Tim King Leadership

  My ramblings for the week!   Earlier this week I was asked by a non-Christian what I thought the purpose of the church was in today’s age and what my own position was regarding the church? He admitted to me that his own experience was limited to a few bad personal encounters with what I would describe as overzealous believers more interested in getting a convert than building a relationship, and more concerned in declaring that we live in the end times and that hell, brimstone and eternal damnation will come to those who do not repent. He also told me that in his endeavour to research Christianity, he had visited a great many different churches. It became obvious to me that this person was a seeker and that he had embarked on a journey. I explained to him that the church was many things; a hospital and place of healing for the sick, a counselling centre for those who had sociological issues. A place of refuge and a place where the hungry can find sustenance. A school...

  Bursting the Bubble. Last night I was scrolling through one of my social media sites, as you do, just before you sit down to dinner. I came across a friend's page and saw an advert, suitably captioned, that she had posted from her local church. As I continued to scroll through my site, I saw the same picture with the same caption posted a dozen times by a number of people who went to that church. The Ad in question was a photo of their pastor, on the platform, saying how great a preacher he was and how they couldn't wait for Sunday. Here is what I see and what I think is the problem with a great many church cultures: ·          The social media post I have mentioned was only circulated among the Christians of that particular church. ·            The post wasn't targeted at 100's of non Christians in the community. ·          The caption praised th...

  Christian leaders: It's about calling not celebrity. Let me state clearly. Church is about two things; Jesus and people. Church is not about music, image or agenda. Church leadership is about two things; calling, and character (fruit of the Spirit).  It is not about having a degree or going to one of the so called enthused 'hip' bible colleges If you have a true calling from God you will be concerned about the church and people, not image or how you appear on TV. However in recent times we have had high profile pastors, of large congregations, have extra marital affairs, indulge in sexual abuse, sexually exposing themselves and others living a lavish lifestyle far beyond that of any of their parishioners and doing so as though it were their right. Now I have met the leader of the denomination that has had to fire and remove from ministry the people guilty of the above transgressions. I don't know him personally, I have only had the privilege of interviewing hi...

  Learning to look for a new perspective. I was talking to a leader who had called me for some advice and help a few months ago. After assessing the situation and listening to his ideas, I made some suggestions on how he could turn the situation around and make some really important and pertinent changes in his church. I believed that those changes were vital not only to his survival personally, but also to the relevance of his church in his community. In the course of the conversation he said to me "I can't do that because God hasn't told me to do that" I find it very difficult to then continue the conversation when I hear statements such as this. Who am I to argue with the Almighty.   It got me thinking about when God speaks to us and how God speaks to us as leaders. I sometimes- in my more bored moments, watch God TV. I see the TV evangelists selling their wears and telling us they had this great conversation with God. God told them this and God told them that ...

 I wrote this in 2014 I think it is even more relevant now. Over the last few months I have been looking at the concept that everyone has an agenda. One of the things I have said is that even churches have an agenda. Some are cults and want to indoctrinate you into a particular set of beliefs. Others just want your money, if you give you will get mentality. The other day I was challenged as a Christian leader to explain what my ministry agenda was. There are many different churches with many different ministry emphasis, here are a few of my favorites: The End Times emphasis; There are many small churches that have a consistent stream of ministries coming through their churches preaching that the end is near and that Jesus is coming back soon. Or at least by this time next week. They close the doors and let their ears be tickled by the expert analysis given by the expert preacher on the events unfolding right on their doorstep. The money we use is valueless, credit cards are of the ...

  Jesus: The mega church leader with a servant heart. A few months ago I uploaded a blog referring to Jesus as the first mega church leader. This was a little tongue in cheek dig at modern day mega church leaders and their attitudes. I would like to take up this theme again. I do this as a protest against those mega church leaders and those who think like mega church leaders. I am not here to bash anyone, but the more I hear of events at the Hillsong church in New York, the angrier I get with leaders who forget where they have come from, who they represent and who they serve. Mega Church leaders walk around wearing the latest designer fashion, they do this partly to never grow old and always be relevant to the youth they appeal too, and also to make them trendier when appealing to the celebrities that attend their churches. They drive around in the newest SUV to make sure the status symbol is seen. They make sure the house they live in is in an upmarket suburb and that they hav...

 I was listening this week to an old friend talk on spiritual leadership. In light of what has happened in a number of mega churches and in other Christian organisations, these last few months. I felt it would be great to once again listen to some common sense. Instead of leading by lust we should learn to lead by love. As we raise up other leaders we should do so through love. Laying down our ego, ambitions and personal success and turn again to Jesus, the author and finisher of our salvation. Just click on the link and enjoy the video and notes. https://alexanderventer.com/raising-up-new-leaders/