The following is taken from "The Second Man" by David Maynard.
Exodus 17:8-13 “Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands [were] heavy; and they took a stone, and put [it] under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
When God’s Man is in the midst of the battles of life, God uses the Second Man to strengthen him. In this situation Aaron was used of God by holding up the hands of Moses. As a pastor, it seems that we sometimes fight our battles alone. I am glad for the men that God has used to strengthen me in the midst of my hardships. They overcame the enemy because they fought the battle together. They struggle did not cause Aaron to run. The battle would strengthen their relationship.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
Keep Your Spiritual Life in Check
One of the greatest heart aches leaders have in the ministry is to see people they have worked with turn back to the world, to see them reject what they know is right for the lust of their flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (John 2:16).
There are several people that worked under Jefe that are not serving God any longer. He has invested much time and money into people that as of now could care less about what God wants for their lives.
We have to realize we are in a battle. The devil wants to take us down. Don’t expect to work with a man of vision and think that you’ll be safe from the devil’s attacks. A man of God that moves forward will always be under Satan’s attack.
Many times he isn’t able to take down the 1st man so he goes after the 2nd man. He knows that if he destroys someone as close to the 1st man as his 2nd man, he can cause a lot of damage to the 1st man’s ministry.
There are times in my life when I am discouraged, angry, bitter, and lustful. The devil wants to use each of those vices to take me down. If I am not relying on Him, I could fall into any of those traps at any given time.
Sometimes you may get the feeling you don’t have to study, pray, or read the Word as much because you’re not the main guy in charge, but you are so wrong. It is just as important if not more to do all of those things.
If I let down my guard for one minute I could lose everything. Satan wants nothing more than to destroy my ministry.
If you don’t think the job of a 2nd man is that important then don’t worry about your spiritual life. You also won’t have to worry about being a 2nd man for much longer either.
There are several people that worked under Jefe that are not serving God any longer. He has invested much time and money into people that as of now could care less about what God wants for their lives.
We have to realize we are in a battle. The devil wants to take us down. Don’t expect to work with a man of vision and think that you’ll be safe from the devil’s attacks. A man of God that moves forward will always be under Satan’s attack.
Many times he isn’t able to take down the 1st man so he goes after the 2nd man. He knows that if he destroys someone as close to the 1st man as his 2nd man, he can cause a lot of damage to the 1st man’s ministry.
There are times in my life when I am discouraged, angry, bitter, and lustful. The devil wants to use each of those vices to take me down. If I am not relying on Him, I could fall into any of those traps at any given time.
Sometimes you may get the feeling you don’t have to study, pray, or read the Word as much because you’re not the main guy in charge, but you are so wrong. It is just as important if not more to do all of those things.
If I let down my guard for one minute I could lose everything. Satan wants nothing more than to destroy my ministry.
If you don’t think the job of a 2nd man is that important then don’t worry about your spiritual life. You also won’t have to worry about being a 2nd man for much longer either.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Be Loyal
Loyal is defined as giving or showing fixed and constant support or allegiance to a person or institution. My two favorite words in this definition are fixed and constant.
When an argument arises between you and your 1st man, do you show fixed and constant allegiance? When the majority is against him, do you show fixed and constant allegiance? When you disagree with his decisions, do you show fixed and constant allegiance?
I have seen several men come and go in the ministry since I started working with Jefe. I have seen them make commitments to stand and work with him no matter what to get the gospel to the world.
I have also seen those men turn their back on him and act like they have never made those promises. When times got touch, or when the wrong decisions where made, instead of trying to improve the situation they threw in the towel. When he challenged them to have good work ethics and to be accountable to those that pay or support them, I have seen them run in the opposite direction.
One thing I had to learn in order to be Jefe’s 2nd man is that he is flesh and blood just like the rest of us. He makes mistakes, loses his temper, and at times says things he shouldn’t say. You know, the same mistakes you and I both make.
A good 2nd man won’t waiver when trouble comes. His loyalty will stand no matter what the circumstances.
I know there are times when a 1st man totally turns away from God and his word. The 2nd man may have to leave, but if you have a 1st man that desires nothing but to please God, like I have, you better learn what loyalty really means.
You better learn that you don’t talk bad behind his back or try to get others to back up your ideas and decisions against him. You stand with him even if the gates of hell come crashing down on his head.
Be the man he can rely on 100%!
When an argument arises between you and your 1st man, do you show fixed and constant allegiance? When the majority is against him, do you show fixed and constant allegiance? When you disagree with his decisions, do you show fixed and constant allegiance?
I have seen several men come and go in the ministry since I started working with Jefe. I have seen them make commitments to stand and work with him no matter what to get the gospel to the world.
I have also seen those men turn their back on him and act like they have never made those promises. When times got touch, or when the wrong decisions where made, instead of trying to improve the situation they threw in the towel. When he challenged them to have good work ethics and to be accountable to those that pay or support them, I have seen them run in the opposite direction.
