Comments on: Leaders who last

By: A. Amos Love

A. Amos Love — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 20:57:56 +0000

DaveAppreciate the effort and time in service for the Lord.I’ve developed a few grey hairs myself. Seen a lot.Lot’s of challenges. Lot’s of broken hearts. Lot’s of broken dreams.I also appreciate your determined attempt to help folks who find themselves in the impossible “position” of being“The Leader” of people sheep. God’s ekklesia. God’s called out one’s.Lot’s of pain, tears and “Spiritual Abuse” for both “Leader” and “Led.”Your own statistics say, 70% don’t finish well. 70% FAIL. Ouch! :-(How about the folks these dysfunctional leaders “Lead?” What is the price they pay?I have seen the dangers of “Titles,” of “Pastors/Leaders.” “Spiritual Abuse” for both the “leader” and those “being led.”IMO – The “Title” “Pastor/Leader” is very, very dangerous for both.In my experience…No matter how loving, eventually…No matter how humble, eventually…No matter how much of a servant, eventually…Pastor/Leader = exercise authority = lord it over = abuse = alwaysSeems we’re seeing the same thing – Pastor/Leader is NOT working.We just have differing ideas on how to approach this catastrophe.I’m for letting Jesus “Lead” “His Disciples.” He’s the best “Leader.” Yes?I’m not not new to “ministering healing” to those who have been “abused”by those who “thought” elder/bishop = pastor/leader.Folks who have been **burnt,** ** burnt out,** ** kicked out,**and **crawled out** of “The Religious System” most call “church.”with it’s leaders, submission to authority, tithes and offerings,and other unbiblical “heavy weights” put on folks shoulders.I also spend time with pastors, “so called leaders,” who can’t do it anymore. Trying to please the denominational leaders, the congregation and it’s leaders, his family, and of course Jesus. Who is often relegated to last place. Hmmm? Serving so many masters, that’s tough; Yes?Preaching every week… and it better be good, being the CEO, the team leader, councilor, marrying, burying, smiley face. etc. etc.After trying for 1700 years, “clergy – laity” still doesn’t work.Jesus said we are “All” brethren. Mat 23:8 -10If “pastors/leaders” (as we see them today) are of God? He’s not taking very good care of His Pastors; Is He?This is info from a website helping burned out Pastors.http://www.pastorcare.org/PastorCare/Healing___Health.html• 77% say they do “not” have a good marriage.• 71% have felt burned out or depressed.• 70% do not have someone they consider a close friend.• 38% are divorced or seriously considering divorce.• Over 1600 pastors in the U.S. are forced out of their positions each monthDave – Think we might have a problem here with “Pastor/Leaders?” 70% of pastors are depressed or burnt out. 70% Don’t have a close friend. Hmmm?That’s who is running the show. “Clergy?” “Pastors/Leaders?” 77% who say they don’t have a good marriage. Hmmm?That’s who is “abusing” God’s sheep. Dysfunctional “Clergy/Leaders.”1600 pastors a month, that’s 19,000 a year are pushed out. Wow!!!That’s a lot of broken hearts, disappointments, feelings of failure, pain, abuse.1600 families a month suffering “abuse” from a “Corrupt Religious System.”Maybe, the denominations, seminaries, leader conferences, who claim they are training and preparing these “Pastor/Leaders,can tell young wannabees, before they spend lot’s of money for a degree,they are entering a very dangerous profession? “Pastor/Leader.”Dangerous for the “Pastor/Leader” and family. Yes?Some more statistics. This is serious business. Yes?http://pastoralcareinc.com/WhyPastoralCare/Statistics.php# 80% believe pastoral ministry has negatively affected their families. …………..Many pastor’s children do not attend church now ……………because of what the church has done to their parents.# 50% of the ministers starting out will not last 5 years. # 33% state that being in the ministry is an outright hazard to their family.#1 reason pastors leave the ministry.Church people are not willing to go the same direction of the pastor. Jesus said, “You can’t serve two masters.”And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:them also I must bring, and they shall hear “my voice;”and there shall be “one” fold, and “one” shepherd.John 10:16One Fold – One Shepherd – One Voice.Be blessed in your search for truth… Jesus.

By: Dave Kraft

Dave Kraft — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:51:16 +0000

The Bible encourages people to step into Leadership roles. I Tim 3:1. Humble leadership-yes. Dependent leadership-yes. Leading and living in such a way that you finish well-yes. I Peter 5 is a chapter that puts leadership in perspective. Jesus never told his disciples not to be leaders, but not to be the wrong kind of leaders! He trained them in leadership and left the leadership of the early church in their hands.

By: A. Amos Love

A. Amos Love — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 21:26:24 +0000

Leaders who last? Hmmm?The front cover of the book says, “Only 30% of leaders last.”Doesn’t that mean, 70% of leaders – FAIL.Seems like a very dangerous “position” to assume. “Leader.”Just wondering how you reconcile the useof the word “leader” With what Jesus said in Mt 23:10 KJV.The word “leader” seems like a “high place.” Yes?Jesus always took and recommended the “low place.” Yes?Jesus humbled Himself, made himself of no reputationand took on the form of a servant.Php 2:7Jesus in Mat 23:10 KJV told His disciples“NOT” to call themselves master/“leaders”for you have one master/”leader” the Christ.King James Version -Neither be ye called masters:for one is your Master, even Christ.The Interlinear Bible -Nor be called leaders,for one is your leader the Christ.Phillips Modern English -you must not let people call you leaders,you have only one leader, Christ.Today’s English Version -nor should you be called leader.your one and only leader is the Messiah.The Amplified-you must not be called masters ( leaders )for you have one master ( leader ) the Christ.Jesus told “His disciples” not to be called “leaders” and none did.Ro 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ…Php 1:1 Paul and Timotheus,the servants of Jesus Christ…Col 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, servant of Christ…Tit 1:1 Paul, a servant of God…Jas 1:1 James, a servant of God…2Pe 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant…His disciples “all” called themselves “servants.”None called themselves “leaders.” None? None.None called themselves “servant-leader.” None.And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:them also I must bring, and they shall hear “my voice;”and there shall be “one” fold, and “one” shepherd.John 10:16One Fold – One Shepherd – One Voice.If Not Now, When?Be blessed and be a blessing.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 16:34:21 +0000

Thanks for this David. I’ve purchased and begun to read the book after reading your review on the tgcreviews site, and have found it very helpful so far. What other books would you place in your top three books on leadership?

By: David Murray

David Murray — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 09:43:59 +0000

Thanks so much for the note, Dave. I look forward to getting in touch in the next few days.

By: Dave Kraft

Dave Kraft — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 04:23:37 +0000

First of all thank you, Dr. Murray, for this very kind and extensive review of my book. I would love to contact you. Please email me or call me at 206 816 3767.ThanksDave Kraft