In my study for our current series on Nehemiah, Fearless, I came across this list of 21 Attributes of a Leader from observations of Nehemiah by Donald K. Campbell in his book, "Nehemiah: Man in Charge" (p. 23).  While Campbell's book is over 30 years old, I thought those of you interested in becoming more effective leaders would appreciate his insight:

1. He established a reasonable and attainable goal.
2. He had a sense of mission.
3. He was willing to get involved.
4. He rearranged his priorities in order to accomplish his goal.
5. He patiently waited for God’s timing.
6. He showed respect to his superior.
7. He prayed at crucial times.
8. He made his request with tact and graciousness.
9. He was well prepared and thought of his needs in advance.
10. He went through proper channels.
11. He took time (three days) to rest, pray, and plan.
12. He investigated the situation firsthand.
13. He informed others only after he knew the size of the problem.
14. He identified himself as one with the people.
15. He set before them a reasonable and attainable goal.
16. He assured them God was in the project.
17. He displayed self-confidence in facing obstacles.
18. He displayed God’s confidence in facing obstacles.
19. He did not argue with opponents.
20. He was not discouraged by opposition.
21. He courageously used the authority of his position.

"View from the Bridge" July 23, 2010 from FaithBridge Church on Vimeo.

Did you know you can learn a lot about a person based on what they are read? If there is a bookshelf in the home of someone Rachel and I are visiting, I often go take a look … sometimes over a coffee or lunch I like to ask what a person is reading … these often provide important insight into that person.

“Leaders are readers” … that idea has been ingrained in me by various influential men in my life over the years. The reality is: reading typically demonstrates that a person is growing intellectually personally and, hopefully, learning more and more about the world around them.

Since I am a little ADD (that’s as good of an excuse as anything) I like to read multiple books at once. Here are the books I am currently working on:

“He is not silent: preaching in a post-modern world.” By Al Mohler I try to read a book a year on the art of preaching. This is my first one for this year … Mohler has challenged me to revisit some of the way I approach this key part of my calling.

“Peace child” by Don Richardson This mission story is a classic and I have been meaning to read for quite some time. The truth is, I bought it for my kids to read but jumped on it before they could get their hands on it.

“Do hard things” by Alex and Brett Harris and Chuck Norris  This is another book I bought for my kids to read this summer; it is a challenge to teenagers to live up to their God-given potential and reject our cultural norm of passive irresponsibility granted most teenagers. One of my kids grabbed this one before me, though, … I think Grant is almost done!

Change your Brain, Change Your Body” by Daniel Amen I want to be as mentally and spiritually sharp as possible in order to live out my calling to make the greatest possible impact for the Lord as possible with my time, talents and treasure. Alzheimer’s disease runs in my family and I am reading this book looking for both ways to give me greater mental focus now and as a preventative for what may be in my medical future.

“Values Driven Leadership” by Aubrey Malphurs Everything rises and falls on leadership ability – personally, in my family and ministry. So, there is almost always a book on leadership on my current reading list. Malphurs is well known for his expertise in this area. The book has been around for a while but I am just now getting to it.

“The Cross and Christian Ministry” by D.A. Carson
I also try to balance my reading with at least one text on the deeper, finer points of theology. Dr. Carson is truly one of the most intelligent and biblically conservative men I have come across in recent years. This has been especially valuable because it is an exposition of select passages from 1 Corinthians.

Okay – those are the book covers you will see me hiding behind when waiting for the dentist, at the beach or waiting for one of the kid’s practice/orthodontist appointment to finish up!

I suspect they help you get to know me a little better … and that you consider that to be a good thing! Haha.

Blessings,
Pastor Paul

Church Family - following is an email I received from the American Family Association (AFA).  I think the AFA is an organization you need to be better aware of as well as involved in the issue this email addresses:

Home Depot exposes children to homosexuality in celebrated style Home Depot is a willing participant in exposing children to unhealthy and risky homosexual activities. June 21, 2010

According to the 2010 Southern Maine Pride website, Home Depot signed on as a major sponsor of its 2010 Gay Pride events. But simply financing and marching in the parade wasn't enough for the big box chain.

Home Depot also signed on as a "festival" vendor, conducting Kid's Craft Workshops for children in the midst of loud and boisterous gay activities.

To this end, Home Depot is basically encouraging the attendance of children at events which openly expose them to transvestites, cross-dressers, and homosexual activists.

Unfortunately, Home Depot's participation in the Southern Maine Pride Festival doesn't stand alone. It has also sponsored and participated in the 2010 Boston Gay Pride parade.

Gay pride events have a long track record for offensive public displays of homosexual conduct. Obviously, Home Depot is OK with the idea of exposing children to an unhealthy and risky environment. So much so, it is willing to also celebrate it by participating in its promotion, as demonstrated in these photos from the 2010 Maine and Boston events.

TAKE ACTION
Send an email to Home Depot and let them know you are opposed to their support and approval of children at homosexual events. If you are a customer, please add an additional personal line to our prepared letter to Home Depot.
After sending your email, make an extra effort to protect children by calling Home Depot personally. Brad Shaw is the Vice President of Public Relations. His direct number is 770-384-5350.

Note: AFA has attempted a number of times to reach out to Home Depot to discuss our concerns. Home Depot has never returned our calls.

While the convention was focused on fulfilling our business, it was also a good time yesterday to meet with different agency representatives and better understand the resources they provide our church!  Great possibilities to strengthen our prayer ministry, launch ministry initiatives targeting specific groups living within our community, mission needs in North America, education alternatives for our families, Christian scouting, possibles ideas for event evangelism, etc.  Lots of resources and ideas for ministry back in Jacksonville ...

Talked to Judy Crosby last night and thrilled to hear that Mega Sports Camp is going well.  Thank God for the children He has placed in our care.  I am praying that this evening and tomorrow evening will be a time when many of those children come to faith in Christ!

We enjoyed time last evening with Terry and Earline Williams as we make plans for a summer of ministry together.  They are such great people with hearts for the Lord and I look forward to seeing them interact with and help lead our church family!  Terry begins this Saturday night with a full rehearsal of our Praise Team and Band then will be leading worship Sunday morning!

We are packing up this morning and heading home to JAX ... look forward  to seeing everyone Sunday morning and finishing out the sermon series, "We become what we are committed to."