A NEW GENERATION LEADERSHIP - HOW TO LEAD THE NEXT GENERATION

Currently, Dr. Daniel Munsami is the Senior Pastor of New Life Ministries, South Africa and two other churches in Richards Bay, South Africa. In the International arena he gives oversight as the President of New Life Ministries International Network to six churches in Swaziland and seven in India, with 21 Pastors and Evangelists just in India. Dr. Munsami studied at the University of Pretoria for Advanced Leadership. In April 2009 he received an Honorary Doctorate from United Graduate College & Seminary International. Dr. Munsami has a passion to impact individuals and develop leaders. He travels extensively to countries such as Swaziland, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, USA, Mexico, Canada, Mauritius and India. Dr. Munsami has been married to Shirley Munsami for 25 years and has two sons: Eugene 21 and Shaun 17.

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As we look back into the corridors of time and catch a glimpse of some of the major changes that have taken place within our globe, one can only stand in awe of where we are right now. Whatever the area of focus may be; be it politics, economy, religion, technology, mode of transport or anything that affects mankind; there certainly have been great strides of advancements. In all this, effective leadership becomes the key to success. Poor leadership is the greatest contributor to the collapse of many countries and organizations. It is in this respect that I would like to share some thoughts that will assist current and emerging leaders to lead the next generation effectively.

Currently there is a sense of leadership crisis throughout the world and this is not the case only in the cooperate world but also within the church circle. Even though various mechanisms such as gender equality, seminars, conferences, social media and various other means are used as tools to develop leaders, we are still far from where we ought to be in proportion to the advancement of the entire world. In my opinion this has much to do with easy access to readily available material which does not demand much effort. The internet has become the primary source of information and many of the 21^st century leaders are totally dependent on it. Whenever there is a need for information or a question to be answered, the world at large turns to the internet. It is quick, easy and no real effort required. This could be a great tool for a follower who is constantly guided or following someone else’s thought pattern and achievements. They seldom think for themselves, or even create new ideas.  This prevents such people from developing the champion or the hero that is within them. Untapped potential of great leaders and path creators lay dormant within such people.  The very same method is used within the church circle whereby the internet becomes the primary source instead of the Bible and dependence on the Holy Spirit. Many leaders and Pastors are so program driven that time is never enough. Waiting upon the Lord for new and fresh ideas and thoughts becomes virtually impossible. The internet has made leadership sound so simple that with a click of a button on the computer, information on anything or any subject can be made available. This information that has been uploaded by some people that have made the sacrifice and also could have paid the price as a leader. Yet those who just depend only on such information will remain followers and never aspire to become effective leaders. I am not advocating that leaders should not research or even read the material of other leaders but if that is all that one does to develop him or herself, then they will always remain as followers rather than becoming effective leaders. God has given each of us a measure of ability to think and create. In order to become a new generation leader and lead the next generation effectively, consider the following:

LEAD WITH THE FEAR OF GOD

The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom: This fear comes by learning and understanding through the Bible who God really is. As we constantly read the scriptures and allow the Holy Spirit to speak into our lives, we will soon learn about His grace, mercy, His requirements and also how He deals with sin and rebellion. A leader who knows and understands the heart of God will lead the people of God accordingly. There will be difficulties and challenges and there will be times when leaders themselves will be tempted under pressure to disobey God’s word and apply worldly systems to achieve results. This could be detrimental, not only to the leader but also the people who he leads. In the past and to this day the cost of rebellion, sin and disobedience is great and the God that we serve never changes. His ways of love, grace, mercy and punishment never change. It is for that reason that leaders must lead with the fear of God and in so doing they transfer that spirit and energy to the people they lead.    

LEAD WITH THE WISDOM OF GOD

There is a distinct difference between intelligence and wisdom. Leaders might possess the intellect to plan, to build, and accumulate but if they don’t have the wisdom to use and maintain that which they have, it will all be in vain. Having the wisdom of God enables one to walk in the will of God and he will also understand and know the thoughts and plans of God. Leaders that possess the wisdom of God lead in an extraordinary manner.  The natural and carnal man will not understand or even comprehend that which will be accomplished by the one that has the wisdom of God. Leaders will constantly be faced with challenges and also be required to resolve conflicts, therefore in order to achieve the best result or outcome, the wisdom of God must prevail.

LEAD WITH INTERGRITY

There is a vast difference between character and integrity of a person. Character is what everyone sees and this sometimes could be very misleading but integrity is what happens in secret, which does not go unseen by God. I am amazed by the uprightness of Daniel’s integrity when faced with challenges and yet the governors found no fault or error in him.

LEAD WITH A PASSION

Passion is a fuel that drives a leader from an ordinary to extraordinary person. It is also an energy that refuses to be obstructed by challenges and circumstances. A person with a deep passion to lead will never sleep until dreams are transformed to reality. They are leaders that will look beyond the now and call into being that which is not as though they are. It will be in their nature to turn every obstacle into opportunities and every negative into positive.

Building Hope In The Next Generation - Kingdom Character

Prof. Donella Pitzl

Prof. Donella Pitzl has an International Professorship through Kayiwa International University and is an International Certified Master Life Coach. Prof. Donella’s doctorate work is in Biblical Counseling with an emphasis on Kingdom Character Building through United Graduate College and Seminary International. She has over 40 years of Christian education and ministry experience and has written several training materials and curriculum for children, youth, seminary students and ministry volunteers. She is also the Director of IMEA.

