Steve Murrell's Blog, page 27

Keeping the Unity of the Spirit

Psalm 133 pushes us to think deeply about unity among believers.

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

People can share theological positions, political opinions, and/or cultural similarities, yet not be united. Individuals can share physical space and get along, but not be truly unified. An athletic team can work together to win a game, yet not really be walking together outside of the game.

That’s because unity requires more from us than positional affiliations and/or shared cultural understandings.

Unity takes a lot of work. It does not just magically happen. And yet unity of the Spirit is a gift from God that Paul tells us to “make every effort to maintain.” There is a blessing in being together in the unity of the Spirit. Today, let’s talk about what that blessing looks like.

Finding Silence and Solitude

I am in Manila this week for our Every Nation Seminary Residential Intensive with sixty-three students/leaders from twenty-seven nations. When I meet with and hear from these students on topics like global mission and apostolic leadership, I become even more encouraged about Every Nation’s future. It’s a joy and privilege to teach and lead alongside these students and faculty members.

Every morning and afternoon, students and faculty gather in the Every Nation roof-deck prayer chapel for a 30-minute worship service. But most of our students and faculty arrive at the chapel 10–15 minutes early for a time of silence and solitude.

I have heard from quite a few students that the daily practice of silence has been refreshing and transformational. Throughout church history, silence and solitude were considered vital components of spiritual formation in the church.

Today’s message addresses why and how to reclaim this practice.

Great Leaders Are Great Listeners

As individuals grow in their leadership capacity, it can become easy to ignore the voices of anyone outside the leadership circle. Tragically, the more authority, favor, and power a leader gets, sometimes the less they listen.

But many times, the wisdom of God comes from places that we don’t expect. Today, we’re looking at the story of Naaman to see the power of listening to people from a different context.

Great leaders are great listeners. I pray that you would learn to listen for God’s wisdom in unlikely places.

Choosing the Right Path

Psalm 1 tells us that there are only two ways to live: “the way of the righteous” or “the way of the wicked.” One way is to be planted near streams of WATER. The other is blown about by the WIND. 

Reading Psalm 1 recently, I was reminded of the famous Robert Frost poem “The Road Not Taken.” In it, Frost describes the familiar agony of decision, realizing he couldn’t choose both paths.

This is not unlike the decisions we daily face as believers—to be rooted in the Word or to be blown about by the winds of the world. As life throws us changes and challenges, which will you choose?

What Is the Goal of Preaching and Teaching?

Last week, I had the privilege of preaching a devotional sermon at our annual Every Nation Seminary faculty retreat, which was held in cabins in the woods near a waterfall about 100K from Nashville (thus my shorts).

My goal was to remind our faculty that the outcome of theological education must be more than accumulating Bible information and acquiring ministry skills. Information and skills are important, but the formation of Christ in the heart of leaders is ultimate.

That being the case, the question is: How can we teach, preach, and do ministry so that Christ is formed in the heart of our listeners?

The Danger of Leading Alone

For many years, the Barna Group has conducted research on the well-being of American pastors. According to its most recent research, in the post-Covid era, more than 51% of American mainline pastors have considered quitting their ministry roles.

Why are so many ministry leaders struggling? And more importantly, how can they recover the joy of ministry and their sense of calling?

My responses to those questions are in today’s message.

Calling, Runways, and Retirement

For most vocational ministers, it is difficult to think of the idea of leadership transition and/or retirement. Why? Because it means that we are entertaining the idea that someday, we will not hold the leadership position we are currently in. And while that may be a strange thought, the reality is that none of us will retain our current leadership position forever. Whether in a few days or in many years, someone will eventually take our place.

This is why it is so important for leaders to build a leadership runway. I will discuss this concept further in my upcoming book, The Leadership Runway, but the takeaway for today is that every organization needs a leadership runway that enables emerging leaders to take off and established leaders to land.

There are five reasons that we need a leadership runway:

To refuelTo redirectTo retoolTo repairTo retire

The Heart of Leadership

A ministry colleague and friend recently asked me: “When you are leading leaders, what is your main focus?”

This is a great question. Anytime I’m working with a leader to equip and empower them, I always begin with the heart.

Too often, we focus immediately on skills and strategies. Every leadership role does require new skills, but acquiring skills is secondary.

The more important thing is having a heart that is continually being shaped by the Word of God.

When we develop high-level leadership skills and fail to cultivate an upright heart, we have the capacity to become corrupt and manipulative leaders (even if others can’t see it). But if we cultivate an upright heart before God—as we grow in our leadership skills—we will be the kinds of leaders who lead like David, and more importantly, like Jesus.

Relational Discipleship

Church:  Victory

Run from Fame

I originally shot and posted this short video about eighteen months ago. However, in a modern culture that is more obsessed with fame and celebrity than ever before, I decided to post it again.

Earlier this year, I deleted every social media app on my phone because I felt they were distracting me from the relationships and the mission that God has called me to. Four months without social media, and I think I’m a better, more focused preacher, leader, husband, father, and grandfather. (The Every Nation Communications department continues to post on my platforms in my absence.)

I am concerned about spiritual leaders who sometimes seem more focused on cultivating platforms than making disciples. Yes, it is possible to do both, but one is intentionally addictive while the other requires intentional discipline.

Whenever Jesus ministered to people, his fame spread. He couldn’t stop it. But he controlled how he responded to fame and notoriety. Whenever fame followed him, he ran. First to the Father in prayer; then to close friends. Here’s how we can apply this wisdom from the life and ministry of Jesus:

Stop caring about the size and response of your audience.Start investing in your private life more than your public life.Go deep with God and a few close friends.