SMBC Principal’s Message

Ads sent me this today:

i was just having a flick through the principal’s message archive on the smbc website & was heaps encouraged. if you get a spare second today, fire it up, have a read, and be encouraged. how solid is our God!

Check it out here

Glory to God Alone

490 years ago on October 31, 1517 a movement began. Martin Luther was a tough nut German monk. It was on that day that he nailed a list to a church door in Wittenberg. What was on the list? 95 problems he had with the church at the time. This event was the beginning of what is now known as the Protestant Reformation.

HAPPY REFORMATION DAY!

Amongst other things, there were significant problems with what the Roman Catholic church were teaching about how it is that someone can be saved. There were 5 slogans that emerged during the Reformation that help to summarise something of what the Bible says about salvation.

Here are a bunch of Bible verses that clearly teach these truths.

SCRIPTURE ALONE

14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:14-17

FAITH ALONE

21But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Romans 3:21-28

GRACE ALONE

4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5

8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

CHRIST ALONE

15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:15-20

GLORY TO GOD ALONE

13Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” 14The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. Revelation 5:13-14

EDIT: For more Reformation Day action and reading check out this symposium.

The Art of Delegation

I caught up with the big boss today and talked through delegation. Good times. Here is a summary of 10 levels of delegation:

  1. “Wait to be told.” or “Do exactly what I say.” or “Follow these instructions precisely.”
  2. “Look into this and tell me the situation. I’ll decide.”
  3. “Look into this and tell me the situation. We’ll decide together.”
  4. “Tell me the situation and what help you need from me in assessing and handling it. Then we’ll decide.”
  5. “Give me your analysis of the situation (reasons, options, pros and cons) and recommendation. I’ll let you know whether you can go ahead.”
  6. “Decide and let me know your decision, and wait for my go-ahead before proceeding.”
  7. “Decide and let me know your decision, then go ahead unless I say not to.”
  8. “Decide and take action – let me know what you did (and what happened).”
  9. “Decide and take action. You need not check back with me.”
  10. “Decide where action needs to be taken and manage the situation accordingly. It’s your area of responsibility now.”

Read more info on each here

In order to grow a ministry (or business or whatever) I think leaders need to be effective in delegation. I’m getting better at it…

What’s the deal with your delegation skills… good… bad… or ugly?