Ron Harris

Pathway to a Vision

My Bible app from bible.com gets a workout daily. For many years I have used it to track my progress as I read through the Bible using one of their many plans. And I love the ability to switch between translations for better clarity of God’s Word. My current favorites are the New Living Translation (NLT) and the New English Translation (NET).

From time to time I will also use one of the various short-term reading plans. They are usually topical and provide focused insight on different facets of our spiritual lives. The current one I am using is on Leadership and Personal Development.

Today, as I read both the scripture passage and the devotional insight, I was reminded there are many good books available for anyone who is in a leadership role. But for the Christian leader, our best practices...our best directions...come from God’s powerful Word.

The devotion writer highlighted Jesus’ teaching to His disciples. After talking again and again about the kingdom to come, Jesus shared the reality of His path toward the vision.

[blockquote author="Mark 8:31 NLT" link="" target="_blank"]And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.[/blockquote]

The devotional writer points out that a good leader shares more than just the glorious vision.

“Any leader who paints the goal without painting the path to that goal is in danger of failing to realize the vision.”

John Ryan is the head of the Center for Creative Leadership. He says, “Leadership success always starts with vision.” But Ryan follows that with this insight.

“Compelling visions can change the world. But staying invested in them can be extremely difficult when hard times arrive.”

Jesus was letting His disciples get a glimpse of the hard times that would come on their pathway to His vision. Later, the Apostle Paul would be shown the highs and lows of what God had for him in ministry. At his dramatic conversion, the Lord said that Paul would “...take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

Speak before kings...AND suffer hardship. God laid out the pathway to the vision. And later in his ministry...having suffered great perils, hardships, and abuse...Paul could say to one of the kings the Lord spoke about,

[blockquote author="Acts 26:19 (NASB)" link="" target="_blank"]So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision....[/blockquote]

The lesson? If we are to effectively share our vision as Christian leaders, we must also tell of the challenges to be encountered on the pathway. Those who follow will be better able to stay on task, on the pathway toward the vision. Great examples from God’s textbook for Christian leaders.

by Ron Harris

Leadership isn't for wimps!

As a leader, you have a lot pulling on you and pressing you into certain molds. Others look to you expectantly to make the right decision every time. And the pressure can build. No, leadership is not for wimps. It sometimes requires a “thick skin” to not be impacted by things others say about your decisions or your style. It often requires a tender heart that empathies with those whom the Lord has placed in your care. And it always takes godly wisdom to give good, visionary leadership.

I have quoted the late Fred Smith in past writings. His daughter Brenda keeps his legacy alive at the website www.breakfastwithfred.com. Here are a couple of Fred Smith’s answers to some common questions posed to this wise mentor.

How do I view bad experiences? I am known for my one-liners. For example, “wait to worry” has been quoted by speakers and writers throughout the country. Another one is “never lose the good of a bad experience.” The story of Joseph in Scripture is a clear example of this principle. As his brothers recognized him, they expected retribution for their despicable treatment of him as a young man. However, he responded, “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.”

We can never deny the reality of bad situations, but we must endure them and look for the good. And, often we need time to see the outcome and the good.

Do I motivate or manipulate others? Of course, the definition of each forms the answer. I have a basic rule that motivation is recognizing mutual interest and manipulation is focused only on what is to my advantage.

Many times, leaders will assert they are motivating, but in truth, they are manipulating for selfish purposes instead of serving the other person. I know of a writer who said he was writing a book on motivation titled, “How to get others to do what you want.” That was not motivation; that was manipulation.

Fred Smith got his wisdom from God’s Word. As his daughter puts it, “He knew how to take Scripture and put it in everyday language which could be readily applied.” Isn’t it amazing that the guidelines for leadership today can be found in the Ancient Text...God’s Holy Word? It should drive us to invest more time in Scripture and less time in worldly “wisdom.”

by Ron Harris

Better than a Goal

Is there something better than setting goals and achieving them? Maybe so. It may be that developing systems versus setting goals can help us accomplish important things. And systems can also bring a sense of satisfaction through the journey.

James Clear is an author, using behavioral psychology to shape how we do things. His stated goal is to explore how we can live better. While I don’t know much about the man, his ideas on becoming more effective in our daily life and work are thought-provoking.

What is the difference between goals and systems. James Clear explains:

• If you're a coach, your goal is to win a championship. Your system is what your team does at practice each day.

• If you're a writer, your goal is to write a book. Your system is the writing schedule that you follow each week.

• If you're a runner, your goal is to run a marathon. Your system is your training schedule for the month.

• If you're an entrepreneur, your goal is to build a million-dollar business. Your system is your sales and marketing process.

Clear feels that setting goals, which have some value, can actually make us less productive and bring less satisfaction to our daily lives. Clear says,

“...when it comes to actually getting things done and making progress in the areas that are important to you, there is a much better way to do things. It all comes down to the difference between goals and systems.”

