Line of the Week

May 30, 2008 in Leadership with 2 Comments

This one was a toughie.  Not that we’re shooting for best picture at the Oscars or anything, but just because I really enjoyed the discussion.

Here the line of the week, written by you on this blog.  This week’s is from my friend Dan Scott.  Sorry if it’s a paragraph, but I thought it was worth quoting:

I know that I create great programs, design my butt off, and can
communicate from the stage like the best of them. But if that is what
I’m known for, I’ve failed in ministry.

I want to be known as the guy who cared for people and went above and beyond to make sure they felt loved.

Ouch.  I picked it Dan, because your point is too close to my story.  I can be great at what I do, but suck at love.  Thanks for helping me focus on what matters.

No substitutes allowed.  Love is the real deal.  Jesus, help me love more.

About Carey Nieuwhof: Carey Nieuwhof is lead pastor of Connexus Community Church and author of the best selling books, Leading Change Without Losing It and Parenting Beyond Your Capacity. Carey speaks to North American and global church leaders about change, leadership, and parenting.

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  • Kathy

    Seems to me that love and doing what you do well are not mutually exclusive. Can we not demonstrate our love for God and others by using well the gifts He gave us?

  • Bill Laxton

    Yep, love is the key here. Scripture says very clearly that what comes out of our mouths is what comes from our hearts. I agree with Kathy too that what we do well is not exclusive of love. I have come to realize that when I am coming from a place of God's love in my heart, that the things I do best and truly enjoy are then used by God through me to help others.

    I try to do many things; some work out and some do not. But when I do something from a place of love then it always works out…not necessarily the way I envision it working out, but rather as God sees that it should work out.

    The most important thing that I have been trying to pursue lately is to have God's love as the centre of my life. When I am successful at keeping that focus, everything else tends to flow, whether it is fixing a bicycle, doing my job or talking to my wife. Best of all, when I remember to live in God's love, I am at peace. May that peace be with you all.