One thing I had to learn in order to be Jefe’s 2nd man is that he is flesh and blood just like the rest of us. He makes mistakes, loses his temper, and at times says things he shouldn’t say. You know, the same mistakes you and I both make.
A good 2nd man won’t waiver when trouble comes. His loyalty will stand no matter what the circumstances.
I know there are times when a 1st man totally turns away from God and his word. The 2nd man may have to leave, but if you have a 1st man that desires nothing but to please God, like I have, you better learn what loyalty really means.
You better learn that you don’t talk bad behind his back or try to get others to back up your ideas and decisions against him. You stand with him even if the gates of hell come crashing down on his head.
Be the man he can rely on 100%!
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Remember You are an Extension of the 1st Man
Everything you do as a 2nd man should further the ministry of the 1st man.
If I make a visit to a first time visitor, I need to make the visit in the name of my pastor. If I make a hospital visit, I need to tell the person that Pastor Gardner asked me to come and see how they are.
A lot of pastors are worried about their 2nd man being loyal. When he knows that everything you do complements and strengthens his ministry, he doesn't have to be worried about loyalty.
At the church we strive to represent the Jefe in everything we do. We want to make sure that what we do doesn't hinder but help his ministry.
The 1st man should get the credit for everything we do or say. Now that's a good thing when what we do is right, but it can be very devastating when we cause problems. We have a enormous responsibility to make sure we don't give him a bad name, which in turn gives the Lord a bad name.
Remember the importance of your position. Remember that everything you do is what the 1st man does. Make sure you're the right kind of representative.
If I make a visit to a first time visitor, I need to make the visit in the name of my pastor. If I make a hospital visit, I need to tell the person that Pastor Gardner asked me to come and see how they are.
A lot of pastors are worried about their 2nd man being loyal. When he knows that everything you do complements and strengthens his ministry, he doesn't have to be worried about loyalty.
At the church we strive to represent the Jefe in everything we do. We want to make sure that what we do doesn't hinder but help his ministry.
The 1st man should get the credit for everything we do or say. Now that's a good thing when what we do is right, but it can be very devastating when we cause problems. We have a enormous responsibility to make sure we don't give him a bad name, which in turn gives the Lord a bad name.
Remember the importance of your position. Remember that everything you do is what the 1st man does. Make sure you're the right kind of representative.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Implement the 1st Man's Ideas
The following is from a guest blogger, Trent Cornwell. Trent is the youth director at our church and is also my brother-in-law. God has truly equipped Trent to be a great help to the Jefe.
“Inside every successful organization there is a musical score for
innovation. And every score has three key musicians: the composer (the
idea person), the conductor (the creative people and others who believe in
the idea and put their reputation on the line for it) and the orchestra
(the people who actually implement the idea and make it better).”
- Leonard Sweet, Summoned to Lead
Ideas are either “a dime a dozen” or worth millions. It all depends on the
steps taken after an idea is given. I believe the more people identify
their position on a team the smoother the transition will be from idea to
impact.
At our church, as all should be, our Pastor is the visionary leader. God
has given him the vision and direction the church should go in. So, it is
only natural that the majority of ideas that affect our ministry come from
his office. Many times he comes up with the idea and other times he
creates an environment and leads conversations that yield the ideas
needed.
I believe many great ideas are lost and diluted from the time the
“composer” gives the idea to the time the “orchestra” implements the
plans. It is the job as 2nd men to make sure the idea of
the pastor is protected and improved upon, but never taken in a different
direction then he meant for it to go in.
As 2nd men who conduct and lead in the church one of the best
investments we can make in the church is to better know the pastor. We
need to know his vision, dreams, and everything we can about him so that
we can best implement the ideas God will give him.
“Inside every successful organization there is a musical score for
innovation. And every score has three key musicians: the composer (the
idea person), the conductor (the creative people and others who believe in
the idea and put their reputation on the line for it) and the orchestra
(the people who actually implement the idea and make it better).”
- Leonard Sweet, Summoned to Lead
Ideas are either “a dime a dozen” or worth millions. It all depends on the
steps taken after an idea is given. I believe the more people identify
their position on a team the smoother the transition will be from idea to
impact.
At our church, as all should be, our Pastor is the visionary leader. God
has given him the vision and direction the church should go in. So, it is
only natural that the majority of ideas that affect our ministry come from
his office. Many times he comes up with the idea and other times he
creates an environment and leads conversations that yield the ideas
needed.
I believe many great ideas are lost and diluted from the time the
“composer” gives the idea to the time the “orchestra” implements the
plans. It is the job as 2nd men to make sure the idea of
the pastor is protected and improved upon, but never taken in a different
direction then he meant for it to go in.
As 2nd men who conduct and lead in the church one of the best
investments we can make in the church is to better know the pastor. We
need to know his vision, dreams, and everything we can about him so that
we can best implement the ideas God will give him.
Good 2nd men are willing to work for free.
When being a 2nd man you have two options. Stay with your 1st man for life or learn as much as you possibly can from the 1st man so you will be an effective 1st man some day.
