that it has to young and old today. Harrison said, “Dr. Martin Luther King was a driving force in the push for racial equality. His “I Have a Dream Speech,” is credited with mobilizing supporters of desegregation and prompted the 1964 Civil Right Act.”
Senator Martins offered remarks and personal reflections on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and how his vision continues to grow in our young people through their work in our communities and academic excellence. “Today is a day where we salute you. Each and every one of these honorees fulfills the dream and lives it through their actions and what they stand for in their lives,” Martins said.
Honorees were presented with New York State Senate Resolutions sponsored by Senator Martins that highlighted their achievement. The resolution was passed on the floor of the Senate in early January.
As honorees came forward to accept their awards with their families, biographies of award winners were read by Bobby King. Honorees were: Greg Calvaire, Thomas Brown, Kyla Ridley, Calveti “Menelik” Nyabingi, Bria Duhaney, Jeffrey Cadet, Grace Cho, Christopher Rothwell, Kyle Johnson, Jasmine Williams, Jonathan Toussaint, Daniel Alexander, Michael Braun, Patrick LaRoque, Cameron Goulbourne, Brianna St. Louis, Taylor Palmer, Bria Fisher, Elijah Ross, Dyani Dawes, Dylan Richards, Rashaan Evans and Shebin Thomas were presented with honors.
As the awards were presented, honorees were given the opportunity to say a few words and thank those who inspired them. Kyle Johnson credited his parents for always being there for him and pushing him to do better. Patrick LaRoque thanked his mother for believing in him. Cameron Goulbourne thanked his family and God for inspiring him and supporting him each and every day.
Greg Calvaire said, “this award is truly a great honor. It continues to motivate and inspire me and I want to thank Senator Martins for recognizing all of us tonight with our families and close friends in a ceremony we will always remember.”
Thomas Brown, a senior at Sewanhaka High School, touched upon his work with children who are victims of child abuse and neglect. He credited his mother for inspiring him to work with those less fortunate and to have an understanding heart.
At the conclusion of the awards, honorees and audience members were entertained by the inspirational musical arrangement of “YGB” or “Young, Gifted and Black.” The lead for the group is a graduate of Elmont Memorial High School Leonard Corley that led a trio with a musical arrangement that had spoken word, passages of R&B and solos."
Enjoy The Ride,
Cecil
Thursday, February 2, 2012
2 Days Before Due Date But...
...it was super in God's timing!
It was a Saturday morning, day before Super Bowl 42 between the
NY Giants & New England Patriots.
We went for a scheduled doctors appointment for Sher and baby that hadn't come out yet. Sher felt the contractions all night before but she says I wouldn't know because I was obliviously sleeping thru the night. Hey, I was just resting up for the day ahead. =)
Medical staff monitors Sher and baby and start doing different things to aid the process but baby doesn't want to come out. A little after 8 pm some moments of stress, concern, prayer, and frantic action quickly played out. Baby goes into distress in the womb, so they decide to go for emergency c-section. At 8:26 pm, God graciously blessed Sher and I with our first child. Hearing that cry was an unbelievable feeling and relief all at same time. A new baby girl had just arrived into this world.
That was 4 years ago from today! Happy 4th birthday to God's gift to us .. Abigail. We have seen God's hand on her life in so many ways. Our prayer has and will always be that she is a blessing to God and He will use her to bless others. Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Enjoying The Ride W/Family,
Cecil
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