Clear feels that you can achieve more by setting up systems than by setting and shooting for a goal. Some of his points are:

1. Goals reduce your current happiness. We constantly measure where we are to the goal we have set, and we come up short. Clear says, “When you're working toward a goal, you are essentially saying, ‘I’m not good enough yet, but I will be when I reach my goal.’” Clear suggests we commit to a process, not just a goal.

2. Goals are at odds with long-term progress. When a goal is achieved, there is a tendency to slack off, to “rest,” to slow down. If you are in a system or process that leads to achieving, you are developing a lifestyle that will carry you beyond interim goals.

3. Goals suggest you can control things around you. Each time we set a goal, we are trying to predict the future, including all that will transpire along the way. Clear suggests setting feed-back loops, times of assessment, that allow you to gauge how you are doing.

My first thought is that goals have value. I think that’s why the Apostle Paul said, “...I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:14 NLT) Certainly, a goal.

And James Clear allows that goals have their place.

[blockquote author="" link="" target="_blank"]...goals are good for planning your progress and systems are good for actually making progress.[/blockquote]

Goals...or systems? Some food for thought.

by Ron Harris

Privilege, Power, or Responsibility

I was reading some quotes from Peter Drucker the other day. Drucker was an Austrian-born American management consultant, educator, and author, whose wisdom helped lay the corporate business foundation as we know it today.

I remember reading his book, The Effective Executive many years ago, and being amazed with his insight. Later I picked up a copy of his book, Managing the Non-Profit Organization: Principles and Practices. I learned a lot. For instance, Drucker talked about the “product” of a nonprofit organization. See if it applies to your organization or church.

[blockquote author="" link="" target="_blank"]The ‘non-profit’ institution neither supplies goods or services nor controls. Its ‘product’ is neither a pair of shoes nor an effective regulation. Its product is a changed human being. The non-profit institutions are human-change agents. Their ‘product’ is a cured patient, a child that learns, a young man or woman grown into a self-respecting adult; a changed human life altogether.[/blockquote]

That is powerful. What is the purpose...the product...of our Christian radio or television ministry? What about our online efforts? I believe the goal should be that changed life.

There is debate about whether Drucker was a Christian, though some, like Rick Warren, believe the business guru was a believer. At any rate, Drucker shared words of wisdom in the management and corporate realm that many value. He died in 2005.

Another one of Peter Drucker’s quotes:

[blockquote author="" link="" target="_blank"]Rank does not confer privilege or give power. It imposes responsibility.[/blockquote]

I have seen quite a few leaders get in trouble because they didn’t understand that truth. They think that their position gives them a lot of privileges and power. Soon they are bending rules, spending ministry money for themselves, and generally not being accountable. They consider themselves above the rules because of the rank they have achieved. Dangerous. Certainly in the corporate world. But in the faith-based realm, devastating.

In The Message, Eugene Peterson shares Paul’s warning to the Corinthians about thinking too highly of your position or your possessions.

[blockquote author="1 Corinthians 4:7-8 MSG" link="" target="_blank"]For who do you know that really knows you, knows your heart? And even if they did, is there anything they would discover in you that you could take credit for? Isn’t everything you have and everything you are sheer gifts from God?[/blockquote]

Is the focus of your ministry a changed life...changed by the power of the Lord Jesus? And do you serve in leadership with a humble heart...knowing that every ability, every gift you have is from above, from the Father of lights? (James 1:17)

Privilege? Power? Or humble responsibility?

by Ron Harris

Know Your Audience

Do you know who your listeners or viewers are? Do you have a target for the programming you produce or carry on your media outlet? In the United States we have broadcast consultants who encourage most radio broadcasters to narrow their focus, to find a niche and super serve that audience. There is some wisdom in that, especially in a major market of millions of people with 50 or more radio stations. If you are going to sell products or grow an audience, you have to stand out and connect with a particular group.

By the way, this is nothing new. All the way back in ancient history, Aristotle understood the need to know your audience and to tailor your message for the audience if you were going to be effective in persuading them to action.

What about Christian broadcasters? Do we need to know our audience? Absolutely. It is not enough to have a message to deliver. We need to deliver it in a way that our particular audience can receive it and act upon it. In simple terms, we need to speak their language. In fact, Aristotle spoke about this, too.

[blockquote author="Aristotle, 384-322 BC" link="" target="_blank"]To write well, express yourself like the common people, but think like a wise man.[/blockquote]

We need to remember, however, that our understanding of the audience isn’t simply for selling a product or building an audience, it is for proclaiming truth...God’s Truth. There is a point where we, as Christian communicators, need to broadly and boldly broadcast the truth of salvation...of sin...of being lost if we are without Christ as Lord...to our audience. In that case, we may need to define our audience differently.