We have two students right now at the Our Generation Training Center that are planning on being full time missionaries. Philip Bassham is planning on going to Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia and Mark Tolson is planning on going to China.
Both of these guys are at the top of the list. They have sacrificed and worked in a way that is above and beyond many students. They are involved in several hours of classes every week; work 30 to 40 hours for the church, and on top of that work part time jobs. By the way, neither of them receives a salary, not one dime.
They have committed working and training under Jefe so they will learn what they have to learn to be the right kind of leader.
If you don’t have 2nd men around you that are willing to work for you for free, you don’t need them as 2nd men. Don’t spend money on those that aren’t willing to learn, serve, and kill themselves when money isn’t involved.
Few students have paid the prices these young men have. I count it a privilege to be able to work beside them every day.
I truly believe we are working with men whose hearts God has touched.
We have two students right now at the Our Generation Training Center that are planning on being full time missionaries. Philip Bassham is planning on going to Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia and Mark Tolson is planning on going to China.
Both of these guys are at the top of the list. They have sacrificed and worked in a way that is above and beyond many students. They are involved in several hours of classes every week; work 30 to 40 hours for the church, and on top of that work part time jobs. By the way, neither of them receives a salary, not one dime.
They have committed working and training under Jefe so they will learn what they have to learn to be the right kind of leader.
If you don’t have 2nd men around you that are willing to work for you for free, you don’t need them as 2nd men. Don’t spend money on those that aren’t willing to learn, serve, and kill themselves when money isn’t involved.
Few students have paid the prices these young men have. I count it a privilege to be able to work beside them every day.
I truly believe we are working with men whose hearts God has touched.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Make sure you make a big deal out of the 1st man’s big days
I will have to admit here that I have not been very good at all in this area. When I worked with the Jefe in Peru this was never a problem. The Peru team always made sure he was honored for every possible occasion. Now that we are here in the states and everything falls on me to make sure things are planned out right to honor him it is a little more difficult. I have to make sure he isn’t overlooked.
Hopefully, you have people in the ministry that will help you in this area. I know I do. If I forget something I usually have four to five other people coming to me asking what we have planned for the Jefe’s birthday, anniversary, or for pastor’s appreciation month. Last week was both the Jefe’s birthday and anniversary so that is why this is so fresh on my mind.
You need to make sure that for the special occasions things are planned long in advance. If you have a 1st man that has the right kind of heart, you know he doesn’t care about how much money you spend on him. He may even get upset if he knows that you did spend a lot, but that doesn’t matter. Your heart is where your treasure is. Make sure you plan long enough in advance so that people can be saving to spend a good amount of money on him.
If you wait to the last week or even month, it is difficult to really go all out. With our church just starting out here in Alpharetta, and our finances as tight as they are, we have to plan long in advance. Or at least we should.
Now my brother-in-law is in a hard position that I know many 2nd man are in. He is 2nd man to his dad. It is more difficult for him to tell all the church people to spend a lot of money on his dad. With that situation make sure you get the other church leaders behind you. Start conversations where the idea will arise, and you can turn it into their idea and get them to push the agenda. That’s a little trick that will work in a lot of areas in the ministry, not just gifts. You just have to make sure you don’t abuse your position when it comes to that.
But not matter what relationship you have to the 1st man make sure his is remembered. Remember his birthday, his anniversary, the day he started or came to the church, his wife’s birthday, etc, etc, etc. If you have a 1st man as good as the one we have here at Vision, make sure he is honored. People are more likely to stay around longer if they know they are appreciated.
Hopefully, you have people in the ministry that will help you in this area. I know I do. If I forget something I usually have four to five other people coming to me asking what we have planned for the Jefe’s birthday, anniversary, or for pastor’s appreciation month. Last week was both the Jefe’s birthday and anniversary so that is why this is so fresh on my mind.
You need to make sure that for the special occasions things are planned long in advance. If you have a 1st man that has the right kind of heart, you know he doesn’t care about how much money you spend on him. He may even get upset if he knows that you did spend a lot, but that doesn’t matter. Your heart is where your treasure is. Make sure you plan long enough in advance so that people can be saving to spend a good amount of money on him.
If you wait to the last week or even month, it is difficult to really go all out. With our church just starting out here in Alpharetta, and our finances as tight as they are, we have to plan long in advance. Or at least we should.
Now my brother-in-law is in a hard position that I know many 2nd man are in. He is 2nd man to his dad. It is more difficult for him to tell all the church people to spend a lot of money on his dad. With that situation make sure you get the other church leaders behind you. Start conversations where the idea will arise, and you can turn it into their idea and get them to push the agenda. That’s a little trick that will work in a lot of areas in the ministry, not just gifts. You just have to make sure you don’t abuse your position when it comes to that.
But not matter what relationship you have to the 1st man make sure his is remembered. Remember his birthday, his anniversary, the day he started or came to the church, his wife’s birthday, etc, etc, etc. If you have a 1st man as good as the one we have here at Vision, make sure he is honored. People are more likely to stay around longer if they know they are appreciated.
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