I’ll admit, I’m a little sad to come to the end of this book. If you are looking for the guides for other chapters, you can find links here: Chapters 1-3, 4-6, and 7-9. All of the questions are consolidated on a downloadable PDF here.
Chapter 10: Restoration
Principle: If a leadership community is formed by the gospel, it will always be committed to a lifestyle of fresh starts and new beginnings
Key Quotes:
“If all God wanted to do was judge people, he wouldn’t warn them first. God’s warning is a beautiful aspect of his grace” (pg. 184).
“Restoration isn’t motivated by seeing how fast we can get a leader back into the ministry saddle; it’s longing that the lapsed leader would know spiritual health of heart and life. Restoration is not about turning away from a ministry leader, even if he needs to be removed from his position and ministry duties, but turning towards him with grace that takes both sin and restoration seriously” (pg. 189).
Discussion:
- What are some of the differences between leaders in the church and organization when it comes to restoration?
- When do you know it is the right time to separate a recalcitrant leader? Member?
- Read through the story of Jesus restoring Peter in John 21:15-24. What principles of restoration are evident? What other narratives of restoration come to mind?
- What are some illustrations of warnings you have observed in ministry?
Chapter 11: Longevity
Principle: For church leaders, ministry is always the result of gospel community.
Quotes:
“You see, every leadership community needs to understand that there is no such thing as individual ministry. Every leader’s ministry is a community project. Every leader needs the ministry of other leaders to grow to the kind of maturity that will allow him to lead well over the long term and end well” (pg. 194).
“God makes his invisible comfort visible through agents of comfort he sends where comfort is needed” (pg. 197).
“Spiritual maturity in the life and ministry of a ministry leader is about being humbled by the gospel, made courageous by the gospel, and infused with sturdy hope by the gospel” (pg. 203).
Discussion:
- Who or what are some of the agents of comfort the Lord has brought to you over the years?
- How does patience play into everyday leadership as well as longevity in leadership?
- How does Scripture inform your understanding of God’s patience with us?
- Of Humility, Courage, Hope, which are you learning the most about right now?
- How might you apply the strategy for longevity found on 204-205?
Chapter 12: Presence
Principle: You will only handle the inevitable weakness, failure, and sin of your leaders when you view them through the lens of the presence, power, promises, and grace of Jesus.
Key Quotes:
“When a leader forgets the powerful and gracious presence of the Lord, he also forgets who he is and what is his as God’s child. Vertical amnesia always leads to identity confusion” (pg. 218).
“What every ministry leader will face he cannot endure or defeat on his own, and this is precisely why God has promised that he would not think of leaving you and that forsaking you is simply out of the question. As a ministry leader, God’s presence is your hope, God’s presence is your confidence, God’s presence is your refuge, God’s presence is your courage, God’s presence calls you to humility and dependency, and God’s presence is your constant motivation to continue. Ministry leadership, at its core, is about a community of leaders practicing together the presence of the Lord” (pgs. 220-21).
Discussion:
- In what directions does the power or experience you have had tempt you?
- What does it look like when you lead in “vertical amnesia”? What are some ways your leadership team practices the presence of God? What does that look like in the mundane tasks of ministry?
- What are some ways your leadership team practices the presence of God? What does that look like in the mundane tasks of ministry?
May this text continue to impact our hearts, churches, and communities for the Glory of God!
Lisa LaGeorge 