My recent Bible reading took me through 1 Kings and 2 Kings. In these portions of God’s Word, the kings of Israel and of Juda are defined in the broadest of terms. Either they did right in the sight of the Lord, or they did evil in the sight of the Lord. They either followed God’s ways or they followed the ways of idol worship. While there were other things written about the various kings of Israel and Judah, this is what stands out most.

Sometimes we need to recognize that our audience falls into one of two categories. Saved or lost. Followers of Christ or followers of the world. On the narrow path to heaven or on the wide road to hell. And there are times we need to make programming decisions that address this audience. My friend, Dr. O. S. Hawkins says that many people don’t know they need to be saved because they don’t know they are lost. We need to be sure that the lost in our audience...and they are there...understand their lost condition. And they need to know how to get on that narrow path that leads to eternal joy.

Do you know your audience? Will they understand and act upon your message?

by Ron Harris

The “Whatever’s” of Ministry

The tree, the decorations, the lights are going down. The fireworks and celebrations for the New Year are over. Now, for most…it’s back to the “ordinary.”

When people ask me about this wonderful ministry in which God has allowed me to serve, I occasionally answer that, as great as it is, sometimes ministry just seems like work. And it does. Balancing out the great experience I have serving those in Christian media around the globe are days where I just work. Head down. On the computer. Writing. Scheduling. Fundraising. Filing papers. The list goes on.

It is on those days that I need to recall God’s direction from Ecclesiastes that says,

[blockquote author="Ecclesiasts 9:10a NASB" link="" target="_blank"]Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might;[/blockquote]

The “whatever’s” of ministry can be pretty broad…and occasionally boring. Yet they are part of what the Lord has for us to do.

Most if the time, those days of preparation…the day-to-day…the mundane…the ordinary…enable us to enjoy and experience the mountaintop experiences.

By the way, those ordinary days are no less ministry than the exciting days. They are no less a part of what God has for us than when we see His amazing hand moving, with lives being changed and souls being saved.

Eugene Peterson, who is well known for his paraphrase of the Bible, called The Message, also wrote a book on discipleship. I love the name of it.

A Long Obedience in the Same Direction:

Discipleship in an Instant Society.

Our long-term goal of serving the Lord does not change in the midst of the mundane. We are carried through the days of “just work” by the high calling of Christ.

It is the same reason the athlete prepares for years, to reach for the prize at the Olympics or the World Cup. It is the reason the pastor spends untold hours in research and in prayer before stepping into the pulpit. And it is the reason we stay everlastingly at the task, even when we don’t see the immediate gratification that our culture longs for.

[blockquote author="II Thessalonians 3:13" link="" target="_blank"]But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.[/blockquote]

[blockquote author="Galatians 6:9" link="" target="_blank"]Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.[/blockquote]

So…with the promise of God’s Word, the encouragement of His admonition, and the hope of His high calling…hang in there today. It’s all ministry...and it’s all for His good.

by Ron Harris

New Things

I like new things. New clothes. New tools. Even new “toys” like the quad-copter drone one of my daughters got me for Christmas. Wait. It has a camera. It’s a media tool, right?

God understands us so well. He knows how we react to something new. Through Isaiah, God let us know what He was doing was something different from the past.

[blockquote author="Isaiah 48:19a NLT" link="" target="_blank"]...I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?[/blockquote]

The New Year will surely hold new things for all of us. Yes, we will likely drag some of the old stuff over into 2018. But our Lord is creative, and He is working out His new thing right now. See, the Lord says, I have already started on the new things for you. Don’t you see it?

If you are like me, I’m wondering what God’s new thing will be. I want to see it. I have to improve my faith vision to see what the Lord is placing before me. Of course, it may stretch us and move us beyond what is comfortable. It may rock us back on our spiritual heels as we confront the new things. But if it is from the Lord Jesus, you know it is going to ultimately be good.

[blockquote author="Isaiah 48:19b NLT" link="" target="_blank"]The rest of that passage in Isaiah is interesting. Listen.

I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.[/blockquote]

A pathway. A river. A communication link. A way to get from here to there. A new frequency. A new digital technology. Who knows what the Lord has for us in this new year and the years that follows? Will we embrace it? Will we explore it? Will we even see that it is God who is providing this new thing?

Yes, it is easier to keep doing the same thing the same way. It is more comfortable to stay in our own area of understanding and experience. But God is up to something new. And the results will be amazing. Refreshing. Powerful. Again, from Isaiah 48:

[blockquote author="Isaiah 48:20 NLT" link="" target="_blank"]The wild animals in the fields will thank me, the jackals and owls, too, for giving them water in the desert. Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland so my chosen people can be refreshed.[/blockquote]

So...what is the new thing that God is doing in your life, in your ministry in this New Year?

by Ron Harris