Our ministry is His presence, chasing it and basking in it. Our entire journey is consumed by becoming more aware of His manifest presence in our lives. This happens through relationship with Him, knowing His word, His characteristics, and His heart. We can grow in our knowledge and daily application of who He is, and how He operates. Doing so through the practice of conversation with Him (prayer), reading and memorizing His word, and fasting.
We know who we are, and what we are called to. In this, we model life as sons and daughters of the King of Kings. We don't sit back waiting for others to obey and stepforward, but we lead the way. We do not do the minimum, or enough to get by. We seek the highest of quality in what we do, as if we were creating a masterpiece for the walls of Heaven.
While we all bring different experiences whether personal, or in ministry with us to the table; we recognize that our individual experience is not always the standard or commonplace. We submit ourselves to hearig the perspective of others as we are all members of one body, yet different parts. Conversations should be led with humility, and a willingness to listen more than we speak; seeking torestore hope, and bring healing everywhere possible.
We are all gifted, anointed, and called. However, we are all human, and need a Saviour daily. As we journey together toward our destiny, we walk in a continual state of sanctification. The process of which can be difficult at times, and we choose to extend grace to our co-leaders in areas where they may be challenged, or act in a manner that is not Christ-like.
We realize that ministry is relationship, face-to-face, and heart-to-heart. Meaningful relationships however, require intentionality. Leaders tend to find themselves on multiple teams, and places of influence. Therefore, we seek to establish relationship with team members, and members of our community. We make time for each other in the moments of our busy lives. We welcome others. We do these things by weeping with those who weep, and celebrate with those who celebrate.
Leaders at the refuge must be marked by a heart of service to others. Jesus came not to be served, but to serve. (matthew 20:28) Jesus also said, "the two greatest commandments are "you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind/intellect."; and "you shall love your neighbour, as [you do] yourself."(matthewww:37-39) Loving others by serving them is keeping in step with the model of Christ Jesus. True love is putting others before yourself. (luke 22:24-27)
We live out transparency in our lives by seeking to communicate consistently, and constantly. The community we seek to build, can only be built through personal communication, both the good and the bad. We sacrifice our own comfort through humble, open, face-to-face conversations, and actively seek to resolve the discord, and offense that is bound to rise as we live life in close proximity to one another. Practically this looks like addressing these issues in person, or if absolutely necessary, over the phone. We do not use text, emails, or other non-personal means of communication to address heart issues. Modeling Mathew 18:15, w edo this directly with the part of thet e a m that our heart has been hurt by, not through others around us, and sow more discord (triangulation). If necessary we involve a brother or sister that is in leadership above the both of us, if there is an inability to solve the issue.
Working as a team to accomplish a directive or a goal may raise questions, or produce challenges that require further clarification. When these situations arise, we bring the questions, challenges,and hesitations to the table to discuss them as a team. If appropriate, we submit them to our direct oversight (and elders when appropriate) to assist in setting the appropriate boundaries. We rarely operate unilaterally, however, we utilize common sense. How do I know when I need to submit a decision to the team or the senior leaders? Ask yourself, "will this decision affect another ministry outside my own? Does this solution create a different problem? Do I/we personally see, and understand every angle of the situation at hand? Have I/we been given authority to make a unilateral decision?
That said, we are called to many creative expressions, and clear expectations should be set from every level of leadership that allows both to remain in the vein of the vision; yet allow for freedom to create, and express based upon the gifting/anointing of those we lead.
We actively seek the way that we can support each other. In team meetings we work our hardest to share our disagreements or critiques in a way that is healthy and supporting. we take into consideration the hearts of everyone that we are serving alongside. When decisions are made by the team we support them, and help them to succeed with everything that we are capable of. We do not sit back and wait to see it fail, or quietly move against it, when the opportunity arises. When people outside of the team question decisions, or directions we support them, and take hold of equal responsibility for them. We do not pass the buck or blame to someone, and sow seeds of discord, conflict or offense.
We give of ourselves financially, physically, and of our time as an investment in the ministry of the refuge. Beyond financially there are times when extra time is necessary to invest in a project, vision, situation, or into our community.
We value the heart, the passion, and the vision of the young. We seek more for the passion for God, and His people. We actively value, and empower those that push us outside of the old wineskins. We make space for the imperfections that come from new hands, we see that the beauty of Christ's ministry was in the messiness, and we encourage our people to move in the same way. Living in authenticity, rather than pursuing perfection.
We obey the command of Christ to go forth and make disciples. Our approach from the leadership perspective is to replace ourselves. We identify those who have gifts, talents, anointings; sometimes which are unbeknownst to the individual, and call them up higher. This requires intentionality, and is part of spiritual fatherhood or motherhood. The measure of our success as leaders is not having our hands out to receive, but our hands extended to give.