Talent, Tools, Time, and Tenacity

(Reading Time: 6:45) I just finished reading a book by Pete Luongo entitled 10 Truths About Leadership. It refreshed my understanding of something I had learned in management classes in Texas, back in the 70’s. It also reminded me of something I had forgotten. I hesitated to read a non-Christian book on business, but you soon find that if God is leading you, he knows what you need.

I ran across this book entirely by accident as I was perusing through some Christian books at Goodwill. Every time I tried to put it back, the Spirit kept telling me, “Read it!” Being obedient, I bought it and began reading. It’s truths dug down deep in me, confirming and refreshing management techniques I had set aside when I left secular employment and went into full-time ministry. I was so taken by the concise way the author presented these truths that I made an outline of the chapters and taught on its truths on Sunday night. Several of the people who were there that night commented on how it impacted them, so we probably need to add it to our leadership reading list.

Let me briefly share my takeaway from this book:

Talent

One of the most important things I had forgotten, and regret for doing so, is that you can’t put into someone something that is not there. Mr. Luongo explains that you can develop and add skill to a person’s gifts, but you cannot add gifts to the person. As a pastor, if you forget this, you ask people to do things that they are not gifted by God to do. This ruins their ministry and discourages them also in the process. I must remember to recognize God’s gifting on a person and labor to develop the gift that is there. For me, sometimes I am just being wishful, hoping that a person has a gift, rather than letting God reveal it.

Tools

It is a disservice not to equip a gifted person with the tools they need to do the job. Although I’ve never forgotten this management directive, I have spent too much time trying to equip people who are not gifted in the right areas to use those tools. The main way you recognize this is by how people use the resources you have given them. The one will use them to prove a point, the other will use them to build ministry.

Time

One area that I am not gifted in is patience. However, I learned from the book that patience is not a gift as much as it is a learned skill. Proverbs 17:27 tells us that “a man of understanding is even-tempered.” The more you understand what holds people back the better you are at helping them overcome. Having said that, there is still one area in a person’s life that hinders my ability to equip and use them—that is pride.

Everything takes time—and money. However, I have not put money in this list, even though I could have used the word treasure to make it fit. The reason is, I view money as one of the resources you pour into talented, trained people. It takes time to develop people. The money that follows is a natural result of getting it right. The pursuit of money as a goal is a very misguided pursuit.

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. 

Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith 

and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

1st Timothy 6:10, NIV. 

Tenacity

The last point I want to share is probably the most misunderstood. The Lord reminded me of this even before I found this wonderful little book on management. In Second Kings it tells the story of when the prophet Elisha was on his death bed. King Jehoash came to see him and Elisha told him to take an arrow and shoot it out the window. The king did this. Then Elisha told him to take the other arrows and strike the ground with them. The king struck the ground three times. The prophet was disappointed and told the king he should have struck the ground many times (2nd Kings 13:19). This is when the Lord told me to “hit it again.” This is that old proverb that says, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” Tenacity is the ability to keep on keeping on until you obtain the victory—no matter what the circumstances look like.

God has gifted me in this area, but, as I said last Sunday night, I need to be much better in two major areas of ministry. One is conveying the vision God has placed in my heart. Two is outlining clear expectations to those around me of the part they play in that vision. I need to be more tenacious in expressing the vision we have here at Calvary. There are still people who want to be involved, but are not sure what I am asking them to do.

Him Who Has Ears To Hear

Having said all of that, let me conclude with one last issue. There are many people who have a hard time laying down their preconceived notions and ideas, as to even be able to hear what IS being said. This too takes time, teaching, and tenacity. However, it amazes me how new people coming to Calvary can so quickly see what those who have been here for some time continue to miss. So I am perplexed as to whether it is a communication problem or a hearing problem.

Let me express it this way. If there is a constant background noise that you have become accustomed to, your hearing will dismiss it. When another person comes into the room, they will say, “What’s that noise?” You have heard it for so long, that you no longer pay attention to it. A new person, who has not heard it before, has to once again draw your attention to it. This is what I believe God will do at Calvary. As new people come in, they will hear what is being shared, and will even wonder why others are not hearing it.

By this, I am encouraged to “hit it again.” Maybe those who have heard it before will awaken. Maybe those who have just begun to hear it will respond. May the words we sow not fall on deaf ears.

Still other seed fell on good soil.
It came up and yielded a crop, 

a hundred times more than was sown.
” 
When he said this, 
he called out,
“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.””

Luke 8:8, NIV.

Calvary Assemblies of God | 720 N Plum St Union City IN 47390 | Pastor Brian P. Jenkins |  (765) 964-3671 | www.calvaryassembliesofgod.org