Steve Murrell's Blog, page 24

What Is Apostolic Leadership?

I’ve been on a lot of Zoom calls recently with Every Nation leaders around the world talking about apostolic leadership and expansion.

In Acts 14, we see a good description of how apostolic ministry works—not in terms of authority but of expansion. We embrace apostolic leadership by:

 

Preaching the gospelMaking disciplesStrengthening churchesAppointing elders

Poisoned by Bitterness

While reading Acts 8 recently during my morning devotions, I was reminded of the destructive power of bitterness. As I pondered the metaphor Luke chose to describe bitterness—poison—I immediately paused to search my heart to make sure I had not allowed the “poison of bitterness” to corrupt me.

What does it mean to be poisoned by bitterness? Is there a remedy if we have ingested the poison?

This week’s message is all about protecting our hearts from the poison of bitterness.

Three Ways to Fight Fear

Fear is everywhere. There is always something about fear that is attacking and approaching and tempting leaders.

As I was reading Psalm 27, a familiar passage that most pastors and leaders know, I saw something brand new (to me, at least); three ways spiritual leaders fight:

 

We have to theologize.We have to personalize.We have to vocalize.

A Description of Leadership

We can see leadership lessons all around us, from professional athletes to politicians to church leaders. Unfortunately, leaders can lead in a way that reverses greatness and causes damage—we even see this in scripture. However, scripture also has many examples of great leadership.

I was recently reading Acts 13, and I believe that Luke’s description of David is one of these examples and can help us as we lead.

I pray that God would help us as leaders to:

See that our giftings are for others.Be in pursuit of God’s heart.Do the will of God.

Christ Formed in You

Church: Pearlside

Discussing Asbury

In the past three weeks, I have had multiple Zoom calls with Every Nation pastors and leaders around the world. Several global leaders have asked about my thoughts regarding the Asbury University Awakening.

Last week, I sat down with two of our Every Nation Campus leaders, Delvin Pikes and Nick Jones, who visited the university during the 24-hour prayer and worship times. I think their experience on the Asbury campus during the outpouring will inform and encourage you. Delvin is the ENC director here in Nashville and serves on the Board of Trustees at Asbury University, and Nick serves as our ENC North America Director.

How Wise Leaders Face Opposition

Every leader, at some point, will feel like there are countless voices pushing one direction while the call of God pushes the opposite direction. As spiritual leaders, how should we deal with opposition and opposing voices?

In Psalm 3, David talks about the contrast between the many voices of his opponents and the one voice of God.

I hope this brief message helps you lead strong despite opposition. I also hope it helps you develop emerging leaders who will lead through opposition rather than wilt, freeze, or quit when things get tough.

In One Place

As we prepare to gather together for the 2023 Go Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, I am reminded of Acts 2. There is something special about being physically together in one place. When devout people from every nation come together, God can show up in powerful and miraculous ways that impact individuals, communities, and the world.

What Does It Mean to Think Like a Leader?

My goal for each Think Like a Leader video has always been to help ministers of the gospel think like a leader. The Bible rarely mentions the word “leader” or “leadership,” but there are leaders and leadership lessons found all throughout. In Philippians chapter one, we find a great description of leadership.

May God’s Word help every one of us to think like a leader.

Staying Connected to the Global Church

I recently had a conversation with a good friend of mine, who pastors an Every Nation church in a restricted nation, about the importance of the local church staying connected with the global Church. We talked about Paul’s description of the Church in 1 Corinthians 1 and how it applies to us today, whether we’re in a restricted nation or in nations where it is safe to gather.

As spiritual leaders, I pray that we lead our churches in a way that is both local and global.