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Our future is held in the lives of our youth and our children. It is embodied in their training, mindsets, hopes and desires. Every generation faces challenges and needs encouragement to become all that God has created them to be. Good biblical principles built into the understanding of our young will allow them the ability to tap into the life God has to give them.

From Psalm 119, I have captured and paraphrased “22 Principles for Life”. When God’s Truth is applied to daily living with a practical application, it will bring hope by creating a lasting foundation. The way one looks at life will shape that life. What is understood about God - His love and care - will help one live in wholeness fulfilling God’s intentions for each generation on the Earth giving them a future and a hope.

The 22 Principles of Life – From Psalm 119

1. I am blessed when I live according to God’s principles; I will not suffer shame – Ps. 119:1, 6
2. The Lord keeps my heart pure when I live according to His Word and seek Him with all my heart – Ps. 119:9-11
3. My eyes are kept open that I can continue to see the path; God’s principles are my counselor – Ps. 119:18,24
4. Even when my heart is tired and sad,  I am strengthened by His principles; on this path I find freedom – Ps. 119:28, 32
5. I know I can ask the Lord to direct my thoughts and to keep my eyes on Him; His ways preserve my life in righteousness – Ps. 199:33, 35, 40
6. My hope in God brings freedom and puts strength in my words – Ps. 119:45, 46
7. I find comfort in hard times because I know God promises to keep me because I keep His principles – Ps. 119:50,56
8. I know if I turn my face towards God and stay diligent, I will find strength – Ps. 119:59, 61
9. I am thankful for hard times because they help me learn about God – Ps. 119:71
10. God made me and I can trust Him to teach me; I can trust His love to comfort me – Ps. 119:73,76
11. I know I can trust God’s commands  even in the face of hardship – Ps. 119:86
12. I realize although there is nothing perfect in life, I am unlimited as God’s principles are without limits – Ps. 119:96
13. I believe God’s principles rather than my enemies make me wiser – Ps. 119:98
14. I know God directs my path and even if others would try and trap me, I will happily stay on God’s path for my future – Ps. 119:105,110,111
15. I will stay singularly focused on God’s principles because they keep me and bring me life – Ps. 119:113,116
16. Loving and knowing God’s principles helps me hate every wrong path – Ps. 119:127,128
17. I realize God always shows mercy to those that love His name and He will not let any sin rule over me – Ps. 119:132,133
18. I can live because I trust in God’s principles which are true  – Ps. 119:138,144
19. I understand God has established His words to last forever and if I stay focused on them, I do not have to be afraid – Ps. 119:148,149,152
20. I believe God defends me and saves my life because of His compassion – Ps. 119:154,156
21. I see it is good to praise God and be thankful because He keeps me, knows all about me and gives me peace – Ps. 119:165,168
22. If I stray off the right path and yet not forget His principles, God will find me. Lord let me live that I might praise You – Ps. 119:175,176

Note: All Scripture verses are paraphrased from the New International Version of the Bible.

Active engagement is important. If the young people of today were to engage in the following activities, God would bring hope to the areas in life that are troubling and create a strong foundation in God for success in life.

• Write a statement about how you see yourself.
• Identify your area(s) of distress or hopelessness. Apply at least one of the 22 Principles of Life and on a daily basis declare it loudly over yourself.
• Identify an area where you can act upon daily to put your thinking on a right path.
• If you do not believe in God, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”  (NIV, Luke 11.9) You must ask for help from God.

Applying the Truth from God’s Word to the belief system of a young life will form that life to walk in God’s Kingdom with stability and bring change to their world and reality. Scripture confirms we can experience life – as in Heaven, so on Earth when we see through God’s eyes and believe His Word.

Why Should We Use Transformative Teaching Methods? - Part 2 by Prof. Michal Pitzl

Pastors and laymen are considered teachers as Jesus says in Matthew 28:19-20. We are to go into all nations and make disciples, teaching people to obey God.

As Christian educators we need to understand the purpose of our teachings. Without purpose it is difficult to make meaning of and stay focused on the path on which we are leading our people. In Ephesians 4:12-14 Paul tells us the purpose of teaching God’s word: “to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” (NIV) God’s people must become confident in God, not man. They must have a solid understanding of the character and promises of God according to His word.

As teachers we need to look at the purpose of our teaching and the results of what traditional teaching methods have produced in our societies. Have traditional methods produced mature people who are active thinkers and problem solvers? Have our teachings served the children of God, causing them to grow in maturity, attaining to the fullness of Christ? What is the evidence in our communities, our countries and the world that these methods are effective in creating mature and confident Christians?

As pastors and teachers we are to produce mature believers, believers that can solve their own problems as well as help others.

Is the word of God being taught in a way that is beneficial to the majority of the world today? Is scripture being made relevant to the lives of the people? Are they able to practice the principles of the Kingdom of God outside of the church and without the help of pastors? Are Christians leading victorious and prosperous lives? Our goal should be to produce confident and victorious individuals based on the word of God. As leaders we do not need to be threatened by this, but have faith that as we do the will of God He will sustain us according to scripture. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” Matt. 6:33 (NIV).

Maybe after honestly considering the answers to these questions you will begin to consider becoming a pioneer for Transformative Education in ministry.

Transformative Education is not a new concept, as a matter of fact many American and international institutions implement the techniques of this kind of education. Through experience nationally and internationally I have found that people who experience this type of education become confident creators and problem solvers. They become empowered people of action and not of theory only. They become the true image of the children of God.