Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges hit a homerun with their book, The Most Loving Place In Town. There are so many great principles in the book. I have listed a few below:
The first time Jesus mentioned the church was in Matthew 16:18, when He said, "I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." p. 84
Jesus said, "I will build my church," He was talking about more than a building or organizational structure. He was talking about creating a living, breathing, community of people. [Note it is His church, not mine, the Pastor's or anyone else] p. 84
. . . seven characteristics that define the church Jesus had in mind:
- First, love was to be the distinct characteristic that guided the lives and relationships of the church community. John 13:34-35
- Second, His church would be an everlasting community of interdependent people called in time and circumstance to glorify God.
- Third, His church would have all the resources it required to fulfill its mission. Matthew 28:18-20 p. 85
- Fourth, His church would have prayer as the most distinctive practice of its daily life and relationship with Him Matthew 21:13
- Fifth, His church would have an ongoing access to an unimpeachable source of knowledge, wisdom, and power to guide its actions. John 14:26
- Sixth, His church would have His guidance. Matthew 18:20
- Seventh, He would sustain the church. John 15:5 p. 86
Real servant leaders love to hear what others think. They know the only reason they're leading is to serve, and if anybody has any suggestions on how they can serve better, they want to hear them. They consider feedback - even when it comes in the form of criticism - a gift. p. 95
. . . self-serving leaders are unwilling to develop other leaders around them. They fear the potential competition for their leadership position. p. 96
Another trait of servant leaders is that they want to bring out the best in others. p. 96
The scholar of servant leadership, Robert Greenleaf, said that the true test of a servant leader is this: "Do those around the servant leader become wiser, freer, more autonomous, healthier, and better able to become servant leaders? p. 96
He [Jesus] habit of solitude empowered Him to stay on purpose and follow God's will rather than do the popular thing. p. 97
. . . it's important to have habits that keep us focused and moving ahead on God's plan rather than our own. p. 98
God's never late but always on time! p. 102
. . . a compelling vision tells people who they are, where they are going, and what will guide their journey. p. 102
. . . vision is the leadership part of servant leadership and implementation is the servant aspect. p. 103
Lord, clean me out of me, fill me up with You, and then clothe me with humility. p. 104
Nine Components of Love
Questionnaire
1 Corinthians 13
- Patience: Love as patience endures evil, injury, and provocation without being filled with resentment, indignation, or revenge. It will put up with many slights and neglects from the person it loves and wait long to see the kindly effects of such patience on him.
When do I struggle to demonstrate love as patience?
- Kindness: Love as kindness is active. Kindness seeks to be useful. It not only seizes on opportunities for doing good but also searches for them.
When do I struggle with expressing love as kindness?
- Generosity: Love as generosity does not envy the good fortune or accomplishments of others. If we love our neighbor, we will be so far from envying her and what she possesses or accomplishes that we will share in it and rejoice at it. The prosperity of those to whom we wish well can never grieve us.
When do I struggle with expressing love as generosity?
- Courtesy: Love as courtesy is love in the little things. It behaves toward all people with goodwill. It seeks to promote the happiness of all. It avoids profane and indecent language and coarse and vulgar expressions that pain the ear and offend the hearts of others.
When do I exhibit love as courtesy?
When do I struggle to exhibit love as courtesy?
- Humility: Love as humility does not promote or call attention to itself, is not puffed up, is not bloated with self-conceit, and does not dwell upon its accomplishments. When true brotherly love is exhibited, we will find things to praise in others and will esteem others.
When do I struggle with expressing love as humility?
- Unselfishness: Love as unselfishness never seeks its own to the harm or disadvantage of others, or with the neglect of others. It often neglects its own for the sake of others; it prefers their welfare, satisfaction, and advantage to its own; and it ever prefers the good of the community to its private advantage. It would not advance, aggrandize, enrich, or gratify itself at the cost and damage of the public.
When do I struggle to express love as unselfishness?
- Good temper: Love as good temper restrains the passions and is not exasperated. It corrects a sharpness of temper and sweetens and softens attitudes. Love as good tempter is never angry without a cause and endeavors to combine the passions within proper limits. Anger cannot rest in the heart where love reigns. It is hard to be angry with loved ones in good temper but very easy to drop resentments and be reconciled.
When do I exhibit love as good temper?
When do I struggle to exhibit love as good temper?
- Guilelessness: Love as guilelessness thinks no evil, suspects no ill motive, sees the bright side, and puts the best construction on every action. It is grace for suspicious people. It cherishes no malice; it does not give way to revenge. It is not apt to be jealous and suspicious.
When do I struggle to model love as guilelessness?
- Sincerity: Love as sincerity takes no pleasure in doing injury or hurt to others or broadcasting their seeming miscues. It speaks only what is known to be true, necessary, and edifying. It bears no false witness and does not gossip. It rejoices in the truth.
When do I demonstrate love as sincerity?
When do I struggle to demonstrate love as sincerity?
. . . love is lived out in the day-to-day choices people make in their relationships with each other. pp. 127-131
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