Relationships among Staff & Leaders

We just finished our mid-year elder-staff retreat this afternoon at my home church (www.harpethcc.com). I personally think it was the best one that we have ever shared. Here is why: we spent the first 4.5 hours playing together and letting each other know how much we love each other. It was Lazer Tag (I came in 3rd out of 24 in the first game), pizza, and 5 things we admire about each other. It took all night- there were 24 of us and it was a great night for all. Then, the next morning, we got down to prayer, business affairs, strategy, and plans.

For too many years, I have not emphasized (enough) that relationships come first among church leaders. I have 6 people that directly report to me each week and too often I start with the work of their ministry, not the ministry of my love for them. Love them first, make sure they are doing the work second. That has become an fundamentally important order for me . . . and at my church, we call it "Intentional Love." May I first and foremost be known as a leader who starts and ends with "Intentional Love" for those who work for me and with me.

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