Operating in the Spirit of Kingdom Excellence with Towanda Coles

This message was shared at High Calling Ministries in Upper Marlboro,MD. It’s a message that shifted me while I was sharing it as I believe the Lord was transitioning me in that moment to prepare me for the work He was bringing me into. 

This message is one that will challenge you to separate yourself from the status quo and courageous step into the next season of your life. 

There are places and spaces where the Lord wants to take you that demands a more mature version of who you are today.

I pray the message blesses and challenges you to move from where you are and GROW to where GOD would have you to be. 

Book Reference: 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John C. Maxwell

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and we encourage you to get the help and support you need. Seek resources online or from trusted leaders and mentors who can point you in the right direction. Remember, it's ok not to be ok and it takes courage to step out and ask for the help and support you need. 

Key Takeaways:-"GOD didn't call me to be perfect, He called me to be me". ~ Minister Eugene Griffin

-"Don't let the church kill you". ~ Pastor Christopher M. Brown

-"Don't chase the platform because it could end up hurting you if you are not graced for it". ~ Minister Eugene Griffin

Self-Leadership Tips:-Leaders are learners. However, if you consume information, do it consistently. -Be a lifelong student. Do not discriminate where you get information from; even if you disagree with it. -Consistently work on your craft

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the Operating in the Spirit of Kingdom Excellence podcast.

Keys to remember when navigating transition in the local church:

1. The Power of Prayer - Remember,  this is the Lord’s church, we serve under His domain, we follow His blueprint as provided for us in His word, and we turn to Him, not our preferences, opinions, education, or influence for how we should manage the transition in His church.
2. The Importance of Preparation - The preparation process reveals character, one's ability to be humble and teachable, whether one can be accountable, how one handles correction and spiritual discipline, how one demonstrates their submission to serve in areas where they’re needed and not necessarily where they want to serve.  Before the promotion, one must be prepared for the assignment. This waiting period, this time of preparation is a prerequisite for effective leadership. Do not be swift in promoting the gifted but wait for the demonstration of the anointing by the fruit that is produced without a position, without a title, without a platform.
3. The Responsibility to Propel - To propel simply means to help move forward. After we’ve prayed to GOD for wisdom, and instruction, sought counsel in helping to formulate a plan for facilitating a change or transition, and have done the necessary work in preparation through coaching, training, and development it is time to move forward. No one ever said the change would be easy or embraced, however, when we are clear we’ve heard from GOD, He will make all things right in His time. Transition is not just happening to our seasoned saints in terms of asking GOD what’s next but for our emerging leaders who are stepping into new roles and responsibilities asking, what am I supposed to do now? GOD requires us to steward well what has been entrusted to us and we want to ensure we manage our seasons of transition well.

Recommended Resources:

Next - Pastoral Succession that Works

Kingdom Excellence is obedience. ~ Pastor Jeff Morton

Balancing marriage and ministry will always be a work in progress and will look different for every couple based on where they are in their journey.

Keys To Balancing Marriage + Ministry

:Have a solid prayer life!

:Be intentional with checking in with how you’re feeling

:Be ok with sitting with how you’re feeling no matter how vulnerable it makes you feel

:Give yourself grace in every space

:Allow your spouse space to have an outlet

Pastor Jeff is currently reading Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis and Lady Ariel is reading Dare to Lead by Brene Brown and The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazzero. You can find these and other leadership resources here https://kingdomexcellenceconsulting.my.canva.site/

How to Engage with Pastor Jeff and Lady Ariel Morton on social media:

Instagram

: @mrsarielmorton

: @j.morton1

: @therhythmofpeace - Family Based Mental Health Services servicing the Baltimore area

: @isrealife

Proverbs 24:3 NKJV

“Through wisdom, a house is built, and by understanding, it is established.” We can build the house but if we do not establish it, it will not last.

We must be careful to guard ourselves against thinking different is wrong. We need to honor the wisdom and experience of our seasoned senior leaders as well as honor and respect the ingenuity and youthful perspective of emerging leaders.

Key Components for Demonstrating Honor in the Local Church:

• Submission
• Obedience
• Humility

There are certain battles you will not win with your education because we’re in spiritual warfare. It is important for all leaders, but especially emerging leaders, to be humble and recognize spiritual principles that apply to spiritual warfare so that you can face the battles GOD has positioned us to win.

When leading in the local church, you must be in a relationship with the people you are called to steward.

Servant leadership is service before leadership.

One issue observed in the 21st-century church is the selection of leaders without a track record of service in either small areas or without a title.

Honor plays a huge part in how you serve in the church; you can serve but can you serve honorably.

A key component to understanding leadership in the church is how your honor your spiritual leaders.

How to Connect with Pastor Jason Woods, Sr.

Facebook - Jason Woods

Instagram - @jazzforlyfe

Ways to Stay Encouraged While Serving in Ministry

• Always Remember the Why; GOD has called us to this work. We do what we do for the glory of GOD and not for the praise of man.
• Get Connected to Community; Surround yourself with those who will love, affirm and support you and remind you that you’re doing a GREAT JOB! Remember, serving in ministry is costly. Be intentional about surrounding yourself with family, trusted friends, and advisers who will give you the extra push you need.
• Focus on what’s working; Spend time building, developing, and improving what is working and remind those serving with you that the team is about great work. Focusing on what’s not working can drain you of your time and energy and can be an entryway for discouragement to creep in.
• Delegate; Everything does NOT require your attention; learn to empower others and allow them to flex their leadership muscles. We should never make serving in ministry about us and about what others can do for us but about what we can do for GOD together.
• Establish boundaries; NO is a complete sentence and requires no explanation. Burnout comes as a result of poor boundaries and trying to shoulder the responsibility of doing all the things on your own.
• Get Help; Train, develop, and leverage volunteers and other team members to help you. Be ok with things not being handled the way you would do it; instead, be encouraged there are others willing and able to assist you.

Towanda has put together a list of resources to help grow in your leadership capacity. Take a look at the full list of resources here to add to your personal library or to study together with your ministry teams.

Today’s guest is Pastor George W. Hawkins Jr, the Sr. Pastor or High Calling Ministries in Upper Marlboro, Md.
He and his wife have been married for over 30 years and are the proud parents of an adult son.